Mayor’s Garden Contest Submission Deadline is July 10

 Mayor’s Garden Contest Submission Deadline is July 10

BOSTON - Wednesday, June 11 - Mayor Michelle Wu and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department today announced the launch of the 29th annual Mayor’s Garden Contest, celebrating the creativity and dedication of Boston’s urban gardeners. The contest recognizes residents who help beautify neighborhoods through their flowers, trees, shrubs, and landscaping efforts, making Boston a more vibrant, green, and welcoming city.

Gardeners have until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9 to submit their entries. This year’s contest introduces a new category for Pollinator Gardens, highlighting gardens that support biodiversity by incorporating native species and creating habitats for bees, butterflies, and other essential pollinators.

Gardeners, or those nominating their favorite local gardeners, may submit photos through the online application boston.gov/garden-contest  (preferred method). To request a paper application, participants may email their name and mailing address to gardencontest@boston.gov. Paper applications are available in English and ten additional languages can also be found at boston.gov/garden-contest. 

Finalists will receive a visit from contest judges during the week of July 28. Once the votes are tallied, first-place winners in each category will be honored by Mayor Wu with the coveted “Golden Trowel” award, while second and third-place winners will receive official certificates.

Gardeners who have won three or more times in the last ten years will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. While Hall-of-Famers are no longer eligible to compete, they are invited to return as contest judges.

First-place winners are eligible for a drawing for a JetBlue Grand Prize consisting of two (2) round-trip travel certificates for travel to/from JetBlue cities (excluding transatlantic). Travel certificates cover the base fare of the flight; government taxes and fees are the responsibility of the winner. Terms, conditions, and blackout dates apply.  Mahoney’s Garden Centers donates gift certificates to the top three winners in each category, as well as gift certificates for the 2025 Hall of Fame winners.

To stay up to date with the Mayor’s Garden Contest as well as news, events, and improvements in Boston parks visit boston.gov/parks, call (617) 635-4505, join our email list, and follow our social channels @bostonparksdept on X, Facebook, Instagram, and @parks.boston.gov on Bluesky.