The Nehalem Bay Garden Club will be 74 years young on March 1st 2024! A very active group of 32 members is keeping this vibrant group going and the Club is always open to new members. So if gardening is in your blood, or an interest that you would like to explore, please consider checking them out. The Club is especially seeking help with its annual Plant Sale in May. No gardening experience is required, only an interest in learning and community service programs. More info about the sale below.
The current mission of Nehalem Bay Garden Club is “To cultivate knowledge and love of gardening through educational programs and activities; to aid in the protection of the environment, native plants and wildlife; and to support public service through garden related organizations and volunteer opportunities.” The Club Objective from the 1978/79 yearbook was “To stimulate the knowledge and love for gardening, to aid in the protection of native trees, plants and birds.” So the legacy continues.
The Club meets most months on the 4th Tuesday at 1:30 at the Calvary Bible Church in Manzanita across from the library. Membership is not required to attend meetings and all are welcome. For those interested in becoming a member it only requires paying the $10 annual dues.
Here are some of our upcoming meeting topics. We hope you will join us.
January 23rd the topic is plant propagation. Often there is a formal speaker, which is not the case this month. At this meeting we are holding a round table discussion about gardeners’ experiences with various methods of propagation. Anyone attending the meeting is encouraged to contribute their knowledge, experience or questions. Also planned are short videos on the subject.
February 27th features a local favorite speaker at 1:30. Ketzel Levine will present “Strategies for Thirsty Plants: Some Just Gotta Go”
After six years as director of the Hoffman’s Wonder Garden, Ketzel is ready to trade in quite a few beloved but thirsty plants for those that have particular super powers: a tolerance for winter wet and summer dry. Her presentation will offer us a look at what’s in and what’s out this coming year in the Wonder Garden.
March is the Club’s annual birthday potluck with date, time and place to be determined so look for information closer to March about details.
Nehalem Bay Garden Club’s big project is an annual plant sale the weekend of Mother’s Day. This year it will be May 11th and 12th at the same location as the past few years at the junction of N Fork Road and Highway 53 in Nehalem. Please save the date!
Proceeds from the annual plant sale are given to local organizations that meet the mission of the Club. We have been donating to the community for over 20 years. Since 2020 alone the Club has awarded grants totaling $12,300. Grant recipients include Alder Creek Farm, Food Roots, Hoffman Garden, Tillamook Early Learning Center, and Wheeler Waterfront Park. During the pandemic we wanted to help with food security and included Nehalem Bay United Methodist Church for their Senior Lunches and Food Pantry and North County Food Bank.
The months leading up to the sale, starting in February, are busy ones mainly starting seeds and potting up plants. Since many hands make light work, anyone interested in helping is very welcome. The Club meets most Tuesdays at the sale site, getting hands dirty and laughing a lot as the work is done. Please email barbaraandchuck@nehalemtel.net if you would like to know more about these work/play parties or about the Garden Club.
The 1978/79 yearbook also had a Conservation Pledge.
“I give my
Pledge as an American to save
And Faithfully to defend from Waste the natural resources of
My Country – its Forests, Waters
And Wildlife.”
Words to live by in 2024.