London Underground's (LU's) annual gardening competition 'Underground in Bloom' is under way and as well as tending plants and flowers, this year a fruit and vegetables category had been added.

In total 55 Tube stations, depots and service control rooms across the network have risen to the challenge of creating a beautiful oasis in an urban environment.

Acton Town for example has used rubble left over from the station upgrade work to create a garden.

These green spaces are currently being judged by a panel of LU judges until 3 September.

The Underground in Bloom awards aim to recognise Tube staff who have gone beyond the call of duty by making stations more attractive in their own time.

The new edible food category is in support of the Mayor's Capital Growth programme which encourages organisations and communities to grow their own produce.

Categories include cultivated garden plots, hanging baskets, tubs, fruit and vegetables and a new art category called Gardens in Bloom.

Extra points are given to environmentally friendly gardens that attract wildlife or are water wise.

Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, said: 'A great pat on the back for all those dedicated Tube staff who have tended hanging baskets, cultivated fruit and veg and watered blooms, all in their spare time to make their stations more colourful.

'It also goes to show you can grow your own fruit and veg just about anywhere.'

Howard Collins, Chief Operating Officer for LU, said: 'Once again I have been really impressed by the effort and time that our staff have put into transforming the Tube into a brighter and more attractive place.

'These wonderful gardens, hanging baskets and tubs have all been cared for in our hardworking employees' own time. 

'This shows just how committed our staff is to offering an outstanding service to customers using the London Underground.'

Winners will be announced on 16 September at City Hall.


Notes to editors:

  • LU is undertaking a major programme of renewal as part of Transport for London's (TfL)'s Investment Programme. This will inevitably result in some disruption for passengers, but TfL is working hard to provide information and alternative travel options. The work is essential to provide for London's growing transport needs now, and into the future. TfL is urging all Londoners and Tube, London Overground and Docklands Light Railway passengers to 'check before you travel' at weekends, allowing extra journey time where necessary. Weekend travel news is available at http://www.tfl.gov.uk
  • Capital Growth was launched in 2008 by Rosie Boycott, the chair of London Food, and Mayor Boris Johnson, to boost 'grow your own' in the Capital. Developed and managed by London Food Link, part of Sustain, it now has more than 537 spaces already being cultivated across the Capital in a diverse range of places including schools and canal banks, roofs, and private gardens open to the community and parks. Capital Growth is also working with large organisations such as TfL and British Waterways along with borough food growing programmes such as Edible Islington
  • Tube lines and stations that have entered this years' Underground in Bloom competition include:
  • Jubilee line 
  • Stratford Market Depot (Service Control) - Hanging baskets and tubs
  • Willesden Green - Cultivated garden
  • Canada Water - Cultivated garden
  • Northern line
  • Brent Cross - Cultivated garden and Fruit and Veg
  • Hampstead - Fruit and Veg
  • East Finchley - Hanging Baskets
  • Hendon Central - Cultivated garden and new plot
  • Clapham North - Hanging baskets
  • High Barnet - Cultivated garden
  • West Finchley - New plot, hanging baskets and tubs
  • Colindale - Cultivated garden
  • Finchley Central - Cultivated garden and tubs
  • Piccadilly line 
  • Northfields - Cultivated garden and tubs
  • Sudbury Town - Cultivated garden
  • Acton Town - New plot and tubs
  • Cockfosters - Hanging baskets and tubs
  • Bollo House Train Crew Accommodation - Cultivated garden, new plot and fruit and veg 
  • District line
  • West Kensington - Cultivated garden
  • Elm Park - Cultivated garden
  • West Brompton - Cultivated garden and tubs
  • Putney Bridge - Tubs and Fruit and veg
  • East Putney - Hanging baskets and tubs
  • Parsons Green - New plot, hanging baskets and tubs
  • Bomley by Bow - New plot, hanging baskets and tubs
  • Upminster Train Crew Accommodation - Cultivated garden,  hanging baskets and tubs
  • Barking Train Crew Accommodation - Hanging baskets and tubs
  • Metropolitan line
  • Watford - Hanging baskets and tubs
  • Northwick Park - New plot
  • Rayners Lane - Cultivated garden and hanging baskets
  • Uxbridge - Cultivated garden
  • Rickmansworth - Tubs
  • Aldgate - Tubs
  • Barbican - New plot and tubs
  • Preston Road - Cultivated garden and tubs
  • Circle & Hammersmith lines
  • Bayswater - Hanging baskets and tubs
  • Edgware Road - Tubs
  • Bakerloo line
  • Maida Vale - Cultivated garden, new plot, hanging baskets and tubs
  • Central line
    1. East Acton - Cultivated garden and hanging baskets
    2. Snaresbrook - New plot
    3. Woodford - Cultivated garden
    4. Loughton - Fruit and veg
    5. Perivale - New plot, hanging baskets and tubs
    6. West Ruislip - Hanging baskets
    7. Northolt - Tubs
    8. Epping - Cultivated garden and tubs
    9. Newbury Park - Hanging baskets and tubs
    10. Greenford - Hanging baskets, tubs and fruit and veg
    11. North Acton - New plot, hanging baskets, tubs and fruit and veg
    12. Roding valley - Cultivated garden
    13. Theydon Bois - Cultivated Garden
    14. 10b Wood Lane (Service Control) - Cultivated garden, new plot, hanging baskets and tubs
  • Victoria line
    1. Tottenham Hale - Tubs and fruit and veg
    2. Victoria - Hanging baskets and tubs
    3. Seven Sisters Train Crew Accommodation - New plot, hanging baskets and tubs
  • Depot  
    1. Northumberland Park Depot (Fleet) - New plot