Revised Adopt-A-Planter program stresses community, not competition

by Sarah R. Buchholz, Chronicle staff

ast becoming an institutional harbinger of summer, the Adopt-A-Planter program, entering its fourth year, is undergoing some changes.

     "Martha Martin, [clerk V in the Vice Chancellor for Research Office,] Margaret Arsenault, [training coordinator in Human Resources,] and Debra Britt, [clerk V in the Graduate Registrar's Office,] came up with a couple of suggestions to better the program," said Pam Monn, manager of Landscape and Construction Services.

     After a review of their ideas, the Campus Beautification Committee decided to eliminate the competition for best three planters and with it the gift certificates for winners. In their stead, a lunch-time gathering for all volunteers is being planned for mid-summer, Monn said.

     "The committee is working on a way to recognize all participants," she said. Monn said volunteers will be thanked at the gathering with a small gift, perhaps a lapel pin.

     "They also talked about a mechanism to let people know who else is participating," she said.

     The majority of planters on campus have been re-adopted by past participants, Monn said, but approximately 35 remain for newcomers. Planters will be ready for planting on Monday, April 21. Anyone interested in adopting a planter should contact Monn by then (7-3106).

     Participants receive certificates for $40 of plant material at the Annie's Garden and Gift Center on Route 116 in North Amherst and can be picked up from Barbara Pitoniak (5-0444) at 200 Munson Hall beginning April 21. Coupons also will be given for one bag of compost and one bag of cedar bark mulch per planter box also available at Annie's.

     Planters must be planted by Monday, May 19.

     "Participants may plant annuals, perennials, small shrubbery, grasses...you're limited only by your imagination," Monn said. Participants are then responsible for both planting and maintaining the planters. This includes watering, she said.

     The CBC is organizing a container-gardening workshop to coordinate with Arbor Day, Friday, April 25 at a time and place to be announced. Participants can attend the session for ideas and still have three weeks to fill their planters.

     A Web site (www.umass.edu/planters) will be maintained, beginning in May, Monn said, and will have updates on the program, information about each planter, and special features.