Annual tenant’s gardening competition returns for 2026
Our annual council tenant’s gardening competition is back - and is open entries now.
Categories
Green-fingered residents can enter the contest in one of two categories:
- Best Overall Garden
- Tallest Sunflower (for under 15s)
Stunning
Last year's winner was Woodburn resident Patrik, who wowed the judging panel with a stunning DIY refurbishment of his weed-strewn back green into an inviting, semi-enclosed outdoor dining space and cooking area.
Big impact
However, even modest changes to outdoor spaces can have a big impact, as demonstrated by our runner-up, Mrs. Donald, who gave her front and back gardens in Bonnyrigg a fresh new look with turf and colourful potted plants.
Dazzling
Younger gardeners are included too - as well as a main first and second prize, there’s also an under 15s section for the county’s finest sunflower, won last year by three year-old Maisie Snedden.
Her winning entry was a dazzling specimen cultivated from a tiny seedling at her grandparents house in Bonnyrigg.
Enter or nominate
To be in with a shot at gardening immortality, you can nominate yourself, or someone you know.
Simply take a couple of photos of your handiwork and email them with your details to tenantparticipation@midlothian.gov.uk
If you’d like some help with this, you can ask one of our staff by phoning or texting 07502 918630.
Prizes
As ever, prizes come courtesy of Pentland Plants Garden Centre in Loanhead.
A podium finish will earn you one of their vouchers, helping make your garden even better.
- First place - £25
- Second place - £15
- Under 15s category - £10
Deadline
The closing date for this year's competition is 31 August 2025. Time to get growing!