Find out about becoming a Guildford in Bloom volunteer on our Volunteering to help with Guildford in Bloom page.

Guildford in Bloom

Guildford in Bloom brings together community groups, businesses, schools and residents to promote imaginative ways to make the town and surrounding areas look their best and champion Guildford's natural environment.

Gardening competition 2019

Entry to the Guildford in Bloom gardening competition has now closed.

Judging takes place between 1 to 19 July 2019.
It is not possible to advise individual entrants of the exact day and time of judging (with the exception of vegetable/kitchen gardens, wildlife gardens and neighbourhood project categories).
Judges will not be available to discuss individual entries and the judges' decision is final.
Winners will be notified by email and invited to the awards ceremony, which will take place on 17 September 2019 at Yvonne Arnaud Theatre.

**Categories for Guildford in Bloom gardening competition 2019**
Category	Description
Best Front Garden	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 the small or large category.
Best Allotment and Vegetable/Kitchen Gardens	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.
Best Garden for Wildlife	Open to all gardens, including those belonging to businesses and smaller community projects. The category is about the design, choice of plants and management being especially welcoming to wildlife.
Best Site for Nature Conservation	This category is suited to larger areas of private or public land where the aim is to protect and conserve wildlife habitats and species population.
Best Pub in Bloom	We are looking for the best Pub in Bloom. A well balanced design, good use of colour and quality planting will score high marks.
Best Container Garden	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.
Student Garden Showcase	This category is open to all senior school, further and higher education students. The garden, allotment or horticultural project can be located on the educational premises or elsewhere in the Borough of Guildford but it must be within the Borough. Students are encouraged to design, create and maintain a garden, allotment/vegetable plot or project of their choice. Judges will be looking for good design, plant quality, diversity, sustainability, organic management and overall impression. Extra points can be gained for innovative design or feature.
Best School in Bloom	This year our theme is 'The Colours of Summer'. We are looking for imaginatively themed gardens or novel containers. Children's involvement with the design, planting and upkeep and meeting the theme of the competition will score high marks. Note: dates for the school competition are different to the dates for this category.

Special Awards will be presented to the following:

**Special categories for Guildford in Bloom gardening competition 2019**
Category	Description
Best Young Gardener Award	Open to all in full-time education, aged 11 to 21. Supporting the curriculum and learning, young gardeners can enter any of the categories listed above and the best young gardener will win this award.
Best Themed Garden Award	This year our theme is the 50th anniversary of the first Moon landing. The best themed garden, allotment, container or project will win the Dorothy Walden Award.

School Gardening Competition 2019

The Mayor of Guildford Cllr Richard Billington gave out awards to the winners of the School Gardening Competition 2019 at a ceremony at Clandon Park Garden Centre on 19 June.

More schools than ever took part in this year's competition themed 'The Colours of Summer'.

Children cultivated an array of enchanting gardens with a subtle mix of interpretation on the theme, including 'summer' spelled out in plants and a bee-friendly patch.

This year's winners are:

Ash Grange Primary School - Gold
Burpham Primary School - Gold
Glenesk School - Gold
Gosden House School - Gold
Guildford Nursery School and Children's Centre - Silver Gilt
Jigsaw School (Cranleigh) - Gold
Kings College for the Arts and Technology - Gold
Lanesborough Pre-Prep - Gold
Pirbright Village Primary School - Gold
Pond Meadow School - Silver Gilt
St Nicolas C of E Infant School - Silver Gilt
Stoughton Infant School - Silver Gilt
Wonersh and Shamley Green Primary School - Gold (Best in Competition)
Wood Street Infant School - Silver Gilt
Worplesdon Primary School - Gold

For more information, contact the Guildford in Bloom Coordinator, Lysandra McCulloch lysandra.mcculloch@guildford.gov.uk or 01483 444715.

Diary Dates 2019

24 May 2019 - School Gardening Competition entry closes

27 May 2019 - Surrey County Show

1 June 2019 - Picnic in the Castle Grounds - a fabulous, free family event with the unveiling of the flower beds and fantastic entertainment from the bandstand

3 to 14 June 2019 - School Gardening Competition judging

16 June 2019 - Guildford In Bloom Competition entry closes

19 June 2019 - School Gardening Competition Awards

1 to 19 July 2019 - Guildford in Bloom Competition judging

17 September 2019 - Guildford in Bloom Award Ceremony

Sponsors for Guildford in Bloom

If you would like to become a Guildford in Bloom Sponsor, please download a copy of our sponsors' application form from the Downloads on this page.

Guildford in Bloom gives you an excellent opportunity to promote your business while helping us keep the borough blooming.

You can sponsor a category, or become the major sponsor for the event.

Become a Guildford in Bloom Committee Member

We are seeking new Committee Members and volunteers to help with Guildford in Bloom. Find out more on our Volunteering to help with Guildford in Bloom page. For more information, please email parks@guildford.gov.uk or telephone 01483 444715.