Have you been admiring a neighbor’s front garden? Or wondering where the person who lives down the street got the idea to use sculpture and plants in a side yard to such good effect? If you can see a garden from a public byway, such as the street or towpath, you can nominate the gardener for consideration in Lambertville’s third annual Visible Gardens Contest.
Launched three years ago by an Elm Street man with love of gardening, the contest seeks to reward a handful of residents for their contributions to the city’s curb appeal.
Terence Hyde was once a winner in a surprise garden competition, and he remembers how pleased he was to be acknowledged for his sweat equity. Inspired by both this recollection and the many beautiful gardens he sees when waking through Lambertville, he set out to recreate the experience for other amateur gardeners.
Mr. Hyde, and two like-minded acquaintances — Kevin Rice of Innovative Landscaping Design and Carol Cruickshanks — launched Lambertville Greens in 2009 to recognize local gardeners’ accomplishments.
This year Lambertville Greens will award first and second prizes in Best Visible Garden.
Nominations must be e-mailed by June 30 to [email protected] (only the gardener’s address is needed, but include name if known). Judging will take place July 10, and winners will be announced the week of July 18.
”We want to thank all of our neighbors for using their landscaping ability to make Lambertville more beautiful,” Mr. Hyde said. “Their hard work improves our quality of life.”

