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GardenPHX English Indoor 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, Homer Farms. 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 indoor hydroponic garden will open on February, 2, 2026.
Spring 2026 - Indoor Hydroponic Garden System
Starting on February 2, 2026, Phoenix residents living in qualifying census tracts can apply to receive a free indoor hydroponic garden system from Homer Farms. The indoor hydroponic garden system requires at least 4ft x 4ft of flat space indoors. The hydroponic garden 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 2 - April 2, 2026
- Participants Selected: May 2026
- Anticipated Garden Installation: May- June 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) 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 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 4ft x 4ft of flat, uncarpted indoor space;
- One electrical outlet (ideally 20 amp)
- Air-conditoned space (ideally 60 -85 F temperature range maintained)
- 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.