Keep Scotland Beautiful launch Pocket Garden Design Challenge for sixth year running

Bun Sgoil Stafainn of Portree's 'Wetlands of Wonder' was awarded the prize for Best Garden in the One Planet Picnic theme in 2019

Young gardeners and growers have the chance to get their hands dirty as this year’s pocket garden competition gets underway.

The competition is looking for entries that offer colourful, creative and sustainable designs for a pocket garden which reflect the chosen, interlinking themes for 2021. These include The Year of Coasts and Waters, One Planet Picnic, Wildlife Gardening and Health and Wellbeing through noticing nature.

Following its previous success, Keep Scotland Beautiful hopes that this year’s competition will see schools across Scotland get involved to enliven home learning and encourage young children who have developed a new passion for gardening during lockdown and the pandemic.

Entries will feature at the Scottish Gardens Show in late May if restrictions allow the event to go ahead, or at an online interactive garden showcase if not.

Eve Keepax, Education and Learning Officer at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said:

“It’s a great competition with new opportunities! This year an Activities at Home sheet is available to inspire children to get involved while learning at home. We are excited to work with Scotland’s brand-new national gardening event - The Scottish Gardens Show at Scone Palace - to celebrate and share the innovation and creativity of Scotland’s young garden designers.

“This competition over the years has inspired entries from across the country and we hope that in 2021 it gives parents and educators a new focus as we continue a blended mix of home and in school learning.”

Anthony McCluskey, Chair of the Garden for Life Forum, who will be involved in the judging, said:

“2020 winners, that were not able to display their pocket gardens last year when the event was cancelled due to lockdown, will join winning Pocket Gardens from 2021. Double joy – winning designs from two years to see!”

Pupils are invited to submit their entries no later than 17 March 2021 to [email protected]

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