Westcott Neighborhood Bulb Project bulb give-away/garden extravaganza keeps on growing

Westcott Neighborhood Bulb Project bulb give-away/garden extravaganza keeps on growingSeptember 24, 2007SU News ServicesSUnews@syr.edu

Students, faculty and staff members who live in the Westcott neighborhood can receive free garden bulbs as part of the Westcott Neighborhood Bulb Give-Away/Garden Extravaganza, which will be held Saturday, Oct. 6 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Westcott Community Center, on the corner of Euclid Avenue and Westcott Street.

Any resident of the Westcott neighborhood can pick up a free packet of 18 mixed daffodil bulbs as long as they are willing to plant them where they can be seen from the street for all to enjoy. Compost will be donated by Toad Hollow Farms, and planting instructions will be available. Those picking up bulbs should bring their own container.

This year, about 8,000 daffodil bulbs will be delivered for the project. Some 25,000 have been planted in the Westcott neighborhood since the project started in 2003. In 2006, in addition to 250 homes in the neighborhood, crocus and daffodils bulbs were planted at neighborhood schools and parks, the Westcott Community Center and homes of seniors and along Westcott Street.

Flowers courtesy of Westcott Florist will be on the tables in Westcott Street restaurants that weekend, as will table tents advertising the Bulb Project designed by associate professor of design Denise Heckman.

The event will also feature crafters, landscapers, a children’s pumpkin patch, food and entertainment by Larry Hoyt & The Acoustic Jammers. A special energy seminar at 1:30 p.m. sponsored by S&V Northeast Renewable Energy Project will detail how to save money on monthly heating bills. Seating for the seminar will be limited; R.S.V.P. to 446-3132.

Raffle prizes will include four specialty packets of 150 perennial bulbs each from VanBloem Gardens and other garden-related items. Tickets will be available at the bulbs giveaway or by contacting Jane Tretler at jtretler@verizon.net or calling (315) 637-0331. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5. The drawing will be held Monday, Oct. 8.

For more information on the bulb project, photos, a list of children’s books on gardening, the plant-sharing project and other garden resources, see http://www.bulbproject.org.