Another summer another Garden of the Year competition with The Oxford Times.

Last year's competition was such a success, attracting competitors from all over the county, that The Oxford Times is joining forces with Frosts at Millets Farm once again to seek out Oxfordshire's Garden of the Year for 2006.

Last year, we included school gardens in our categories to reflect the growing popularity of gardening in our schools and it proved an extremely successful category.

This year we are including allotments too.

As in previous competitions marks will be awarded for sustainablity, composting, growing of fruit and vegetables and the use of recycled materials. Naturally, any adverse conditions that develop due to Thames Water hosepipe ban will be taken into account and imaginative ways to save water or recycle it will attract extra points.

Last year we invited gardeners to send us a photograph of their garden, this year we are inviting contestants to describe their garden instead, using no more than 150 words.

2005's overall winner Wendy Winser, Corner Farm, Fencott, whose attractive garden is best described as a series of rooms which keep reinventing themselves, says that winning the competition last year has helped her raise considerable funds for her favourite charity, Sobell House Hospice.

So many readers have asked Wendy to open it again this year that she plans an Open Garden and Charity Day on Saturday June 17 from 2pm to 6pm, when she will be selling quality used handbags, jewellery and scarves.

Wendy entered her garden last year as an incentive to get her going. The competition gave her something to aim for. She was thrilled and amazed to learn she had won and advises anyone who loves their garden to enter this year.

"Winning and sharing your garden with others really does boost one's confidence. Besides, gardens should be shared," she said.

Penny Guy, from Bloxham, who won the small front garden admits that getting a garden to competition standard is hard work.

In her case it took almost every waking hour, but she says it was worth it. She will certainly enter again this year.

Penny is a gardener who won't find the hose pipe ban a problem as she believes in letting nature look after itself.

"I don't water unless things get desperate. If the surface of the soil is always moist the roots won't attempt to grow deep into the ground," she said.

Gardeners at Bridewell Organic Gardens, Wilcote, winners of the 2005 Special Needs Garden category were delighted to discover that the judge had sensed the wonderful peace that the garden generates.

This beautiful garden with its roses specially selected by Oxfordshire's champion rose grower Robert Mattock, to echo the vibrant splashes of colour found in Monet's Garden, and its vineyard which is now producing enough grapes for quality wine to be made, was highly praised by all who visited it last year.

The school children from Wood Green School, Witney who won the school category last year gained a great deal from the experience too.

The children discovered that helping things grow was great fun. They all loved working on the garden.

The money they won last year has been spent on creating raised beds for vegetables and fruit, which they hope will give them a chance of winning again this year.

The winners of each of the individual categories will receive Frosts vouchers worth £100. Winners of the school's category will get Frosts vouchers for £200. Runners-up in all categories will get Frosts vouchers for £25. The overall winner will also win a trophy and a weekend break for two to Monet's garden.

The closing dates for entries is May 30. Judging will take place mid-June.

Click here to download the form