Garden Project Completed Outside Marvin Community House

Aug 28, 2023

Garden work has been completed around the Marvin Community House in Jamestown. A group of volunteers assisted with the work. Submitted photos

Old plants were weeded and new plants were placed around the Marvin Community House in Jamestown during a recent work day.

Sharon Reed, Marvin House board member and master gardener, led the charge with a group of volunteers who took time out of their morning to help establish a Monarch butterfly waystation and wildlife refuge with the National Wildlife Federation.

Work was accomplished with the help of many volunteers from various gardening groups and multiple businesses that donated supplies for the work day.

The Jamestown Garden Club was represented by Emily Stark, Jody Rosenberger and Dawn Columbare, and several other members donated items. The Allen Park Women’s Club was represented by Carol Drake and Sandy Forsberg. Master gardeners Pat Borowski, Rose Colucci, Laura Marsala and Sara Slagle were there, and Reed said Jan Coleson stopped by to check out the butterfly garden.

Marvin House board member Nancy Malenga brought her truck to haul away the debris. Another Marvin House board member, Kathy Cushing, was also present.

Garden work has been completed around the Marvin Community House in Jamestown. A group of volunteers assisted with the work. Submitted photos

Plants for the butterfly garden were donated by master gardener Jan Coleson, Emily Stark, and Sharon Reed. Additional plants were purchased at Mikes Nursery, which also donated mulch.

Reed thanked everyone involved for coming out and volunteering their time.

“Thanks goes out to everyone involved in the Marvin House garden revitalization,” Reed said. “Everyone worked so hard. The result was worth it — the landscaping looks terrific. It would have never been accomplished without the help of volunteers. Thanks to Tiffany at Property Match for allowing the volunteers to park in their parking lot.”

Reed said the landscaping from the front door of the house, around the side and back to the garage walkway area was weeded and edged. The shrubs were trimmed and new mulch was spread. Three dead shrubs were removed and replaced with others that were moved from the sign garden.

“We accomplished a lot in four hours,” Reed said. “Branches of the apple tree that overhung the sidewalk along with some dead branches were removed. The hydrangea garden was edged and cleaned up. Lots of vines and weeds were removed from the area alongside the garage. The vines growing under the shingles of the house and the garage were removed and the plants trimmed back.”

Garden work has been completed around the Marvin Community House in Jamestown. A group of volunteers assisted with the work. Submitted photos

All of the plants in the Marvin House sign garden were removed, with some being replanted in the butterfly garden or another area. A large variety of native and butterfly friendly plants were planted, and the garden was edged and mulched.

“Several large rocks were placed in the garden to serve as a warm spot for butterflies to bask in the sun,” Reed said. “The garden was watered. The pending rain will be beneficial. Swamp milkweed will be planted soon. The application for a Monarch waystation certification will be submitted.”

The application for the National Wildlife Federation’s “Gardening for Wildlife” certification is also in the works to be submitted.

Reed added that there is still some work that needs to be done in the front left yard. The area is overgrown with a lot of ground to cover.

Garden work has been completed around the Marvin Community House in Jamestown. A group of volunteers assisted with the work. Submitted photos

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