Carrollton Garden Club hears spring soil tips

Hannah Logston, agriculture and natural resources district technician for the Carroll County Soil and Water Conservation District, spoke at the April 6 meeting of the Carrollton Garden Club at the Carroll County District Library.

Speaking on “How to Prepare Soil for Spring Planting,” Logston told members gardeners should maintain soil, rotate crops and use organic matter in sandy soil to help absorb rainwater.

She also suggested soil sampling every three to five years through the SWCD office at 1029 Countryside Drive NW, Carrollton. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“To have fewer weeds, cover the soil with cardboard or newspapers, then compost with manure. For raised beds, it is important to have good drainage with rocks, sandy soil and organic matter as the top layer,” she said.

In other business, club members plan to plant flowers in a red, white and blue theme to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary.

Kathy Horn will ask local garden clubs to decorate a door at the McCook House for the 250th event. A $50 prize will be awarded to the club receiving the most votes for the best-decorated door.

The deadline to complete the door is June 15. For more information, call the McCook House at 330-627-3345.

The club also will send a monthly donation to Golden Age Retreat to purchase items for residents. Two garden therapy activities will be held with residents in June and August.

The Ways and Means Committee will sign up to staff the hot dog stand at Sander’s Market on West Main Street in Carrollton, with profits to be used for club projects.

Members were asked to keep track of their volunteer hours, with a goal of 250 hours.

The club also received a thank-you from Georgia Cumberland Academy for a donation made in memory of former club member Ben Boggess.

The May 4 meeting will include a covered-dish picnic at Pleasant Grove Church, with Beth Zbasnik of Snode Farms presenting the program. Anyone interested in joining the club may contact Ruth Ann Capper at 330-509-2205.