New Gardening Against the Odds award scheme launched

New Gardening Against the Odds award scheme launched

» 13th July 2010 «

Gardeners who pursue their hobby in challenging places or under difficult circumstances are to be recognised through a new nationwide awards initiative.

Launched by the Daily Telegraph in memory of writer and green-fingered enthusiast Elspeth Thompson, who died earlier in the year, the Gardening Against the Odds scheme will work to recognise those gardeners who think 'outside the box' and bring colour to places besides their summer houses.

For example, winners will be judged on how well they have used unlikely and unpromising places to grow flowers or food produce, or else on how they have managed to overcome physical or mental health problems in order to continue with their hobby.

The newspaper has called on friends and relatives to nominate anyone who they feel deserves recognition for what they have created, noting that gardeners themselves can be "modest about their achievements".

As well as the newspaper's own gardening experts, botanist David Bellamy and the Conservation Foundation director David Shreeve will be on the judging panel for the scheme, with entries to close at the end of the summer.

Just last month, the Sunday Mail issued a number of summer tips for gardeners, including the suggestion that tomato plants should be grafted onto rootstocks so as to protect against fungal attacks.

Posted by Daniel Webb