FLEMING ISLAND – October brought more reasonable temperatures that made working out in the yard and gardens pleasant and allowed us to spend more time getting caught up.

At the October Garden Club of Fleming Island meeting, our guest speaker Master Gardener and Permaculturalist Chris Gay, gave us “The Dirt About Dirt.”

He showed us how to turn dirt into soil to have healthy lawns and gardens. He talked about the homeowner’s challenges in growing grass and plants when buying a new home and what to do. He explained each of the samples of compost, leaf litter, and biochar.

For anyone wanting helpful information on taking care of their lawn and soil health, Chris recommends the UF/IFAS Publication ‘The Importance of Soil Health for Residential Landscapes’ found at edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/SS664. The club had its annual yard sale at member Barbara Coker’s house in Magnolia. We had plenty of treasures for sale, all donated by club members, and lots of customers attended. Several said it was our selection of plants that brought them in.

Overall, it was a beautiful day for a yard sale and quite a success. Both plant and craft committees were busy preparing for the Nov. 3 Gardenfest held at Duval County’s Extension Center. The Craft Committee had three get-togethers, creating beautiful flowerpots, bookmarks, bows, felted critters and much more. The Plant Committee focused on collecting a selection of indoor plants, winter herbs and vegetables, succulents, specialty plants, and nice containers to sell at Gardenfest. On Tuesday, Oct. 24, about a dozen of our members attended the District IV Fall Meeting hosted by Ribault Garden Club. Representatives of the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs, including President Tina Tuttle, were present and reported on activities, service and travel opportunities, and accomplishments throughout the state. District presidents from Northeast Florida Garden Clubs gave reports, and we’re all looking forward to the annual convention in April, which celebrates the 100th anniversary in Jacksonville, where it began in 1924.

Our next meeting is at 10 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 13 at the Fleming Island Library Meeting room at 1895 Town Center Blvd.

In November, the Garden Club’s program is on “African Violets” and will be presented by Carol Hixenbaugh of the African Violet Society.

Meetings are free and open to the public, so we hope to see you there.