When anyone talks about the “circle of life,” they risk being accused of dabbling in clichés. And yet it’s true, especially in nature.
The Manitou Springs Garden Club knows all about the circle of life. Members nurture plants in their homes and gardens and sell them at the annual plant sale. Those funds go to help others plant trees, vegetables and flowers to beautify Manitou and improve its environment for years
to come.
“Most of the plants we sell were started in our homes or divided from plants in our gardens. It is quite a labor of love,” longtime member Jeanie Taylor said.
This year’s sale will include aspen logs inoculated with oyster mushrooms; Taylor said they hope to have about 30 available. The 2-foot-long logs cost $20 each.
“Our plant sale and grant program are connected and truly reflect a ‘gift economy.’ We grow and ‘gift’ our plants to the sale, the public donates money for the plants and mushroom logs, and then we ‘gift’ the money back to the community,” Taylor said.
“People who support our sale are supporting local efforts to enhance the environment and increase the sustainability and resilience of the community. It doesn’t get more local than that.”
The Manitou Springs Garden Club has announced this year’s grant winners. They are:
Alison Kaytes, who requested $300 to plant flowers and herbs around the Spa Building, 934 Manitou Ave. Sunflowers, marigolds and hollyhocks will be hardy additions to the downtown landscapes. The herb garden will have a sign encouraging people to pinch off herbs, which will increase the plants’ growth and engage the community, Kaytes wrote in her application.
“The Spa Building is located right in the middle of downtown and has tons of foot traffic — both locals and tourists. Besides beautifying the area, the herbs will be fun for the community to share in,” she wrote.
Timberline Baptist Church, 512 Cañon Ave., asked for $300 to plant flowers and grass, and maintain the grounds.
“Cañon Avenue can certainly use some sprucing up, having been the object of a number of floods,” its application said.
Manitou Springs Boy Scout Troop 18 applied for $300 to help Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 218 Ruxton Ave. The Eagle Scout project will landscape the gardens, using evergreens, native plants and flowers, around the recent renovations at the church.
“This is meant to restore the original beauty and welcoming environment of the almost 140-year-old historic OLPH Catholic Church,” the application said.
Ute Pass Elementary School applied for a grant in any amount to help purchase plants to turn the school’s flower garden into a pollinator garden with native species, when possible. Dani Hainds, UPES secretary, is working with Greg DiFiore’s fifth-grade class as they’ve compiled a list of appropriate plants.
“While researching for this project, the students have learned about planting zones, water and sun needs, which plant attract insects and bloom times,” Hainds wrote. “It is the plan that the garden will become a place of learning for all of our students — grades pre-K through sixth and perhaps the parents and community members.”
Ute Pass Elementary’s fourth grade has also applied for funds, $200 to purchase an indoor composting system. Because of the area’s large population of bears, they need an indoor system to compost waste from student lunches.
“An indoor composter will teach our students that we can all do our part to greatly decrease the amount of waste we produce as consumers,” the application said. “Our students are developing a deep and symbiotic relationship with the environment in order to become strong environmental students.”
Haseya Advocate Program, which supports Indigenous survivors of domestic and sexual violence, applied for $300 to buy two chokecherry trees for its healing garden at 109 S. Institute St. in Colorado Springs.
“Once in full bloom, our community will harvest these chokecherries to create one of our traditional dished known as wojapi. Not only will our community nurture the trees but the fruit will, in return, provide for our people during our many community feasts,” Haseya’s application said.
The Manitou Seed Library, housed in the temporary facility at 515 Manitou Ave., asked for $300 to buy native seeds that are suitable for this region so residents can plant them in their yards. That will help re-establish formerly common species and support pollinators.
“Members of the community will be able to receive native wildflower, grass and shrub sees that can otherwise be difficult to find,” the application said.
Garden club members are considering two more applications. Successful applicants will receive their grants this month.
Using funds from last year’s sale, the club also made two emergency donations. Members gave $500 to the Manitou Springs Volunteer Fire Department to provide holiday meals to people in need, and $500 to the St. Andrew’s Church food pantry, which has struggled with supply issues and rising costs.
About the Garden Club
Yearly memberships are $20 for individuals and $25 for a couple, and the calendar year starts in June.
From June to September, they meet at homes or take field trips; the details are not public, so you’ll need to be a member or know one.
From October to May, they usually meet at the Community Congregational Church. Information: manitouspringsgardenclub.wordpress.com.
In June, new officers will step up: Sally Fitzgerald, president (mentoring Rachel Van Scoy); co-vice presidents, Marion Ceruzzi and Lou Page; Mary Ellen Montgomery, treasurer; and Rebekah Nix, secretary.