TV gardener Russell Jones with aspiring gardeners from Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle – winners of the 2013 competition
Green fingered Gwynedd residents could win a top prize as they enjoy a slice of the good life.
Gwynedd Environmental Partnership is launching the Food Garden Competition for 2014 to inspire people to grow their own fruit, vegetables and herbs. The competition is open to gardens in Gwynedd producing food, whatever the scale – from a few pots on a windowsill to a full vegetable patch. This year there are two categories – 1) Private Gardens and 2) Schools.
The competition has been sponsored by Fron Goch Garden Centre and the winning entries will each receive £25 vouchers to spend in Fron Goch.
Councillor Gareth Roberts, the Gwynedd Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “Growing 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 enormous sense of wellbeing. Many gardeners will tell of the satisfaction of growing, picking, cooking and eating their own food, knowing exactly how it has been produced.
“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.
“Gardening is also a great for children – it can open their eyes to where our food comes from and gets them closer to nature.”
Gardeners of all ages and experience can enter and the Gwynedd Environmental Partnership is especially keen to hear from new gardeners.
For an application form or for more information contact [email protected] or phone 01286 679652. The closing date for private gardens is 30 September 2014. For further information go to www.pagwynedd.org
