Kitchener in Bloom Garden Recognition Program

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Thank you to everyone who answered our survey. This engagement is now complete. Please read our summary below about what we heard and what we're doing in response. 


Every year, the City of Kitchener celebrates the gardening efforts of residents and businesses who help to make our city a more vibrant and beautiful place to live through the Kitchener in Bloom garden recognition program. Members of the public can submit the addresses of gardens they admire. A recognition sign is then mailed to that address, which the resident or business owner can display if they wish.

We are currently seeking feedback to help us improve the program and make it more inclusive for all. Whether you have participated in the program before or just learned about it today, we value your input and perspectives.

Please subscribe to get updates about this project by using the Stay Informed button.

Want to recognize a garden you love? Submit an address using our online form today!

Interested in gardens? Did you know you can apply for up to $30,000 for a community garden through the LoveMyHood grant? In the past we have funded garden initiatives such as traditional plot style, pollinator and food hedges, and more! Apply today.


Every year, the City of Kitchener celebrates the gardening efforts of residents and businesses who help to make our city a more vibrant and beautiful place to live through the Kitchener in Bloom garden recognition program. Members of the public can submit the addresses of gardens they admire. A recognition sign is then mailed to that address, which the resident or business owner can display if they wish.

We are currently seeking feedback to help us improve the program and make it more inclusive for all. Whether you have participated in the program before or just learned about it today, we value your input and perspectives.

Please subscribe to get updates about this project by using the Stay Informed button.

Want to recognize a garden you love? Submit an address using our online form today!

Interested in gardens? Did you know you can apply for up to $30,000 for a community garden through the LoveMyHood grant? In the past we have funded garden initiatives such as traditional plot style, pollinator and food hedges, and more! Apply today.

Thank you to everyone who answered our survey. This engagement is now complete. Please read our summary below about what we heard and what we're doing in response. 

  • What we heard

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    Thank you to everyone who filled out the survey!

    In total, 136 people contributed to the survey and ideas board. We got lots of great feedback and we appreciate the time and effort it took to share your comments and ideas with us. Below is a summary of what we heard from you about:

    • Your experience with Kitchener in Bloom and its impact
    • How we can develop or improve Kitchener in Bloom


    We've also included a description of what we are doing with the perspectives you shared with us. Your feedback is important. It has helped inform our decisions moving forward and will continue to do so. In turn, this will help us improve the program and make it more inclusive for all.


    Program experience


    People who nominated someone told us that they did so to recognize, acknowledge and say thank you for all the work the gardener put into their space and the beauty it created.

    Everyone who said they were nominated had a positive response to their nomination. When they were nominated, they said they felt:

    • Happy
    • Pleased
    • Proud
    • Motivated
    • Honoured
    • Grateful
    • Appreciated
    • Encouraged
    • A sense of neighbourly love
    • A sense of community


    When we asked what people like most about the program, they said they like:

    • That it encourages being outdoors
    • Connection to nature
    • Beautifying
    • Property improvement
    • Local pride
    • Community recognition
    • Promotes greening and gardens
    • Encourages people to look for beauty
    • Green efforts in their neighbourhoods


    You also said that the program is:

    • Easy to take part in
    • Gets people talking and interacting with each other
    • Anonymous
    • Promotes creativity
    • A shared enjoyment of gardens and gardening


    Ways to develop or improve


    1. Environmental stewardship

    You told us that you see this program as a way to recognize and build awareness about environmentally responsible gardening.

    In response, we will update our messaging and promotions about Kitchener in Bloom. We will highlight sustainable gardens and gardening, for example:

    • native plants
    • pollinator plants
    • rain gardens


    We will add information to the Kitchener in Bloom pages on the kitchener.ca and Love My Hood sites. We will also create a new printable resource. These will highlight how residents can learn about greening and environmentally conscious gardening.

    As this was a frequent theme, we will continue to explore ways to make this a key part of this program moving forward.


    2. Recognize a diversity of gardens and gardeners


    We also heard that Kitchener in Bloom could be more inclusive of non-traditional types of gardens.

    You said that it’s important to not solely recognize front yards of homeowners. For example, we should find ways to include more:

    • apartments or condo owners with balconies
    • multi-residential dwellings like retirement homes
    • pollinator patches
    • raised gardens
    • community gardens
    • boulevard beautification projects


    You also said we need to let people know that Kitchener in Bloom recognizes many types of gardens and gardeners.

    So this year, and in the future, we will highlight and promote a greater diversity of gardens and gardeners.

    We will continue to look for more ways to encourage and include gardeners who don’t fit into the traditional idea of homeowner, front yard gardener.


    3. Broaden the reach


    We heard that not enough people know about Kitchener in Bloom. We will look for opportunities to promote this program in new and different ways, based on your feedback.

    We also heard that the program could be a vehicle for education and raising awareness about:

    • gardening in general
    • environmentally responsible gardening
    • different types of gardens


    In response, we will look for new ways to highlight existing learning opportunities about gardening in our community.

    Finally, we will also strengthen connections with Love my Hood and the Good Neighbour recognition program. This will help us broaden our reach and impact, and make the program more inclusive.


    Stay informed


    Again, we thank you for your valuable feedback, input, and ideas!

    This engagement is now complete. To stay informed about Kitchener in Bloom and this year’s program, please visit kitchener.ca/kitchener-in-bloom.