Residents invited to get growing as Islington in Bloom returns

Organised by the council and Islington Gardeners, Islington in Bloom offers a great opportunity for residents to take part by sprucing up their gardens, creating a colourful window display, or by growing gorgeous houseplants.  

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

Gardening is regarded as a therapeutic activity that can have a positive impact on mental health, and it is hoped that Islington in Bloom will help encourage local people to take up this fun hobby during what remains a challenging time for people across the borough.     

The competition launches today (Wednesday, 31 March) and will run until Sunday, 4 July, with winners being announced  in September.  

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.” 

Categories in this year’s competition include:  

• 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 
  
  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. 

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

Islington in Bloom would not be possible without the competition’s sponsors, including Islington Gardeners, The Islington Society, Billy Davis Funfairs, Partners for Improvement, The Angel Association, NSL, and Camden Garden Centre. All entrants to Islington in Bloom will receive a voucher for a free bag of compost from Camden Garden Centre.

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