Mike Bailey and Judy Winkle-Bailey, of 166 Bay View Drive, won October’s Yard of the Month award. Although Mike has lived here about five years, Judy moved in when they married two years ago, and that is when most major changes started happening in their landscape! However, they make design decisions together and enjoy helping each other outside. For example, Judy and Mike may each get out an edger and edge at the same time!

Mike and Judy’s front and back yards are notable not only for the variety of plants, but for the artful design. Previously, both yards were filled with many large azaleas and trees. To achieve a more open look, they removed 14 large trees and put in lawns complemented by sweeping curved flower beds. Dogwoods, palms, banana trees, flowering ginger, jungle flame, oleander, daylilies, and marigolds are just a sampling of their many types of plants.

The two focal points of the front yard are the striking red front door, and the “Praise Him” flag set in a bed. Judy picks colors for the flowers from the colors in the flag. For example, depending on the season, you may see red begonias or vibrant purple blooms on the saucer magnolia, red and purple being two colors in the flag. Judy says her “pride and joy” are the two red hibiscuses, representative of Hawaii where she and Mike honeymooned.

The front yard includes a peach tree which was about 6 feet tall when planted this past spring and is now over 12 feet, already providing over 2 dozen delicious peaches. These plantings are enhanced by a thick green centipede lawn, healthy because of Mike’s attention to such things as timely mowing and re-sodding an area decimated by mole crickets.

Located on Bay View Drive, the front yard is very public, however the back yard is a restful private retreat. From the large screened back porch, the couple can look down at the yard and also over the attractive wood fence to a natural wooded area. The sloping back yard has three main areas of interest. First is the deck which is very architectural; steps lead and turn down to a landing, deck, and then the ground. Second, is the rose bed, with bushes blooming in red, white, pink, peach, and lavender. Third, is their “bird sanctuary” with seven feeders of different types and a bird bath. Judy and Mike have both become avid bird watchers, loving to sit with binoculars at the top of the deck steps, and having identified over 20 species of birds visiting their yard.

Mike and Judy gain much pleasure from their yard, from Judy’s bouquet making, bird watching, working together, pride in accomplishment, sitting by the deck’s chimenea in cool weather, and the therapy of working outdoors after full workweeks. We all gain a lovely yard enriching our drive and our neighborhood. Thank you Judy and Mike!