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If you know of a great garden and have been thinking about nominating it for this year's Beautiful Gardens contest, don't delay. The deadline is end of the day July 9.

Every year, the Star Tribune invites readers to share their favorite home gardens. Selected winners will be showcased in the Sunday Homes section and online at startribune.com.

It's a great way to help your favorite gardener get the recognition he or she deserves. (And if your favorite garden is your own, don't be shy — share it!) The garden can be of any size or type, and located anywhere in Minnesota or western Wisconsin.

It's easy to nominate a garden. Just send a few snapshots (they can be from last year), along with a brief description of the garden, who tends it and where it's located. Photos don't have to be of professional quality, but please make sure to show an overview of the garden, not just close-ups of flowers. The judges also need to see how elements in the garden work together to create a whole.

Send entries to beautifulgardens@startribune.com, or by mail to Beautiful Gardens, Star Tribune, 650 3rd Av. S., Minneapolis, MN 55488. □