Root for each other and watch the community grow

Luton in Bloom is a gardening competition encouraging residents to grow, learn life skills, meet new people, and improve our environment.

Gardening can help improve wellbeing and this initiative is truly grassroots, being led by community and faith organisations with support and facilitation from Luton Borough Council. 


We will be organising gardening workshops to help nurture those green fingers and in the long term, we aim to launch a community farmers market for locals to sell what they have grown.


Our 2025 Competition Categories


  • Residential Front Display
  • Best Fruit or Vegetable Patch
  • Best School Garden Project
  • Best Community Garden


Judging


Application's are open!

Deadline for School ONLY is: 5th June 2026

Deadline for all other categories: 10th July 2026

Benefits of Gardening

  • Improved physical health

    Gardening provides a low-impact workout that can improve flexibility, strength, and stamina. It also allows you to spend time outdoors and get vitamin D from the sun, which is essential for maintaining bone health.

  • Reduced stress and improved mental health

    Gardening has been shown to reduce stress and improve mental health. It provides an opportunity to connect with nature and engage in a calming, meditative activity that can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.

  • Better nutrition

    By growing your own fruits and vegetables, you can ensure that your food is fresh and free from harmful pesticides and chemicals. This can help you maintain a healthy, balanced diet and reduce your risk of developing chronic diseases.

  • Environmental sustainability

    Gardening can help reduce your carbon footprint by reducing the amount of food that needs to be transported long distances. Additionally, you can compost and recycle in your garden, which helps to reduce waste and promote environmental sustainability.

  • Community building

    Gardening can bring people together and create a sense of community. Community gardens provide a space for people to connect with one another and share their knowledge and resources, building stronger neighborhoods and fostering social connections.

  • Financial savings

    By growing your own food, you can save money on groceries and reduce your food bill. Additionally, you can sell your excess produce at farmers' markets or to friends and neighbors, which can generate additional income.

Category Details 

  • Residential Front Display

    In the Residential Front Display gardening competition, we are looking for beautiful and creative displays of plants in a variety of containers such as window boxes, planters, hanging baskets, and pot plants. 


    The goal of this competition is to showcase the beauty and potential of residential front displays, and to encourage the use of gardening as a means of enhancing the curb appeal of homes. 


    Judges will be looking for displays that demonstrate a strong aesthetic sense, attention to detail, and creativity. The use of a variety of plant types and colors, as well as the thoughtful use of space and container arrangements, will also be important factors in determining the winner. 


    Ultimately, the winner of the competition will be the display that best captures the spirit of the competition by creating a beautiful and eye-catching front display that is sure to impress passersby

  • Best Looking Vegetable and Fruit Patch

    In the Best Looking Vegetable and Fruit Patch competition, we are looking for beautiful, well-maintained vegetable and fruit patches. 


    The goal of this competition is to showcase the beauty and potential of a productive vegetable and fruit garden, and to encourage the use of gardening as a means of providing fresh produce for the family.


     Judges will be looking for gardens that demonstrate a strong aesthetic sense, attention to detail, and creativity in the layout and design. The use of a variety of plant types, colors, and textures, as well as the thoughtful use of space and garden structures, will also be important factors in determining the winner. 


    Additionally, the garden must be well-maintained, with healthy, robust plants and free from any signs of pests or disease. Ultimately, the winner of the competition will be the garden that best captures the spirit of the competition by creating a beautiful and functional vegetable and fruit garden that is sure to inspire others to grow their own food.

  • Best School Garden Project

    In the Best School Garden Project competition, we are looking for creative, sustainable, and educational garden projects that engage students in hands-on learning about gardening and environmental stewardship. 


    The goal of this competition is to showcase the efforts of schools in promoting sustainable living practices and to encourage students to become more involved in the natural world around them. Judges will be looking for projects that demonstrate a strong sense of purpose, creativity, and innovation. 


    Projects that incorporate elements of conservation, composting, and recycling will also be given preference. Furthermore, projects that incorporate the principles of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education will be highly valued. 


    Ultimately, the winner of the competition will be the project that best captures the spirit of the competition by creating an engaging and educational garden project that inspires students to become environmental stewards for life.

  • Best Community Garden

    In the Best Community Garden Competition, we are looking for a project that engages with a community or communities to promote wellness, build sustainable friendships and a sense of community amongst those who use and maintain the garden space. Whether the garden exists in a place of worship, the public domain, a residential area or within a specific community setting, we want to hear from you. 

    The goal of this competition is to showcase the importance of community, as well as the impact that being outdoors, accessing green and vibrant spaces, has on the overall wellness of individuals. 


    Judges will be looking for projects that demonstrate community values, encourage others to come together and capture the spirit of the people who use the space. 

    Strong preference will be given to those projects that engage with communities who have specific needs such as dementia, SEND and rehabilitation. 


    Ultimately, the winner of the competition will be the project that best captures the spirit of the competition by connecting people and plants. 


Enter the Competition

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