Each year, K.I.B. is proud to sponsor or support summer garden awards.

Best in Bloom

Each year, Best Way Disposal coordiantes the 'Best In Bloom' competition.  This competition focuses on creating, or improving existing gardens that are visible from the curb side.  Contestants are judged on a number of aspects from content to originality and benefit to the neighborhood and community.  Thirteen prizes are awarded: one Winner receives $1000.00, two Runners Up receive $500.00 ea. and ten Honorable Mentions receive $100.00 ea.

Click here to view past winners.

Attractive Gardens

K.I.B. also works with the Kalamazoo Garden Council to coordinate an Attractive Gardens competition where monthly winners are awarded a certificate and recognition in the Kalamazoo Gazette. the award's purpose is to encourage the beautification of Kalamazoo County by recognizing exceptional homve gardens and business landscapes which contribute to the beauty of our environment.

Attractive Gardens winners for 2006

Please join us in thanking the following winners for creating a beautiful garden which brings joy to our community

May Residential Winner: Mary Lou Jepsen of Mendon
Mrs. Jepsen has created a colorful English Country Garden setting with a charming potting shed.
From the Gardenettes Garden Club judges... "absolutely beautiful!"

May Commercial Winner: Meyer Weiner Company on Mall Drive in Portage.
"Wow!" according to the Gardenettes judges, "a beautiful design which is suitable to the site."

June Residential Winner: Maury Rykert of Kalamazoo
The Grow and Show Garden Club judges call this garden "bright, cheery and uplifting" with inviting walks and tremendous variety

(no June commercial winner)

July Residential Winner: Lois Nelson of Kalamazoo
The Burk View Garden Club stated, "This manicured, well planned garden makes an eye catching first impression." Mrs. Nelson is 82 years old and does everything herself!

July Commercial Winner: Farm Bureau Insurance, 3960 Crestwood, Kalamazoo
This garden, professionally landscaped by Phil Bauman and maintained by Susan Fritz, has many stunning features, including large rock retaining gardens and a beautiful waterfall.

Augus Residential Winner: Avonda Oliver of Kalamazoo
"Ms. Oliver has a striking and very unusual artistic landscape," reported the Chula Vista Garden Club. A ruver of vivid impatiens runs through a setting of tall pines, trees, shrubs, and perennials with fieldstone retaining walls coordinating with the stone and wood home.

August Commercial Winner: West Main Shell Station, 5171 W. Main St. Kalamazoo
Mike and Larry Klimczak, proprietors, plant and maintain their landscape. The Chula Vista Garden Club found they meticulously maintain and groom plantings of shrubs, perennials, and colorful annuals, providing a noncommercial atmosphere to a commercial site.