Rock Spring Garden Club members recently had an opportunity to apply their skills, talents and backs at Arlington County’s Firestation 8. The station’s raised border beds were neglected and deeply overrun with invasive ivy and other weeds.  We approached the chief and asked if we could clean up and beautify their fire house and received a resounding YES!  This particular Firestation is one of our oldest and is slated in the future to be refurbished. Until then, we were able to improve their immediate environs.  A team of RSGC members got to work , cleaning out several waste bags full of weeds. 

Extremely generous donations of chrysanthemums and pansies from Bill’s True Value Garden Center and BJ’s, provided plenty of healthy and colorful seasonal plantings. In addition, club members donated black eyed susans, shade loving native ferns and woodland phlox, as a giant holly tree provides deep shade in one part of the bed as well as a protective bird habitat.  We also got free mulch for the bed from Arlington County’s resident mulch pile to top the border bed.  Several club members worked on this backbreaking project over a three day period, not including the planning time involved.

Special thanks go to Julie Wadsworth, Kate Abrahams, Jo Ella Samp, Carol Cochran and Ann Larsen for a terrific team effort.

The Firestation 8 personnel were very pleased with the beautification project. Deputy Dobson enthusiastically thanked our club for helping beautify the station. They will ensure the plants are watered regularly. Arlington neighbors waiting at the bus stop in front of the firestation will also get to enjoy the new flower beds.