Judging Form

Garden ID

Judge

Score

Garden Address

Garden Contact You Talked To

Is this garden award-worthy?

Please write a short description of the garden here, noting anything that you found particularly interesting or impressive. This description will help the committee in their final decision-making. If you are recommending an award, begin the description with a couple of sentences that could be used in publicity and in the awards ceremony.(Maximum 1500 characters)

Judging Criteria

For all gardens, please enter a score between 0 and 9 for each of the first two criteria and between 0 and 7 for the next four criteria. Community gardens and urban farms have two additional criteria at the end of this section. Please do not overscore your gardens. If you give a garden an unusual number of high scores, the committee will ask you to defend those scores.

Environmental practices – no more than 9 points total Does this garden include edibles, native plants, pollinator and habitat friendly features? Are the plants in communities that utilize similar sun, soil and water? Is the garden in sync with its environmental and climate change challenges (location, people, dogs, wildlife, etc?)

Sustainable methods – no more than 9 points total Does this garden use composting, harvested rainwater, small turf area, recycled materials, IPM or natural pest control, organic methods, and/or a sustainable level of maintenance?

Well-planned for Horticulture and Functionality – no more than points 7 total Are the sun plants in sun, shade plants in shade? Are plants in the right soil and drainage conditions? Are plants properly sited and spaced? Are plants chosen for disease and pest resistance? Do plants belong to non-invasive species?

Well-maintained – no more than 7 points total Does the garden reflect healthy horticultural practices, including watering, pruning, harvesting, staking, using compost well, using mulching well, etc.? Is it free of signs that diseases and pests have overwhelmed the garden?

Overall Aesthetic Design – no more than 7 points total How well does the design interact with its setting? Is there good use of form, texture, color and true seasonal interest? Does it show creativity?

Intangibles (The Icing on the Cake) – no more than 7 points total Does this garden support art & culture, special group participation (children, seniors, special needs, immigrants, refugees, incarcerated, unhoused, etc.)? Is there a creative theme or a particular inspiration? Does the garden address social justice? Were serious site challenges overcome? In other words, what’s the backstory of this garden?

Total Score (maximum possible score = 46)

Additional Criteria for Community Gardens and Urban Farms Only

Be sure to complete the prior section as well.

Community Involvement and Engagement – no more than 7 points total Is there evidence of community support? Do non-plot owners participate? How many people participate regularly? Is the garden easily accessible? Is the garden a hub in the community? Does participation change lives?

Community benefits/giving backAre there community benefits such as food for pantries, employment opportunities, neighborhood safety improvement, social interactions, children or senior outreach? Does this garden offer educational opportunities for youth, participants or the community?

Total Score + Community Garden Points(maximum possible score = 60)