Category: News from National

“We might think we are nurturing our garden, but of course, it’s our garden that is really nurturing us.” – Jenny Uglow

Gardening truly does nurture our souls from the first green peeping through the snow to the last flower wilting from frost.  As the Beatles sang “It’s a magical mystery tour.”  Of course, we all know the science and botany behind gardening, but the flora that Mother Nature produces is magical.  Overnight, spectacular flowers appear on stems that were bare the day before.  And, lucky us, we get to “tour” through all the beautiful trees, shrubs, plants, and flowers everywhere we travel during summer.

Not only do we enjoy the fruits of our labor in our own yards and gardens, but we can also delight in all the public gardens thanks to gardeners like members of WNF&GA and other gardening groups.  Gardens bring such joy and elevate everyone’s spirit all year long – – but especially during summer.

Thank you, fellow gardeners, for planning and maintaining all the gardens throughout our communities.  Your efforts affect and influence more people than you probably imagine.  So, keep on promoting beautification, conservation, and education in your hometowns while admiring the works that Mother Nature provides to us that require no work on our part.  They just magically appear year after year.

Patty Burnside
WNF&GA National President, 2022-2024
The full May – June newsletter may be accessed in the MEMBERS section.

President Patty Burnside’s Message

March – April 2023

Greetings Gardeners and Garden Lovers.  Spring is fully upon us with trees, shrubs, and bushes budding and with flowers (and weeds) popping up everywhere, neighbors have begun their spring yard cleanups, blowers and mowers can be heard through our open windows and screen doors.  It is time to put out lawn furniture and ornaments, check that propane tanks on grills are filled, reattach our hoses, check which plants may not have survived the winter and rejoice for the ones that are appearing, spread grub control, turn over mulch, and on and on.  And don’t we all love visiting our local nurseries?  Such colors and smells!!  What an exciting and highly anticipated season!  I hope you are enjoying nature’s annual rebirth.

Please go to the Mar-Apr WNF&GA Newsletter on the wnfga.org website to read the full Newsletter.  The password to open the Protected: Members Only section is the one which Michigan uses for member-only content, or is  available in the Fall Magazine. Ask your president if you do not remember it.

 

That is – – along with snowflakes.  We can pretend they are winter flowers just a bit colder.  And it is a beauty to behold when fresh, sparkling snow covers our lawns and landscapes.  The deep, pure silence gives us time to pause and be grateful for a brief respite.  However, Spring is just around the corner. It’s time to start ordering plants and seeds while planning our gardens and day trips to visit some of our favorite local gardens or discover outstanding gardens presented by the various WN branches for their garden walks.

This month you’ll find this website has been updated. It is a work in progress, but some areas are ready with useful news and information.  Go to the various sections on WNFGA.ORG where you will find specifics about the following:

HOME page

• President’s Greetings

ABOUT US page, ACHIEVEMENTS & AWARDS

• Updated information and hyperlink to application form (nominations due soon)

INTERESTS page, INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

• Updated information
• Frysinger International Project Fund

CHARITABLE AFFAIRS

• Updated descriptions and hyperlinks to application forms

ANNUAL MEETING PAGE

• National Meeting 2023

MEMBERS page

• News from National (a new section with current information)
• Directories of officers, chairpersons, directors, division, and branch presidents

Wishing all of you the many joys of Valentine’s Day – hugs, kisses, candy, cards, flowers, romance, enjoying loved ones.

Patty Burnside

WNF&GA President, 2022-24