Does your neighbour’s home have curb appeal?

Nominate them for the City’s 2024 awards!

The City of Vaughan’s popular Curb Appeal program is back! Every spring, the City celebrates the gardening efforts of residents and businesses that help beautify our community. Does someone in your neighbourhood go above and beyond to make their lawn look flawless? Or maybe there’s a local business nearby that has a beautiful and welcoming entrance? If so, nominate them – it’s easy!

Until Tuesday, July 2, nominate yourself or a neighbour who demonstrates exceptional pride and effort in the maintenance of their property by submitting a nomination form, calling Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or sending an email to greenguardians@vaughan.ca – be sure to include the property address.

Nominees will be visited by community volunteers who will evaluate the properties. This year, 850 Curb Appeal signs will be awarded based on the following criteria:

• Overall aesthetic of the property is visually appealing
• Property shows the use of variety, colour and textures in plantings and hardscape
• Design incorporates the use of shade trees
• Property uses perennials as well as annuals
• Property shows creativity in design and materials
• Design uses drought-resistant plantings and other environmental measures, such as rain barrels to collect water
• Property uses mulch to help retain moisture
• Property received a nomination

Winners will receive a Curb Appeal sign to display on their lawn by Friday, Aug. 16.

Curb Appeal tips

By participating in the Curb Appeal program, you have the opportunity to be a Green Guardian of your city. Green Guardians is the City’s environmental sustainability program that encourages residents and businesses to get involved with events and activities that promote environmental stewardship and keep Vaughan safe, clean and beautiful. 

If you are new to gardening or lawn care, here are some tips to help make your property stand out this year:

• Ensure your grass is cut neatly and free of weeds. To help it grow thick and healthy, add topsoil, seed and water for long periods infrequently instead of short periods often.
• Purchase mulch in a variety of colours to make your garden pop. Not only does it keep soil healthy, mulch also holds moisture and nutrients, which will help prevent weed growth.
• Incorporate a variety of plants and flowers in your garden. Perennials such as Bee Balms, Russian sages, Begonias and Black-eyed Susans are low-maintenance – and pollinators love them! Annuals like coleus and angelonia are a great way to add height and bright colours to your garden.
• Consider adding stones or rocks in different colours and sizes.
• Include an illumination or water feature, such as lamps or a small fountain.

No home shall receive a nomination where there is an encroachment. ​The City defines encroachments as any vegetation or landscaping from private property crossing onto all or a part of a public walkway, driveway or property. 

Remember, the City’s Water By-law 106-2022 (PDF) restricts outdoor water use from May 15 to Sept. 30 each year. This water conservation measure ensures an uninterrupted supply of water for everyone to use.

Outdoor watering is allowed from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on permitted days:

• Even-numbered street addresses are restricted to watering on even-numbered calendar days.
• Odd-numbered street addresses are restricted to watering on odd-numbered calendar days.

Apply to become a 2024 Curb Appeal judge

Do you have an eye for landscape design or a passion for gardening? You could help promote the beauty within Vaughan’s neighbourhoods by becoming a volunteer Curb Appeal judge! To apply, fill out and submit a Curb Appeal Volunteer Application form. Accepted volunteers must attend a two-hour training program hosted by the City. During training, incoming judges will learn about the types of environmental features and qualities a home or business must have to receive Curb Appeal recognition. When it’s time for evaluation, the judges will visit properties throughout the city and place a total of 850 signs on homes that demonstrate exceptional effort and beauty.

For more details on Vaughan’s Curb Appeal program, visit vaughan.ca/CurbAppeal.

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