The City of St. Albert is seeking entries to its second annual Cultivate Your Front Yard contest.
“This is a way to honour the residents and businesses of St. Albert who put a lot of effort into beautifying their front yards,” said Joan Barber, who is manager of marketing and research for St. Albert Economic Development.
Entry to the contest is free, Barber stressed, and anyone interested in doing so can nominate themselves but they may also nominate a neighbour or a St. Albert business. The entry deadline is July 26, 2013 and judging will take place Aug. 1 to Aug. 9.
“We’ve limited the contest to front yards because the front yard is enjoyed by everyone who may walk by, or take a bike ride, or drive,” she said.
As people spruce up their yards for a contest such as this, the city becomes more attractive, but at the same time, front-yard effort creates a neighbourly feeling among residents.
“Neighbourhoods are safer because neighbours are out working in their yards and connecting with each other. When you are in the backyard, the only time you might occasionally talk to your neighbour is if their kids’ ball comes over the fence, ” Barber said.
Last year’s contest had 150 entries and Barber is hoping the event will be even more popular this year.
The contest is supported by local businesses including A-1 Heating, Alberta Irrigation Supply, the Art Gallery of St. Albert, Rockland Landscaping Supplies and the St. Albert Gazette. Each prize winner will receive an 18-inch granite stepping stone as well as a $250 gift certificate from one of the six-supporting businesses.
The six categories are as follows:
• Best Overall Yard: This yard will have a pleasing aesthetic, using plants. The landscaping will be beautiful and will exemplify the theme of Botanical Arts at its best.
• Best Business Yard: This will showcase the best landscaping and biodiversity in a commercial yard.
• Best Natural Front Yard: This category is meant for the yard that features native plants that are nurtured and loved but with limited pesticides and herbicides and water.
• Best Edible Front Yard: The prize will go to the gardener who incorporates edible fruits and other plants into the landscape design. The edible plants may include vegetables, fruiting trees, herbs, grains and berry bushes.
• Best Art in Front Yard: The judges will look for a yard with one or more pieces that portray art in some fashion. Botanical art will receive special attention.
• Best Winter Front Yard: The judging for this special category will take place in the dead of winter. Gardens with different colours, shapes and textures that show up above the winter whites, will have the edge.
A special Good Neighbour award will be given to neighbours who landscape their yards together.
“In all the categories the judges will look for a variety of plants and variation of leaves as well as succession planting so that the garden is nice throughout the summer. They will also look for a garden that is weed-free,” said Barber.
Barber is also looking for anyone who might like to participate as a contest judge. The judges will go out in pairs, on their own time, to visit the gardens.
“The judges don’t have to have a horticultural background but they do need an appreciation of gardens. We’ll pair those with more experience with someone who might have less gardening knowledge,” she said.
All contestants and nominators will be invited to an end-of-season garden party scheduled for Sept. 18.
“Anyone who has entered will be invited and we encourage them to bring everyone, who is important to them. The prizes will be presented at that event,” Barber said.
For entry forms or for more information about the Cultivate Your Front Yard contest visit www.cultivatebusiness.ca. Entry forms can also be picked up at Economic Development at 29 Sir Winston Churchill Avenue.
