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Front Yards in Bloom

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The Front Yards in Bloom recognition program is all about celebrating the efforts of our neighbours in beautifying Edmonton's neighbourhoods.

Thank you for a great season! Yard and balcony nominations are now closed.

The yellow yard signs will be delivered for the next 2 weeks by volunteers and the top yards will be determined by our judges.

Join us at the Edmonton in Bloom awards ceremony this year held on Wednesday August 22, 2018 at the Oasis Centre to see the winners and our blooming community.

Yard Categories

Tiny Yard (New in 2018)

FYIB tiny yard

  • Introducing in 2018... tiny yards!
  • Some of the best things come in small packages
  • Do you have a tiny yard on your block with a beautiful garden that needs some recognition?
  • Tiny yards can be infill lots, townhouses, duplex units, or anything that is small!
  • Yard should be less than 600 square feet including space on either side of walkways
  • As with all nominated yards, tiny yards must have at least 25% flowering plant material (non-turf grass)
Balconies in Bloom

A balcony with flowers and edible plants.

  • Balcony gardens can feature flowers, edible plants and vegetables, decorations and birdfeeders and whatever your mind can create
  • Nomination should include your unit number
  • All nominees will receive a sign in the mail celebrating your beautiful balcony
  • Top 3 balcony gardeners will be awarded at the Edmonton in Bloom Awards ceremony
General Yard

General yard

  • An appealing front yard that catches your eye, inspires smiles, and invites visitors to enjoy its beauty!
  • May include a variety of plants, colours, textures, heights, decorations, and unique features
  • Yards should contain at least 25% non-turf plants over the area - pots, containers, flowering trees, shrubs, mosses, and grasses are all included in this category
  • Yards in the general category are judged by volunteer judges trained by the Edmonton Horticultural Society
Natural Yard

Natural yard

  • A yard with native flowers, trees, shrubs or ground cover plants that attract local wildlife such as birds, bees, butterflies, and other insects
  • A guideline of at least 60% perennial varieties defines this category
  • Extra points during judging are given for native plants with an Alberta origin (bees love them!)
  • Yards in the natural category are judged by the Edmonton Native Plant Society
Edible Yard

Edible yard

  • A yard incorporating edible plants into the landscape design
  • Can include anything from vegetables and grains to fruiting trees, berry bushes, perennials, flowers or even mushrooms
  • As a guideline - of all the plants found in these yards, at least 60% must be edible.
  • Yards in the edible category are judged by Sustainable Food Edmonton.
Public Space

Public Space

  • A yard or garden with landscaping features and aesthetic appeal in front of a public building.
  • This space can be located in front of a school, business, office building, multi-unit residence, church, community league, or volunteer association.
  • Yards in the public spaces category must be accompanied by a street address to qualify - no city parks/parkettes, median gardens and trees, boulevard plantings or shrub beds. Exceptions can be made if the citizen gardener(s) can be named along with a mailing address (email front.yards@edmonton.ca in these circumstances).
  • This category does not include community gardens. To nominate a community garden for an Edmonton in Bloom award, contact front.yards@edmonton.ca

Guidelines

  • Anyone can nominate a front yard.
  • You can't nominate your own yard, but you can ask a friend or neighbour to nominate your yard. For the Balconies in Bloom promotion, we accept self-nomination in the form of photo submissions.
  • Yards and gardens should be connected or adjacent to a residence or building that has a mailing address.
  • Please consult Alberta's Regulated Weeds list before planning your garden or nominating a garden that may include these species. Yards with weeds may still receive a nomination sign, but volunteer judges use the presence of weeds as one of their criteria for considering a yard for an award.
  • Front yards in bloom will have "curb appeal", and so should be in full view from the sidewalk - not hidden with wooden fence or locked gates.
  • Yards should have easy access to the walkway of the yard for volunteers to place a sign and deliver a brochure (no locked fences or gates).
  • Yards must contain at least 25% non-turf plants. While green lawns are quite common in Edmonton, our volunteers are placing signs only in yards where other types of plants add beauty to the area.

Volunteer

Volunteer with Front Yards in Bloom!

Help judge nominated Front Yards in Bloom or deliver and place a Front Yards in Bloom sign on a nominee's front yard and a brochure in their mailbox. For more information on the judging process and volunteer guidelines, visit our About Front Yards in Bloom section.

Sign Up!

Edmonton in Bloom Newsletter

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Sign up to receive our seasonal newsletter to stay in the loop about all things in bloom.

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Program Support

This program receives 100% funding from sponsorship and donations. Thank you to our partners, sponsors, donors and supporters!

Winterscapes Program

Did you know that front yards are also celebrated in the winter? Check out the Front Yards in Bloom: Winterscapes program. It's never too early to get started on your plans!

Related Links

Great Neighbourhoods

Sustainable Food Edmonton

Edmonton Native Plant Group

Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW)

Edmonton Horticultural Society

For More Information

311 Contact Centre

Online Contact 311 Online
Telephone

In Edmonton: 311
Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311
TTY 780-944-5555
Email 311@edmonton.ca

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