The January meeting of the Fennie Marchman Garden Club started the 2024 schedule with a review of upcoming programs and activities.

 The club participated in the Sorelle Farms/Bob Wells Nursery annual seed exchange on the 27th, helping manage the attendees and overseeing the seed exchange categories. 

J. White of the Texas Gardener was the featured speaker.

February the club hosted Julie Mattox, who presented a program on purple martins.  

In March the club convened at the Mineola Nature Preserve for the annual club plant swap and seed swap.

The club hosted the Spring Convention for District III,  with 94 registrants. Attendance by officers  from state, regional and district were recognized, and Jimmy Phillips gave the welcome address.

The keynote speakers were Rachel and Ed Donnelly from Sorrelle Farms in Mineola, and the subject was native wild flowers/edible native plants.    

In April, members will travel to the J. Berry Greenhouse in Grand Saline, followed by lunch.

May is Installation of new officers for the 2024-25 club year. 

Summer plans begin on June 19, with a field trip to the Ann Irby Gardens at Holly Lake Ranch, followed by lunch.

On July 17, Diana Black from the Native Plant Society of Texas will present a program on native milkweed, held at the Mineola Civic Center. 

August will be a presentation of Herbs 101, by member Angela Thompson.

Unless otherwise mentioned, the meetings at the Civic Center start at 9:30 a.m. Visitors are always welcome.

March is the month the club sells geraniums, a fund raiser for a scholarship for a graduating Mineola High School senior. 

A community event on April 13 will be the Iron Horse Square – April Flowers celebration to be held at the Mineola mini-train station.  The club will man a table for children to paint rocks and make seed balls.  The mini-train is also scheduled, plus many events and vendors. Watch the local newspaper for more information of this fun event.  

June 1 is the date set aside for the club’s annual garden tour. Save the date, and follow on Facebook for more information.  

As the weather improves, the club will again have “Yard of the Month” recognition of those local  residents, which the Wood County Monitor kindly features. 

Visit the seed station on the north side of the historical museum.  Magazines, books, and garden paraphernalia are free.