The call is out to local gardening enthusiasts to enter the Secret Gardens of Farnham competition run by Farnham Town Council as part of the Farnham in Bloom initiative. Entries to all categories in the competition are now open.

Iain Lynch, Town Clerk at Farnham Town Council says: “We are looking for the best gardens – large and small – as well as container gardens, veg’ patches, courtyards and wildlife gardens. We would also like to see how businesses are using gardening to brighten their premises, and examples of community gardens too. Entries are now open for this extremely popular local competition which is always an absolute joy to judge.”

The competition categories are:

• Best Courtyard sponsored by The Patio Black Spot Removal Company
• Best Hanging Basket or Container
• Best Front, Back or Small Garden
• Best Large Garden
• Best Public House or Hotel
• Best Vegetable Garden
• Best Shop Front
• Best Wildlife Garden
• Best Business Premises
• The 2019 Madge Green Community Gardening Project.

The competition is open to all gardeners living in Farnham and surrounding communities. A full list of villages and localities is on the council’s website. Entrants can enter as many categories as they wish.

“We always discover fantastic gardens in the Secret Gardens of Farnham and the standard is very high but we are also looking to encourage and nurture a love of gardening and environmental responsibility as well as wanting to reward excellence in horticultural talent,” says Iain Lynch.

The judges will assess factors such as planting choices, care of lawns and hedges, vegetables, compost areas, places for wildlife and environmental responsibility such as rainwater harvesting and using peat-free compost.

There will be prizes for winners and runners-up, including a trophy to be held by the winner in each category for one year. The judges will also present a Gardener of the Year Award. The Secret Gardens competition is part of Farnham in Bloom which is sponsored by the Farnham Institute Charity. All entrants will be invited to the Farnham in Bloom Awards ceremony to be hosted at Squire’s Garden Centre in October.   

Each entry will receive a certificate and winners will receive a prize. Full information about how to enter and competition rules are on the Secret Gardens page or pick up an entry form from Farnham Town Council. 

Entries are open until 28 June date. Judging takes place w/c 15 July.