GARDENERS and growers are being encouraged to enter Hillingdon Council’s plant-growing competitions for 2024.

Entries for Hillingdon in Bloom and the Autumn Show go live today (22) following an official launch event at the Great Barn in Ruislip on Friday.

Entrants don’t need expert gardening skills or swathes of green space to take part, so anyone with enthusiasm to help keep the borough looking green and pleasant is encouraged to enter.

Hillingdon in Bloom is an opportunity for residents to learn new gardening skills and produce bright, creative and environmentally-friendly displays at their homes.

The Autumn Show is a chance for entrants to showcase their fresh produce, with the entries displayed and judged at a celebration event in September.

Last year, Maxine Coleman, from Cowley, took home first prize in the Best Novelty Garden category for her pink-themed garden.

Maxine took up gardening during lockdown and found it therapeutic and thinks it’s a great for boost for mental health.

She said: “I’ve just got the bug now. I’ve entered every year since and I just really enjoy the experience.”

Cllr Eddie Lavery, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, said: “The range of categories makes the competitions accessible to anyone.”  

Both competitions are free to enter, and winners will receive garden centre gift vouchers, rosettes and certificates.

More details at www.hillingdon.gov.uk/bloom and  www.hillingdon.gov.uk/autumnshow.