The Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce encourages community members, businesses and organizations to participate in Stratton Greenhouses' annual downtown summer flowerpot beautification program this summer.

According Steve and Susie Stratton of the Greenhouse, "This will be our fifth year of providing 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 interested community members can assure that this beautification program continues."

To make this happen, according to the chamber, Steve and Susie are asking for contributions to keep the program going. Any dollar amount is appreciated. The average cost to maintain just one of the 24 pots on Main Street is $75.

The 24-inch flowering pots are placed along Main Street from the library to the town hall. 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, which depending upon the year, range between $2,000 and $3,000.

"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.

"Also, most people don't realize that we water the pots three times a week. Each planter receives five gallons of water per watering," she said.

The pots take a lot of wear and tear. As they age, occasionally one will break and need to be replaced.

Stratton will soon place their order for the 2011 Main Street plants. Depending upon the weather, the flowerpots will be placed downtown from early to mid-May. They remain in place until fall.

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.

The Strattons would like to recognize those who have contributed to the program in early summer. The deadline to participate is April 15.

"We are happy to provide this service and hope that the community will help us keep it growing," said Susie.

Persons with specific questions about the project may contact Strattons' Greenhouse or the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce.