Garden competition 2026 – winners and runners up
A big thank you to everyone who took the time to enter the 2026 garden competition. The judges were incredibly impressed at the positive impact these gardens have had in their local communities and were inspired by the effort and creativity that had been put into the outside spaces.
Best front garden
Winner
Nick Brooks and Eleanor Ashdown
Ellie and Nick transformed their front garden using handcrafted planters built from reclaimed wood. Their carefully designed space with it’s colourful plants, shrubs and manicured lawns has inspired their neighbours to work on their gardens too.
Runner up
Tracey Goodchild, Dunkirk Close, Dymchurch
Tracey’s charming front garden is a carnival of colour and fun. The judges praised it’s fairytale like quality and the creativity shown in a compact space.
Best back garden
Winner
Jean Monk, Win Pine House, Hythe & Best Pots and Containers – Runners Up
Jean’s extraordinary back garden is carefully curated with a huge variety of flowers, plants, pots, and hanging baskets that range from exotic, bright blooms to baskets bursting with pansies alongside established rosebushes and a nursery. Despite the challenges of a small, shaded space she has developed a thriving haven full of colour scent and wildlife.
Runners Up
Louise Long
Dominated by a magnificent apple tree, which benefits the neighbours by way of apple pies and crumbles when they are ripe, Louise’s garden is a whimsical space, full of hidden surprises.
Mr & Mrs Horne,
You can see how much work goes into Mr & Mrs Horne garden. As you enter the space you are greeted by a magnificent hydrangea bush, and the garden continues to impress with a buddleia that is over 8 feet tall, aromatic lavender, manicured arches and trees and blooms in every corner.
Best new garden
Winner
Nick Brooks
Build entirely from the ground up, Nick’s garden showcases exceptional craftsmanship. Nick poured the cement for the floor and built all the planters and structures himself. The plants and flowers have been carefully selected and nurtured to make this special new garden feel like a peaceful, beautiful oasis.
Best communal garden
Winner
Karen Piper – Bradfoord Court
Karen took on the task of transforming a section of the communal gardens at Bradfoord Court with the aim of making it somewhere for all the tenants to enjoy. The judges particularly admired the smaller decorative details and thoughtful design choices. The attention paid to the communal seating areas, ensures the garden is welcoming, and comfortable for all to enjoy.
Runners up
Tina Greenland & Shirley Kane – Middelburg House
Tina and Shirley took a neglected, empty space and transformed it into a vibrant, colourful shared garden at the scheme. What started as a personal project during a challenging time has grown into a colourful, welcoming environment that has helped improve the wellbeing of other residents by encouraging them to come together and enjoy the outdoors.
Lesley Manwaring & Debbie Whittaker – Bradfoord Court
Lesley and Debbie have joined forces to improve the garden to the rear of Bradfoord court. It is now a sunny area with tables, chairs, benches designed for tenants to enjoy. The pots of flowers and plants brighten up the space and mean that tenants can also enjoy looking at the garden from the comfort of their own home.
Best community garden
Winner
Sandy Bate – Churchill Court
Sandy has turned a concrete canvas into a colourful community space. What was once grey and barren, is now full of flowers, plants and seating. After being inspired by Sandy’s efforts nearby neighbours have also joined in to help transform the space adding pots and plants of their own. The residents have also planted a series of flowers at the front of Churchill Court in memory of lost friends, a testament to the community spirit of this scheme.
Best pots and containers
Winner
Dion Sessford
Dions garden is set within an Independent Living Scheme where the outdoor space is mostly concrete. He has built all the planters and sheds/shelters himself, and curated beautiful flowerbeds. The garden has been thoughtfully designed and is very clearly tended to and looked after on a daily basis. Dion also won the Sue Wilsher award which is presented in honour of Sue, who established and managed the Tenants' Garden Competition from its very beginning. Sue believed in making the very best of whatever space you have and transforming it into something truly outstanding. This award recognises those who embody that same spirit of creativity, dedication and pride in their outside spaces.
Runners up
Mr & Mrs Plummer
Mr & Mrs Plummer have transformed their paved and shingled garden into an oasis. The borders of their garden are filled with countless pots, containers and hanging baskets, full of colourful plants and flowers from their travels and their passion for their plants is very clear.
Keren Belcourt Award - Terri Julians
The Keren Belcourt Award recognises gardens with soul and spirit, celebrating creativity, dedication and the personal connection between a gardener and their outdoor space.
Terri’s garden is a wonderland, and she has been hard at work creating and building a beautifully landscaped garden in a challenging hillside setting. Terri demonstrated how she has carefully considered what plants will thrive in the chalk and limestone conditions when creating the space.
Designed to be a haven for wildlife an assortment of creatures call Terri’s garden home, and idyllic bamboo shelters are also placed strategically to provide peaceful spaces to relax and enjoy nature.