Southampton in Bloom is back in business and almost anyone in the city can take part...

You don't have to have a garden. You can join in the fun with a pretty plant container, a window box, a flower-filled balcony or even a hanging basket.

The competition was officially launched on March 3, at a special ceremony held at Kinloss Court and neighbouring Cardington Court in Lordshill.

It was an appropriate setting, because in last year's competition, Cardington Court won the prize for the best communal area in a sheltered housing scheme.

There were many VIPs at the launch, including the Mayor of Southampton, Councillor Parvin Damani, and they all had the same message: now's the time to get started! The launch also featured in BBC Radio Solent's Top Soil programme.

Even if you don't have much money to spare, you still have time to make a plan for your garden and to start buying plants or growing them from seed.

You could borrow some gardening books from the library for extra know-how and inspiration - and don't forget - it's free to enter the competition.

Entry forms are now available from libraries and housing offices in the city, and from the offices of one of the sponsors: Carruthers & Co, solicitors.

They can also be obtained from Southampton in Bloom co-ordinator Nicolette Taylor at the Civic Centre on 023 8083 3665 or e-mail: nicolette.taylor@southampton.gov.uk.

Or why not use the form on the opposite page?

As usual, the competition is open to residents, schools and businesses within the Southampton city boundaries. A steady stream of entries is already arriving, so don't be left out.

There are three categories for schools: fabulous flowers, edible plants and a wildlife garden and, of course, a poster contest. The closing date for school entries is May 28 and judging takes place in the week beginning June 28, just before the school holidays.

The best 20 posters will be displayed at the Southampton Festival on Southampton Common on July 3 and 4. Festival-goers will be asked to vote for the best poster, so this year there will be two winners: the judges' choice and the public's favourite.

This year there's a valuable prize in the photographic section: a camera (worth £100) which is being donated by sponsors City Photographic of Bedford Place.

Happy snappers are invited to enter a set of three prints, each six inches by four, on the theme of Southampton in Bloom, and entries must arrive by August 27. Other sponsors for 2004 include Hillier Garden Centres, Hambrooks Garden Centre, Haskins Garden Centre, B&Q, Kings Seeds, Southampton Soroptimists and Southampton Rotary (Magna, Clausentum and Bitterne and Woolston).

Prizes worth hundreds of pounds are being offered, including seeds, tools, garden centre vouchers and many other garden-friendly items.

Exbury Gardens will once again be donating a family season ticket to the winner of the Best First Time Entry in the private gardens section.

Many of those who took part in last year's First Time Entry category will now be graduating to the main garden sections: Best Private Garden, Best Cottage Garden or Best Wildlife Garden. This year the rules have changed for the Best Group of Homes. Now only four neighbours in a street or block of flats need to get together to enter this section.

There are also special categories for sheltered housing schemes, individual balconies, tubs, window boxes, wall baskets, hanging baskets and other plant containers.

Pubs, churches, businesses and public buildings can enter too.

The closing date for categories 1 to 12 is July 7 and judging will take place between July 9 and July 31.

So why bother? The Southampton in Bloom leaflet sums it up: to help create a better environment, to generate pride in our city, to get fit with an outdoor project, to fulfil a sense of achievement and, of course, for the sheer pleasure of growing plants!

HOW TO ENTER:

Send your name and address - including your postcode.

Entries must be for addresses within the boundary of the City of Southampton.

The name to be used on certificate

Your daytime and evening telephone number

Best time and day of the week for judges to visit

State the number of the category/categories you wish to enter. (Enter as many as you want.)

COMPETITION CATAGORIES:

1 Best private garden

2 Best private garden (first time entry)

3 Best cottage garden

4 Best group of homes (minimum of four)

5 Best individual garden in sheltered housing

6 Best communal area in sheltered housing

7 Best individual balcony

8 Best tubs(s), including window box(es) or other containers

9 Best hanging basket/ wall basket/ wall container

10 Wildlife garden

11 Best public house

12 Best commercial or public building

13 Best set of photographs

CLOSING DATES:

Categories 1-12: July 7

Judging: July 9 to July 31

Category 13: to be submitted by August 27

Send your details without delay to Nicolette Taylor, co-ordinator, Southampton in Bloom, Southampton City Council, Freepost (SO4923), Southampton SO14 7XY.

ENTRY IS FREE