To plant a garden is to believe in the future

Before that began, previous meeting minutes were approved and old business was discussed, which included the club’s financial report. A variety of local businesses, clubs and organizations, along with a few individuals, have made donations to the club, which was formed last year. Donations have allowed the club to start beautifying the city of Grygla. What began as large planters set around different businesses in the city, has grown into the idea of possibly including the purchase of hanging pots to be hung from the city light poles and possibly a community garden/school green house. 

So far, the club has been able to set up their own summer watering schedule for the current flower planters around town.

Different events have been set up for Garden Club members and nonmembers; a planned tour of Bergeson Nursery gardens was set up for last August, but ended up being cancelled due to the extreme heat. A similar outing is being planned for this summer and, as mentioned, will be open for nonmembers to attend, as well. (If you are interested in becoming a Grygla Garden Club member, you are encouraged to do so; dues are $10/year and you can get in touch with Joni Anderson at 218-294-6459.)

A fun addition to the club’s meetings, that one might be interested in, is a short delivery on plant research. At the last meeting, Joni Anderson presented information on the Geranium and different options to overwinter; at the April 16th meeting, Lisa Newton talked briefly on Common Milkweed and the importance of this plant to so many insects, especially Monarch Butterflies. 

Upcoming fundraisers for the Grygla Garden Club include a CHAIR-ity. (See page 2 for more information.) Club members are currently taking orders on hand-painted chair planters, fit with a beautifully arranged planter. The organization is also planning a plant sale for June 4th at the Ralph Klein Memorial Park picnic shelter. More details will be published soon, but the event will be open to all community members interested in setting up a table and selling plants; watch for more information to come.

The next club meeting will be held on May 26th, 7pm, under the picnic shelter at the park. Those interested in gardening/flowers, along with beautifying the city of Grygla, are encouraged to attend!

Fairy Garden Presentation

One might say Diane Lee, of Thief River Falls, is a gardening expert! With a 76 x 26 hoop house in her yard, with hoops 18 feet high and an 80 degree controlled environment inside, along with beautiful gardens and planters in every direction, it’s safe to assume that she knows what she’s talking about! 

Diane was invited to the Grygla Garden Club Spring Luncheon to give a presentation specifically on fairy gardens, a hobby she is passionate about. But with her gardening experience, the group wanted to hear about much MORE, too! After discussing numerous tips and tricks she has learned over the years when it comes to gardening, Diane shared ideas and inspirations for fairy gardens.

A fairy garden is a miniature garden complete with structures, props and actual living plants. These whimsical gardens are great for all those tiny magical fairies that live somewhere nearby and are just waiting for the right place in your yard to call home! (Wink!)

There are many ways to make a fairy garden, but Diane prefers to use the shallow base of pots, or wheelbarrows, to plant her whimsical gardens. Suggesting the use of succulents, she also collects moss straight from the woods as a filler to her creations. “Each fairy garden has a story,” she said with a smile. “There are endless ways to create a fairy garden, but just remember to keep it proportioned,” she offered.

Diane has endless amounts of props and ornaments she uses in her pots. She credits Pinterest for most of her ideas, but it’s clear she has a lot of creativity herself! Some of her props included bird houses for the little fairy house, ladders made out of Q-tips,  miniature fences made out of popsicle sticks, ceramic tile for little pathways and even little clothes line hangers made out of paper clips!

Creating these magical stories in a planter is something Diane enjoys doing herself, but more so with each of her grandkids. Using annual plants, she refills the pots every summer and is constantly adding to or changing things around. 

What a great project to do with a child; it also brings out your own inner child. “Making fairy gardens is like getting to play house when you’re an adult!” Diane laughed. 

Check out some pictures of just a few of her fairy gardens. Maybe you’ll be creative enough to try one yourself? Go ahead…spread your wings and let the fairy in you fly!