The overall winners of the annual One Planet Picnic Pocket Garden feature at Gardening Scotland have been revealed.
Our annual competition, for Eco-Schools to design and then build a Pocket Garden, has culminated in four overall winners being unveiled.
The national competiton saw 22 schools and nurseries across 15 local authority areas bring their designs to life to create the Garden for Life at Gardening Scotland from 1 -3 June.
The pupils were tasked with cultivating their creative garden designs which reflected the 2018 competition themes, growing food for people, gardening for wildlife and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The entries needed to use plants that can be eaten and attract biodiversity, alongside reusing materials which would otherwise be thrown away.
The four 2018 winners, as judged by members of the public visiting the exhibtion, and members of the Garden for Life Forum and invited experts were:
My Favourite Garden as voted by the public – Joint winners: Larbert Day Nursery, Stirling and Corsehill Primary, North Ayrshire.
Best Garden for Wildlife – Cowgate Under 5s Centre, Edinburgh – The pocket garden was linked to Global Goal 15: Life on Land.
Best Garden for One Planet Picnic Theme – Corsehill Primary School, North Ayrshire – The pocket garden was linked to Global Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy.
Best Garden for Global Goals Theme – Mill O’Forest Primary School, Aberdeenshire – The pocket garden was linked to Global Goal 5: Gender Equality and Global Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.
There were also special commendation awards for: Grove Academy, Broughty Ferry Dundee, Bun Sgoil Stafainn, Skye, Highland and Noblehill Primary, Dumfries & Galloway
More information about the 2018 winners and some inspiring pictures can be found on our One Planet Picnic Pocket Garden pages.
Eve Keepax, our Food and Environment Officer, said: “We are delighted to present Cowgate Under 5’s Centre with the Best for Wildlife Award. The One Planet Picnic Pocket Garden Competition offers a creative, practical way to apply and build their knowledge on sustainability, biodiversity and recycling.
“It has been fantastic to see the pupils’ creations come to life at Gardening Scotland. There are so many playful, clever details and ideas in these pocket gardens, as well as showcasing sustainability and being beautiful. The final result has been Pocket Gardens that have enthralled, enchanted and most of all, inspired, the many visitors to the Garden for Life this weekend.”
Anthony McCluskey, Chair, Garden for Life Forum, commented: “These Pocket Gardens showcase so much of what is great about gardening and it’s been a real joy to see the designs developed and finally built here at Gardening Scotland. It’s so important that we garden sustainably and make more space for nature in our gardens, so it’s heartening to see these children produce beautiful gardens that are havens for wildlife.”
Jenna Lowe, Manager, Gardening Scotland, added: “Gardening Scotland is delighted to welcome all the winners of the pocket garden competition. It is fantastic seeing these designs come to life and showcased at this year’s event, We are looking forward to seeing every single one being shown to the many visitors which are sure to flock to the Garden for Life area.”
