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: America in Bloom Help Desk: (614)