GARDENERS have just a few days left to enter this year’s Oxford in Bloom competition.

The contest is open to all residents, schools and businesses within the city boundary and the closing date for entries is Friday.

So far, there have been 250 entries across a number of different categories, including Best Kept Small Front Garden, Best Kept Large Front Garden, Most Beautiful Hanging Basket, and Most Florally Attractive Window Box.

The number of entries has fallen short of its usual annual total of about 600 – but organisers of the contest, which is backed by the Oxford Mail, are hoping for a rush of entries in the final week.

Oxford in Bloom chairman Karen Roberts said: “We are pleased to have received about 250 entries in total across all the different competition categories but we would love to have more – often entries do pour in during the final week.

“Judging starts in the week beginning July 20, so we need to start compiling all the entries for the judges so that they can plan their routes.

“The city is divided up into different sections for the judges so that they can visit Headington, for example, or Cowley, and go from garden to garden.

“There are only three judges so it’s quite hard work for them.

“The judging process is quite intensive.”

Issuing a rallying call, she added: “If there are gardeners who haven’t entered before, I would urge them to have a go because I am sure they will get a lot out of it.

“Last year, there was so much rain that it damaged some of the gardens, but this year the weather has been so hot the flowers are looking lovely.”

This year’s winners will be announced at a presentation evening on September 17 at Roman Way Sports and Social Club in Cowley.

The competition is now in its 21st year, and the categories include Best Schools Environment Project.Organisers also want pubs, factories and offices to take part.

To enter, fill in and return the form on this page.

affrench@oxfordmail.co.uk For more details see: oxford.gov.uk/ leisure/oxford-in-bloom.cfm