This year, Birmingham earned recognition as the top city in Alabama for urban gardening in a new national report.
A Strong National Ranking
LawnStarter released its 2026 Best Cities for Urban Gardening list to mark National Gardening Day on April 14. The report ranked 500 cities across the country. Birmingham placed 31st overall and ranked first in Alabama.
Researchers reviewed 15 key factors in the study. These included access to community gardens, availability of food forests, and average yard sizes. They also examined how easy it is to find gardening supplies. Local policies that support home gardening played a role as well.
Local Organizations Driving Growth
Local groups continue to strengthen Birmingham’s urban gardening efforts. Jones Valley Teaching Farm stands out as a leading contributor.
The organization celebrates 24 years of service in the city. Its downtown Center for Food Education hosts field trips, camps, and workshops. The Good Community Food program, launched in 2022, has delivered strong results. It has trained hundreds of residents through an 11-month fellowship.
The program has also distributed more than 110,000 seedlings and supported the growth of many community gardens. In addition, it has helped provide tens of thousands of pounds of fresh produce.
The organization also partners with Birmingham City Schools. It operates teaching farms across multiple campuses. These programs help students learn how to grow and share food at an early age.
Alabama Cities Also Perform Well
Other Alabama cities also performed well in the rankings. Mobile placed 65th, while Huntsville ranked 68th nationwide. Auburn, Hoover, Tuscaloosa, and Montgomery all landed within the top 25 percent of the 500 evaluated.
Atlanta claimed the top spot in the national ranking. Nashville also performed well, placing within the top 25. Birmingham’s ranking highlights its growing reputation as a strong city for urban gardening and local food programs.
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