Gardeners on estates, in schools and in businesses are picking up their trowels and trimmers for this year’s Islington in Bloom competition.
This year categories range from best children’s planting to best tree pit with garden vouchers worth £100 up for grabs for the winners.
Despite having less green space than any borough in London, Islington residents have excelled themselves in recent years and the competition is now open to entries from gardens to window boxes.
Kevin O’Leary, Islington Council’s corporate director for environment and regeneration said: “Last year’s 124 entries for Islington in Bloom showed gardeners continue to love our flower competition.
“Residents on estates and in street properties are being joined by businesses and organisations from Clerkenwell to Crouch Hill keen to make a difference to the borough this summer with their gardens, flower pots and balcony boxes.”
This year the competition is being judged by the council’s Greenspace staff and Islington Gardeners volunteers, a group of more than 300 committed gardeners whose purpose is to protect and enhance the green spaces in the borough.
The entries will be judged on visual impact, selection and use of plants, design and quality of features, maintenance and condition, sustainability, wildlife friendliness and in some cases, community involvement.
Mr O’Leary said: “The many categories mean more opportunities to enter – even if you have very little space for growing. But remember to get your application form in by the 30 May deadine.”
In Bloom sponsor Camden Garden Centre is also giving a free bag of compost, a half price plant and a £5 gift voucher to every entrant.
Prizes are sponsored by local businesses and organisations, and the deadline for applications is Friday May 30 with judging will take place from June 16 to 28 and prize giving ceremony at the end of September.
Entry forms can be downloaded from the Islington Council website, islington.gov.uk/inbloom, and can be found at all Islington leisure centres, libraries, Holland Walk and Old Street Housing office as well as some gardening clubs.
To promote the gardening scheme Islington Council ran a poster competition, won by Orla MacCarron, aged 11.
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