Ep. 13 The Final 5% | What Makes an Award-Winning Landscape?

In this episode of Dig Deep, recorded at The Glasshouse Collective, Rosie Sayers speaks with John Malmo, Head Judge of the BALI National Landscape Awards, about what truly separates a good landscaping project from an outstanding one. Drawing on decades of experience judging some of the very best schemes in the country, John shares why excellence often comes down to “the final 5%” — the finer details, preparation, teamwork and discipline that elevate a project beyond the ordinary. The conversation explores how the BALI Awards judging process works behind the scenes, the most common mistakes contractors make when presenting schemes, and why attention to detail matters just as much as design and construction quality. John also reflects on how the landscaping industry has evolved over the past 50 years, from the transformational impact of Canary Wharf on public realm expectations to the rising standards seen across the UK today. This is an insightful discussion about professionalism, presentation, teamwork and the pursuit of excellence in landscaping. In this episode: What judges really look for in award-winning projects Why the “final 5%” matters so much Common mistakes contractors make before judging How teamwork influences project success How the landscaping industry has evolved over the decades Why entering awards can transform a business 🎧 Listen to more episodes of Dig Deep: https://www.bali.org.uk/help-and-advice/dig-deep/ Supported by: 🌱 GoLandscape