‘Go native’ at this year’s Garden Gala
Today’s trend for many is getting back to basics, conserving natural resources and saving money. Members of the Pine Island Garden Club have adhered to this philosophy for decades when they turn their focus to what is planted in island yards. Touting the benefits of planting natives and Florida friendly vegetation, this weekend, members of the Garden Club will offer up the opportunity to teach others which plants will not only be non-invasive, but will be hardy, low maintenance and inexpensive to maintain as they present the 10th annual Garden Gala. This year’s Garden Gala will take place on Saturday, Feb. 19, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Garden Park, located on Stringfellow Road just north of the island center.
“Many of our guest speakers at our monthly meetings share with us the ease of growing natives in our yards. Not only are they island friendly, but, once established, they require little to no watering, fertilizing or pesticides,” said Garden Club member Margie Vander Kruik. “Those visiting our Garden Gala this year will have many opportunities to learn what we have. We will have dozens of plant vendors and guest speakers who will be ready to answer questions and help even new comers to be successful when it comes to planting and caring for native plants here on Pine Island. Not only can people get useful tips, but there will be lots of plants for sale at reasonable prices throughout the day as well.”
Many residents of the island and surrounding area are transplants themselves and often find that growing plants here in a sub-tropical environment can be very different than tending a northern garden. Sharing her experiences with attendees will be Carolynn Little who will present “My Bloopers and Success with Florida Natives” from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Learn what to plant and where to plant them to achieve the maximum success when encouraging the growth of Florida native plants.
Also discovering one of the cheapest yet most beneficial ways to feed and nurture plants will be shared. From 10:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Joe Cifrain, from Our Virtual Earth will teach gardeners the ins and outs of composting. Information about what to compost and what to put a compost for proper use in a variety of gardening situations will be shared.
Flower arranging is yet another art form that can be mastered by nearly anyone and to demonstrate that, Garden Club member Donna Cook will demonstrate the basic steps to creating a floral shop quality arrangement using plants and flowers found in many island back yards. Cook will provide instruction on arrangements from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
For those who have limited yard space, container gardening may be the answer. Nearly any plant, including vegetables and herbs, can do well in a container. Containers are highly portable and can liven up a patio or lanai. To share tips on successfully growing an herb garden in containers will be Anne Pigeon who will be under the demonstration tent from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Among the most popular, yet mysterious plants coveted by many gardeners is the orchid. The delicate blooms of the orchid while alluring can also be intimidating for the novice gardener, but Jerry Meola will demonstrate the proper mounting techniques that will help to encourage the growth and flowering of orchids from 12:20 to 1 p.m.
According to Vander Kirk, one of the reasons that the Garden Club chose February as the time for which to host the Garden Gala is that it is perhaps the best time of the year to plant or re-plant island gardens.
“Late winter and early spring are probably the best time to plant for most of us. The threat of frost has passed by this time, but the temperatures are still mild enough so as not to cook any new plantings,” Vander Kruik said. “The other advantage by planting now is that the plants will have time to get established and will fair well through out the summer months will little to no attention. This is very important for our seasonal residents who will be gone during the summer months and are hopeful that when they return, their efforts will not have been wasted.”
More than a dozen plant vendors will man booths at this year’s event to provide planting tips and to sell everything from bamboo to rare and unusual tropical plants. Other vendors on site will offer items to decorate the yard and garden area as well as items for home decor and works of art. In keeping with a festive atmosphere, music will be provided by Frank Tuma and those arriving at lunch time can enjoy a quiche, turkey wrap, chicken salad or a burrito from Little Lilly’s Island Deli. Baked items will be for sale by members of the Garden Club. Those attending the Gala can also purchase a raffle ticket that will put them in the running for one of more than two dozen prizes ranging from a flat screen television to a romantic weekend for two, with all proceeds gained by ticket sales to be earmarked for island charities.
For more information about the Garden Gala or the Pine Island Garden Club, visit pineislandgardenclub.org