Last week, Friday 9th October, GARDENA revealed the winners of the second annual Top of the Plots competition at the prestigious Blenheim Palace, celebrating the UK's most inspiring allotments, gardens and community growing spaces.

The 2026 winners were selected following one of the most challenging growing seasons in recent years. Faced with record temperatures, drought conditions and hosepipe bans in parts of the country, entrants demonstrated remarkable resilience, innovation and determination, finding creative ways to keep their plots thriving despite the weather.

Launched in 2025 and supported by the National Allotment Society to celebrate Britain's thriving grow-your-own community, Top of the Plots invites gardeners, allotment holders, schools and community groups from across the nation to showcase their growing achievements. Following a successful debut that attracted hundreds of entries, the competition has quickly established itself as a platform for recognising the passion, skill and dedication of the UK's growers.

With even more entries received this year, judges reported that the standard was every bit as impressive as the inaugural competition. Entrants showcased vibrant, productive and imaginative spaces that not only delivered impressive harvests, but also supported wildlife, strengthened communities and inspired others to get growing.

The initiative aims to celebrate the creativity, resilience and ingenuity of Britain's plot-proud growers while encouraging more people to discover the benefits of growing their own food, no matter the size of their space.

Maha Elkharbotly, President of Gardena, told the audience: "We launched Pop of the Plots because it goes to the very core of what Gardena believes. We're not a brand that exists to sell tools. We exist to champion real gardeners. The person who gets up on a cold Saturday morning because something needs tending or watering. The community that transforms a forgotten patch of urban land into a place of food, friendship and belonging. The gardener who teaches a child to grow their first carrots and without knowing it, plans something far more lasting.

"Gardening changes lives. It connects people to the seasons, to each other, and to a kind of quiet purpose that is increasingly rare. And at Gardena, we believe those stories, the real ones from real people, deserve to be told loudly and celebrated properly. That's exactly why the property exists, and this is why the people in this room the press, the creators, the retailers, the gardeners who make these tools accessible to every gardener matters so much to us."

"Today represents something we believe in deeply, that when people are given the space, the support, the right tools to guide them with joy and purpose, remarkable things grow. Not just plants, but connections, confidence, and a community.

"To every finalist in this room. Thank you. Thank you for your passion, your perseverance, perseverance, and for showing all of us, especially those of us who work in this industry, exactly why this matters. Thank you."

Meet the 2026 winners

Top of the Plots Winner and Best Garden Plot: Rebecca and Jean Reno from Morpeth

Rebecca and Jean were recognised with Huw's Pick after transforming an overgrown plot into a thriving permaculture garden. Their space features rescue chickens, wildlife ponds and a productive food forest that also helps raise funds for SSAFA.

Best Allotment: Marketa Bolton from Coventry

Marketa was named winner of the Best Allotment category for her show-stopping plot in Coventry. Described as "an emotional escape from my busy and stressful city life", the allotment overflows with fruit, vegetables, flowers and wildlife, inspired by childhood memories of her parents' allotment in the Czech Republic.

Huw's Pick of the Plots: Liena Legzdina from Derbyshire

Liena took home the Best Garden title for a space filled with what she describes as "little living threads". Bringing together family heirlooms, childhood memories, abundant harvests and thriving wildlife, her "living patchwork" garden combines seasonal flowers, homegrown food and treasured family connections.

Best New Plot: Francesca Sporle and her husband, from Surrey

Francesca and her husband were crowned winners of Best New Plot following what they describe as "a successful first year" of learning, growing and creating. Their developing allotment features fruit trees, wildlife ponds, flower-filled borders and productive vegetable beds.

Commenting on the plot, Huw Richards said: "This first-year allotment showcases what can be achieved through careful planning and dedication."

Best Small Plot: Mark Riches from Somerset

Mark's winning small plot proves that gardening success is not measured in square footage. Measuring just 11ft by 18ft, the highly productive garden uses hydroponics, vertical growing and innovative planting techniques to maximise every inch of space.

Best Community Plot: Missenden Abbey in London

The Best Community Plot award went to Missenden Abbey for a therapeutic horticulture project that grows far more than plants. The initiative helps adults with learning disabilities develop practical skills while cultivating fruit, vegetables, flowers and beehives.

Kids on the Plot: Trawden Forest Primary School in Lancashire

Trawden Forest Primary School was named winner of the Kids on the Plot category for its vibrant school garden. Home to everything from melons and squash to a much-loved pink banana plant, the garden brings food growing, wildlife conservation and sustainability to life for pupils. As the school explains, they are "not just growing fruit and vegetables" but also "growing curiosity, confidence, kindness and a lifelong connection with nature."

Huw Richards, bestselling author and GARDENA ambassador, said: “It was a real privilege to judge this year's Top of the Plots competition. What stood out most was how the finalists pushed against the norms and created spaces that reflected their own personalities, whether that was Rebecca's jungle-like food forest or Mark's tiny but highly productive garden.

“What I loved most was seeing what can be achieved when you work with what you have. Gardening doesn’t have to be perfect, and this year brought plenty of challenges for growers. Yet the winners have created productive, thriving spaces through patience, care and a willingness to keep learning and adapting.

"The winners have shown what can be achieved through creativity, resilience and a willingness to adapt. Their plots are a fantastic reminder that there is no single right way to garden, and I hope they inspire more people to get growing."

Mike Farrell, Chairman of the National Allotment Society said: "Once again, Top of the Plots has showcased the incredible talent, passion and dedication that can be found in allotments and gardens across the UK. The standard of entries this year was exceptionally high, with entrants demonstrating not only impressive growing skills, but also creativity, sustainability and a real commitment to making the most of their green spaces.

"What makes this year's winners even more impressive is the way that many of them adapted to a season that presented its fair share of challenges. Whether managing periods of dry weather, protecting crops or making careful use of resources, entrants showed the resilience and ingenuity that are at the heart of successful growing. Congratulations to all of this year's winners and finalists for the inspiration they provide to gardeners everywhere."

The full line-up of winners demonstrates the diversity, creativity and enthusiasm thriving across Britain's growing community. From productive allotments and wildlife-friendly gardens to therapeutic projects and school growing spaces, the 2026 Top of the Plots winners show that gardening is about far more than harvests alone. It is about creating places that nurture people, communities and nature alike.

See GTN Xtra's gallery of photos from the Blenheim Palace event below