$25 award to the club or district with the most outstanding plantings of beauty, environmental value, or sustenance provision. 

NGC #2 – Plantings for Public and Special Places

Click Here For Application Form NGC_PARTICIPATION_FORM1

This is a new special project for the 2011-2013 NGC President.  Three areas of interest are applicable to this award – Gardens with Edibles, Container Gardens, and Trees and Shrubs.  This project recognizes ALL garden club service to communities when members provide Plantings for Public and Special Places.  These plantings can beautify, have environmental value or provide sustenance.  ALL clubs, regardless of size, resources, or energy levels could contribute to this special project.

The form is available on the NGC website (www.gardenclub.org).  All details of money awards and categories are available on the website.  Submit the form with a before and after digital photo.  Garden Clubs may submit forms for any or all of the three (3)  areas of interest listed below.  Submission by January 25^th to SAR Special Projects Chairman:

Frances Thrash
2109 Cocoa Circle
Virginia Beach, VA  23454-2213

francesthrash@cox.net, Phone 757-418-3484

Gardens with Edibles – Suggestions include:

1)  Incorporate edibles such as Swiss chard, cabbage, kale, etc. into a city property planting.

2)  Incorporate edibles into flower planters at public libraries (or other city buildings).

3)  Help build raised beds at school or libraries and work with students to identify and taste what is planted.

4)  Work with City Park employees to create a display garden and use the food produced to serve the homeless or shelters.

5)  Work with Master Gardeners to create plantings and educate students.

6)  Host a flower show in a public place and include a section on edibles both harvested and potted plantings.

 

Container Gardens – Suggestions include:

1)  Scent – select plants with special fragrances

2) Kitchen – Endless gourmet cooking at your fingertips

3)  Roof garden – a “green” adventure that changes the environment

4)  Edible – mixing veggies and fruits – a “pizza” garden in a pot

Why use container gardens?

1)  Versatile – no soil problems, use the quality soil of your choice

2)  Portable – relocate for maximum enjoyment and optimum growing conditions

3)  Decorative – find your inner artist, experimenting with texture and color

4)  Educational – endless opportunities for teach children to grow salad greens or use for Garden Therapy.

Uses for Containers

1) Accessible gardening – offers gardening to physically challenged.

2)  Site planning – definition of boundaries

3)  Traffic control – attractive alternative addressing directional and security issues.

4)  Focal point – limitless creativity showcasing container grown trees, shrubs and vines.

Trees and Shrubs – Suggestions:

1)  Use trees and shrubs to accent Blue Star Markers.

2)  Promote plantings of your state tree at schools and in community.

3)  As you plant trees or shrubs consider planting ones that are indigenous to your growing zone so as to use less fertilizers.

4)  Use trees and shrubs to curb the impact of rainfall as well as snow and ice melt, thus preventing erosion.