AS WE SAY GOOD-BYE TO 2020 AND WELCOME 2021 . . .

What a year we’ve had so far!  These months since our first meeting seem to have flown by.  We’ve gathered by a member’s pool, at ocean-side, and ventured outside the gate for a field trip.  We’ve met monthly via Zoom to conduct our business meetings, and enjoyed speakers and demonstrations.  Additionally, we’ve sponsored three island-wide decorating contests – two for the first time.  While circumstances prevented us hosting the community for the annual Holiday Open House this year, we did keep the tradition of decorating the Lake House Christmas tree.  To review our Year-At-A-Glance, visit our web blog Events tab or click here:  

https://sigardenclub.blogspot.com/p/events.html  

To enjoy photos of some of our activities, click on the Gallery tab or here:  

https://sigardenclub.blogspot.com/p/gallery.html

Happily, it’s not over – in January we continue on!  With renewing and a stream of newly-joining members, we expect to exceed last year’s membership enrollment as we cross into the new year.  It is to the credit of everyone who contributes their time, talent, interest, and support that our Club thrives.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL! 

IT’S NOVEMBER:

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TROPICAL MILKWEED

Club member Patricia Schaefer recently watched a webinar, The Great American Monarch, on SCDNR (South Carolina Department of Natural Resources) Outside In Series. Local wildlife biologist Billy McCord spoke about the monarch’s migration. “It is very interesting and I learned much that I did not know,” stated Patricia. “It is important to any of you that are growing Tropical Milkweed.”

Also known as Bloodflower Milkweed for its bright orange and scarlet flowers, it is a non-native perennial and does not die back in the winter unless there is a severe freeze. As a result, it can carry disease from a protozoan parasite that evolved with the butterflies and is deposited on the plants where they land, especially when they lay eggs on the plant. When caterpillars hatch and ingest the plant, the parasite can replicate inside them, and they can grow into infected butterflies that fail to thrive.

This plant is a prolific bloomer, and the female monarch is programmed to go to blooming milkweed and lay more eggs. You can interrupt this cycle by cutting the plant back in late November. McCord says to cut it to the ground, leaving no leaves to feast on. It will come back and you will not have passed the parasite on to the next generation.

Native milkweed species die back naturally, reducing the chance of passing on the parasite. Patricia said, "I hope to be able to find and grow that next spring."

[Excepted from a submission by Patricia Schaefer]

The webinar covers the monarch’s lifespan, migration patterns and destinations, and notes that a species of non-migratory monarchs winter in Coastal SC. If you are growing Tropical Milkweed, November is the month to cut it back.

For those interested in viewing the webinar, click on this link:

https://www.gotostage.com/channel/94906cac074c4dc59db7a5efdd37e6dd 

Unable to click through?  You may sign in with an existing social media account (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter), Google, or create a direct login through GoToStage.

FUN TIMES IN OCTOBER

October was a busy month for the garden club.  We started the month with our first speaker Chris Burtt from the Clemson Extension.  He walked us through our yards and discussed which plants were poisonous and some that we could actually eat. 

Next up...an afternoon of B-I-N-G-O!  It was a beautiful day at the Pelican's Nest and there were several happy winners and plenty of laughs. There was even a witch calling the games.

To wrap up the month we announced the first Scariest Porch Contest.  Homes were frightfully decorated and provided the island with an eerie vibe.  Our own Tina Kingsbury was the winner and next year we are having a Garden Club Halloween happy hour on her front porch (she doesn't know it yet). Thank you to all who participated.  Seabrook is lucky to have so many creative islanders.

Check out the GALLERY page for photos of our events.  

                                                COME TOUR THE GOATERY

                           AT KIAWAH RIVER

                                 November 18^th 12:00pm

Click here to learn about Kiawah River Farm’s Kunekune Pigs, Donkeys and the Science of Refugia.  Refugia is diversification to balance the interrelationships between animal and plant species, creating a healthy and self-sustaining ecosystem. This diversification eliminates the need for harsh pesticides and grows stronger herds of animals.

By welcoming donkeys and pigs, Kiawah River Farm is building a wonderful environment for the animals to live in. The goats, cows, donkeys, and pigs help protect each other by naturally offering unique talents to benefit the biodome. They are also rotated around the pasture to help work with each other to control pests and forage the land.

Grab some water/lunch, closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothing and let’s get outdoors. The goats love to hug and play so please consider wearing clothes that are outside appropriate.  The average tour time is around 60 minutes.

The tours are $15 per person and include a private tour guide and private space to enjoy your time at the farm.  All ticket sales go to the support and well-being of the animals at The Goatery at Kiawah River.

They will be closing the farm for our Garden Club! 

This is a COVID-safe experience.  

We are limited to 20 guests.  Please RSVP by November 9^th to: seabrookislandgardenclub@gmail.com

 NEW MEMBERS & RETURNING MEMBERS 

Please Join Us for a Social Hour & 

a Couple of Rounds of BINGO.

We are planning to gather on Monday, October 19 from 4-5:30 at the Pelican’s Nest to play bingo. We will of course keep appropriate distance and wear our masks. But it would be so great to see your smiling faces even though they are behind a mask. For those of you who are new to Seabrook Island Garden Club, we would love to meet you and give you the opportunity to get to know us.

Bring a beverage if you wish and some quarters to buy your bingo cards ($.25 per card/game). We're going to have a raffle! Tickets $1 a piece or 6 for $5.

Please let us know by responding to this email if you would like to join us in the great outdoors before it gets cooler.

www.seabrookislandgardenclub@gmail.com 

Let's Have Some Fun & Meet the New Members

Itch, itch, itch! Scratch, scratch, scratch! 

Did you ever wonder how you got that awful rash when you were outside? Mystery solved! Find out from The Seabrook Island Garden Club during our Friday, October 9th, Zoom meeting, “Can’t Touch This” with Christopher Burtt, Consumer Horticulture Extension Agent for Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester Counties. There will be a short business meeting at 9:45am and Chris will start at 10am.

Now you must be a member to join the meeting, so don’t be itchy and scratchy, join the garden club TODAY by emailing us at seabrookislandgardenclub@gmail.com. After you have joined we will send you a Zoom link a few days before the October 9th meeting.

The club has so many exciting events planned for our 2020-2021 season. If you have a rash or an active interest in horticulture and artistic design, community beautification, ecology and philanthropy, the Seabrook Island Garden Club is the place for you.

The 2020-21 Seabrook Island Garden Club: "More for Your Membership”

 

Did You Know . . .

. . . how the gardenia was named?  Here’s a brief history you might find interestng.  This iconic Lowcountry evergreen shrub is considered deer-resistant.

https://chstoday.6amcity.com/alexander-garden-gardenia-charleston-sc/?omhide=true