National Garden Scheme to Open for Applications in Late September

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Delivered by the National Garden Scheme, with support from the Julia Rausing Trust, the Community Gardens Award provides grants of £1,500 and £5,000 for gardening projects carried out within local communities in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.

The scheme is committed to:

  • Sustainability in gardening so proposals need to demonstrate that they will be using sustainable gardening methods – for instance being as far as possible peat-free.

  • Celebrating biodiversity so projects that encourage biodiversity and wildlife, while not essential, will be a positive.

The funding can be used for a number of things, including but not limited to:

  • Plants and containers

  • Materials for flower or vegetable beds and other hard landscaping

  • Greenhouses, polytunnels and sheds

  • Seating

  • Hand tools and certain garden power tools (eg strimmers)

  • Materials for providing refreshment.

Applicants must be a fully set up community group, registered charity or Community Interest Company (CIC) with a functioning non-personal bank account based and working in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.

There is a two-part application process.

Only the first 300 eligible submissions will be considered for a grant.

Groups are encouraged to read the guidelines so they are prepared to apply.

Applications are expected to open on 29 September 2026 and close on 30 October 2026. For more information, please visit Community Garden Grants - National Garden Scheme