Guildford in Bloom’s 2024 Gardening Competition is now OPEN FOR ENTRIES
Download your entry form here (entry form will download into your downloads folder)
Categories are:
Best Front Garden – Sponsored by Sally Rule Property
Your garden must be visible to the public from the footpath. It will be judged on design, colour, quality of plants, and all year-round interest. Gardens will be divided into small or large category
Best Allotment & Vegetable/Kitchen Gardens – Sponsored by Guildford Allotment Society
Judged on the variety and quality of vegetables grown, evidence of good horticultural practice, use of space and sustainable management. All allotment plots entered must have the plot number clearly on display or you may not be judged.
Best Garden for Wildlife
Open to all gardens including businesses and smaller community projects where the design, choice of plants and management is especially welcoming to wildlife.
Nature Champions
This category is suited to larger areas of private or public land, businesses and community groups where the aim is to protect and conserve wildlife habitats and species population.
Best Pub or Restaurant in Bloom – Sponsored by Guildford Pubwatch
We are looking for a well balanced design, good use of colour and quality planting.
Best Container Garden – Sponsored by Guildford Financial
Open to balconies and gardens that are based on pots and baskets. Must be visible to the public.
Best Neighbourhood Project
This category recognises projects that green up the local area and include those organised by sheltered accommodation, village halls, residents’ associations, parish councils, voluntary groups, and charities etc. Judges will be looking for good design, colour, and plant quality as well as input from residents or the community. (Take a look at Guildford Beekeeper Association Free Talks for Groups)
Best Themed Garden Award
This year our theme is Wild About a Greener Guildford. The best themed garden, allotment, container or project will win the Dorothy Walden Award
Young Gardener Award
Awarded for entries from young people aged 11-21 years in full time education.
Best School in Bloom – Sponsored by Edwins Garden Centre
Guildford Schools in Bloom will also be following our Wild About a Greener Guildford theme – encouraging the children to create wildlife friendly areas within their school garden. Note: dates of the school competition are different from the main competition. Full details can be found on our Schools In Bloom page
Our 2024 Theme is Wild About a Greener Guildford – aimed at creating pitstops for nature, insects, wildlife and pollinators across the area – so that together we can make a real difference and slow the decline in our natural habitat. You will find lots of information on our website Blogs and our social media posts over the next few weeks to help you create areas of your garden that enhance the biodiversity and protect our endangered species – we stress we are not necessarily expecting you to convert your whole garden to a wildlife haven – unless of course you are entering Wildlife Garden. You can also watch a video of ideas here: Gardening | Guildford in Bloom
The deadline for your entries is: 23 June 2024 – and judging will take place between 1-19 July 2024.
You can find full details on our website: 2024 Guildford in Bloom Competition | Guildford in Bloom
Keep up to date by following us on Facebook, X(Twitter) and Instagram.
You can also view our judging criteria here: Judging Criteria | Guildford in Bloom
Good Luck! And we look forward to hearing from you
Best wishes
Team Guildford in Bloom
PS: A date for your diary – Blooming Picnic will be back on 1 June 2024 in Guildford Castle Grounds from 12 noon to 4pm. A Free event with no booking necessary with music and fun for all the family – more information here: Blooming Picnic | Guildford in Bloom