There is still time to share your gardening talents with us and possibly win some great prizes. 

Entering its fifth year, The Dispatch Backyard Garden Awards contest recognizes those gardeners who take special pride in their work — and we provide an opportunity for entrants to win prizes.

The contest is a collaborative effort between the Dispatch marketing team, Oakland Nurseries and AgPro, as well as Master Gardeners from OSU Extension and the At Home section.

Gardeners can enter one photo and a brief description of their entry at http://dispatchbackyardgardenawards.com/. Entries can be submitted through July 29.

Master Gardener volunteers from the Ohio State University Extension office will choose winners in six categories: landscape, native plants, perennials, community garden, vegetable and container.

Gardening: What is a rain garden and how can it help my landscape, plants and flowers?

Winners will receive gift certificates from Oakland Nurseries in denominations as follows: 1st place: $300; 2nd place: $100; best of show $500.

The top prize in each category is a $300 gift card to Oakland Nurseries; second-place winners will each earn $100 gift cards; third-place winners will each earn $50 gift cards; and the best-of-show winner will receive a $500 gift card.

2021 contest:Dispatch Backyard Garden Awards: Best-of-show winner ready to go big

Community members also can vote for their favorite entries on the website. The entry with the most votes will win the People's Choice award and a $60 gift certificate. Second place will win a $40 gift card. People's Choice voting will take place Aug. 8-22.

Winners will be announced live at the fall Dispatch Home & Garden Show on Sept. 10, and each entrant will receive free tickets to attend the show and awards ceremony.

Selected winners will be featured in a Sunday Dispatch At Home article.

So, good luck to all, and we look forward to seeing some spectacular gardens!