From the Horticulturis - Adopt-a-Flowerbed

As it gradually gets warmer and warmer each week, I get more excited about going outside into the garden at home and at work. I am looking forward to the improvements we will be making in the park facility landscapes and the annual flowerbeds.

The Greenhouse Groupies are growing many types of flowers for the park flowerbeds. They are so excited, they literally giggle when they are in the greenhouse. Of course so do I, because on a gloomy late winter day there is nothing better than the smell of potting soil and geraniums in bloom. We are also growing many different types of perennial flowers to add to our park flowerbeds. They will add color and height to our designs.

As for our flowerbeds, we have 30 beds in 24 parks and since I have so many other gardening duties in the parks, I am in need of volunteers to plant and care for the flowerbeds. My staff and I will prepare the beds and water them all summer if you will promise to plant them, deadhead the flowers and weed them. If you think you would like to adopt a bed, they are generally not too large and don’t take a lot of time to care for. Contact Dolly Foster, and get a registration form off of our website, on the program page.

You know the more gardeners I meet and get to know, I find that many of them like weeding. There is something about getting out there, and really cleaning up a landscape or flowerbed. You feel so accomplished when you are done. I think it also gives time for the mind to relax and forget about the days’ troubles. No ones likes to weed but I also don’t mind weeding. If you are interested in joining a weeding group for the park district, please contact Dolly Foster. If we have enough volunteers, you will probably only need to come out once this season. We will work in shifts, once every 2-3 weeks from July-September at Centennial Park. I will teach you the difference between the weeds and the “plants” and assist you in any way possible.

Many thanks to those of you who have already volunteered! Remember to get your registration form in early to adopt the park of your choice! Dolly

Contact Dolly: dfoster@olparks.com 857-2225