Reviews
Geneva, NY: Turning Downtown into a Blooming Destination
Sep
Downtown Geneva is known for its walkability and vibrant energy, but the Geneva BID wanted to create an even more welcoming experience for visitors and residents. The key? Investing in EarthPlanter’s self-watering planters to transform their streetscapes while reducing maintenance demands.
Before switching to EarthPlanter, Geneva BID’s staff spent five days a week—sometimes including weekends—watering their terracotta planters to keep plants alive during the summer heat. Even with that effort, the smaller planters struggled to create the lush, colorful impact the BID envisioned.
In 2021, Geneva BID installed its first 11 EarthPlanter Pro-Series Hanging Baskets, immediately reducing watering to just twice a week while delivering bigger, fuller blooms that spilled beautifully over the planters. “They deliver incredible results, and the labor savings alone have more than paid for the planters,” shared Catherine and Lauren of the Geneva BID, who have been leading the initiative to enhance downtown with lasting, sustainable beauty.
Encouraged by the results, the BID gradually expanded its program through community fundraisers, city support, and partnerships with local nonprofits, adding EarthPlanter Metropolitan Tapered Rectangles throughout downtown. Today, Geneva showcases 43 Pro-Series Hanging Baskets and 15 Metropolitan Tapered Squares, with plans to continue growing its collection.
A large part of the program’s success has been Geneva BID’s partnership with Horning’s Greenhouse, a local grower that plants and stores the planters each year. In spring, Horning’s gives the plants time to establish so they’re ready to thrive when installed downtown. This collaboration ensures that Geneva’s planters look full and healthy from the start of the season, adding to the city’s welcoming atmosphere while making the process easy for the BID team.
The visual impact is undeniable. Larger planters and consistent watering help blooms cascade dramatically, creating bright, colorful streetscapes that welcome visitors from the lake into downtown. The program also supports Geneva BID’s sustainability goals by reducing water usage and cutting down on staff hours required for plant maintenance, allowing the team to focus on other downtown initiatives while keeping Geneva beautiful all season long.
For Geneva BID, EarthPlanter has been more than a beautification tool—it’s been an investment that has streamlined operations, strengthened community partnerships, and helped the city stand out with vibrant, thriving plantings that are easy to maintain.