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National Garden Week: Bird Lore by RGC Blogger Dotty Etris

National Garden Week: Bird Lore by RGC Blogger Dotty Etris

I was fortunate to have a father that loved nature and would often point out birds and plants to me when I was very young. My first memory of birds (although there probably were others) is of him pointing out the towhee and telling me their name sounds similar to the sound they make. To listen closely and if I heard what sounded like “joree” if would be the towhee singing. I think this is what spurred my interest. All my life I have enjoyed birds and the folklore, myths, and superstitions that surround them – in many cultures and religions. Such beautiful creatures and so fascinating.

Throughout time birds have in general represented “Freedom.” Easy to understand as we watch many of them soar above us. Now we…

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National Garden Week: What’s Your Spark Bird, Part 2 by RGC Members

National Garden Week: What’s Your Spark Bird, Part 2 by RGC Members

Linda B: I would say my Spark Bird is a Goldfinch. They are not regular customers at my feeders, but as far back as I can remember they always got my attention. I even like them as artwork!

Dawn: I like seeing birds but am not a “birder”. My favorite bird that I’m most fascinated with is the Owl in general with my favorite owl being the white snowy owl, though I’ve never seen one in person. As far as a “spark” bird that makes me happy to see would be the Red Cardinal as I see them at my feeder year round and the Cardinal is that bright spot on a cold dreary and …

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National Garden Week: What’s Your Spark Bird? by RGC Members

National Garden Week: What’s Your Spark Bird? by RGC Members

Gardens and birds go hand in hand, so this National Garden Week we asked RGC members to share their Spark Birds. According to birdwatchinghq.com, “A Spark Bird is defined as the bird that helped spark your interest in birding. It helped open your eyes to the incredible beauty, mystery and excitement of birds and nature. It’s a pivotal moment where your world is changed, and there’s no way you are going back!

A Spark Bird can appear anywhere and be any species. For some, it’s an exotic hummingbird on a Caribbean vacation. For others, it’s a magnificent snowy owl that comes down from the Arctic during winter. For many, it’s a sparrow or songbird that has been ignored for years but finally makes a lasting impression…

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National Garden Week: A Bit of Garden Lore by RGC Blogger Dotty Etris

National Garden Week: A Bit of Garden Lore by RGC Blogger Dotty Etris

Here are some snippets of garden and herb lore for you to enjoy during National Garden Week.

A Bit of Garden Lore: Never thank someone for giving you a plant (or even a cutting from a plant) as it is thought to bring bad luck in growing that plant. It is suggested that the giver should turn their backs which allows the recipient to basically “steal” the plant.

Herb Lore is fun to explore as we grow an herb garden – either an outdoor garden or even pots on a windowsill. If outside, be sure it’s convenient to run grab a cutting when you are cooking…unless you are better at preparing ahead of time than I am. Herbs are fun to grow and to cook with, but they are really ancient and have for centuries had particular beliefs and lore associated with them. Many are used for medicinal…

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National Garden Week – Got Ivy? Get Goats! by RGC Blogger Sherron Lawson

National Garden Week – Got Ivy? Get Goats! by RGC Blogger Sherron Lawson

In the Spring of 2022 my husband and I realized that we could not tackle the tangled mess that is the rear of our 1+ acre lot. So instead we decided to engage goats to work on the English ivy, wild grapevine, honeysuckle, Virginia creeper, and privet in the under story of our oak, walnut, magnolia, sassafras, mimosa, and sweetgum wooded lot.

Mansell Landscaping (Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock) to the rescue! They have diversified their services to include a herd of goats which they rent out for just this work. We loved the idea of using a local company, especially with an old Roswell family name.

Barry and Joy Mansell showed up with a trailer full of 10 hungry goats ready to munch away. They stayed with us for seven days and nights enjoying a smorgasbord of greenery. Their bleating greeted us each morning as the sun rose to wake them…

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National Garden Week: Planning an Heirloom Garden by RGC Blogger Florence Anne Berna

National Garden Week: Planning an Heirloom Garden by RGC Blogger Florence Anne Berna

Ahhh!!! Spring and early summer! The time of year that stirs our mind, spirit and body into venturing outdoors and communing with nature. So you rise up, arm yourself with tools and head out to tackle the weeds, pruning and edging. After all of the ‘grunt’ work is done you head to the stores to buy your beloved summer plants. Buying plants that have been pampered in greenhouses to look their very best to entice you to buy them. At home, you follow all the rules for Southern gardening: Till the clay. Amend your soil with sand and peat moss. Mix in some all-purpose fertilizer. Plant your summer selections and water. Then the heat comes and quite possibly a drought. Or perhaps too much rain. In no time at all those lovely summer plants are not well or worse not even alive! There is an alternative…

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National Garden Week: Autumn Sage-A Perfect Perennial For Georgia by RGC Blogger Dotty Etris

National Garden Week: Autumn Sage-A Perfect Perennial For Georgia by RGC Blogger Dotty Etris

Autumn Sage is a perennial plant native to North America – specifically native to Texas Hill Country and Mexico. It is named for Josiah Gregg, a naturalist who found it as he traveled throughout the Southwestern United States and Mexico.

It is a sub-shrub that blooms from March – November on previous or current year’s growth, attracting pollinators. It is specifically known as a magnet for Hummingbirds. It thrives in rocky soils but does well in dry to medium well-drained soils. When first planted, water 2 times a week until it is established but then it does well on its own. If it gets to be terribly hot for too many days with no rain at all, I will sometimes water it, but it seems to thrive even when neglected – perhaps that is why I love this plant so much…

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Memorial Day 2022: Roswell Blue Star & Gold Star Families Memorial Markers Dedications

Memorial Day 2022: Roswell Blue Star & Gold Star Families Memorial Markers Dedications

Roswell Garden Club invites you to join us on Memorial Day, 2022, for our Blue Star Memorial Marker and Gold Star Families Memorial Marker Dedication at the 23rd annual Roswell Remembers Memorial Day Ceremony. The markers honor those who have served or will serve in the US Armed Forces (Blue Star) and those who have lost a family member in service to the United States (Gold Star Families). The event starts at 11:00 am at Roswell’s City Hall.

History of the Blue Star & Gold Star Families Memorial Markers

The Blue Star Memorial Program honors service men and women who have served, are serving or will be serving in the United States Armed Services. The program was established by the…

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National Garden Week: A Glimpse at Plants & Trees Special to RGC Members

National Garden Week: A Glimpse at Plants & Trees Special to RGC Members

Many of us have plants and trees that are special to us. As part of National Garden Week, several RGC members shared pictures and thoughts about some of the items special to them. This blog post’s feature image is of a plant special to Linda B–Linda shares that, after more than 30 years and two moves, I still have the old fashioned bleeding heart plant that started out in my mother’s garden in Pennsylvania. That’s pretty special.

Linda Lee – 20 years ago Ron and I walked out of an old K-Mart and saw a rose bush with no flowers or leaves for 75 cents. Ron said it needs a home. Whatever color it turns out to be he said we will call it The Princess Rose after me. It bloomed a month later on Mother’s Day a year after my mother died. Today it still blooms with the most delicious fragrance.

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