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Health & Fitness

Gardens of Excellence

The Lower Macungie Garden Club's Gardens of Excellence is up and running.

At the end of my last blog, I mentioned the Gardens of Excellence program.   This program recognizes the efforts that many residents in the Lower Macungie Township have made to help beautify their neighborhoods and by doing that, the community at large.  We believe that it is important to recognize their efforts and show our appreciation for all their hard work in trying to beautify their space and the township. (Only front gardens are assessed; we don't look at the back of the house.) 

The following addresses have been recognized as this month's Gardens of Excellence:

* 6112 Sauterne Drive

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* 5275 Celia Drive and

* 2365 S. Pewter Drive

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Take a drive by these gardens and see for yourself the beauty within your township.  The sign will reside in the gardens for one month and who knows?   You might be next, so get your gardening tools out and start digging!  I will include pictures of these gardens in my next blog in case you didn't get a chance to go by and see for yourself.    I don't have them all yet, so I can't put them here now, but it is definitely something to look forward to.  There is one thing I must share with you before leaving the Gardens of Excellence.   One of the recipient's of the LMGC sign told us that "You made my heart sing."   That was a very touching moment for us, as the resident went on to say that she was so happy that someone noticed and appreciated her efforts.  We noticed and you ARE appreciated.     

Do you have a hanging plant that isn't doing very well right now?  Have you watered and watered only to find that the leaves are turning even more brown than before? Don 't give up!   LMGC garden club Vice President, Debby Koepcke, has a remedy that might work.  Here is what she says:

"The other day my hanging planter looked liked it was completely spent and had little signs of life.  The leaves were shriveled and almost crusty and I thought my investment was done.  Although I've been diligent watering, the hot air sapped the plant of moisture and vitality in a very short period of time.  Instead of watering with a hose and having all the moisture draining from the container, I placed the entire hanging planter in a large plastic bucket filled with a potion of water and plant food.  Left in a shady spot for 24 hours, the plant completely rejuvenated and the leaves and blossoms are vibrant!"

Thanks, Debby!  This is a great idea and hopefully will help others as well.  One of great things about this club is that we are constantly learning from each other.  It not only helps us to become better gardeners, but we can then share these ideas with others and help them in their efforts to garden. Next time, I will share pictures of the first gardens chosen for the Gardens of Excellence program and keep you informed on how we are growing.   Until next time I'll leave you with a quote from Birds and Blooms.  "What the caterpillar calls the end, the butterfly calls the beginning."

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