Green-fingered residents are being encouraged to enter Chester District Housing Trust’s (CDHT) annual garden competition which, this year, is encouraging young gardeners to get involved.

As gardens are beginning to bloom, CDHT’s residents now have until Friday, June 27 to enter the Trust’s annual garden competition, which is now in its eighth year.

Residents of the trust will once again be competing for the overall winner’s prize of an engraved Swedish crystal rose bowl trophy as well as the prestigious Nora Coote award for the best petunia grown from a seed by a young gardener, which is named in remembrance of an involved CDHT resident.

Primary school entrants for the young gardener award are requested to pop into the CDHT office at Centurion House in Northgate Street, Chester, or their local housing office, to pick up a packet of petunia seeds to nurture.

Last year, there were more than 120 entries and the standard was extremely high at the gardening competition, hosted by Cheshire West’s largest housing association.

In addition to the overall winner, prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd winners in each of the Trust’s six neighbourhoods. Categories include: best garden (front or back), best group of gardens (includes flats, houses, bungalows and maisonettes), best window box or balcony (for flats), the Helen Noble award for best sheltered scheme, best vegetable garden and best newcomer.

CDHT resident involvement officer, Maggi Dempsey said: “The competition continues to blossom every year – we are lucky to see so many beautiful gardens. For many of us, gardening is a job that has to be done to keep the area neat and tidy. For others it is a very satisfying hobby, but whatever your motive, we want to increase the number of entrants this year. If you have never thought about it before, now is your chance. Let’s make our neighbourhoods the brightest yet.”

Not only can residents nominate their own garden, but they can also nominate a neighbour’s garden or group of gardens.

Judging for the Trust’s Annual Garden Competition will commence the week beginning June 30.

For an application form please contact CDHT’s Resident Involvement Team on Freephone 0808 1007701 or 0300 1233582, email: CDHTconsult@sanctuary-housing.co.uk or visit: www.cdht.net to download the form. Forms are also available from the Blacon, Lache and city centre office at Centurion House, Northgate Street, Chester CH1 2HQ.