Please give me tips on how to judge a flower garden under five years old. Would you look for structures with a garden under five years? If it was based on a point system could you list what you would look for and assign top points you would give. Thanks for your help.

Pat, I have had my garden judged and much later served as garden judge. Experience has probably been my best teacher. This past summer as one of 3 judges,none without official status, for gardens in Community in Bloom competition, we agreed on a procedure considered fairest for gardens,as well as for judges so that each of the latter could score independently, as opposed to being swayed by any other of the threesome: of 100 points max the first garden visited was awarded 70 by all three; subsequent scoring would be done independently, higher or lower as each saw fit by such degree as seemed reasonable.Final results in areas of competition where agreement was mot unanimous, point totals were used with apparently satisfaction to all concerned.Just as gardening is a hobby/profession with infinite variables, I would suggest that being prepared for variables in judging might not be a bad idea.

Pat

Here are a few standards we use for judging a residential .garden in Ontario. 1. Landscape design: - suitability...5%, execution of total plan, continuity...5%,ease of maintenance...5%, selection and arrangement of plant masses ..10%, traffic flow design...5%. 2Use of landscape components: walks, walls,patio, privacy screening, lighting, pools, water movement...15%, 3. Condition of garden (plants and hard materials:trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals...15%,freedom from disease, insects and weeds....15%, masonry, carpentry upkeep...10%. 4. Lawns:Freedom from disease and weeds, of good color, dense growth, well cut and trimmed. ..15% For a total of 100%.

You might wish to add your own criteria, eg compost area, evidence of organic pest control, suitable use of natural habitats, quality of lemonade and cookies .

Garden Designs

With unique and artistic intuition................................................... My garden schemes alas come to fruition.................................................... But with such odd taste....................................................... I must now make haste....................................................... My sweety just found the ammunition

Thanks for your help. I just joined a beautification progam and thought I would like to help out as a judge. How are the divisons divided up in Ontario? By age? Or what are the divisons? Thanks again, Pat