Host Garden Application

Bay-Friendly Landscaping
& Gardening Coalition

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* required fields
*First Name:	Please enter your FIRST NAME.
*Last Name:	Please enter your LAST NAME.
Other Names (for listing in tour guidebook):
*E-mail Address:	Please enter a valid email address.Your email address is required.
*Please enter at least one phone number at which we can contact you:
Home Phone:
Work Phone:
Cell Phone:
*Preferred Phone:	Please select one.Please select your preferred phone.
*Best time to reach you:	Please include the best tme to reach you.

Mailing Address:
*Address:	Please type your ADDRESS.
City: Please enter your CITY. State: Please enter your STATE. *Zip: Please enter ZIP.

Garden Address (if different from mailing address):
Address:
City:	State: Zip:

Is the garden located in San Jose or Palo Alto? *Yes
(garden must be located in San Jose or Palo Alto)

*Total lot size (including house footprint and garden):
A value is required.
*What kind of garden do you have? (Check all that apply.)
Flower Vegetable Herb Fruit Woodland Drought-tolerant Native plant	Collector's plant Hummingbird Butterfly Wildlife Habitat Creekside Permaculture Other:
*Describe your garden Please describe your garden.
Describe any unusual features of your garden (For example: creek, extreme shade, extreme slope, difficult soil, etc.)
*Approximately what percentage of your garden is lawn? A value is required.
*Does your garden include native plants? Please select yes or no.Please select yes or no.
If YES, approximately what percentage is planted with native plants?
*What are some favorite plants growing in your garden? Please list some of yoru favorite plants.
*Do you have a water feature?	Please select a valid item.Please select yes or no.
If YES, please describe this feature:
*How do you add organic matter to your soil? Please select a valid item.Please select an item. If OTHER, please specify:
What, if any, fertilizer do you use?
*When you began gardening at this site, were there elements that needed correcting that you successfully addressed? Please desribe corrections or write "none".
Which of the following practices do you currently use in your garden? (Check all that apply) Build Healthy Soil
Soil has been tested to identify need for appropriate amendments.
Soil has been tested to identify any contaminants.
Garden beds are prepared by hand rather than with a tiller.
After initial preparation, beds are maintained with little or no tilling.
Sheet mulching is used to establish planting areas or pathways, and as a way to control weeds while improving soil.
Soil is protected from compaction with clearly defined paths and or raised beds.
Soil is amended with compost.
Cover crops are grown to enrich the soil.
Reducing Waste in the Garden
Active compost bin or worm bin.
Leaves, chipped plant debris, compost or other organic materials are used as mulch.
Garden trimmings are used on site for composting or mulching and/or disposed of in green waste cart.*
Plant waste is minimized by not overplanting, overwatering, or overfertilizing.
Pruning is minimized by choosing plants that are appropriate for the space.
Sheared hedges are not included in the garden.
Clippings are left on the lawn after mowing.
Recycled or salvaged products are used for artistic or functional purposes.
Conserving Water
Mediterranean climate or native plants are featured (more than 50% of the garden area is occupied by plants adapted to summer dry climate).
Plants are grouped by water needs.
Lawn is minimized or eliminated.
Efficient irrigation (drip, timers, soaker hoses, etc.) is in place and functioning properly.
Watering occurs according to need, not a pre-determined schedule.
Mulch is used in garden beds.
Rainwater collection or gray water system is in place.
Creating Wildlife Habitat
Food for wildlife is available through plant selection.
Water is provided with a small pond, bird bath, or water dish.
Year-round protective cover is provided with a planting of evergreen trees/shrubs, logs, rocks, or brush pile.
Wildlife is encouraged with a variety of plants that flower and set fruit at different times of year.
Leave some areas of the garden somewhat untidy – let flowers go to seed to provide food for birds, and leave dead leaves and stalks to shelter over-wintering insects.
Native plants are featured (more than 50% of garden plants are California natives).
Protecting Local Watersheds and the Bay
Permeable materials are chosen for patios, driveways, or other hard surfaces, to allow water to soak in rather than run off.
Steep slopes are terraced to reduce rainwater run-off and prevent erosion.
Nearly all soil is covered by mulch or plants.*
Synthetic fertilizers are not used.
No invasive species have been planted, and any invasive weeds on the property are being managed to prevent their spread. (Plants considered most invasive to the Bay Area include: Iceplant or Hottentot fig, Periwinkle, English ivy, Algerian ivy, Licorice plant, Scarlet wisteria, Broom, Pampasgrass and Cotoneaster. For more information about these plants, including botanical names and suggested alternatives, check out the page "Don't Plant a Pest").
Contributing to a Healthy Community
An integrated approach is used for controlling weeds, insect pests and diseases with least toxic controls used first for safety of children, pets and wildlife.*
Pests and their damage are tolerated to the degree possible. Perfection is not the goal.
Beneficial insects are encouraged through plant choice.
Organic vegetable garden provides food.
Outdoor lights are dim or directed downwards to minimize light pollution.
Hand or electric tools are used instead of gas-powered tools.
Potential neighborhood hazards are considered and controlled in the garden -- including fire awareness, weed seed disbursement and rodent habitat.
Saving Energy
Trees and shrubs are selected and placed to reduce energy requirements. For example, deciduous trees are planted on the west side of the house to provide shade during the summer and allow sunlight to warm the house in the winter.
Local garden products and suppliers have been selected.
Air conditioner is shaded.
Outdoor lights are energy efficient or solar.
Pumps for water features are solar powered or energy efficient.

*How experienced are you at gardening? Please select a valid item.Please select an experience level.
*How long have you gardened at this specific location? Please include how long.
*Who designed the garden? Please enter who designed yoru garden.
*Who installed the garden? Please include who installed your garden.
*What is the approximate age of your garden? Please include age of garden.
*Do you hire outside help for the garden? Please select yes or no.Please select yes or no.
If yes, what do they do?
How did you hear about this tour?
If "Other:", please explain
*Have you gone on any of the previous Bay-Friendly Garden Tours? Please select yes or no.Please select yes or no.
In order to minimize travel time and reduce emissions, the Tour is organized into geographic clusters. Do you know of any nearby gardeners that might be interested in participating as a host gardener? (Clusters accessible by foot or bike are particularly well received by tour participants)
*Will your garden be featured on other tours during the spring of 2011? Please select yes or no.Please select yes or no.
If "Yes", please provide the tour date:
*Visits will be scheduled with potential host gardeners during September. We will contact you directly to set up a specific time.
*Would you be available for a short orientation on October 23? Please select a valid item.Please select an option.

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