The Secret Gardens of Farnham is an annual competition to find Farnham’s best secret gardens. We look for imaginative front and back gardens, wildlife havens, beautiful courtyards and creative hanging baskets and containers.
Who can enter?
The competition is open to residents, community groups and businesses who live in Farnham. This includes Badshot Lea, Hale, Upper Hale, The Bourne, Boundstone, Heath End, Moor Park, Rowledge, Weybourne, Wrecclesham and the town centre.
The categories
There are ten categories, which include:
- Best Courtyard
- Best Vegetable Garden
- Best Bee Friendly Border
- Best Wildlife Photography
- Best Care Home
- Best Garden
- Best Hanging Baskets or Container
- Best Pub Garden
- 2025 Madge Green Community Garden Award
Judging criteria and how each category will be judged.
| Categories | Criteria | How will it be judged? |
|---|---|---|
| Best Courtyard | An attractive space with well thought out planting. Evidence of considered choice of plants and plant care. | Photos to be submitted by 30th June and they will then be shortlisted. Shortlisted entries will be contacted and visited w/c 21 July 2025. |
| Best Vegetable Garden | A well-tended vegetable garden with a range of fruits and vegetables. | Photos to be submitted by 30th June and they will then be shortlisted. Shortlisted entries will be contacted and visited w/c 21 July 2025. |
| Best Bee Friendly Border | An attractive border, small or large, with pollinating friendly flowers. | Photos to be submitted by 30th June and they will then be shortlisted. Shortlisted entries will be contacted and visited w/c 21 July 2025. |
| Best Wildlife Photo | A photography taken in or near Farnham of wildlife | Photos to be submitted by 30th June. |
| Best Care Home Garden | An attractive garden with a range of interesting plants for the residents to enjoy. | Judging will take place w/c 21 July 2025. |
| Best Garden | This category is for a front or back garden. Evidence of considered choice of plants and plant care. | Photos to be submitted by 30th June and they will then be shortlisted. Shortlisted entries will be contacted and visited w/c 21 July 2025. |
| Best Hanging Baskets or Container | Good choice of plants including lots of colour in a hanging basket or container and well maintained. | Photos to be submitted by 30th June and they will then be shortlisted. Shortlisted entries will be contacted and visited w/c 21 July 2025. |
| Best Pub Garden | A relaxing space with suitable floral displays which are well maintained. | Judging visits will take place in July /August 2025. |
| The 2025 Madge Green Community Garden Award | This category is for an active community garden showing good horticultural practices, evidence of sustainability and biodiversity. | Judging will take place w/c 21 July. |
How to enter
The competition has now closed for entries. Judging will take place in July and August.
Secret Gardens Competition
Please complete the form below.
