Story By Marla Ballard
Rainsville Garden Club President Jean Jackson said there would be some changes this year at the horticulture/flower show that takes place at the DeKalb County VFW Fair grounds in October. “Cut specimens of horticulture will need to be in a clear glass bottle this year,” said Jackson. “The bottle will have to be sized to match the proportions of the cutting.”
Another change is in how the submissions and classifications for the flower show are received. “Ladies from the garden club will have a table set up outside at the VFW fairgrounds for taking horticulture submissions,” said Jackson. “We will also help those making submissions with labeling and classifying their cuttings with the scientific names of each plant and help them wedge the cuttings to make them presentable for judging.”
According to Jackson horticulture judging is very strict. “Judges look at the stem of the cutting and if it is crooked, points are taken off,” said Jackson. “Judges also look for any dirt or pollen on the plant and take points off accordingly. To receive the grade of 100, the plant must meet rigid standards.”
Some aspects of the horticulture show at the VFW fairgrounds are open to the general public while other facets that are judged are limited to only those who are members of a garden club. The flower show is presented by the Northeast Alabama Federation of Garden Clubs Inc.
The DeKalb County VFW Fair is scheduled for October 20 – 25. Jackson said entries would be accepted on October 18 and 19 from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. “Entries will be judged on Monday, October 20, before the public is admitted,” said Jackson. The VFW Fair is hosted by Post 3128. The fairgrounds are located at 151 18th Street NE, Fort Payne.
Jackson said the purpose of the garden club is to educate its members and then to pass along that education to the public. “We occasionally hold classes on flower arranging and other topics for anyone who would like to attend,” said Jackson.
“The public is invited to join local garden club members for the Great Southeast Pollinator Census,” said Jackson. The census scheduled for August 22 -23 involves collecting data that supports pollinator conservation. The census will cover a five-state region. Learn more about the pollinator census at www.gsepc.org. where a video is presented showing how to conduct the census. Those interested in joining the census may also contact the Alabama Census Coordinator Bethany O’Rear – Alabama Cooperative Extension at: bethany@auburn.edu for more information.
All members of Northeast Alabama Federation of Garden Clubs Inc. are reminded to attend the meeting scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 16 at the Little River Canyon Center. The State President Brent Wheeler will be present. Also present will be Mellanie Tuttle Alabama Flower Show School Chairman. Wheeler and Tuttle are both from DeKalb County. For more information on the flower show at the DeKalb County Fair or to ask questions about joining a garden club may call Jackson at: 256-524-9390.
