Brampton holding competition to find best home gardens in the city

Proud of your peonies? Marvellous marigolds? Fantastic ferns?

If you’ve got a home garden worth showing off, the City of Brampton wants to hear about it.

As part of the Brampton Grow Green Environmental Master Plan, the city is committed to being a Green City that is healthy, resilient, environmentally sustainable – and beautiful.

During July, residents are invited to share a photo of their front garden. The city, along with the Brampton Horticultural Society and Chinguacousy Garden Club, will be selecting the best six front gardens. Winners will be announced in September, featured online, receive a recognition card, and win a gift certificate to a local nursery.

Entries are limited to one photo per household and they must be a landscape (horizontal) view that encompasses the entire front garden. No pets, people or easily identifiable house numbers are allowed.

The photos must be in .jpg or .png file format in high-resolution and they must be submitted via registration form. Photos sent via social media or email will not be accepted.

Registration form will go live July 1.

Here is the criteria that will be used for judging:

• Visual Appeal: the overall visual impact; colour and texture; a pleasing sense of harmony and balance;
• Overall Appearance: a good use of space, design coordination between plants and other elements;
• General Maintenance: the quality of care in pruning; weed and disease control; taking into consideration of environment methods (mulching, drought tolerant planting);
• Individuality: the creative use of special features such as ponds, garden sculpture, rockeries or a themed garden.

Here are some tips from experts on how to make your garden the best it can be:

• Pay attention to how sunlight passes through your yard before choosing a spot for your garden. Most edible plants, including many vegetables, herbs, and fruits, need at least 6 hours of sun in order to thrive.
• Water your garden regularly. Mornings are the best time.
• Mulch around trees and shrubs to prevent weeds – check out this video to learn more.
• Attract pollinators to your garden by planting black-eyed Susans, salvia, yyssop or bergamot. Check out this video to learn more.
• Remove dying flowers and prune back any dead branches from shrubs.
• Keep garbage and recycling bins to the side of the house.