What began as mere conversation four years ago, has blossomed into existence, with the completion of Picayune’s first greenhouse at the city’s barn.
During that time, Public Works Director Eric Morris began working for the city and he and City Manager Jim Luke searched for ways to intensify beautification efforts in the city.
“Like everything, we try to do it in a cost effective manner as soon as possible,” Morris said. “Our goal is to encourage people to move here, raise their families, start a business or retire.”
Soon after, officials began searching for ways to meet the beautification needs, but without additional cost, Morris said.
Visits were made to other towns and ideas brought back, he said.
“We could clearly see there were things we could do to beautify, we just needed the ability to produce the plants,” Morris said.
Buying plants from nurseries at market value can become quite expensive, he added. That’s when officials decided to explore the construction of a greenhouse.
At about the same time, the Pearl River Central School District began their greenhouse project, Morris said.
“We talked to them and they were happy to have us participate,” he said. “We purchased the plugs, potting soil, pots and they put the labor into growing. It was a big savings to the city.”
However, the dream of the city’s own greenhouse had not died, and about eight to 10 months ago, the city had an opportunity to sell unneeded city equipment, Morris said.
The proceeds of the sales, along with a donation from Mississippi Power and assistance from Randy Bounds at Bounds Farm Supply, made the construction of this greenhouse a possibility, Morris said.
Last year, when the local Mississippi Power office moved, they donated two carports to the city, Morris said.
“We put them end to end and that provided the framework for the greenhouse,” he said. “After further research into how to properly heat and ventilate the greenhouse, we purchased the materials and people pitched in and worked together.”
Two months ago, the greenhouse held its first plant, he said.
The greenhouse is now home to a variety of plants such as violas, snapdragons, dusty millers, pansies, flowering cabbage, which is the fall and winter crop, he said.
By raising the plants from plug to bloom the city will save about $8,000 a year in beautification costs, Morris said.
Many city employees contributed to the erection of the greenhouse including Supervisor of Grounds and Beautification Daryl Smith, Gene Woodward, Luke Broom and Reese Seal. Beautification employees Rosalie Bartley and Angela Wood will see to the daily care of the plants, Morris said.
Beautification is one of the most important areas a city can tend to, Morris said.
“When you drive into a stark, rigid city with mostly concrete versus driving in and seeing green space, the color of flowers, it makes a difference,” he said. “It promotes walking, jogging or sitting among the trees and eating lunch. You don’t get a second chance at making a first impression and we want to make the best impression we can.”
The total cost of the greenhouse was about $20,000, Morris said. The construction was at no additional expense to the taxpayers.