Islington in Bloom: A gardening contest for green fingers

Hello, blossom. Photograph: Islington Citizen

The 2021 edition of the Islington in Bloom gardening competition has launched, and residents across the borough are invited to get growing.

Organised by the council and Islington Gardeners, the event offers many ways for people of all abilities to take part.

This year’s contest sees the introduction of a new category – best edible garden – to celebrate the most visually appealing and nutritious gardens in the borough.

The full list of categories includes:

• Best Back Garden
• Best Front Garden
• Best Container Garden
• Best Children’s Planting (14 years and under)
• Best Window Box
• Best House Plant
• Best Edible Garden
• Best Community Garden
• Best Tree Pit

The deadline for entries is 4 July, and winners will be announced in September.

With social distancing restrictions in place, submissions for the gardening competition are online again this year.

Entrants should send one or two photographs, totalling no more than 10MB, of their colourful creations to judges via inbloom@islington.gov.uk, specifying what category they are entering along with some personal details.

In order to adapt to the Covid-19 pandemic, some gardening centres have now moved online and are delivering their products. Residents are also invited to get creative with their entries, using household items like coffee mugs and recycled materials as plant holders, for example.

Andrew Bedford, head of Greenspace and leisure services at Islington Council, said: “Islington in Bloom is always a highlight of the year and, at a time when people are still having to spend more time at home than usual, offers residents the chance to transform their living spaces into green oases.

“The borough’s gardeners, amateurs and experts alike, play a huge role in making Islington such a welcoming, attractive place, and we look forward to seeing this year’s fantastic entries.”

You can get inspiration via the @IslingtonInBloom Instagram page, which will also show gardening tips, fun facts and some of this year’s entries.

For information on entering visit islington.gov.uk/inbloom, or email inbloom@islington.gov.uk