The Elyria Public Library System West River Branch, located at 1194 W. River Road North in Elyria, hosted its first outdoor Garden Squad spring meeting of the year April 15.
Earlier this month, the free gardening group met indoors to talk about the start of the gardening season and start some seeds indoors.
However, the April 15 meeting was the first one that took place outside.
Katlyn Stucke, branch librarian, said the goal of the meeting was to pull out the weeds that have come in recent weeks.
Weeds were not the only thing growing in the garden, however.
Stucke noted how some welcomed greenery like garlic plants that were deposited last fall already are coming in nicely.
One of the tasks at the meeting specifically was clearing out the pollinator garden that is situated next to two bird houses.
“The goal is to come out here every Monday, because you have to stay up on weeding, watering and checking out the plants to make sure they don’t have diseases,” Stucke said.
The group also is a great social opportunity, she said.
“Another reason we want to keep it weekly, is that it’s nice to see everyone and catch up and have something to do to make you get out of bed every Monday morning,” Stucke said.
The West River Branch has had a seed library in the past which was very popular, but many people said they did not have a place of their own to garden, she said.
“I think it’s nice to offer this to people who might not have the chance otherwise,” Stucke said.
People who participate in the group can learn how to identify a range of plants, the creatures that live in the gardens and how to compost as well.
Stucke said the Ohio State University Extension Service sometimes will provide master gardeners through its College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Science program at these sessions as well.
“They extend the service of the university and the knowledge they have related to agriculture, farming and home gardening,” she said. “We had them come out a lot last year and do presentations on safety and health with vegetable gardening.”
Weather permitting, the Garden Squad Spring session will continue each Monday through May.
