The wait for Farnham’s gardeners is over as Farnham Town Council announces the winners of its annual Secret Gardens competition.

Earlier this year Farnham Town Council started a search to find the town’s best secret gardens. Local gardeners from homes and businesses in Farnham town centre, surrounding villages and residential areas were invited to enter their gardens and container displays into the competition.

The competition included eight categories to enable schools, shops, pubs and hotels to enter as well as residents. Best hanging baskets, courtyard garden, small gardens, large gardens and wildlife gardens were among the categories.

“As you would expect, the standard in the Secret Gardens competition was very high and we saw some beautiful gardens,” said Councillor Stephen Hill, Lead Member for Farnham in Bloom. “The judges were looking for stunning floral displays, clever planting and immaculate lawns but we also wanted to see attractive hedges, great vegetables, compost areas, evidence of environmental good practice (such as water conservation) and areas for wildlife. Just like our wider efforts to take part in Farnham in Bloom, the competition is about showing off our beautiful town and celebrating the many positive benefits of gardening to our health and wellbeing.”

He adds: “As well as thanking our local gardeners for their amazing efforts, I’d like to thank the Farnham in Bloom corporate sponsors BBS Limited who have supported the Secret Gardens competition. If you have missed out this year but would like to enter your garden in 2017, keep an eye on the Farnham Town Council website at www.farnham.gov.uk for details of how to enter,” says Councillor Hill.

All of the 35 entrants to the competition will be invited to the Farnham in Bloom Awards’ ceremony which takes place in October at Squire’s Garden Centre. A £50 gardening voucher and trophy will be awarded to the winner of the first prize in each category. Certificates and garden vouchers are also presented to those who come second and third. Farnham Town Council is grateful to Squire’s Garden Centre, Forest Lodge Garden Centre and The Patio Black Spot Removal Company for sponsoring the prizes.

The individual category winners are:

Best courtyard: John Durham

Best hanging basket or container: Farnham WI Bake, Natter & Roll

Best front, back or small garden: Donald Larby

Best large garden: Penny Drew

Best public house or hotel: The Albion

Schools’ garden award: St Peter’s C of E Primary School

Best shop front: Classical Floral Design

Best wildlife garden: Ian and Beryl Webster

The Gardener of the Year will be announced at the Awards Evening in October.