2026 Laurel Media Awards Categories & Entry Process
📣 Silver winners will be announced on July 1 and Gold winners will be announced the week of August 24th at the Annual Awards & Honors dinner during the Gather & Grow Mega Connect Meeting at Farwest 26 in Portland, OR.
This year's contest features 43 total categories across five disciplines including:
Writing • Photography • Speaking and Broadcast • Digital Media • Publisher
GardenComm's 2026 Laurel Media Award categories are broken down into three types of content producers - Individuals, Trade and Publishers. Click on the main categories below to discover which categories you are eligible to enter, what needs to be submitted and the judging criteria for each category. The complete category list can also be downloaded here.
Eligibility
Ind & Trade Open to individual communicators and trade professionals
Publisher & Trade Open to publishers and trade organizations only
Digital Media
Individual & Trade Only
| Category | What to Submit | Judged On | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
Podcast Episode Single podcast episode | SubmitLink to one episode | AccuracyOriginalityCreativityStyle | Ind & Trade |
Podcast Series Podcast series | SubmitLinks to three different episodes | AccuracyOriginalityCreativityStyle | Ind & Trade |
Social Media Multiple posts with horticultural theme on a single platform | SubmitLinks to 3–5 posts | AccuracyOriginalityCreativityStyle | Ind & Trade |
Special Projects Course, app, game, live stream, or other horticulturally themed digital project | SubmitLink to a single entry | AccuracyOriginalityCreativityStyle | Ind & Trade |
Video Horticulturally themed video | SubmitLink to a single entry | AccuracyOriginalityCreativityStyle | Ind & Trade |
Website (Personal/Trade) Horticulturally themed website owned by an individual or company | SubmitLink to a single URL | AccuracyOriginalityCreativityStyle | Ind & Trade |
Photography
Individual & Trade Only
| Category | What to Submit | Judged On | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
Blog (Consumer–Trade) Photography on a horticulture-themed blog for the general public or trade | SubmitLinks to three different blog posts | TechniqueCompositionCreativity | Ind & Trade |
Book (General Readership) Photography in a non-fiction horticultural book for a general audience | SubmitThree physical book copies (eBooks not accepted) | TechniqueCompositionCreativity | Ind & Trade |
Book (Technical/Reference) Photography in a non-fiction horticultural book for a professional or educational audience | SubmitThree physical book copies (eBooks not accepted) | TechniqueCompositionCreativity | Ind & Trade |
Calendar Photography in a horticulturally themed calendar | SubmitThree calendar copies | TechniqueCompositionCreativity | Ind & Trade |
Cover (Book or Magazine) Cover photography for a book or magazine; consumer or trade | SubmitLink to a single entry | TechniqueCompositionCreativity | Ind & Trade |
Magazine (Consumer–Trade) Photography featured in a single magazine article in a trade or consumer publication | SubmitLink to one article | TechniqueCompositionCreativity | Ind & Trade |
Marketing Catalog or Brochure Photography in a catalog or brochure promoting a garden product or service | SubmitLink to a single entry | TechniqueCompositionCreativity | Ind & Trade |
Newspaper Photography in a single newspaper article | SubmitLink to one article | TechniqueCompositionCreativity | Ind & Trade |
Portfolio Photography portfolio submitted as a cohesive collection | Submit10 high-res JPGs (2000px longest side, 2MB max/image). Need not have been previously published. | TechniqueCompositionCreativity | Ind & Trade |
Speaking & Broadcast
Individual & Trade Only
| Category | What to Submit | Judged On | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
Live Presentation Live presentation featuring a horticultural or gardening theme | SubmitLink to one live recording (e.g., Zoom). Speaker must be visible at all times. | ClarityCreativityPresentation Technique | Ind & Trade |
Radio Feature or Show Single radio feature or show focused on horticultural topics | SubmitLink to one entry | ClarityCreativityPresentation Technique | Ind & Trade |
Radio Program or Series Regular radio program or series featuring horticultural content | SubmitLinks to three different episodes | ClarityCreativityPresentation Technique | Ind & Trade |
Television Feature or Show Single television feature or show focused on horticultural subjects | SubmitLink to one entry | ClarityCreativityPresentation Technique | Ind & Trade |
Television Program or Series Television program or series dedicated to horticultural or gardening content | SubmitLinks to three different episodes | ClarityCreativityPresentation Technique | Ind & Trade |
Writing
Individual & Trade Only
| Category | What to Submit | Judged On | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
Blog (Consumer–Trade) Horticulture-themed blog for general public or trade audience | SubmitLinks to three different blog posts | ContentClarityOriginalityStyle | Ind & Trade |
Book (Children's) Children's book with a central theme related to horticulture | SubmitThree physical book copies (eBooks not accepted) | ContentClarityOriginalityStyle | Ind & Trade |
Book (Fiction) Work of fiction centered on horticulture; real plants and techniques accurately depicted | SubmitThree physical book copies (eBooks not accepted) | ContentClarityOriginalityStyle | Ind & Trade |
Book (General Readership) Non-fiction horticultural book intended for a general audience | SubmitThree physical book copies (eBooks not accepted) | ContentClarityOriginalityStyle | Ind & Trade |
Book (Technical/Reference) Non-fiction horticultural book for a professional or educational audience | SubmitThree physical book copies (eBooks not accepted) | ContentClarityOriginalityStyle | Ind & Trade |
Calendar Text of a horticulturally themed calendar | SubmitThree calendar copies | ContentClarityOriginalityStyle | Ind & Trade |
Magazine Article (Consumer–Trade) Single magazine article in a trade or consumer publication | SubmitLink to one article | ContentClarityOriginalityStyle | Ind & Trade |
Magazine Column (Consumer–Trade) Regular magazine column in a trade or consumer publication | SubmitLinks to three different columns | ContentClarityOriginalityStyle | Ind & Trade |
Marketing Catalog or Brochure Writing that promotes a garden product or service; trade and consumer materials eligible | SubmitLink to a single entry | ContentClarityOriginalityStyle | Ind & Trade |
Newsletter (Consumer–Trade) Printed or electronic newsletter; trade, consumer, personal, or garden club editions eligible | SubmitLinks to three different newsletters | ContentClarityOriginalityStyle | Ind & Trade |
Publisher
Publisher & Trade Only
| Category | What to Submit | Judged On | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
Book (Fiction) Overall product: cover, writing, photography, layout; non-fictional plants and techniques accurately depicted | SubmitThree physical book copies (eBooks not accepted) | CoverWritingPhotographyLayout | Pub & Trade |
Book (General Readership) Overall product; tone appropriate for a general audience | SubmitThree physical book copies (eBooks not accepted) | CoverWritingPhotographyLayout | Pub & Trade |
Book (Technical/Reference) Overall product; tone appropriate for a professional or educational audience | SubmitThree physical book copies (eBooks not accepted) | CoverWritingPhotographyLayout | Pub & Trade |
Broadcast Radio/Podcast – Series Horticulturally themed radio or podcast series | SubmitLinks to three different episodes | Production ValuesContent | Pub & Trade |
Broadcast Radio/Podcast – Single Feature Horticulturally themed radio or podcast single program or feature | SubmitLink to a single entry | Production ValuesContent | Pub & Trade |
Calendar Horticultural-themed calendar judged on overall design, photography/illustration, and written content | SubmitThree calendar copies | DesignPhotography/IllustrationWritten Content | Pub & Trade |
Magazine – Consumer/Trade Entire issue of a consumer or trade magazine | SubmitLink to a single entry | Production ValuesPhotography/IllustrationWritten Content | Pub & Trade |
Magazine or Newspaper Article Article, feature, page, or section in a consumer or trade publication | SubmitLink to a single entry | Production ValuesPhotography/IllustrationWritten Content | Pub & Trade |
Magazine or Newspaper Column or Series Series of articles, features, pages, or sections in a consumer or trade publication | SubmitLinks to three different columns | Production ValuesPhotography/IllustrationWritten Content | Pub & Trade |
Marketing Catalog/Brochure Overall product promoting a garden product or service; trade and consumer materials eligible | SubmitLink to a single entry | Production ValuesPhotography/IllustrationWritten Content | Pub & Trade |
Newsletter – Consumer/Trade Printed or electronic newsletter; trade, consumer, personal, or garden club editions eligible | SubmitLinks to three different newsletters | Production ValuesPhotography/IllustrationWritten Content | Pub & Trade |
Television Feature Single television feature | SubmitLink to a single entry | Production ValuesContent | Pub & Trade |
Television Series Television series | SubmitLinks to three different episodes | Production ValuesContent | Pub & Trade |
Award Entry Process
⤵️ Start Here
Access the awards site and create an account. If you have created an account on the site previously, go to login.
🖋️ Create Your Account
If you have created an account on the site previously, go login.
🔰 Begin the Entry Process
Click on the "Start Here" button.
🏅Access Eligible Categories
Select the type of creator; Individual, Trade or Publisher
👥 Select Your GardenComm Membership Status
Next, select your membership status which determines your entry fees. Not a member? Save up to $100 per entry by joining GardenComm today—membership pays for itself in just 2-3 entries! Trade non-members can still enter with a minimum of 4 entries or become an Allied Trade member for no minimum requirements.
🏆 View & Select Your Awards Categories
Browse all categories to find the perfect fit for your work. Not sure which category? The platform automatically displays your qualifying categories—no guessing required. Each category listing includes detailed descriptions plus details of what is required for each submission and how the category is judged. You can also submit multiple works in a category in the next step.
Be sure to read the award details. Each category provides a description of the award, what you must submit to the judges, and what the judges will be evaluating.
✅ Review Your Selections & Fees
Once you've checked the categories you'd like to enter, the review and checkout will display your entries and fees. Before proceeding, be sure to;
Make any adjustments to your cart before moving on to the payment window. You can adjust the quantity if you plan to enter multiple works in a single category.
Remove a category - click the Back button to uncheck any category you wish to remove
Submit more than 2 entries and receive $10 off each additional submission. The more you enter, the more you save!
If you are ready to submit the payment for the fees, proceed by checking the green Checkout button.
👀 Be sure to review the name of the category and you are entering the correct information for that award. The required items are also displayed. Enter all the required information and save the entry.
🕰️ Time to Showcase Your Work
Once you have completed your payment for your award fees, return to the awards site and go to Submissions. You will see a list of all the entries that are ready to submit. Click on the ... under actions and select Edit.
🎉 You're Finished - Here is What's Next
After you have submitted your entry, GardenComm's Awards Committee will review your entries to ensure you have provided the required information and your membership status selection is correct. If you are entering books or calendars, you will need to ship 3 copies to the awards judges. Our committee co-chairs will provide you with the addresses to send them.
Silver winners will be announced on July 1 and Gold winners will be announced the week of August 24th at the Annual Awards & Honors dinner during the Gather & Grow Conference Experience at Farwest 26 in Portland, OR.
Questions?
If you have questions please reach out us at any time during the process. We will be sure that your question is directed to the awards committee to address as soon as possible.
Email us at [email protected]
Or talk to us - 951-899-5015
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