Mayor Menino's Garden Contest, Deadline Jul. 15

Boston's gardeners work long and hard to beautify their homes, businesses, and neighborhoods," said Mayor Thomas M. Menino. "This contest recognizes and honors these green thumbs who are helping to improve our city with their talents." Launched fifteen years ago as part of Mayor Menino's citywide beautification initiative, the contest recognizes gardeners who have landscaped, planted flowers, trees, and shrubs, and, in the process, beautified their own small piece of Boston. First place winners in eight categories will receive the coveted "Golden Trowel" award from Mayor Menino. Last year, winners received prize packages from HGTV, a one-year American Horticultural Society membership and more. Awards will be given out at an awards ceremony in late August. Read on for dates, entry information, etc. or visit http://www.cityofboston.gov/parks/gardencontest/.

Important Dates
Entry Deadline - Friday, July 15, 2011 at 5:00
Finalist Notification - Friday, July 22, 2011
Judges Visit Gardens - Week of July 25, 2011
Awards Ceremony - Late August

Residents and businesses are encouraged to nominate their own or a neighbor's garden, window box, or front, back, or side yard. Only gardens planted by amateur gardeners are eligible to take part in the contest. No professionally contracted work will be allowed to enter. Entrants are required to submit photographs of their garden along with an official entry form. Using these photos, judges will narrow the entrants to five finalists per category. Site visits by contest judges will determine the winners.
Your photo(s) and completed nomination form must be received at the Boston offices by July 15, 2011 at 5 pm to be eligible for competition.

Entries without photographs will not be accepted.

Online Entry Form 
Complete the form online and upload up to 5 digital photos of your garden.

Download & Print Entry Form
Download and fill out the mail-in entry form, making sure to check the box next to the type of garden you are entering into the contest. Remember to attach at least one color photograph of your garden to your nomination form.