Win a copy of "The Urban Garden: 101 Ways to Grow Food and Beauty in the City" in the June 2026 Washington Gardener Reader Contest

For our June 2026 Washington Gardener Reader Contest, we are giving away a copy of The Urban Garden: 101 Ways to Grow Food and Beauty in the City by Kathy Jentz and Teresa Speight (prize value: $27, https://amzn.to/4xyef2Y*). 

   In The Urban Garden, you’ll find dozens of inspiring and creative ways to grow flowers, shrubs, vegetables, herbs, and other plants in small spaces and with a limited budget. Whether you want to grow on a balcony, rooftop, front stoop, or tiny urban patio, turn your growing dreams into reality and build a gorgeous and unique garden that showcases your personal style while still being functional and productive. With the ingenious ideas and resourceful tactics found here, you’ll be maximizing yields and beauty from every square inch of your space, while also making a lush outdoor living area you’ll crave spending time in.

   To enter to win the book, send an email by 5:00pm on Tuesday, June 30, to: 

WashingtonGardenerMagazine@gmail.com with “Urban Garden” in the Subject line and in the body of the email tell us what your favorite article was in the June 2026 issue and why. Please include your full name and mailing address. Winners will be announced and notified on July 1. Entry comments might be published. 

*Amazon affiliate link to our account. We may earn a few pennies if you click on the link.

Win two pairs of tickets to a showing of The Gardener on May 20 in our May 2026 Washington Gardener Reader Contest

For our May 2026 Washington Gardener Reader Contest, we are giving away two pairs of tickets to a showing of The Gardener on Wednesday, May 20, at the Miracle Theater in Washington, DC (a $30 value).

   The Gardener is a fictional movie. A powerful cosmetics heiress retreats to a remote mountaintop garden cottage while fighting to protect her family legacy. An unexpected connection with a mysterious gardener leads her on a soulful journey of healing, self-discovery, and transformation. You can listen to our interview with the film’s director at https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2026/04/gardendc-podcast-episode-281-healing.html.

    As a bonus prize, anyone who buys a ticket to this showing is entered into a drawing to win The Gardener Book and a $100 gift certificate for flower bulbs. See more about the movie at https://themiracletheatre.com/events/the-gardener/.

   To enter to win one of the pairs of tickets, send an email by 5:00pm on Friday, May 15 to WashingtonGardenerMagazine@gmail.com with “The Gardener Movie” in the Subject line and in the body of the email. Tell us about your favorite movie featuring gardens in it. Please include your full name and mailing address. Winners will be announced and notified on May 16. Replies might be published. 

UPDATE: The winners are Lynette Wright and Claire Wade.

Congratulations and enjoy the film!

Win a Martha Washington’s Kitchen Garden seed collection from Burpee in our January 2026 Washington Gardener Reader Contest

UDATE: Thank you to all who entered. Our reader contest winner this month is Smita Parida, Rockville, MD.

For our January 2026 Washington Gardener Reader Contest, we are giving away Martha Washington’s Kitchen Garden seed collection from Burpee (value $49.95 each, Burpee.com). 

   Burpee is saluting America’s 250th birthday with four specialty seed kits, including Martha Washington’s Kitchen Garden, that celebrate our country’s garden history and ideals. Unique and educational, they bring history to life in your garden. Plant a taste of history with heritage vegetables known to have grown at Mount Vernon, the home of Martha and George Washington. Included in the kit are plant labels and a keepsake recipe card, along with Lettuce ‘Amish Deer Tongue’, Hot Pepper ‘Fish’, Onion ‘White Lisbon Bunching’, Carrot ‘Danvers 126’, Cucumber ‘Armenian’, Radish ‘Early Scarlet Globe’, Kale ‘Blue Curled Scotch’, and Watermelon ‘Georgia Rattlesnake’.

   To enter to win Martha Washington’s Kitchen Garden seeds, send an email by 5:00pm on Saturday, January 31, to WashingtonGardenerMagazine@gmail.com with “Martha Washington’s Kitchen Garden” in the Subject line and in the body of the email. Tell us what your favorite article was in the January 2026 Washington Gardener issue and why. Please include your full name and mailing address. Winners will be announced and notified on/about February 1. Replies might be published. 

Win a copy of The Birding Dictionary in our December 2025 Washington Gardener Reader Contes

For our December 2025 Washington Gardener Reader Contest, we are giving away a copy of The Birding Dictionary from Workman Publishing (value $15 each, https://amzn.to/4pkgwKH affiliate link). 

   What’s a garden without birds? The Birding Dictionary is perfect for the birder always muttering insider jargon like “alpha code” and “zygodactyl.” With equal parts quirky humor and accessible science, it’s a delightful gift for every bird enthusiast. Acclaimed science communicator and cartoonist Rosemary Mosco offers a clever, humorous “dictionary” that’s perfect for any birder. The Birding Dictionary is filled with hilarious and informative definitions for more than 200 birding terms, plus more than 50 witty full‑color illustrations. It’s a delightful gift for every bird enthusiast.

   To enter to win The Birding Dictionary, send an email by 5:00pm on Wednesday, December 31, to WashingtonGardenerMagazine@gmail.com with “Birding Dictionary” in the Subject line and in the body of the email. Tell us what your favorite article was in the December 2025 Washington Gardener issue and why. Please include your full name and mailing address. Winners will be announced and notified on/about January 1. Replies might be published.

UPDATE:
Congratulations to the contest winner Rick Borchelt of College Park, MD!

Win a copy of The Square Foot Gardening Planner in the October 2025 Washington Gardener Reader Contest

For our October 2025 Washington Gardener Reader Contest, we are giving away three copies of The Square Foot Gardening Planner from Cool Springs Press (value $23 each, Amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/4mKRC4W). 

   The Square Foot Gardening Planner: A 3-year Journal for Recording the Planning, Planting, and Care of Your Square Foot Garden is the one-and-only official planner of the Square Foot Gardening Foundation, filled with all the planning tools and data-tracking logs that generations of Square Foot Gardeners have been asking for. The intensive planting, prescribed spacing, and succession cropping used in the square foot gardening method mean a greater need to plan in advance and keep track of changes. This planner gives you all the tools you need to do just that. 

   To enter to win The Square Foot Gardening Planner, send an email by 5:00pm on Friday, October 31, to WashingtonGardenerMagazine@gmail.com with “Square Foot Gardening Planner” in the Subject line and in the body of the email. Tell us what your favorite article was in the October 2025 Washington Gardener issue and why. Please include your full name and mailing address. Winners will be announced and notified on/about November 1. Content entry replies might be published. 

UPDATE:
Congratulations to our 3 reader contest winners:

Beth Py-Lieberman

Katherine Munchmeyer 

Luann Korona

Win a 2026 calendar from Workman Publishing in our September 2025 Washington Gardener Reader Contest

For our September 2025 Washington Gardener Reader Contest, we are giving away a 2026 calendar from Workman Publishing (value $17, workman.com). Workman 2026 calendars are the perfect gift for the green thumbs and nature enthusiasts in your life.

   Escape somewhere beautiful all year long with vibrant full-color photographs paired with literary passages that bring the porch to you. Settle in with these tranquil porches, verandas, patios, and terraces. Each month brings a different locale and an evocative porch-themed quote. Great for travelers, home design and décor fans, nature-lovers, and anyone who needs a little quiet time. 

  To enter to win the Out on the Porch calendar, send an email by 5:00pm on Tuesday, September 30, to WashingtonGardenerMagazine@gmail.com with “Porch Calendar” in the Subject line and in the body of the email. Tell us what your favorite article was in the September 2025 Washington Gardener issue and why. Please include your full name and mailing address. Winners will be announced and notified on/about October 1. Replies might be published. 

UPDATE: Our winner is John Rebstock of Cheverly, MD.

Win a Kodiak® Red Diervilla shrub in the July-August 2025 Washington Gardener Reader Contest

For our July-August 2025 Washington Gardener Reader Contest, we are giving away a Kodiak® Red Diervilla shrub from the Proven Winners ColorChoice Flowering Shrub Collection. The prize value is $24.

   This deep-red foliage will draw the eye all throughout the growing season. Kodiak Red 2.0 Diervilla bursts onto the scene in spring with vibrant coloring, produces dramatic warm rouge-tipped foliage for the entire summer, and lights up in the fall. It’s the kind of constant beauty any garden could benefit from. While the foliage is beautiful, it’s also useful: It feeds pollinator larva! The equally useful summer-long display of flowers feeds adult pollinators. Knowing that your plant is providing a service to the ecosystem as well as your eyes is a great comfort to any gardener.

   To enter to win the Kodiak® Red Diervilla, send an email by 5:00pm on Sunday, August 31, to WashingtonGardenerMagazine@gmail.com with “Kodiak Red Diervilla” in the Subject line and in the body of the email. Tell us what your favorite article was in the July-August 2025 Washington Gardener issue and why. Please include your full name and mailing address. Winners will be announced and notified on/about September 1. Replies might be published. 

Win a pair of Long Straight Snips from Corona Tools in the June 2025 Washington Gardener Reader Contest

UPDATE: Congratulations to Sue Kuklewicz of Silver Spring, MD -- our winner of this month's reader contest! Thank you to all those who entered.

For our June 2025 Washington Gardener Reader Contest, we are giving away a pair of Long Straight Snips from Corona Tools. The prize value is $14.

   The Long Straight Snip has a straight, pointed blade for a wide range of applications. The corrosion-resistant stainless steel blades pivot to prevent rusting, are easier to clean, and reduce germ build-up. It also has an unobtrusive leather strap lock.

   An authentic American brand, the Corona Tools company was born in the orange groves of California in the 1920s. Since then, generations of agriculturists, gardeners, landscapers, arborists, and construction professionals have turned to Corona to find high-quality tools that work as hard as they do. They know that Corona’s iconic red handles are an immediate symbol of quality and long-lasting durability. Learn more about Corona Tools at http://coronatoolsusa.com/.

   To enter to win a pair of Corona snips, send an email by 5:00pm on Monday, June 30, to WashingtonGardenerMagazine@gmail.com with “Corona Snips” in the Subject line and in the body of the email. Tell us what your favorite article was in the June 2025 Washington Gardener issue and why. Please include your full name and mailing address. Winners will be announced and notified on/about July 1. Replies might be published. 

Win a set of three Grow Bag Pots in our May 2025 Washington Gardener Magazine Reader Contest

UPDATE: Our contest winner is Linus Chen of Oakton, VA.
Congratulations, Linus!

For our May 2025 Washington Gardener Magazine Reader Contest, we are giving away a set of three grow bag pots (value $30). 

   These fabric garden bags are made of quality nonwoven fabric material, sturdy and breathable, providing an ideal growing environment for plants and flowers. The grow bags are one-gallon sized. They have handles sewn on for easy transport. The nonwoven material provides good drainage for plants, allowing roots to breathe freely and plants to grow faster and more vigorously. When not in use, they can be folded flat and stored easily. They are reusable for at least three growing seasons and are machine-washable.

   To enter to win the grow bags, send an email by 5:00pm on May 31 to WashingtonGardenerMagazine@gmail.com with “Grow Bag Pots” in the Subject line and in the body of the email. Tell us what your favorite article was in our May 2025 issue and why. Please include your full name and mailing address. Winners will be announced and notified on/about June 1. Replies might be published. 

Win 4 New Gardening Books from Quarto Publishing in the April 2025 Washington Gardener Magazine Reader Contes

UPDATE:

Congratulations to Smita Parida of Rockville, MD!

For our April 2025 Washington Gardener Magazine Reader Contest, we are celebrating National Gardening Month by giving away a set of four new gardening books from Cool Springs Press/Quarto Publishing to one lucky winner. (Retail value: $100.)

   The four garden books in the prize package are Go Forth and Forage by Whitney Johnson, Start with Soil by Juliet Sargeant, Plants with Superpowers by David Domoney, and Kitchen Garden Living by Bailey Van Tassel.*

   To enter to win the books, send an email by 5:00pm on April 30 to WashingtonGardenerMagazine@gmail.com with “Gardening Month” in the Subject line and in the body of the email. Tell us what your favorite article was in the April 2025  Washington Gardener issue and why. Please include your full name and mailing address. Winners will be announced and notified on/about May 1. Replies might be published.

*Note: These are Amazon affiliate links.

Win a Signed Copy of City of Trees by Melanie Choukas-Bradley in the March 2025 Washington Gardener Magazine Reader Contest

For our March 2025 Washington Gardener Magazine Reader Contest, we are giving away a signed copy of City of Trees* by Melanie Choukas-Bradley. (Retail value: $28.) Washington, DC, boasts more than 300 species of trees from America, Europe, Africa, and Asia, and City of Trees has been the authoritative guide for locating, identifying, and learning about them for more than 25 years. The third edition is fully revised, updated, and expanded and includes an eloquent new foreword by the Washington Post’s former garden editor, Adrian Higgins.

   To enter to win the book, send an email by 5:00pm on March 31 to WashingtonGardenerMagazine@gmail.com with “City of Trees” in the Subject line and in the body of the email. Tell us what your favorite article was in the March 2025 issue and why. Please include your full name and mailing address. Winners will be announced and notified on/about April 1. Replies might be published. 

   *https://amzn.to/42bX9JE Amazon affliate link

UPDATE: Our contest winner this month is Annie Shaw of Greenbelt, MD.

Win a copy of the 2025 Old Farmer’s Almanac in the January 2025 Washington Gardener Reader Contest

 For our January 2025 Washington Gardener Reader Contest, we are giving away a copy of the 2025 Old Farmer’s Almanac.

   Published since 1792, the newest edition features a healthy dose of wit and wisdom and tried-and-true advice, as well as the Almanac’s much-anticipated, traditionally 80 percent–accurate weather forecasts. The brand-new edition includes all of this, plus the Almanac’s “Trends” predictions for 2025, the humor of Anecdotes & Pleasantries, Mind-Mangling puzzles, award-winning holiday recipes, weather forecasts for all 18 regions of the U.S. (including Alaska and Hawaii), and so much more! The 2025 Old Farmer’s Almanac is available wherever books and magazines are sold. (Amazon affilate link: https://amzn.to/4hztvnG).

   To enter to win one of the book copies, send an email by 5:00pm on January 31 to WashingtonGardenerMagazine@gmail.com with “Almanac” in the Subject line and in the body of the email. Tell us what your favorite article was in the January 2025 Washington Gardener issue and why. Please include your full name and mailing address. Winners will be announced and notified on/about February 1. Replies might be published. 

UPDATE: Our winner is Francine Jones of Germantown. MD.

Win a copy of Black Flora in our December 2024 Washington Gardener Magazine Reader Contest

UPDATE: We have our winners:
- Peter F
- Robert A
- Deborah N

Congrats to all!

For our December 2024 Washington Gardener Reader Contest, we are giving away three copies of Black Flora by Teresa Speight. 

   Unearthing the floral legacies of the past, celebrating the present, and inspiring younger generations of plant-lovers, Black Flora is the first book to feature profiles of contemporary Black experts innovating in the world of flowers. Author and longtime gardener, Teresa Speight, offers a beautiful intersection of flowers and community. With iridescent lettering across the cover, stunning photos throughout, and insights from more than 20 growers, florists, and designers from around the U.S., each with a deep reverence for nature, this breathtaking book showcases a range of floral expertise. Both a celebration of now and a vision for the future, Black Flora honors floriculture’s creative vanguard and is a must-have for every lover of design, style, gardening and—of course—flowers.

   To enter to win one of the book copies, send an email by 5:00pm on December 31 to WashingtonGardenerMagazine@gmail.com with “Black Flora” in the Subject line and in the body of the email. Tell us what your favorite article was in the December 2024 issue of Washington Gardener and why. Please include your full name and mailing address. Winners will be announced and notified on/about January 1. (Replies might be published.)

Win up to 5 cubic yards of Bloom conditioner and a Bloom T-shirt in the November 2024 Washington Gardener Reader Contest

UPDATE: Congratulations to our November 2024 Washington Gardener Reader Contest, Beth Py-Lieberman!

For our November 2024 Washington Gardener Reader Contest, we are giving away a delivery of up to 5 cubic yards of Bloom conditioner and a Bloom T-shirt from Bloom. 

   Give your trees, grass, plants, and flowers a boost with Bloom,® a soil conditioner rich in organic matter and nutrients made from Class A Exceptional Quality biosolids produced at DC Water’s Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant.

   To enter to win the gift certificate, send an email by 5:00pm on November 30 to WashingtonGardenerMagazine@gmail.com with “Bloom Soil” in the Subject line and in the body of the email. Tell us what your favorite article was in the November 2024  Washington Gardener issue and why. Please include your full name and mailing address. Winners will be announced and notified on/about December 1. Replies might be published.

Win a $100 gift certificate for deer-resistant bulbs from Flowerbulb.eu in our October 2024 Washington Gardener Reader Contest

UPDATE! Our winner is Anamaria Anderson of Arlington, VA.

For our October 2024 Washington Gardener Reader Contest, we are giving away a $100 gift certificate for deer-resistant bulbs from Flowerbulb.eu. 

   While most experienced gardeners will say that deer will try almost anything, there are several plant varieties they tend to find unappetizing. Flowerbulb.eu has a solution to this: deer-resistant spring bulbs to safeguard spring blooms. These bulbs enhance gardens while bringing peace of mind to gardeners, who can know that their time and money invested are protected from deer browsing. Learn more at https://flowerbulb.eu/deer-resistant-bulbs/.   

   To enter to win the gift certificate, send an email by 5:00pm on October 31 to WashingtonGardenerMagazine@gmail.com with “Flowerbulb.eu” in the Subject line and in the body of the email. Tell us what your favorite article was in the October 2024 issue and why. Please include your full name and mailing address. Winners will be announced and notified on/about November 1. (Replies might be published.)

Win a copy of the brand-new All New Square Foot Gardening, 4th Edition in the September 2024 Washington Gardener Reader Contest

 

UPDATE:

The winner of a copy of the All New Square Foot Gardening, 4th Edition is Sarah Jackson, Westminster, MD!

For our September 2024 Washington Gardener Reader Contest, we are giving away a copy of the brand-new All New Square Foot Gardening, 4th Edition. The prize value is $27.

   After more than 3,000,000 copies sold, this revolutionary gardening book gets a thorough update for its fourth edition, with new plans, options, and advice that herald a modern approach to this tried-and-true method.

   With Square Foot Gardening, there’s no digging, no tilling, no fertilizing, no machinery or heavy tools— and less watering, waste, and weeding! In All New Square Foot Gardening, 4th Edition, available December 3, discover the foolproof gardening method that has helped generations of gardeners around the world raise their own organic vegetables in less space, with less effort, and for less money than with traditional row gardens.

   To enter to win the book, send an email by 5:00pm on September 30 to WashingtonGardenerMagazine@gmail.com with “Square Foot Gardening” in the Subject line and in the body of the email. Tell us what your favorite article was in the September 2024 issue and why. Please include your full name and mailing address. Winners will be announced and notified on/about October 1. 

Win a pair of Long Straight Snips from Corona Tools in the August 2024 Washington Gardener Reader Contest

UPDATE:  Our winner is Francine Krasowska of Silver Spring, MD.

For our August 2024 Washington Gardener Reader Contest, we are giving away a pair of Long Straight Snips from Corona Tools. The prize value is $14.

   The Long Straight Snip has a straight, pointed blade for a wide range of applications. The corrosion-resistant stainless steel blades pivot to prevent rusting, are easier to clean, and reduce germ build-up. It also has an unobtrusive leather strap lock.

   An authentic American brand, the Corona Tools company was born in the orange groves of California in the 1920s. Since then, generations of agriculturists, gardeners, landscapers, arborists, and construction professionals have turned to Corona to find high-quality tools that work as hard as they do. They know that Corona’s iconic red handles are an immediate symbol of quality and long-lasting durability. Learn more about Corona Tools at http://coronatoolsusa.com/.

   To enter to win a pair of Corona snips, send an email by 5:00pm on August 31 to WashingtonGardenerMagazine@gmail.com with “Corona Snips” in the Subject line and in the body of the email. Tell us what your favorite article was in the August 2024 Washington Gardener issue and why. Please include your full name and mailing address. Winners will be announced and notified on/about September 1.

Win an Audrey Hepburn garden quote T-shirt or tote bag from Michelle Bailey Art & Gifts in the July 2024 Washington Gardener Magazine Reader Contest!

Win a choice of a unisex Audrey Hepburn garden quote T-shirt or tote bag from Michelle Bailey Art & Gifts in the July 2024 Washington Gardener Magazine Reader Contest! (The prize retail value is $35.00.) 

    Michelle Bailey Art & Gifts (https://michellebaileyfineart.com/) is a small, woman-owned Montgomery County, MD, business. The gift offerings include original art, prints, T-shirts, totes, mugs, and more with local and nature themes. The contest prize is for the “To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow” Audrey Hepburn quote on a T-shirt or tote bag. The drawing of a child represents the past with water flowing from the frame down onto colorful flowers representing the future.

   To enter to win the T-shirt or tote bag, email WashingtonGardenerMagazine@gmail.com by 5:00pm on Wednesday, July 31, with “Hepburn Quote” in the subject line and in the body of the email. Tell us what your favorite article was in the July 2024 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine issue and why. Include your full name and address. The winner will be announced on August 1. 

UPDATE:
Our contest winner is Phyllis Downey, Pasadena, MD!

Win a box of Pine Straw from Mid-Atlantic Pine Straw Mulch and a box of Salt Hay from SaltHay.com, in the June 2024 Washington Gardener Magazine Reader Contest

Win a box of Pine Straw from Mid-Atlantic Pine Straw Mulch and a box of Salt Hay from SaltHay.com, in the June 2024 Washington Gardener Magazine Reader Contest! (The prize retail value is $205.00.) 

Mid-Atlantic Pine Straw Mulch (MidAtlanticPineStraw. com) is a family-operated business located in Pennsylvania. Salt Hay doesn’t contain weed seeds, unlike wheat straw, which contains seeds that can germinate in your garden beds. It’s organic, keeps the moisture in garden beds, can be reused over several growing seasons, and is resistant to rotting. Salt hay doesn’t compact and smother plants. Premium Longleaf Pine Straw (aka pine needles) adds a unique texture to any landscape. This natural mulch provides good weed deterrent characteristics, insulates tender root structures, retains moisture in the soil better than hardwood mulches, and is easy to spread. 

   To enter to win the gift card, send an email to WashingtonGardenerMagazine@ gmail.com by 5:00pm on Sunday, June 30, with “Pine Straw” in the subject line and in the body of the email. Tell us what your favorite article was in the June 2024 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine and why. Include your full name and address. The winner will be announced on July 1.

UPDATE: Our winner is John Rebstock of Cheverly, MD.

Win a copy of Growing Herbs for Health, Wellness, Cooking, and Crafts by Kim Roman in the May 2024 Washington Gardener Magazine Reader Contest

 

Win a copy of Growing Herbs for Health, Wellness, Cooking, and Crafts: Includes 51 Culinary Herbs & Spices, 25 Recipes, and 18 Crafts* by Kim Roman in the May 2024 Washington Gardener Magazine Reader Contest! (The prize retail value is $19.99.)

   Learn everything you need to know to start your own culinary herb garden in this comprehensive guide about how to get started growing herbs and spices, whether indoors or outdoors. The book includes 51 useful herb plant profiles, including echinacea, St. John’s Wort, turmeric, elderberry, ginger, chamomile, Tulsi (holy basil), anise, hyssop, and many more. The author also shares a few of her favorite recipes where herbs are the star ingredient, including marinades, salad vinaigrettes, infused oils, delicious cocktails or mocktails, herbed and plain focaccia bread, teas, and more.

  To enter to win the gift card, send an email to WashingtonGardenerMagazine@

gmail.com by 5:00pm on Friday, May 31, with “Growing Herbs” in the subject line and in the body of the email. Tell us what your favorite article was in the May 2024 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine issue and why. Include your full name and address. The winner will be announced on June 1.

*Amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/3KpPy1j 
If you order after clicking the link we made receive a few pennies, but it will not effect the cost of your books and other products.