19 September 2003: Industrial complexes are not normally associated with flowers and green leafy surroundings, but Toowoomba based seed company, Pacific Seeds has proven they can be.The seed company has been awarded first place in the industrial section of the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers Annual Garden Competition.

Pacific Seeds' Senior Agronomist, and gardening guru, Glenn Tankard said this is the third year in a row the complex' gardens have won the category.
"We work on the garden year round, and have a lot of staff participation as well as one professional gardener," he said. "The garden gives us a nice working environment, so we make sure the garden looks good year round, not just at carnival time."

To this end, the balance of annuals and perennials, flowers and foliage in the gardens means they're still being nurtured and developed to ensure a year round presence in the garden city's botanical prowess. "We go year round, and have a lot of staff participation," Mr Tankard said. "That's one of the things the judges are looking for when they come and inspect the gardens."
"We're still developing them, and still have a while before we're finished."

A whole of complex approach to gardening is evident at Pacific Seeds, from the tree lined entrance, the dazzling displays of colour at the front of the head office and also at the dispatch and warehouse facilities, and the tree lined court yard were staff are known to enjoy a lunch in the sunshine. "Our gardens aren't artificial, we work on them and enjoy them year round," Mr Tankard said.

Caption: Marketing assistant, Jessica Ehrlich kneels next to one of the colourful displays of garden beds in the main office garden at Pacific Seeds.