Coshocton in Bloom greenhouse nears completion, support is needed
Published: 5:36 a.m. ET March 20, 2022 Updated: 2:51 p.m. ET March 21, 2022"
Key Points
Coshocton in Bloom hopes to have a new greenhouse on Denman Avenue finished by first of April.
The greenhouse features heaters, fans and a retractable roof for growing of plants and flowers used in hanging baskets and planters.
CIB might also grow or store flowers for fundraisers and have outside space for hoop houses and community gardens.
CIB is the local steering committee for the national America in Bloom contest, with judges coming to Coshocton July 23.
COSHOCTON — Although there's still lots to complete, Coshocton in Bloom hopes its new greenhouse will be functional by the first part of April.
The structure is erected, water is hooked up and concrete for the floors were poured last week. Upcoming work includes leveling and seeding the outside, creating a small parking lot, finishing electric wiring, running a gas line and moving in equipment and plants. The greenhouse is on Denman Avenue, site of the former Clary Brothers Florist.
The greenhouse features heaters if it's too cold and fans for its too warm. The roof can also opened and it has sensors to close if it rains or it's too windy.
The greenhouse is one unit, but can easily be divided into two pods with some screening in the middle, said CIB President Tim France. There's room to add at least two more pods in the future if needed. They might also have a community garden and outdoor hoop houses, smaller covered structures for growing.
France said his vision is to start plants on one side and move them as they grow with bigger plants together on the other side. Along with growing, the greenhouse will be used to assemble the hanging baskets and pots one sees throughout Downtown Coshocton and Roscoe Village.
CIB maintains 96 hanging baskets and 50 planters with two plants each in downtown and there's another 60 pots in Roscoe Village. France said they usually grow some extra just in case. Plants when pulled for the winter can be stored at the greenhouse as well.
CIB started as the local steering committee for the national America in Bloom floral and landscaping competition. Coshocton has won several awards and received good marks from judges over the years. Judges will be in town the week of July 23.
Future plans and funding
There probably won't be any this year, but France said in the future they might grow plants or buy plants and store them at the greenhouse to sell to the community as fundraisers. France said they also might expand and provide baskets and planters to other areas of the county, like West Lafayette.
"We're not just helping us, we're trying to improve the whole county," he said. "You know this (greenhouse) isn't going away, it's here and we're here to stay."
CIB is still looking for donations for the greenhouse project. France said it's hard to estimate how much they need because of how the cost of materials and labor has skyrocketed. The 2.3 acre property was purchased in May 2021 for $60,000. Concrete work was about $30,000.
France said community feedback has been strong. Along with monetary donations, CIB is also looking for volunteers to help with planting and growing this spring.
"We don't care the amount, we just want you to support us. You can show your support by contributing," France said. "People think 'oh, the city is taking care of that' or 'they're good they don't need anything,' but we need everybody's help. We need as much help as we can get."