• judging takes place during April-July• a team of two qualified AIB judges will visit each community in a population category• judges review efforts of the entire community: municipal departments, commercial sector and residential areas• the following eight AIB categories are evaluated:

• overall design and plant suitability for location and use• harmony, color, texture, shape• tasteful integration of art elements• high standards of maintenance

• conditions of turf on sports fields, athletic parks, cemeteries, residential and business properties• IPM (Integrated Pest Management), fertilization programs, irrigation and watering practices• naturalization, use of groundcovers and wildflowers

• arrangements, originality, distribution, location of flowers• color, variety, harmony• maintenance of flowerbeds, planters, containers and window boxes

• of green spaces, medians, boulevards, sidewalks, streets, ditches, road shoulders • level of garbage, debris and weeds• amount of visual clutter such as signage, posted notices, graffiti

• municipal policies, by-laws and regulation plans both short and long term• distribution of trees, variety, suitability• new plantings, main street programs, new survey developments• preservation of heritage trees, woodlots and replanting procedures• proper maintenance practices

• museums, archives, history books and historical society• policies and by-laws on preservation and restoration of buildings, homes, churches, cemeteries, sites, parks, heritage gardens, trees, monuments and artifacts

• school children, teens, adults, seniors• horticulture and garden clubs• service organizations• local business community

• “Best Practices”, including policies and by-laws on waste reduction• landfills, hazardous waste handling, sewage disposal, recycling and transfer stations• water sources, conservation, naturalization

• “Your Guide to Planting Pride” booklet• America in Bloom introductory video• Talk to an AIB Judge• Official America in Bloom Merchandise for fundraising efforts

Online: www.AmericaInBloom.orgaib@ofa.orgAmerica in Bloom Help Desk: (614) 487-1117