Gardening.co.uk prizewinners!

In spite of having gardened for more than 20 years, Ronald modestly refers to himself as a 'novice gardener'. He says: 'My garden is about 40 x 20ft and north-facing. There's a hard-landscaping seating area, two sheds, 19 ornamental-type trees in containers, and the top and bottom ends are grassed. In other containers I am growing sweetcorn, courgettes, cucumbers, beetroot, carrots, spring onions and onions for the first time. This is on top of climbing roses, fuchsias, clematis and dahlias in narrow borders. How handy that watering system is going to be!

A word of warning about retailers and their plant labelling. Ron says: 'Guess what – I was on the site explaining the trouble I was having growing cucumbers. It now turns out the garden centre had labelled the plants wrong! I now have large courgettes and small cucumbers! This gardening lark is full of fun and surprises isn't it.

Ron has just been allocated an allotment by the local council – 'which is covered in a blanket of weeds, so it looks like my retirement is going to be busy'. Well done Ronald!

'I have a north-facing garden with a slight slope and the soil is clay,' says Gill. 'I like to have plants looking good all year but I also love the way the garden changes through the seasons, so I have a mixture of flowers, stems and leaves. The garden is particularly cold in winter, with any frost or snow lurking around for days because no sun reaches it. I have placed my winter plants where I can see them from the house. I like plants that have good foliage as well as flowers, which can be fleeting. I particularly like mixing leaf textures and colour – sometimes this is more satisfying than lots of flowers.

'One of my main problems is the amount of slugs and snails in the garden. They seem to hide everywhere and have no problem climbing. They particularly like the parts near the house which never get any sun, so are cool and damp. I have a long list of plants I have given up on because of the damage. I have recently tried copper rings for plants which the slugs will leave alone once they get past the new fresh green growth in the spring. These have been a great success.'

Prizes up for grabs

Rob adds: 'I grow a wide range of vegetables, herbs and flowers, with the emphasis on veg (varieties are chosen solely on grounds of flavour). As a Northern gardener with a heavy clay soil to deal with there are always plenty of challenges which tax the old grey matter, but this is all part of the fun!

'Although only a recent member, I'm already enjoying the witty banter and excellent articles on the site. It's particularly pleasing to be able to help new gardeners with any problems they may encounter, don't you think?'

Yes, I do Rob. Thanks!

He concludes: 'I'm looking forward to a long and rewarding relationship with Gardening.co.uk and wish the best of luck to all members old and new.'

Gill, Kath and Rob each win The Daily Telegraph book Easy Gardening Recipes for Successful Planting, which offers illustrated planting plans for various garden situations. Fill a shady bed against a wall, or how about an island bed with acid soil? Hope you enjoy it.