July’s Yard of the month was the first property to receive the title through a nomination to the Garden Club of Kewanee, and Joline Oswald, club member, said she was glad the group received it.
The committee members put out a call for nominations on beautiful yards several months ago and had gotten a few tips, but the committee took one look at the yard in the 200 block of Mosher Avenue and immediately decided it was winner-worthy.
Sharon and Bill Scott have owned the house and property on Mosher Avenue for 49 years. The house was built by Sharon’s father just for the couple. Bill Scott is a retired Kewanee firefighter and Sharon Scott retired as a beautician and from sales, and the couple now has plenty of time to devote to their gardening and landscaping.
The mature landscaping around their home may look like it’s complete, but Sharon, who enjoys watching gardening shows, said that’s never the case.
“There are always plans,” she said. “I think we need a fountain.”
The couple doesn’t need to buy bedding materials each spring as they have a farm on the north of town and transport their potted arrangements there every winter. Using grow lights, they keep the plants healthy through the winter months.
The “Yard of the Month’ winners, who were given a yard sign, official certificate and gift certificate to Sunnyfield Greenhouse and Nursery, agreed to answer five questions with The Kewanee Voice about their award-winning property.
What motivates or inspires you in gardening/yard work?
Sharon said that her daughter works for a nursery in Kentucky and at the end of the season, her daughter transports many of the nursery’s leftovers to her parents. In addition, Sharon said she loves being outside with the dog. “I’m not a T.V. person,” she said.
Bill joked that what motivates him is a little different. “She won’t feed me unless I come out and work,” he said.
Did your parents garden?
Sharon’s grandmother had a huge garden and she spent a lot of time with her growing up.
“I remember sitting on the back stoop with her and eating a turnip,” Sharon said. “She’d slice it up like an apple.”
How many hours do you spend gardening or doing yard work each week?
Bill said he spends a couple hours a week outside tending to the lawn. Sharon said she spends no more than an hour or two pulling weeds or watering.
“It’s not work. It’s not a job. It’s just keeping it looking the way it does,” she said.
What advice would you give to other homeowners interested in sprucing up their yards?
“Start small and add a little each year,” Sharon said, suggesting hostas are a good start, since they can be divided every year for more planting material.
How does it feel to have your yard recognized as “Yard of the Month?”
Bill said it felt very nice and thanked the person who nominated the couple.
“We just like doing it and it makes me happy that other people noticed and enjoy it also,” said Sharon.
