Eco Garden Competition 2026

Castleknock TidyTowns Eco Garden Competition 2026 is coming in JUNE - This year Castleknock TidyTowns is looking for a garden that is special by being sustainable. This garden (big or small) will be a welcoming natural space - perfect for both people and wildlife.

Six-spotted Burnet on a Chive flower in a Castleknock garden

Might your garden win?

Start taking photos of your gardens now as they bloom, grow and fill with family, friends and little creatures! We have a checklist to help you all to know what the judges will be looking for.

The competition entry dates are from Monday 1st to Tuesday 30th June 2026.

Simply email 3 photos of your garden along with a short description (max 150 words) about why your garden deserves to win. What is so special about it? What makes it sustainable and eco-friendly? 

• This year we are providing a checklist SEE BELOW (also available on our social media and on the noticeboard outside Rods and Cones) to give you some helpful hints on what we are looking for. Use it as a guide to see if your garden is on the right track. Tell us which of the items on the list your garden meets. Make sure to include your name and location in Castleknock. 

• Email your entry to: castleknocktidytowns@gmail.com with Eco Garden Competition 2026 written in the subject line. 

• After the closing date, a desk judging will take place. Due to the large number of entries, the gardens will not be visited. Points will be accumulated from the checklist items. The winner will be chosen and announced on 7th July 2026 along with two runners-up. 

• The Best Castleknock Estate this year will be the estate with the highest % of households who have entered. So please encourage your neighbours to enter too. 

Sponsored by  

Wongs Restaurant, Castleknock

Eco Garden Competition 2026

Checklist

The judges will be happy to hear how many of the following you can say YES to:  

1. I do not use pesticides or herbicides in my garden (e.g. Bug Clear or Round Up)  

   
   

2. My garden has a water butt (or other way of collecting rainwater) 

   
   

3. I use mostly perennial plants rather than annuals in my garden

   
   

4. I make my own compost from household and garden waste 

   
   

5. I make my own leaf mould to enrich my soil with mulch

   
   

6. I buy pollinator-friendly plants and reuse the plastic pots (e.g. Lavender, Sedum or Foxglove)

   
   

7. I observe No Mow May in my garden

   
   

8. I grow my own vegetables and / or herbs

   
   

9. I choose drought-resistant plants (e.g. Echinops, Salvia or hardy Geraniums)

   
   

10. I make comfrey or nettle tea to feed my plants

    
    

11. Birds and other wild creatures visit my garden

12. My garden has a wormery

Please state in your emailed entry which of the numbers listed above and any other sustainable practices you use in your garden. And remember to tell us how wonderful your garden is for both people and other creatures. Wishing you the best of luck!