There's still time to sponsor one of downtown Bluffton flowerpots for this summer.

Stratton Greenhouses handle the beatification project and in cooperation with the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce invites persons to participate in seeing that the flowerpots become a reality.

According to Susie and Steve Stratton of Stratton Greenhouses, "This will be the sixth year for providing the potted plants on Main Street. We appreciate providing this service to the community and have received countless comments about how the plants make the downtown more attractive. We hope this year that once again, interested community members can assure that this beautification program continues."

To make this happen, according to the chamber, Steve and Susie ask for contributions to keep the program going. Any dollar amount is appreciated. The average cost to maintain just one of the 30 pots on Main Street is $75.

The 24-inch flowering pots are placed along Main Street from the Bluffton Public Library to Jefferson Street. This is an addition of six extra pots to finish the streetscape. In addition, several replacement pots are created in the event that one may need to be replaced during the summer.

The Strattons have seen the program through from start to finish each year and have provided all the costs until 2011 when we asked for community contributions. The cost of the project in 2011 was $3,500.

"One of the hidden costs in keeping the planters beautiful is the fertilizer that we add to the water every week," Susie said. That costs between $35 and $40 per bag.

She also said: "Most people don't realize that we water the pots three times a week. Last summer was so dry that we watered every other day from the end of May until the end of August.

"Most days we need to be uptown ready to go before 7 a.m. to beat the traffic and parking as we are pulling a trailer with drums filled with water.

"We give each planter five gallons of water per watering. We often get asked why we don't have a water wagon. We like using five-gallon buckets because we have a uniform measure of water and we can control how quickly the water is being dispersed. When the plants are young, a hose blows a lot of the dirt around."

Strattons will soon place the orders for the 2012 Main Street plants. Depending upon the weather, the flowerpots will be placed downtown from early to mid-May.

"We like to have them in place for the arts and crafts show," said Steve. "They will remain in place until fall. This past season was so nice, that we finally thought we should take them out before November."

This year Strattons will recognize those who have contributed to the program by putting a 3-by-5 inch slate plant marker in each pot with the person's name on the marker.

Contributions may be used as a:
o Memorial contribution
o In Honor of contribution
o just your name
o or you may remain anonymous.

"You just need to let us know when you make your contribution. The deadline to contribute is Saturday, April 14. "We are happy to provide the service and hope that the community will help us keep it growing," said Susie.

Persons with specific questions about the project may contact Stratton Greenhouses or the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce at [email protected]

Contributions to the Flowerpot Beautification Program may be made to:
Stratton Greenhouses
9915 Lincoln Highway
Bluffton, OH 45817

All contributions will be used for the replacing, planting and maintaining the planters.