A crew of volunteers planting daffodil bulbs on Sept. 23. --SUBMITTED PHOTO
Medicine Hat News
The Daffodil Project is one week away from its final planting day this season.
On Saturday Oct. 14 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. the last 2,500 bulbs will be planted in a new test site. The site is in the triangular area between where the Trans-Canada Highway and Trans-Canada Way meet, near Napa Auto.
The site was chosen because it is a high visibility space and on level ground – which has been shown to yield a better result in blooms.
This is the third planting season for the project. The first 10,000 bulbs this year were planted at the Medicine Hat College sign seen from the Trans-Canada Highway. A week ago 2,500 bulbs were planted in the grassy area next to Humpty’s restaurant. There has been an outstanding group of volunteers who helped to make the planting of bulbs efficient and swift.
Those who would like to help plant bulbs on Oct. 14 are asked to contact The Daffodil Project.
The bulbs planted in the last few weeks will be emerging in the spring to give a glorious display of yellow daffodils dancing and swaying in the breeze.
Numerous local businesses support the project by donating the use of equipment and items needed to facilitate planting. Daffodil Project organizers extend a big thank you Grand Rental Station and A+PLUS Equipment Rentals for providing equipment for planting the bulbs. Niwa Crane Ltd takes delivery of the bulbs, stores them and provides transport to the planting site, and Peavey Mart donates equipment such as rakes, shovels and buckets.
Bulbs are purchased with money donated by businesses and individuals. Every cent donated goes towards buying bulbs. A donation of $150 buys more than 700 bulbs.
The Daffodil Project is already accepting donations for bulbs to be planted next fall, and would like to see at least 30,000 bulbs planted in 2018.
Donations for bulbs can be made through the project’s trust account at ATB Financial, account number 07329-00410789600. Email a copy of your bank deposit slip for acknowledgment of the donation with your name recorded on the website. A donation can also be made in memory of a loved one.
For more information, contact The Daffodil Project’s chair, Gillian Slade, 403-528-8635, email hatdaffodils@gmail.com, visit medhatdaffodils.wordpress.com or follow on Twitter @MedHatDaffodils
