“Yard of the Month” winners, Monika and Jim Breed received their yard sign. From left, Monika, Garden Club member Pat Sauer, Joline Oswald, Marcia Niemeier and Jim Breed. [Photo by Susan DeVilder]

It’s June and that time of year when the Garden Club of Kewanee gets to work to award unsuspecting homeowners with the title of “Yard of the Month.” The award is given out throughout the summer months.

This month’s “Yard of the Month” recipients are Monika and Jim Breed who purchased their home in the 500 block of East Division Street almost five years ago in July of 2020.

Monika Breed has always had a passion for gardens. She remembers as a child in Germany creating small gardens with stones and then transplanting plants into her garden. She came to this country when she was 11 and her love for creating gardens hasn’t diminished. At their Division Street home, the couple have added to the landscape and taken a few things away.

One of the newest features is a flower bed around the large spruce tree that stands in their backyard. The tree was in desperate need of pruning, said Jim Breed, and now is surrounded by hostas and other plants. The couple plan to add rock to the flower bed as well.

With the recognition, the couple received a yard sign for their yard, a gift certificate to Sunnyfield Greenhouse & Garden Center and a certificate suitable for framing.

A spruce tree now is surrounding by a flower bed. The couple plan to add river rocks to the bed soon. [Photos by Susan DeVilder]

Monika and Jim agreed to answer five questions about their award-winning garden and yard for The Kewanee Voice.

What motivates you or inspires you in gardening/yard work?

Monika said the love of gardening is in her blood.

“I love flowers and I love working outside,” she said. Jim said he loves Monika so he loves her flowers, too.

How many hours do you spend gardening or doing yard work a week?

The couple hires out the mowing part of their yard work which cuts down on the time required to maintain it, but said they spend several hours outside a week tending to their garden. The couple have done some recent spring planting in preparation of the summer months.

What advice would you give to other gardeners or residents interested in sprucing up their yards?

Monika has an easy suggestion: Get perennials that you enjoy in different colors. That way, she said, you can enjoy them when they return year after year.

Poppies and what could be purple cat mint adorn one flower bed in the Breed’s backyard. [Photo by Susan DeVilder]

What is your favorite flower, shrub or tree?

For Monika, her favorite flowers are roses and the brilliant orange poppies in her own backyard. She also loves daisies. For Jim, it’s a multitude of flowers in a multitude of colors.

How does it feel to have your yard recognized as “Yard of the Month?”

“I’m very proud,” said Monika. “I’m very happy and proud of our work.” For his part, Jim said he was very pleased that Monika was recognized.