Let's honour the unsung horticultural heroes who help Britain grow We need help from the horticultural and health industries to create a force to build communities and engage people in gardening; and to mobilise health professionals and authorities to take the therapeutic potential of gardening to a new level. Award winner and judge Niki Preston told us: "Having won an award, I started writing, appeared on BBC Gardeners' World and was asked by Amateur Gardening to write a review of Chelsea for mobility scooter users. It has all come from GATO. Now she wants to encourage others to join in. The foundation is establishing a group of patrons to work together and a fund will be put in place to develop these awards and grow Gardening Against the Odds. The finalists you vote for will be invited with guests to an awards gala at Syon House in April 2015, when the winners will be announced. 1 The Sunflower Garden offers bereaved people in Hackney the chance to garden together in their local cemetery. They grow flowers and vegetables from scratch, and meet weekly to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness. Frank Wilson says: "Inspired - offers solace to people who have lost loved ones." 2 The Dinner Lady's Garden was created from wasteland by Sally Pugh behind her school kitchen, using donated or found materials and plants. She has turned this 100ft plot into a garden that the pupils love, full of wildflowers to encourage local wildlife. 3 Dutch Farm used to be a City of Liverpool rubbish tip. Now homeless volunteers from the YMCA grow food for themselves, other hostels and soup kitchens. The group keep bees and poultry and garden to escape the chaos of homelessness. Susan Hampshire says: "They're giving something back." Dutch Farm used to be a rubbish tip. 4 The Growing Together Garden at Westcliff-on-Sea has been transformed from a dump into a community garden by sufferers with mental disorders, who learn horticultural skills and enjoy the benefits of producing vegetables, herbs and flowers. Annie Maw says: "I like the fact that, unusually, these are good news stories." 5 Lewis Cottage Garden opens to the public for the National Gardens Scheme, despite owner Michael Pell having suffered a stroke. His love of gardening is aiding his recovery and with the help of friends, he supports others by opening for charity. 6 The Heads Up Healing Garden offers a sanctuary for growing, learning and connecting to people in the Mendip area suffering from mental illness. Within a tranquil south-facing walled garden, they learn to cultivate and cook produce. 7 Evering Road Kitchen Garden is a drop-in centre supplying more than 200 meals a week to vulnerable and homeless people in Hackney. The garden, staffed by volunteers and service users, grows vegetables and supplies chutney, seeds and herb teas to raise funds. The Duchess of Northumberland says: "As judges we're fortunate to meet people who have used gardening to help others or to enhance their own lives." 8 Larkhall Park Garden in Battersea has been transformed from a gang and drugs magnet into a community hub by the Larks - a group of local gardeners. There are now weekly gardening and food-sharing activities, so residents can enjoy their local park again. Craig Sams says: "Gardening is a preventative medicine as well as cure." Weekly gardening has reclaimed Lark Hall Park. 9 Heathbrook Primary School parents decided to cheer up a small plot in front of an advertising hoarding outside their school. Initial reluctance on the part of the hoarding company to give permission was overcome and now it's a small, life-enhancing corner. Richard Reynolds says: "A simple source of inspiration." 10 Wimbledon is home to young gardener Katherine Thomas who, despite suffering from ME and depression following a serious car accident, champions the healing powers of gardening. She blogs and raises plants to encourage others to have a go. Tim Richardson says: "Elspeth would have been inspired - especially by her blog." 11 Waverley Terrace Allotments is now a thriving community resource helping offenders, socially excluded adults and those with mental illness to make a contribution to their community by gardening in these productive allotments and sensory gardens. David Shreeve says: "This is a community garden in the true sense of the words." Waverley Terrace Allotments helps offenders and those with mental illness. 12 At Buckhaven Park a group of young adults with physical and mental health issues have taken over a couple of borders to grow fruit and vegetables for local residents to harvest. They also participated in "Fife in Bloom" and helped win a silver-gilt medal. 13 Ancoats Community Garden has been transformed from a derelict car park into a productive garden by volunteers from the Boaz Trust, with the help of local businesswoman Jayne Lawton. The garden now provides refugees with work, companionship and fresh food. Tim Richardson says: "Successful despite great odds." 14 Garden for Growth's allotment project gives anyone from age six to 70+ the chance to enjoy space away from the pressure and problems of life, caring for plants and wildlife. Many participants find respite from mental health issues and illness. 15 Friern Barnet is where Dr Zahra Jessa's elderly parents garden, even though they care for their two other daughters who have profound learning difficulties. The whole family finds peace in their garden and say it gives them an escape from everyday life. Annie Maw says: "All that unsung hero stuff doesn't really cover it." 16 Meadow Copse was a neglected two-acre flooded field cut through by a bypass. Crohn's disease sufferer Daniel Ackerley has turned this spot into a wildlife meadow planted with heritage fruit trees to the delight of local ramblers on the public footpath. Susan Hampshire says: "An inspired use of space, growing trees and producing food." Gardens that make you smile Visit gardeningagainsttheodds.com to see pictures of the second category, Gardens that Make You Smile.  Alexandra Park Road residents have turned an eyesore into a pleasure. They have doggedly converted their wheelie bins into floral displays, using everyday objects and bright annuals, perennials and climbers to cheer passers-by on this London street.  Ayton Village on the Scottish Borders was feeling left out when it was bypassed. So to cheer themselves up, the whole village made tiny gardens in boots and displayed them on doorsteps, windowsills and walls.  An Earls Court basement Garden always makes one passer-by smile, and she nominated this flower-filled spot in London to thank its gardeners for cheering up her way to work each day. Plants will grow in even the most difficult space with a little help.  At Kennington Cross under a large tree, next to a main road, this tiny garden gives an unexpected bonus to travellers and residents, and makes most people smile as they walk by. Even a temporary garden gives pleasure.  Balcombe Station Rockery. Most trains don't stop at this station, so all most passengers see is a flash of colour. Well done, Southern Railway for gardening this cheery spot to help West Sussex travellers on their way. How to vote Visit the voting page at gardeningagainsttheodds.com. All the "odds" are listed as shown here. In addition, five entries in the Gardens that Make You Smile category are listed. To vote, choose your favourites in each category. Winners will be announced at the Gardening Against The Odds Awards Gala at Syon House next April, to which finalists and a guest will be invited.