Comedian Jim Moir, better known to most as Vic Reeves, has helped B&Q launch its first Gardener of the Year competition.
Gardening is an important source of happiness for many, and a year of lockdown has encouraged many green-fingered enthusiasts to roll up their sleeves and unleash their imaginations, making their outdoor space more enjoyable.
That’s why B&Q is setting out to celebrate the show gardens of the real gardeners across the UK, but rather than hand out rosettes, the UK’s largest garden retailer is giving £10,000 to one lucky winner.
The launch of the competition comes as a study conducted by the retailer reveals that Gen-Zers are taking on the over-50’s at their own game, as 85 per cent have become more interested in gardening in the last 12 months and that 93 per cent felt gardening had become trendier in the last year due to spending more time at home.
With the nation’s love for gardening stronger than ever, B&Q has been joined by comedian Jim Moir on a mission to showcase the ‘real’ gardens of the UK by inviting the British public to enter the Gardener of the year competition.
The competition covers five criteria including:
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best use of colour
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best use of small space
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best use of imagination
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est grow your own space
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best eco-friendly garden
These criteria have been supported by B&Q’s research, which revealed that making use of space, growing their own, using their imagination, creating a unique space and using colour well, were key things considered when it came to what Brit’s focus on in their garden.
As it is revealed that Brits take inspiration for their gardens from many different places, with 37 per cent turning to gardening centres like B&Q for advice, 27 per cent asking their parents and 26 per cent checking social media platforms, B&Q has thrown the rule book out the window when it comes to what makes a garden ‘best in show.’
All outside spaces and gardens are encouraged to take part, from window boxes and balconies to colourful expanses and grow your own greats.
And of course, B&Q has a whole host of products to help Brits make the most of their gardens, regardless of size.
Offering a range of 2,000 plants, which have been vetted for quality at every stage, including 140 varieties of rose, they have something to make every outdoor space bloom.
Joining Jim Moir on the judges panel are award-winning garden designers, Matt Childs and Humaira Ikram, and B&Q Outdoor Category Director Steve Guy.
This mighty team will shortlist entries to crown the B&Q Gardener of the Year, who will be awarded £10,000, the prestigious ‘golden trowel’ award, as well as the newly launched B&Q Green Card, giving access to free plants for 10 years.
Four runners up will also be selected to receive £1,000.
But B&Q are not stopping there.
They will also be shining a light on community gardens and outside spaces which have been transformed for the better, as part of the B&Q Community garden of the year competition.
This separate award will celebrate outdoor spaces which have been created by the community for the community with the aim of improving the life and wellbeing of those in the surrounding area.
One garden will be crowned B&Q Community Garden of the Year, winning a £2,500 B&Q gift card and a consultation with award-winning garden designers, Matt Childs and Humaira Ikram.
Matt has been responsible for designing multiple medal-winning show gardens at both the RHS Chelsea and RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Shows, which have been shaped by his people-first approach to garden design, and the power of outside space in contributing to mental and physical wellbeing.
Humaira, meanwhile, is a professional garden designer and runs the Garden Design Diploma at the KLC School of Design. She is a regular contributor on BBC Gardeners Question Time, and most recently, appeared on The Big Flower Fight as a judge alongside Jim Moir.
Speaking about the launch, Jim Moir commented: “I am thrilled to be taking part in the first annual B&Q Gardener of the Year competition. I get so much enjoyment from my garden and it’s a real place of solace for me.
“During lockdown I did develop green fingers, as much of the nation did, and I’ve been lovingly tending to my tomato and courgette plants. My little grow your own patch isn’t much but I take a huge amount of pride in it. That’s what this competition is all about, finding those gardens which might be a bit rough around the edges, but are perfect for those who love them.”
Steve Guy, B&Q Outdoor Category Director said: “At B&Q we pride ourselves on providing the nation with the range of products, plants and flowers they need to make the most of their outdoor spaces.
“Now, through B&Q Gardener of the Year, we want to shine a light on Brits who dedicated time turning their gardens into their own personal oasis. It’s great to see how many people have found a love for gardening in recent times. We truly believe gardening should be for the many and not the few, so we hope the launch of this competition will bring out the creative gardeners from up and down the UK.”
The B&Q Gardener of the Year competition is open now and closes on June 18 - anyone in the UK can enter online here.
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