Gardeners across East Ayrshire are being invited to enter the council's annual garden competition.

This year the competition honours one of its tenant volunteer champions, John McKenzie, who sadly passed away last year. 

The council has included a category for best community garden in recognition of the tireless work he did with communities across East Ayrshire.

The competition is open to anyone living in East Ayrshire with a garden, no matter how big or small, which is maintained by themselves and not a professional gardener. 

There are prizes and trophies up for grabs, and previous entrants do not need to apply.

The judging will take place the housing areas of Cumnock and Doon Valley, Irvine Valley, Ballochmyle and Kilmarnock South, and 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
  • Overall winner

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)

To make a nomination, fill in a form online or download a nomination form and email to the Customer Liaison Team at CustomerLiaisonTeam@east-ayrshire.gov.uk.

The deadline for submitting nominations is Friday, July 5, and judging will take between July 8 and August 2.

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.