The front yards of nine houses on Syracuse’s South Side will be transformed this weekend in an effort to beautify neighborhoods. Up to two dozen master gardeners will plant flower beds on Hope Ave. as part of the 6th annual Blocks in Bloom event.
The program uses master gardeners from the Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Onondaga County and other volunteers to educate community members on how to maintain a flower garden.
Master gardener Tess Schaufler of the CCE is one of two gardeners working with South Side resident Leslyn Brown on her garden.
“Leslyn decided that she would like the flowers in the berm by the rocks. So we came up with a very rough sketch, kind of a half circle, mostly native flowers,” said Schaufler. “I'm working on her to not be afraid of pollinators and that the bees are a good thing. They're good, local bees that we need and love.
The initial cost of planting a flower garden like Brown's is nearly $200, but the South Side resident will get hers for free.
Schaufler says they’ll be planting brightly-colored perennials donated by various stores or grown in Syracuse’s greenhouse. The gardeners will then educate homeowners about proper care, including watering and pruning.
Master Gardener Sue Lewis says the gardens seem to generate interest from neighbors.
“Every single year, I've had somebody come up to me and say, 'I love this. Can I be involved? How can my block be the block next year?'”
The gardeners say beautifying several homes on a block or two can also encourage neighbors to take more pride in their properties. Homeowner Brown says she was glad to participate in the program.
“I think it's a wonderful idea to be able to go out and help beautify neighborhoods and to look at something pretty and blooming like that,” said Brown. “It makes you feel better, the sun shining down on them.”
The gardeners will converge on Hope Avenue on Saturday. Previous Blocks in Bloom projects include gardens at homes on Hawley Ave, and Green and West Corning streets.
Anyone interested in joining CCE's Master Gardener program to help their community can apply here.
