FLEMING ISLAND – After taking a break for the holiday season, The Garden Club of Fleming Island reconvened for their regular monthly meeting. This month’s speaker was our member and Master Gardener Volunteer Carin Ashman, who gave timely and helpful information and handouts on “Starting With Seeds.”

There is a wealth of information on the back of seed packets, which must be followed carefully. Carin said to plant for our area after your zone’s frost date, which is mid-February. If you’re unsure of your area’s frost date, you can look it up at garden.org/apps/frost-dates/.

But here’s a hint: it’s already time to start planting your seeds.

Most of us are familiar with the National Arbor Day in April, but some states have their own Arbor Day. Florida’s is in January because our trees are dormant at that time of year, which makes it easier to transplant. Florida Federation of Garden Clubs planted 400 trees on Friday, Jan. 10. Clubs in Clay County participated in the project, and the National Garden Club donated $100 toward our tree. And Pat’s Nursery helped out the Fleming Island club, letting it have a more expensive tree for that price.

Our club planted a 15-foot red maple at Fleming Island Elementary.

Principal Mallory McConnell, students of the gifted class, staff from Pat’s Nursery, and garden club members were in attendance.

Our next meeting is at 10 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 12, at the Fleming Island Library Meeting room on 1895 Town Center Blvd.  Experienced gardener Bob Warren will give a PowerPoint presentation on ‘Life Cycle Gardening.’  Meetings are free and open to the public, so we hope to see you there.