For 25 years, Front Yards in Bloom — those cheerful yellow signs honouring the work of proud green thumbs — have felt like little love letters blooming across Edmonton’s boulevards.
But this spring, just as dedicated gardeners began their seeding, the City quietly discontinued the program. Citing a need to focus on “core services” and limit tax increases, the cut is expected to save a little over $40,000. (The City Farm was also eliminated.)
Though the signs were funded and branded by the City, the heart of the program was always its volunteers. Since launching in 1999 as a collaboration between the Edmonton Horticultural Society, postal workers and the City, it grew from 150 nominations to more than 6,000. Posties led the charge, nominating yards on their routes, and sparking friendly competition between neighbours and eventually whole neighbourhoods as they competed for first place in different categories.
Kathleen Mpulubusi, a carrier and longtime coordinator of the program, remembers chatting with gardeners, swapping plant cuttings, and seeing one nominated yard inspire a block-wide beautification ripple. “It’s really sad,” she says of the cancellation, especially after last year’s 25th anniversary celebrations. But there may be hope yet. According to Mpulubusi, the Edmonton Horticultural Society is in talks with the Federation of Community Leagues to take over the program, and hopes to gain access to the city’s database to help revive it.
Until then, Edmontonians will have to make their own nominations — with compliments, cuttings, or maybe a thank-you note in the mailbox. Because even without a sign on the lawn, those blooming love letters to the city are still being written, one yard at a time.
Sad to say goodbye to Front Yards in Bloom? Don’t wait for someone to save it — boast about your blooms with us by sending photos to [email protected]. We’ll share our favourites online.
This article appears in the May 2025 issue of Edify
