Green fingered Gwynedd residents could win a top prize as they enjoy a slice of the good life.
Gwynedd Environmental Partnership and Sustainable Gwynedd recently launched a Food Garden Competition to inspire people to grow their own food.
The competition is open to gardens producing fruit, vegetable or herbs in Gwynedd whatever the scale – from a few pots on a windowsill to a full vegetable patch.
This year there are two categories – Private Gardens and Schools.
The winning entries will each receive £50 in vouchers to spend in their local garden centre.
Growing our own fruit and vegetables is becoming increasingly popular as people realise the economic, environmental and personal benefits.
There are also health and wellbeing benefits – research shows that gardening is a great form of exercise, encourages people to enjoy the outdoors, can reduce stress and can give the grower an enourmous sense of wellbeing. Many gardeners will tell of the satisfaction of growing, harvesting, cooking and eating their own food, knowing exactly how it has been produced.
Gardening is also a great for children – it could boost their interest in food and how it is produced, and gets them closer to nature.
The environmental benefits of growing your own food are well reported. It can dramatically cut food miles – a quarter of all heavy lorries on our roads are carrying food between farms, processing units, food storage depots and supermarkets. Experts believe that the future of food will be uncertain due to climate change, population growth and resource shortages. Growing your own food could be one way to adapt and prepare for these changes.
Gardeners of all ages and experience can enter the Gwynedd competition and organisers are especially keen to hear from those new to growing vegetables, fruits or herbs. Organisers would like to see the variety of produce that you grow, and learn about your experiences and any problems encountered.
For an application form, email: [email protected] or phone 01286 679652. Closing date Friday, 24 September 2010. For further information go to www.pagwynedd.org or phone 01286 679652.
