Gentoo customer blooming with pride as they scoop top prize in the annual gardening competition

A talented local gardener from Hetton is celebrating scooping the top prize in Gentoo’s gardening competition.

Every year, Gentoo encourages customers and local schools to showcase their gardening skills and make a positive impact to the appearance of their local area.

Mr and Mrs Wilson have lived in their Gentoo home for almost 10 years and spend hours working in their garden, keeping it looking its best. Mrs Wilson has recently recovered from surgery and said it was ‘her goal’ for the year to win the competition and showcase her garden.

Alongside her husband, Mrs Wilson plants a range of flowers, fresh fruit and vegetables which the couple often share with neighbours and the local community.

Mrs Wilson won 'Best Garden Award' in the customer category of the competition.

Mrs Wilson said: “I was over the moon when I heard I had won the competition. I have been so pleased to get back to working in the garden following a surgery I had earlier this year. I love to fill the garden with colourful flowers and we grow fresh fruit and vegetables. People often stop to look at the garden and I chat to them about what we grow. It’s hard work but it’s worth it.”

The couple impressed a panel of judges, including enthusiastic gardening colleagues from Gentoo’s housing and grounds maintenance teams, showcasing a garden filled with colourful roses, tulips, chrysanthemums and planters growing fresh tomatoes.

Alan Gordon, Neighbourhood Estates Manager at Gentoo said: “As always, we have had some fantastic entries for this year’s gardening competition, reflecting the pride our customers have in their homes and neighbourhoods. We were delighted to present Mrs Wilson with the winning prize this year. The garden is brilliant, and it is clear to see how much hard work has gone into creating and maintaining it, making this a well-deserved win.”

Now in its eighth year, our city-wide Ready, Set Grow competition encourages customers and local school to showcase their gardening skills.

The annual competition launches in Spring each year and is announced via our social media channels and website.

  

  

    

  

 

 

Latest articles

14 August 2025

Our New Customer Engagement Strategy

We’re proud to announce the launch of our new Customer Engagement Strategy for 2025–2027: Empower...

31 July 2025

Recognising talent in our Property Services

We’re proud to celebrate the achievements of more than 10 colleagues from our Property Services t...

29 July 2025

Construction work begins on site for new Gentoo depot at Eastgate Point

We're delighted construction work has begun to build our brand-new depot and office at Eastgate P...