FLEMING ISLAND – The Garden Club recently hosted a garden clean-up at the Fleming Island Library. We collected 95 pounds of food and $160 in donations for the food pantry there.

Our November food pantry delivery focused on items for Thanksgiving side dishes, and we donated 371 pounds of food and $430. Club members took all the plants and crafts we had been working on to the Duval County Extension Office to set up for display on Nov. 2.

The 20th annual Gardenfest was held this year on Nov. 3. This year’s theme was Environmental Conservation: Air, Land and Water. Duval Extension Agent Tonya Ashworth’s topic was Protecting Habitats – Say No to Invasives.

Judy Willis, President of Ixia, a chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, explained how to provide a bird-friendly yard.

Dr. Jennifer Hinton of Preservation Parks Jacksonville demonstrated how to protect and restore ecosystems throughout Duval County. Haley Moody of Florida Springs Institute spoke about the Blue Water Audit Project and the Springs Friendly Yard Program.

Gardenfest was both fun and educational. If you missed it, Clay County will have a Day of Education on Feb. 3, and Duval County a Day of Gardening on Feb. 24. Both will be held at their county extension offices.

Carol Hixenbaugh from Heart of Jacksonville African Violet Society was the guest speaker at our November meeting. Carol demonstrated repotting and propagation and showed the basics of African violet care. If you want to get into African violets, their society on San Jose Avenue has been around for more than 30 years and has monthly meetings. Their website, jacksonvilleviolets.org, has loads of helpful information.

We’ve been decorating our holiday tree in Spring Park for the Christmas on Walnut Street celebration in Green Cove Springs on Dec. 2. We’ve also met at the Fleming Island Library for a crafting social to make holiday decorations and soap bars with homegrown loofah.

There won’t be a December meeting due to the holidays. The next meeting will be at the library at 10 a.m. on Jan. 8. The club’s program in January is on “Weird, Wild, Wonderful Nature” and will be presented by Master Gardener Care Valleau.

Meetings are free and open to the public.