The Southbury Training School Unified Garden project entered its third year by creating another garden at the Lt. John H. Ballantine, Jr. Memorial Park in Southbury. This year's garden has a bird and butterfly theme, with an assortment of butterfly bushes, bee balm and coneflowers. Hardiness, low maintenance and sun loving perennials that attract birds and butterflies were some of the requirements for plants placed in the garden.
All gardeners assist with the planting, watering and weeding of the plants.
Bob Adams, a Master Gardener from Brookfield, has been involved with the Unified Garden project for three years. He recruited his wife and two other Master Gardeners in 1999, and all have returned this year. Norman Schmidt, of Schmidt Gardens in Southbury, generously donated the plant materials and organic mulch for this year's garden. Mr. Schmidt saw the 1999 Unified Garden at Ballantine Park and thought it was a wonderful way to beautify Southbury. After successfully completing the online application and a background check, participants will be matched based on common interests.