Club hears program on tabletop gardens

Sixteen members of Eldorado Garden Study Club listened carefully as member Marilyn Ellis presented a show-and-tell discussion on tabletop gardens on a hot summer day in September. Her demonstration focused on ideas for decorating with artificial plants and living plants for indoor or outdoor tables.

Ellis's passion for gardening began at the hands of her mother with the job of weeding brick sidewalk by hand. She learned at an early age how to identify roots, plants and weeds.

Both live and artificial plants can be used in decorations. Always keep in mind the following guidelines:

• Odd numbers make an airy presentation, while even numbers make an area look boxy.

• Plants, either living or artificial, can be used to hold flags, balloons, signs or ornaments to develop a theme or style.

• When using live plants at home or for an event, double potting the plant can protect your tablecloth from becoming soiled or damp.

Containers planted with a variety of plants or herbs (for home or office) also clean the air by producing oxygen. As a note, try to water according to the plants' needs by making sure to water the soil, not the leaves, especially in hot weather. It is easy to grow fungus on plant leaves if they get saturated. A light misting is often what a plant needs.

Ellis showed the club products for plant care that can be purchased at local shops. Indoor Pharm with rosemary oil can be used as a fungicide, miticide and insecticide for the control of aphids, spider mites, whitefly, scale and mealybugs. There are also products to extend the watering needs when the gardener is going to be away from home, including water-bottle drips that can be used to place on a water bottle to help with a slow-watering schedule. Many gardeners also prefer scissors for trimming or pruning plant life.

President Jan Cleveland of Carmi opened the business meeting where many reports were presented, including future events and projects. Cindy Watson reminded everyone to continue to feed the hummingbirds until the end of October. Robyle Foster pointed out that club members should use pine needles as mulch. Although the dry, hot summer has brought an end to many blooms, a few specimens were shared.

Brunch was served by hostesses Nina and Keith Brown, Dixie Long and Foster.

Members in attendance were Liz Garrett, Esther Bornert, Wanda Brown, Lennie Upchurch, Susan Mills, Marilyn King, Ellen Butler, Marci Watson, Roma Lee Wilson, Cindy Watson and Long, all of Eldorado; Nina Brown, Dana Keating and Ellis, all of Harrisburg; Foster of Ridgway; and Cleveland of Carmi.</group><group id="A01B4D7B-51B0-403C-AE1A-405E3A7FCFF4" type="seoLabels"><seoLabels></seoLabels></group>