Gardeners across Wearside could be in the running for top prizes in our seventh annual gardening competition.
We have teamed up with our contractors RE:GEN Group and Esh Construction to launch ‘Ready, Set, Grow’ – a competition encouraging green fingered tenants, community groups and schools to share their green spaces.
With vouchers worth £200 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.
The judges will be looking for gardens that improve the appearance of neighbourhoods and show the hard work that’s taken place across Sunderland’s gardens.
Susie Thompson, Executive Director of Housing at Gentoo Group, said: “At Gentoo, we encourage all residents to have pride in their gardens, community and neighbourhoods. 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.”
Ready, Set, Grow is one of the many ways we continue to invest in Sunderland. As one of the city’s main anchor institutions, we continue to work closely with key city partners and contractors to drive collaboration and positive change in its communities.
Lee Francis, CEO at RE:GEN Group said: "Our partnership with Gentoo goes way beyond our construction projects. As a regeneration specialist, we know that we need to support the longer term aspirations of our clients to truly make a difference to the communities we work in, and supporting this competition is one of the ways we can do this. Good luck to everyone entering!"
Mandy Lowther, Customer Care Manager at Esh Construction, said: “Our ethos and core values align with that of Gentoo Group, and we are proud to work in partnership on this year’s gardening competition. It is proven that gardening provides mindfulness and mental health benefits for individuals, and in the current climate, it is ever important that initiatives which encourage people connect with nature are promoted.”
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.
All community groups and schools in Sunderland can enter the best community/school garden category.
The deadline for applications has passed. Judging will take place early July and the winner will be announced shortly after.
