An informal garden tour get-together hosted by NNGI to showcase latest project

The Northport Native Garden Initiative (NNGI) is inviting members of the community to an informal garden tour get-together at Brew Cheese tomorrow, October 18, to celebrate its recently completed beautification project outside the LILCO building, on the southeast corner of Scudder and Woodbine Avenues in Northport Village.

The plants (550 of them!) trace the perimeter of the municipal parking lot on Scudder Avenue, from part of the Scudder Avenue sidewalk, past the edge of Brew Cheese’s outdoor dining area and along the back of the building.

The LILCO building’s owner, Joe Schmitz, first approached NNGI in July about beautifying the area. Together, he and NNGI covered the cost of the project, with NNGI founders and volunteers donating the labor. NNGI is grateful Mr. Schmitz came to them with the idea, and for moving forward with it, said NNGI co-founder Sara Abbass of Sara Mairead Landscape Design. Ms. Abbass spent about 30 hours creating the plans for the site, which were also donated.

Mr. Schmitz was one of a dozen or so volunteers present and active on both the prep and installation days of the project. Immediately joining the volunteers and their pollinator-attracting plants were – as if on cue – bees and monarch butterflies.

Since the September 25 installation, many residents have commented on the beauty of the garden, with others inquiring about specific plants to add to their home gardens. This is a great opportunity, said Ms. Abbass, to learn how to identify the different species of plants, how different plants complement each other, and best growing scenarios for at-home gardening.

The garden tour and get-together will take place tomorrow, October 18, from 5:30-6:30pm at Brew Cheese (40 Woodbine Avenue in Northport Village). RSVPs are appreciated; you can do so here.