Every year Chipley Garden Club pays multiple visits to Kate Smith Elementary School to share the gift of gardening, floral design and horticulture. This cycle began last September when 236 second and third grade students received plants to care for during the year. During February, 79 fourth, fifth and sixth graders were treated to hands-on lessons in Dried/Live Floral Designs and 168 Dish Gardens were planted. The plants, floral designs, and dish gardens were entered into the 2025 Washington County 4-H Youth Fair and judged by the garden club.
Youth Chair Linda Pigott remarked, “This cycle Chipley Garden Club members worked with almost 500 children. It is one of the most fun and rewarding of the Garden Club’s projects. The children love receiving plants and planting dish gardens – all go home with the students after the fair. And the creativity shown by the older children with the floral designs is amazing!”
The Youth Gardening is a free annual project of Chipley Garden Club. During the year, the club collects dried materials and containers, plants and succulents are propagated, and fresh greenery is cut. The children are instructed on taking care of their plants, making floral designs, and planting dish gardens. Every year, Kirby Holt’s “Blossoms” provides beautiful flowers used in the live designs.
If you are interested in learning more about Chipley Garden Club and its projects, please call Club President Gweneth Collins at 850-260-4049. The club meets the first Wednesday of each month and welcomes visitors and new members at any time.
Beth Watford assisting students with their designs
Lynn Owen setting up Youth Fair display prior to judging
Garden Club members with students
Youth Chair Linda Pigott explaining horticulture and design points
