Tube staff compete to win title for best fruit and veg grown on the network

Tube staff have been growing green beans and sweetcorn in tubs in a station car park and banana chillies and gooseberries on a station roof in a race to cultivate the best fruit and vegetables on the Tube network.

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.