Bexley in Bloom

Bexley in Bloom is an annual competition that gives local people the chance to show off their gardening skills.

What's it all about?

Bexley in Bloom is an annual competition that gives local people the chance to show off their gardening skills. It aims to make Bexley more attractive for residents and visitors, whilst at the same time raising awareness of the environment and the benefits of health and well being.

Anyone can enter

Whether you have a window box or hanging baskets, a pretty front garden, or run a business or pub, there's the opportunity for you to take part. You could win one of the excellent prizes, donated by Ruxley Manor Garden Centre. If you're not a keen gardener yourself, why not take the opportunity to nominate a delightful front garden, a friend or relative, the gardener responsible for your church grounds, or even the Manager of your 'local'.

Category judging dates for 2013

This will be carried out by judges on the following dates:

Schools: Categories will be judged between 10 to 21June 2013.

Allotment gardens: Bexley Federation of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners will pre-judge the plots and sites between 8 June and 28 June 2013. The top five entrants of each allotment category will be judged by an external judge between 1 July and 7 July 2013.

Front garden, permanent planting: 15 to 26 July 2013.

Front garden: seasonal and container planting: 15 July to 26 July 2013.

Back gardens: 15 July to 26 July 2013.

Business and public premises: 29 July to 9 August 2013.

Community gardens: 29 July to 9 August 2013.

Best public house / restaurant: 29 July to 9 August 2013.

A postcard will be put through your letterbox once the garden has been judged. At the award ceremony each entrant will receive a copy of the results with judge's comments.

How to enter

Decide which category is most appropriate for you and tick the relevant box or boxes if entering more than one category. Fill in your name (including your first name) and address in block capitals along with your email address on the entry form that can be found on this web page. Full details on the category you are entering will be sent to you approximately one week after the closing date.

That's all there is to it, but remember the closing date for receipt of entries is Friday 17 May for Schools and Friday 7 June 2013 for all other categories. Additional entry forms can be obtained by either calling 020 8303 7777, emailing parks&openspaces@bexley.gov.uk or they can be collected from Hall Place Visitors Centre, the Civic Centre, Danson Park Play Area Kiosk, Ruxley Manor Garden Centre, Libraries or other Council Offices.

Competition guidelines

This competition aims to give all entrants a chance to see what standard their garden is. Our independent judges will assess each garden against nationally recognised judging criteria and give all an appropriate certificate:

• Gold
• Silver Gilt
• Silver
• Bronze
• Merit

They will also produce a mini report with constructive comments on the aspects of your garden. The achievement certificates will be presented to each of the winning entrants at the award ceremony held later in the year. In addition to the above there are 42 recognition awards kindly donated by Ruxley Manor Garden Centre, one award donated by the News Shopper, The Serco Trophy donated by Serco for the overall winning school and a portrait picture of the Best Public House and Restaurant donated by Signpost Signs Ltd.

All categories must be viewable from the street except for Schools and Back gardens.

All gardens must be accessible throughout the judging dates.