By Eve Polek 

The 2026 PHS Nicetown and Tioga Greening Plan's Curb Appeal Challenge was the biggest one yet! This year, 118 participants participated, making it the largest Challenge since the program began in 2023. Across the neighborhood, front gardens burst with colorful flowers, creative designs, and personal touches that transformed residential streets into welcoming spaces.  

From whimsical cottage-style landscapes to colorful flower-filled gardens, this year’s participants showed how gardening can beautify a neighborhood while bringing neighbors together. After visiting every garden, judges selected nine winners whose creativity, dedication, and pride in their homes stood out.  

What is the Curb Appeal Challenge? 

Hosted by PHS as part of the Nicetown and Tioga Greening Plan, the Curb Appeal Challenge encourages residents to beautify their front gardens while building stronger neighborhood connections. 

Participants receive free plants, gardening supplies, and tools, making it easy for both experienced gardeners and first-time participants to join. Throughout the growing season, neighbors learn from one another, share plants and gardening tips, and work together to create greener, more welcoming blocks. 

Since launching in 2023, the challenge has grown every year as more residents are inspired to participate after seeing the beautiful gardens created by their neighbors. 

Meet First Place Winner: Jabrina Slaughter 

There is a whimsical storybook garden tucked into a quiet Nicetown neighborhood.

Lush with tall foxgloves, cascading creeping Jenny, and unexpected surprises threaded throughout the unique home garden, Jabrina Slaughter’s 1st place-winning garden invites visitors to slow down and explore. From naturally growing mushrooms hidden among the plants to an Oscar the Grouch-inspired display (spy it in the photo above!), every corner reflects her creativity and imagination. 

“I want it to feel like stepping into a little storybook world — colorful, welcoming, whimsical, and full of surprises," Jabrina says. Taking the time to craft a place full of imagination, she delights every time a visitor approaches her garden or snaps a picture of the cottage-inspired design. 

Jabrina’s award-winning garden also tells a family story. Gardening has been passed down through generations, beginning with her grandmother, who lovingly cared for the space for many years. When her grandmother could no longer tend to the garden, Jabrina proudly continued the tradition. 

Encouraged by her mother, who also participated in this year's Challenge, Jabrina entered the competition for the first time and earned first-place honors for her enchanting garden design.

Second Place Winner Elaine Richards 

For second-place winner Elaine Richards, gardening is all about creating beauty through color. Her garden teems with life and vibrance.  

“I’ve always loved flowers and colors,” she says. “I’ve been gardening forever. I can hardly find a place to plant things; I’ve run out of room!” 

Although her garden is full of plants, Elaine takes a thoughtful approach to arranging them, so each one has room to thrive. She regularly divides and shares healthy plants with friends and family, extending the joy of gardening beyond her own yard. 

Over the years, she’s also watched her neighborhood transform. When Elaine tfirst started planting things, not many people on the block were gardening. "But now, the more people start planting, the more pride they have, and it makes the whole block look better,” she says. 

For Elaine, the Curb Appeal Challenge has helped inspire more neighbors to garden together, creating a stronger sense of community one front yard at a time.  

How Judging Works 

Every year, teams of judges visit each participating garden to recognize the creativity, effort, and care that residents invest throughout the growing season. 

This year, three judging teams selected a total of nine winners, awarding prizes to the top three gardens in each judging area. Such areas include plant health and production, social connections to family, neighborhood, and/or community, and aesthetic appeal.    

Thinking About Entering Next Year? 

The Curb Appeal Challenge continues to grow every year as more residents discover the joy of gardening and encourage their neighbors to participate. If you are a part of the Nicetown and Tioga community, consider entering next year by contacting PHS Healthy Programs Manager Michael Frank at MFrank@pennhort.org. 

This year's winners shared a few tips for future participants:  

Jabrina Slaughter: "A truly memorable garden begins long before judging day. Plant your perennials and annuals early, giving them the time they need to establish, flourish, and burst into breathtaking blooms. When the judges arrive, your garden won't just be beautiful; it will tell the story of thoughtful planning, patience and the care you've poured into the space.” 

Elaine Richards: “Have a plan. Put your tallest plants in the back and gradually work toward the shortest in the front, so every plant has a chance to be seen." 

With free plants, supplies, and support from PHS, the Curb Appeal Challenge makes it easy for anyone to create a garden they're proud of while helping make Nicetown and Tioga an even greener, more beautiful place to live, proving the power of gardening for the greater good.