There are tomato plants growing in the Bradford Library’s new Community Garden in additionto pumpkins, herbs, marigolds and beans.
But there weren’t any kids on Tuesday afternoon. The Garden Buddies program, that paired teen volunteers and young gardeners, had to be cancelled.
“We tried, but it just wasn’t popular,” said Michelle DeGasperis.
After a good start, only one family signed up for the second session. On top of that, this summer’s heat and high winds have made doing crafts in the garden a little difficult.
Kids would have tended the gardens, then worked on crafts that included butterfly feeders and stepping stones - but now the ideas are on hold.
“We’ll go again next year,” said DeGasperis.
Instead, she and her four volunteers held a drop-in craft session in the Blue Room, working on Toad Homes that families could take to put in their own gardens.
Every gardener hopes to attract toads, which prey on pests like insects, slugs and snails. The flower pots decorated with stones, glass gems, sea shells, buttons and paint were designed to provide shelter for toads, while adding a bit of sparkle to the garden.
For more information on upcoming library programs see bradford.library.on.ca.