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Have you got the best garden in East London?   

The time of year has come around again, to think about our gardens, big or small. The East London Garden Society is launching its Best Garden in East London for 2013 competition. East London Garden Society Chair Geoff Juden said "We have launched the Best Garden Competition later than in 2012 owing to the weather situation, however I am sure the competition this year will be bigger than last year, therefore The East London Garden Society wishes all the entrants good luck. Much more than this The East London Garden Society wishes all gardeners in East London good gardening."

Entries are invited in four categories, which should enable anyone to enter, even if you have only a window box or balcony:
Best Individual Garden;
Best Community Garden, including schools and gardens tended by faith groups;
Best Balcony or Container Garden;
Opt In - for something which enriches the community e.g a special tree, an amazing pot plant.

The new fourth category is explained by Geoff: "This year we are to have a special category, whereby an individual can let us know how they believe something has enriched their community in the way of gardening, indeed it may be something which is already established, maybe a sculpture, but in some way it leads to the enriching of the community. All a person has to do is to make note of that special something within the gardening world, and let us know about it."

The criteria to be taken into account by the judges when awarding points, include several with an environmental and biodiversity theme:
Areas given over for the encouragement of pollinators (such as butterflies and bees) and birds;
Best ecological use of the environment;
Presentation;
Gardens taking into account the changing climate;
Most cared-for garden.

The competition will be launched The Lea Valley Park Authority at Three Mills on 11 May 2013. The deadline for entries is 8 June 2013, and judging will be finalised by 31 July 2013. Entry for all categories is free. The winner in each category will receive a cup, with certificates for the runners up.

Entry forms will be on the East London Garden Society's website from 13 May. For more details, e-mail the Chair of ELGS.