By Mark Abromaitis
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

What started as a gardening tragedy has turned into a gardening triumph, thanks in part to the skills of dedicated green thumbs at Maris Grove.

Residents at the Concordville community have donated their gardening skills to resurrect a group of lifeless potted plants and pursue a passion at the same time.

Wilting weather
Due to an extremely hot summer, with days reaching well into the upper 90-degree range, many of the community’s potted plants started to wilt.

“We watered, but we just had the wrong types of flowers for such a hot summer,” says Marie DiCostanza, director of resident life at Maris Grove. “And then some residents stepped up and took the reins. They wanted to do it themselves.”

DiCostanza explains that the community started an “Adopt-a-Pot” program. Now the pots are overflowing with green and vivid colors again.

A pot to keep busy
Ethna O’Connor, a Maris Grove community member, is one of the volunteers. “Of course I was interested. Everyone here knows how much I love to garden so this was natural for me. I guess it’s because I’m Irish. We all love to have and tend our own pot of earth,” she says.

O’Connor says the extra pot of flowers was a nice addition to her own garden space at Maris Grove.

“I had quite a bit of yard at my old house, and here I have my very own  vegetable garden with tomatoes and basil. But this was just something extra,” she adds.

The gift of gardening
O’Connor says that she enjoys tending her pot but also enjoys sharing her  hobby with her neighbors at Maris Grove.

“It’s fun going out every day, checking on the plants, making sure they are  watered. And it’s nice to be able to see them from the swimming pool, or when I’m out walking my dog, or next to the front door of the clubhouse. It’s nice when people can enjoy what you do,” she says.