The Adopt-a-Planter program is the fruition of years of fitful
efforts by the city, previous volunteers and then (Chamber of
Commerce Woman of the Year) Margaret Johnston.
The Adopt-a-Planter program is the fruition of years of fitful efforts by the city, previous volunteers and then (Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year) Margaret Johnston.
In the early 1980s, the redevelopment agency put money toward a downtown makeover – including planters. Countless volunteer hours tried hard to keep things thriving. But maintenance and vandalism plagued efforts.
“Margaret is a volunteer dream,” said Karen Lengsfield, volunteer coordinator for the city. “She came to us at the perfect time and said, ‘let’s do something.’ ”
The Adopt-a-Planter program, sponsored by Cal Color Growers and the City of Morgan Hill, is celebrating its third anniversary. The program is now the city’s largest group of volunteers with more than 40 folks.
The group is diverse and includes people of all ages, from the youngest 4-H kids, to seniors in their 80s and everyone in-between.
“It’s really nice that way,” remarked Johnston. “But we’re always in need of people.”
Each volunteer adopts one or more planters and is responsible for planting, weeding and maintaining their own patch of land. Johnston dedicates time each day to the downtown whether it’s picking up and delivering flowers, weeding or coordinating with her adopters. But the work is less demanding now that each planter has its own sprinkler and according to Johnston, “the soil is really good in these planters.”
Johnston, as leader of the program, works closely with the public works department. Fred Gomez and Johnston walk the ‘planter path’ the first Tuesday of each month checking the sprinkler systems.
“Fred goes back and repairs any that need it, but we always walk together,” she said.
Vandalism occurs occasionally, as it did in the early years, and flowers are uprooted but not as frequently, according to Johnston, who picks up all the plants from Cal Color.
Cal Color Growers, a wholesale nursery in the Madrone area, owned by Dave Vincent, has made the work of the green thumbs possible. The company donates the plants and has since Johnston began nearly four years ago.
“He’s (Dave) just wonderful, just wonderful,” said Johnston. “I give him a list of how many flats and what type of plants and he just gives them to me.”
The flowers change with the seasons. In the winter, cyclamens, Iceland poppies, ornamental kale, pansies and primroses remind residents of the privilege of Bay Area living. Summer brings impatiens, marigolds, zinnias, snapdragons, petunias and sweet alyssum.
“We try to pick plants that will last and look good for the longest time with minimal maintenance,” said Johnston. “We’re all such busy people doing this; we want to be efficient.”
Volunteer Barbara Jensen-Bailey has been an adopter since the beginning. At one time she cared for 20 planters, now she’s down to six.
“ If it hadn’t been for her (Johnston) it wouldn’t have happened nor would it still be happening,” praised Jensen-Bailey.
“Margaret kept banging on doors and desks and she persevered. She’s dedicated to the community, not just to flowers. The flowers are so visible we don’t see all the other things she does,” added Jensen-Bailey.
If you would like to learn more about the Adopt-a-Planter program or are interested in adopting a planter, call Karen Lengsfield, Coordinator of Volunteer Services for the City of Morgan Hill at 779-2728 or Margaret Johnston, Adopt-a-Planter Volunteer Coordinator at 778-2078
