BELLE OAKS GARDEN CLUB
OF
HAMMOND, LOUISIANA
Member of the National Garden Clubs, Inc.
Deep South Garden Clubs, Inc.
Louisiana Garden Club Federation, Inc.
Founded 1978
MAY 2024
Judy and Claude Nesser, 19134 Country Club Lane, Hammond, received Belle Oaks Garden of the Month honor for May. The presentation was made by club president Sandy Grimm with Darlene Breland and Vicky Fannaly on May 3.
The club is a member of District VI, Louisiana Garden Club Federation Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs Inc., and National Garden Clubs Inc.
The Nessers design and maintain their own garden beds which show a jewel array of pansies backed by taller Dusty Millers. Knock Out roses make a colorful contrast to the established shrubbery at this lovely home. According to Nesser, the back yard is in the middle of a landscaping project.
The club is a member of District VI, Louisiana Garden Club Federation Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs Inc., and National Garden Clubs Inc.
The Nessers design and maintain their own garden beds which show a jewel array of pansies backed by taller Dusty Millers. Knock Out roses make a colorful contrast to the established shrubbery at this lovely home. According to Nesser, the back yard is in the middle of a landscaping project.
APRIL 2024
gardenette GARDEN OF THE MONTH april - Virginia Hawkins, belle oaks member
April 9, 2024
Virginia Hawkins, Hoffman Road, received Garden of the Month honors for April. Presentation by Margaret Bailey and Vicky Fannaly for the Gardenettes, a Ponchatoula garden club, was made April 10.
Hawkins holds membership in Belle Oaks Garden Club (Hammond) and Gardenettes. Both clubs are members of District VI, Louisiana Garden Club Federation Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs Inc., National Garden Clubs Inc.
An avid gardener, Hawkins used a new technique for getting hard to grow poppies and larkspur seeds to germinate and grow as witnessed by her waist high blooms. Her garden boasts some very unusual blossoms, attractively placed among attractive yard decor.
Also present for the tour of Hawkins garden was Carolyn Todd, a member of Belle Oaks and Hammond Garden clubs. Phlox, amarylis, roses and clematis mingle with her many vegetable plants to adorn the pocket beds
Hawkins holds membership in Belle Oaks Garden Club (Hammond) and Gardenettes. Both clubs are members of District VI, Louisiana Garden Club Federation Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs Inc., National Garden Clubs Inc.
An avid gardener, Hawkins used a new technique for getting hard to grow poppies and larkspur seeds to germinate and grow as witnessed by her waist high blooms. Her garden boasts some very unusual blossoms, attractively placed among attractive yard decor.
Also present for the tour of Hawkins garden was Carolyn Todd, a member of Belle Oaks and Hammond Garden clubs. Phlox, amarylis, roses and clematis mingle with her many vegetable plants to adorn the pocket beds
Hammond Library Planting 4/17/2024
Belle Oaks members Sandy and John Grimm recently refurbished the plant containers at the Hammond Library. According to president Sandy, "John and I were the only garden club members. We removed some old soil and replaced it with fresh "Tiger Soil", added polymer crystals and, of course, plants purchased from Lowe's, the Ag Center and my yard. The finale was to water and say a little prayer. Candice, from the Library, said watering would be added to their daily to do list. We will check in a couple of days.
Cleanest City Contest Judging - Baton Rouge April 2
Baton Rouge Garden Club hosted the Cleanest City District VI competition April 2 at the Downtown Development District office, 247 Florida St. in Baton Rouge. Representing Gardenettes, a Ponchatoula club, were Vicky Fannaly and Virginia Hawkins. They and the third judge Carolyn Todd are members of Belle Oaks Garden club as well. All clubs are members of District VI, Louisiana Garden Club Federation Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs Inc. and National Garden Club Inc. State judging will be held April 23 through May 3.
March 20 - Book Donated to Library
Belle Oaks Garden Club member/President Sandra Grimm donating a book--We are the Gardeners by “Joanna Gaines and the Kids” and illustrated by Julianna Swaney to Candice Robinson with the Hammond Branch Library. The donation was made on Wednesday, March 20, 2024.
Belle Oaks is a member of District VI, Louisiana Garden Club Federation Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs Inc. and National Garden Clubs Inc.
Belle Oaks is a member of District VI, Louisiana Garden Club Federation Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs Inc. and National Garden Clubs Inc.
March 13 Meeting - Home of Sandy & John Grimm
March Belle Oaks garden club meeting at Sandy and John Grimm's home with Todd Alvis, an expert Hibiscus grower and member of Red Stick Hibicus, with his amazing blooms. Not the kind you find without a search! Belle Oaks is a friendly club with two Gardenette and two Hammond Garden Club members in their group. All clubs are members of District VI, Louisiana Garden Club Federation Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs Inc. and National Garden Clubs Inc.
February 22, 2024 - Mini Camellia Show, Summerfield
February 22nd found us conducting a mini Camellia Show at Summerfield Assisted Living Center in Hammond. This Community activity included our president Sandra Grimm, John Grimm, member of Belle Oaks Garden Club and President of the Camellia Club of New Orleans, and Nick Piazza, Treasurer/Show Chairman.
Thirty five residents and staff members judged the 59 varieties presented to them for three top white blooms, 3 pinks, 3 reds and 3 blotched or striped. The best of each class then vied for Best Overall. The top white blooms were Ragland Supreme, Swan Lake, and Mary Alice Cox. The pinks were lead by Pink Perfection followed by Winnefred Womack and High Fragrance. Trophy was the top red with Scarlet Glory and Satsuma Kurenai following and Dixie Knight Supreme, which also won Best Overall, secured top spot for blotched/striped with Margaret Davis and Ville De Nantes close behind.
A discussion of sizes, colors, shapes, species, and some camellia history followed with lively discussion and questioning from the engaged audience. Tammy Haro, Director, thanked our organizations as did the residents who recalled earlier days with camellias in their yards (or those of their parents). They gladly took blooms to their rooms to continue to enjoy the show. Our club, the camellia club, and facility brought some beauty, fun, joy and nostalgic moments to the lives of the residents and their families who participated.
Belle Oaks is a member of District VI Louisiana Garden Club Federation Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs Inc., and National Garden Clubs Inc.
Thirty five residents and staff members judged the 59 varieties presented to them for three top white blooms, 3 pinks, 3 reds and 3 blotched or striped. The best of each class then vied for Best Overall. The top white blooms were Ragland Supreme, Swan Lake, and Mary Alice Cox. The pinks were lead by Pink Perfection followed by Winnefred Womack and High Fragrance. Trophy was the top red with Scarlet Glory and Satsuma Kurenai following and Dixie Knight Supreme, which also won Best Overall, secured top spot for blotched/striped with Margaret Davis and Ville De Nantes close behind.
A discussion of sizes, colors, shapes, species, and some camellia history followed with lively discussion and questioning from the engaged audience. Tammy Haro, Director, thanked our organizations as did the residents who recalled earlier days with camellias in their yards (or those of their parents). They gladly took blooms to their rooms to continue to enjoy the show. Our club, the camellia club, and facility brought some beauty, fun, joy and nostalgic moments to the lives of the residents and their families who participated.
Belle Oaks is a member of District VI Louisiana Garden Club Federation Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs Inc., and National Garden Clubs Inc.
February 15, 2024 - Field Trip: Camellia Heaven
A few pictures from our visit to Camellia Heaven. Maude Rizzuto, Sandy and John Grimm from Belle Oaks Garden Club and members from Livingston Master Gardeners were in attendance. It was a beautiful day and we all enjoyed taking in the beauty of the many blooms, and the stories associated with the acquisition of the plants and people related to the plants. After the visit to Camellia Heaven we had a meal at The House of Seafood in Bush.
February 7, 2024 - Joint Tangipahoa Garden Clubs
Annual February Joint Tangipahoa Garden Club Meeting hosted by Hammond Garden Club at Oak Knoll Country Club in Hammond.
January 24, 2024 - Arbor Day!
Planting Belle Oaks Arbor Day tree in a thunderstorm - but hey, we're gardeners! We got lots of photos with two cameras going, so expect similarities! Very nice crape myrtle was donated and labor performed by Steve Leon of Options Inc. who operate the group home selected for the planting.
Belle Oaks Garden Club planted a flowering crape myrtle tree at an Options group home, 11076 General Ott Dr., Hammond LA on January 24. Options Inc. is a non-profit service for people with disabilities. Garden club members present were chairman Cindy Miguez, John and Sandy Grimm, Rose Doles, Virginia Hawkins, and Vicky Fannaly (also Gardenettes).
Belle Oaks is a member of District VI Louisiana Garden Club Federation Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs Inc., and National Garden Clubs Inc.
Belle Oaks Garden Club planted a flowering crape myrtle tree at an Options group home, 11076 General Ott Dr., Hammond LA on January 24. Options Inc. is a non-profit service for people with disabilities. Garden club members present were chairman Cindy Miguez, John and Sandy Grimm, Rose Doles, Virginia Hawkins, and Vicky Fannaly (also Gardenettes).
Belle Oaks is a member of District VI Louisiana Garden Club Federation Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs Inc., and National Garden Clubs Inc.
January 10,2023 Meeting
Home of Sandy and John Grimm
Interesting Program! - view it on YouTube: Pawpaw Sammy and Aly Bug
Belle Oaks Garden Club meeting at Sandy and John Grimm's January 10 presented great program on using enriched worm castings, growing mushroom's on wood sections and gardening for self-sufficiency. Gardenette Vicky Fannaly attended. Both clubs are members of District VI, Louisiana Garden Club Federation Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs Inc. and National Garden Clubs Inc. Interesting program with Samantha Starkey and her great folks - YouTube'er "Pawpaw Sammy and Aly Bug" with his wife. You can view the whole meeting on YouTube just posted now.
Belle Oaks Garden Club meeting at Sandy and John Grimm's January 10 presented great program on using enriched worm castings, growing mushroom's on wood sections and gardening for self-sufficiency. Gardenette Vicky Fannaly attended. Both clubs are members of District VI, Louisiana Garden Club Federation Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs Inc. and National Garden Clubs Inc. Interesting program with Samantha Starkey and her great folks - YouTube'er "Pawpaw Sammy and Aly Bug" with his wife. You can view the whole meeting on YouTube just posted now.