Hi All,
Tuesday, April 21 was a lovely morning to meet at the PGG to finish last year’s tasks as we planted the area west of the new fire-pit. Our work time was scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon, although many volunteers were in attendance when I arrived a little after 8 a.m. Early efforts included: moving hoses near the fire-pit, setting up a “stage” for Tyler Baird’s comments, greeting friends (old and new), getting Fern (our year old John Deere Gator) out of the garage and readied for a few busy hours. By 9 a.m. all was ready with a long list of attendees: Parks and Recreation staff along with Forestry Department, Master Gardeners, City Channel 4 personnel, Heritage Trees volunteers, City Employee Malory Smysor with staff and clients located at the Ashton House, and Project GREEN volunteers.
By 9:30 a.m. announcements were delivered. As you can see in the pictures above, holes were dug for new trees at the Project GREEN Gardens. Make sure to look and marvel at the black soil next to the holes dug! It was now time to get the trees, shrubs, and 1250 prairie plugs into the ground.
Fortunately, Sue Mullins (a Project GREEN volunteer) had been thinking about our upcoming planting party and wondering how volunteers could be more efficient while planting. The repetitive tasks of making a hole, carefully placing a plug into the hole, then gently covering the prairie plug into its new home could be tedious and possibly back breaking. Keep in mind there were 1250 prairie plugs! Sue remembered a few years ago when Project GREEN volunteers planted over 50 boxwood around the Ashton House parking lot. Our Project GREEN project manager, Ed Rinderspacher, used his large auger to dig each of the over 50 large holes. The auger made our efforts go quickly and do-able. We were easily done in a couple hours! Sue shared her auger thoughts and soon a 3-inch auger with a stand-up drill were ordered and ready to use on our April 21 morning together. Holes were dug at each pink flag followed by a volunteer placing a plug and covering it. Voila, I have pictures to show the flags disappearing and Cindy Parsons marked the time of the last plug placed into the ground at 11:15 a.m.
Thanks to all for a grand planting party! A s’mores celebration was provided by Project GREEN at the new fire-pit. Cindy Parsons and Lisa Haverkamp had a nice fire ready to roast marshmallows on skewers. Graham crackers and Hershey bars were added making an ooey-gooey sweet treat for all who could stay.
Those who were in attendance: Diane Allen 5-hours, Sue Mullins 2.5-hours, Cindy Parsons 4-hours, Erin Buscher 2-hours, Lisa Haverkamp master gardener hours, Chris Ostrander 4-hours, Kate Ebinger 4-hours, Jim Peters 4-hours + 10-hours extra PGG time, Mary Laughlin 3-hours, Mallory + her group, Linda McGuire 3-hours, Evelyn Frey 2-hours, Monica Hoherz 4-hours. Hopefully everyone signed in. If not, please let me know and how long you were at the Gardens. Total of 47 1/2 hours for 2026. Many, many thanks!
Those who were in attendance for the seed sewing event, February 6, 2026 were: Diane Allen, Cindy Parsons, Linda Schreiber (master gardener hours), Sue Mullins, Michele Sorrell (master gardener hours), Barb Schintler, Monica Hoherz, Lisa Haverkamp (master gardener hours), Kara Frankman (master gardener hours). Total of 10 hours for Project GREEN volunteers in 2026. Many, many thanks!
Here are the numbers after two work session at the Project GREEN Gardens before our 2026 work sessions: Officially PG volunteers begin Monday, May 4 at the Gardens. Seed sewing + planting party = 10 hours + 47 1/2 hours
= 57 1/2 hours for Project GREEN volunteers.
Oh yes, I spent 3 hours writing this. Now, it’s 60 1/2 hours. Whoop-eeee! Please let me know if you’ve done any extra work at the Gardens that have not been counted.
We will meet Monday, May 4, from 9 – 11 a.m. If we have inclement weather I will send an email to all by 7 a.m., cancelling our work session. Our week 1 tasks include, clearing our beds for the growing seasons ahead. Looking forward to seeing everyone! If you know of any interested volunteers, please invite them to our first session. Until then, happy gardening. Diane