Watersmart program at HGC

Hiawassee Mayor Barbara Mathis is seen signing an Arbor Day Proclamation with Hiawassee Garden Club Arbor Day Chairman Patti Bransford.

Robert Brewer, Towns County Extension Service agent, gave a PowerPoint program on Watersmart tips for our homes and our landscaping at the February 28, 2008 Hiawassee Garden Club meeting. Even though Georgia has recently moved from Level 4- Exceptional Drought to Level 3-Extreme Drought, we still need to conserve water in all possible ways. We should all be turning off water when brushing our teeth, taking shorter showers, and definitely fixing any leaks. Catch water in a jug as you run it to get hot, this can be used for plants inside and outside. "Grey water" (with any kind of soap or detergent) is not to be used outside- "It's against the law in Georgia," Brewer said.

In the yard and garden, Brewer suggested many ways to conserve water: hand water at night or early morning to prevent evaporation, or use a drip hose; mulch your plants with pine straw (cheapest and most available) at least 3" deep; and put "the right plant in the right place," using drought tolerant native plants and grasses in your landscape. He also passed out an informational sheet on making your own rain barrel. These instructions are available at the Extension Office on Berrong Street in the lower part of the Senior Center (706-896-2024).

(Above)Hostesses for the February meeting, Virginia Palmer and Patti Bransford. Virginia did the line mass design.

President Marlene Arndt thanked hostesses Mary Ann Nutter, Virginia Palmer, and Darlene Palmer-Woodruff for refreshments and reminded everyone about the covered dish farewell dinner for Maggie and Dick Burns on March 6.

The "Plant Affair on the Square will be held on Saturday, April 19. Eight nurseries will have plants and bedding flowers for sale as well as plants from Garden Club members' yards.

The next meeting will be on Thursday, March 27, 1:45 p.m. at the Garden Club Center. Virginia Palmer, HGC member and Master Judge, will speak on "Conservation in Hiawassee." Guests are always welcome.

Extension Agent Robert Brewer receives a gift from Diann Nichols for his Watersmart/Rain Barrel presentation.