Correspondent photo / Sean Barron Members of the Struthers Rotary Garden Club who dedicated a mini greenhouse next to city hall on Elm Street on Monday are, from left, Karin Tatar, Debra Davis, Yvonne St. Pierre, Christine Reda, Julie George and Leah Forni. The greenhouse was the latest garden club effort to beautify the city.

STRUTHERS — It’s been said that planting a seed is the first significant step toward building a community or city.

In some cases, however, a packet of seeds may achieve the same result.

“The concept is almost like a little library to provide seeds, plants and pots and some garden tools for the community to help themselves. It’s going to be a take-one-leave-one,” Julie George, who is part of the Struthers Rotary Garden Club, said.

She was referring to a new 5-foot mini greenhouse that was recently installed and was dedicated Monday afternoon outside of the city hall building, 6 Elm St.

On a bigger scale, the project is part of an America in Bloom effort. It also is the latest of 17 adopt-a-spot areas the club has established citywide in the past few years to beautify those corridors.

America in Bloom, a national organization that a group of horticulture industry experts founded in 2001, seeks to connect people to the benefits of trees, flowers and plants. According to a portion of its mission statement, AIB “promotes and builds vibrant and sustainable communities through volunteerism and education, emphasizing flowers, plants, trees, heritage and environmental and lifestyle enhancements.”

At Monday’s dedication, the small greenhouse contained oregano plants, zinnias and basil in small pots, along with pink calendola, zinnia, sunflower and green bean seeds in larger ones. Also included were spools of string and pairs of gloves for gardening.

People are welcome to take what they wish, but also are encouraged to replenish the greenhouse, George said.

Karin Tatar, the garden club’s president, noted that the small plant and seed enclosure is close to a rock garden across the street from city hall, which is among the adopt-a-spot projects, at each of which two volunteers water, weed and maintain the foliage. Previously, that space had been a rather desolate, sparse and nondescript area on a small triangle where Elm, Short and Terrace streets meet, she said.

Other adopt-a-spot sites include Hamilton Lake, Nebo Park, next to a sign along state Route 616 and Mauthe Park. Another one near Donavito’s Restaurant & Catering Co. on South Bridge Street is in its early stages, Tatar said.

About to get underway is a rain garden planting project next to a flagpole in Mauthe Park, George said, adding that the club has grown sixfold in about a year, from five members to about 30.

In addition, America in Bloom officials are scheduled to return for another annual visit next month to Struthers to see the garden club members’ beautification efforts, George said.

“They will be back July 13 for a two-day visit so we can show them the improvements we’re making in the city,” she added.

The members’ efforts also are pleasing to Mayor Catherine Cercone Miller, who said her administration has been fully on board with the garden club’s ideas.

“I don’t think we’ve ever said no to them,” Cercone Miller said.

The beautification projects across the city are welcome also because the downtown is undergoing a rebirth, and because the city lacks the staff to start and maintain such efforts, she added.