Beginners Bonsai Workshop

The North Florida Bonsai Club in association with the Mandarin Garden Club is pleased to present our Spring 2015:  Beginners Bonsai Workshop.  This workshop is especially for beginners who have wanted to try bonsai, but never knew how to get started.  We'll be working on Ficus sp. - a tree that is "easy care" in Florida, but needs frost protection.  Each participant will get his/her own tree, special bonsai soil and an appropriate pot.  At the end of session 3, you'll have your very own bonsai to take home and enjoy!

What You'll Learn:

• What “bonsai” really is (and how to pronounce it!)
• How to style and shape a bonsai tree
• How to prune and wire branches
• How to find inexpensive sources of pre-bonsai plant material at local stores
• How to fit a tree into those tiny little pots
• How to keep your tree happy once you get it home!

These are casual, hands-on classes for people of all ages. You will have a chance to meet people who have taken past beginners classes and talk with them about their experiences getting started in this fascinating hobby. If you love plants and have an interest in learning about bonsai, come join the fun!

Dates:  April 28th, May 5th, & May 12 (3 sessions)
Time:  7-9PM
Cost:  $35 - includes tree plus all materials
Location:  Mandarin Garden Club - 2892 Loretto Rd, 32223

To register or more information, call Joe at 262-3995 or Ron at 545-4972.

Garden Related Events Around Town

Spring is around the corner (fingers crossed!) and we have quite a few garden related events around Jacksonville that will be of interest to many of you.  Mary Forester our Master Garden Liaison  has kindly provided me with a list to share with all of you.


March 21, 2015             Jacksonville Herb Society Festival & Sale
                                       Glynlea Grace United Methodist Church

March 27 & 28, 2015    African Violet Show
                                       San Jose Church of Christ
                                       6233 San Jose Blvd.

March 28 & 29, 2015    Orchid Show
                                       Garden Club of Jacksonville on Riverside Avenue

April 4 & 5, 2015           Linda Cunningham's Herb Festival
                                        2440 Lofberg Drive near Parental Home Road

April 7, 2015                   Spring Extension Program
                                         Mandarin Garden Club

April 11, 2015                Blooms Galore and More
                                        Garden Club of Jacksonville on Riverside Avenue

April 16 - 18, 2015         Arboretum Brush with Nature
                                        Top Landscape artists will be painting in the gardens.

April 25, 2015                 Jacksonville Rose Society
                                         Location to be Announced

If you have upcoming gardening events to add to our website please send the information to me at  MandarinGardenClubFlorida@gmail.com and I will be happy to add it to our list.

Happy Gardening ~

Karen Rowe

"Make & Take" Compost Tumbler Workshop

The Duval County Extension is having a workshop for a "Make & Take" Compost Tumbler.  Pre-registration and pre-payment ($65) are required for this workshop.  Please contact Becky Davidson at (904) 255-7450 to pre-register.  Send your check payment made payable to DCOHAC and mail to:

Compost Tumbler
1010 North McDuff Avenue
Jacksonville, FL 32254

Registration deadline is Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Event: Make and Take Compost Tumbler Workshop
Date: Monday, May 19, 2014
Time:  10 a.m. – Noon
Cost: $65.00

Annual Plant Sale - Saturday, April 26 - 8am to 2pm

Spring is in the air!  You know what that means...the annual Plant Sale at the Mandarin Garden Club!  Stop by and browse through our vast collection of beautiful plants on sale from 8am to 2pm on Saturday, April 26.  Plants are donated by garden club members.  In addition, there are lots of delicious baked goods made and/or donated by garden club members for sale in the clubhouse, and various vendors will be outside on the garden grounds.  This event is free and open to the public.  We hope to see you there!

For more information, please contact Mandarin Garden Club at info@mandaringardenclub.org or (904) 268-1192.

Jacksonville Orchid Society - Repotting Clinic - Sat 4/5/14

Attention orchid lovers and growers!  Did you know that the Jacksonville Orchid Society holds monthly a repotting clinic? Bring your plants or stop by for a chat this Saturday, April 5, 2014, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hagan Ace Hardware 12501 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32223.  Directions here.

Heart of Jacksonville African Violet Society Annual Show and Sale

Image: http://jacksonvilleviolets.org/

In honor of our beautiful city, The Heart of Jacksonville African Violet Society will hold its show and sale, entitled River City Violets, on March 28-29, 2014 at the San Jose Church of Christ in Jacksonville (in the Family Life Center Fellowship Hall). The church is located in the Lakewood area, at 6233 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville FL 32217.  This show will be judged by the standards of the National organization, African Violet Society of America (AVSA.ORG). Heart of Jacksonville African Violet Society Annual Show and Sale Friday     March 28, 12 - 6 Saturday March 29, 10 - 4   San Jose Church of Christ 6233 San Jose Blvd Jacksonville Fl  32217 Need more information? E-mail:  sharon@jacksonvilleviolets.org or Phone:  (904)  536-4182 Website:  jacksonvilleviolets.org

2014 Jacksonville Orchid Show

Attention orchid lovers!  The Jacksonville Orchid Show is back this weekend, March 14-15, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Garden Club of Jacksonville (1005 Riverside Avenue).  Admission is free but donations are accepted and encouraged.  There will be lots of orchid vendors all over Florida at this event, along with an orchid clinic for re-potting needs or Q&A from experts. For more information, please visit http://www.jaxorchidsociety.org/show.htm

Jacksonville Rose Society Meeting - Tonight

Mike Shoup of Antique Rose Emporium
Image source: Today's Garden Center

The Antique Rose Emporium in Brenham, Texas is famous for leading the charge for bringing easy care old garden roses to the forefront of today’s home rose gardening.  Admission is free & open to the public.

Tuesday, March 4th, 7:00 p.m.
Topic:  Antique Roses
Special Guest Speaker:  Mike Shoup, Owner of the  Antique Rose Emporium

Garden Club of Jacksonville
1005 Riverside Ave
Jacksonville, FL 32204
Get Directions

Hydroponic Tower Garden Session at Hagan Ace Hardware Store

Image: www.inhabitat.com

If you ever wanted to know how to make your own hydroponic tower garden or had questions about starting one, Ace is the place!  There will be a session at the Hagan Ace Hardware store on 12501 San Jose Blvd, 32223, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, February 16.

Hydroponic Tower Garden Session
Date:  Sunday, February 16, 2014
Time:  10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location:  Hagan Ace Hardware, 12501 San Jose Blvd, 32223
Phone:  (904) 268-9597
Topics covered:
      •Hydroponics explained
      •Tower Garden story
      •Growing vegetables, fruit, and herbs without soil

Organic Vegetable Gardening

Learn to grow delicious, nutrient-rich organic herbs and vegetables in your own backyard. Discover how to build, layer and create healthy soil without chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Step-by-step techniques for planting and harvesting take the guesswork from getting the most from your garden. Month-by-month planning calendars keep your vegetables producing year round. Whether you are new to gardening or a seasoned gardener, expand your horticultural knowledge in organic fertilization and pest management and pick up the tricks and tips for creating a robust garden that thrives rather than just survives.

Call (904) 620-4200 or e-mail unfce@unf.edu for more info on this course.

Date:  Thursdays, June 27 through July 18, three sessions

Time:  6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Location:  Adam W. Herbert University Center

Cost:  $79

Event information provided by Gretchen.  Photo source:  organic.about.com