Do you “buy” this? Sharon and Rob Howlett insist they “aren’t serious gardeners” ? simply enjoying their time together outside.

Romford Recorder: Liam Adam Grace's garden. 'I live in the centre of Romford, and over the last few years have created a wildlife haven in my back garden. This spring we have had three hedgehogs together, two stag beetles, many damsel flies and a pond full of tadpoles.'Liam Adam Grace's garden. 'I live in the centre of Romford, and over the last few years have created a wildlife haven in my back garden. This spring we have had three hedgehogs together, two stag beetles, many damsel flies and a pond full of tadpoles.' (Image: Archant)

Well, they might not claim to be Romford’s Rachel De Thame and Monty Don, but they’ve taken the biggest prize in our Enjoy Gardening More “Best Lockdown Garden” competition. They win £100 to spend with enjoygardeningmore.co.uk

Earning £50 each, to redeem with the online store, are fellow winners Jo and Darren Leonard, and Liam Adam Grace. Congratulations to you all. And thanks to everyone who entered, and brightened the past few weeks with shared photographs of glorious, inspiring and imaginative vistas. The Howletts’ garden is 200ft by 35ft ? south-facing and very sunny.

“Rob’s mum has always been a keen gardener; her father had an allotment in the East End,” they say. “We have an iris which belonged to Rob’s grandfather which takes centre stage in our garden and is over 100 years old.”

Sharon’s parents are also keen gardeners.

Romford Recorder: Jo and Darren Leonard: 'Our garden is approx 120ft. When we moved in 18 years ago the garden was an overgrown jungle that hadnt been touched for years.'Jo and Darren Leonard: 'Our garden is approx 120ft. When we moved in 18 years ago the garden was an overgrown jungle that hadnt been touched for years.' (Image: Archant)

Sharon and Rob moved to their house four years ago. “Parts were very overgrown. We had to redesign the garden; we have enjoyed planting lots of new shrubs and loved watching them grow. The ground is very hard. The soil type is clay, which makes it difficult to grow some plants. We have been composting for the last three years to help improve the soil.

“We love our vegetable patch, which we grow from seed. We have picked and cooked some courgettes, potatoes, spring onions and broad beans. We are also growing beetroot, runner beans, peppers, tomatoes, sweetcorn and carrots.”

All Best Lockdown Garden contenders were judged by Peter McDermott, the Enjoy Gardening More head gardener, who was struck by what he saw.

“I was so very impressed by all the fantastic garden entries that we received. From incredible imaginations to planting prowess, fabulous formals to intricate cottage gardens, we really saw it all,” he says. “Congratulations to the winners.”

Last word to the Howletts. “We think gardening is good for the soil, good exercise and good for your mental health,” they reckon. “We put the music on and just carry on tending the garden, and the hours just pass by.

“We could spend all day in the garden.”