“I like them, I buy them,” she said.

The work that she and her husband, Richard, have put into their property at 1342 N. 13th St. have earned it the first Yard of the Month designation presented by the Fort Dodge Federated Garden Club.

The house is surrounded by planting beds with stone on top of soil that are filled with hostas and other plants. Peonies are among the flowers to be found. Some artificial flowers that Linda Kellogg made by arranging round stones purchased at local lawn and garden stores are mixed in with the real ones.

There is also a crab apple tree on the property.

- Messenger photo by Bill Shea
A variety of plants fills an area on the northwest side of Richard and Linda Kellog's home at 1342 N. 13th St. Their property was declared the Yard of the Month for May by the Fort Dodge Federated Garden Club.

An area around a flag pole in the front yard and a grassy area surrounded by the U-shaped driveway are both landscaped. Large rocks that Richard Kellogg found near Knierim highlight both locations.

“What attracted me to their yard, besides the neat overall look, was the sculpted trees and bushes in such a small yard,” said Nancy Phillips, of the Garden Club. “It is very interesting to look at.”

The Kelloggs moved from Charles City to Fort Dodge in 1995, and they moved into their current home in 2000. All of the plantings and landscaping have been completed since then.

“It’s an honor to be considered a Yard of the Month,” Linda Kellogg said.

Richard Kellogg is retired from Canadian National Railway; Linda Kellog is retired from Kolacia Construction, in Fort Dodge. They have three sons and multiple grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

- Messenger photo by Bill Shea
Small shrubs and a big rock form a landscaping highlight on the property of Richard and Linda Kellogg at 1342 N. 13th St. Their property was named the first Yard of the Month by the Fort Dodge Federated Garden Club.