Green-fingered residents at Westgate House in Wallingford are enjoying time in the home’s extensive back garden as they prepare for this year’s Trust in Bloom competition.

Residents Barbara Gomm, Barbara Keep and Edna Hardy all take a keen interest in the garden and get involved in gardening activities. This year, they are helping the home to get ready for Trust in Bloom, the annual gardening competition run by OSJCT.

With herb and flower seeds – as well as compost – generously donated by Grounds Care Group, residents are carefully nurturing a variety of plants and vegetables. Grounds Care Group provides ongoing landscape maintenance to keep OSJCT gardens looking attractive, accessible and welcoming throughout the year.

For Edna being in the garden brings back fond memories. She said: “We always grew gladioli because they were my mum’s favourite flower. Gladioli are very elegant and colourful.”

This year, Edna is growing a tomato plant and has promised to share her crop with her friends. Her top tip for gardening? “Be patient – wait for things to grow.”

Barbara Keep recalls the cowslips and butterflies she used to see in nearby fields as a young woman. Her family grew vegetables rather than flowers. “We had an allotment and used it to grow food and vegetables,” shared Barbara.

Meanwhile, Barbara Gomm enjoys a daily walk in the garden and often looks out over it from her room. The outdoor space is full of life – from blooming plants to red kites flying overhead.

The garden at Westgate House is a lovely setting for relaxing and socialising. With shaded areas and afternoon sunshine, it is also a popular spot for visits from the adjacent nursery. Barbara Gomm added: “We loved having the children in for an Easter egg hunt. They found them all after a good search!”

Photo: From left to right, Barbara Gomm, Edna Hardy and Barbara Keep.