The annual Front Garden Awards, organised by the Southfields Grid Residents’ Association (SGRA) and Green the Grid (GTG) are, once again, returning this year. We are delighted to be doing this so as to show our appreciation of our Grid gardeners. It’s time to get pruning, digging, planting, gardening and attracting more wildlife!
As in the past few years there will be the two usual categories – Best Front Gardens and Best Street Planted Tree Bases.
Best Front Gardens
There are two classifications– Delightful and Outstanding. The judges will be handing out either a ‘Delightful’ garden award or an ‘Outstanding’ one. The gardens given an ‘Outstanding’ award will be put forward for the Best Front Garden Award. The overall winner will receive a £50 garden centre voucher and the two runners up, £40 worth of garden centre vouchers each. The winner will also be given a silver salver (with their name engraved on it) for a year.
A ‘front garden’ is interpreted in the broadest sense: a window ledge, a space outside your door, pots and containers, hanging baskets as well as a more conventional plot. We try to make it as inclusive as possible.
We have again revised our criteria for judging front gardens a little. The three categories are Visual Appeal, Design, and Consideration for the Environment. This is the criteria that the judges will use when making their judgements.
Criteria – Best Front Gardens 2026
Visual Appeal:
- A ‘pleasing garden’ which promotes a sense of wellbeing
- A strong impact, with a variety of plants shrubs, flowers, trees (textures, colours, height)
- A well-tended, healthy garden
Design and Layout:
- Creative use of available space.
Consideration for the Environment and Sustainability:
- Provision of a habitat to attract pollinators, support wildlife e.g. bird boxes, bug hotels, etc. and encourage and support biodiversity.
- Inclusion of drought resistant planting e.g. Achillea, Lavender, Mexican Fleabane, Salvia etc
- Green roof on shed or similar examples (e.g. paving slabs lifted), to absorb water run-off.
- Water butt to capture rainfall for dry periods.
Best Planted Tree Bases
Over the years we have seen some fabulous, planted tree bases and we hope this will be replicated again this year. The best planted tree base in each street will be given an award. Here is the criteria for planted tree bases.
- Bio-diversity and pollinators. Drought tolerant plants are preferred. Please don’t plant anything invasive e.g. Buddleia, Running Bamboo etc.
- Visual appeal. The overall presentation, creativity and choice of colours.
- Tree health and safety e.g. soil levels that do not damage tree roots; low or no edgings so as to eliminate trip hazards etc.
Judging for both the above categories will take place at any time between 19 – 28 June. Nobody needs to sign up as everyone on the Grid is automatically included. The judges are ready and very much looking forward to seeing and showing our appreciation for both your front gardens and planted tree bases.
For more guidance as to what to plant please see Green the Grid’s website frontgardenfriendly.org.
We, the judges, are always very excited to see the work of our Grid gardeners. We know we are going to have a most enjoyable time looking at your front gardens and planted tree bases. Thank-you beforehand for making the judging such a joy!
Some frequently asked questions. (FAQ)
Why do we have Front Garden Awards?
We recognise the important contribution that plant cover, whether in front gardens or in street plots, provides for flood protection, wildlife habitats, shade and cooling during periods of hot weather, the alleviation of air pollution, the character and identity of our streets and for our overall wellbeing.
Paving and concreting front gardens makes houses more prone to subsidence, and this affects a significant number of Grid homes. We believe that having a Front Garden Awards event is not only a great way to encourage people to garden and grow plants but also to reward some tremendous efforts, hard work and amazing, creative gardens/street bases across the grid. It also encourages, and acknowledges, sustainable gardening practices.
Who judges the Front Garden Awards?
The judging panel is made up of Grid residents from both the SGRA and GTG – it is a joint effort. All the judges are keen gardeners, and some have won awards in previous years. Nobody on the judging panel can win any prizes in the FGA but, they can be given an award if their garden meets the criteria. Good garden role models will always be acknowledged.
Judges handle the judging of their allocated streets for front gardens and best planted tree bases. Please note that no judges will ever be asked to judge the front gardens or tree bases of the street they live in – they are always given other streets/roads. In most instances, judges will pair up to make their assessments.
All gardens given an outstanding award will be evaluated by all the judges so that we decide upon an overall winner and two runners up. Judging can be difficult and time consuming especially when there are so many lovely gardens/bases to look at. So, when our decisions have been made, they are final. Thank you for your understanding in this matter.
If you have any other questions, please let us know and we will do our best to answer them.
To see the Front Garden Award winners, runners up and best planted tree bases – see the photos below.
With many thanks.
