THE popular annual gardening competition, Hillingdon in Bloom, will be judged virtually this year, with residents being asked to submit their photo entries online. 

The competition is launched today (27) by Hillingdon Council to coincide with National Gardening Week and is an opportunity for residents to get active outdoors, while keeping their gardens and neighbourhoods looking bright and attractive during the lockdown.   

The council will accept entries this year via email and will also be sharing tutorials and top tips on its social media pages.  

The competition is free to enter and is open to Hillingdon residents of all ages and abilities. 

This year’s categories include best hanging basket, best window box, best balcony and best first-time entrant.

A new park and bloom category has been introduced to help tackle the increasing issue of vanishing gardens.

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Following a report by the Royal Horticultural Society that the number of front gardens with no plants growing is rising at an alarming rate.

Tthe new category will reward those who have created a front garden with plants and flowers alongside a space for a car.

Winners will receive gardening centre gift vouchers and a certificate, and the council will be featuring some entries on its website, social media sites and in its Hillingdon People magazine. 

To enter, photos should be sent by email to inbloom@hillingdon.gov.uk and should include the category you wish to enter, a brief description of your entry plus your name, address and contact details. The deadline for entries is Friday, July 31.

For more information, visit //www.hillingdon.gov.uk/bloom