A collaborative group of gardeners is leading efforts to make the month of May Garden Month in Alpena. The group—made up of volunteers from the City of Alpena, Huron Pines, Alpena Senior Center, Pied Piper School, Alpena Downtown Development Authority (DDA), Alpena Garden Club, and the Master Gardener program—has organized a full schedule of events throughout the month of May to get the gardens throughout the city ready for summertime blooms.

The group formed in 2023 to beautify area gardens and raise awareness about opportunities through the City of Alpena’s Adopt-a-Garden program. Since then, efforts have flourished to create new partnerships and programs, such as the downtown alleyway planter program. Students from Pied Piper School have planted the planters that are placed in the alleyway between 2^nd and 3^rd Ave. by the Alpena DDA. Students plant all the flowers from either seeds or plugs. It is many of the students’ first experience with gardening, and they share they “are excited to try more or even grow their own food.” According to the students, they like the plants and “are surprised how big they get.” They are “the biggest pots they have ever planted,” and they shared “it is a great opportunity, since they don’t get opportunities like this often.”

Throughout the month of May, the group has organized a series of events to connect with other gardeners in the area and share ways to get involved.  Additionally, the group will be requesting a Mayoral Proclamation to declare May as Garden Month in the City of Alpena at the May 6 Alpena City Council Meeting. Members of the public are invited to attend and get involved:

Sip Cider and Dish Dirt at PIF Cider (5/4 from 3-4:30 pm): Learn about the City’s Adopt-a-Garden Program. MSU Master Gardener Linda Baker will share a presentation that showcases how to prepare and plant a garden.

Piped Piper Spring Plant Sale (5/10 from 9:30 am- 2:30 pm and 5/11 from 9 am- 12 pm): Stop by the greenhouse at Pied Piper School to purchase plants grown by the students.

Storytime in the Garden (5/11 from 10-11 am): Join the Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library for an outdoor story time on the front lawn at City Hall! Afterwards, children will be able to decorate a pot and plant native seeds to take home and grow. From 11 am- noon, stop by the library for a seed swap.

Invasive Species Walk and Talk (5/18 from 1-2 pm): Join Huron Pines for an educational walk and talk along the riverfront starting at La Marre Park. Participants will learn about common ornamental invasive species, remove invasive garlic mustard, and learn a fun garlic mustard recipe.

Downtown Flower Planting (5/25 from 9 am- noon).  Volunteers needed to beautify downtown! Meet in Culligan Plaza to help plant native flowers around the tree bases downtown.

Linda Baker, one of the Master Gardeners involved with the group and who has adopted several city gardens shares:

“I have been interested in gardening all my life learning to love growing anything from my Grandmother. Having lived in places from Alaska to Texas I have had to learn what grows in each climate and how to make it thrive. As a nurse I had a high stress occupation and learned gardening affects mental health. Focusing attention on gardening tasks reduces negative thoughts and feelings; spending time around plants eases stress.

After retirement I had the time to become certified as a MSU master gardener and now share my gardening experience and knowledge with others,” she shared. “For me adopting city gardens met two goals, my need for stress relief and giving back to my community. It’s a win-win.”

For those seeking more information on how to get involved or on any of the events, they should contact the DDA Office at 989-356-6422 or email anneg@alpena.mi.us. And of course, save the date for the Alpena Flower Festival from Friday, June 7 through Sunday, June 9, 2024.