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Liverpool’s allotment community has once again celebrated a successful year with the announcement of the winners of the city’s annual allotment competition. This event, organised by the Association of Liverpool Allotments (ALA) and supported by Liverpool City Council, saw participation increase to 15 allotment sites across the city, up from 13 last year. The rising number of entries reflects the growing enthusiasm for homegrown food and the strengthening allotment network in Liverpool.
Judges spent five days visiting and assessing 74 plots scattered from Fazakerley in the north to Mersey Road in the south. Each day, five judges took part, selected from a group of 12 volunteers representing six different allotment sites. After careful evaluation, the prestigious Championship Winner accolade was awarded to Valerie Brown for her work on Dunbabin Plot 32. Other top placements included Allerton’s Plot 65 and Plot 39 taking first and second places respectively, with Grandison Plot 11 coming in third. Additionally, Allerton received recognition as both the Best Site and for having the Best Five Plots.
The competition celebrates the skill, dedication, and passion of Liverpool’s allotment gardeners and highlights the vital role allotments play in promoting healthy living, local food production, and biodiversity. Plots were judged based on four key criteria: the quality of crops and plants, the upkeep and maintenance of the plot, environmental sustainability, and the overall design and safety of the space. Plots that scored highly showcased a rich diversity of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers alongside sound gardening techniques such as companion planting, which encourages pollinators and reduces pests naturally.
Judges noted examples of plants like borage and calendula that attract bees and hoverflies, as well as nasturtiums which help divert pests. Good soil management was another important aspect, with practices like crop rotation and successional planting valued for their role in maintaining healthy soil and prolonged productivity. This year’s winning plot stood out for its eco-friendly approach, featuring habitats for beneficial insects, sustainable fertilisers made from comfrey and nettles, and effective rainwater harvesting systems. The judges were also impressed by the variety of produce cultivated, which included melons and grapes alongside more traditional crops.
Finally, the organisers extended their thanks to all those who contributed to the event’s success, including the participating plots, volunteer judges, score counters, and especially the allotment holders who allowed their plots to be judged. Liverpool’s allotments continue to demonstrate that growing your own food is an enjoyable, economical, and environmentally responsible activity. The competition’s ongoing growth encourages more residents to embrace food growing, whether in allotments, gardens, balconies, or windowsills, helping to reduce food costs, improve wellbeing, and support local wildlife
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