President’s Project
Plant Connecticut — Be A Conservation Champion!
I invite you to become stewards in your own communities and help in three major areas that continue to be of concern in supporting a healthy environment for today and for future generations.
Conserve Water
A deficit of more than 12 inches in rainfall during 2016 has substantially dropped our water table, and reservoirs are at unusually low levels. Let’s strive to
· Explore xeriscaping
· Install rain barrels
· Use drip irrigation
· Design rain gardens
· Mulch trees and shrubs
· Downsize your lawn
Assist Pollination
Indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides is raising havoc among our pollinators. Some bee species are approaching extinction. Let’s strive to
· Avoid chemical pesticides
· Plant native trees and shrubs
· Plant native perennials
· Cluster flowers by variety and color
· Plant successive blooms for all Seasons
Garden Naturally
There are many ways to grow plants in our own gardens, in community gardens, and in our town parks without resorting to chemical sprays and fertilizers. Let’s strive to
· In your own garden
· In community gardens
· Advocate organic practices at nearby parks and farms
· Explore IPM principles
· Use natural layering (lasagna gardening)
· Practice composting
Our State Project for 2017-2019 offers two contests:
Garden Clubs may participate by creating either a Xeriscape Garden or a Pollinator-friendly Garden in a Public Space.
Individual Garden Club Members may participate by creating a Xeriscape Garden on their own property.
Our State Projects Chair is Holly Kocet. You may contact her at StateProject@ctgardenclubs.org
FOR GARDEN CLUBS:
PROCESS: Devise a plan of your intent to create either a (1) Xeriscape Garden or (2) a Pollinator-friendly Garden in a public space, including a Maintenance Plan. You will need to coordinate with your Town to gain permission for your project on Public Property. The minimum dimensions for the gardens are 600 square feet.
Outline of gardens may be any shape. A fillable Registration form to pre-register is available here and should be returned no later than November 2018.
AWARDS APPLICATION: Upon installation of your Garden, submit at least one 8-1/2”x11” photo and a description of the completed project, including any press coverage, to Holly Kocet StateProject@ctgardenclubs.org by February 15, 2019 to be judged for the Conservation Championship Award in each of the four club size categories: small, medium, large and extra large.
Registration FormFOR INDIVIDUAL CLUB MEMBERS:
Individual Club Members may compete in a separate contest by creating a Xeriscape Garden on their own property. No minimum size requirement. Follow the same pre-registration instructions as listed above for garden clubs.
PROCESS: Explore xeriscaping in your own garden by applying the seven principles from “Solution to Sustainable Living” at www.eartheasy.com.
AWARDS APPLICATION: Submit an 8-1/2”x11” photo and a description of your completed garden by February 15, 2019 to StateProject@ctgardenclubs.org Your garden will be considered for the Conservation Championship Award presented to up to five garden club members with the most impressive Xeriscape Garden.
Registration Form
NGC President, Nancy L. Hargroves, President’s Theme is Plant America.
A related new National Garden Club Community Project Grant Program for clubs has been established by NGC to provide financial support for new or existing projects by NGC member clubs in their respective communities. Individual garden clubs may apply for funds up to $1,000 for the direct expenses of projects. The application deadline was November 1, 2017 for last year; 415 garden clubs applied for grants in this first year of the program. More grants are planned. For updates go to www.gardenclub.org.
Meanwhile your club can support the successful continuation of the program by participating in a unique fundraising opportunity provided by P.Allen Smith. He believes in NGC’s’s purpose and mission and has helped develop this promotion in many ways by giving his time, his staff’s time and by donating a very generous percentage of the sales.
President Hargroves has announced that beginning March 1 and ending June 15, National Garden Clubs will be selling plants selected by P. Allen Smith. This promotion, entitled Inspiring Gardens Across America, includes three different collections of plants. Each item was chosen because of a special feature in its hybridization for performance or beauty or for its limited availability in the general marketplace. For more detail and how to order, click here.
