Garden Contest

Each summer we search for Toronto’s most beautiful gardens in multiple categories. Hundreds of Toronto neighbourhood gardens are nominated for a chance to win prizes.

All gardens must be visible to the public.

  • Residential – Traditional may have some lawn
  • Residential – Environmental/Pollinator Habitat, must have little/no lawn and are environmental/alternative gardens
  • High-Density Residential, like condos and apartments
  • Commercial, like non-residential businesses
  • Community, like schools and churches

Design

  • balance
  • originality
  • selection and arrangement of plants, trees and shrubs
  • design of traffic flow

Hard Landscaping

  • use of driveway paving and walkways
  • use of stones, rocks, statuary, containers
  • walls, fencing and water features

Condition and Maintenance

  • cleanliness of garden and area
  • free from disease and weeds
  • good garden practices
  • suitable ground cover

Use of Plant Material

  • variety
  • spacing and balance
  • appropriate use of perennials and/or native species
  • use of colour and texture

Residential – Environmental/Pollinator Habitat

A panoramic photo of the winner in the 2019 Garden Contest's Residental Traditional category
21 Harding Blvd.: 1st place winner for best garden in the Residential – Environmental/Pollinator Habitat category of the 2019 Garden Contest.
  1. Mona Stephens and Richard Burroughs at 21 Harding Blvd.
  2. Shannon Baker at 170 Colbeck St.
  3. Flora Fox at 163 Gamble Ave.

Residential – Traditional

8 Wendigo Way: 1st place winner for best garden in the Residential Traditional category of the 2019 Garden Contest.
8 Wendigo Way: 1st place winner for best garden in the Residential – Traditional category of the 2019 Garden Contest.
  1. Nancy Shanoff at 8 Wendigo Way
  2. Susan Mintz at 417 Northcliffe Blvd.
  3. Linda McCain at 46 Bennington Heights Dr.

Community

Camoes Square, 722 College St.: 1st place winner for best garden in the high-density community category of the 2019 Garden Contest.
Camoes Square, 722 College St.: 1st place winner for best garden in the high-density community category of the 2019 Garden Contest.
  1. Camoes Square at 722 College St.
  2. Ravina Community Garden
  3. Royal Canadian Legion Branch 10 Todmorden at 1083 Pape Ave.

Commercial

Hastings Snack Bar, 5 Hastings Ave.: 1st place winner for best garden in the Commercial category of the 2019 Garden Contest.
Hastings Snack Bar, 5 Hastings Ave.: 1st place winner for best garden in the Commercial category of the 2019 Garden Contest.
  1. Hastings Snack Bar at 5 Hastings Ave.
  2. Baby Point Terrace at 664 Annette St.
  3. Turner and Porter at 2357 Bloor St. W.

High-Density Residential

453-457 Indian Grove Rd.: 1st place winner for best garden in the High-Density Residential category of the 2019 Garden Contest
453-457 Indian Grove Rd.: 1st place winner for best garden in the High-Density Residential category of the 2019 Garden Contest
  1. 453-457 Indian Grove Rd.
  2. 117 Cosburn Ave.
  3. Krawchuk Lane at 928 Millwood Rd.

Award of Recognition: Livingston Road Community Garden

How to nominate

Nominations are closed for 2020.

Download the 2020 nomination form.