Hillingdon Council’s popular annual gardening competition, Hillingdon in Bloom, will be judged virtually again this year, with residents being asked to submit their photo entries online.
The competition launches today (April 26th) to coincide with the start of National Gardening Week and is an opportunity for residents to get active outdoors, whilst keeping their gardens and neighbourhoods looking bright and colourful.
The council will also be sharing tutorials and top tips on its social media pages to encourage entrants and to help beginners learn new gardening skills.
The competition is free to enter and is open to Hillingdon residents of all ages and horticultural abilities.
This year’s categories include best hanging basket, best window box, best balcony and best first-time entrant, and the council is bringing back the ‘park and bloom’ category, which was introduced last year. This aims to help tackle the increasing issue of vanishing front gardens by encouraging residents to grow flowers and plants around their car spaces.
Also today, the council announced that its ever-popular Autumn Show, a fun event for all residents who would like to try their hand at growing fruit, vegetables and fresh produce, will return to The Great Barn at Manor Farm, Ruislip on Saturday 2 October. Whether residents are thinking about starting their first vegetable patch or they are a keen horticulturist, the event offers local growers a fantastic opportunity to display their green-fingered talents for visitors to enjoy, while competing for prizes in the competition’s various categories. With under six months to go until the show, residents are encouraged to start growing their produce.
Hillingdon in Bloom and Autumn Show winners will receive garden centre vouchers, a rosette and a certificate, and some of the entries will be featured on the council’s website, social media sites and in Hillingdon People magazine.
Cllr Eddie Lavery, Hillingdon Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Housing and Regeneration, said: “We’re very proud of our long-running Hillingdon in Bloom competition, which, despite being held virtually for the first time last year, proved more popular than ever, with nearly 150 entries.
“From large gardens to the smallest of window boxes, everyone can take part. So, whether you’ve never planted anything before or you’re a seasoned gardener, there’s something for everyone.
“We’re also excited to be holding our Autumn Show competition again this year, marking the climax of the horticultural year for us in Hillingdon.
“As well as highlighting the borough’s unique sense of community, these gardening competitions are an opportunity for people to learn new skills outdoors, while keeping healthy and active.
“We’re really looking forward to seeing all the colourful entries this year.”
Full information on Hillingdon in Bloom and the Autumn Show, plus a full list of categories and details on how to enter both competitions can be found on the Hillingdon Council website.
