The following general guidelines are considered with selecting each month's winner: 

 

• Yard is well-groomed and maintained. 

• Buildings, fences, pergolas, gazebos, and other outbuildings are in good repair.

• Yard is attractive and pleasing to the eye, for example, lawn is green and a variety of plants including trees, shrubs, ground cover, flowers, and wildflowers with varying heights, textures, and colors are used; hardscape features such as fountains, large rocks in beds, or edging is well-maintained

• Good use of seasonal color from perennials or annuals and well-proportioned shrubs and hedges increases chances of winning

• Some consideration may be given to properties that have invested extra effort through the use of attractive art pieces such as pottery, ironwork, or welcome signs, and potted plants, birdhouses, patio or lawn furniture, decorative mailboxes, etc.

• Yard is free of trash, debris, discarded furniture, and junked or inoperable vehicles.

• Only the portion of the yard viewed from the street will be judged.

• Upkeep of the yard can reflect the efforts of the residents themselves or that of a professional landscaper or grounds crew.

• When two or more yards are evenly matched for an award in a month, tiebreaker considerations include:

  • Scale of the beautification such as an oversized corner lot full of plantings that is as stunning as a small yard that has mostly pots on the porch will win even though they are both eye-catching. Note the smaller display will remain on the list of nominated yards for 6 months. 

  • Use of native plants and non-native pollinator-friendly flowers and herbs

  • Creativity and uniqueness.

 

Requirements to be considered for the Yard of the Month Award:

• Residential properties (including manufactured homes but not recreational vehicles) located in the city limits of Columbus. 

• May be either owner-occupied or leased. 

• Each yard may win the award only once in any three consecutive calendar years.

 

Nominating for Yard of the Month

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Anyone may nominate a yard no matter where they reside, but the yard must be located within city limits to qualify.
Nominations may be submitted by:

• Completing and submitting the online CGC Yard of the Month Nomination form

• Mailing the following information to Yard of the Month Committee, Columbus Garden Club, P.O. Box 1222, Columbus, TX 78934-1222: Your name and your email or phone number, the address of the yard nominated, the names of the owners or residents of the nominated yard (if known), the reason you feel the yard should be selected.

 

Nominations, once received by the selection committee, are added to a list of candidates that are considered monthly for 6 months after nomination. 

 

The selection committee, made up of Columbus Garden Club members, may also nominate yards. The selection committee does not have to give an award each month.

 

The “Yard of the Month” award sign will be displayed in the winning yard by a selection committee member and will remain for the award period. The property will be recognized in the club's newsletter, the club's Facebook page, and local newspapers.