Healthy Soil Is Topic Of Yellow Jessamine Garden Club

The Yellow Jessamine Garden Club met on Tuesday, March 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the residence of Judy Wyman. 11 members were present.
President Mary Ricks opened up the February meeting by thanking all members for attending. She also thanked Judy Wyman for hosting our meeting in her beautiful home.
All members recited the Creed and the Gardener’s prayer to begin the meeting.
Dianne Pittman, Vice President, introduced the speaker for the evening. Mr. Caleb Coleman, owner of Little Mill Seed, was the keynote speaker. Caleb graduated from Latta High in 2010. He furthered his education at Clemson University and graduated with an Ag Mechanization degree and minored in Agribusiness.
Caleb’s explanatory program was based on healthy soil. (Objective: Conservation and Preservation from GCSC & NGC goals and objectives) His quote was “Don’t treat soil like dirt!” He encouraged each of us to allow nature to fertilize the soil. Healthy soil has flourishing ecosystems, Ph and structure. Healthy soil is also full of life. Many millions of different organisms make up the manifold of life found in soil. Bacteria, algae, ants and fungi are included in the diverse mix of life that keeps the soil lively.
Like all other living creatures, organisms need food and shelter to multiply. Some feed on organic matter and others eat microbes. By utilizing the nutrients found in healthy soil, the organisms cycle and build the soil. An example of hardy soil is the presence of earthworms.
Many farmers with healthy soil also use cover crops. This is simply planting alternate crops, other than cash crops, on a rotation. This objective is to build soil, prevent erosion, fight weeds, produce nitrogen and nutrients for a good crop.
After the educational program, the Yellow Jessamine thanked Caleb and invited him to come again!
The Yellow Jessamine Garden Club then engaged in a tasty meal prepared by Judy Wyman and Janet Keaton. The homemade chicken noodle soup, red velvet cake, chicken salad and pimento cheese sandwiches were delightful! The beautiful arrangement of red roses and balloons decorated the table, for the month of February, in honor of Valentine’s Day.
Next, Mildred Mishue read the minutes and roll call was given by the answering of a favorite type of soil.
There was no Membership or Projects and Litter business at this time. Old business mentioned was the J.P. Camp Roadside pickup. The Yellow Jessamine Garden Club has adopted a highway on Highway 9. A date for pickup will be discussed at a later date.
New business discussed was to plant Bee Balms at Harmon Park. The YJGC voted to call the local nursery to provide these plants.
Publicity Chairman, Melissa Moody, passed the newsletter to each member and elaborated on the Coastal District meeting on Wednesday, March 14 at Surf Golf and Beach Club. 10 members plan to attend. Mildred Mishue elaborated on the itinerary for the Coastal District meeting. Registration is a 9am with the business meeting beginning at 10am. Also, the GCSC State Meeting will be at the Embassy Suites on April 25 & 26. Both events will be a great way to meet others that share the same passion for gardening.
Melissa also read “Horticulture Moments” that coincided with the program from guest speaker, Caleb Coleman. President Mary Ricks read to thank you cards from Mary Reeves and Frances Tyler as the meeting was adjourned.
The door prize was won by Melissa Moody. A decorative gift bag with a spring flag, work gloves and a cute spring hanging plaque was awarded.
The Yellow Jessamine Garden Club will have the next meeting on Tuesday, March 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Darlene Wilkerson.
The program’s ambition is to learn the beauty of a butterfly garden. (Objective: promote civic beauty as stated in the GCSC objectives)
The Yellow Jessamine Garden Club is a member of The National Garden Clubs, Inc., South Atlantic Region, The Garden Club of South Carolina, Inc., and the Coastal District of South Carolina.

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