Melksham’s gardening competition returns, with judging scheduled to take place on 16 July 2026. Residents, businesses, community properties and schools within Melksham are invited to enter before the deadline on 1 July 2026.
The long-standing competition celebrates creativity, effort, and horticultural passion within the community. Judges will score gardens on a variety of criteria including originality, variety, colour, and design. Awards are expected to be given at the Melksham Food and River Festival later in the summer.
This year, the competition will launch a new ‘wildlife-friendly’ category, celebrating those that go above and beyond to cultivate biodiverse gardens in Melksham. Entrants can submit their properties into the following categories:
- Front Garden
- Rear Garden
- Courtyard/Paved Area
- Environmental Garden
- Single Container or Hanging Basket
- School/Nursery
- Business or community premises
- Water Feature
- Wildlife-Friendly Garden
Entrants may submit multiple properties into the competition but should complete a separate entry form for each property they would like to enter. Each property may be entered into any relevant categories.
Entries close on Wednesday 1 July 2026. Judging will take place on Thursday16 July 2026, and entrants will be contacted in advance to arrange a suitable time for the judges to visit.
Enter using the online form here, Melksham Gardening Competition Entry Form 2026, or contact community@melksham-tc.gov.uk to learn more.
Business owners who would like to enter their Gardening Window Displays can register for Melksham Town Council’s Business Window Competition, which is taking place on Wednesday15 July 2026: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/FEJH3PkMaf