Week 22, September 25, 2023, Ashton House Project GREEN Gardens

Hi All,

There were 16 Project GREEN volunteers working at the AHPGG during week 22.  Those in attendance were:  Chris Ostrander, Pat Yeggy, Sue Mullins, Mary Laughlin, Jo Pattschull, Susan Ahrens, Dhyana Kaufman (extra 1 hour), Mary McCarthy, Monica Hoherz, Rina Sjolund, Larry Allen, Vivienne Benson (new Project GREEN volunteer, extra 1 1/2 hour), Evelyn Frey (extra hour),  moi (extra 1 1/2 hour),  Bill Blair (Wednesday, 9/27, 1 hour), Cindy Parsons (Friday, 9/29, 1 1/2 hour), Diane Allen (Friday, 9/29, 1 1/2 hour).  Each volunteer stayed 2 hours, unless otherwise noted.   

Week 22, September 25, Raingauge data:  front 0.6 inches and back 0.5 inches since week 21, September 18.

I will document using pictures week 22 work completed:

There is a broken limestone parking spot along the long driveway from Park Road. Every year Project GREEN volunteers spend time clearing green growth from between each piece of limestone. This tedious task is nearly 1/2 done. Expect another picture soon showing off its completion.

Next Monday, October 2, volunteers along with Project GREEN project manager, Ed Rinderspacher, will plant 27 boxwood. Ed will use his auger digging 27 holes (2 ft X 1 1/2 ft) , volunteers will drop the boxwood into each fertilized hole, cover with mulch, and give each new plant a good drink of water.

Beth Cody with help from her son dug the 27 boxwood from her garden on Sunday and delivered them to AHPGG. It sounds simple, but took lots of coordination and communication! Volunteers will water well each boxwood throughout October. Fingers crossed the boxwood will flourish in their new homes for many years to come.

Volunteers cleared spent ferns from the bed north of the AH garage. The red wagon was relocated from the area between the stairs and ramp leading to the front door. The wagon is filled with annual plants and needed more sunshine to continue blooming. Doesn’t it look great next to the red bird bath? This is a lovely bed filled with lamb’s ear. lots of spring blooming iris, a few sedum, ostrich ferns.
On the north side of the house ivy has grown up to the window and is doing its best to get inside the house. Volunteers removed the lower growth and now needs ladder & city help to remove the rest.
Susan Ahrens donated lamium in 2021 for this bed located next to the driveway headed to the garage. She brought extra lamium to fill spaces in the three year old bed. After a very dry season, we’ve learned our 2024 weekly watering will include the lamium bed.
Beth Cody sent variegated Solomon seal perennial plants for an east side oval. Thanks Beth! One volunteer cleared this area and planted each plant watering well.
North of the variegated Solomon seal bed are two oval shaped beds. These beds run from east to west and both have Iowa City’s city flower, rudbeckia, planted in abundance.
Pictured above are: Dash #3 and Mary’s tree. Project GREEN plans to care for these beds until the end of October.
The Circle garden, looking east from the Triangle to the Quilt.
One volunteer helped organize books at the Little Free Library. Thanks to all who donated books!
Our picture of the week is showing a northside bed that until recently was covered with poison ivy and other tangled invasives. Volunteer, Bill Blair, and Ed Rinderspacher have each given a Herculean effort clearing this bed. Stay tuned for more work like this!

Our 2024 annual plant order is due soon. If anyone has suggestions for plant material please send them my way (dlallen16@hotmail.com).

Here are the numbers after 22 weeks working at the AHPGG. Weeks 1 – 21 + Week 22 = 790 1/2 hours + 37 hours = 827 1/2 hours!

The work Project GREEN volunteers do matters and has impact for our community! Congratulations for entering the 800’s. Truly a remarkable achievement!

Our next work session will be Monday, October 2, from 9 – 11 a.m. We will plant 27 boxwood & 100 daffodils all easy sneezy. We will need to set up sprinklers and keep them working all day moving from one thirsty bed to the next. October’s Halloween has traditionally been the end of our season’s work. Let’s enjoy our next weeks of beauty as trees put on their autumn show. Enjoy your weekend and hope to see lots of volunteers Monday morning.

Until then, happy gardening, Diane

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