Native plant demonstration gardens have recently sprouted in Canton, Potsdam and Ogdensburg.
The projects encourage more native plants, pollinators, and water and soil management.
The gardens were made possible by the efforts of many local volunteer gardeners and $20,000 in state funding.
Canton
In Canton, the native plant demonstration garden is located at the former McDonald’s lot, next to the Canton Municipal Building.
“This is a dream come true for us,” said Barb Beekman, Canton Sustainability Committee member and one of the volunteers who put in the garden May 19.
Berms and swales were incorporated in the garden “to control water flow when extreme weather produces too much stormwater. The berm helps direct the water to the swales which then moves it away. Often a water garden is placed at the end point of the swale,” said Beekman.
It also can help drain water away from houses, especially after storms like Hurricane Debby that caused so much damage in Canton, said Beekman.
Potsdam
A new native demonstration garden was added to Potsdam’s Ives Park May 15 and Garner Park May 22.
In Potsdam, the project was spearheaded by Climate Smart Communities. Many of the volunteers were interested in adding more native plants and pollinators to the area.
In addition to the native plant garden, organizer Rose Rivezzi also planted gooseberries, currants and elderberries donated from Saint Lawrence Nurseries and a DEC Buffer in a Bag program that Climate Smart Communities applied for.
“These small plants are conducive for shoreline to help with erosion,” said Rivezzi.
For updates and information, contact rrivezzi@gmail.com
Ogdensburg
The Frederic Remington Art Museum’s administration building now has a native plant garden in its front lawn.May 18.
Organizer Loni Recker rounded up about a dozen volunteers to help with the planting in the garden May 18.
“This is a fantastic, forward thinking project, “ said Recker, long-time gardener and leader of the Ogdensburg Youth Garden Club for 29 years.
“The Ogdensburg Youth Garden Club gardens are next door to this. We will keep it maintained and monitored. The children are excited about being a part of this project as well.”
Funding
The project was initiated by St. Lawrence Eastern Lake Ontario Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (SLELO PRISM) and Cornell Cooperative Extension.
It is a program of The Nature Conservancy, designed to protect our lands and waters.
The $20,000 grant for five gardens, including two more in Watertown, was funded by the NYS Environmental Protection Fund, in partnership with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.
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