The results of a new competition launched by the APL to show that quality gardens needn't break the bank.

Three budget categories - Under £7,000, under £10,000 and under £13,000

The best judged gardens were built at the show. As a garden designer I love the idea behind this.

It achieves two simple goals. Firstly it manages expectations of potential customers - many of whom have absolutely no idea what it costs to transform an outdoor space. Secondly it shows that you can build a great looking creative garden to a tight budget.

In the £7,000 category we have Our First Home, Our First Garden

In the £10,000 category - A Compromising Situation

And two gardens in the £13,000 which displayed remarkable similarities although the overall effects was somewhat different

'live outdoors'

Summer in the Garden

I'd like to think, as I am sure the organsiers do, that these will encourage would be customers to taking the plunge and sek the services of a garden designer. All of the gardens were readily accessible and easy to see how they might work in a domestic environment. Well done to all those involved.

What do you think about these creations and the idea?