Seedling Garden Club welcomes Spring

Spring has sprung, bringing new life to a dead looking earth. Seedling garden club welcomed this burst of beauty when they met for their monthly meeting on Monday, April 14, at 5:30 p.m. at the Swainsboro Methodist Church social hall.

President Nancy Lisenby called the meeting to order and gave a beautiful inspirational moment. Using the Zinnia as an example, we plant the seed, not seeing the bloom until it comes forth and with long skinny stems and blooms a beautiful flower. We do not see Jesus now, but we know all is well like the zinnia seed. “One day you will look back and see that all along, you were blooming. All along Jesus was stirring something in your heart that would grow like a garden all around you.” Dianne Newman, a former club member was welcomed as a special visitor. She left us and moved to Alabama. The club is always delighted to have former members visit for a meeting.

Reports from committees were presented. Secretary Amber Albritten was not present but minutes from last meeting was passed out. Treasurer Kay Peacock presented the treasurer’s report. These were both approved as presented. Yard of the Month Chairman Yonna Bailey reported that Kaye Stephens of Adrian received Yard of the Month for April.

Old Business:

1. New officers for 2025-2027 were presented: Kay Peacock, President; Lucille Braswell, 1st Vice President; and Paula Karrh, 2nd Vice President. Serving along with these are Secretary Cheryl Goodman and Treasurer Wanda Eillis. These were voted on and approved by club members and will be installed at the May meeting which will be the last meeting for this year and will take office in September when the club will start the new year.

2. Nancy reminded everyone of the GCG State Convention to be held April 29-30 in Augusta, Georgia. Several club members plan to attend.

3. The Princeton Elm Tree sponsored by SAR that the club voted and approved to be planted will take place in 2026 on Arbor Day. It was suggested that we plant the tree at Harmon Park with a sign showing that it is in honor of our veterans.

New Business:

1. A group was organized to replant the five planters at the Emanuel County Nursing Home. This is an ongoing project of the club.

2. Nancy announced that club member, Martha Cobb has been elected to serve as the new Oleander District Director. She will be installed at the GCG convention in April. We are very proud to know she is the 4th Seedling Garden Club member to serve as an Oleander District Director.

3. Paula Karrh, Horticulture Chairman, reported that, “we can plant most anything right now except roses, divide plants now except iris, feed plants with starter fertilizer,”

4. Our “Bird Lady,” Wanda Scarboro, reported that the hummingbirds are back and reminded everyone to change feed every 3-4 days and make sure to clean feeders.

5. The club voted to take part in the GCG Raffle by buying raffle tickets. This is a project of The Garden Club of Georgia and prizes will be given away at the GCG convention April 29-30.

President Lisenby introduced the program for the evening. Dawn Phillips of Green Bites presented a most interesting program on Microgreens. Microgreens are young greens that are harvested 1-2 weeks after sprouting and contain up to 40 times more nutrients than fully grown plants. They are a great source of vitamins A, C, E and K, as well as mineral and antioxidants. This started out as a hobby for Dawn and has grown into a small business for her. This is a relatively new way of gardening in our area. Dawn presented the many uses of Microgreens, health benefits as well as the flavor. In her presentation she showed the process of planting and harvesting. It was a very interesting introduction to a new plant and ways we can all do this. We got to sample some of the fresh salad mix. It was very tasty. Three of her starter kits were given away. Those winning these were Nancy Lisenby, Yonna Bailey and Jane Durden. Looking forward to seeing how they make out with this new way of gardening.

Using a Spring theme hostesses served an assortment of sandwiches, nuts, chips, soda and blueberry cake. A beautiful spring hanging basket of petunia graced the center of the serving table. Hostesses for the meeting were Paula Karrh, Dot Kirby and Judy McWhorter.

What a glorious way to begin “Holy Week” with a garden club meeting. “The Bible opens in a garden and closes in a garden for a reason. Jesus chooses nature for many things. Eighteen members and two visitors enjoyed this very fun, informative and educational meeting. “You don’t have to be blooming to be growing.”

Meeting was adjourned with Diana Malone winning the door prize.

Seedling Garden Club is a member of National Garden Clubs, Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs, The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. and Oleander District.