Royal Star & Garter is launching a new fundraising competition for budding gardening enthusiasts and expert green-fingered growers.

The Sensational Gardens competition follows the increased interest in gardening following the COVID-19 lockdown.

Participants are being asked to enter photos or videos of their botanical efforts from window boxes to vegetable patches, which will be judged by residents in the charity’s three Homes. The winner of each of the Sensational Gardens competition’s three categories will receive a £50 voucher to spend at a garden centre.

The competition launched on Tuesday 21 July, and is £3 for each entry. Entrants can add an additional donation on top of this, and every penny raised will go to Royal Star & Garter.

Residents enjoy spending time in the gardens in the three Royal Star & Garter Homes. They tend to flowers, grow fruit and vegetables in raised beds, and enjoy relaxing in the beautiful surroundings. It is a vital part of the holistic care and well-being the charity provides its residents.

The Sensational Garden competition aims to acknowledge and celebrate our gardens. Its three categories are:

• The favourite part of your outdoor space
• Your happiest moment in the garden
• What you are most proud of growing

Senior Community Fundraiser Lauren Baker, responsible for overseeing the event, said: “Our residents love spending time in our gardens, and we know lots of people across the country have spent a lot of time in their outdoor spaces during lockdown. This great new competition allows us to celebrate our sensational gardening moments together. We know our residents will love seeing and judging the entries.”

Deadline for entries is 21 August, with the winners announced by 28 August. Each entry can be submitted by visiting https://starandgarter.org/gardens

Royal Star & Garter provides loving compassionate care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia from Homes in Solihull, Surbiton and High Wycombe.