Just ask Melissa Franich, who made the most of her small Ropes Crossing yard to win three awards in Blacktown Council's annual garden competition.

Her yard was crowned the best Ward 5 garden and was third in the Champion Garden section of the 2008 event.

She was also runner-up in the best backyard garden category.

Judges assessed the gardens on appearance, condition of plants and gardens as well as design.

Mrs Franich placed in three out of the four categories she entered. ``I work in the graphic field, so I love colours and creating things,'' she said. ``I decided I had nothing to lose in entering. I thought my best chance was the new garden section, which funnily enough, was the section I didn't place in.''

Mrs Franich gardened every day until she recently returned to full-time work. ``We have a small yard and did all the landscaping ourselves,'' she said. ``We utilised the space the best we could. We don't have room to do anything more to it.''

Mrs Franich, husband Michael and daughters Isabella and Abbey live in Tate Street, which was named Blacktown's most attractive street.

It was judged on street appearance and the standard of footpaths and property frontages. ``We're very proud that our neighbours put in a lot of effort into their gardens and it paid off,'' she said.

Green thumbs from Rooty Hill were also on the competition's honours list. Victoria Sultana's garden was named in best in Ward 4, Werner and Irene Loeckenhoff won best new garden while 6 Dunsmore Street won the inaugural unit/townhouse/villa complex section.

Bidwill Community Gardens won the sustainable garden award, while Minchinbury's Pinegrove Memorial Park was the commercial/industrial/government/community runners-up.