Show off your gardening greatness this summer by entering into the Ebbsfleet in Bloom’s Garden Photo Competition!
The competition is all about encouraging residents to celebrate imaginative and beautiful green spaces and promote biodiversity and wildlife on our doorsteps. In addition to celebrating the best private gardens and balconies in Ebbsfleet, the challenge is also looking to award great communal and school gardens!
Whether you have been gardening for years or have just started, now’s the time to celebrate all your hard work! With 7 categories, there’s something for everyone to get involved.
Entries open on 15th May 2025 and close on 15th August 2025 – giving anyone wishing to enter plenty of time to create their stunning displays. Enter as few or as many categories as you like – but only one photo per category.
Categories
- Best front garden (e.g. flower beds or a topiary display)
- Best back garden (e.g. plants varying in heights, colours and textures)
- Best balcony (e.g. a herb garden or a tropical paradise)
- Best planted window box, pot or hanging basket (e.g. striking displays of colour)
- Best young gardener (under 16)
- *Best school garden (e.g. a sensory garden or vegetable garden)
- *Best community garden (e.g. a place to relax or to engage with nature)
*If you nominate a school or community garden it will be the garden that wins the prize.
How to enter
To enter, please complete the entry form and be sure to include a photo as part of your submission. The winners will be notified by email on 15th September and will be announced on the Ebbsfleet Garden City website and across social media.
If you have any questions, or would like more information, please get in touch with the team: hello@ebbsfleetdc.org.uk
Your personal details will be used for the purposes of the Ebbsfleet in Bloom Competition. Photographs may be used in marketing of the event, announcing the winners, on social media and future publications and promotional activities within Ebbsfleet Garden City, and you may be contacted if selected as a winner. View our Privacy Policy in full here.
Ideas for your submission!
Entries will be judged on the following themes:
- Plant Diversity and interest – Are there a good mix of plants? Are there different textures, colours, shapes of leaves? Do you have plants that provide interest all year round (e.g. evergreen shrubs, climbers or trees?) Are there plants that can tolerate different weather conditions?
- Maintenance and health – Is the garden well-tended, pruned, watered and healthy looking? Is the planting suitable for the space, does it work well in its location?
- Sustainability – Is rainwater collected? Is mulch used to suppress weeds and retain water? Have recycled or upcycled materials been used in the garden?
- Wildlife friendliness – Is the garden a good place for wildlife? Are there plants that provide food sources for birds, bees and other pollinators? Are there wildlife habitats such as bird boxes, feeders, bug hotels, log piles or small ponds/water features?
- Edible plants – Does the garden include edibles such as herbs, fruit or vegetables?
Resident Garden Guide
Do you have a small garden, a balcony, or even just a little outdoor space? You might be surprised to learn that you can turn it into a thriving haven for wildlife! This resident garden guide is a useful tool for any resident looking to bring their garden, balcony or outside space to life.
Terms and Conditions
- Entrants must submit unedited photographs – with one photo per category.
- Photographs should be submitted in JPEG or PNG format.
- The closing date is 15th August 2025 at 5pm – any entries after this will not be accepted.
- Winners may be asked to take part in promotional activities related to the competition. This may include being named and/or being photographed to appear on social media.
- By entering into the competition, you grant permission for Ebbsfleet Development Corporation to use images for the following purposes: promotion of the gardening competition on social media, website and magazine, inclusion of winning garden photographs on our website, social media and magazine. Winners will be credited alongside their work.
- Any participants entering in the ‘young gardener’ category must obtain permission from their parent or guardian before entry.