The criteria by which allotment sites and plots will be judged for the Edinburgh in Bloom competition are:

Allotment Sites
Upkeep of site, in particular any communal areas:
Well maintained communal areas, paths, beds, grass etc

Standard of Plots:
Percentage of plots of a satisfactory standard

Community involvement:
Evidence of active community involvement, up-to-date notice board, events, clean-ups etc

Visual appearance/cleanliness:
The overall appearance of the site should be neat and pleasing to the eye, litter free, no fly-tipping. Waste disposed off appropriately. No graffiti, fly-posting

Green issues:
Evidence of sustainable practices (eg water butts, recycling, green manure), shelter and feeding for wildlife (nest boxes, log piles, stones, hedges). Use of plants, which will attract wildlife (including trees and hedges). Waste management: shared composting, recycling

Notable feature:
Something different

Criteria for Allotment Plots

Quality of planting and diversity of use:
Quality of plants (variety, health, and quality of the vegetables, fruit, flowers and herbs).Stocking (any unplanted areas should be where crops have just been harvested, or about to be planted up and should be clean and free from weeds).
Range of plants used.

Imaginative Layout/Crop rotation:
Good use of entire plot.
Evidence of planting for a constant succession of crops.
Skill and originality evident in the layout and planting, and ingenuity shown in overcoming local problems.
The intelligent adaptation of the layout to suit the needs of the plot holder.

Green issues:
Organic methods. Intelligent use of organic methods of pest control, such as the pinching out of broad bean tips to inhibit black-fly, or the use of barriers against carrot fly, will be given credit. Companion planting.
Sustainable practices (eg water butts, recycling, green manure).
Shelter and feeding for wildlife (nest boxes, log piles, stones, hedges).
Good composting techniques.
Use of plants, which will attract wildlife (including trees and hedges).

Visual appearance/cleanliness:
The overall appearance of the plot should be neat and pleasing to the eye.
Litter free.
Waste disposed off appropriately.
Paths, walls, seating areas should be well maintained.

Notable feature:
Something different.