Mary Reeves has one annual spring ritual she never strays from.
For the past few years, the Hammond resident always is the first in line at the city’s Annual Flower Giveaway. This year was no exception, as she arrived at 6:30 a.m. Doors were scheduled to open at 10 a.m.
“Every year, I want to be the first one through the door,” she said, with a laugh. “It doesn’t matter what the weather is, I’m here.
This year she was greeted with a chilly, gray, and rainy day.
But that didn’t stop hundreds of people from lining up to get their share of petunias, marigolds and other varieties to plant this season. “We come every spring,” said Linda Lauerman, of the event reserved only for Hammond residents. “I love this city, there’s a lot going on here. It shows that they want to help people beautify their property.”
Visitors made good use of their waiting time before the event began, making new friends and sharing a gardening tip or two.
“I’m always learning something when I talk to other people,” Patrice McColly said. “For those of us who need help making decisions, it’s a god-send that others want to share their experience.”
Jerry and Kaitlin Lauerman are new to Hammond, moving from Chicago six months ago.
“The backyard of our new house is a mess, it hadn’t been taken care of,” Kaitlin said, as she scanned the varieties of flowers to choose from. “We have to start small since we know nothing about gardening. We’ll probably do just planters this year — they’re less trouble — and organize a whole garden next year.”
Many of those perusing the long tables of plants, especially those who don’t have room for a full-fledged garden, or for other reasons did to want to get out the whole array of gardening tools, echoed those same thoughts about using planters.
“I’m just now getting to know the different types of flowers and which look good together,” Jenay Harris said. “But before I dig up a big space in my backyard, I want to experiment a little. So putting them in containers makes sense to me.”
Hammond Parks employees Rosa Ramos and Shelia Colvin greeted visitors as they checked identification.
“We always have a great turnout,” Colvin said. “Residents appreciate that the city offers this. Who doesn’t like flowers?” “
More than a dozen long banquet tables held the various types and shades of pink, purple, white and yellow greenery.
Although it wasn’t their job to impart particular gardening information, four Hammond College Bound Program students assisted visitors in other ways, such as keeping the tables full.
“It’s so pretty here,” said Keri Jackson, as her mother Lynda Jackson tried to decide which flowers would look best in the box located near her front window.
“I don’t do a lot in my yard, but I do like to fill my window box each spring,” Lynda said, while eyeing a flat of bright pink petunias. “I usually change them about every four weeks during the nice weather. You can’t do that in a yard garden.”
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
