Hi All!
It’s been quite a week! We began with the cancelling of Monday, May 18, the beginning of Week 3 due to rainy conditions. It was decided to begin Week 3 (better known as “Planting Day”) to Wednesday May 20, from 9 a.m. – noon. A few volunteers met Tuesday, May 19 from 9 a.m. – noon organizing our plants that had been delivered by Pleasant Valley Greenhouses on Sunday. Lots of extra work was put into the Gardens since we last officially met on Monday, May 11. We are now using our new water system. It’s a dream! We still have our old system that connects our hoses to the Ashton House faucets. The new system connects Project GREEN hoses to Iowa City’s water. Everything is closer and with our new system we have much better pressure. Life has gotten simpler for Project GREEN volunteers. Thanks to Jim Peters for his efforts organizing our old and new systems.
I did not take pictures last Tuesday as volunteers did their best organizing the 2026 plant order. Since this 2026 order was completed last August, volunteers needed reminders of the plants selected for this year. By the time we left, there was some order to the gazillion gorgeous annual flowers, perennial flowers, and shrubs. The following are the volunteers who worked Tuesday, 5/19 morning: Rina Sjolund, Diane Allen, Sue Mullins, and Erin Buscher. These volunteers collected 12 hours.
Week 3 began early for some volunteers. The following volunteers collected extra time working at the Gardens: Cindy Parsons and Diane Allen each spent 2 hours painting lines for the Triangle, Quilt, and Circle flowerbeds. Jim Peters spent 3 hours working on the water systems, Rina Sjolund spent 1 hour shopping for the containers and wagons and dropping off potting soil at the Gardens. These volunteers collected 8 extra hours.
Week 3 officially began Wednesday, May 20 from 9 a.m. to noon. Our goals included planting the Triangle, Circle, and Quilt beds. Those in attendance were: Diane Allen 3.5 hours, Larry Allen 3.5 hours, Monica Hoherz 3 hours + 4 extra hours, Mary Laughlin, Erin Buscher, Chris Ostrander, Nick Goergen, Pat Yeggy, Ed Rinderspacher, Sue Mullins 4 hours, Susan Ahrens, and Lisa Haverkamp master gardener hours. These volunteers collected 39 hours for Week 3. As always, if anyone’s name and time is not included, PLEASE let me know. Any time spent since our time together beginning Wednesday morning has not been included. For example, Rina worked Thursday, May 21 planting her containers and wagons. When we meet next Tuesday, May 26 for Week 4, Rina will include her extra 5 hours when signing in. Could this be more confusing ???
How about some pictures?
I often take pictures described as winter holiday card worthy. Here are the latest pictures:
Here are the numbers after Week 3 at the Project GREEN Gardens. Weeks 1 – 2 + Week 3 = 183 hours + 59 hours
= 242 hours for Project GREEN 2026 Gardens!
Congratulations and many thank you’s to each of you! There is a theme to some of our beds this year. Please drop by the Gardens (820 Park Road) and see if you can figure it out for yourself!
There are LOTS of plants left to get into the Gardens. Specifically Evelyn’s Corner, Catalpa Bed, Susan’s northside garage bed and plants around the patio, back side of the rudebechia bed, the Arch, the Welcome bed, and more! We will continue planting these beds on Tuesday, May 26 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. which we’ll call Week 4. We have extra plants still unclaimed. Cindy and I ordered some perennial plants to dig in as well. Of course, there’s watering to be done.
Data gathered Wednesday, May 20: Temperatures at 9 a.m. 53 degrees and noon 59 degrees. The air quality was 29, described as good. The rain amounts since last week: 0.94 inches to 1.79 inches. at the Gardens.
We may need some watering at the Gardens beginning Saturday, May 23 through Monday, May 25. I believe Susan Ahrens can water any day but Saturday. She will need help. Please contact Susan if you can join her. Please remember to water the new plants still on the driveway or steps around the north corner.
Wishing each of you a peaceful Memorial Day weekend. Cindy will be in charge on Tuesday, May 26 as I will be out-of-town. Take care and happy gardening! Diane