After an incredible debut year, Top of the Plots is back for 2026. GARDENA is once again searching the UK for the most inspiring gardeners, allotmenteers, communities, and young growers who are bringing the Grow Your Own spirit to life.

Top of the Plots winner - Steve Mills copy

Whether you’re nurturing a thriving allotment, transforming a small garden into a productive paradise, or helping your community grow together, Top of the Plots celebrates the people and passion behind every plot.

Entries for the 2026 competition officially open on 7th May and run until 17th August, so start planning, planting, and capturing the story behind your plot — we can’t wait to see what you’ve been growing.

A Look Back at an Incredible 2025

The first-ever Top of the Plots Awards culminated in a fantastic celebration in October 2025, marking the end of a nationwide search to recognise Britain’s most passionate growers.

What began as a simple idea quickly grew into something extraordinary. With more than 120 entries from across the UK, gardeners shared their personal stories, creative spaces, and the powerful impact growing their own food has had on their lives.

From large community gardens cared for by thousands of volunteers to small back garden plots bursting with life and colour, every entry reminded us why gardening holds such a special place in our hearts — it connects us, inspires us, and helps us nurture both our spaces and ourselves.

Meet Our Head Judge

Returning for 2026 is our brand ambassador and Head Judge, Huw Richards, who played a key role in the first year of the competition. In 2025, Huw visited each finalist’s plot in person, witnessing the dedication, creativity, and hard work behind every entry.

The experience was so inspiring that Huw even introduced his own award, recognising the plot that captured his imagination the most.

“I was blown away by the diversity of the gardens and allotments,” said Huw. “Visiting the finalists reminded me of the power of gardening, how much joy it brings and how deeply it connects us to nature. If you’ve been inspired by this year’s winners, this is your sign to get planting. Start with one seed… maybe next year I’ll be visiting your plot!”

Celebrating the 2025 Winners

The finalists and winners of the first Top of the Plots competition perfectly captured the creativity, resilience, and community spirit that define the Grow Your Own movement.

Overall Winner & Plot of the Year
Steve Mills — Barnet, North London
After 14 years of tending his allotment, Steve amazed the judges with a stunning three-level S-shaped maze and an incredible fruit and flower tunnel featuring more than 100 trees.

Best Allotment
Roger Atkinson — Knowle, Solihull
Roger’s allotment has been his sanctuary for over two decades — and his dedication paid off with almost 50 punnets of strawberries grown in a single year.

Best New Plot
Donna Harris — Leicestershire
Once believing vegetables were “boring,” Donna now describes her garden as life-changing, discovering joy and calm through growing her own food.

Best Community Plot
Victoria Holden & the Northern Lily’s Community Orchard & Garden — Greater Manchester
This once-derelict land has been transformed into a thriving green space used by over 4,000 people, producing more than a tonne of fresh food for the local community.

Best Small Plot
Rebecca Hale — Norfolk
Rebecca’s beautiful small garden proves that even the tiniest spaces can produce something truly special.

Biodiversity on the Plot
David Gallacher — Falkirk
David’s “Tom’s Hidden Garden” features more than 700 plants, creating a vibrant ecosystem filled with colour, wildlife, and inspiration.

Categories for 2026

For the 2026 competition, gardeners will once again be able to enter the following categories:

Plot of the Year
Best Allotment
Best Garden Plot
Best New Plot
Best Community Plot
Best Small Plot
Kids on the Plot
Huw’s Top Plot (new for 2026)

Each category celebrates a different aspect of gardening — from innovative small spaces to large community projects and inspiring young growers.

At GARDENA, we believe gardening is about far more than tools and techniques. It’s about community, creativity, wellbeing, and the joy of growing something from seed to harvest.

Enter Top of the Plots 2026

Think your plot could inspire the nation?

Entries open on 7th May and close on 17th August 2026.

More details on how to enter, judging, and prizes will be announced soon.

In the meantime, make sure you follow us @gardena_uk on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date with competition news, inspiration, and stories from growers across the UK.

Because every plot has a story — and yours could be the next Top of the Plots. 🌿