In June the Marshalltown Garden Club began a program to recognize residents who maintain a yard with attractive curb appeal, neatness and interesting use of plant material and landscaping. Yards may be formal, informal, cottage garden style, large or small or a working yard with vegetables, herbs or fruit trees or even native plantings.

The July YOTM is 4 S. Fifth St., the home of Moises Orozco and his wife Angelina. They are originally from San Diego and purchased the property in 2009, joining family in the area. He and his wife enjoyed traveling for a number of years and now he works part time for a seed company. Moises is the gardener of the couple as his wife says she cannot grow plants.

The corner lot was originally the First Church of Christ, Scientist, a Prairie School Church that was on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Sadly it was demolished in August, 1985. Many of the stones buried underground have been used in creating different garden spaces, but Moises has worked diligently to develop more suitable growing conditions.

In San Diego Moises had a family friend/employer called “Mother/Boss.” His mother died when he was very young, and he learned a lot about gardening from Mother/Boss. He tries every kind of plant, and different species of plants, and moving them around. He says he grows everything that looks nice. He shops everywhere, and enjoys the spring plant sales at Reiman Gardens to find unusual items. His garden includes many tropicals not hardy in Iowa and he brings them indoors over the winter. He enclosed an open porch, and used his handyman skills to build trellises and sheltered alcoves for climbing plants and for shade and privacy. About 1/5 of his plants will be wintered indoors.

Driving or walking by this amazing garden is a delight, season after season.

Homes featured are selected by a committee, and suggestions are welcomed from the community at 641-751-1021. Selection is limited to Marshalltown residents who are not members of the Marshalltown Garden Club.