Gardeners across Wearside could be in the running for top prizes as we launch our sixth annual gardening competition.
We've teamed up with our contractors ENGIE and Tolent to launch ‘Ready, Set, Grow’ – a competition encouraging green fingered tenants, community groups and schools to share their green spaces.
With a £200 cash prize available for winning gardens, judges will be looking to recognise those who have pride in their home, neighbourhood, and community.
This year there will be two categories in the competition: best overall garden and best community/school garden. For the first time, the competition will be judged by other tenants alongside specialists from our Grounds Maintenance Team.
The judges will be looking for outdoor spaces that improve the appearance of neighbourhoods and show the hard work that’s taken place across Sunderland’s gardens.
Susie Thompson, Director of Housing at Gentoo Group, said: “We know now more than ever just how important outdoor space is and through our annual gardening competition we want to reward those who have created beautiful outdoor spaces for people to enjoy.
“We welcome entries from people of all gardening abilities and I’m really looking forward to seeing the brilliant work that’s taken place in green spaces across the city.”
Amy Porter, Social Value Manager at ENGIE, said: “We’ve always been blown away by the quality of the gardens in the competition, and I’m sure this year’s event will be no exception!
“ENGIE is delighted to be supporting the Tenant category for this year. The competition always fosters a great sense of community spirit, with everyone rolling up their sleeves and giving their neighbourhoods a hit of floral colour. Getting outdoors and enjoying nature is more important than ever.”
Chris Price, regional director for Tolent, said: "We are delighted to be supporting the team at Gentoo with this competition. As a considerate contractor, we are committed to enriching the communities we work in and by encouraging people to learn some new skills, spend more time outdoors and bring people together to improve local spaces, we hope we're doing just that."
Whether you’re a beginner gardener, green fingered, or a school or community group, the competition is open to you!
To enter the best garden category, you must be a Gentoo tenant and you must have previously obtained permission for any work carried out in your garden, outside of general planting.
All community groups and schools in Sunderland are able to enter the best community/school garden category.
Entries should be submitted before Friday 18 June 2021 and judging will take place from 28 June 2021. The winner will be announced shortly after.
