ASHLAND — For someone who grew up around plants, Julie Freebern of Willo’dell Nursery displayed her expertise to Art of Gardening members May 1 on the topic of “Hanging Baskets.”

Introducing a birdhouse hanging basket, her talk about hanging baskets was second nature  to her as members gathered outside of the greenhouse. 

“Start by using a good soil,” the plant enthusiast said. Geraniums and verbena with trailing  greens (trailers) are a good combination. Succulents are neat ideas. “The next important  thing is fertilizer,” Freebern added. 

In addition to geraniums, sweet potato vines which Freebern said need frequent watering,  sweet alyssum, fuchsia and petunias are popular. Willo’dell also has tuberous begonia  baskets available. Members were given the opportunity to create their own hanging  baskets. 

A hanging basket tip from Freebern, “Less plants mean watering less, which, of course,  involves less maintenance.” 

Prior to carpooling to the nursery, members met at Peace Lutheran Church to discuss  “Yard of the Month”, fair flower show judging and the Brethren Care Project in October. 

Sally Ahlers, the driving force behind the “Yard of the Month” summer project, passed  around judging criteria and the map portraying the areas judged based on City of Ashland  Spring Cleanup. She was impressed with the number of volunteers to scout yards so far for  the June through September undertaking where a monthly winner is determined. 

Volunteering to assist judges Sept. 14 in fair flower show judging prior to the county fair  opening Sept. 15 and to place ribbons on winning entries are Cathy Siwek, Patty Stauffer,  Cheri Britton and Rosemary Caster. 

Ruth Ann Linder appreciated the donations she received for the Brethren Care community  project in October. She now has enough cans. Members congregate at Brethren Care to  assist residents in the completion of a craft. 

The club maintains two fair flower boxes at the fairgrounds. Box 19 volunteers were  named: Patty Stauffer, Cheri Britton, Kathy Varner and Kim Tanner. Maintaining Box 21 for  2024 are Ruth Ann Linder, Pat Edwards and Cathy Siwek. 

The June 5 meeting will feature a Rain Barrel program by Ashland Soil and Water  Conservation.