The below outlines all the different categories available in the residents garden competition and the judging criteria for each category and the number of points achievable.

Best Front Garden

Judges will look at the most appropriate positioning of displays, overall design, plant selection and any integration of seasonal displays with more permanent planting. Judges will assess the maintenance of hard landscape features and evaluate the approach to sustainability in cultivation methods.

Suitability of design in relation to site and best use of space 20
Choice of planting, variety of species, impact and range and diversity 20
Quality of horticultural maintenance of trees, shrubs, herbaceous and seasonal planting 20
Health and vigour and any associated pest/disease control 20
Maintenance of paths, lawns (where appropriate) and any hard landscaping e.g. gravel areas, boundaries, drive ways, pergolas 10
Cleanliness – Absence of litter, weeds and dog/cat fouling 10
TOTAL POINTS AVAILABLE 100

Best Back Garden

Judges will look at the most appropriate positioning of displays, overall design, plant selection and any integration with other more permanent planting. Judges will assess the maintenance of hard landscape features and evaluate the approach to sustainability in cultivation methods.

Suitability of design in relation to site and best use of space 20
Choice of planting, variety of species, impact and range and diversity 10
Horticultural maintenance of trees, shrubs, herbaceous and seasonal planting including any ponds or wildlife areas as appropriate 20
Health and vigour and any associated pest/disease control 10
Maintenance of paths, lawns (where appropriate) and any outdoor seating, any hard landscaping e.g. gravel areas 10
Cleanliness – Absence of litter, weeds and dog/cat fouling 10
Methods of recycling of natural resources (compost) and minimising waste along with water conservation 10
Planting schemes which achieve sustainability i.e. mulching, water reduction and approach to organic gardening 10
TOTAL POINTS AVAILABLE 100

Best Container/Balcony Garden

Judges will look at the most appropriate positioning of displays, approach to design, along with plant selection and structure. Judges will also consider health and vigour along with measure to reduce the need for watering und sustainable cultivation methods. Hanging Baskets are classed as containers.

Health and vigour – absence of pest and disease e.g. balanced feeding 20
Design and suitability in relation to container and best use of space 20
Choice of planting, variety of species, impact and range plus potential of plants used for long term display 20
Impact – presentation, use of colour, texture and scent 20
Horticultural maintenance including watering and dead-heading, absence of weeds 20
TOTAL POINTS AVAILABLE 100

Best Edible Garden

Judges will look at the cleanliness, fertility, cropping practices, good use of space and the variety of crop. Judges will also consider health and vigour along with measure to reduce the need for watering und sustainable cultivation methods. Judges will assess the overall appearance and presentation of the entry.

Tidy Layout 10
Need to see a good variety and range of crops 15
There should be no perennial weeds and area should be substantially free from annual weeds 10
Crops must not have been left to go past their prime (unless it is made clear they are being left for seed production) 10
Plants should not be showing signs of deficiency and have been correctly fed and watered 15
Correct maintenance of plants, appropriate to their type 10
Evidence of a compost bin/heap recycling green waste from garden 10
Water conservation – this will include mulching and water butts, signs of spot watering such as pots etc. sunk into the ground alongside extra thirsty plants such as cucumbers and tomatoes 10
Evidence of use of organic pest control rather than chemical e.g. slug & moth traps, companion planting 10
TOTAL POINTS AVAILABLE 100

Best Wildlife Garden

Judges will expect to see examples of a sustained diversity of wildlife to include birds, mammals, insects, reptiles and amphibians through varied plantings and provisions of refuges and nesting sites. Planting should include species which will provide natural foods sources. Judges will assess the overall appearance and presentation of the entry.

Range of Habitats created (in relation to garden size)

·        Diversity of tress, hedges, shrubs and climbers

·        Density and effectiveness of ground cover plants

·        Ponds or wetlands with safe access for wildlife

·        Grass managed for wildlife

o   Lawn: Clover, Birds Foot Trefoil, Selfheal

o   Rough grass: Gatekeeper, Meadow Browns

·        Night scented plants ( attract moths and in turn bats)

·        Log piles (for insects and in turn birds)

·        Other wildlife habitats e.g. green roof

 25
Choice and variety of plants chosen to attract/benefit wildlife

·        Good variety of berried shrubs/climbers

·        Plants to attract pollinators (composite, Umbellifers, etc.)

·        Plants to attract larval stages of insects e.g. nettle, hops, birch, oak

·        Plants that provide nectar in winter e.g. Mahonia

·        Seeded plants for finches etc. e.g. Teasels, Cardoons

·        Actual evidence of leaf-cutter or other bees

·        Other e.g. mosses and lichens

 30
Artificial nesting provision or areas set aside for refuge

·        Nest box diversity e.g. hole size significance, open fronted, bat boxes

·        Nests in hedgerow, thicket or bamboo stand

·        Cover for fledglings e.g. robins and stones for amphibians

·        Protection of nest from predators e.g. cats and woodpeckers

·        Bug hotels & other structures with crevices for insects

·        Other e.g. beehive, hedgehog boxes – slow worms in composting areas

 20
Sustainability and biodiversity – approaches to sustainable planting, possible peat reduction or composting along with water conservation methods

·        Water butts

·        Mulching with bark, gravel etc.

·        Recycling and Upcycling items

·        Composting and use of leaf mould – alternating green and brown material

·        Other e.g. organic principles, solar lighting, etc.

 15
Overall knowledge of wildlife gardening principles and best practice

·        When to cut hedges and when not to?

·        Cleanliness of bird feeders/tables

·        Provision of fresh drinking & bathing water for birds

·        Which butterflies hibernate in their garden and where?

·        What berries and which birds they attract over winter?

 10
TOTAL POINTS AVAILABLE

100

Information on the judging criteria for the organisations/businesses category are available by following this link.

Information on the judging criteria for the school category are available by following this link.