GardenPHX Program

The City of Phoenix Office of Environmental Programs is excited to announce the continuation of the Backyard Garden Program now called the GardenPHX Program. ​

Selected participants will receive a free garden system, hands-on training, and maintenance and support to grow fresh produce at home. All necessary materials, including seeds, plants, and other supplies, will be available to you at no cost.

The program is a six-month commitment, and participants will be provided with free training and resources on how to grow fresh produce and maintain their garden system. During the first three months, participants will also receive free personalized garden maintenance and support from the City's garden partner, Homer Farms. City of Phoenix staff will provide additional resources and opportunities to continue growing and learning throughout the program. 

In 2025, the City of Phoenix will recruit two rounds of participants for the GardenPHX Program, one in the spring and one in the fall. Spring program participants will receive an indoor ​garden system and fall participants will receive an outdoor garden system. We are currently only accepting applications for indoor garden systems.

Spring 2025 - Indoor Garden Systems

Starting in February 2025, Phoenix residents living in qualifying census tracts can apply to receive a free indoor garden system from Homer Farms. The system requires a 4ft x 4ft flat space indoors, and it is ideal for residents living in apartments, condos, or other types of multi-family housing. Learn more about the system:

• English Specification Sheet: English Homer Farms Specs
  
• Especificaciones del sistema de huerta interior de Homer Farms: Español Homer Farms Espec​
  

Application Period:

• ​Application Period: February 1 - March 21, 2025 
  
• Participants Selected: April 2025
  
• Anticipated Garden Installation: April - May2025          

Program Requirements

Eligibility:

To be eligible for the GardenPHX Program, applicants must:

• Be a Phoenix resident;
• Live in a qualifying census tract within the following City of Phoenix Village ​Planning Committee areas: North Mountain, Encanto, and Camelback East. Qualifying census tracts include "low-to-moderate income" census tracts;​
• Have an annual household income within the U.S. Housing & Urban Development (HUD) FY2024 Limits:

Annual income limit for each household size:

1 person - $57,600

2 person - $65,800

3 person - $74,050

4 person - $82,250

5 person - $88,850

6 person - $95,450

7 person - $102,000

8 person - $108,600

•  Live in a food desert within the qualifying census tract and Village Planning Committee. To find out if you live in a food desert please use this link: food de​sert
  

Use this map to determine if you are eligible for the GardenPHX Program, which are indicated in the pink shaded areas:

Other Eligibility Criteria:

• Both homeowners and renters are eligible for the program. Renters will need written approval from their landlord in order to participate;
  
• City of Phoenix employees are not eligible.
  

Applicant Commitments:

• Must be 18 years of age or older to participate
  
• Must be able to commit 3 to 3.5 hours a week towards gardening;
• Must have a minimum of 4ft by 4ft of flat space for the indoor garden system;​
• Must be able to pay for water and electricity costs;​
• Must be present during garden installation and site visits;
  
• Must adhere to the preferred garden site location determined by the garden partner during the site visit; 
• Must be comfortable meeting in groups for training sessions;
• Must be willing to provide data to the City and Homer Farms for the duration of the six-month program, including but not limited to amount of food grown and time spent gardening;
  
• Must agree to and sign the GardenPHX Program Agreement to participate.​​
  
  • English Gardener Agreement example: English Gardener and City Agreement
    
  • Acuerdo con el hortelano ​ejemplo: Acuerdo con el hortelano