| Q: |
What are the criteria for judging the Low-Maintenance Landscaping Design Competition? |
| A: |
| 30% |
Low-Maintenance (includes equipment use & water) |
| 30% |
Overall Design/Creativity |
| 20% |
Replicability |
| 10% |
Plant Selection |
| 10% |
Quality of application: drawing, botanical names, etc. |
| 10% |
Within $1,800 budget | |
| Q: |
How many different categories may I enter? |
| A: |
As many as you want. No limit. |
| Q: |
The maximum lot size is stated as 12,000 square feet. Can it be larger or smaller? |
| A: |
It can be a maximum of 12,000 square feet of a larger property, or it may be less than 12,000 square feet if your property is smaller. |
| Q: |
How do you know your soil pH? |
| A: |
You may use a home soil testing kit or get your soil tested at the Cooperative Extension Office. In Jefferson County, KY, call 569-2344. In Clark County IN call 812-256-4591. In Floyd County, IN call 812-948-5470. |
| Q: |
I have a lawn-mowing service only, and do not do landscaping. Does that make me a professional in terms of entering a design under the Homeowner category? |
| A: |
No; only those who maintain plants, design and implement landscapes, and/or have professional training in horticulture or landscape design are considered professionals. |
| Q: |
How do you determine what percent of plants are native: number of species, or total number of individual plants? |
| A: |
By the square feet of area covered. For instance, a shrub might cover the same amount of space as a dozen bulbs or several perennials. |
| Q: |
What qualifies as a native plant? |
| A: |
There are a number of native plant resources listed on our web site, but two books stand out: “Wildflowers and Ferns of Kentucky,” by Barnes & Francis, and “Field Guide to Indiana Wildflowers,” by Yatskievych. You may also call our office, 574-5322 and request a list. |
| Q: |
Must all plants be purchased retail, or may you obtain plants from friends, or propagate them yourself from seeds? |
| A: |
You may certainly propagate plants from seeds or trade plants with others. |
| Q: |
Does the limitation on implementation costs include hardscaping such as fences, patios, sidewalks, etc.? |
| A: |
No, but should include grading, compost, mulch, topsoil, and plants. |
| Q: |
Can the designer/entrant indicate that things will be done in phases? For instance, the first year the ground will be prepared, paths laid out, plants will be planted; 2nd year, an arbor will be built; 3rd year, a water feature will be built, etc. |
| A: |
Yes. However, use the ultimate design that you are looking for, for that design is the one entered in the competition. |
| Q: |
Can a landscape that is complete or nearly completed be entered in the competition? |
| A: |
Yes. A landscape design entry may be a completed, established landscape, or an idea that has been designed, but not implemented, or anything in-between. Some entries are being submitted by people who want to use part of their landscape, but want to re-design and improve other parts. Others have a dream landscape in their minds, and some have their ultimate landscape already. All of these qualify. |
| Q: |
If my landscape (already in place) wins in its division, may I have the $1500 in plant vouchers in cash, instead? |
| A: |
No. You will receive the prize award in cash, but the plant vouchers must be taken in vouchers/gift certificates for plants or landscaping services. |
| Q: |
Are the vouchers to be redeemed at a specific nursery, or may you choose a nursery? |
| A: |
Winners may redeem their plant vouchers at any regional nursery. |
| Q: |
If my landscape design wins in its category, must I implement the landscape if I have no lot to landscape? |
| A: |
If you are not able to obtain a lot on which to build the landscape, the $1500 in plant vouchers will go to the second place winner in the same category, and that design will be built. Keep in mind that the winner can negotiate with a friend, neighbor, or even a builder to have the landscape design built in an appropriate location. |
| Q: |
Should I include pictures with my landscape design? |
| A: |
It is not necessary, but if you would like to include pictures, please secure them to the back of the poster. |
| Q: |
Will anyone come to look at my landscape? |
| A: |
If you feel that your landscape should be seen in person, as well as by a drawing, please list the request on your application—preferably in red—and someone will contact you to make an appointment to visit your landscape and take pictures. |
| Q: |
Does the design have to include the house? |
| A: |
There should be an outline of the house and other buildings that border the landscape design unless the 12,000 square ft. (or smaller) landscaped area is away from the house. In that case, indicate the location of the house with arrows or a box drawn on the poster board. For instance, if your design is a meadow with a pond or a small walking path garden in a mini-arboretum away from the house, you may just indicate the direction of the house. |
| Q: |
After the winning landscape designs are built, what happens then? |
| A: |
After the winning designs are built, signs will be placed in a visible site in the front of the property for one year, and the winning addresses will be listed on the APCD website. At least two tours will be held so the public can see the finished landscapes. Dates will be placed on the APCD website and published in The Courier-Journal. The winners do not have to allow visitors to their properties except for the tours scheduled by APCD. |
| Q: |
Are first and second in each category the only prizes to be given? |
| A: |
The judges may choose to award some Honorable Mentions, but the only prizes that receive a cash prize are first and second place in each category. |