Gardening Group - London in Bloom

RHS Wisley

Monday 20th October

Way back in the summer, around the time of our garden party, our volunteers rolled up their sleeves and gave Jackwood House Garden some extra love. The mission? To make sure all our delightful chaos looked its absolute best. The party was one reason, but there was another - we had entered the London in Bloom competition, in the Community Garden category.

Foxgloves back at judging time

We had beautiful weather for the judging. The garden was looking wonderful; the judge understood what we were trying to do and gave the impression that he really quite liked the garden. But judges don't tell contest results early, so we were rather nervous about the whole thing.

We'd also decided to enter one other category - a biodiversity competition that was assessed by essay. We sent it off, crossed our fingers and toes, and put it out of our minds.

Eventually Monday rolled around - results day. A whole gaggle of our regular volunteers trekked around the M25 in a rainstorm to RHS Wisley. Fortified with tea and with umbrellas in hand, we tromped through a few sections of the gardens each, mentally assembling shopping lists and to do lists for our own gardens.

After a quick lunch and provided with more soothing tea and some very soporific cake by the competition organisers, we got the results - "Outstanding" for the Community Garden and Silver for the Biodiversity award!

We got ourselves a certificate or two!

We're absolutely delighted - thanks go to all the volunteers, to everyone who visits respectfully, and to everyone who cheers us on as they pass by.

Looking ahead, we are feeling intrigued. Some local community gardens also entered other categories of award and did very well indeed. We'll be visiting the Old English Garden at Danson park soon enough, and seeing what we can learn!