A section of Collier Street was closed Thursday between Owen and Mulcaster streets as city workers got to work on some horticultural plantings and median maintenance, which will continue around Barrie for the next few weeks.
City of Barrie horticultural foreperson Mona Boyd says the work is all part of the usual preparation for the upcoming season.
“This is our annual post-winter general maintenance of horticultural displays for upcoming spring and summer season, including cutting back perennials, removal of decayed plant material, eradicating weeds, assessing soil condition, addition of soil amendments if required, cultivating/rototilling, prepping for annual planting and assessment of irrigation systems,” Boyd told BarrieToday.
“It can take several weeks to prepare all the municipal floral displays throughout our community," she added.
Horticultural staff are kept busy by preparing 206 window baskets, 140 reservoir-water conserving hanging baskets, 160 shrub beds, 240 concrete planters, 405 floral displays with a mix of perennials, ornamental grasses, multiple varieties of mixed annuals, and native plant material.
When the fall hits, Boyd said the horticulture department analyzes what worked and what didn’t to create a plan for the following year.
“At the end of each season, we do a recap of what displays were impressive and gave a good show, and what may not have met our expectations,” she said. “We keep records of required numbers of plant material and pictures from the previous season, and we monitor 'what’s new' for upcoming season-high performers.”
The City of Barrie is also fortunate to have its own municipal greenhouse, located on Ferndale Drive North.
“This allows staff to select material, grow the majority of our own plant material by purchasing seed in bulk, overwintering and division of selected plant material for use the following season ensuring quality control at a responsible and economical cost," Boyd said. "Beautification projects costs can vary depending on type and size."
Work will continue around the city for the next few weeks.
