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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. 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. The first round was in spring 2025 and the second round will be in the fall. Spring program participants received an indoor ​garden system and fall participants will receive an outdoor garden system. 

Applications for the outdoor LEHR Garden will open on August 4, 2025.

Outdoor Garden Systems - Fall 2025

Starting on August 4, 2025, Phoenix residents living in qualifying census tracts can apply to receive a free outdoor garden system from LEHR Gardens. The LEHR Garden is an elevated garden engineered to be a low-maintenance system. The LEHR garden system is 3ft x 8ft and includes a 70 gal. water tank that is placed above ground under the garden. It requires a minimum of 32 square feet and a relatively flat surface with access to a water spigot and two electrical outlets. To maintain the LEHR garden, gardeners will have to add their food scraps to the system, observe the water tank, will need to be comfortable with insects, and have patience as this system is low maintenance.

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) FY2025 Limits:

Annual income limit for each household size:

1 person - $62,850

2 people - $71,800

3 people - $80,800

4 people - $89,750

5 people - $96,950

6 people - $104,150

7 people - $111,300

8 people - $118,500

  •  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 by searching for your address using the magnifying glass icon (under the green banner on the right hand side of the map). To be eligible for the program, applicants must live within the program boundaries as indicated by 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;
  • Residents who have already received a garden system through the City of Phoenix Backyard Garden or GardenPHX Program are ineligible.

Applicant Commitments:

  • Must be 18 years of age or older to participate
  • Must be able to commit 1 hour per month towards gardening;
  • Must have a minimum of 36 square feet of flat outdoor space to install, operate, and use the 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 LEHR Gardens 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.​​

Indoor Garden Systems - Spring 2025

In February 2025, Phoenix residents living in qualifying census tracts could 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. 

For more information please visit the GardenPHX Program Indoor System Page:  GardenPHX Program Indoor System

Phoenix Backyard Garden Program Documentary

This documentary highlights the impact of the Office of Environmental Programs’ Backyard Garden Program, which helps increase residents’ access to fresh produce by empowering them to grow food at home. Between 2022 – 2024, 248 home gardens were installed through the Backyard Garden Program, serving 776 Phoenix residents who grew over 4,600 pounds of food.

Contact Us

For any inquiries, please contact phxfood@phoenix.gov or call 602-262-6347.

Note when you submit an email it falls under the city's policy which states that the email message is: (1) subject to public disclosure under the Public Records Law, (2) not private or confidential and (3) retained for 90 days.