We have launched the St Albans 2012 District in Bloom competition and call all keen gardeners, whether old or young, a business or a school, a Parish Council or an Allotment Association, to enter. This competition is an opportunity to celebrate all the hard work that people across the District put into making their green spaces look wonderful and also a chance to promote the District as a great place in which to live, visit and work.
The competition is going from strength to strength and last year we had a fantastic range of entries. The judging took place over three weeks in July with the help of three expert judges Martin Finney from Aylett Nurseries, Isobel Barnes from “Waste Not, Want Not” and Andy Wight from Oaklands College.
They spent hours meeting entrants, looking at wonderful front gardens, pub gardens, business frontages, school and allotments. The competition culminated in a great awards evening hosted by Aylett Nurseries and attended by the Deputy Mayor as well as a range of sponsors and entrants. Aylett’s treated those who attended to champagne on arrival and a buffet after the event. Lucky winners each winner received a number of Aylett vouchers and a certificate.
This year we want to put a much bigger emphasis on sustainable gardening for all categories not just for the Sustainable Garden category. So as well as beautiful blooms and brilliant beds - judges will be looking for evidence of the following:
Conservation of water – e.g. water butts, wise methods of watering, mulching, re-use of “grey” water from baths and sinks
Recycling – e.g. composting, using recycled wood in garden furniture
Organic methods and minimising use of pesticides
Increasing biodiversity – e.g. attracting lots of wildlife, growing plants that attract insects and bees, providing food and shelter for birds
Careful choice of plants – e.g. companion planting to discourage harmful pests without losing the beneficial allies, more seeding and planting of native species, buying locally grown plants and bulbs, encouraging local provenance
The categories for 2012 are:
- Sustainable Garden
- Front Garden
- Retail / Commercial Frontage
- Public House Frontage
- School Project
- Allotment
- Parish in Bloom
- Community Project
Entry Forms are available from the Council Offices or email your name, address, telephone number and chosen category to Gillian Reid