Hi All,
Our last reckoning giving us a total for Week 5 ended Tuesday, June 4 with Sue Ahrens replanting the bed north of the garage. By the way, it looks marvelous!
Work continued at the Gardens beginning June 5, Wednesday when 7 volunteers met at 9 a.m. to finish planting the annuals. Those in attendance were: Nick Goergen – 2 hours, Monica Hoherz – 3 hours, Hetty Hall – 2 hours, Cindy Parsons – 3 hours, Chris Ostrander – 1 hour, Linda Bergquist – 1 1/2 hour, and moi – 2 hours. We had a passel of plants to get in the ground and water well. We finished these jobs by 10 a.m. Some volunteers continued working with Cindy, cleaning up the islands located in the parking lot. Friday, June 7 Cindy worked 3 hours watering very thirsty plants and Saturday morning, June 8 there was more watering needed with Rina and Diane working 2 hours each and Cindy watering 3 hours. Saturday afternoon Jim Peters dropped by to water our newest bed filled with native plants. It seems a lot of watering was needed for Week 5. Fingers crossed the rest of our summer will be filled with gentle, weekly rains. I don’t think that’s asking too much.
Here are the numbers after Week 5’s extra work at the PGG. Weeks 1 – (partial) 5 + extra Week 5 = 222 1/2 hours + 25 1/2 hours = 248 hours for our 2024 Project GREEN gardeners! In 2023, gardeners had accrued 204 hours after Week 5. This group collected over 1000 hours in their 2023 volunteering! It’s possible 2024 will be another record breaking year. I’ll keep my calculator close by…
It was a beautiful morning when 14 Project GREEN volunteers met, June 10, 9 a.m. Those in attendance for Week 6 at the Project GREEN Gardens were: Nick Goergen, Jim Peters (3 hours), Chris Ostrander (3 hours), Monica Hoherz, Lisa Haverkamp, Rina Sjolund, Sue Terveer-Mullins (3 hours), Pat Yeggy, Linda Bergquist, Hetty Hall (3 hours), Jo Pattschull, Mary McCarthy, Cindy Parsons (3 hours), and moi (3 hours). Those without a number after their name volunteered two hours today. It’s very possible I did not know when volunteers left, so if I’ve overlooked the correct amount spent by you at the PGG, please let me know.
Volunteers got busy watering thirsty plants, fertilizing plants, organizing new flowerbeds, clearing the Pergola’s limestone flooring, did I mention watering?, weeding, picking up sticks and branches, watering/fertilizing 6 containers & 2 wagons, dealing with poison ivy, did I mention weeding?, clearing leaves and debris around the Ashton House, purchasing supplies for the Gardens, and ID-ing plants to make plant ID signs for flowerbeds. Whew! That’s a lot of gardening.
Today was the first day of Summer Camp. It was fun to see the children walking from the east side of the driveway to Normandy Drive. From there, campers headed to City Park and a fun day together.
Here are the numbers after our Monday, June 10 together for Week 6. Weeks 1 – 5 + Week 6 = 248 hours + 34 hours = 282 hours for 2024 Project GREEN volunteers after 6 weeks!
Many thanks for your continued care of the Project GREEN Gardens. Project GREEN volunteers are an amazing, dedicated group, seriously.
Upcoming events:
Wednesday, June 12, 9 a.m. “Party in the Park” committee meeting. We will meet in the lower level of the Ashton House.
Hope to see you next Monday, June 17. Until then, happy gardening! Diane