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The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the Botanic Garden of Western Pennsylvania are sponsoring the seventh annual Great Gardens contest for gardeners living in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties.

There are three categories of competition:

• Small - gardens of a quarter acre or less
• Medium - gardens between a quarter and half acre
• Large - gardens larger than one half acre

Entrants can make use of professionals in design or maintenance of the garden. A grand prize and one honorable mention will be awarded in each category.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette may publish the name, photographs and any information provided with entries, in print and on the Internet, including any advertising and promotion.

Winners must sign a statement that they have fully complied with the rules and terms outlined.

Only the homeowner or tenant may enter his garden in the contest. Employees of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette or Botanic Garden of Western Pennsylvania are disqualified from entering the contest, as are members of their immediate families. The judging panel is made up of local gardening experts, designers and garden writers.

One entry per household per year.

Prizes

Winners will receive a one-year membership to the Botanic Garden of Western Pennsylvania and two tickets per winner to the group's annual (2010) Garden Tour. The top winners in each category will receive a nursery gift certificate.

Questions, comments or concerns can be directed to PG Gardening Editor Susan Banks (412-263-1516 or sbanks@post-gazette.com) or Homes Editor Kevin Kirkland (412-262-1978 or kkirkland@post-gazette.com).

Full contest rules are available here.

How to enter by mail

Send us five to 10 photographs, 4-by-6 only, of your garden. Sorry, we cannot return the photos. Each image must include the entrant's name and address in the caption or written on the back of each photo. Entries must be postmarked by July 24, 2009. Send your photos and the description mentioned below (along with your name, address and daytime phone number) to Great Gardens Contest, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 34 Blvd. of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. We will visit the semi-finalist gardens, and then notify the top winners by August 28, 2009.

In 120 words or less, describe to us why you think your garden is great. Consider factors such as how well you've used the available space, your plant selection, creative solutions for problem areas, your gardening experience and some of your possible goals for the garden. Include any other information you think is important for judges to know. Please include at the top of your essay which category, Small, Medium or Large, you are entering.

How to enter online

Submit the entry information through our online form by clicking the button below. The form will allow you to upload up to ten photos of your garden.

Entries must be submitted no later than midnight, July 24, 2009. Judges will visit the semi-finalist gardens, and notify the top winners by August 28, 2009.