We’re encouraging locals in the Forest area to battle it out with their rakes and spades in the Best Garden competition 2011 with the chance to win £100 of Dobbies vouchers.

We’re urging aspiring horticulturists to plant wildflowers in their gardens and allotments and to cultivate their own fruit and vegetables to encourage biodiversity in the area, as well as boosting the economy and ecology of the local environment.

The eco-contest is open to individuals, community groups and schools. Entrants should send photographs of their garden, allotment or patch along with a description of the wildflowers, plants and vegetables grown and the nature that it attracts.

Participants are not only competing for the accolade of the Best Garden 2011 title, but they are also in with the chance to win £100 of vouchers for Dobbies Garden Centre to help them maintain a beautiful and environmentally friendly garden all year round.

Simon Rennie, chief executive at CSFT, said:  “Not only is the Best Garden competition a fantastic opportunity to embrace beautiful gardens, it is also an excellent way for all those involved to support biodiversity in the environment right on their doorsteps.

“It is important to raise awareness across the Central Scotland Forest areas about the importance of biodiversity and how variation in different wildflowers, hedgerows and plants can have an extremely beneficial effect.

“And entrants should also remember that the “best” garden is one which combines biodiversity with looking beautiful.”

Competition entries should be submitted by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it no later than Friday 30th September.

Good Luck everyone!