The Seedling Garden Club held its monthly meeting Monday, March 9, at the social hall of Swainsboro Methodist Church. Everyone was Irish for this meeting. President Kay Peacock called the meeting to order and welcomed the fifteen members present. Special guests welcomed were Nancy Lisenby's daughter, Jamie Freiberg, and granddaughters, Clara and Adeline Freiberg. Parliamentarian Paula Karrh opened the meeting with an inspiration titled "Prayer for Spring." Paula also reminded everyone to remember we are in the Lenten Season and to remember what it stands for. Afterwards Peacock shared "An Irish Prayer."
In the education session, our own club member, Dawn Phillips, presented a most interesting program on Hydroponics. Using a power point she pointed out this method of growing herbs and small vegetables grown in small places were known as the Kratky Method know as Aero Gardening and DWC (deep water culture). She gave a live demonstration of how this form of growing plants without soil. Using an aero machine, plants were growing and members got to taste the herbs growing. We were asked in the call-letter, "do you know what Hydroponics is?" Well, we do now, thanks to Dawn. To end this session, club member Nancy Lisenby presented a program on "Seed Snail" method for starting seeds. This is a method to start seeds to be transferred by using flexible material that has potting soil placed on top, seeds put in a row in soil, roll the material and soil into a spiral that looks like a cinnamon roll. When plants begin to grow then you can plant in pots. This is a better way to start your plants than using those small trays.
In the business session: Secretary Cheryl Goodman presented minutes from the February meeting and Treasurer Wanda Ellis presented the treasurer's report. Both were approved as presented. Yonna Bailey, Yard of the Month Chairman, reported that Junior Brinson was selected for the March Yard of the Month. Ivy Terwilliger reported the Pine Tree Committee is meeting and she will report at next meeting what the club can do to help with the Pine Tree Festival. President Peacock reported the club will celebrate America's 250th birthday in Georgia by planting red, white, and blue flowers in the planters located at Emanuel County Nursing Home. We can apply for a grant for this project through The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. Peacock reported the tree for Arbor Day was planted. Paula Karrh presented March Horticultural Tips. She gave some very good advice for things to do in March to help with our gardening. Some of these were planting, fertilizing, and pruning. She encouraged us to enjoy the beautiful flowering of spring all around us.
The fun began after all this when members were treated to a delightful assortment of finger foods. Using a St. Patrick's theme, a Shamrock runner was placed on the serving table. Members were served, chicken salad sandwiches, pimento cheese sandwiches, party mix, lucky charm mix, iced key lime cupcakes, sliced apples with caramel sauce, shamrock cookies and soda. Hostesses were Wanda Ellis, Cheryl Goodman and Nancy Lisenby. They enjoyed serving refreshments wearing a St. Patrick's Day Hat.
Wanda Scarboro, our "Bird Lady", reported that the hummingbirds are already in Georgia as close as Statesboro, so get the feeders ready. Members were reminded of the tour of homes in Dublin on March 28 and the Statesboro Flower Show on April 24. The club will take a field trip next month to Noochee Farms in Twin City.
Meeting adjourned with Ivy Terwilliger winning the raffle drawing.
The Seedling Garden Club is a member of National Garden Clubs, Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs, Inc., The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc., and The Oleander District.
