Who likes yard work?

I do, kind of. But I’m weird like that.

I don’t love it, but there’s a certain amount of pride that comes with a well-manicured lawn and the “exercise” that comes with it is a nice side effect.

Judges from America in Bloom (AIB) will return to Demopolis next month, not quite a year after their fellow judges visited which ultimately lead to the Three Bloom Award from the organization and received a special mention for community involvement.

Essentially, these two judges will be critiquing our little city not on how well we like yard work, but how well we do it.

There’s no debate that Barbara Blevins and Mike Baker do a top-notch job keeping our city colorful, maintained and well-kept. Therefore, much of the work that is left lies on the shoulders of home and landowners.

In preparation for the visit, the City of Demopolis will hit the streets this Monday, Thursday and Friday next week hauling away debris for residents who carry their limbs and debris curbside.

That means this weekend, you need to trim your bushes, cut back those sprawling trees and tidy up a little.

Break out the lawnmower and edger and spend some time in the yard.

Mike and Barbara can only do so much. They can’t come to your house and work their magic. They are confined to right-of-ways and city property.

When it comes to yard work, we’re on our own.

AIB Judges evaluate six criteria: overall impression, environmental efforts, heritage preservation, urban forestry, landscaped areas, and floral displays. These criteria are examined across four sectors: commercial, municipal, residential, and community involvement.

Of those four sectors, Mike and Barbara can only help with one: municipal.

So, for the next two weeks at least, I urge you to do what you can to go the extra mile in maintaining your lawns and the area around them. Having a nice looking town pays off in the long run.