Pocket Garden design competition 2024 launches

We have issued an invitation to pupils from across Scotland to design a miniature garden linking sustainability and nature’s engineers as part of our annual Pocket Garden Design Competition in partnership with Garden for Life Forum.

Following the great success of the 2023 competition, we are now inviting nursery and school pupils, aged three to 18, to design a miniature pocket-sized garden which includes food for people, is good for wildlife and reuses something.

The 2024 competition has a new theme ‘nature’s engineers’, to inspire pupils’ designs. It shines a light on the incredible homes that animals build, their role in creating whole ecosystems and how modern ‘green’ technology is being inspired by natural engineering. From bee hives to bird nests, or air conditioning inspired by termite mounds there’s lots to discover and wonder at.

The designers of the best entries will be invited to build and grow their garden at school before filming or photographing it to be displayed as part of an online interactive garden in June where people will be able to vote for their favourite.

Last year, we received almost 200 entries to the competition from 28 local authority areas with the work of 42 finalists being displayed in a digital showcase. 

Eve Keepax, our Education and Learning Officer said, “We’re pleased to announce our ninth Pocket Garden Design Competition with it’s new theme. Nature’s engineers are amazing and we’re excited to see how this 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 great way for pupils to learn about how they can be part of making Scotland a nature positive place whether they’re interested in bees, beavers, birds or buildings."

The Pocket Garden Design Competition aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Four, Learning for Sustainability and is run as part of our Climate Action Schools framework. It gives pupils and educators a creative focus for learning for sustainability, STEM skills, and the Curriculum for Excellence while learning more about the climate and nature emergencies.

Designs must be submitted by Friday 23 February 2024 to pocketgarden@keepscotlandbeautiful.org