The Dublin Garden Club has been quite busy in past few months as winter has broken, and spring is headed in.
The club held regularly scheduled meetings on March 11 and in February.
For their March meeting, the club went on a field trip to the Dublin High School greenhouse. Ag teacher, Sophie Hayhurst was our contact.
Ms. Hayhurst told us about the aquaponics used. Tilapia fish are raised in the tanks. The filtration system moves the fish waste that is filtered and then used to feed the plants in the greenhouse. The greenhouse is automated allowing the screening on the roof to close and open as needed. Also, airflow is controlled with fans that automatically come on as off as needed. Students plant and grow the numerous plants in the greenhouse.
They learn what each type plant requires to thrive and the value of being careful with resources, like soil and fertilizer. It was a very informative tour and we appreciate Ms. Hayhurst taking the time to speak with us about all the wonderful things the students are learning in the greenhouse.
The club is having a plant sale April 18, at the Dublin Market Place. We hope you will come by and check out the large variety of plants we will have for sale. The proceeds will help fund the Dublin High School scholarships we provide annually.
At their February meeting, the group met at Texas Sage Nursery, and was extremely appreciative to the business for allowing them to meet there.
The club hostess was Mary Howard and cohostess was Carla Stevens.
The program was presented by Paul Bradberry, owner of Bradberry Feed Store. Paul spoke on vegetable gardening. Paul stated onions and potatoes can go in the ground now.
If a freeze is forecast, make sure the onions are well watered. Cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, spinach also need to be planted now as they are heat sensitive. Paul stressed toplant by the calendar, not the weather. This almost always turns out more accurate, saving planting at the wrong time. Vegetable gardens need 6 to 8 hours of sun each day.
Cleaning and tilling need to occur at least 6 weeks before planting to give the microorganisms time to recover. Always but down compost and fertilizer before planting. It doesn’t take much compost. If you don’t make your own compost, bagged composts are good to use. Read the instructions on the bag. Bagged cow and chicken manures are good for the garden. Natural fertilizers are blood meal and bone meal.
Synthetics work well too. The program was very informative and we thank Paul for presenting.
If you would like to join us please contact President Mary Howard at 254-977-3686.