Garden Competitions

What began over a dozen years ago as a simple inspection of the town’s front gardens, has become a horticultural juggernaut!

Every summer, members of the committee inspect every – that’s right, EVERY – front garden in East Grinstead. No-one has to enter the Front Garden Competition – simply having a front garden enters you! But if you know of a local front garden that looks great and deserves our attention then please let us know by email at frontgardens@eastgrinsteadinbloom.org.uk

The purpose of the competition is to promote and encourage the upkeep of East Grinstead residents’ front gardens. A Front Garden for our purposes being defined as that part of domestic house frontage easily visible from a public space such as footpath or road.

East Grinstead in Bloom Garden Competition 2025

East Grinstead In Bloom Garden Competition 2025 is now open for applications.
You can use the form below, or physical forms can be obtained by email from juliemockford63@gmail.com.  Or call 07813 691360

Closing date for all entries is the 31st of July 2025.
All short -listed gardens, judging  will take place from the 1st of August 2025

2025 Categories

Best Seasonal Garden

Best display of summer annuals.

Best Wildflower Garden

Best aesthetic display of wildlife-friendly planting.

Best Micro-Garden

This is a new category this year and is to include those house frontages where there is little or very confined space. So even a well-displayed hanging basket or window box or similar small display can win.

Balconies & Hanging Baskets

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Best Commercial Premises

The best commercial property front display.

These will include Front or Back Gardens, Public Houses, Shops and Restaurants.

Entry Form

Please use the entry form below. We will get back to you with any questions and confirmation of entry.

You can submit a photograph of your garden with your application, which is to be landscape and of good quality.

Which categories are you entering? *
Click or drag a file to this area to upload.

We never use your data for any purpose other than to contact you regarding your plot.

Prizes

The prizes for each category will be garden vouchers as follows:

First £250.00
Second £125.00
Third £75.00
Fourth £50.00

The presentation evening will be held on Friday 5th September 2025 at 6.00 pm for 6.30pm Start.

There will be a bar which will be able to take cards  and a raffle (please bring cash for the raffle).

A light buffet will be provided, and numbers will be restricted to 150 guests.

All winners will receive a signed certificate and will be photographed with the Mayor.

Good Luck to All.

Terms and Conditions

  1. Categories are open to all residents of East Grinstead. To enter, please complete an application form and return it to us.
  2. If you are not sure which category your application would fall into, please contact Julie Mockford on 07813 691360 for advice.
  3. You can nominate another person’s garden.
  4. Judges will be members of East Grinstead In Bloom and possibly one other judge. There will be a maximum of three people attending your property on judging day.
  5. A list of winners will be available on the website.
  6. All entries must be received by the 31st of July 2025. Any entries received after this date will not be entered into the competition.
  7. Please ensure you have provided a postal address and contact details on the entry form.
  8. No plastic or artificial flowers are allowed in any categories.
  9. The judges’ decision will be final.
  10. Judges reserve the right to disqualify entrants if they consider that the entrant has breached any of these terms and conditions.
  11. Photographs are needed with your application although photographs will be taken during the judging period.
  12. By entering the competition, you agree that you will allow the judges to view and photograph your entry.
  13. The personal data supplied on this application form will only be used by East Grinstead In Bloom for the purpose of our Gardening Competition. The data will not be shared or published without your permission.
  14. By entering the Gardening Competition, you agree that any photographs taken of your garden or display can be used by East Grinstead In Bloom on their website, social media and in other publications.
  15. The pictures are to be horizontal only and 300 dpi, and exclude all bins cars people etc.
  16. Just nice garden pictures please.

Judging Criteria

During the main summer flowering period members of East Grinstead in Bloom committee scour the streets looking for striking gardens. A list of perhaps 100 gardens is then made. The finalists are then chosen from this list by judges selected by East Grinstead in Bloom.

What are the judges looking for?

  • That someone is taking the trouble to have a well-kept frontage to their house.
  • The quantity and abundance of planting.
  • The general neatness of lawns, paths, driveways.
  • Any details of outstanding character.

Caveats

The concept of the competition is to promote bright, cheerful house frontage viewed by passers-by and therefore brightening up the town. An overgrown lawn as occupants are away will be taken into account, whereas a lawn that hasn’t seen a mower all season won’t pass muster as a wild-flower garden!

The winners will be contacted and in September we hold a Presentation Evening where all the winners receive awards presented by the Mayor. We will also have a slide show of winning gardens and some lovely refreshments. This is a very popular and prestigious social event with upward of 150 attendees, which usually makes local media.