Britain in Bloom

Have you ever felt that gardening competitions are only won by landowners who employ gardeners in a  large garden are the only people capable of winning a competition. Is it true that money buys success?Have you ever felt that you cannot make a difference to yours or your neighbours lives with the power of horticulture?

Think again because you can and it does not need to cost you a lot of money.

By devoting time and engaging with your neighbours you can make a difference.!

The RHS has introduced the Britain in Bloom neighbourhood award scheme.
This is everyone's chance to change the look of your community and make a difference.

Long grass and dereliction can be replaced by wild flowers and order. Just a hanging baskets can be attractive enough to become a focal point and brighten the day.

For sure, in inner city areas vandals may target a single garden where someone is taking care of their plot and get pleasure at that one persons loss but if the whole community joined to make a difference then that targeting can stop because there is nothing worse for a vandal to be ostracised by their community.

It’s easy to get started in your own neighbourhood, try some of these tips from the

Britain

in Bloom Neighbourhood Awards Judges:

 

• Plant climbers at the base of walls that regularly suffer from graffiti

 

• Plant shrubs at the junction of pathways where people shortcut over the grass

 

• Offer to build some raised beds in the garden of the local sheltered accommodation

 

• Form a group to help elderly people maintain their front gardens

 

• Look out for bits of abandoned land, they often have self seeded saplings growing on them, ask the landowner if you can manage this land for wildlife

 

• Offer cuttings and divisions to your neighbours, develop a seed swap with fellow gardeners and split packets of seeds

 

• Talk to your neighbour about replacing the fence with hedges or shrubs

 

• Negotiate with your local supermarket to manage a flower bed or two in their car park to develop a more diverse display

 

• Remove some of the paving on the drive-way and plant up with ground cover

 

• Plant a mini meadow in a neglected area

 

• Offer to help maintain a school garden during the holidays

 

• Encourage your local council to plant more trees and have an ‘adopt a tree’ scheme

 

• Identify street furniture that is defunct and could be removed by the council

If you would like to take part in the RHS Britain in Bloom neighbourhood award scheme you can apply here.