The heat is on

WITH summer in full swing, The Hunts Post Garden of the Year competition is - just like the weather - hotting up.

Sponsored by Admiral Windows and Conservatories, the competition is attracting gardeners from all over Huntingdonshire.

Richard and Sue de Fraine, of Great North Road, Eaton Socon, have put forward their garden, which they have been working on for the past nine years.

Mr de Fraine said the one-acre plot had been designed to last throughout the year. There are snowdrops in the woodland area in January, followed by daffodils and bluebells.

Summer bedding includes pelargonium, fibrous begonias, ageratum, amaranthus, nicotiana - both lime green and alba - roses, dahlias, lilies and lavender.

The de Fraines plant in blocks of colour, although some borders are mixed.

At the bottom of the garden there is a bridge hidden behind a cedar tree, while phormium and grasses provide a link to the summerhouse.

"The expressions on recent visitors' faces to an open garden event say it all - smiling pleasure," Mr de Fraine said.

There is also room in the garden for a mature chestnut tree, lawns, perennial borders, a vegetable patch, and pergolas.

Mr and Mrs de Fraine have entered the best garden design category in The Hunts Post Garden of the Year, which is open to anyone who is proud of their gardening achievements.

There are two other categories: most colourful display and best kept garden.

The competition, which runs until September 30, is sponsored by Admiral Windows and Conservatories and has three cash prizes of £250 on offer to the winner of each category and another cash prize of £500 for the overall winner.

Entering is simple. You can go online at www.huntspost.co.uk, click on garden competition and follow the instructions.

Or you can fill in the coupon and send it with three pictures of your garden and a 200-word note detailing why it deserves to win to Garden Competition, The Hunts Post, 30 High Street, Huntingdon, PE29 3TB by Saturday, September 30.