The Glove and Trowel Garden Club met at 3 P.M. at the home of Kathryn Bumgardner.
President, Julie Sawyer, called the meeting to order and led in the reading of our Garden Club Collect. November birthday greetings were extended to Jamie Sue Stephens. There were 16 members present plus our guest speaker.
President Sawyer then turned the meeting over to Program Chairman, Rosemary Bethea, who introduced Carl Claytor from Loris, S.C. He is our Garden Club of South Carolina (GCSC) Herb Chairman for the years 2015 – 2017. The topic of his program was “HERBS – THEIR USES AND HOW TO GROW THEM.”
Our objective was to learn the history of herbs, the proper way to plant and grow them, as well as their different uses. Mr. Claytor covered all of these. His goal was “to generate and stimulate interest in herbs by providing our members with background information on herbs dating back to Biblical times and also the many uses of herbs in our everyday life.” Areas of interest were: History (Biblical); Medicinal, Culinary, or Pollinators. Some herbs mentioned were: Basil, Bay, Chives, Dill, Fennel, Garlic, Lavender, Lemon Grass, Mint, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Savory, Scented Geranium, Tarragon, Thyme, and Yarrow. Fresh samples of some of these were passed around.
Some tips for growing herbs were: Herbs need well draining soil. They will die quickly if their roots stand in water too long. A little lime needs to be added to your garden every year because it raises the pH of the soil and herbs absorb the most nutrients when this is between 6.5 and 7.2. Herbs need little fertilizing and need watering deeply once a week, but let the soil dry out between watering.
If growing herbs in pots, place pots close together. Not only does it look attractive, but the plants thrive better when in close proximity to each other.
Mr. Claytor stated that if he did not know all the answers to our questions, he would be glad to do research through his contacts, one being his membership in the Low Country Herb Society, and his many books on herbs and the vast array of information via the internet. His wife sent a plate of cookies made using rosemary in them – delicious!!!
A lovely gift basket containing many herbs and a cookbook using herbs was presented to him by Rosemary Bethea in appreciation for his wonderful program on HERBS.
Minutes from our October Meeting by Secretary Molly Pittman were approved followed by a financial report by Treasurer, Ellen Jordan. Birthday cards have been sent to members, and a sympathy card to President Sawyer on the death of her sister-in-law. Julie LeChette reported that the planting of pansies at the Train Depot has been completed. “Nickels for Natives” are being collected. Publicity: October Meeting with pictures and November meeting Notices were published in The Dillon Herald. Members are reminded of meetings by e-mail, facebook® and telephone.
OLD BUSINESS: Members reminded about three wrapped gifts for March 2016 Coastal District Meeting.
The old Glove and Trowel Roadside Sign is being replaced with a new sign being made in Mullins.
President Sawyer encouraged members to go to our GCSC Website for updated information and dates of upcoming events. NEW BUSINESS:Jamie Sue Stephens gave each member present a copy of her duties for our Christmas Social and Dinner Party with our husbands or guest on December 8, 2015.
The members voted to order a Blue Star By-Way Marker to be placed at our Edible/Pollinator Node at The Dillon Wellness Center on the walking path.
The meeting was adjourned by President Sawyer.
Our Club is a member of the National Council of Garden Clubs, the South Atlantic Region, the Garden Club of South Carolina, Inc., and the Coastal District GCSC.
