BBC and RHS Launch North West Garden Design Competition

· Call for aspiring garden designers in the Manchester, Merseyside and Lancashire areas to design a ‘City Garden’ for RHS Flower Show Tatton Park in July

· The best designs will be selected to represent three Local BBC Radio Stations at the flower show this summer

· From these three one winning garden will be chosen to be relocated to the RHS’ newest Garden RHS Garden Bridgewater in Salford

Calling all amateur gardeners and aspiring garden designers, BBC Radio Lancashire, Manchester and Merseyside are joining forces with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) to run an exciting garden design competition which gives three listeners the chance to design a garden at this year’s RHS Flower Show Tatton Park (22-26 July).

Launched this morning, the competition is asking amateur gardeners and aspiring garden designers to create and submit a ‘City Garden’ design, incorporating creative ways of designing to get the most out of a small outdoor space. Entrants should also look to tie in a link to their local BBC region as a winning design from each - Lancashire, Manchester and Merseyside will be chosen to represent the corresponding radio station at the flower show this summer, giving three lucky listeners an opportunity to see their designs become a reality. 

At the show the RHS will decide on the ultimate winning garden which will be relocated to the RHS’ newest garden, RHS Garden Bridgewater in Salford, Greater Manchester which opens to the public later this year.   

Gemma Lake, Show Manager for RHS Flower Show Tatton Park, said: “This is a money can’t buy opportunity for someone passionate about gardening and design to see their vision come to life at an RHS Show, gain expert advice and hands-on experience in garden design. I am very excited to see what the BBC Local Radio listeners come up with and which of the three gardens will be selected to be rebuilt permanently at RHS Garden Bridgewater when it opens later this year – what a fantastic opportunity for a budding designer!”

“As more and more of the population live in cities and urban areas we hope these ‘City Gardens’ will provide fantastic take home inspiration for everyone especially those visitors with limited outdoor space.”

The winning designers will be given the opportunity to work with a professional mentor and landscape contractor to bring their designs to life and have free entry to the show throughout show week. 

Entries must arrive by Monday 17 February.  Judges will select a winning design from each region, Lancashire, Manchester and Merseyside and will consider; how well the garden interprets the theme ‘City Gardens’; how interesting and creative the design is; the effective use of plants; how well the design has considered sustainability issues; and how realistic the design is within a small budget and space.

Information on how to enter the competition is available at www.bbc.co.uk and online at BBC Manchester, Merseyside and Lancashire.