Blooming fantastic winners of our annual gardening competition

The gardening competition was open to residents across the country, showcasing a popular hobby.

Competition was fierce as we received over 240 entries across four categories including Fruit and Vegetable Garden, Communal Garden, and Individual Garden. 

Best Fruit and Vegetable Garden award winner 2022 

The winners of the Best Fruit and Vegetable Garden category was the gardening group at Earls Lodge retirement scheme. The fruit and vegetable garden at Earls Lodge has an abundance of vegetables such as potatoes, courgettes, peas, and carrots. Beautiful fruit trees, from pear to cherry and plum trees, also adorn the garden providing residents with a wonderful natural setting as well as delicious and nutritious fresh produce. 

Celia Binns, resident of Earls Lodge and Secretary of its gardening group, said:

Earls Lodge gardening group works hard to maintain the gardens and promote healthy eating and healthy living. We realise that gardening improves your physical and mental health. This group has helped many residents during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to help today. 

Jodie Williams, Manager of Earls Lodge retirement scheme, said:

It’s been wonderful to see the garden grow and become such a lovely place for residents. The gardening group is a great way for residents to boost their wellbeing whilst being able to enjoy the outdoors and socialise. This award is very well deserved and reflects the hard work and dedication of the gardening group.

For more information on Earls Lodge click here. 

Best Individual Garden award winner 2022  

Dennis Roft, a resident of Pegasus Court retirement scheme in Abbots Langley won in the Best Individual Garden category for the second year in a row. Names of the entrants are removed and hosted by different judges every year, a testament to Dennis’ gift for gardening.  

Filled with a variety of flowers including marigolds, geraniums, rose bushes, and hydrangeas, Dennis’ personal garden brings colour and joy to his home and the scheme. He was ecstatic to have won the competition for a second time, as was the team at Pegasus Court retirement scheme.   

Michelle Mulholand, Manager of Pegasus Court retirement scheme, said:

Dennis is a wonderful part of our community, and his neighbours really enjoy admiring his garden. 

It’s brilliant that he has won the competition a second time. It’s a true reflection of his passion, hard work and dedication to gardening.  

Dennis started working as an apprentice for a garden company at just 15 years of age. In 1970, he started his own landscaping business. Although he is now retired, the proud great-grandfather of four still enjoys gardening every day and helping others cultivate their own gardens.  

He said:

I was absolutely thrilled when I heard I won the gardening competition for a second year!  

I love everything about gardening but especially watching plants grow, being immersed in nature and getting fresh air. Gardening is about having patience and not rushing things. I encourage anyone to try their hand at gardening and enjoy the process, it’s very rewarding.  

For more information on Pegasus Court retirement scheme click here. 

Best Basket & Tubs award winner 2022 

Sandra Hambling, resident of Hanover Court retirement scheme was thrilled when she won in the Best Basket & Tubs category. Full of vibrant colours, Sandra’s beautiful creations adorn the outside of the scheme bringing joy to fellow residents. Flowers include geraniums, fuchsia, nepeta and petunias, to name a few. 

Sandra said:

I’m delighted to have won the gardening competition. I love gardening and hope that came through in my entry! I’m already looking forward to next year and will use the vouchers I won to purchase more plants.

Alison Calver, Manager of Hanover Court retirement scheme, said:

It’s been wonderful to have Sandra’s beautiful flowers around the scheme. They really do bring uplifting colour especially on cloudy days! 

This award is very well deserved and reflects the hard work and passion Sandra has for gardening.

For more information on Hanover Court retirement scheme please click here.

Best Communal Garden award winner 2022 

The winners of the Best Communal Garden in our national 2022 gardening competition was The Beamish Court Blooming Club at Beamish Court housing scheme.  

The communal garden at Beamish Court is maintained by the Beamish Court Blooming Club. The club started in 2014 and now has 15 members. The garden is filled with plants such as hydrangeas, buddleia, marigolds, and weeping willow lavatera, to name a few. 

Lisa Kell, Manager of Beamish Court housing scheme, said:

On behalf of the Beamish Court Blooming Club I would like to thank you all for voting for Beamish Court housing scheme for the Garden Competition and as winners for 2022. It is with great pride that we win this award, and we will do our best to continue and enter again next year!

For more information on Beamish Court click here. 

Gardening has many physical and mental benefits, as well as allowing our residents to connect with nature and each other. Over the spring and summer, we had many initiatives aimed at encouraging residents to enjoy the great outdoors which you can read more about here.