By Karolyn Gephart
The Friendswood Historical Society was awarded the Keep Friendswood Beautiful matching grant for 2023.
The money provided was used to install new raised beds behind the Perry Home Museum on Spreading Oaks in Friendswood. Under the care of Tim McGraw and Dave Smith, both Historical Society members, the area has been restored to a healthy garden where various community groups have “adopted a bed.”
Galveston County Master Gardeners Kaye Corey, also part of KFB, and Ira Gervais shared with McGraw how the raised beds were put together at the County Master Gardener’s Discovery Garden, a research facility in La Marque. This helped McGraw do the new construction in a way that would be both sturdy and useful.
One group in the community that has adopted a bed in the community garden is the Heritage Junior Master Gardener members under the direction of Corey and Paula Matranga. Their bed is a research bed, learning how things grow and what care is needed to help the plants thrive.
The matching grant given to the Historical Society was for $1,161.81.
KFB has opened the 2024 Matching Grant program and is accepting applications through March 15, 2024. Instructions on criteria and how to apply are on the city’s website and posted on the City’s Facebook page.
