READING in Bloom is back and celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, but there are just two weeks left to enter.
The competition sees gardeners submit their floral arrangements and spaces for judging, which will take place in August, and celebrates its 50th year in 2023.
Front and back gardens, allotments, balconies, and even commercial spaces will all be critiqued for their floral content, colours, seasonal interest, levels of maintenance, and design.
The competition categories include residential, community gardens, allotments, commercial landscaping, pub and restaurant, and wellbeing gardens such as those at Royal Berkshire Hospital and the Sue Ryder Hospice.
This year RIB has also opened up the competition for “nominate a friend” entries, aimed at encouraging new entrants whose gardening efforts are appreciated by others.
Organisers are looking in particular for office and workplace gardens, which can be spaces to promote well-being and mindfulness at work, or even garden spaces at your local pub.
Marc Allridge, chairman of Reading in Bloom said: “It’s great to see Reading blooming with colour in this lovely weather and the judges cannot wait to get out and judge all the entries this year.”
The competition is taking entries until Sunday, July 31, and judging will take place during the first week of August.
Judging will be conducted by members of the RIB Committee with the entrants shortlisted for awards being invited to the awards ceremony in October at The Hilton Hotel Reading.
Those shortlisted will be notified by the end of August and honoured at the awards event in September.
If you have admired a neighbour’s garden, or been amazed by a friend’s floral arrangement, you can nominate them for Reading in Bloom via: readinginbloom.co.uk
