Hi All,
My heart is full today knowing we’ve spent 25 weeks together caring for the PPG. Our last official work session will be Monday, October 27 from 9 – 11 a.m. Our Week 26 plans include a s’mores party after we finish our to-do list. There’s lots of ooey-gooey fun ahead for the Project GREEN volunteers!
I promised a few pictures of autumn’s beauty and here they are. Do plan to drop by the Gardens soon to see beautiful colors for yourselves!
Max’s tree is a special one, called a Three-flowered Maple, Acer Triflorum. Ed Rinderspacher, our Project Green manager, chose this tree and planted it in 2022. Look at it’s very straight trunk and beautiful autumn colors! The Missouri Botanical Garden describes this tree as, “Acer triflorum is commonly known as three-flowered maple. It is a small, deciduous understory tree which typically grows 25-30′ tall with a densely-branched, rounded crown. Best ornamental features are its attractive shape, exfoliating bark and fall color. Medium green trifoliate leaves (leaflets to 3″ long) turn vibrant shades of orange to red in autumn. Ash-brown bark exfoliates in vertical strips to reveal orange-brown inner bark. Greenish-yellow flowers appear in April in clusters of three, hence the species and common names. As with most maples, the flowers are not showy. Fruit is a samara (1-1.25″ long). Similar in appearance and habit to paperbark maple, Acer griseum. (Genus name is the Latin name for a maple tree. Specific epithet means three-flowered in reference to the flowers, which are in clusters of three.”)
There were 14 volunteers in attendance at the PGG for week 25. They were: Diane Allen (4 1/2 hours), Sue Mullins (+1 1/2 extra for 10/13), Kara Frankman, Rina Sjolund, Hetty Hall, Cindy Parsons, Susan Ahrens (2 1/2 hours), Barb Schintler (2 1/2 hours), Pat Yeggy, Evelyn Frey, Paula Sanan, Lisa Haverkamp (MG), Monica Hoherz, Linda Schreiber (MG). Our 9 a.m. temperature was 49 degrees and 11 a.m. 59 degrees. The humidity was 81% and air quality 17, described as “good.” The PGG rainfall since week 24 was 0.4 inches, once again declared “not enough.”
Our to-do list was a busy one. Mulch was moved from the parking lot to West Oval 1 using Ed R’s dingo and gator, mulch was spread evenly over the Oval, the Arch, and Ligularia dell, canna lilies and elephant ears were dug and placed on tarps. Sue Mullins collected the rhizomes and bulbs, putting them in her truck and transported them to Diane Allen’s home. They will be placed in boxes and settled into a heated (40 degree) well house for over-wintering. See pictures below showing some of week 25’s accomplishments:
Here are the numbers after volunteering at the PGG for 25 weeks. Weeks 1 – 24 + Week 25 = 995 1/2 hours + 29 hours
= 1024 1/2 hours for the 2025 Project GREEN volunteers!
Congratulations to each and every Project GREEN volunteer making the Gardens a extra-special location for all visitors and locals who hike, bike, and rest in the many benches around the trails. Each of you is appreciated and please know you have made a significant difference at the Project GREEN Gardens!
So, ANYONE who has helped at the 2025 PGG is invited to the s’mores party Monday, October 27 beginning at 11 a.m. We will meet at the fire pit located near the river in the northern section of the Gardens. There is a new path off the main hiking/biking trail to follow. Lisa Haverkamp and Cindy Parsons will be starting the fire around 10:30 a.m. As I mentioned ANYONE who has volunteered for 2025 Project GREEN is invited.
Also, our PGG celebration is planned November 3, at 9 a.m. Again, ANYONE who has volunteered at the 2025 PGG is welcome! The brunch is located at the home of Diane and Larry Allen, 2752 Hidden Valley Trail, Solon 52333. GPS will take you to our driveway.
Our week 26 to-do list includes pulling annual plants and placing on tarps to send to the landfill (thanks to Steve Erickson + crew!) and collect hoses to drain and relocate to the Ashton House garage. Three containers will be moved inside the screened-in porch to spend the winter. The remaining containers will be decorated with juniper greens by Becky Hall. A s’mores party will follow week 26’s work session.
Looking forward to being together (for our last 2025 time) at the Project GREEN Gardens Monday, October 27, 9 a.m. Until then, happy gardening! Diane