First Place Winner

Deep Cut Gardens in Middletown, New Jersey

Category 3: Over 100,000 Visitors

Celebrating bounty and beauty as the key elements in this year’s “Goodness of Gardening” theme, Deep Cut Gardens demonstrated how creativity, community, and sustainable practices come together in harmony. Highlighted by award-winning All-America Selections (AAS) varieties, the garden showcased resourceful design by transforming harvested vines and branches into functional supports, bunny-proof hoops, trellises, and artful sculptures—including a centerpiece woven basket and a butterfly wing display.

Visitors gained practical inspiration for companion planting, learning how vegetable and flower pairing benefits pollinators, improves crop health, and yields beautiful bouquets. Highlights included striking combinations like Bright Lights Swiss chard alongside Mango Tango marigolds, plus a vibrant “fireworks bed” celebrating America’s 250th birthday with Profusion Double White Improved zinnias, salvias, and celosias. A tranquil tea garden featuring chamomile, Thai basil, and Thumbelina zinnias offered guests a peaceful spot to relax. Throughout the season, dedicated volunteers harvested the garden’s rich yield to share fresh produce and culinary tips with local families. By demonstrating upcycled garden structures, companion planting techniques, and the physical, emotional, and environmental benefits of gardening, the 2026 display successfully educated, inspired, and sparked fresh ideas for visitors to recreate in their own home gardens.