We will be looking for gardens that are
- environmentally sound
- well-planned
- well-maintained
- aesthetically pleasing
- connected to the community
- worthy in intangible ways
Let’s look at each of these criteria.
Environmentally sound We’re looking for gardens that treat the earth gently, feature native plants wherever possible and cater to birds and wildlife. Gardens that produce food. Gardens that incorporate rainwater harvesting and composting. Gardens that have less space devoted to turf. And gardens where pesticide use is limited. Your garden doesn’t have to be already there, but we’re going to look favorably on efforts in this direction. For more information about sustainable and environmentally sound gardening, check out this page.
Well-planned A good garden uses well the land and resources available. That means putting sun plants in the sun and shade plants in the shade. It means choosing plant material suited to this region. It means understanding your soil type and the plants that will thrive in it. It means knowing if your soil holds too much water, not enough, or is somewhere in between.
Well-maintained Do your plants look like you care about them? Has the garden been watered and weeded consistently? Don’t get us wrong. Some weeds are perfectly acceptable, but they shouldn’t be hindering the growth of other plants. Have plants that should be pruned been pruned? Are your tomatoes staked if they need it?
Aesthetically pleasing We’re looking for gardens that are beautiful. We don’t necessarily mean that they would be featured in Fine Gardening magazine. We try to make our aesthetic standards inclusive of different cultures and settings. You don’t lose points for having a swing set.
Connected to the community Most community gardens fulfill this criterion. However, many other kinds of gardens can benefit their communities. A beautiful parkway may enhance a neighborhood. A school garden can teach not only students but neighbors. Some gardeners invite others to partake in the beauty and serenity of their private yards. Some even grow food for their neighbors.
Intangibles We can’t define this. But we know it when we see it. Sometimes it’s art. Sometimes it’s overcoming a site challenge (think about a rooftop garden) or even a personal challenge. Sometimes the meaning goes beyond gardening. We’re looking for gardens with heart.