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Bringing people into the garden club

Every gardener has a story about the person who opened the door for them โ€” a grandmother who let them dig in her flower bed, a neighbor who shared a cutting over the fence, a friend who brought them to their first plant swap. We are here today because someone was generous with their time, their knowledge, and their welcome.

That spirit is what grows our club. When we greet someone at the door, when we ask a quiet newcomer what they love to grow, when we let experienced members shine and help beginners feel at home โ€” thatโ€™s how community takes root.

The garden teaches us this every season: we reap what we sow. So letโ€™s sow welcome. Sow invitation. Sow generosity. And watch what grows.

This month, challenge yourself to think of one person who might enjoy our next meeting. Reach out with a simple, heartfelt message โ€” โ€œI thought of youโ€ฆ I think youโ€™d love it. Want to come as my guest?โ€ No pressure, just an open door.

Amorรฉ Jewelers 5/15/2026

Anina would like to give a shout out to Amorรฉ Jewelers in Bonita Spring for how helpful and friendly they were during a recent visit. A garden club member gave her some jewelry for the Elegant Sale. Anina stopped in to get advice on the best way to sell a necklace and bracelet. Although it was not the type of item sold in their store, Bill Skidmore spent more than 1/2 hour, and gave her a jewelry bust for displaying necklaces, and a small handheld electric fan to include in a future raffle.

If you visit the store at 24600 S Tamiami Trail Suite 208, Bonita Springs, FL 34134 mention you are a member of the Gulf Coast Garden Club.

The Garden Place 04/14/2026

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Fifteen years ago, Anina’s son Drew asked if he and Lucy could be married in her garden in Dearborn, Michigan. She was both honored and delighted. To prepare for the celebration, she divided her amaryllis bulbs into five planters, with three plants in each. She had wintered them while she was in Florida, and when she returned in the spring, she began watering them five weeks before the wedding.

Every single plant bloomed right on schedule, lining the aisle beautifully for the ceremony. It felt like a small miracle and a deeply meaningful part of that special day.

Later, when Ben and Anina moved to Florida, she brought one of the planters. Over time, that single planter grew to contain nine bulbs. This year, Anina took the planter to The Garden Place in Estero, where she buys plants and regularly takes classes on gardening and plant care. Judy was incredibly kind and immediately took the planter apart, carefully counting all nine bulbs. She then replanted them using highโ€‘quality soil mixed with perlite, ensuring they were well cared for and set up to thrive.

Now, Anina looks forward to enjoying another fifteen years of growth and blooms from those same plantsโ€”each one holding a memory of family, love, and care passed along over time.

The Garden Place sponsors the Gulf Coast Garden Club, and she wanted to share this story as a wonderful example of how they support our gardening community. They offer far more than just plants and soilโ€”they provide knowledge, generosity, and genuine help that enriches our gardening experiences.

Click here for more information on The Garden Place