See All Gardens at Home Gardens of Merit

Michigan Home Gardens of Merit

Consultants Council’s
Michigan Home Gardens of Merit

The Consultants Council inaugurated the Michigan Home Gardens of Merit book in 2004. This book features home gardens that have achieved horticultural merit in Michigan. The book will be displayed at all State Conventions. Clubs can use this award to recognize the efforts of club members, to show appreciation for outstanding home gardens in the community or to thank owners opening their garden for a tour or walk.
Photos of the garden, a brief description, the name and address of the owner gardener and the name of the nominating club or Gardening Consultant will be displayed on the pages within the Michigan Home Gardens of Merit.
The gardener receives a garden-of-merit certificate. The garden can be listed as many times as it is nominated and approved, but not more than once in a single calendar year. After a garden has been nominated five times, the gardener receives a lifetime of gardening plaque.

What garden is eligible?

Any home garden (it need not belong to a garden club member) maintained by the owner-gardener is eligible. Gardens may have been initially installed by a professional landscaper, but must have been maintained for at least five years by the owner-gardener. Gardens installed by the owner-gardener have no restrictions other those listed below. The gardener may have help with garden maintenance, but still participate in the garden's upkeep. 

Who can nominate a garden?

Any garden club of the Federated Garden Club of Michigan may nominate a garden(s) or any Gardening Consultant. The garden can be any size and scope, but the emphasis is on horticultural excellence.

 

Are the gardens judged?

No. The gardens are only approved by a Gardening Consultant as having reached the following simple standards:

• A Home Garden (Whole yard or a designated section of yard such as a vegetable garden.)
• Attractive
• Mature
• Well-Maintained

To nominate a garden: Send a $10.00 check with the name of owner-gardener, their
address, 1 to 3 photographs representing the garden (photos will not be returned unless return envelope, addressed and with postage attached is included) and a brief description of the garden, along with the garden club's district, number, the name of a contact person, and the name of the approving Gardening Consultant. Any member of the Gardening Consultant may follow the same procedure having another Consultant approve the garden. For questions and more information email rhobinlee@yahoo.com.