With the official arrival of spring, The Bowie News is launching its Yard of the Month contest encouraging and recognizing beautification by our local citizens.
Sponsored by The Bowie News and Beautify Our Bowie, the contest winner gets bragging rights for a month with the brightly colored Yard of the Month sign staked out in their yard. A photo also will be published in The Bowie News of the winner and their yard.
The first yard of the month contest will take place in April with the first winner named on April 28. Yard of the Month will take place in April, May, June, the area’s prime growing months. Call 872-2247 to make a nomination or email it to [email protected]. If you email follow up with a phone call.
Include the name, address and if possible a phone number for the nominee, which will help us contact the winner to set up the photo. During the contest months, the winner will be named in the last paper of that month.
Nominations will be accepted each month and you can submit the same name more than once. Independent judges include experienced gardeners and some master gardeners who will tour the properties and submit their winning choice.
This contest will recognize a beautiful yard that is not necessarily the most fancy or elaborate, but one that shows care and upkeep in their neighborhood. The goal is to encourage all residents to keep their properties clean and looking nice.
Criteria will include ongoing maintenance of the landscaping and the yard. The yard needs to be clean and free of trash, junk or other unsightly objects. Grass and shrubs need to be maintained at reasonable levels.
Landscaping also will be considered, but should include not only annuals for the season, but permanent items such as shrubs or vines or decorative structures such as a gazebo, benches or water features.