2010 GARDEN CONTEST

With a fresh new approach, the
Scotts® Miracle-Gro® Garden Contest

introduces innovative garden ideas for 2010!

Contest Overview

 Residents of the Communities in Bloom network, provincial and national editions, are invited to take part in the 4^th edition of the Scotts® Miracle-Gro® Garden Contest.

Communities will select, either through local contests or a judging process, the best gardens within their community, pertaining to the new categories as follows:

v      Best residential in-ground flower garden

v      Best residential container flower garden

v      Best residential in-ground edible garden

v      Best residential container edible garden

v      Best child-run edible garden - open to children 14 and under

v       Best community edible garden – demonstrating community involvement and spirit

 
Contest Rules:

·         Contest is open to residents within communities in the national or provincial Communities in Bloom programs.

·         Communities will select, through either a local contest or judging process, the best garden in one or more category within their community.  These winners will qualify for entry in the national contest.

·         Criteria:

o         Best Residential In-ground: Consideration will be given to the variety of plants and overall esthetics

(i.e. neatness, landscaping)

o         Container Flower Gardens: Consideration will be given to the variety of plants and overall esthetics

(i.e. neatness, landscaping)

• Best In-Ground Edible Garden: Consideration will be given to the variety of plants, overall esthetics

(i.e. neatness, landscaping), incorporation into yard and health of plants. Bonus consideration will be given if crop is to be shared with others, food banks, etc.

• Best Container Edible Garden: Consideration will be given to the variety and size of plants, and overall esthetics (i.e. neatness, attractiveness of containers, incorporation into yard, balcony, etc.)

o         Best Child-Run Edible Garden (open to ages 14 and under): Consideration will be given to the number of children involved and their actual level of involvement, variety of plants, overall esthetics (i.e. neatness, landscaping), incorporation into yard(s) and health of plants. Bonus consideration if crop is to be shared with others, food banks, etc.

o         Best Community Edible Garden: Consideration will be given to the number of participants, variety of plants, overall esthetics (i.e. neatness, landscaping), sense of community involvement and spirit, and special events (i.e. potlucks, seminars, field trips, etc.). Bonus consideration if crop is to be shared with others, food banks, etc.

·         Each entry should include a maximum of 3 photos (jpeg – high resolution) and a few sentences highlighting the unique features of the garden, the property, homeowner, or community group.

·         All submissions must have been planted and maintained by the homeowners, youth or community groups with no professional involvement.

·         All contest participants must agree to have their photos published with their name and municipality as garden entries and/or winners may be promoted through future Communities in Bloom and/or Scotts® communication programs.

·         A Panel of judges will select a winner for each category.

Local winners will be automatically eligible for the National Awards. The national winning gardens will be announced at the Communities in Bloom National Symposium on Parks & Grounds and Awards Ceremonies in Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, October 27-30, 2010.

Prizes:

Each Winner of the National Contest will receive a Miracle-Gro® Gardening Gift Basket (valued at $100) and be featured in Communities in Bloom and Scotts® Communications.
 
For more information, feel free to contact us at 514-694-8871 or at programcoordinator@cib-cef.com

2008 Residential In-Ground and Container Garden Contest Winners 

Container Gardens                            
Small Category: Rachelle Sigurdson, Dauphin, MB
Medium Category: Pat & John Zmetana, Brandon, MB
Large Category: Renita Eilertson, Edmonton, AB

In-Ground Gardens
Small Category: Bev Stanich, Merritt, BC
Medium Category: Ross Ashfort, Gravenhurst, ON
Large Category: Joan Le Feuvre, Kingston, ON

Special Merit Award  
Heather Doheny,Westside District Municipality, BC                                                         

Best Promotion of Contest
Charlottetown, PEI