Des Moines, IA:Community Gardening Coalition
- Subject: [cg] Des Moines, IA:Community Gardening Coalition
- From: A*@aol.com
- Date: Thu, 7 Apr 2005 07:50:35 EDT
Published April 7, 2005
Free flowers
Area nonprofit groups to receive plants through beautification program.
Area nonprofit groups can receive flowering plants through a beautification
program.
OLIVIA GONZALEZ HOWE
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
Every year, nearly 100 Des Moines nonprofit groups rely on a city-run
beautification program to help brighten up their surroundings.
Des Moines Community Gardening Coalition grows and distributes more than
150,000 flowering annuals that are planted in public gardens located in places
such as street medians and land owned by nonprofit organizations and schools.
Thanks to donations of perennials, about 20 groups will receive free plants
through the sixth annual Great Perennial Divide. Last year, more than 1,700
plants that ranged from herbs to butterfly garden materials were donated.
"Most of these groups that can't afford to buy look to us to help provide the
resources," said Teva Dawson, community garden coordinator for the Des Moines
Parks and Recreation Department. "The hard part is putting in the time and
energy" to maintain a garden.
Groups that want to test out their green thumbs must order annuals for new or
existing gardens by April 30. Perennials must be requested by April 15.
Annuals will be distributed at the Des Moines Botanical Center, 909 Robert D.
Ray Drive, May 13-21. Donations of perennials will be accepted on May 14 at
the center, and plants will be distributed the following day.
Items needed include perennials for sun and shade, ground covers, herbs,
ornamental grasses, shrubs and seeds.
The Women's Residential Correctional Facility, 1917 Hickman Road, is among
the groups that relies on the city program for landscaping and greenery.
Women who live at the facility plant and maintain their own Serenity Garden
and flower boxes throughout the spring and summer, said Lyn Hawthorn,
residential supervisor.
"It really spruces up the grounds," Hawthorn said. "It's not a problem
getting the (residents) out there. They enjoy being outside working with the
flowers."
Members of organizations who request perennials will meet with a volunteer
master gardener who visits the garden site to help determine the type of plants
and how many are needed for the space.
All nonprofit organizations, excluding churches, are eligible to receive free
flowers and plants. Group orders are coordinated through neighborhood
associations, Dawson said. Organizations also can place orders by contacting the
city's Park and Recreation Department or by downloading an order form for annual
plants only at www.dmparks.org.
Published April 7, 2005
Free flowers
ORDERING DEADLINE: Perennials, April 15; annuals, April 30
LEARN MORE: For information call 323-8907 or log on to www.dmparks.org
varSubject = "subject=In full bloom";In full bloom
Area nonprofit groups to receive plants through beautification program.
Area nonprofit groups can receive flowering plants through a beautification
program.
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OLIVIA GONZALEZ HOWE
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
Every year, nearly 100 Des Moines nonprofit groups rely on a city-run
beautification program to help brighten up their surroundings.
Des Moines Community Gardening Coalition grows and distributes more than
150,000 flowering annuals that are planted in public gardens located in places
such as street medians and land owned by nonprofit organizations and schools.
Thanks to donations of perennials, about 20 groups will receive free plants
through the sixth annual Great Perennial Divide. Last year, more than 1,700
plants that ranged from herbs to butterfly garden materials were donated.
"Most of these groups that can't afford to buy look to us to help provide the
resources," said Teva Dawson, community garden coordinator for the Des Moines
Parks and Recreation Department. "The hard part is putting in the time and
energy" to maintain a garden.
Groups that want to test out their green thumbs must order annuals for new or
existing gardens by April 30. Perennials must be requested by April 15.
Annuals will be distributed at the Des Moines Botanical Center, 909 Robert D.
Ray Drive, May 13-21. Donations of perennials will be accepted on May 14 at
the center, and plants will be distributed the following day.
Items needed include perennials for sun and shade, ground covers, herbs,
ornamental grasses, shrubs and seeds.
The Women's Residential Correctional Facility, 1917 Hickman Road, is among
the groups that relies on the city program for landscaping and greenery.
Women who live at the facility plant and maintain their own Serenity Garden
and flower boxes throughout the spring and summer, said Lyn Hawthorn,
residential supervisor.
"It really spruces up the grounds," Hawthorn said. "It's not a problem
getting the (residents) out there. They enjoy being outside working with the
flowers."
Members of organizations who request perennials will meet with a volunteer
master gardener who visits the garden site to help determine the type of plants
and how many are needed for the space.
All nonprofit organizations, excluding churches, are eligible to receive free
flowers and plants. Group orders are coordinated through neighborhood
associations, Dawson said. Organizations also can place orders by contacting the
city's Park and Recreation Department or by downloading an order form for annual
plants only at www.dmparks.org.
______________________________________________________
The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of ACGA's services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA and to find out how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org
To post an e-mail to the list: community_garden@mallorn.com
To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription: https://secure.mallorn.com/mailman/listinfo/community_garden
