Front Yards In Bloom returns
Nominations for colourful living creations across Edmonton close June 30
Featuring cascading rows of multicoloured flowers, beautifully balanced landscaping or stoically simple rock gardens, Front Yards In Bloom has been enriching Edmonton neighbourhoods since 1999, rewarding local green thumbs for their dedication to beautification.
The program kicked off with a bang this year, as Edmonton city councillors Mohinder Banga, Tony Caterina, Scott McKeen and Mike Nickel got wrist-deep in potting soil and created their own planters. Each of the four planters currently adorn Churchill Square, and people can visit the Edmonton Journal website to vote for their favourite between now and June 20.
“Front Yards In Bloom is a terrific event that adds to the beauty of our community and gets people involved,” said councillor Nickel. “It’s a great way for people to recognize their neighbours for their hard work, getting their hands dirty and brightening their neighbourhood.”
While you can’t nominate your own yard for Front Yards In Bloom, Edmonton-area residents are invited to nominate their friends and neighbours. Eligible front yards must contain at least 25 per cent plants and be in full view from the sidewalk, without any obstructions like fences or gates.
Yards are nominated in one of four categories: general category, natural front yard, edible front yard and public spaces. Nominations can be made through the Front Yards In Bloom section on the City of Edmonton website, and yards are eligible to be nominated up until June 30.
The general category includes appealing front yards that incorporate a variety of plants, colours, textures, heights, decorations, and unique features. Plants can include pots, containers, flowering trees, shrubs, mosses, and grasses. Volunteer judges trained by the Edmonton Horticultural Society will inspect nominated yards and decide on finalists in the general category.
The natural front yard category includes yards with native plants that attract local wildlife. At least 60 per cent of the plants featured must be native to Alberta, and yards in the natural category will be judged by the Edmonton Native Plant Group.
The edible front yard category will feature edible fruits, flowers, and leaves. At least 60 per cent of the plants in these yards must be edible, and yards will be judged by Sustainable Food Edmonton.
The public spaces category includes space in front of a school, business, office building, multiunit residence, church, community league, or volunteer association. Yards must have a street address to qualify, and the category does not include community gardens. Public spaces nominees will be judged by the Office of Great Neighbourhoods.
Last year’s Front Yards In Bloom event kept judges busy, receiving 4,221 nominations from around Edmonton. Finalists will be announced later this summer, and winners will be recognized at the Edmonton Horticultural Society’s awards gala in August.