With just 100 days to go, make sure you mark your calendar and add the free Grow Ōtautahi Christchurch Garden Festival
to your list of post-Christmas must-do activities.
From 12-14 March 2021, visitors to Christchurch’s Botanic Gardens will see for free what’s growing in Canterbury.
There’s something for everyone at Grow Ōtautahi – whether you’re an experienced horticulturalist, beginner gardener,
home renovator, science enthusiast, food lover – or you just want somewhere fun to take the kids for a day out!Fun for the family
You don’t have to know much about gardening to know you can have a great day out at Grow Ōtautahi. Our wonderful School
Gardens celebrate the city’s youngest gardeners. The festival Kids’ Zone will also keep the little ones entertained with
competitions, tree-climbing, sandpit digs and more, while parents explore, take-in a cooking demonstration, hear from
science and garden experts, enjoy a bite to eat, do a spot of shopping and generally relax in the botanic gardens.From your garden to your plate
Foodies will love Grow Ōtautahi, with top chefs led by our fabulous Food Ambassador Jax Hamilton showcasing their
culinary skills in the Garden Kitchen. The line-up of kitchen maestros will create a dish from the Meadow Mushrooms
Mystery Box of locally sourced ingredients. Jonny Schwass and the team at the Ilex Café will also have plenty of
satisfying treats on hand so visitors will be entertained and inspired.Sprucing-up your outdoors
Summer holidays are a great time to get working in the garden or your outdoor spaces. Our stunning exhibition gardens
will inspire your home project and there will be practical help from exhibitors and retail areas on how to make your
ideas a reality.Starting your garden from scratch
Gardening is very on-trend, but many don’t know where to begin. You’ll be able to talk directly to the gardening experts
at Grow. Our Beginner Gardening Ambassador Julia Atkinson-Dunn is focused on helping you learn the basics, while the
workshop marquee will have expert demonstrations.Sharing your horticultural passion
You’ll hear from the experts at our Terra Viva Workshops, while seasoned gardeners will be able to share their love of
horticulture with like-minded people. Our Botanical Marquee showcases horticultural clubs and associations and you’ll
also meet Canterbury’s amazing gardeners at the City Care Community Gardens exhibition.Going science-crazy
Grow Ōtautahi celebrates innovation and different ways of thinking. Our Horticultural Futures Hub encourages robust
discussion about existing and new technologies, promotes innovation and offers a top line-up of agricultural and science
experts to lead the way.
A Garden Festival designed especially for the Garden City, Grow Ōtautahi celebrates our community, champions our
environment and supports education. Grow Ōtautahi is run by the Christchurch Garden Festival Trust and is
not-for-profit. Entry will be free to the public.Grow Ōtautahi, 12-14 March 2021
Free entry in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens