Non-professionals invited to enter PHS Gardening Contest

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) encourages non-professional gardeners from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware to show off their gardening skill in the 2020 PHS Gardening Contest.

 

The PHS Gardening Contest, an annual PHS event that dates back to the 1970s, unites a diverse and talented group of individuals from across the region who are passionate about plants and sharing their accomplishments with others. The contest is also fun way to engage and empower gardeners from across the tri-state area to create positive change through horticulture.

 

Contestants are rewarded points for using sustainable gardening practices like composting, planting for pollinators, water-wise techniques and sharing the fruits of their labor with others.

 

Registration for the annual competition is now open. Participants can enter by submitting photos and answering a questionnaire at phsonline.org/for-gardeners/gardening-competitions with a deadline for completing registration by June 22.

 

The PHS Gardening Contest provides numerous categories to suit all types of gardening situations from those who tend to gardens in public spaces, including urban farms and community gardens, to front stoop container gardens and backyard vegetable and/or flower beds. New categories in 2020 include “Houseplants” for indoor gardening and, individual community garden plots if a community garden is not entering as a public space garden.

 

This year, the contest transitions to a fully digital judging platform that requires contestants to submit photos of their gardens for the judges. PHS Members with gardening experience are eligible to participate as judges. Judges will review garden entries and provide constructive feedback to contestants. PHS provides all contestants with gardening tips and suggestions through the PHS website and the PHS Home Gardening Facebook Group page.

 

There is no cost to participate in the PHS Gardening Contest. Donations of any amount in support of PHS programs are encouraged to allow PHS to continue to fulfill its work of advancing health and well-being throughout the region.

 

All gardens must be maintained by non-professionals with photos taken this planting season.

 

Exemplary gardens will be recognized in the fall of 2020 by PHS. Photos and highlights of the winning gardens will be shared via the PHS website, social media, and other PHS communications.

 

For information and to learn how to enter the contest, serve as a volunteer judge and/or support the PHS Gardening Contest, visit PHSonline.org/gardeningcontest, call 215-988-8897, or email gardeningcontest@pennhort.org.