User:Unclehat

Front Yards in Bloom celebrates attractive front yards throughout the city of Edmonton. Front yards are nominated by the general public, local gardeners, and Canada Post letter carriers. Volunteers with the Edmonton Horticultural Society then visit each nominated front yard to deliver their congratulations, post a "Front Yards in Bloom" lawn sign, and evaluate the yard. Awards are given at the Edmonton in Bloom Awards.

Front Yards in Bloom is meant to:


 * celebrate public gardens that are on private property,
 * encourage people to beautify their yards,
 * promote urban horticulture, and
 * foster community spirit.

This isn't a competition because nominations are intended as congratulations from one neighbour to another. So Front Yards in Bloom celebrates small pockets of beauty even in some of Edmonton's "troubled" neighbourhoods.

Evaluation & Awards
Evaluation is based primarily on curb appeal. Criteria includes:


 * maintenance and weeding (includes safe sidewalk access for postal workers);
 * continuity and/or fun features; and
 * abundance, diversity, and texture.

Volunteers select the group of finalists across the city. The top six front yards are judged by VIP judges and are recognized at the annual Edmonton in Bloom Awards. An award is also given for the top Natural Yard as selected by the Edmonton Naturalization Group.

Awards are also given to nominators of the top six front yards because these nominators help make Front Yards in Bloom work.

The Edmonton Journal Readers' Choice Award is given based on the votes of readers for pictures of the top six yards.

Background & History
Front Yards in Bloom began in 1999 and is run by the Edmonton Horticultural Society, Canada Post, and the City of Edmonton. The formula modelled from Kitchener and has also run in Winnipeg and other Communities in Bloom cities across Canada.