FLEMING ISLAND – National Garden Week takes place annually in June.

Spearheaded by the National Garden Clubs, the day aims to raise awareness about the importance of gardening, preserve gardening traditions and practices by passing on knowledge to new gardeners, and encourage the simple enjoyment of gardening. 

Carolyn Warren, the District IV Birds, Bees and Butterflies Chairman, set up a beautiful display celebrating National Garden Week in the Fleming Island Library. The free packets of marigolds proved to be extremely popular, with more than 125 packets given away. Then, right on the heels of National Garden Week, was National Pollinator Week.

Makes sense, doesn’t it? 

Your garden isn’t going to thrive without those pollinators. According to its website, Pollinator Week is an annual celebration in support of pollinator health, initiated and managed by Pollinator Partnership. 

It is a time to raise awareness for pollinators and spread the word about what we can do to protect them. The great thing about Pollinator Week is that you can celebrate and get involved any way you would like. 

Popular events include planting for pollinators, hosting garden tours, participating in online bee and butterfly ID workshops, and so much more. We worked hard in the springtime getting ready for our annual butterfly release and our Art and Garden Tour with the Art Guild of Orange Park and the Garden Club of Orange Park, so we’ve taken a little time for fun and socialization with a bunco party here and a pool party there. But it’s not all games and relaxation. 

The plant committee is meeting to plan our fall events. Plants don’t always spring up overnight, so we’ve got to get stuff started. But don’t worry; we’re on it. 

At our May food drive, we collected a variety of items, including fresh, frozen, canned and boxed goods totaling 144 pounds, as well as $200 in cash. As we do each month, we made sure the gardens in front of the library were looking their best. 

The club’s next meeting will be on Aug. 4 at 10:30 a.m. at the Fleming Island Library Conference Room. All are welcome.