The Springfield In Full Bloom committee is finishing last-minute preparations for a visit from two judges from the national America In Bloom Contest, despite facing challenges from continuing storm cleanup and drought conditions.

Judges Bruce Riggs and Marlborough Packard will be in Springfield Monday and Tuesday to judge the city in six categories, including environmental efforts and heritage preservation.

Springfield In Full Bloom co-chair Melanie Wilt said the committee did not have as many last-minute preparations as in years past because the judges’ tour schedule had been finalized sooner and because the group had more events to increase community involvement.

“We’re expanding our efforts beyond our final push,” she said.

Wilt said the judges have been made aware of the continuing efforts to clean up the community following heavy storms that caused widespread power outages and damage across the city. Wilt said Riggs and Packard have been understanding about the damage and will consider that in their evaluations.

“What they’re going to see is not going to be all perfect and shiny,” she said. “We’re in the midst of a cleanup after a major natural disaster went through our area.”

Wilt said the dry conditions have also caused some problems in preparing Springfield for the visit, but watering plants has not become a major priority.

“We also have to consider conserving water and being environmentally conscious as well,” she said.

Riggs and Packard will spend their two days of judging taking tours and talking to residents involved in the beautification efforts in Springfield. The tour route includes stops at the rain garden at Perrin Woods, Wittenberg University, the Westcott House and the Gateway Learning Gardens.

On Tuesday, the judges will have lunch at the Buckeye Sports Lounge to see a restored building.

Wilt said the schedule this year is not as aggressive in years past because the committee has focused on the quality of stops rather than the quantity.

Riggs is from New Rochelle, N.Y., and owns a landscape design company with his wife. He has been involved with the New York Botanical Garden and administered the creation of a internationally recognized interpretation program.

Packard is a retired professor of historic preservation who taught at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia. He is a practicing artist specializing in painting and relief sculpture.

Springfield will compete in the 50,001 to 100,000 population category against Fayetteville, Arkansas and Racine, Wisconsin.

In 2011, Springfield received the criteria award for floral displays.