The Royal Borough of Greenwich is back on the search for the borough’s best amateur gardener!
The annual Greenwich in Bloom competition is a chance for residents to show off their planting skills and be in with a chance of winning up to £60 in gardening centre vouchers.
The lockdowns and tier restrictions over the past year have meant that we have had to stay at home more than ever. For many, sowing seeds and planting flowers has been a great escape and a positive activity to focus on. This is why the council is so excited to see the colourful creations from budding gardeners in the borough.
Entrants don’t need to have a garden to enter – there’s a category for hanging baskets, window boxes or pots – they just need to be passionate about planting!
The entries will be assessed by independent judges: the Cabinet Member for Culture, Communities and Equalities Councillor Adel Khaireh, the Mayor, Denise Hyland and the Deputy Mayor Leo Fletcher.
Councillor Khaireh said, “Greenwich in Bloom is a great opportunity for our residents to share all the hard work they’ve put into their gardens and flower containers. The past year has been difficult and our green spaces – whether big or small – have provided us a chance to relax and get creative. I can’t wait to see this year’s entries!”
The five competition categories are:
1) Front garden
2) Back garden
3) Containers (Hanging baskets, window boxes or pots)
4) Communal garden (Please ensure that anyone gardening in a communal space is observing the distancing guidelines)
5) Junior gardener
The council was so impressed by the entries in last year’s new junior gardener category, it will be returning this year! The junior gardener category showed just how many talented young residents there are in Royal Greenwich and there are sure to be even more this year. The winner of this category will win £10 in garden centre vouchers and every child that enters will get a packet of seeds.
Prizes for the other four categories will be £60 for first place, £35 for second and £20 for third in vouchers for Coolings Garden Centre. Coolings will also give a £5 voucher to each household that enters. Coolings Garden Centre has supported the competition for many years and we are happy to be able to support a valued local business, whilst also giving away some great prizes!
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, the Royal Borough of Greenwich wants you to get involved and showcase your skills.
The competition launches on Friday 28 May and ends Friday 25 June.
Residents can enter at royalgreenwich.gov.uk/greenwichinbloom
Picture: Cosetta Lawlor, winner of first prize in the Containers category, 2020
