The city of Thorold is going to spend $12,000 this summer on self-watering flower baskets—a move that will save time and money in the long run, while keeping the downtown core looking as beautiful as ever.
During the summer season, there are about 70 flower baskets hanging across Thorold that are maintained by the city. Purchasing self-watering baskets, the city says, will reduce the labour-intensive practice of watering each one.
Self-watering flower baskets have a reservoir at the bottom that collects and stores water. This allows for a gradual introduction of water into the soil, according to the absorption level of the flower's roots.
Simply put, the flowers water themselves.
In a statement issued to ThoroldToday, City Hall said it plans to redeploy employees who typically water flowers, allowing them to focus more attention on things such as gardening and city beautification.
The cost of the project—$12,000—was approved by city council in the latest budget. It is a one-time investment that the city hopes to recoup in less than one season, depending on the amount of rain the region sees this summer.
