Bus Trip – Florida State Flower Show

Posted on April 20, 2026 by FLGardener

April 15, 2026

What a beautiful day for a road trip!  It’s twice as nice when no one needs to drive.  40 of us came together from 4 area garden clubs; The Garden Club at Palm Coast, Tillandsia, Southern Peninsula, and St. Augustine as well as several non-garden club people from Palm Coast.  What a wonderful way to meet new people, exchange ideas, and take time to talk to one another.

I am constantly amazed at the beauty and imagination presenters put into their exhibits; I can’t even imagine how much time some of these exhibits must have taken.  It is always pleasure to see the exhibits of our own members take the ribbons. Congrats to Marínus, Linda, Margaret, Becky and Rosemary!

Here are some images of the Flower Show. Click on any image to see a larger version. You can then advance the large images one by one, or let the gallery run automatically as a slide show.

 

Thank you all for coming, I hope you had as much fun as I did.

Article and photos by Kenetha Kilmurray

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Florida State Flower Show

Posted on April 17, 2026 by FLGardener

As many of you know, from April 14 till 17, 2026 the annual FFGC Convention took place in Kissimmee, FL. Every other year FFGC also organizes a Flower-show in connection with the Convention. This year’s Flower-show was held from April 14 till 16. The FFGC Flower-show attracts participants from all over Florida.

I love participating in Flower-shows and entered 13 plants and plant parts in Horticulture Division of the show. Entries are judged by certified judges and each plant can earn a maximum of 100 points. There are 8 aspects of the plant that earn between 5 and 20 points each. My entries earned 5 first prizes, 4 second prizes and 3 third prizes in a variety of categories. Of my second prizes 3 were rated at 90+ points. That means they were of high quality, but there was one in that category with more points and earning first prize. There were hundreds of plants competing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Having plants and plant propagation as a hobby give me great joy. Earning the recognition of the quality of my plants in a contest, is the cherry on the cake.

I encourage all members of the garden club to participate in a Flower-show. It is fun and very rewarding. If the show in Kissimmee was too far to bring your entries before the show and requiring a second trip to pick your babies up after the show, why not try out the show next week in St Augustine by the local garden club, April 24-25?

Here is the link to all info around the show: St Augustine Flowershow

Download the Flowershow Schedule, that gives you all details about submitting your plants for entry. Deliver your plants on the day before the show, April 23. Judging is April 24, AM. The show starts PM.

If you are not ready to participate, be sure to visit the show and enjoy the plants. There will also be a Design division, displaying beautiful creations by the Arrangers.

Article and photos by Marínus Grootenboer

P.s.

Members of the Palm Coast Arrangers Guild might also consider to participate in St Augustine!!

 

Posted in Events, Florida Federation of Garden Clubs, Garden Club, Propagation Guild | 1 Comment

First Annual Palm Show & Sale

Posted on April 13, 2026 by FLGardener

St Johns Botanical Garden is hosting the First Annual Palm Show & Sale. See poster:

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April is Tulip Month in The Netherlands

Posted on April 11, 2026 by FLGardener

If you have ever seen the abundant colors of tulip fields and parks in The Netherlands, you never forget this sight. The tulip bulb is an important agriculture industry. I came across an interesting video on YouTube: Tulips, Tulips and more Tulips.

In the spring Cut Tulip flowers are sent all over the world to be sold in supermarkets and flower shops. During the summer the bulbs are harvested and again distributed all over the planet, for gardeners to plant in their garden and public parks.

Enjoy the video,

Marinus

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Two Master Gardener Sales

Posted on April 9, 2026 by FLGardener

Looking to spruce up your garden after the freeze in Florida?

Here are two plant sales this weekend, where you can get expert advice from Master Gardeners:

1. St Johns County Master Gardeners Plant Sale

UF/IFAS Extension St. Johns Countywill host its 2026 Master Gardeners Spring Plant Sale on April 17–18 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the St. Johns County Agricultural Center, located at 3125 Agricultural Center Drive, St. Augustine.

The sale will feature a wide selection of landscape plants, houseplants, and vegetable seedlings suited for Northeast Florida landscapes. Proceeds from the event directly support educational outreach and community programming provided through the St. Johns County Master Gardeners Program.

 

2. Putnam County Master Gardeners Plant Sale

The Putnam Count Master Gardeners Plant Sale returns on April 18 from 9 am to 1 pm at the Putnam County Fairgrounds.  Fairgrounds Rd, East Palatka, FL, USA. This annual community event offers many healthy plants, friendly volunteers, and simple gardening guidance. Guests are also encouraged to bring their own carts to make shopping easier. As a result, visitors can move through the sale with comfort and ease.

Marinus, webmaster

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