Hi All,
We had a wonderful turn-out for our twelfth week together at the PGG! There were 16 (my favorite number!) Project GREEN volunteers in attendance Monday, July 21. They were: Diane Allen (4 hours), Jim Peters (3 hours), Susan Ahrens, Mary Laughlin, Nick Goergen, Chris Ostrander (2 1/2 hour), Evelyn Frey, Monica Hoherz, Rina Sjolund, Barb Schintler, Laura Bonifazi (master gardener hours), Linda Schreiber (master gardener hours), Pat Yeggy (1 1/2 hour), Hetty Hall (2 1/2 hour), Sue Mullins (2 1/2 hour), and Cindy Parsons (2 1/2 hour), The Project GREEN volunteers who worked extra hours since last week 11 were: Monica Hoherz (1 hour), Pat Yeggy (2025 label work 10 hours), Roger Swartz (Little Free Library LFL and wren house builder 3 hours), and Cindy Parsons (1 1/2 hours). The 9 a.m. temperature was 70 degrees with 84% humidity. By 11 a.m., the temperature was 74 degrees. Our rain gauge showed 1 inch rain since last week. The air quality was 37, described as “Good.” Not bad for a July Monday.
Our accomplished goals included: planting 3 “Lady in Red” ninebark shrubs, planting 9 “Green Velvet” boxwood, continuing to clear West Oval 2, fertilizing the 8 containers (7 in front and 1 in north side garage bed), filling the LFL (the LFL is in need of adult and children’s books), finishing weeding memorial flowerbed, weeding Ligularia Dell, and weeding lamium bed. Whew! I’m pretty sure more work was done. Everything looked fantastic after everyone had left and I walked around the 8+ acres. Well done!
Here are pictures showing our week 12 efforts.
Here are the numbers after 12 weeks of challenging, but heartwarming efforts by Project GREEN volunteers. Weeks 1 – 11 + Week 12 = 578 1/2 hours + 48 hours
= 626 1/2 hours for Project GREEN 2025 volunteers! Oh my, so much to be proud of and providing welcoming beauty to Iowa City’s beautiful Project GREEN Gardens!
With all the volunteer hours and informative labels for trees, shrubs, and perennial & annual plants, is it possible to consider the Project GREEN Gardens as Botanical Gardens? Here’s a definition I found using the internet:
A botanical garden is a dedicated space showcasing a diverse collection of living plants, organized primarily to highlight their similarities and connections.
Would anyone be interested in learning the how’s and what’s needed to get accreditation as a Botanical Garden? If yes, please let Cindy or me know.
Our week 13 will begin Monday, July 28 from 9 – 11 a.m. It’s supposed to be another hot day with high humidity. Anyone wishing to work from 8 – 10 a.m., I’ll be at the PGG as well.
Looking forward to seeing LOTS of Project GREEN volunteers tomorrow. Until then, happy gardening! Diane