Hi All,
I’ve traveled by the PGG quite a bit this past week. As my home rain gauge water count grew so did my apprehension about the Iowa River staying on its side of the hiking/biking trail. So far, so good, but we’ll see. I am very happy to note there will be no watering plants in our near future! There have been many Augusts Project GREEN volunteers have added LOTS of time keeping our flowers, shrubs, and trees alive using hoses connected to the Ashton House (AH). We are not only thankful for generous 2026 Mother Nature rainfalls, but we now have a wonderful new water system!
There were 12 Project GREEN volunteers that gathered at the PGG on Monday, August 10. Volunteers recorded their name and extra time spent at the Gardens from August 10 through August 16. Those in attendance were: Diane Allen 3 hours, Larry Allen 1 hour (not in attendance), Monica Hoherz 3 hours, Evelyn Frey 3 hours, Mary Laughlin 3 hours, Linda Bergquist 3 hours, Barb Schintler 3 hours, Jim Peters 2 1/2 hours, Rina Sjolund 3 hours, Susan Ahrens 2 hours, Sue Mullins 2 hours, Lisa Haverkamp master gardener hours, Cindy Parsons 2 hours. You are all fantastic gardeners! As I walk the Gardens. I am SO impressed with our 2026 beds! Our 9 a.m. temperature was 77 degrees and by 11 a.m. it was 79 degrees, The air quality was moderate at 52, but close to safe. Our rainfall since last Monday August 3 was 1/2 inch. Our goals on Monday were to continue weeding where needed. Good news! Barb Schintler will be planning and caring for the Catalpa bed. Thanks Barb! When the rumbling thunder got louder and lightning strikes seemed near, volunteers headed for their cars and home.
Our plant orders are due the end of August. I have three catalogs from Dawn Bouslog at Pleasant Valley Greenhouses to borrow. They are on the north side table inside the garage:
When making your order please ID the catalog name, flower name with page listed where you found the plant, and how many plants you need. Things like special elephant ear bulbs, canna lilies,fountain grass, etc not found in these catalogs go ahead and list. Dawn will do her best to get these included in our order. Cindy and I take care of ordering for the Triangle, Quilt, Mary’s Tree, and extra plants for volunteers to use. Remember to use perennial as well as annual plants. Dawn reminded me to tell volunteers if plants worked well in the past, it’s OK and a good idea to use again.
Here is the mulch list for project manager Ed Rinderspacher. Please make sure it’s up-to-date! Let me know where mulch is needed!
- Dwarf Bottleneck Buckeye bushes bed
- Catalpa bed
- Triangle bed around red salvia
- Rudbeckia bed along new path towards Normandy Drive
- Big prairie circle bed
Here’s the numbers after 15 weeks at the PGG. Weeks 1 – 14 + Week 15 = 765 hours + 30 1/2 hours
= 795 1/2 hours for Project GREEN volunteers after 15 weeks working at the PGG!
A thousand thanks to each of you for extra-special gardening. You’re the best!
Sean Pearl with Sustainable Landscape Solutions (SLS) will be stopping by the Gardens around 10 a.m. Monday, August 17 with his Nursery Manager, Bridget for a site visit. The “Day of Service” has tentatively been set for Friday, September 25, 2026 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. All Project GREEN volunteers are invited to join in the 3 1/2 hours of PGG improvements with SLS employees. Project GREEN plans to thank & treat SLS employees and Project GREEN volunteers and any others who helped at 12:30 p.m. We will meet at the fire pit for a S’mores party!
Looking forward to our next work session for Week 16 on Monday, August 17 from 9 – 11 a.m. It looks to be another wet day to pull weeds. Until then, happy gardening! Diane