Young people in East Renfrewshire are being invited to design a miniature sustainable garden as part of a national competition.
The 10th annual Pocket Garden Design Competition, run by environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful, is now open to nursery and school pupils across Scotland.
This competition invites children to create a small garden design that includes food for people, is beneficial for wildlife, and reuses something, while focusing on the contest's central theme.
The theme for this year’s competition is fresh water, reflecting Scotland’s more than 125,000km of rivers and streams and over 30,000 freshwater lochs.
In honour of the competition’s 10th anniversary, designs are also being invited to include the number 10 alongside edible plants, reused items and plants that attract wildlife.
The competition is open to pupils aged three to 18 and is run in partnership with the Garden for Life Forum.
Eve Keepax, education and learning officer at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “We’re pleased to announce our tenth Pocket Garden Design Competition with a celebratory 10th birthday and new fresh water theme.
“We’re excited to see how the theme inspires pupils’ imaginations.
“Schools tell us that their pupils love taking part in this competition, and it’s a great way to bring learning for sustainability alive.
“It’s also a brilliant way to connect children with their food and nature while creating opportunities for pupils to collaborate and work with the wider school community.
“We can’t wait to see the 2026 entries and learn more about the connections between our precious fresh water and the schools that enter.”
The designers of this year’s best entries will be invited to build and grow their pocket garden at school before filming or photographing it to be shown as part of an online interactive showcase garden in June, where people will be able to vote for their favourite.
Educators considering taking part can view a training video online here: www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/pocket-garden/training.
Design entries must be submitted by Friday, February 20, 2026, via www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/pocket-garden/submit-your-design.
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The competition supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Four (learning for sustainability) and is part of the Climate Action Schools framework.
It is designed to help schools develop as sustainable learning settings while building STEM skills and engaging with the Curriculum for Excellence.
Last year, more than 130 entries were received from 18 local authority areas, with 32 finalists featured in the online showcase.
Additional information and past examples of designs can be found on the Keep Scotland Beautiful website.
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