PLANTS GALORE
Windsor Forest Garden Club hosts annual plant sale on April 20
Windsor Forest Garden Club has been beautifying Savannah’s southside since 1957. Initially cultivated by just a handful of green-thumbed ladies, the neighborhood nonprofit now boasts nearly 80 members from communities across the Hostess City. And for the past 14 years, the club has sponsored a popular, spring plant sale where locals alight to buy backyard-grown heirloom and native species. On Saturday, April 20, the Windsor Forest Garden Club does it once more when they host their annual “Plants Galore Sale” at La Vida Golf Club, 825 Windsor Road. The morning features neighbor-made baked goods, a raffle, garden products and a visit from One Love Animal Rescue. A portion of the proceeds supports The Windsor Forest Garden Club Scholarship at Georgia Southern University Armstrong Campus.
Green thumbs make good neighbors
For three-time former club president Shirley Goodson, the plant sale is opportunity to connect with neighbors while meeting newcomers curious about plants. The 92-year-old Savannah resident has lived more than 50 years in Windsor Forest and has been instrumental in shaping the aim and development of the club.
“Our primary mission is beautification, conservation and education,” said Goodson. “Education is expensive and important, and last year we started the scholarship. That was a notable step in our goals as a garden club.”
With $1,000 raised directly from their plant sale, Windsor Forest Garden Club established a fund with GSU Armstrong Campus. The new award is specifically designated for a local student studying in the botany program.
Although Jones and Deborah Cahill live in Ardsley Park, the pair have been involved with the sale since its
start in 2010. The Cahills cultivate and propagate plants in their backyard, most years donating nearly 100 of them to the fundraiser. Some plants have their own intriguing back stories.
“A couple years ago I took some cuttings from a rose that survived Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. Those are blooming now and ready for the sale,” explained Deborah Cahill. “But what I like so much about this is that all these plants in the sale are grown by local people in their backyards and greenhouses and then donated. The variety is amazing. There are succulents, heirloom tomatoes, amaryllis, spider plants, herbs and so many more. People can buy plants you’d never ever find at a big-box store.”
In addition to the new scholarship, proceeds also support care and maintenance of the Windsor Forest neighborhood planters and entry gardens, which, according to Elizabeth Watts current club president, are strategic points of neighborhood beautification.
Watts, who also serves as president of the Savannah Area Council of Garden Clubs, sees the reach of Windsor Forest Garden Club expanding in coming years, as the annual sale blossoms into an important connection with all Hostess City residents.
“This year’s plant sale offers a range of new items and experiences,” said Watts. “For the first time, we’re having a bake sale along with a raffle and bird boxes for purchase. A representative from the City of Savannah is bringing 50-gallon rain barrels to give away at no cost, and One Love Animal rescue will be there.”
The Windsor Forest Garden Club is open to everyone interested in learning more about cultivating plants. The group meets for a monthly luncheon at Trinity Lutheran Church where past guest speakers have presented on topics ranging from succulents and native plants to bees and cooking with herbs. Annual membership dues are $30.
“The idea is to build the plant sale into a celebration of our mission of beautification, conservation, and education,” said Watts. “With an emphasis on community involvement and understanding how our backyard plants and gardens can beautifully connect us all.”