The Gardens Gate – October 2021

The October 2021 Gardens Gate Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens

The Gardens Through The Eyes Of Sean & Chris Minch

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Out and About with The Gardens

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New Discovery Backpacks

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How-To Seminars and Upcoming Holiday Events

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2410 SE Westmoreland Blvd.

Port St. Lucie, FL 34952 Phone: 772.337.1959 Fax: 772.237.5952 Email: info@pslbg.org Web: www.pslbg.org

Pavilion, Gift Shop & Garden Center Hours:

Wednesday - Saturday 10:00am - 4:00pm Sunday 12:00pm - 4:00pm PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED IN THE GARDENS SKATES, BOARDS & BICYCLES ARE NOT PERMITTED ON THE WALKWAYS IN THE GARDENS

Suggested Donations: Adults $5 • Students $2 Free for FPSLBG Members and Active Military with family (IDs required)

Mission Statement...

Friends’ mission is to create and maintain a beautiful, serene sanctuary in the center of Port St. Lucie that is environmentally sound and naturally diverse and to provide educational, cultural and recreational opportunities for all who visit.

Officers & Directors...

President: Vice President: Secretary: Treasurer: Directors:

Jeff Chambers Heather Furnari Mary Petrone Brenda Gustafson Mark A. Barnes Valerie Davis-Bailey John Erickson Laura Mehr Judy Nash-Wade Arthur Pearlstein Tim Sutton

Standing Committee Chairs...

Election Committee:

Stephanie Alessandrini-Giarraffa Brenda Gustafson Laura Mehr Brenda Gustafson

Finance Committee: Gift Shop Committee: Horticulture Committee: Membership & Volunteer Committee: Mark A. Barnes Resource Development Committee: Heather Furnari Strategic Planning Committee: Arthur Pearlstein

Newsletter...

Editor & Design:

Mark A. Barnes

The Gardens is managed and operated by Friends of the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) public charity organization, that was founded to help support the daily operations of The Gardens. Friends volunteers provide hands-on daily oversight of the facility, including staffing to handle the many visitors year round. Please consider becoming a member of Friends. Friends' is a 100% volunteer organization. In all cases, donations are deductible to the extent allowed by law.

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Dear Friends,

As the hot days of summer are SLOWLY fading away, it’s a good time take a breath and get ready for very exciting happenings at the Gardens.

First our snowbird volunteers and visitors will be back! It will be great to see old friends and get them back in the mix of things.

The Port Project will be getting under way with bids being sent out to start working on developing a series of attractions along the City’s Riverwalk from the Preserve to the south of the Botanical Gardens, north to Lyngate Park, and expected to become the City’s premiere family destination . It will be an adjustment for a while, but what a wonderful opportunity for the Botanical Gardens to really grow along with this and be a part of this amazing future for our City. It is an honor to be a part of this project.

In October the Wacky Weeders start back under the direction of our very own John Erickson. The date is October 9th starting at 8am and usually ending around 11am. It’s a great way to get some volunteer hours in and work with a great group of people. Not to mention the tasty lunch that is offered!

Last year, due to the virus, we were unable to have our Jingle & Mingle Holiday party, which was truly a disappointment for everyone. This year the plan is to have a “Thankful Gathering” in November. Volunteers & Members be sure to keep an eye out for your invitation.

This Holiday season will be a bittersweet moment for some and a joyous time for others. We have all lost someone and even though that pain is with us, we also have reason to be thankful for those we do have in our lives and for the cycle of life that is ever changing.

I really do thank each and every one of you that are part of this crazy family here at the Botanical Gardens.

Jeff Chambers,

President

Friends of the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens

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What’s Going on at the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens in

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*One Item Only

BOOtanical Halloween is on this year We need you and your club or business or organization to join us this year in giving back to the community and making memories for children . We all could really use some fun this year.

Covid-19 protocols are in place and with all the fun of walking through the garden (one way) trick or treating . Please consider joining us . For more information call Beth or Heather at

(772) 337-1959.

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Hours: Closed Mondays & Tuesdays Wednesday thru Saturday 10am - 4pm Sunday 12pm - 4pm

Grab a bargain everyday!

at our CLEARANCE Table $1, $2, & $3 Plants 9

this gorgeous weather. I also love to craft and teach myself new creative projects all the time.

Tell us a little bit about your family.

I am married to a wonderful man and have three great children. I have a son who is 28 years old and lives in southern New Jersey and works for American Water. I have a son who is 26 years old, lives in Virginia and has just recently gotten engaged. I also have a daughter who is 23 years old, lives in Northern New Jersey and is a nurse at the cardiac unit in Morristown Memoria Hospital.

Why did you choose to volunteer at the PSL Botanical Gardens?

Who wouldn’t want to be a volunteer in a place where not only are the grounds so lovely, but the volunteers who work there are just as lovely!

What do you find most rewarding about volunteering at pslbg?

The fact that everyone who ‘works’ at the PSLBG are volunteers is inspirational. Think about it, if it weren’t for each person there, this place would not be up and running! To be even just a small part of that makes you feel as though you are contributing to something great. Everyone makes you feel as though our contribution really matters.

What do you like to do when you’re at the Gardens?

Walking aground the gardens and learning about all the different plants/flowers is very exciting. In the gift shop, I love to learn about the inventory, and make sure we have it all displayed beautifully, and talking to all the guests. You learn so much daily!

Who was the most instrumental person who influenced your love of gardening?

No one influenced me… I just discovered it on my own…

What’s your favorite tree or plant, and why?

It was not until I moved to Florida a few years ago that I really started to appreciate all the natural beauty. I love the Hibiscus flower as it always is so pretty. I changed out most of the trees and bushes at my new home to all the different pinks and white Hibiscus flowers so that when I drive up it just looks welcoming and happy!

Outside of the Gardens, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Well of course I work on the gardens at my house, but I also go to the gym and enjoy being outside in 10

Tell us something about you that’s interesting, or that not many people know about you.

My husband and I have taken ballroom dancing lessons for years! We may not be the greatest dancers after all this time, but we do have best time!

What’s your favorite quote or saying?

You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and loved more than you’ll ever know.

By Winnie the Pooh!

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Compost with Mulch Confederate Jasmine Battery Blower Fertilizer Bug Spray Orchid Clay Pots Plant Stands Plant Hangers

Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens

All Donations Tax Deductible

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What is a Mushroom?

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Mushrooms are just a small part of larger living things called fungi.

They are the "fruiting body" of fungi.

Mushrooms spread the spores which allow the fungus to reproduce.

They come in many shapes and colors.

They are often found on decaying wood or other decomposing material.

There are over 10,000 known mushrooms in the United States.

What Does a Mushroom Do?

Nature's Recyclers: fungi break down organic matter and allow other living things to use the essential nutrients.

Plant Helpers: More than 90% of all plants live in a mutually beneficial relationship with fungi, this is known as a symbiotic relationship. These fungi exchange nutrients for photosynthetic sugars.

Message Carriers: The fungi that live in symbiosis with plants (mycorrhizae) carry chemical "messages" through the web of mycelium in the soil.

Pollution Removers: Fungi can remove harmful chemicals and reduce the presence of harmful bacteria in water and soil.

Food Source: Mushrooms are the only non-animal based complete form of protein and have many antioxidants, prebiotics, minerals and vitamins.

Also on Gardening Solutions

Printable version of this infographic (PDF) • Mushrooms and Other Fungi • What to Plant This Month • More Infographics

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Thank You to Mr. Bill Kreahling for his wonderful Orchid donation.

Our beautiful Secret Garden Gate Looking out from the Secret Garden..

A Rabbit in the Rose Garden enjoying fallen flower petals from the Moongates.

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Our picturesque Gardens

Jeanne & Don propagating leaf. and Jeanne is a long Thank You to Gene Kovacscopper for building installing new trellises for time Master Gardener and brings with her lots of our Bleeding Heart planters. experience.

New Faerie coming soon to the Faerie Forrest!

Our Moongate in bloom

Close up of Moongate in bloom

New Faerie coming soon to the Faerie Forrest!

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Can you give us as little as 3 hours per week of your time?

The Friends of the Port St Lucie Botanical Gardens are looking for Volunteers to assist in various positions throughout the Garden. Become a part of a very active garden, meet fellow volunteers, have fun, and enjoy being part of a team.

Garden Center. Gift Shop, Welcome Center & Guest Services Wednesday - Saturday (3 hours) • 10am-1pm or 1pm-4pm* Sunday - 4 hours • 12pm-4pm Garden Rooms—Daylily Garden, Bromeliad Garden, Secret Garden - Name your hours.

We need help with weeding, trimming, and maintaining the gardens.

Contact our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@pslbg.org or call The Gardens at 772-337-1959 and leave a message.

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Available September 29th

Are You Looking for Fun and Educational Children’s Activities?

The Gardens is the Perfect learning environment!!!

Our NEW Discovery Back Packs will be available to the public starting on Wednesday, September 29th, inside the Pavilion, for parents and kids to take an exciting adventure and learning experience through the Gardens.

Adults may sign-out backpacks each Wednesday & Saturday between the hours of 10:30am & 2:30pm, with a Valid State ID, for use within our Gardens.

Children’s activities have begun on select Saturdays and continue monthly.

Inquire at our front desk.

Thank You.

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Above: Friends Board Member John Erickson present a seminar on Growing and Caring for Orchids to a full house on Saturday, September 11th..

Below: The City of Port St. Lucie’s Keep Port St. Lucie Beautiful Annual Tree Giveaway was held on Saturday, September 18th. Thanks to all who made it a successful and informative event.

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Visit Our Gift Shop for a selection of fine gifts & more, one of a kind items & works from local Artists.

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When: October 9, 2021 Where: PSL Botanical Gardens Time: 8:00am - 12:00pm The Gardens appreciates your help to continue keeping our beautiful Gardens in perfect shape for upcoming events and the holiday season.

Join us for a fun morning – All Volunteers Invited.

Consider yourself less than able-bodied? There are jobs for everyone, no matter age or ability. Bring gloves, clippers and any personal tools you prefer.

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