The 2026 Utah Garden Competition is open to all Utah residents for submissions through September 15, 2026. According to Utah State University, the competition allows participants to showcase non-commercial gardens of any size or style through photo submissions.
Participants must be at least 18 years of age and a current resident of Utah to enter. Eligible garden types include in-ground gardens, raised beds, container and patio gardens, indoor and greenhouse gardens, and community garden plots where the specific space is clearly identified. Commercial businesses are not eligible to enter.
To participate, gardeners may submit up to five photos taken during the 2026 growing season. One of these photos must be a verification image showing the entrant holding an official competition sign in their garden; failure to include this photo results in automatic disqualification.
There are five winning categories for the competition: Best Overall Garden, Best Vegetable Garden, Best Flower Garden, Best Container Garden, and Best Native Plants Garden. Judges from Utah State University Extension will evaluate entries based solely on submitted photos, focusing on criteria such as plant health, design, creativity, sustainability, and productivity.
Submissions for the competition close at 11:59 PM on September 15, 2026. Winners are expected to be announced in late September following the judging process.
