TOWN OF JAMES ISLAND
NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL & JAMES ISLAND PRIDE
1238-B Camp Road, James Island, South Carolina 29412
Telephone: (843) 795-4141
YARD OF THE MONTH AWARD PROGRAM
“To inspire individuals to take greater responsibility for creating a clean and beautiful city though litter
prevention, reduction of waste and community beautification.”
The overall goal of the Yard of the Month Award Program is to recognize individuals whose property
exemplifies the mission of James Island Pride. Since the program deals with the “curb appeal” of the
properties, nominations will be for the front and side yards, as well as the exterior of the buildings on
the property. Special consideration will also be provided to “the most improved yard”.
Yard of the Month Guidelines
1. Judging will be by committee appointed by the neighborhood and will be conducted during the
last week of the month.
2. The award will be presented during the first week of the following month and will be posted in
the most visible position from the street for the entire month.
3. The members of the neighborhood board and the committee will not be eligible for the award.
4. The award will be presented throughout the year as decided by the individual neighborhoods.
5. No resident can win the award more than once in each calendar year.
6. Pictures are to be taken of the winning yard and posted on the Town website.
7. Only front and side yards and associated buildings are to be judged. Back yards, even though
visible, will not be judged.
Yard of the Month Criteria
In order to be considered for the Yard of the Month award, properties must meet the following
criteria:
1. The overall look of the property should be in harmony with the immediate community.
2. Lawns are required to be:
 well-groomed (properties can have a natural, “wildscape” appearance, but grass must be
mowed at least weekly, and the perimeter of the property must be edged) with minimal bare
spots.
 attractive; pleasing to the eye (e.g. green lawn; a variety of plants such as trees, shrubs,
ground cover, flowers, wildflowers; plants with a variety of heights, textures, and colors;
landscape features such as fountains, large rocks in beds, etc.)
3. Buildings, fences, porches, and patios on the property are required to be in good repair, i.e. minimal
distraction from the landscape due to deterioration, damage or construction.
4. All selected properties
 must be free of litter, junk and debris.
 must be free of junked or inoperable vehicles.
 must have no parking on the lawn.
 must have yard waste and trash and recycling receptacles out of sight.
 must have clean driveways, free of oil and other stains.
5. Extra consideration may be given to properties that have invested extra effort through the use of
attractive art pieces (eg. pottery, ironwork), potted plants, birdhouses, patio or lawn furniture,
windsocks, decorative mailboxes, etc.
6. Extra consideration may be given to any miscellaneous items that make unique statements to the
landscape. These may include any seasonal or holiday themes.
7. The upkeep of the yard can reflect the efforts of the residents themselves or that of a professional
landscaper or groundskeeper.
TOWN OF JAMES ISLAND
NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL & JAMES ISLAND PRIDE
1238-B Camp Road, James Island, South Carolina 29412
Telephone: (843) 795-4141
Yard of the Month Suggested Judging Form
This only a suggested judging form to help standardize the criteria of what constitutes a noteworthy yard of the month
Maintenance
Lawn cut at proper height and clear of debris?
Trees and shrubs appropriately trimmed?
Are the beds weed free and mulched? Clean bed lines,
Turf and Ground covers edged, hard surfaces clean?
Notes:
Score (50 pts.)
(20 pts.)
(10 pts.)
(10 pts.)
(10 pts.)
TOTAL:
Principles of Landscape Design
Unity. Does the design fit the architecture of the home?
Balance. Does the landscape have symmetrical or asymmetrical
balance (no dominating elements)?
Proportion. Are the plants in scale with one another and the home?
Emphasis. What is your focus? Can you see the front door? Does the
design draw you away from utilities?
Rhythm. Does the design keep the eye moving? Are colors and plant
materials repeated consistently?
Notes:
Score (25 pts.)
(5 pts.)
(5 pts.)
TOTAL:
Elements of Landscape Design
Lines. Do the bed lines provide focus? Are they distracting or
impractical to maintain?
Texture. Are different plants used to provide interactivness within a
bed? Fine textures for close beds and coarse textures for distant beds.
Movement – Visual Movement . Grasses, water, birds, butterflies,
flags, wind chimes.
Color – Warm colors advance or excite Cool colors calm or recede.
Use of complimentary colors together.
Notes:
(5 pts.)
(5pts.)
(5 pts.)
Score (25 pts.)
(5 pts.)
(5 pts.)
(5 pts.)
(10pts.)
Final Score (100)
TOTAL:
TOWN OF JAMES ISLAND
NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL & JAMES ISLAND PRIDE
1238-B Camp Road, James Island, South Carolina 29412
Telephone: (843) 795-4141
Yard of the Month Nomination Form
Does your neighbor, wife, husband, child, etc. have a green thumb? Is the yard the envy
of the neighborhood?
If so, share the beauty while providing them their due recognition. Nominate her/him for a
Yard of the Month award. Additionally, a picture showcasing their work will be posted on
the Town website
* Required information.
Name of nominator
Name of nominee
Address of nominee *
E-mail address of nominee (if available)
Phone number of nominee (if preferred)
Please describe why this yard was
nominated *
May we contact you for additional
information?
If yes, please provide your telephone
number or email address