Gardeners, get your gloves ready! This beloved annual tradition celebrates the creativity, dedication, and hard work of Boston residents who help beautify our neighborhoods through gardening.
Part of Mayor Michelle Wu’s citywide beautification initiative, the Mayor’s Garden Contest recognizes amateur gardeners who transform outdoor spaces with flowers, vegetables, herbs, trees, shrubs, and pollinator-friendly plantings. From small container gardens on porches and balconies to thriving community garden plots and vibrant storefront displays, the contest showcases the many ways gardening enhances Boston’s neighborhoods and strengthens community pride.
The contest is open to Boston residents who are amateur gardeners, with a special category available for businesses, organizations, and Main Street districts. Participants may enter one garden category and will be judged initially based on photographs submitted with their application. Finalists will then receive an in-person visit from contest judges.
Categories include Porch, Balcony, or Container Gardens; Shade Gardens; Small, Medium, and Large Yard Gardens; Community Garden Plots; Vegetable or Herb Gardens; Pollinator Gardens; the Age Strong Garden category for residents age 65 and older; and the Storefront, Organization, or Main Street District Garden category.
The 2026 contest timeline includes an application deadline of July 8, finalist notifications by July 21, and judging visits during the week of July 27. Winners will be recognized at an awards ceremony in late August. First-place winners in each category will receive the prestigious Golden Trowel Award from Mayor Michelle Wu and will be entered into a drawing for two round-trip JetBlue tickets. Additional support for the contest is provided by Mahoney’s Garden Centers.
Gardeners who have won three or more times may also be eligible for induction into the Mayor’s Garden Contest Hall of Fame, which recognizes sustained excellence and commitment to beautifying Boston’s communities.
Whether you’re tending a backyard oasis, growing vegetables in a community garden, or creating a colorful storefront display, the Mayor’s Garden Contest is a wonderful opportunity to showcase your hard work and inspire others throughout the city.
For more information, visit the City of Boston’s Mayor’s Garden Contest webpage or contact the contest organizers at gardencontest@boston.gov or 617-961-3004.