The Plant City Garden Club has been reshaping the very foundation of the community for 70 years.
Originally a branch of the Woman’s Club of Plant City the group was formed on Oct. 19, 1948. A year later it broke off into its own group so it could officially join the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs and over the decades has left its mark on Plant City.
The club has handled the landscaping of the new Police Station as well as four Habitat for
Humanity homes and designed and landscaped the Veterans Park and Tomlin Middle School. Each year it sponsors the Horticulture Show at the Florida Strawberry Festival, hosts the beloved Garden Fest in downtown Plant City and works in a variety of local schools.
“I hope we’re changing the mindset, the perception of the club,” Jan Griffin, Garden Club member, said. “We aren’t wearing white gloves and big hats. We’re hosting the Flower Show at the annual Pioneer Day event, we’re involved with local schools, we’re concerned about and focused on the environment. People join the Garden Club because they want to learn how to grow things in Florida.”
When Griffin moved from Seattle she said she couldn’t grow a “bloomin’ thing.” She joined the club around 1991 and quickly found that it was full of locals that were extremely generous with their knowledge, time and resources.
Club member Lisa Firm agreed that camaraderie is a major aspect of the Garden Club.
She joined the group in 1999 and said being a part of the club has created a network of friends across the state and the memories they all share with the club are endless.
“I’ve met the most interesting and intelligent people across the state through the Garden Club,” Firm said. “But people think that we’re very exclusive, but we’re really so inclusive. Any nationality, race, gender, anyone is welcome to be a part of the Garden Club.”
There are currently 48 members of the club and one has been in the group since 1958. The group’s history is immense and yet it is constantly evolving to meet the challenges and demands of the current environment.
Griffin said the group is beginning to offer more evening events in hopes of drawing in a more diverse group. Their goals are to have more men and a younger wave of attendees join the club and to continue to expand their repertoire of programs.
Some of the highlighted programs offered by the club include its Fun with Flowers event, a variety of diverse guest speakers and a bird program, where the group takes students from Jackson Elementary and Robinson Elementary on a trek along the Walden Lake walking trail to discuss different species of birds and take in the highlights of the local environment.
Its Junior Gardening Committee visits a variety of local schools and introduces programs like the Arbor Day tree planting, an Earth Day event and butterfly gardens.
The group also sponsors campers and volunteers with the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs in a six week camp at Wekiva State Park. At this one-of-a-kind camp, students in elementary and middle school learn about nature and conservation and enjoy activities like canoeing and exploring the great outdoors.
High school students receive support as well via a sponsorship to SEEK, Save the Earth’s
Environment through Knowledge, environmental conference. The four-day conference features approximately 70 students each year.
The Garden Club also offers a college scholarship to a student from the Plant City area high schools. Increasing overall environmental education throughout the community is also a major goal for the group and they seek out programs that are both fun and educational for attendees.
For more information on the Garden Club or any of its programs go to the Plant City Garden Club Facebook page or visit plantcitygardenclub.org. The group recommends interested parties attend a general meeting to get a feel for the group and enjoy some of its unique programs.