Two yards tied for the honor when Ironton In Bloom judges met to choose the July Yard Of The Month Award.

Sharon and Lorie Charles, of 2310 S. Fourth St., have lived in their Ironton home just six months, although their family is from the area. The couple combined red wave petunias and geraniums with lime sweet potato vines, ivy and ferns to create the plantings that set off their gray and white home to perfection.

Brian and Donna Watson have surrounded their home at 2316 S. Seventh St. with a variety of hardy and colorful blooms, predominantly large pots and beds of pink and purple petunias.

Both couples say they fertilize as much as twice a week to keep their blooms in peak condition but once they are planted, upkeep is not difficult.

Both couples agree that they thoroughly enjoy working in their yards and are full of plans for increasing and improving next year.