Budding gardeners are working hard to get their entries ready for our annual tenants’ garden awards with entries are now open for this year’s ‘North Lanarkshire in Bloom’. 

The awards showcase the best tenant garden spaces across the area. From colourful window boxes and crisp manicured lawns to shared gardens and vegetable plots, all entries are welcome.  

Following on from the success of last year’s awards we’re encouraging more tenants to get involved. This year’s categories include: 

• Best individual garden 

• Best shared/communal garden 

• Best use of space 

• Best garden transformation 

• Sustainable garden 

A winner from each locality will be selected, together with winners of five categories, which are set to challenge gardeners of all abilities. 

Drummond Drive Retirement Housing won an award last year for their ‘best shared/communal garden, and resident Tom Muir is encouraging tenants to get involved. He said: “It’s great being part of the NL in Bloom competition. A lot of our residents come together to grow fruit, vegetables and flowers. It brings people together and is fun for everyone.” 

There’s plenty of time to get your green space ready with the closing date for all entries set for the 1st of August. Complete your application here. Printed applications are available too. Contact the team on 07890438431 for an entry form.  

Convener of Housing, Councillor Michael McPake said: “We’ve had some great weather recently – perfect for gardening and it’s a great time to get your garden in shape and ready to enjoy over the summer months. It’s pleasing to see the diversity of entries each year, from garden spaces cultivated by tenant groups and neighbours to individual gardens across the area. Their colourful creations bring local communities to life. Best of luck to everyone entering.” 

Tracy Lennon, Tenant Participation Manager, added: “Last year we received the largest number of entries ever, with the NL in Bloom awards becoming a firm favourite event in the tenant participation calendar. We’re always delighted with the enthusiasm that surrounds our annual awards and every year we continue to see standards rise. We’re encouraging more tenants to enter or to nominate a neighbour in their local community who has a show-stopping garden. We’re looking forward to another bumper crop of entries in this year’s competition and seeing North Lanarkshire in full bloom.”