I'm looking for a few good men — or ladies — who would like to help establish gardens at a senior housing complex in Morrisonville.
A few weeks ago, when I wrote in this column of my plans to grow and then plant flowers to brighten up the grounds, Capt. Frank Pabst called and volunteered some manpower, bless his heart. Since then, I have been sprouting flower, shrub and vegetable seeds in newspaper grow-pots.
What's missing is the tilling. Is there someone out there who would be willing to till up some patches of lawn or loan us a tiller to use?
We could also use some topsoil, sawdust, manure or any soil enrichment.
Anne Wilke said she would drop off some rhubarb. Laurie Fox has offered lots of contributions, too. Hosta, lilies, forsythia or anything you may be dividing would be welcomed with open, green arms.
TRADITION CARRIED ON
When I first moved to the North Country, I worked for Gardens for All, a non-profit organization sponsored by Garden Way. A staff of a dozen workers helped start gardens in many an unlikely place.
Community gardens were planted in the Bronx, at public schools, in prisons.
The tradition dates back to World War I, when Victory Gardens sprung up across the nation.
Gardens for All was the brainchild of Lyman Wood, the marketing genius who sold the Troy-built Tiller by mail. Gardening was almost a religion to Lyman. He and his organization are gone now, or I wouldn't have any trouble with tilling.
So if you're a gardener with a yen to contribute some public service, and have a few hours to spare, get in touch. The addition of blossoms and some garden-fresh produce will be welcomed by the residents.
We'll appreciate it.
Lorraine Lilja is a retired Press-Republican reporter. A collection of her columns, "Lilja's World," is for sale at local bookstores. Lilja can be reached at llilja17@hotmail.com
