New garden club group sprouts in East County

EAST COUNTY — More green thumbs are joining the garden club scene in Lakewood Ranch.
Some of the former members of Lakewood Ranch Garden Club, including Carolyn Lowry-Nation, have branched out to create their own club for individuals who want to learn about Florida gardening and other issues.

Nation and five other people officially created Gardeners Out East July 7 in hopes of providing a fun atmosphere and an outlet for gardeners interested in bettering the community, Nation said. The East County group is the second garden club in Lakewood Ranch.

To Nation, offering East County residents an alternative to the Lakewood Ranch Garden Club, which originated 11 years ago, meets the demand of an expanding community.

“Yes, we are a new garden club, but you know what, East County is growing,” Nation said. “Another garden club is not unreasonable to have. We haven’t solicited for members; we’ve generated interest by word of mouth. We just want to have a different focus.”

The club, for instance, will focus on state issues, too. Nation, the club’s president, and her group are focused on the November election ballot for starters.

The Florida Water and Land Conservation Initiative constitutional amendment asks voters if funds should be reserved to improve recreational and other lands within the state. The group is already making pamphlets to inform the community.

The fund would acquire and improve conservation easements, wildlife habitats and recreational trails among other areas.

Nation says focusing on such issues gives the club’s members something to be proud of other than a lush garden.

“This item is extremely important to Florida and this type of work is a club’s reason for being,” Nation said. “We are spreading the word.”

GARDENERS OUT EAST
Gardeners Out East will hold its first meeting 1 p.m. Sept. 2, at Northern Trust Bank, 9105 Town Center Parkway, Lakewood Ranch. Membership costs $30 for the nine months the club operates — September through May.

Individuals interested in joining Gardeners Out East should contact Carolyn Lowry-Nation at 361-1047.