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Blocks In Bloom 2025

• Saturday, June 7, 2025, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Front Yards, Fresh Starts: West Ostrander Street to Bloom with Color

On Saturday, June 7, Master Gardeners from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Onondaga County will once again bring color, life, and learning to a Syracuse neighborhood during their 8th annual "Blocks in Bloom" event.

This year, the spotlight is on West Ostrander Street, where residents of six homes in the 500 block have partnered with volunteer Master Gardeners to design and plant perennial flower beds in their front yards. These gardens, tailored to each home, were carefully planned during spring consultations between residents and volunteers.

Best time for media coverage on June 7^th is from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on planting day, with work wrapping up by noon. Reporters and photographers will have the opportunity to see 20–25 Master Gardeners in action, as they dig, plant, spread compost, water new beds, and — just as importantly — educate residents on how to care for their gardens .

This isn’t a one-time effort. Master Gardeners return twice during the growing season — in July and again in September — to follow up with residents, check on progress, and offer continued guidance.

More Than Just Flowers: Growing Knowledge and Neighborhood Pride

"Blocks in Bloom" is more than a beautification project. It’s a grassroots effort to strengthen neighborhood ties, promote environmental stewardship, and empower residents with gardening skills that last a lifetime.

Since launching in Onondaga County, the project has brightened blocks across Syracuse, including Hope Avenue, Hawley Avenue, Green Street, Beard, Wood , and West Corning Street. Each year builds on the last, growing a legacy of connection and transformation.

The plants used are sourced locally — grown in the city greenhouse, left over from community plant sales, or generously donated by local businesses.

An Invitation to the Public and Press

We invite the media to join us on West Ostrander Street to witness the transformation, capture the stories , and highlight the power of local engagement in urban neighborhoods.

Volunteers bring tools, compost, plants, and passion — and work side-by-side with residents to bring these front yards to life. It’s a morning full of community pride, teamwork, and joy — a visual story worth telling.

About the Master Gardener Program

The Master Gardener Volunteer program is a national Cooperative Extension initiative that trains volunteers to share science-based gardening knowledge with their communities. In Onondaga County, these volunteers are a cornerstone of educational outreach — supporting home, school, and community gardeners across all skill levels.

Interested in becoming a Master Gardener or helping with future "Blocks in Bloom" efforts? Visit: cceonondaga.org/mgv or call 315-424-9485 ext. 236.

About Cornell Cooperative Extension of Onondaga County

CCE Onondaga has been a trusted pillar of education in Onondaga County for over 110 years. Part of the statewide Cornell Cooperative Extension system, it provides research-based programs and opportunities that help individuals, families, and communities thrive. From urban agriculture to positive youth development, nutrition education to environmental stewardship, CCE Onondaga brings the latest knowledge of Cornell University and all nationwide land-grant Universities to local residents — making science practical and accessible for our evolving everyday lives.

Our mission is to strengthen communities through innovative education, engagement, and hands-on learning — whether in the garden, the classroom, the kitchen, or the field. Learn more at: www.cceonondaga.org

Last updated May 30, 2025