Thanks to everyone who took part in this year's competition. The standard was again extremely high this year.
Information about the official judging date, notifications and our 2026 prizegiving event is below.
Official judging date
The official shortlisted garden judging will take place on Thursday 17 September 2026.
If you are selected as a winner or runner-up you will receive a letter inviting you to attend the prizegiving. If you are shortlisted but not a winner or runner-up you will receive notification after the judging date. If you are not shortlisted but have received a highly commended certificate, we will notify you before the prizegiving.
Prizegiving event
The prizegiving event will take place on Friday 30 October 2026 from 1pm to 4pm within the Council Chambers, Council Headquarters, London Road, Kilmarnock, KA3 7BU.
Housing areas and categories
The judging will take place across three housing areas:
- Cumnock and Doon Valley
- Irvine Valley, Ballochmyle and Kilmarnock South
- Kilmarnock Central and North
A winner and runner up are selected in each of the following categories:
- Best Council garden
- Best private garden
- Best planters or hanging baskets
- Best vegetable garden
- Best newcomer
- Environmentally friendly
- The Jennifer Elliot Memorial Award (rose garden)
- Special achievement award
- East Ayrshire Overall winners
There are also three exciting categories for communities:
- Clean, green, vibrant street
- Clean, green, vibrant town or village
- The John McKenzie Memorial Award (best community garden)
Judging of the event
Please note that judging will take place between 1 July 2026 and 31 July 2026. We will contact you nearer the time to arrange any access required.
This year we are offering entrants the chance to send us photos of their garden as part of the judging process. Please email customerliaisonteam@east-ayrshire.gov.uk with three of your best photos highlighting your garden, along with your name and address.
The winner of each category will be chosen by council officers from Housing and Greener Communities. The overall winners will be selected by tenant representatives.
Winners and runners-up will be invited to attend a prize-giving later in the year.
Good luck everyone!