Active until Tuesday, August 4. For public safety, certain trails are restricted from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
GPP English Outdoor Application
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, LEHR. City of Phoenix staff will provide additional resources and opportunities to continue growing and learning throughout the program.
In 2026, 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.
Applications for the outdoor LEHR Garden will open on August 10, 2026.
Fall 2026 - Outdoor Garden System
Starting August 2026, 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 36 square feet and a relatively flat surface with access to a water spigot and two electrical outlets. Gardeners will have to produce plenty of compost to add to soil, observe water tank, will need to be comfortable with insects, and have patience as this system is low maintenance.
Learn more about the system:
- English Specification Sheet: English LEHR Specification Sheet
- Especificaciones del sistema Huerto de vinculación entre el ecosistema y el hardware para la regeneración (LEHR): Español LEHR Espec
Application Period:
- Application Period: August 10 - October 9, 2026
- Participants Selected: October 2026
- Anticipated Garden Installation: October - November 2026
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and selected applicants will be notified via email. Applicants who are qualified and meet eligibility criteria may be waitlisted. Applicants who did not meet eligibility requirements will be notified via email.
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: Maryvale and Estrella. Qualifying census tracts include "low-to-moderate income" census tracts;
- Have an annual household income within the U.S. Housing & Urban Development (HUD) FY2026 Limits:
Annual income limit for each household size:
1 person - $62,950
2 people - $71,950
3 people - $80,950
4 people - $89,900
5 people - $97,100
6 people - $104,300
7 people - $111,500
8 people - $118,700
- 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 desert
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 Eligiblity 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.
Application 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.