As spring approaches, Orange County gardeners revel in the beauty of their gardens. Flowers bloom, new leaves expand and butterflies visit. It’s an exciting time, the most beautiful time for our gardens. The fresh air and mild temperatures seem to pull us outdoors, often just to enjoy the flowers or marvel in nature’s splendor. During spring, gardeners often like to share their gardens with friends. Home garden tours and garden parties abound.
If your garden tends toward being California Friendly, why not show it off, encouraging others to follow your lead?
The California Friendly Garden Contest offers cash awards and recognition to those Orange County gardens that are not only beautiful, but demonstrate a sustainable, climate appropriate approach. Entry is free and simple and the cash prizes include five $500 awards and a $2,500 grand prize. Entries are being accepted from now through April 4, but by entering early your garden will be placed up front on the contest website.
The contest is organized and supported by a coalition of public agencies, environmental groups and green industry businesses in an effort to encourage and reward beautiful, water and resource conserving gardens anywhere in Orange County.
If you’re still not sure what a California Friendly garden is, you might just say it is a garden that “fits” Southern California. Much like a favorite pair of shoes or pants might perfectly fit a gardener; California Friendly Gardens perfectly fit were we live. Like good fitting shoes, this garden isn’t a struggle and it doesn’t need extraordinary levels of maintenance. These well-fitted gardens certainly incorporate plants that are naturally suited to Orange County’s Mediterranean climate of wet winters and dry summers. They may also demonstrate efficient ways to use water, such as grouping plants by water needs, using efficient irrigation systems and well programmed or weather-sensitive controllers.
The judges of the contest will also be looking at ways the contestants keep water in the garden and off the curbs and out of the stormwater drains. This water, called landscape runoff, carries pollutants with it as it empties into local’s bays or the ocean. The use of organic principles, especially plant nutrition and sensible pest controls will also be an advantage.
Entry into the contest is easy and free, requiring only three photographs and answering three or four simple questions.
Last year, all the contest participants were invited to a very special awards evening, complete with great food, live music, wine and more. Prior to the awards announcements, Mr. Ken Smith, master designer of The Orange County Great Park, gave a stirring multi-media presentation to the attendees. He provided a thorough overview of the plans for the park, outlined the progress thus far and offered an inspiring review of the environmental objectives at the former marine base.
Then, shortly after sunset, the much anticipated awards presentation began. Each of the semi-finalists gardens was projected on a large movie screen while the judges discussed the gardens and the reasons they were selected. Finally, the winners of each of the categories were announced, concluding with the grand prize winner. Cash prizes were awarded, followed by applause, handshakes and congratulations. It was a fabulous evening.
It’s almost spring, the most beautiful time for our gardens. A time to share and learn from one another. To enter this year’s California Friendly Garden Contest or to learn more go to www.rogersgardens.com/GardenContest. Good luck; I’ll see you there.
Ron Vanderhoff is the Nursery Manager at Roger’s Gardens, Corona del Mar
