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Hello Community!

I am an intern for Rincon Family Services which is a not-for-profit in Chicago "dedicated to rendering compassionate and effective programs that promote the quality of life by serving as a catalyst to advocate, educate and empower individuals and their families. Our programs and services include areas of drug rehabilitation, HIV prevention, mental health treatment, and mandated court services".

As their summer intern, I've been assigned a project to beautify our facility before our annual gala in August. I picked an event date for June 26th, but have few volunteers and no plants. Must I add that I also have no knowledge for gardening! Before I started doing loads of research, I thought I could reach out to you guys for some pointers and direction.

So, I have to plant a curb side which is 2ft width and about 20 feet long in front of our facility. I need to plant so that they are pretty and beautiful by August. The dirt is somewhat in good shape especially since its been raining but I know it needs more nutrients. CHICAGO GETS COLD and my boss specifically requested plants that do not have to be replanted. (someone in the office mentioned perennials)And we are a non for profit so very very very limited funds.

I need knowledge! I need plants! I need volunteers! Please help me!

Thanks,

RFS Intern

My suggestion is to go to your nearest agriculture dept of a college near you and see what they may have to help you out. Local plants will be best because they know you area. Even a business like Home Depot or Lowes may be willing to help.
Good luck.

Great idea Tina.

You could also put up some flyers asking for volunteer perennials or people to lend a hand. Most garden centers would also donate if asked I am sure.

Most perennials take about a foot by foot space...so count on about 40 plants to fill in that area.

The winter weather is very cold in Chicago. I think I might also try local plant nurseries and speak to the staff at them. Most likely if they are selling a perennial at their business it will make it thru the majority of the winters there.

All the info you have been given by the above members is very good. I can only add that many plants spread and so what might look space this year might well fill in when the plants return next year.

But a few things like marigolds may bring the pop you need this year if needed. They can bloom from seed in as little as a month.

THANK YOU!!!!!!

I definitely agree, I'd go to Lowes and Home Depot (even Walmart and other stores) and approach them with your non profit information and see about what they can help with.

I'm following a little girl in Seattle who runs a community garden and is now building shelters for homeless; she gets donations from Lowes and Home Depot for her projects, and she's not even a registered non profit (which would give them a tax write-off from helping a registered non profit).

How nice she is grem
and a helper indeed....

We all need a little help now an then.
:O)

Very interesting! I will absolutely do that! Thanks again for all your help!

Just had to dig for it, Hailey's Harvest (Facebook), Hailey's Harvest Homepage.

I plan to, when able to, donate towards her cause; warmed my heart to see someone so young doing so much to help the homeless in her area.