By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

For people who love plants and flowers, the drought can be a “scary” time, said Jo Ann Schroller, president of the Kansas Association of Gardeners, as she and fellow gardeners from the local Prairie Garden Club met recently to pot plants for upcoming community service projects.

“We are so uncertain about the drought conditions and water restrictions,” said Schroller, who is also the horticulturist for the city of Hays.

Prairie Garden Club President Linda Stahlman added the group is very conscious of conserving water and have adjusted this year by choosing drought-tolerant plants.

“Our group is very educated on which plants do the best in these tough conditions. We are all from Kansas, and we know what we deal with every day, so we have a good idea of what we need to plant and how to tend to them,” Schroller said. “It is going to be a rough year, I think.”

Linda Stahlman said PGC is a service orientated club, and “it is our custom to share with the community.”

Stahlman is also a part if the Hays Beautification Committe.  The HBC is preparing for one of those services next week — the annual “Redbud delivery” to elementary schools.

Stahlman said in honor of Arbor Day (April 17), members of the Hays Beautification Committee  will deliver a Redbud saplings to all fifth-graders to take to their homes for replanting.

The group also is potting plants in preparation for next month’s annual plant giveaway — a tradition  coordinated for more than 50 years.

Beginning at 8:30 a.m. May 8, more than 60 plants will be set behind Pete Felton’s Stone Gallery at 107 1/2 W. Sixth.  The community is invited to choose a plant to take home for free.