leaf icon
Donate
leaf icon
Join
leaf icon
Volunteer
Calendar
calendar icon
Search close icon
Gardens To Visit
caret icon
Visit a PHS garden or landscape to help build stronger social connections with your community.
For Neighborhoods
caret icon
Explore programs that create healthy, livable environments and increase access to fresh food.
For Gardeners
caret icon
Engage with PHS on gardening, whether you’re an expert or a beginner.
About Us
caret icon
Get to know our story, become a part of our staff, or see what is in the news with PHS.
The Flower Show

PHS Citywide Gardening Challenge

citywide2026 webhero

Celebrating the gardens that brighten every Philadelphia block.

The PHS Citywide Gardening Challenge is all about honoring the creativity, care, and cultural traditions that make Philadelphia’s home gardens special. From front porch stoops and window boxes to backyard vegetable beds and pollinator-friendly corners, we’re inviting home gardeners across the city of Philadelphia to show off the outdoor spaces they’ve lovingly grown.

Whether your garden blooms with colorful flowers, is bursting with delicious vegetables, or is full of charming containers, it’s your care and imagination that brings color, life, and joy to your neighborhood, and we can’t wait to see it!

Who Can Enter

To be eligible, your garden must:

  • Be located within Philadelphia city limits
  • Be an outdoor home garden (including porches, decks, yards, rooftops, containers, and greenhouses)
  • Be managed and cared for by you

PHS encourages all participants to garden in the spirit of Gardening for the Greater Good, helping create greener, healthier, and more connected neighborhoods. Please note: community gardens and professionally maintained gardens are not eligible.
 

How the Challenge Works

leaves icon
Step 1
Explore Garden Categories & Sizes

Choose the category that best represents your garden. Each entry may be submitted in one category only.

explore options here
leaves icon
Step 2
Register: May 13 – June 22, 2026
  • Register your garden and get seasonal growing tips, submission reminders, and photography guidance via email.
  • No photos are required at this stage.
  • PLEASE NOTE: Registration is now closed.
leaves icon
Step 3
Upload Photos: June 23 – July 6, 2026

Upload 3-6 photos to complete your official entry.

leaves icon
Step 4
Judging: July 7 – August 15, 2026

Judging takes place in two rounds:

  • Round 1: Photo Review (July 7 – 14, 2026)
    Judges review submissions and select finalists.
  • Round 2: In-Person Visits (July 15 – August 15, 2026)
    Finalists will be contacted to schedule a garden visit.
leaves icon
Step 5
Winners & Celebration: September 2 – 4, 2026

Winners notified and finalists are invited to a special celebration event (date TBD).

The PHS Citywide Gardening Challenge has been supported by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage.
The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage is a multidisciplinary grantmaker and hub for knowledge-sharing, funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts, and dedicated to fostering a vibrant cultural community in Greater Philadelphia. The Center invests in ambitious, imaginative, and catalytic work that showcases the region’s cultural vitality and enhances public life, and engages in an exchange of ideas concerning artistic and interpretive practice with a broad network of cultural practitioners and leaders.