Blooming marvelous!
A green-fingered Muir resident’s efforts have been recognised after his garden triumphed at the Blackpool in Bloom awards.
Frank Ryan, of Otterburn Close, wowed the judges after transforming his garden into a lush, green eco space.
The garden took a mammoth 18-months to complete, and features a wide-variety of plants, a pond, herbs, vegetable and fruit. It also has a true international feel - with sections of the garden taking inspiration from Africa and the Orient.
And Frank has been rewarded for his hard work, after he was declared the winner in the ‘Best Conservation Garden’ category at the awards ceremony, which was held at Blackpool’s historic Winter Gardens.
“When we took the garden over there was nothing here but weeds and a bit of grass.” Frank Said
“I looked at it as a blank canvass where I could put my own stamp on things.
Everything you see comes from either a car boot sale, or cuttings from other plants.
“I just had the idea in my head. I like to go back to my childhood - I got my gardening skills from my father has he used to have three allotments. I decided to have a bit of fun and have bits and pieces around the garden, and it has developed from there.”
Frank’s garden is made up of mostly second-hand and recycled material, and – in true Blackpool style – features illuminations which light up the night sky.
Although the garden was put together for him and his wife to enjoy, Frank was persuaded by his friends to enter the Blackpool in Bloom competition.
Frank added:
“I enjoy it – I come home from work, do a little bit of gardening and then relax during the evening.
“We grow corn, blueberries, three types of gooseberries, beetroot, lettuces, marrows, six types of potatoes, pears, apples, nine varieties of chillies and sweetcorn.
“I had ever entered anything like this in my life before but a friend persuaded me. The judges came round to have a look and they liked what they saw.
“I just enjoy it myself. I did it so that my wife and I can come out here, relax and enjoy the whole surroundings.”