For several years, Marty Bidlingmyer had been the unofficial planter / weeder / waterer of the garden owned by the Lake Anna YMCA. “I just did it, because that’s what I do,” she said, in her matter-of- fact way. But tending the garden is more than a one-person job.
So, Lake Anna Associate Executive Director Kevin Murphy, who is always looking to match people and tasks, pulled in some help in the way of board member and gardener extraordinaire Karen Bakita. And, like any good leader, Karen pulled in some additional help – and the Y Garden Gals was formed.
Together, these ladies, who all like to play in the dirt, are responsible for planning, purchasing, planting, and protecting the precious fruits, and mostly vegetables of their labor. This year they planted tomatoes, peppers, green onions, cucumbers, zucchini, beets, green beans, basil, parsley – and possibly some other spices that may have gotten thrown in for good measure and taste. They also planted zinnias from seeds.
In addition, they took over the flower containers to plant bulbs recycled from their church’s Easter displays of mum, lilies, azaleas, and hydrangeas. These ladies are resourceful and fun.
“What irritates me is that we didn’t plant the weeds,” said Gen Hull, one of the gals.
Weeding is a big job for the gals, as is watering.
“We don’t have a set schedule right now, so whenever we come by, we get busy,” said Bakita. “But we are looking for more help.”
Currently, the gals are thinking of Fall, stock piling coffee grounds, eggshells and the like to add to some good topsoil that the Y will provide. They are also looking to get worms and straw.
But for now, they are eager to see and share the bounty of their Spring/Summer efforts, offering fresh produce to visitors of the Lake Anna YMCA.
If you would like to help the Y Garden Gals, please reach out: kmbakita@yahoo.com.