The Garden Club of Henderson will host an open-to-the-public meeting at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 20, which will feature a presentation titled “Let’s Talk Plants” by Tim Sickman.
In his presentation, Sickman, who is with Nutrien Ag Solutions, will speak about:
•choosing the proper seed starting mix
• grow-light systems
• the importance of using a properly controlled heat mat to propel rapid germination and seedling emergence
• hardening of indoor-started seedlings to prepare them for their outdoor homes.
According to information from the Garden Club, Sickman will spend much of the presentation sharing insights on the many varieties of annual and perennial flowers he’s grown in recent years.
He’ll also talk about how starting a plant from seed offers more variety to choose from than what’s offered for sale at greenhouses, garden centers and the garden sections of big box stores, according to the Garden Club.
Sickman will also share many photos he takes of flowers in his Kentucky home as well as at his family’s southwest Indiana farm.
The meeting will be in the Expo Center at 3341 Zion Road behind the Henderson County Cooperative Extension Offices. The Garden Club is hoping for a large representation from the public at this Saturday event. (It normally meets on Thursdays.
President Pam Johnson said the club is hoping to attract new members.
“We need new members,” she said. “We need new ideas.”
There are currently about 70 members in the club, which has a joining fee of $20, Johnson said.
Upcoming events for the Garden Club include a presentation, “How to Care for Trees,” on Sept. 5; “Play in the Dirt,” a presentation by Marietta Peckenpaugh on Oct. 3; and a Kentucky National Wildlife exhibit on Nov. 7 at the Preston Arts Center.
“How to Care for Trees” will be hosted by Kelly Jackson, an arborist and agriculture extension agent in Hopkinsville, said Johnson.
The Garden Club also takes part in projects throughout the city, including planting flowers in the big planter pots downtown and organizing a Christmas home tour, among other activities, Johnson said.
Tom’s Smokin’ Bar-B-Q food truck will be at the July 20 event if attendees would like to purchase food.