A New Tree Grove, Thanks to the Hardy Garden Club

When the Hardy Garden Club approached Blue Water Baltimore and told us that they wanted to support a restoration project, we had just the project in mind.

In the past, Hardy had helped the Jones Falls Watershed Association (one of the five watershed groups that merged to form Blue Water Baltimore) install a rain garden in Meadowood Park. The club now successfully maintains the rain garden: it looks fabulous and reduces polluted runoff.

Meanwhile, we recently exhausted a grant for planting trees in Baltimore County.

So, together we decided on a tree planting project. Blue Water Baltimore analyzed possible locations and together, with the Hardy Garden Club, we agreed on Meadowood Park.

The goal of the project was to plant twenty trees to provide future shade around the pavilions, beautify the park, and of course reduce polluted runoff. Blue Water Baltimore selected mature canopy trees – primarily native oaks – that would provide a lasting legacy in the park. We then navigated the not-so-straight-forward approval process for the project.

Twenty volunteers attended the installation event, and together we planted twenty large native trees.

The group included volunteers from the garden club, Towson University, Baltimore TreeKeepers, and others. Unfortunately for our volunteers, the mechanical auger failed and we dug all the planting holes by hand.  It was much harder work than we bargained for, but no less rewarding.

Thankfully, the garden club treated us to a lovely lunch of cucumber sandwiches, chocolate chip cookies, chips and other tasty delights. We finished the day by watering the trees and heading home. It was the perfect ending to a rewarding partnership project.

Furthermore, Blue Water Baltimore is very grateful that the Hardy Garden Club raised a generous $4,000 donation that will support the planting and maintenance of the trees.

These trees will provide shade and beauty for many decades, meanwhile reducing polluted runoff.

Partnerships like this one are extremely productive, and we love hearing from community groups interested in taking on large projects but who might need a little help. Blue Water Baltimore is always on the lookout for community led efforts and we are excited to keep planting more trees in Baltimore County in 2014.

If you have an idea for a collaborative project and think working with Blue Water Baltimore can help you, please contact us and let us know.