Make your yard stand out

Inspire others to beautify their yards by entering yourself, a friend or a neighbor in the fifth annual Yard of the Month contest.

Sponsored by the City of Sioux City, Sioux City Journal and the Sioux City Neighborhood Network, the Yard of the Month program recognizes Sioux Cityans who work hard to keep their yard and the community looking attractive.

Jim Jung, chairman of the Yard of the Month committee, said a nice yard enhances the value of the house and the neighborhood.

"It's also good exercise and a good stress reliever. Overall, it beautifies the city. Having a nice yard seems to spread like wildfire. When people see beautiful yards, they want to copy them," said Jung, who is also a member of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce's Community Enhancement Committee.

Entriesfor Yard of the Month will be chosen from ANY region of Sioux City during the months of May through September.

Each month, a group of judges will choose a winner from the entries. The winner will receive a $25 cash award, a yard sign, presentation of the award at a city council meeting and recognition in theSioux City Journal.

In October (or earlier, depending on the weather), a Yard of the Year will be chosen from the entries. The winner for the year will receive a $50 cash award, a yard sign, and recognition by the City Council and the Sioux City Journal.

This year, Neighborhood Network will be donating the cash awards for the Yard of the Month program.

Applications for Yard of the Month must be received no later than the 15th of the prior month, and the winners will be announced in the Sioux City Journal's HOME section the second Sunday of the month, starting in May. The Yard of the Month will also be publicized in the Sioux City calendar, on the Sioux City website, in the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce newsletter, and on entry forms.

The criteria for judging the Yard of the Month include appearance of house (windows and paint), lawn mowed and trimmed, overall appearance - free of litter, weeds and clutter, mulched flowerbeds, bushes and trees, creativity and originality, sound landscape practices, appearance and condition of flowers, maintained bushes and trees, homeowner creation, and overall appearance from the curb.

Original post:
Make your yard stand out