Secret Gardens
The annual competition to find Farnham’s best secret gardens and gardeners.
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
- 2026 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 which will then be shortlisted. Judges will visit shortlisted entries. |
| Best Vegetable Garden | A well-tended vegetable garden with a range of fruits and vegetables. | Photos to be submitted which will then be shortlisted. Judges will visit shortlisted entries. |
| Best Bee Friendly Border | An attractive border, small or large, with pollinating friendly flowers. | Photos to be submitted which will then be shortlisted. Judges will visit shortlisted entries. |
| Best Wildlife Photo | A photography taken in or near Farnham of wildlife | Photos to be submitted. |
| Best Care Home Garden | An attractive garden with a range of interesting plants for the residents to enjoy. | Judging will take place in August 2026. |
| Best Shop Window Display | Theme to be confirmed. | Judging will take place in July 2026. |
| Best Garden (nominated by a friend) | This category can be nominated by a friend, neighbour or passer-by. Nominate a front garden that makes you stop and admire the plants or a friend’s garden that makes you smile. | Photos to be submitted which will then be shortlisted. Judges will visit shortlisted entries. |
| 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 which will then be shortlisted. Judges will visit shortlisted entries. |
| Best Pub Garden | A relaxing space with suitable floral displays which are well maintained. | Judging visits will take place in August 2026. |