Make a wishing well

THERE’S NOTHING like a wishing well to add a little mysterious charm to the landscape. Children can’t resist the idea of making a wish, and even adults have been known to toss in a penny or two. Although this do-it-yourself version doesn’t hold water, it will add an instant focal point to the yard or garden.

The project is simple enough for most woodworkers. The wall is constructed of “bricks” cut from standard 2-by-4 lumber and laid out on a template using glue and nails, so there’s no masonry involved. Other materials include standard 4-by-6 and 2-by-6 lumber, plus a single 4-by-8 sheet of exterior plywood for the roof.

The wishing well is built from redwood as pictured, but cedar or even pressure treated lumber work well, because all three withstand the elements and require little maintenance. The project can be finished clear, stained or painted as the builder desires.

The wishing well measures four feet in diameter and almost 7 feet tall, and includes authentic finishing touches like a bucket and an operating windlass with a crank.

The Wishing Well plan, No. 371, is $9.95 and in- cludes complete step-by-step instructions with photos, full-size traceable patterns, a shopping list and a cutting schedule. Please include $3.95 for postage and handling and allow about two weeks for delivery.

To order by mail, clip this article and send it with a check or money order to U-Bild Features, c/o The Republican, 741B Olive Ave., Vista CA 92083. To order by credit card, visit U-Bild on the web at u-bild.com.

Garden Notes

AGAWAM Garden club

The Agawam Garden Club will meet on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in the Judy Clini Conference Room at the Agawam Public Library, 750 Cooper St. Refreshments will be served. After a short business meeting, the speaker will be Sharon Alexander, who will present “Thriller, Filler, Spiller,” a container garden demonstration. After the program, the prepared garden containers will be raffled.

EAST LONGMEADOW Plant sale

The First Congregation Church, 7 Somers Road, is having a plant sale on May 13 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be a selection of heirloom plants from the church gardens for sale. From the gardens of church members and friends, there will be a variety of plants, trees, shrubs, herbs, flowering vines, ground covers and perennials for sale. Some herb pot and specialty items will be available for Mothers’ Day gifts. In the gazebo, will be free coffee and a bake sale. Inside the church, will be a garden related tag sale, a paperback book sale and a used jewelry sale. There also will be a raffle for an extra-large garden basket filled with things to use in your garden.

STOCKBRIDGE Upcoming events

Berkshire Botanical Garden presents the following upcoming events:

• “46th Plant and Answers

Plant Sale,” May 12 and 13. Early buying is available for Botanical Garden members on May 12 from 9 to 11 a.m. Hours for the general public are May 12, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and May 13, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission and parking are free. Curated by the garden’s horticulture staff, this year’s plant sale features hundreds of perennials, annuals and

Lee Reich | In the Garden