Utah Garden Competition
Submit your garden to the 2026 Utah Garden Competition!
Submissions due by 11:59 PM, September 15, 2026.
Does your garden qualify?
Check eligibility requirements and competition rules before submitting your entry.
About the Competition
Whether you grow vegetables, flowers, or a little of everything, the Utah Garden Competition is your chance to show off your hard work. Open to all Utah residents with non-commercial gardens — any size, any style.
Utah State University Extension judges all entries based on submitted photos alone. No site visits, no barriers. Just grow, photograph, and submit by September 15.
Five Winning Categories
Enter in the category that best fits your garden — judges may reassign if needed.
trophy Best Overall Garden
vegetable Best Vegetable Garden
flower Best Flower Garden
container Best Container Garden
native plant Best Native Plants Garden
Who Can Enter
- Must be 18 years of age or older at the time of entry
- Must be a current resident of Utah
- Garden must be located within the state of Utah
- Entrants must submit their own garden
- Commercial gardens (businesses) are not eligible
Eligible Garden Types
All non-commercial garden types are welcome, including:
- In-ground gardens
- Raised beds
- Container and patio gardens
- Indoor and greenhouse gardens
- Community garden plots (must clearly identify your space)
How to Enter
Entry period: May 1 – September 15, 2026
Each garden may be entered once. Your submission must include up to 5 photos of your garden taken during the 2026 growing season.
camera Verification Photo — Required
One of your 5 photos must show you holding the official competition sign in your garden. To get the sign:
- Download and print the official competition sign below
- Take a photo of yourself holding the sign in your garden
- Include that photo in your submission
Entries missing this photo will be automatically disqualified.
How Entries Are Judged
All entries are evaluated by USU Extension personnel based solely on submitted photos — no site visits.
plant health
Plant Health & Maintenance
Healthy, well-cared-for plants and a tidy, well-maintained garden.
design
Design & Visual Appeal
Thoughtful layout, color, and overall visual presentation.
creativity
Creativity & Use of Space
Innovative approaches and smart use of available growing space.
water drop
Sustainability & Water-Wise Practices
Efficient, environmentally conscious gardening methods.
productivity
Productivity (if applicable)
Yield and productive use of growing space where relevant.
Judges' decisions are final.
Competition Timeline
calendar
May 1
Submissions Open
deadline
September 15
Submissions Close
judging
Mid-September
Judging
winners announced
Late September
Winners Announced
Test Your Soil
Good gardens start with good soil. Test your soil to build a strong foundation for a healthy, thriving garden.
Tips to Help Your Garden Win
Official Rules & Regulations
- Must be 18 years of age or older at the time of entry
- Must be a current resident of Utah
- Garden must be located within the state of Utah
- Entrants must submit their own garden
- Commercial gardens (businesses) are not eligible
- Entry period: May 1 – September 15
- All entries must be submitted by September 15 at 11:59 PM (MT)
- Each garden may be entered once only
- Submissions must include up to 5 photos taken during the 2026 growing season
Verification Requirement (Required): Participants must download and print the official competition sign, take a photo of themselves holding the sign in their garden, and include that photo as one of the 5 submitted images. Entries missing this photo will be automatically disqualified.
All non-commercial garden types are welcome, including:
- In-ground gardens
- Raised beds
- Container and patio gardens
- Indoor and greenhouse gardens
- Community garden plots (must clearly identify your space)
- Best Overall Garden
- Best Vegetable Garden
- Best Flower Garden
- Best Container Garden
- Best Native Plants Garden
Judges may reassign categories if needed.
- All entries will be evaluated by personnel from Utah State University Extension
- Judging will be based solely on submitted materials (no site visits)
Criteria: Plant health and maintenance, design and visual appeal, creativity and use of space, sustainability and water-wise practices, and productivity (if applicable).
Judges' decisions are final.
- Submissions Open: May 1
- Submissions Close: September 15
- Judging: September
- Winners Announced: September
By entering, participants grant Utah State University Extension permission to use submitted photos and descriptions and share content across websites, social media, promotional materials, and news outlets. Participants also agree that their name and general location (city/county) may be used publicly.
Utah State University Extension may disqualify entries that:
- Do not include the required verification photo
- Are not the entrant's own garden
- Include false, misleading, or outdated content
- Violate competition rules
Participants agree to release and hold harmless Utah State University Extension from any claims related to participation.
Utah State University Extension reserves the right to modify or cancel the competition.
Utah State University is committed to a learning and working environment free from discrimination, including harassment. See USU’s Notice of Non-Discrimination.
Have Any Questions?
Contact abbey.rindlisbacher@usu.edu
Ready to enter?
Submit your garden by 11:59 PM, September 15, 2026.