Fall gardening tips and plant care were the topics presented by guest speaker Kelsey Curvin at the August meeting of the Shelbyville Garden Club. The luncheon was held at Glass Hollow Table & Tavern. The owner of Stone Root Horticultural Services shared gardening tips for the approaching fall season. Two of their favorite flowers to plant in the spring for the autumn season are lantana and zinnias. The various varieties of these two flowers will produce blooms and colors that can be enjoyed until frost, which in Tennessee is traditionally early November. Fall is the time to plant bulbs such as daffodils and tulips. If you have a squirrel problem, mix the two types of bulbs. Squirrels dislike the smell of daffodils. Containers planted with these are lovely in early spring. Use organic soil for pots and a good fertilizer such as Monty’s Liquid Fertilizer. It can be used daily or weekly. Consider good reliable sources when ordering seeds and bulbs. One among the several that were suggested was Seed Saver. Fine Gardening Magazine was suggested as a good resource for updated gardening information. The speaker strongly suggested keeping a weather journal in the spring and summer for future references to the successes or failures of plants.
Club President Babs Chicoine called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance. The devotion given by Suzy Stewart was entitled “Peace in the Garden,” taken from a book by Rita Maggert, an officer in District II TFG.
The monthly design assignment was a miniature arrangement. The horticultural assignment was succulents. Many specimens were shared. Frances Hayes was the club judge.
Club winners of the miniature design arrangement were Suzy Stewart in first, Freda Head in second and Pam Beasley in third. Winners of the horticultural category were Donna Simmons in first and Pam Beasley in second place. Winners of the “what have you” category were Pam Beasley for her moon flower and zinnia and Babs Chicoine for her rose.
Next month’s arrangement assignment will be a wreath made with fresh flowers and/or greenery.
