Scoring Rubric – Monarch Awards Hamilton

As the Monarch Awards evolve and gardeners continue to learn, work, and improve their creations, organizers have responded to applicants who want to know what’s expected. Exactly what does an award-winning garden look like? What things are the judges expecting? What, for example, does “healthy soil” mean? Or “wise use of water”?

Organizers have developed a rubric—a kind of score card—to help gardeners understand how their gardens will be assessed. It’s not a simple do-this-not-that document. Rather it’s a way to set out good, better, and best practices. It also identifies a few “red flags” methods based in traditional gardening that don’t fit with an ecosystem approach. Applicants are encouraged to use the rubric to evaluate and improve their gardens before applying. It’s a useful tool not only for new gardeners beginning to create their space but also for established green thumbs wanting to keep a good thing growing.

If the table below does not behave properly on your device or browser, see the plain vanilla html version linked in the right sidebar. For a pdf version of the rubric click here (opens in new tab).

Rubric Contents

Soil
Plants
Water
Cultural Practices
Materials / Hardscaping
Aesthetics

Soil

Points/Grade> Knowledge	3 Excellent	2 Progressing Well	0 Needs Improvement	-1 Red Flags
Understand the soil textures in your garden areas (clay, silt, sand) NCSU gardener handbook– soils section Detailed soil triangle info and very good description of jar test	almost all plants are species adapted to the existing soil texture	most of the plants are adapted to existing soil. Some attempts to change soil texture have been made	significant work is being done to change soil texture to suit the needs of desired plants	use of peat products or sand “break clay”
Understand the concept of soil pH Soil pH info	grow plants adapted to the existing soil pH / parent rock	some attempts to change soil pH, in small areas	major work to change pH	significant and long-term efforts to change pH over large area
Understand the importance of microbes and soil-dwelling creatures to healthy soil Link to short video the Soil Food Web	organic matter (OM) is spread on top organic fertilizers used sparingly and wisely compaction relieved and reduced only where and when necessary soil disturbance/digging minimized	OM incorporated into top few inches organic fertilizers used regularly organic (“natural”) herbicides pesticides used occasionally	OM incorporated deeper than 12” occasional spading, inverting soil layers, double-digging organic (“natural”) herbicides/pesticides used routinely	soil routinely / annually disturbed with digging or rototilling soil fauna deprived of water and air by over- or under-watering use of chemical fertilizers any use of systemic or chemical pesticides / herbicides
Understand the role of mulch and compost Info at U of G extension Too Much Mulch Mulch and Bees	mulch used only as appropriate (new gardens, paths) mulch readily decomposes (leaves, wood chips) mulch sourced on site or from neighbourhood compost made on site or in-situ some area(s) left unmulched for ground bee nesting	mulch is cedar, bark, or pine needles, rocks liberal (3”+) and regular use of mulch use of purchased bagged mulch/compost	mulch is dyed, non organic (rubber) large areas are left uncovered (no plant cover/ no canopy, no mulch, plants, or duff)	routine additions of “topsoil” use of “weed barriers” (landscape cloth, rubber) mulch “volcanoes” around tree/shrub trunks

Plants

Points/Grade> Knowledge	3 Excellent	2 Progressing Well	0 Needs Improvement	-1 Red Flags
Understand the importance of plants that are native to our eco-region and eco-zone Short video with Doug Tallamy. Longer video of Doug Tallamy's presentation	at least 70% of the planting area is occupied by native plants, trees, shrubs many plants of each species	30 – 50% of the planting area is occupied by native plants several plants of each species “nativars” chosen wisely (changes not affecting ecological function)	less than 30% of the planting area is occupied by native plants only one plant of each species “nativars” that have altered flower colour / shape/ bloom time	garden dominated by non-natives non natives are in prominent/ best spots
Understand the problems caused by invasive plants GTA-specific info Short article with good links	all invasive species have been removed	work is underway to remove invasives	some attempt to manage invasives	invasives allowed to produce seed and spread
“Right Plant – Right Place” Eco-Zones and Eco-regions Carolinian Zone A detailed, technical look at this concept from the University of Florida	plant communities: species that occur together naturally in the Hamilton area	species grouped / sited according to water/sun/soil needs	plants sited mainly for aesthetic reasons	plants routinely fail because of improper siting
Understand the importance of plant diversity How Plants Stabilize Ecosystems A short “big picture” article from Ontario Parks: Why Biodiversity is Important From Seeds of Diversity, a genetics perspective: Why is Biodiversity Important Pollinators and plant diversity: Bee efficiency	something always blooming: early-, mid- and late- season abundant species many different flower forms, shapes, colours, heights	a few gaps in bloom times many different species some diversity in flower form, shape, colour, height	garden dominated by a few robust species that are managed little diversity in flower form, shape, colour, height	unmanaged aggressive species allowed to dominate
Density / layers / vertical elements to provide varied habitat height & type, light; reduce need for mulch A non-permaculture focussed look at Creating Layers in the Garden Benjamin Vogt on messy vs. formal native plant gardens	plantings mimic natural habitats plantings have depth and tiers very dense plantings minimize need for mulch, staking	some layers and tiers evident most borders less than 3’ wide some use of underplanting	plants in single rows or rigid shapes	most plants are grown as specimens, not part of larger plantings
Proportion of garden to gardenable area	all garden ; no turfgrass / lawn	proportion of lawn to garden is small	lawn is prominent feature a large property with a small garden
Accommodate garden fauna (birds, pollinators, and other insects) in winter	several conifers/evergreens allow seeds to remain for birds	a few conifers/ evergreens some deadheading	no conifers everything trimmed/ deadheaded	garden is “cut down” in fall and trimmings removed shrubs wrapped in netting

Water

Points/Grade> Knowledge	3 Excellent	2 Progressing Well	0 Needs Improvement	-1 Red Flags
Understand water / rainfall management as a system	all downspouts disconnected roof water flows into rain barrel,garden, or rain garden	most downspouts disconnected water flows onto lawn	downspouts empty onto pavement or into storm sewer	downspouts empty into neighbour’s property rain barrel is neglected and/or improperly used
Minimize use of City water	water from rain barrels used first plants chosen to reduce dependence on city water city water is used sparingly and wisely	city water is used exclusively no conservation effort	watering systems on programmed schedules/timers soil never allowed to dry out
All creatures need water	clean water is provided for insects, birds and/or wildlife “ramp” not “deep dive” for water access by all creatures	wildlife has access to human-centered water source (pond / water feature)	no water source	chlorinated pool is only water source

Cultural Practices

Points/Grade> Knowledge	3 Excellent	2 Progressing Well	0 Needs Improvement	-1 Red Flags
An ecosystem/food web approach that understands that all systems and creatures, from microbes to mammals, are interdependent. All creatures must eat	accept most insect activity/ feeding encourage messiness provide logs and bare soil for insects / ground- dwelling bees minimal or no “clean up” provide for all parts of insects’ life cycle	accept some insect activity/feeding tolerate messiness use of bee boxes and other products wait until late spring to “clean up” provide for nectar/adult feeding stage of insects’ life cycle	no concern for/ awareness of food web a tidy, “clean” garden	use of pesticides use of herbicides “cleaning up” in the fall or early spring excessive effort to control pests
Understand the societal and neighbourhood impact of how we work our land	work is done by hand most of the time, if possible or practicable	work is done by hand some of the time if possible or practicable	use of power tools most of the time	leaf blowers, noisy power tools, two-stroke engines
Increase plant health / reduce plant stress	proper planting methods for perennials, shrubs, trees right plant/right place (sun/moisture/wind) evidence of proper care for all plants, esp. diseased / damaged	some evidence of improper planting evidence of proper care for most plants most plants situated appropriately	neglect of diseased or damaged plants	mulch “volcanoes” burlap/cages left on withholding water in first year improper / excessive use of fertilizer
Planting plans that work with nature	plant densely so canopies touch, provide shade, decrease need for off-site mulch	most plants are isolated / grown as specimens (too much space between mature plants)	blank spaces allowed to fill with unwanted plants	encroachment onto existing natural areas/ravines pruning and cutting in existing natural areas plant “dumping” into natural areas
Prune wisely	respect for the mature natural size/shape of plants / shrubs / trees	correctly made pruning cuts to maintain health of plant pruning done at appropriate time/season	correctly made pruning cuts to control form/size	pruning/shaping at wrong time incorrect pruning cuts aggressive pruning to control shape
Wise lawn care	turfgrass cut infrequently / as necessary, to 3” or longer, trimmings left lawn allowed to go dormant in summer heat	turfgrass is regularly cut to 3” or longer, trimmings left	occasional short mowing with clippings left some interventions to maintain lawn	routine short mowing with clippings removed regular interventions to maintain lush look all season

Materials / Hardscaping

Points/Grade> Knowledge	3 Excellent	2 Progressing Well	0 Needs Improvement	-1 Red Flags
Understand the impact of manufactured materials in the environment	use materials that will eventually decompose, not end up in landfill use of recycled / reclaimed materials choices reflect energy used to manufacture/ transport	“landfill” materials used in some parts of yard choices with some regard for energy used to manufacture/ transport	choices with little regard for energy used to manufacture/ transport
Materials purchased locally, from local sources	most	some	few	stone from non-Ontario quarries
Understand importance of permeability	most driveways, paths, patios, walkways are permeable	some driveways, paths, patios, walkways are permeable		majority of property is patio/deck/pool/impervious surface

Aesthetics

Points/Grade> Knowledge	3 Excellent	2 Progressing Well	0 Needs Improvement	-1 Red Flags
A basic understanding of design principles: form, texture, colour, unity, contrast	deep (at least 3’) borders tiers / layers of plants of various heights/shapes	diverse heights/forms with obvious attempts at organization	few attempts at organization	reliance on foliage for interest
Plants chosen for human experience as well as ecological function	there is a “way in” to the garden so it can be experienced (touch, smell) up close, not simply viewed paths with curves, destinations garden decoration is personal, unique, creative	sensory experience present but visual dominates visitors not encouraged to get close	it’s all about “the look”
Supports a new garden aesthetic	non-traditional/naturalized plantings are celebrated (signs)	non-traditional/naturalized plantings are used but not prioritized attempts to slowly improve or modify traditional plantings	traditional “curb appeal”	nothing has changed in years rigid, formal plantings reliance on traditional annuals
Garden “plays nice” with others	considered asset to streetscape much evidence of influence on neighbours’ gardens	some evidence of influence on nearby gardens		creates conflict with neighbours