The recession failed to dampen the green-fingered efforts of residents on a Surbiton council estate, when the winners of their annual gardening competition were drawn last week.
The theme for this year’s Every Leaf Counts contest was recycling and home-grown food, with flowers planted in car tyres and old barbecues and tomato plants sprouting from hanging baskets.
Angel Levick scooped the gold award for best general garden.
Highlights of her patio garden include hanging baskets, ornaments, pot plants and a strawberry plant.
She said: “Last year I did carrots and onions, but this is the first year for strawberries. They taste better when you grow them yourself.”
John Ayres, eight, helped his mother win a silver award, watered the plants and bought her a hanging basket for Mother’s Day.
Organiser Sue Harrison praised the efforts of all 43 entrants and said the quality had surpassed last year’s competition, despite money being tighter for many people.
Judges included Councillor Nick Kilby and PCSO Simon Briggs and the gardening voucher prizes, donated by Kingston Council, will be awarded at a later date.
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