Applications are now being accepted for the City of Boston’s annual Garden Contest, a citywide celebration of urban gardening that highlights residents who improve their neighborhoods through planting and landscaping.
The contest is open to amateur gardeners who live in Boston. Businesses and organizations can also enter a special category for storefronts, organizations, or Main Street district gardens. Applications must be submitted by Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
This annual contest is part of a long-standing citywide beautification effort. Each year, it recognizes residents who plant flowers, vegetables, trees, and shrubs to make Boston’s neighborhoods more vibrant and welcoming.
Gardens will be judged in two rounds. The first round is based on photos submitted with the application, which must show the whole garden and not just close-ups. Finalists will be visited in person by judges during the week of July 28, 2025. Judging focuses on overall appeal, garden design, color use, plant variety and quality, and sustainable gardening practices.
The awards ceremony will take place in mid-August. First-place winners in each category will receive the “Golden Trowel” award and will be entered to win a grand prize of two round-trip JetBlue tickets for non-stop travel from Boston. Additional prizes are supported by local sponsors, including Mahoney’s Garden Centers.
There are several categories where people or organizations can enter, such as porch or container gardens; small, medium, or large yard gardens; community garden plots; vegetable or herb gardens; and a special category for seniors age 65 and older. A new Pollinator Garden category is being introduced in 2025. Each person or group may enter only one category per year. All photos submitted become the property of the City of Boston and may be used for promotion or news coverage.
At the awards ceremony, gardeners who have won first place three or more times will be honored as Hall of Fame inductees.
Full contest details and applications are available on the City of Boston’s official website.
