City of Helena Christmas Ornaments Available At Local Merchants

Thanks to the generosity and support of local merchants, the Helena Beautification Boards Christmas ornaments are now available at two local shops.

Helena Christmas Ornaments $5 each at local retailers

If you didn’t have an opportunity to buy one at First Friday, then stop by one of these shops in Old Town and pick one up $5 each.
All proceeds go to the Helena Beautification Board.

 

Southern Elegance is an exclusively stylish gift, home decor, tween clothing and women clothing shop located in the heart of Old Town Helena.

 

Buck Creek Stained Glass specializes in the design, construction and restoration of stained glass windows, stained glass doors, and architectural leaded glass and Tiffany-style glass for residential, commercial, and church settings. Located in Old Town Helena.

Thanks to these merchants and thanks to all who help make Helena Beautiful.

Holiday Ornament Sale

The Helena Beautification Board will have a limited number of City of Helena Christmas ornaments available beginning Friday December 5th at Helena’s First Friday event. Only $5 each, these bright red ornaments have the City of Helena logo. All proceeds go toward making Helena Beautiful!

 

Thanks for your support!

The ornament sale continues. we plan to sell the remaining few ornaments at the craft fair next weekend (Sat 12/13) at the Sports Complex.

1,000 Daffodils

The Helena beautification board along with volunteers planted 1000 daffodil bulbs at the Welcome Center on Saturday. “This is a part of our overall beautification effort in the city” said Beautification Board Secretary Ana Baker. “Daffodils are among the easiest to grow bulbs are low maintenance and bring a big splash of color. We are encouraging every Helena resident and business to plant daffodils in their front yards and at their businesses. Come Spring, stand back and behold the color!”

Together, We make Helena Beautiful! Pictured L to R: Leslie Bartlett, Laura Joseph, Christina Levio, Chris VanCleave, Ana Baker, Patrick Wright and Peggy Holly

Helena City Councilwoman Leslie Bartlett with volunteer Larura Joseph chat during the bulb planting event at the city’s welcome center

 

“Our volunteers are the lifeblood of the cities beautification efforts” – C. VanCleave, Helena Beautification Board Chairman

Together, We make Helena Beautiful

Plant Bulbs NOW for Spring Blooms

Fall is a great time to begin thinking about spring flowers. October and November are prime bulb planting months in Helena so I would encourage you to order and plant spring flowering bulbs now. Local garden shops also have a great selection of bulbs to choose from. Daffodils are an old favorite, are easy to grow and provide a burst of much needed color after the long months of winter.

Spring Daffodils in Alabama

Plant daffodil bulbs in well draining soil in an area that receives a good amount of sunshine. I plant my bulbs 3-4 inches below the surface. Many catalogs advise 5-6 inches but that is really for colder climates.  I add a slow release fertilizer and water in. Sit back and wait for signs of spring.

The Helena Beautification Board will be planting 1,000 daffodil bulbs this fall in the city. Planting days will be Saturday October 25 from 8-12 noon and Saturday November 1. We will meet at the caboose in Old Town and will divide up into groups to begin planting. Gardening experts will be on hand to answer questions and to help everyone get started. We’ll even answer questions about growing bulbs in your own garden. Come out and join us

Coming Soon! The Greatest Southern Gardening Book of All Time!

The revised Southern Living Garden Book will be released in January 2015. Be sure to check it out. You might find the name of a Helena resident you recognize in the credits…..

The Worst Plant in the World

Southern Living’s Grumpy Gardening has a word to the wise

5 Reasons to Brake for Roadside Stands

Great post today from the Southern Living Blog on Roadside Stands.

Helena Beautification Award – June 2014

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Larry Wade of Townhouse Road, winners of the Helena beautification award.

Blooms in Helena

The roses planted earlier this year in Old Town are now in bloom!

Teaching Children and Adults About Gardening – First Friday

Introducing people to gardening at any age is a worthwhile endeavor and the Helena Beautification Board was out in force at the April First Friday event iwith a planting station for kids, garden seeds, tools and fertilizers and the giveaway of a “Get In The Garden” gift basket. “Encouraging our community to garden is a large part of our cities beautification efforts”, said Chris VanCleave, Chairman of the Beautification Board. “We’ve had such a positive response from our citizens from this effort and we hope to continue our educational efforts as we move forward” VanCleave said.

Zinnias are a favorite southern flower and they are so easy to grow. The Ferry-Morse seed company provided seeds for our planting station and the board gave away seeds, garden labels and gardening guides to folks who stopped by our booth.

This is a great way to kick off Spring planting in Helena. It’s great to see so many children interested in growing flowers. – Leslie Bartlett, City Council Member

Corona Tools provided gardening tools and Haven Brand Soil Conditioners provided a unique all natural fertilizer; Moo Poo tea for the gift basket giveaway.

Watch for the Helena Beautification Board at upcoming First Friday and other community wide events.