Takin’ Care of T’burg is ready with a new watering system

With spring in full swing, Takin’ Care of T’burg is ready to liven up Main Street in a few weeks.

The Trumansburg residents are set to gather, plant, weed and install planters May 18 on Main Street. The event, starting at 5:30 p.m., is open to everyone.

The group, founded by Karen Powers, has remained strong over the years, attracting volunteers who have a green thumb or who want to help beautify Trumansburg.

Although the group initially started with young retirees, Takin’ Care of T’burg has attracted some younger volunteers and looks forward to expanding with its flexible approach, said volunteer Marlaine Darfler. 

Volunteers come when they can and are welcome even without experience. The group especially wants to encourage younger families and families with children. 

“It started out with a group of seniors, but we have loved expanding that out to a multigenerational group,” said Darfler.

Despite its easygoing vibe, the group has become more organized over time because Takin’ Care of T’burg requires assistance from the DPW, for which the group is grateful. 

“They help us. They put out the planters for us, they take in the planters, they give us mulch,” said Darfler of Dustin VanDerzee and his crew at the Village DPW.

The issue of watering the plants is one that the group has wrangled with, leading the volunteers to come up with creative solutions. 

Peter and Dale Meskill would drive around weekly and water all of the plants, but they have since moved. The group credits the two for caring for the plants and helping to make Main Street blossom.

“A big challenge for us this year was how do we water these plants? So, we made contact with all of the merchants on Main Street, and they’re going to partner with us,” said Darfler. 

The merchants will water the plantings, while the group will deadhead and maintain the plants’ appearance. In exchange, merchants will receive a small watering can and a plaque in each box indicating that it is being cared for by the local business.

Another creative solution the group is excited about is a unique watering system designed from a PVC pipe. The system, built by a member of Takin’ Care T’burg, should keep plants moist so they will need less watering.

Other community members support the group, too. In addition to the merchants helping, Nick and Amy Moe hosted Takin’ Care of T’burg as one of the donation options at the Trumansburg Redemption Center.  

One initiative Takin’ Care of T’burg is taking on is becoming more sustainable, working with bee and pollinator experts. Over the winter, the group spent time rethinking its plant section to become more pollinator-friendly. 

“There’s a possibility we might be able to start planting some perennials that we could then take out at the end of the season and put in green spaces in the village,” said Darfler.

The group is also looking at plants that are more resistant to drought and heat.

“It’s changing a little bit of what we do environmentally to fit in with the changing climate and what the goals of Trumansburg are, which is being bee-friendly and tree-friendly and green and all of those good things,” said Darfler. “We’re trying to make us more a part of that.”

The group gets the plants from Don and Darlene Schlather, who run Sommarstuga Gardens. Don is a member of Takin’ Care of T’burg, and the potted plants symbolize a step toward a more viable local economy. 

Darfler was drawn to the group through her love of gardening and by spotting an article featuring the group and a picture of young seniors working together.

“It was my cohort and my love,” said Darfler. “So I joined, and it was so welcoming.” 

While Darfler admits she was a little intimidated at first, believing the group was full of master gardeners, she found it easy to join, with a strong camaraderie among those who care about the village and enjoy gardening. 

While fewer planters will be out this year than in the past, Darfler said the group is experimenting to see what works best with the new watering system. The planters the group has used are about 20 years old and will be replaced, an effort that Takin’ Care of T’burg is working on with the village.

“Things might look a little different. It’s a trial year in some ways,” said Darfler of this year’s plantings. While many hands have helped the planting group, they are particularly in awe and in gratitude of Powers, who launched Takin’ Care of T’Burg.

“Most of all, a huge thank you to Karen Powers. Takin’ Care of T’burg was her vision and her dream,” said Darfler. “Karen’s energy and enthusiasm nurtured and guided this gift to the community for 20 years. We hope to continue to build on that dream and to make her proud.”

For more information about the group or to view its schedule, visit the Takin’ Care of T’burg Facebook page: www.facebook.com/takincareoftburg.

The group holds work sessions on the second Saturday of the month, May through September, 9-11 a.m. at the Mini Village. 

The first session of the season is May 13. There will be a sign-up sheet for those interested in becoming a substitute waterer for occasional times this summer.

Trumansburg Connection appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@VizellaMedia.com or courtney.rehfeldt@gmail.com.