11 youth gardeners blossom in garden club's program

Photo

David Causer, educator, is shown with children in the youth garden program sponsored by the Men’s Garden Club of Youngstown. From left are Greta Graffius, Alex Okelberry, Mike Wade, Katie McHugh and Daisy Gretsinger.

YOUNGSTOWN

The Men’s Garden Club of Youngstown cultivated 11 youth gardeners this growing season with six gardeners returning from 2011.

Club members on the youth garden committee were Dave Causer, John Fox, Greg Fagnano, Bob Stas and Terry Voland. Parents also volunteered.

Young gardeners planted broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, zucchini, and onions. They tried a new crop, gourds.

Seeds provided by the National for the National Youth Gardening Contest allowed the youth to grow Mammoth Striped Sunflowers. Two gardeners, Katie McHugh and Greta Graffius, have met the requirements for the contest.

Within the group, a contest for the largest sunflower was conducted. Results were Ben Jessop, blue ribbon for 16-inch diameter; Alex Okelberry, red ribbon for 15-inch diameter; Katie, Greta and Ian Moore, all yellow ribbons and all 14-inch.

A blue ribbon was awarded to Greta for tallest flower at 11 feet.

Best attendance ribbons went to Greta, blue; Ricky Sammartino, red; and Daisy Gretsinger, yellow.

Three youth gardeners, Katie, Greta and Ricky, won ribbons at the MGCY Horticulture Show:

Bob Stas has documented our program with pictures. Each gardener received a CD of the pictures.

Terry Voland tended the fruit orchard; a harvest is expected next year.

The final cleanup day was Sept. 15; material was added to the compost. They celebrated with a pizza and cookie party and played waffle ball.