Jensen Beach Garden Club Hosts "Home Gardening Series: The Joy of Gardening"

I. Growing Vegetables in Small Spaces

This first of four educational sessions on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, was a huge success. Stacie Latham provided a very informative GROWING VEGETABLES IN SMALL PLACES class at the House of Hope in Jensen Beach. This opening session featured delightful edibles and microgreens that are easy to grow and propagate in the ground or pots, in the yard, or on the patio. Attendees learned the health and culinary benefits of Longevity Spinach, Cuban Oregano, and African Blue Basil. Participants enjoyed preparing their own propagations from cuttings provided by Stacie that they could take home, along with seeds and recipes.

Presenter: Ms. Stacie Latham is a Jensen Beach Garden Club member and a certified Master Gardener through the University of Florida/IFS. She has a Bachelor's of Science from the University of Connecticut and worked as a Florida state-licensed clinical laboratory supervisor. She has resided in Florida since 1990.

II. Airplants by Any Other Name

December 12, 2023

Ms. Lorraine Novak shared her love of Tillandsias! Tillandsias are air plants, an epiphyte in the bromeliad family. Participants learned all about these amazing house plants (for indoors and outdoors) that are easy to care for and make a wonderful addition to your home. Lorraine provided a fun "Make and take your own arrangement" class with a starter kit including all materials and plants that she provided.

Presenter: Ms. Lorraine Novak is a certified Master Gardener in Martin and St Lucie Counties and a member of Jensen Beach Garden Club and Secretary of PGA Village Garden Club. Lorraine was awarded the Gold “Florida Friendly Landscape Award” from St. Lucie Extension Service in conjunction with UF/IFAS and Master Gardeners for her home garden design. She is a volunteer with the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens and is a speaker/exhibiter for various organizations.

III. Oh! Those Pesky Pests!

January 9, 2024

In the garden, on the porch or even indoors, those pesky pests seem to find a way to attack our plants. What are they? Where did they come from? How can we keep them away? This class provided participants with those answers. Jennifer Pelham instructed on how to properly identify pests (insect, disease, or other), how to prevent them, and how to control them in the most effective and economical way possible.

Presenter: Ms. Jennfer Pelham is the UF/IFAS Extension Southeast District (SEED) Associate District Director, as well as the County Extension Director and the Urban Horticulture Agent in Martin County. She is a certified instructor of the Green Industry Best Management Practices and a Certified Arborist through the International Society of Arboriculture. Jennifer has her BS from the Pennsylvania State University and Master’s Degrees from the University of Florida, including one in Pest Management.

Session IV: Ornamental Container Gardening

This class was chock full of the best ways to:

• Brighten up your porch, patio or balcony with colorful plants and flowers for every season.

• Make containers lush and attractive.

• Learn what plants combine well

• Learn what plants require little care.

• Understanding light conditions

• Ways to save money while getting a great result.

• Propagation techniques.

Presenter: Elaine Meister is a member of Jensen Beach Garden Club and a Certified Master Gardener through the University of Florida/IFS in Martin County. She loves passing along her passion for gardening to beginners and experienced gardeners alike.

Please note: These Educational Series are only for the clients of House of Hope.

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Garden Tours

By Lisa Oster & Stacie Latham • January 6, 2025

Part 1 - Edible Gardener's Paradise

Spreading Wings: Butterfly Conservation in Jensen Beach

By Lisa Oster • December 10, 2024

Spreading Wings: Butterfly Conservation in Jensen Beach The Jensen Beach Garden Club proudly maintains four beautiful gardens in our area, along with the vibrant flower planters that brighten downtown Jensen Beach. These gardens are lovingly tended by our dedicated Garden Committee, co-chaired by Annie Ruffing and Dina D’Angelico-Elms. Every two weeks, rain or shine, committee members roll up their sleeves to plant, prune, and water, ensuring these spaces remain havens for butterflies and other pollinators and provide beautiful landscapes for everyone. Among our projects are two flourishing butterfly gardens—one at Hoke Library and another at Indian Riverside Park—designed to attract, nourish, and protect essential pollinators. Did you know that the Hoke Library Butterfly Garden was certified by the North American Butterfly Association in 2002? This distinction recognizes its role in providing vital resources for butterfly populations worldwide. And this year, we’re taking our conservation efforts to new heights by adding butterfly houses to both gardens! The Buzz on Butterfly Houses A butterfly house creates a safe and nurturing environment, mimicking the natural habitats butterflies need to thrive. These houses help protect against habitat loss by offering a space to rest, mate, and feed—all while supporting education, research, and conservation efforts. To bring this project to life, our club collaborated with a remarkable young leader: Sebastian Gonzalez, a senior at Jensen Beach High School and an aspiring Eagle Scout. Sebastian, no stranger to community service, has been a dedicated partner in our gardening efforts. You may have spotted him lending a hand at our February 25, 2023, Garden Expo or helping spread mulch at Indian Riverside Park. Built by Sebastian and beautifully painted by club members Linda Elliott and Kathryn Lerett, the houses were installed in the garden beds in October 2024. A Passion for the Atala Butterfly For his Eagle Scout project, Sebastian focused on supporting the recovery of the Atala butterfly, a small, brilliantly colored species native to Florida. Once considered extinct in the state, the Atala has made a remarkable comeback thanks to conservation initiatives like ours. Sebastian recommended we add more Coonti plants (Zamia integrifolia) to our gardens—the sole host plant for Atala butterfly larvae. Each house features a dedication placard, symbolizing our shared commitment to protecting butterflies and enhancing biodiversity in Jensen Beach. Sebastian will be studying the activities of our beloved butterflies and will keep us posted on his findings. Celebrate With Us We’re thrilled to see Sebastian’s butterfly houses in action and invite you to join us in celebrating his achievements. His dedication to conservation and our community has made a lasting impact, both on our gardens and the butterflies they support. Look for them during your next visit! Stay tuned for updates on this project and other exciting initiatives from the Jensen Beach Garden Club. Together, we’re growing a greener, more beautiful world—one garden at a time!