The ADVOCATE
February 19, 2001

Stamford gardens may grow prizes

By Donna Porstner
Staff Writer

Gardeners should get their seed catalogs and start sowing if they want a shot at first prize in Stamford's first citywide garden competition this summer.

"Stamford in Bloom," a beautification project modeled after similar contests in London, Philadelphia and Buffalo, will pit resident against resident for the best front yard and a cash prize.

The contest is sponsored by Keep Stamford Beautiful, a nonprofit organization affiliated with Keep America Beautiful.

"It's something that has been used in other cities to take pride in their neighborhoods," said Rick Myers, director of Keep Stamford Beautiful.

Any Stamford homeowner may enter, whether they garden themselves or hire a landscaper, officials said. Gardens will be judged on what can be seen from the road.

A kick-off event, "Goods from the Greenhouse," a plant sale and garden expo featuring more than 30 Connecticut nurseries and growers, and exhibits by local horticulture societies and garden clubs, will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 11 in Columbus Park.

"It gives them (residents) the opportunity to shop and get unusual plants for their gardens," Myers said.

Avid gardeners such as Erna Szekers, president of the Shippan Point Garden Club, are excited about the competition.

"We'd gladly enter something like this," she said.

Club members have a long history of beautification projects Szekeres said, including planting about 1,800 trees over the past 75 years and maintaining downtown gardens with the Downtown Special Services District.

The deadline to enter Stamford in Bloom is July 13. There is no entrance fee.

Judging is scheduled for July 16 through July 27, when Myers said "all of your annuals and perennials would be in bloom."

Once homes have been judged, officials will mark the garden with a special Stamford in Bloom" sign.

The winner will be announced at a "Bloom Celebration" awards presentation August 15. First prize is $1,000, second prize is $500 and third prize is $250, Myers said.

Marion Glowka, a resident who volunteers as Keep Stamford Beautiful's beautification chairwoman, is an avid gardener and says it's work that should be appreciated.

"Creating a good garden is not easy in Stamford," she said. I live in North Stamford. For every shovel you put into the soil, there's a rock, so it's a hard hobby."

For entry forms, contact Myers at (203) 358-8268