Daffodil shoots beginning to sprout
The first daffodil shoots could be seen poking through the soil Friday, and by Monday morning there were more with signs of steady growth.
The Daffodil Project planted bulbs in four locations in the fall of 2015 and 2016. This is the second flowering season, and the most visible display will be along the Trans-Canada Highway near Medicine Hat College and on the other side of the highway after the college overpass.
The Daffodil Project has a goal of seeing a million daffodil bulbs planted by 2025 along the Trans-Canada Highway from Redcliff to Dunmore — about 10 km. The purpose is simply to beautify the environment in spring when there is so little else in the way of colour and flowers.
In 2015, RE/MAX Medalta donated the first 20,000 bulbs. Home Depot generously allowed the project to use rental equipment for planting free of charge. Last fall, Grand Rental Station did the same thing. Niwa Crane took delivery of the bulbs last fall and allowed free use of a truck to transport them.
It costs about 21 cents per bulb and every cent donated goes toward the purchase of bulbs.
It is a wonderful way to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday. Donate once and see the bulbs emerge every spring year after year. A donation of $150 will buy more than 700 bulbs.
The Daffodil Project’s website is: medhatdaffodils.wordpress.com, and on Twitter: @medhatdaffodils.
You can make a donation for bulbs by depositing into the trust account at ATB Financial with this number: 07329-00410789600. If you email a copy of your bank deposit slip we will acknowledge your donation on the website. Click on “financial transparency” for those details. You can also make a donation in memory of a loved one and email those details with your deposit slip to hatdaffodils@gmail.com.
If you would rather send a cheque make it payable to The Daffodil Project and mail to 3257 Dunmore Rd. SE, T1B 3R2. You can call the chair of the project, Gillian Slade, at 403-528-8635.