Our Lockdown Garden competition is open, and some entrants are letting us know why their little patch of Suffolk is so important to them.

Ipswich Star: Hannah in her garden, hopeful to win our Lockdown Garden competition Picture: HANNAH EARREYHannah in her garden, hopeful to win our Lockdown Garden competition Picture: HANNAH EARREY (Image: Archant)

Hannah Earrey, a 36-year-old from Ipswich, shared her pictures of the garden and explained how beneficial her garden had been to her mental health.

She said: “I can honestly say that having a garden has been a life line.

“I can lose myself in the gardening and nature and it really does help, I feel like I could be anywhere in the world.

“I encourage others to get out in there garden, start small and before you know it a small project can literally bloom.”

Ipswich Star: Steven has spent 35 years maintaining his garden in Ipswich Picture: STEVEN GRIMSEYSteven has spent 35 years maintaining his garden in Ipswich Picture: STEVEN GRIMSEY (Image: Archant)

“I have loved growing things from seeds this year,” she added.

“I have dahlias on the go, runner beans, hollylocks and Chinese lanterns.

“There is something really special about watching them germinate and sprout. It gets me up in the morning.”

We are on the hunt for your best Lockdown Gardens.

Ipswich Star: Melvin has put two months hard work to turn his garden from an open lawn to an impressive green space Picture: MELVIN VINYARDMelvin has put two months hard work to turn his garden from an open lawn to an impressive green space Picture: MELVIN VINYARD (Image: Archant)

We want you to send in your pictures and you could see your garden appear in the East Anglian Daily Times and Ipswich Star.

Gardens will be split into two categories: Under 150 square meters and Over 150 square meters.

And three lucky winners, chosen by Enjoy Gardening More’s Head Gardener, Peter McDermott, will walk away with hundreds of pounds of gardening vouchers.

Entries are now open and gardens will appears in the newspaper up to June 20.

Ipswich Star: Claire has made her garden bold and bright and repurposed other household items in her garden. This seating area used to be an unused space but was redesigned by her 17-year-old daughter Picture: CLAIRE RYCRAFTClaire has made her garden bold and bright and repurposed other household items in her garden. This seating area used to be an unused space but was redesigned by her 17-year-old daughter Picture: CLAIRE RYCRAFT (Image: Archant)

What are the prizes?

• £200 to spend with enjoygardeningmore.co.uk (garden over 150 square metres)

• £100 to spend with enjoygardeningmore.co.uk (garden over 150 square metres)

• £50 to spend with enjoygardeningmore.co.uk (garden under 150 square metres)

Ipswich Star: Carol describes her Ipswich garden of 16 years as a 'safe haven' Picture: CAROL SHARPCarol describes her Ipswich garden of 16 years as a 'safe haven' Picture: CAROL SHARP (Image: Archant)

How do I enter?

Simply send your photographs to suffolkgardens@archant.co.uk along with your name, postcode, daytime telephone number and size of garden.

If you wish to tell us more about your garden please include details on your email.

Closing date for submission of pictures is June 15, 2020.

Ipswich Star: Linda Hardy likes to escape into her garden with a cup of tea and the cats, dogs, slow worms and birds for company Picture: LINDA HARDYLinda Hardy likes to escape into her garden with a cup of tea and the cats, dogs, slow worms and birds for company Picture: LINDA HARDY (Image: Archant)

Enjoy Gardening More Head Gardener, Peter McDermott, will judge all published pictures and the winners will be announced week commencing July 6, 2020.

Normal Archant competition rules apply.

Archant Community Media Ltd will solely use the data you provide for the purpose of running the competition, including contacting winners and the distribution of any prize.

Ipswich Star: One of many beautiful plants in Ann's Debenham garden Picture: ANN PAGEOne of many beautiful plants in Ann's Debenham garden Picture: ANN PAGE (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: A picture of Deborah's garden in glorious spring sunshine ALEXANDERA picture of Deborah's garden in glorious spring sunshine ALEXANDER (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: Sarah showed off her patio and path down to her lawn Picture: SARAH JANE BRETTSarah showed off her patio and path down to her lawn Picture: SARAH JANE BRETT (Image: Archant)