GARDENA crowns Top of the Plots 2026 winners
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Top of the Plots Winner and Best Garden Plot: Rebecca and Jean Reno, Morpeth
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Best Allotment: Marketa Bolton, Coventry
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Best Small Plot: Mark Riches, Somerset
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Best New Plot: Francesca Sporle and her husband, Surrey
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Huw's Pick of the Plots: Liena Legzdina, Derbyshire
GARDENA has revealed the winners of its second annual Top of the Plots competition at Blenheim Palace, celebrating the UK's most inspiring allotments, gardens and community growing spaces.
Supported by the National Allotment Society, the competition launched in 2025 to recognise the passion and creativity of Britain's grow-your-own community. This year's entries demonstrated remarkable resilience following record temperatures, drought conditions and hosepipe bans in parts of the country.
Judges praised the high standard of entries, which showcased productive, wildlife-friendly and imaginative spaces that support communities and encourage more people to grow their own food.
Meet the 2026 winners
Top of the Plots Winner and Best Garden Plot: Rebecca and Jean Reno, Morpeth
Rebecca and Jean transformed an overgrown plot into a thriving permaculture garden featuring rescue chickens, wildlife ponds and a productive food forest that helps raise funds for SSAFA.
Best Allotment: Marketa Bolton, Coventry
Inspired by childhood memories of her parents' allotment in the Czech Republic, Marketa created a colourful, productive space filled with fruit, vegetables, flowers and wildlife. She describes it as an emotional escape from busy city life.
Huw's Pick of the Plots: Liena Legzdina, Derbyshire
Liena's garden brings together family heirlooms, childhood memories, seasonal flowers, homegrown food and wildlife in what she calls a “living patchwork”.
Best New Plot: Francesca Sporle and her husband, Surrey
The couple were recognised for their first-year allotment, which features fruit trees, wildlife ponds, flower-filled borders and productive vegetable beds. Judge Huw Richards praised the planning and dedication behind the achievement.
Best Small Plot: Mark Riches, Somerset
Measuring just 11ft by 18ft, Mark's productive garden maximises limited space through hydroponics, vertical growing and innovative planting techniques.
Best Community Plot: Missenden Abbey
Missenden Abbey's therapeutic horticulture project supports adults with learning disabilities to develop practical skills while growing fruit, vegetables and flowers and caring for beehives.
Kids on the Plot: Trawden Forest Primary School, Lancashire
The school's vibrant garden grows everything from melons and squash to a much-loved pink banana plant, helping pupils explore food production, wildlife conservation and sustainability while building confidence and curiosity.
GARDENA ambassador and bestselling author Huw Richards said the finalists had challenged conventional approaches and created spaces reflecting their personalities. He highlighted how the winners adapted to difficult growing conditions through patience, care and a willingness to learn.
Mike Farrell, chairman of the National Allotment Society, praised entrants' growing skills, creativity and commitment to sustainability, adding that their resourcefulness during a challenging season demonstrated the resilience at the heart of successful gardening.
The winners highlight how growing spaces can do far more than produce harvests, nurturing people, strengthening communities and supporting nature.