After having to wait for over two weeks after the judgeing the day finally came with the under gardener and I went off to Shrewsbury Flower Show and to the reception being held there by the Shropshire Star newspaper.  We were over the moon to receive third pace in the over 1/3 of an acre category.  This yielded a wonderful cut glass rose bowl and £50 in vouchers (that will soon be spent). We were told that we "lost out" to the two other gardens because as yet there are parts of the garden still maturing.  Well next year we will try again and boy do I have plans before next years competition.  Watch this space!!

For the past two years we have entered a gardening competition for the Shropshire Star Paper.  Each time we have reached the semi-finals but no further.  Whilst driving up to Shrewsbury, last August, to the Percy Thrower Garden Centre to receive our prize we decided that this year we would not enter.  This all went out of the window when two seperate people urged us to enter and this year we made the final!!  Roy Lancaster came to judge the garden which was just the biggest thrill, though I would have dearly loved to be asking him questions rather than answering his.  Next Saturday we shall be going to Shrewsbury Flower Show for this years presentation.  Fingers crossed. 

I have done hanging baskets for the past five years and I love them.  However I do notice how the professional ones appear to last longer.  I have this year put a plastic liner inside the basket not just on the bottom section but right up to the top.  This did make pushing the plants through a bit more time consuming but the effect has been worth it with the baskets being full and overflowing without any plants dying off.  Note to self for next year!