ROCHELLE — It’s that time of year when the flowers begin to emerge from their winter hibernation and the grass starts to green. It’s also time for the Rochelle Garden Club’s annual plot sale on Saturday, Apr. 14 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Teen Town.

This popular gardening tradition has been around for nearly 25 years and gives the option to gardeners, novice or experienced, an opportunity to not only tend to their garden but tend to friendships as well.

Returning gardeners will register from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and new gardeners from 10 a.m. to noon. The price per plot will be $15.

A wide range of vegetables and flowers are planted each year, such as tomatoes, zucchini, cabbage, and peppers. Gardeners have also planted flowers around their growing vegetable plots.

Ann Andersen, Public Relations of the club, said this time of year gardeners are anxious to get their hands in the dirt. Some rent three or four gardens. The plot size is 25 feet by 30 feet.

“As soon as the gardens have been tilled by the park district we will plan to get the plots marked,” Andersen said.

The garden plots are located on the south side of Eighth Avenue, directly across from Lawnridge Cemetery. Teen town is located at the east end of Eighth Avenue by the Little League complex.

Proceeds from the garden plot sales will benefit scholarships for Rochelle Township High School students.

Bikes in bloom

Returning this year is the popular “Bikes in Bloom.”

The area will soon be a vibrant showcase of pedals and petals when bikes will be blooming. This is an opportunity for all residents, businesses, and organizations to participate in, and beautify the community with a kaleidoscope of color.

Garden club member Carolyn Cryer is spearheading the event this year.

“The blooming bikes are coming again,” Cryer said enthusiastically. “Save a bike...we are excited to bring this back. It gets the community talking. Whenever I saw one, I would stop my bike and take a look.”

Bikes of all sizes can be used, or even one that would have been destined for the trash — flowers and plants help to spruce it up.

Cryer said further details on the event will be released soon, but there are some tips to create some razzle-dazzle while growing those wheels: Find an old bicycle, tricycle, big wheel or anything non-motorized with wheels and pedals. Plan to decorate it with flowers and accessories that best describe you or your organization and proudly display the work of art for all to see.

The Rochelle Garden Club brings flower fanciers together to share a hobby in common all the while helping to beautify the community — the donation and planting flowers at the Veterans Memorial at Lawnridge, and assisting with planting the flowers in the downtown barrels are just a couple of examples.

More about the club

Cryer wishes to remind the community about the Rochelle Garden Club’s annual plant sale at RTHS on Saturday, May 12 at 9 a.m. Each year, members help to provide the flowers and vegetable seedlings available for sale.

The Rochelle Garden Club meets the third Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. from March through October at the Hub City Senior Center. New members are welcome.

For more information on the club, the club’s news, or upcoming events, please visit their Facebook page.