As seen in The New Hamburg Independent.
It’s summertime and if you take a walk around downtown New Hamburg, you’ll see beautiful flowers flourishing, all thanks to the diligent volunteers at the Wilmot Horticultural Society.
For about 55 years, the organization has been on a mission to beautify the township, nurturing the environment one plant at a time. Through monthly meetings, its members impart valuable knowledge to residents and share plants, fostering a community that loves gardening through three main projects: Let’s Tree Wilmot, civic gardens, and a junior gardening program for children.
Let’s Tree Wilmot started when the chair of the group, Marlene Knezevich, came up with the idea of planting trees in Wilmot Township. Since October 2020, they have successfully planted 2,390 trees, while an additional 2,360 seedling trees thrive in their nurturing tree nursery, adding to the green legacy.
“We have an amazing group who organize everything and tree planting is the icing. We get 40-plus community members coming out to plant,” said Knezevich.
Sharon Ross is the chair of the civic garden project. Through a grant received each year from the township, they purchase the plants that Ross and 22 other volunteers look after in various locations, including St. Agatha, New Dundee, and Petersburg.
“We also have quite a number of beds down by the New Hamburg Library as well, some over by the arboretum,” Ross said.
They also express their passion for gardening by donating gardening books to the New Hamburg Library.
What sets the Wilmot Horticultural Society apart is its inclusivity and the dedication to meet people at every level of gardening experience. Ross, who joined the society more than a decade ago without prior gardening knowledge, emphasizes their welcoming approach.
