How to Have a "Best Smelling Yard" Contest

I know what you're thinking, "a smelly yard?" But this could really be fun if done tastefully and you have a good rapport with your neighbors (or wish to start a good relationship). This should also promote a better looking and attractive neighborhood and inspire everyone to do their part to keep it looking great as well as smelling wonderful. Who knows, it may also promote more opportunity for you to get to know your neighbors better.

So, what is a Best Smelling Yard Contest?

My husband and I walk with our dogs in our neighborhood each evening and always seem to comment about the smells and things we notice around our neighborhood as we walk, whose drying clothes, whose cooking and who has the prettiest and best smelling yard.

Usually, it's the same house that has the smells emanating especially because we always walk at the same time so, dinner has just been prepared or the end of a work day for a house keeping mom or just the preparations for the next day.

But the spring and summer seem especially nice, not just because of the occasional great evening weather but because of the delightful floral smells. I was teasing my husband I suggested someone should come up with a contest to encourage everyone to plant beautiful, great smelling flowers in each yard and have neighbors compete to challenge each other to have the best smelling yard.

So here are some of the ideas I considered for the contest:

I know what you're thinking, "a smelly yard?" But this could really be fun if done tastefully and you have a good rapport with your neighbors (or wish to start a good relationship). This should also promote a better looking and attractive neighborhood and inspire everyone to do their part to keep it looking great as well as smelling wonderful. Who knows, it may also promote more opportunity for you to get to know your neighbors better.

So, what is a Best Smelling Yard Contest?

My husband and I walk with our dogs in our neighborhood each evening and always seem to comment about the smells and things we notice around our neighborhood as we walk, whose drying clothes, whose cooking and who has the prettiest and best smelling yard.

Usually, it's the same house that has the smells emanating especially because we always walk at the same time so, dinner has just been prepared or the end of a work day for a house keeping mom or just the preparations for the next day.

But the spring and summer seem especially nice, not just because of the occasional great evening weather but because of the delightful floral smells. I was teasing my husband I suggested someone should come up with a contest to encourage everyone to plant beautiful, great smelling flowers in each yard and have neighbors compete to challenge each other to have the best smelling yard.

So here are some of the ideas I considered for the contest:

• Set a timeline (monthly, seasonal, etc.). You decide how long the contest should run and when it should end.
• Post on website - create a site just for this contest or request to use the neighborhood site if one exists.
• Invite walkers/joggers/passers by in neighborhood to vote (publicize using flyers and/or neighborhood information board).
• Make a professional looking sign to be posted in the winner's yard announcing them as winners selected by their neighbors.
• Submit contest winners to neighborhood newsletter, include pictures and address only (due to personal privacy I would recommend that you only use addresses without any personal data about the property owners/occupants).

For those born without a green thumb, no worries, I've got you covered as well.

Consider purchasing potted plants and aligning your yard.

Be creative and consider a way to use fake plants with scents (I've never tried this so, not sure how well this would work.)

Check your neighborhood's community association by-laws to ensure there are no conflicts.

This is intended to be a fun community builder to unite everyone.Set a timeline (monthly, seasonal, etc.). You decide how long the contest should run and when it should end.

Post on website - create a site just for this contest or request to use the neighborhood site if one exists.

Invite walkers/joggers/passers by in neighborhood to vote (publicize using flyers and/or neighborhood information board).

Make a professional looking sign to be posted in the winner's yard announcing them as winners selected by their neighbors.

Submit contest winners to neighborhood newsletter, include pictures and address only (due to personal privacy I would recommend that you only use addresses without any personal data about the property owners/occupants).

For those born without a green thumb, no worries, I've got you covered as well.

Consider purchasing potted plants and aligning your yard.

Be creative and consider a way to use fake plants with scents (I've never tried this so, not sure how well this would work.)

Check your neighborhood's community association by-laws to ensure there are no conflicts.

This is intended to be a fun community builder to unite everyone.