Blocks in Bloom

About

Blocks in Bloom brings together communities in the City of Rochester through front yard flower gardening.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County's Master Gardeners and other volunteers teach residents, one block at a time, to prepare, plant and maintain front yard flower gardens.

• We work with blocks in lower-resourced neighborhoods.
• Blocks in Bloom receives generous donations of plants, compost, mulch, garden tools from Lowe's, the City of Rochester, garden clubs, and many local gardeners. All materials to start front yard flower gardens are provided at no cost to participating blocks.
• Since 2014 Blocks in Bloom has served over 100 blocks and 1,000 households have participated. We have won both local and national awards.
• Click here to see a map of Blocks in Bloom locations.
• Watch our video below and learn how:
  • Your block can join
  • OR you can donate plants and tools
  • OR your community can start your own program (outside Monroe County NY)

Awards, News, & Features

WROC News 8: 8/29/2024 https://www.rochesterfirst.com/rochester/blocks-in-bloom-helps-beautify-rochester-neighborhoods/

D &C: 8/24/2024 D_C_9-6-2024Blocks_in_Bloom_celebrates_milestones.pdf

WROC: https://www.rochesterfirst.com/video/local-gardening-initiative-started-by-cornell-cooperative-extension-wins-international-award/ 7/7/23

News: WXXI Connections with Evan Dawson-4/26/23

Award: 2023 Environmental Innovation Award from the Seneca Park Zoo Society (website)

Award: 2021 Zone III Civic Improvement Commendation from the Garden Club of America (PDF)

Award: 2020 Community Greening Award from the American Horticultural Society (PDF)

News: Democrat & Chronicle - 4/21/20 (website)

News: WXXI Connections with Evan Dawson - 9/4/19 (website)

News: 13WHAM - 5/27/2017 (website)

Feature: Horticultural Heroes of Seed Your Future organization (website)

Feature: Upstate Gardeners' Journal - Nov/Dec 2015 (PDF)

Last updated April 19, 2026