Meetings:
All meetings start at 9:30 am unless otherwise noted.
All Design and Horticulture exhibits must be placed by 9:30 am to be judged.
September
Sept. 16, 2025. 9:30AM
Phil Bazemore Adult Center
500 W Jefferson St Monroe
Program: “How to Create a Judged Flower Arrangement” presented by Karen Donel
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Design Exhibit: "Back to School" Create a vertical line-mass design in a low container, using bright colors that you would see at school.
Horticulture Exhibit: Salvia; Gerbera Daisy; Bee Balm-Monarda
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Show and Tell: Please bring school supplies for a donation.
Monthly Report: Birds by Barbara Dunn
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Horticulture Hints: To prepare for the next season, clean pots & planters of salts and mildew. Remove debris with a stiff brush. Mix 1 part chlorine with 10 parts water in a tub. Immerse pots in tub (or use a spray bottle to saturate large containers) and soak for 10 minutes. Remove. Rinse in clean water. Soak clay ports in clear water for 4-10 minutes to rinse. Air dry..
October
75th Anniversary of the Monroe Garden Club Celebration
October 7, 2025 1:00 - 3:00
Phil Bazemore Adult Center
500 W Jefferson St Monroe
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No regular meeting this month.
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Horticulture Hints: Tool Health - Fill a bucket with coarse sand. Pour motor oil over it. Mix. Plunge clean tools into it to either store or have ready for use.​
November
Nov. 18, 2025 9:30AM
Phil Bazemore Adult Center
500 W Jefferson St Monroe
Program: "Area Birds, Nesting and Migration" by Tony Lombardino
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Design Exhibit: Create one of the designs from the Floral design booklet, using decorative wood as a line (Lesson 5).
Horticulture Exhibit: Chrysanthemum; Straw Flower; Aster
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Monthly Report: Environment by Nancy Gustafson
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Horticulture Hints; The beginning of this month is a good time to force bloom narcissus bulbs by planting them in pots or fancy glass bowls. Doing so, they will be ready to enjoy at Christmas or to give as gifts.
December
Dec 16, 2025 11:00 AM
Home of Carol Pinsak
Christmas Luncheon and Silent Auction
Members are asked to bring either a side dish or dessert. Every member is required to bring three high quality items for the silent auction.
Horticulture Hints: That beautiful seasonal poinsettia will remain beautiful and last far behind the holidays when basic care is taken. For starters, remove the plant from the decorative sleeve. Water collects in the bottom and will drown the roots. To enhance looks, and to help with stability set the potted plant into a pretty decorative pot. Daily give it 6 hours of light, keep out of drafts, and water every 3-4 days or if it droops.
January
Jan. 20, 2026 9:30AM
Phil Bazemore Adult Center
500 W. Jefferson St., Monroe
Program: "European Gardens" by Sharon Eichler.
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​Design Exhibit: Create a horizontal line design in a low dish (Lesson 2 - part 2 in the Floral design booklet), using flowers typically found in Bulgaria, Italy, Spain or France. Note on your tag which country you are representing.
Horticulture Exhibit: Pansies, Hellebore, Snowdrop
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Show & Tell: Bring in a photo of a garden from another country.
Monthly Report: Plant of the Month by Swaim Strong
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Horticulture Hints: Thrift store gardening: Shop these stores for pretty cracked or chipped china, saucers or platters. Have them ready for spring decor in your garden. Set them in the garden on top of smooth rocks & fill with moist mud or sand bath for butterflies to enjoy.
February
Feb. 17, 2026 9:30AM
Phil Bazemore Adult Center
500 W. Jefferson St. Monroe
Program: "Plants from the Bible" by Jessica Litaker Youhouse
Design Exhibit: Using information in Lesson 6 of the Floral design booklet, create an arrangement using props that represent the season of Lent.
Horticulture Exhibit: Camellia; Forsythia; Daffodil
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Show & Tell: Bring in a fruit or vegetable that is mentioned in the Bible.
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Monthly Report: Trees by Sandy Francis
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Horticulture Hints: Snowpeas & Sugar snap peas are spring's edible garden treats. They thrive in full sun to part shade. Sweet peas are wonderful for their fragrance.
March
Mar. 17, 2026 9:30AM
Phil Bazemore Adult Center
500 W. Jefferson St., Monroe
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Program: "The Basics of Bonsai" by Brad Miller of Wulfenmoor Creative Horticulture.
Design Exhibit: Green and Gold - Create a horizontal line design (Lesson 1 in the Floral Design Booklet) for St Patty's Day.
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Horticulture Exhibit: Quince, Tulip, Dogwood
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Show & Tell: Bring your plant counts, Moncrief Service award and money for the Spring Luncheon to this meeting. One point awarded for each of the above.
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Monthly Report: Birds by Sharon Eichler
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Horticulture Hints: When planning mulch ahead for summer beds, an inch of mulch goes a long way towards preserving moisture.
April
Apr. 21, 2026 9:30AM
** Field Trip to Union County Agriculture Center
Meet 9:30AM at Phil Bazemore center to carpool
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Program: "A Walk Thru the Gardens" A Master Gardener will take us on a tour of the extensive gardens on the property. Wear comfortable shoes and sunscreen. Snacks and water will be provided.
Design Exhibit: N/A
Horticulture Exhibit: N/A
Monthly Report: N/A
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Horticulture Hints: DIY Seed Tape - choose a strip of two ply toilet tissue. Place seeds down one side at appropriate intervals. Carefully fold over the other half of the tissue forming a long, skinny strip with seeds inside. Lightly mist with water to hold seeds in place when planting.
May
May 21, 2026 11:00AM
Field Trip - Home of Barbara Pfau
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Program: Spring Luncheon & Awards Assembly with Plant Exchange and Officer Installation
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Design Exhibit: Bring an arrangement of spring flowers in a tea cup to decorate our tables. Arrangement should be no taller than 10" to allow conversation across the table and should be viewable from all sides.
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Horticulture: Day Lilly, Bachelor Button; Hydrangea
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Horticulture Hints: Grow Your Own Butterflies - Plant lots of parsley, fennel & dill to attract butterflies. They lay eggs on the foliage and the larvae eat it for nourishments. Results - More Butterflies!