Residents can nominate themselves or their neighbours
Jun 26, 2009 - 09:13 AM
By Reka Szekely
AJAX -- The deadline is looming for Ajax residents to nominate their favourite local gardens for the Ajax in Bloom competition.
The deadline is June 30 and the green thumb in question need not know who did the nominating.
"I still don't know who entered me," said last year's winner Silvija Marnick, of Barbour Crescent. "I'd like to know."
She received a nomination sign and worked to spiff up her garden before the judging, and though nominated in the past, Ms. Marnick found herself the winner of the Red Rose of Lancaster award, the top honour.
She can't compete again for five years, but she showed off her garden at an event organized by the Town to encourage people to enter.
Ms. Marnick's garden is filled with perennials, shrubs and natural features such as stones and driftwood and there's not a spot of lawn grass to be seen in her front yard. She said she planned her garden to be in full bloom in the spring as she's often at the cottage in the summer.
Although some of her blooms were at the end of their lives, including different types of irises, others were just getting ready to open, including her shasta daisies.
By focusing on perennials, hearty groundcover plants and shrubs, Ms. Marnick said she limits the amount of watering the plants require.
"It's more environmentally friendly, so it's sustainable," she said, adding she focused on natural gardening even before the Province's pesticide ban kicked in.
This year will be the 11th year for Ajax in Bloom and Jeff Stewart, manager of environmental services for the Town of Ajax, says the number of participants has been steadily increasing.
"Approximately 100 gardens have been nominated at this point and you can nominate yourself or your neighbour," said Mr. Stewart.
Judging will start on July 1 and the awards will be handed out in September. Mr. Stewart said the competition is not just about gardening, it's about the environment, getting active and beautifying the community.
"One area we encourage people to get involved with is we have a category for street beautification," he said. Schools and businesses can also participate.
And it's not just people with large properties who should be participating.
"Some of the smaller spaces are the most spectacular," said Mr. Stewart.
As for Ms. Marnick, she doesn't need a prize to let her know her neighbours like what they see.
"People are very generous and very kind with their remarks, (and say) how lovely it is and how much they enjoy walking past," she said.
To nominate a garden: web: www.townofajax.com, call: 905-683-2951 ext. 4201, in-person: Ajax Town Hall (65 Harwood Ave. S.) or the Operations Centre (491 MacKenzie Ave.)
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