Is your front yard a beautiful "site" to see?

Seventh District Councilwoman Kimberly Meuse announced this week that the Stratford Beautification Committee is seeking nominations for the twelfth annual Stratford Beautification Awards Program. This is your chance to nominate properties you believe worthy of recognition, whether it's your own property or one you've admired around town.

This year, the focus will be on front yards and the curb appeal of local properties. The Committee is interested in homes and businesses that have attractive landscaping, flower beds or gardens -- or properties that feature unique fences, walkways, lighting fixtures or door treatments in Stratford. Nomination forms are available online. For more information, contact Town Planner Dave Killeen at 203.385.4017.

Want to add loads of "eye appeal" to your home and garden? Boost your chances of winning a Beautification Award with these books available at the Stratford Library:

Curb Appeal Idea Book by Mary Ellen Polson. Spruce up the front of your home and create a good first impression. You'll find hundreds of ideas for the front of the house, from the curb to the front door and every space in between
Hardscaping: How to Use Structures, Pathways, Patios & Ornaments in Your Garden, by Keith Davitt. "Hardscaping" is just what it sounds like: the elements of your yard made of brick, concrete, stone or lumber. This book has loads of photos and projects from a simple concrete birdbath to an elaborate masonry walkway.
The Well-Decorated Garden will take you step by step through projects to take your outdoor space from "okay" to "wow!". You can make pebble-covered flowerpots, butterfly boxes, tile plant markers, or adorable ladybug cottages.
Do you feel like your front yard is too dark, too small or too barren to create an attractive scene? In Paradise Found, Rebecca Cole presents simple and beautiful solutions to gardening in small, difficult, or awkward spaces.