May Meeting

The Monroeville Garden Club met one last time on May 9 before welcoming the summer break and a few months off. Ms. Evelyn Bond hosted the meeting at her home in Monroeville, and Ms. Judi Burns co-hosted. There was also an official recognition and warm welcome for new member, Ms. Laura York. 

The meeting was called to order and members got right down to business, discussing ways to better manage/maintain the areas and plants the club is responsible for. The Auburn hollies in the planter pots around the square are doing well, as are the petunias sharing the space. A few existing beds around certain shops along the square have salvia returning from last year and violas that are thriving as of now, but will probably need replacing if they succumb to the summer heat. Powdery mildew is an ongoing issue with the drift roses around the courthouse, so members are considering different treatment options. The MGC purchased a dozen knockout rose bushes to replace some that were declining at Veteran's Park, and the YMCA got them planted, as they are now managing the park. The rose garden outside the courthouse got a heavy pruning in February and was recently sprayed for weeds and fertilized. Deadheading the roses and putting out new mulch will be done over the next few weeks, and members decided to repaint the garden arbor later in the year. These are just a few of the ongoing projects discussed at the meeting. There are many clubs, organizations, and individuals who work year-round to keep our city beautiful, and the Monroeville Garden Club is proud to be part of the effort. 

After all business had been addressed, members mingled and munched on goodies prepared by Ms. Bond and Ms. Burns. There were fresh fruit skewers, chips and dips, pimento cheese or garden tomato sandwiches, chicken salad roll-ups, cheese biscuits, mixed nuts, and chocolate iced bundt cake, with fresh lemonade, coffee and water as beverage choices. Beautiful fresh flowers were arranged in a centerpiece on the table. Before leaving, club members were invited to walk around the property where they admired quite an array of colorful flowers and landscape. It was a grand finale to end the meeting and kick off sweet summertime! 

"Summer was our best season. It was sleeping on the back screened porch in cots, or trying to sleep in the treehouse; summer was everything good to eat. It was a thousand colors in a
parched landscape."
~ Harper Lee,
To Kill A Mockingbird

(L) Evelyn Bond, Hostess and (R) Judi Burns, Co-Hostess

April Outing

The Monroeville Garden Club members and guests met on April 11 at the home of Ms. Pat Hendrix in Frisco City. There was no official meeting held as no business was conducted, but members and guests enjoyed touring the beautiful gardens on the property. There was a handout provided on shade gardening, along with a list of plants recommended for such. Ms. Hendrix was on hand to speak on the subject and entertain any other questions/comments about various plants in the garden. 

Mrs. Bev Colquett was the hostess for the outing, and provided yummy, Spring/Easter themed snacks served box-style for members and guests to enjoy. These included bunny-shaped walnut-cream cheese sandwiches, egg-shaped pimento-cheese sandwiches, fruit kabobs, cream cheese pecan cookies, Rolo pretzel turtles, lemonade punch and coffee. A picnic table was decorated with an Easter basket centerpiece, which the ladies enjoyed.

Everyone in attendance agreed that the property is absolutely stunning and pictures simply do not do justice. The Monroeville Garden Club would like to thank Ms. Pat Hendrix for her hospitality, her wisdom, and for her inspiration.

"A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; above all it teaches entire trust." ~ Gertrude Jekyll

 

  

The Monroeville Garden Club had their first meeting of the new year on Valentine's Day at Monroeville Presbyterian Church. The meeting was hosted by Mrs. Nancy Zeibach and the program was titled "Citrus in the Southern Garden." Guest speaker was Mr. Tom McLemore from the Capital City Master Gardeners Association in Montgomery. Mr. McLemore has been a member of the CCMGA since 2009, serving as President for some of that time. His farming experience spans from cotton to cattle to soybeans, and his citrus crops are nothing short of impressive. Meyer lemons, Satsuma oranges, grapefruits, and kumquats are just a few of his favorites. 

Let's talk citrus: In favorable conditions, it can flourish in south Alabama. Citrus plants love sunshine and good dirt that drains well. They also need room to grow. Be mindful of underground pipes (septic lines, irrigation systems, etc) as their roots can be invasive. Fertilizing your plants will provide necessary nutrients and help to protect them from disease, but you'll want to be sure of what to use and when.

Cold weather is one of the biggest threats to citrus in our area, but some varieties (Satsuma oranges and kumquats) are more cold-tolerant than others. You might consider starting smaller plants out in containers so they can be moved in freezing temperatures. Larger plants can be put in-ground, but will require some TLC to thrive in the cold. No greenhouse? No problem! Simply frame the area around and over your plants using PVC or metal pipe, then drape heavyweight fabric over the top. Mr. McLemore suggests using carport covers. Secure the bottom of the fabric so that cold air isn't coming in and warmth from the sun doesn't escape. You might even hang old-fashioned Christmas lights from the tree branches to provide a little heat, as does Mr. McLemore. Some farmers with large citrus crops may water the ground around their trees a few days before a freezing forecast because the water in the soil stores heat from the sun and will slowly release it back to the roots of the plant. There are also farmers who will spray water on their citrus trees during a freeze to keep the fruit from falling to the same temperature as the cold air. As crazy as it seems, the ice acts as a sort of insulator and releases heat during the change of energy when it melts.

 If you are considering growing citrus and have questions, www.fourwindsgrowers.com and www.tropicalfruitforum.com are great sources of information, or reach out to your local county extension office. Citrus plants are beautiful and fragrant, and the fruit is chock-full of vitamins. In general, there isn't much not to love!

After the presentation, club members and guests enjoyed Valentine's Day treats including heart-shaped chicken salad sandwiches, toasted pecans, fruit skewers with strawberries, pineapple and grapes, a beautiful chocolate layer cake, and conversation heart candies. Beverages included lemon water and punch. The table was decorated with a lovely centerpiece of red and white roses and heart-shaped cutouts.

 

Christmas / Ornament Swap

The Monroeville Garden Club met on Thursday, December 20, at the Vanity Fair Country Club to close out the 2018 season. Each table had beautiful fresh-cut arrangements made by members Patsy Wadlington and Carolyn Hutcherson, and there were candy-filled stockings at each place setting. 

The ladies enjoyed a delicious buffet-style luncheon with green salad, parmesan chicken with rice and gravy, green beans and rolls, with a choice of lemon cream or chocolate layer cake for dessert. Beverages included tea, water and/or coffee. 

The weather outside really was frightful, but the ladies didn't let it dampen their spirits. Everyone attending brought a wrapped ornament to be swapped during a fun game of Dirty Santa. Love and laughter between close friends while gathered around a Christmas tree is always a sweet way to celebrate the season. 

The Monroeville Garden Club would like to thank the community for a wonderful year! We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!

November Meeting

The Monroeville Garden Club had their monthly meeting on Thursday, November 8 at Monroeville Presbyterian Church. Laura Bodiford was the Hostess and Brenda Gardner Co-Hosted.

The program speaker was Fran Ables, Master Gardener from Baldwin County Master Gardeners. She is originally from Little Rock, AR, and is a lifetime Master Gardener there. The program was titled "Plants Associated With Christmas". There are many flowers and plants we generally think of when the Christmas Season is upon us, Roses and Poinsettias being among the most popular. The Rose is known as the true Christmas blossom and is a symbol of deep Christian faith and devotion. Poinsettias were brought to America over a hundred years ago from Mexico, and there are over 150 million sold each holiday season. Whether given as gifts or used as decorations during the holiday season, Christmas plants and flowers are deeply rooted in folklore. Some of the stories associated with these plants and flowers are a wonderful reminder of what Christmas means to us: Love, peace, faith, goodwill, and the celebration of A Newborn King!

After the program, a luncheon of butternut squash bisque, french bread and cheese, nuts, apples, and two kinds of brownies were served. There was also warm apple cider, tea, coffee, and water to drink.

Ms. Fran Ables, Master Gardener

Luncheon

October Meeting

The Monroeville Garden Club met on October 11, 2018 at the home of Jean Singleton in Monroeville, who served as the Hostess. Sharon Brewton was the Co-Hostess.

The program theme was "Bees: Why We Need Them" and was led by Chrissie Hines, Master Gardener from Mobile County Master Gardeners. Chrissie gave a fascinating presentation detailing how important bees are to our ecosystem. Most people know that bees are great pollinators for beautiful flowers, but did you know that bees are also responsible for pollinating one third of our food? This means one in every three bites of food comes from bee pollination, according to thehoneybeeconservancy.org. In fact, bees alone are responsible for pollinating over ninety different fruits and vegetables we consume every day! Foods like strawberries, blueberries, pumpkin, okra, broccoli, and asparagus are just a few of the fruits and vegetables we enjoy, and we owe it all to bees!

Sadly, healthy bee populations are declining rapidly. Pesticides, disease-spreading mites, and a lack of land due to industrial agriculture are just a few reasons bees are suffering, but there are ways we can help reestablish and encourage growth. Avoid pesticides with neonicotinoid chemicals, as they are toxic to bees and other pollinators. Over half of pesticides found in big-box stores contain neonics, so check labels for a "Protection of Pollenators" guarantee or simply buy/use organic pesticides. Import and/or encourage insects such as ladybugs and praying mantises in your garden, as they are beneficial in controlling harmful mites. Lavendar, Black-Eyed Susan and Rose of Sharon are just a few plants bees love, and bees will be encouraged to visit your garden if you have tasty treats for them. Swapping and planting organic seeds is a great way to ensure your seeds have not been exposed to pesticides, just be sure to leave an undisturbed plot of dirt somewhere in your garden for ground nesting bees. You might also make friends with a local beekeeper and volunteer your time. Buy local, raw honey and products made from beeswax. Getting up close and personal with bees allows us to see their direct impact on our community. Bees are so important in so many ways. Imagine a world without bees...pretty grim, huh?

After the presentation, members and guests were invited to a time of fellowship while enjoying some delicious treats. Fresh strawberries and grapes, mixed nuts, a pepper jelly cheeseball with crackers, and an apple pecan cake with a savory glaze were all on the menu. There were also beautiful cupcakes with bees iced on top, which were truly the bee's knees!

Co-Hostess Sharon Brewton (L)
Hostess Jean Singleton (R)

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Cupcakes with Bees