Merrill Gardens residents learn how to create container gardens

Staff Reports

Summer color bloomed at Merrill Gardens at Gardnerville during a gardening class June 12. Kris and Heather Kahabka, owners of Plant It Nursery in Gardnerville, brought a variety of plants and containers to show Merrill Gardens residents how to create container gardens for outdoor areas with limited space.

They showed how to use everyday items as planters, such as an old boot or galvanized steel garage sale finds. The Kahbkas demonstrated plant placement, use of color and how to plant herbs or vegetables in containers.

"Many of the apartments here at Merrill Gardens feature patios and balconies and we thought it would be fun to show residents how easy it is to give their space a little color," said Corneil Vacirca, community relations director. "The residents really enjoyed the information that Heather and Kris provided and especially their expertise in suggesting different plants that would thrive depending on how much sun or shade each resident's patio or balcony gets."

Plant It Nursery gave away flowering pots to two residents as door prizes. Merrill Gardens plans to invite the Kahabkas back in fall to teach the residents how to plant terrariums.