Miller Homes residents get the gardening bug

Miller Homes North East is encouraging residents at its developments across the region to roll up their sleeves, unearth their gardening tools and take up its summer garden challenge.

The competition is open to all residents at Miller Homes’ developments including, Greenvale Park in Newcastle upon Tyne, Alexandra Chase in Cramlington, Beaumont Court in Pegswood and Whitton View in Rothbury from Monday 25 July with all photographic entries to be submitted to onsite sales offices by the 29 August.

Green fingered residents are to take pictures of their prized gardens for the chance to win £100 worth of plant vouchers courtesy of Newcastle-based family run Cowell’s Garden Centre, a 4ft acacia garden bench by designer Alexandra Rose and the accolade of being the best kept garden on Miller Homes’ developments region-wide.

The competition is to be judged by BBC Newcastle gardening show presenter Marian Foster, manager of Cowell’s Garden Centre Martin Cowell and Miller Homes’ sales manager Maureen Trotter.

Miller Homes North East sales manager Maureen Trotter said: “Gardening has always been a national pastime but has seen resurgence over the last couple of years as more and more people explore the possibilities of growing their own herbs and vegetables and different varieties of plants in their gardens.

“We want to encourage our residents to actively develop their own piece of England’s green and pleasant land, and make their garden more vibrant, and welcoming, helping to make the overall development even more attractive to potential future buyers.”

Martin Cowell commented: “A brand new garden is a blank canvas, which represents an ideal opportunity to start a really simple, yet effective garden.

“I’ll be looking for the most improved garden, so if people have before and after photographs of their garden that would be even better. I’ll be looking not just for the most picturesque but also for the one that demonstrates eco-credentials and longevity.”

Marian Foster’s top tips for a superb garden this summer include adopting a colour scheme where green is the main colour. Sustainability is becoming a strong theme with green walls and green roofs a popular choice at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Marian said: “I’d recommend keeping planting schemes simple by trying to stay to a colour palette and not using too many varieties of plant. Don’t forget modern window boxes and hanging baskets can also make an apartment’s outside balcony look great too.

“Even if you only have a balcony you can also grow some very nice vegetables in attractive tubs.”

To enter the competition residents are being asked to simply submit a maximum of two photographs of their garden to the nearest Miller Homes sales office, which will then be judged by the panel.

Three finalists will be chosen from across the region, and winners will be announced at the beginning of September. There will be a prize for first, (£100) second (£50) and third place (£20).