The Southwest Garden Group, Master Gardeners of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County, and Lowe's are teaming up in a project called "Blocks in Bloom."  Lowe's wants to help people "Love Where You Live."  And this year, along with the City of Rochester, all will help bring front-yard gardens where none existed in City neighborhoods.  The uplift provided by front-yard gardens is considered helpful to stabilizing neighborhoods.

Homeowners or renters were identified who would like a garden --- fully funded with donations and planned by a Master Gardener.  The City provides compost and mulch.  Some plants are left over from the Master Gardeners' sale at Rochester's Lilac Festival.  Lowe's has donated $400 in perennials.  Several Garden Group members are contributing. 

The initiative includes a project with elementary School 29, which is home to developmentally challenged students who participate in enrichment programs throughout the summer. They will create and maintain a community garden in an empty city lot across from the school.  It will feature plants attractive to bees, butterflies, and humming birds.  Community volunteers are placing a Little Free Library to hold books with a "take a book, leave a book" policy.  The City will place a bench nearby for reading or relaxing.  The City is also donating annuals to help fill in while perennials establish.  Lowe's is donating $50 in annuals for planting.

A Lowe's of Henrietta volunteer, Mark Sweetland, co-founder of the SW Garden Group with Marian Boutet, brought this concept to Lowe's and is implementing it with Marian's help, and that of Marcy Klein of the Garden Group.  The "Blocks in Bloom" program was established about two years ago by Kathy Lewis of the Master Gardeners' Group, and she is heading it up.  Kathy is a former 19th Ward resident.

There has been initial publicity on two Saturdays in a row on radio show Naturally Green, hosted by Michael Warren Thomas, on WYSL-AM at 9 AM.  Michael is a regionally known specialist on gardening for over 18 years, and also a 19th Ward resident.

Yes, the 19th Ward is a great place to live!