by PAUL RAYNER

Changes to the Communities in Bloom situation for Boissevain have opened up new possibilities for highlighting beautification in town on a more resident-oriented level.

After the 2006 victory in the International Challenge of Communities in Bloom, Boissevain was asked to move into a new, non-competitive category, called networking. Although not competing with other communities this year, Boissevain retains its bloom rating and will be visited by judges. But the focus will be different. Mayor Ed Anderson said it is sort of like a “pilot project”, which could allow those involved in Communities in Bloom at the local level to connect with residents in a different way.

“It gives us an excellent opportunity,” Anderson stated, “if we are not concerned with competing with other jurisdictions to do different things. It gives us a chance to network with the community and take time to look at what people are doing themselves to beautify Boissevain.”

One area being introduced is a spotlight on gardening. Anderson said they are looking to focus on highlighting one bit of horticulture at a time on a smaller level than before.

“One way to do this networking is to feature a yard or business bi-weekly, that is what we’re looking at. This would go on all summer. It would be a yard of interest and maybe something interesting for uniqueness, different planters, different styles of gardens, that sort of thing.”

Anderson stressed it is not a competition, and no one specific has been chosen as of yet to pick the yards or businesses at this point. As well, there are no hard and fast criteria for being featured.

“There is no particular size or quantity of flowers or type of flowers,” he explained. “Someone in an apartment might have a gorgeous planter on their balcony. That could be featured. We are encouraging people to plant more flowers, have more displays in their back yards, to pay attention to their back yards and back lanes.”

Despite being early in the process, the first yard to feature has been chosen. The home of Drs. Kathy Rahnavardi and Ahmad Setayesh at 626 Stephen Street is special for several reasons. For one, it is the first major gardening project by the couple, who are natives of Tehran, Iran. Also, they were helped along in their efforts by the Communities in Bloom people.

“We thought it was a good initial project as far as the networking was concerned,” Anderson said. “They really appreciated the help and in general seven or eight Communities in Bloom people helped them in planting the yard and garden. Since then, they have added vegetables and flowers to the garden and yard.”

When they moved to Boissevain in June 2006 there were only a few plants and a rose bush at their new home. According to Setayesh, there were many reasons for starting the garden this year.

“Firstly, we like to eat everything fresh,” he explained. “Also it is a new experience for us and it is exciting. You see things grow, see everything coming up. It gives you a good feeling.”

The vegetable garden has small amounts of all of the edibles common – onions, corn, tomatoes, peas etc. Considering that all but a few tomato plants were started from seed about a month ago, the garden progress is considerable. They have even been able to harvest some.

One special part of the vegetable garden is the pumpkin vine. It was planted for the couple’s nearly four-year-old daughter Setareh. For her part, Setareh said she was involved in planting some of the roses for the flower display.

As well as flowers around the house and in planters, an interesting complement is the herb garden. Parsley, Apple Mint, French Taragon and Sweet Majoram were among the herbs planted on the east side of the house. Some have done better than others, but the results are solid for a new undertaking. Setayesh said, like the vegetables, the herbs are happily consumed within the household.

Rahnavardi said the help they received neither started nor ended with the planting night.

“Everyone here has been very good and friendly,” she said. “Last year, people brought us fresh vegetables. They tell us small things about gardening, which helps because this is our first real attempt. In the garden, things are producing well. The herbs are not doing as well, so maybe we need some help there.”

One of the parts of gardening Setayesh said they are being introduced to is the amount of work required.

“It really needs taking care of,” he explained. “There are lots of weeds, but we get a lot of advice from everyone.”

The couple, who previously lived in Toronto before moving to Boissevain a year ago, are settling in well. Rahnavardi is enjoying her practice at the medical clinic and they are getting to know more people all the time. They plan to continue with their gardening.

“We will change a few things as time goes on,” she stated, “and think about planting new things.”

As well as featuring yards and gardens, Anderson will be focusing on the upcoming visit from the Communities in Bloom judges. According to a recent e-mail, they will be arriving on July 29 staying until the 31st. One of the judges, Brendan Casement, has been here before, while Robert Magill is new. Although the community is not in a competitive category, the judges will be looking at the town. The mayor feels it is a good opportunity to learn new things in a less pressured environment.

“They will come in and mentor us,” Anderson said. “They will be speaking to us without the concern over competition. I’m happy they’re coming and I hope we can extract new information to make Boissevain even more beautiful in the future.”