Blocks in Bloom

About

Blocks in Bloom brings together communities in the City of Rochester through front yard flower gardening.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County's Master Gardeners and other volunteers teach residents, one block at a time, to prepare, plant and maintain front yard flower gardens.

We work with blocks in lower-resourced neighborhoods.

Blocks in Bloom receives generous donations of plants, compost, mulch, garden tools from Lowes, the City of Rochester, garden clubs, and many local gardeners. All materials to start front yard flower gardens are provided at no cost to participating blocks.

Since 2014 Blocks in Bloom has served over 100 blocks and 1,000 households have participated. We have won both local and national awards.

Click here. to see a map of Blocks in Bloom locations.

Watch our video below and learn how:

-Your block can join

-OR you can donate plants and tools

- OR your community can start your own program (outside Monroe County NY)

Awards, News, & Features

WROC News 8: 8/29/2024 https://www.rochesterfirst.com/rochester/blocks-in-bloom-helps-beautify-rochester-neighborhoods/

D &C: 8/24/2024 D_C_9-6-2024Blocks_in_Bloom_celebrates_milestones.pdf

WROC: https://www.rochesterfirst.com/video/local-gardening-initiative-started-by-cornell-cooperative-extension-wins-international-award/ 7/7/23

News: WXXI Connections with Evan Dawson-4/26/23

Award: 2023 Environmental Innovation Award from the Seneca Park Zoo Society (website)

Award: 2021 Zone III Civic Improvement Commendation from the Garden Club of America (PDF)

Award: 2020 Community Greening Award from the American Horticultural Society (PDF)

News: Democrat & Chronicle - 4/21/20 (website)

News: WXXI Connections with Evan Dawson - 9/4/19 (website)

News: 13WHAM - 5/27/2017 (website)

Feature: Horticultural Heroes of Seed Your Future organization (website)

Feature: Upstate Gardeners' Journal - Nov/Dec 2015 (PDF)

Interested in Block Participation?

How Blocks Get Involved:

-One person agrees to be the Block Captain for his or her block (must be in a lower income neighborhood in Rochester)

-The Block Captain signs up at least 6 households on the block that want to start a front yard flower garden

-We assign a pair of Master Gardener or other experienced “mentors” to each block

-We visit each yard to see where the gardener wants to plant and assess what needs to be done (while teaching a few gardening principles

-Each block holds a work party to prepare their garden beds

-We gather donated perennial plants from area gardeners and nurseries

-We distribute plants and teach participants how to plant and maintain them

-Our volunteers visit periodically throughout the growing season to mentor on garden maintenance

If your block is in the yellow area of this map you are in a priority area for Blocks in Bloom. If you live in the City of Rochester, but not in our priority area we will consider your block if we have room in the program.

If you are interested in participating in Blocks in Bloom, contact Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County. New gardens must be located within the City of Rochester, in one of the zip codes/areas designated eligible for the program.

Interested in Donating Plants?

Donate divisions of perennials from your garden to Blocks in Bloom!

Contact Master Gardener Volunteer, Stacey Shedden text (917) 742-9027 or smshedden@aol.com

Interested in starting Blocks in Bloom in YOUR city or town?

* Do you live outside of Monroe County, NY?

* Do you think Blocks in Bloom would be great to start in your area?

* Are you with an organization that might be able to consider this?

Blocks in Bloom is interested in working with other communities that want to replicate our model. No cost except your time and energy.

Click here to share your information and we will contact you to set up a time to talk about this.

Last updated April 18, 2025