A welcoming entrance Carroll County Master Gardeners Club has beautified the entrance to Flora Community Park off State Road 18. The Flora Park Board purchased the mulch and plants, and the Master Gardeners did the planting on both sides of the entrance. The Master Gardeners will also maintain the areas. Comet photo by Jennifer Archibald Carroll County Master Gardeners Club has completed several projects in the county, as well as in surrounding counties, since forming in February 2008.

Its first project was designing, planting and harvesting a community garden at the Flora Senior Center. Many members of the senior community enjoyed its bounty.

Club members also made house calls in response to local residents who had questions about plants in their yard and whether they were harmful to fenced-in pets.

They participated in work days at the Oxbow Project at Wildcat Dam and have also been a presence at many garden fairs, open houses, and celebrations in the area, to answer questions about gardening and share information about becoming a Master Gardener.

In Tippecanoe County, club members are involved in an ongoing project identifying the different species of trees at the Sycamore Girl Scout Camp. They also conducted several public programs with Mary Cutler over the winter with such topics as Blue Birds and Wild Flowers.

Projects in the works this year include separate garden barrels for the senior citizens housing in Flora as well as annuals planted at the building.

The club has a monthly "Garden Talk" on the local cable TV station, Channel 2 (first Wednesday at 7 p.m).

The biggest project so far this year has been the design and installation of the plants in the two beds at the entrance to Flora Community Park (off State Road 218). The beds contain primarily perennials, concentrating on low height so that the letters on the sign won't be obscured, but graduating in height to the outside of the beds. The fact that the area will receive sun most of the day was also a factor in the plants that were chosen. And the plants were chosen for their low maintenance, as well as drought tolerance. Although the design may look a little thin right now, plants were chosen that will multiply, but not invade. In the next few years, the bed should be filled out and display color from spring through the fall.

The first class of Master Gardeners in Carroll County graduated in 2007. After the classes ended, several members decided to form a club - Carroll County Master Gardeners Club. The purpose of the club was to continue the camaraderie that was started during the class meetings, but also to find projects where the students could earn their 35 hours of volunteer time that was needed to go from Master Gardener Apprentice to a full fledged Master Gardener.

A second class graduated in November 2008 and several members of that class have joined the club, bringing the total of paid members to 16. Officers of the club are Keith Burge, president; Jennifer Loepker, secretary; and Sue Burge, treasurer.

The club is planning to have a small Garden Plant Sale at the park this fall to raise funds for future projects. If anyone has any questions or suggestions for future projects, contact Jennifer Loepker at j_loep@hotmail.com or call 765-268-2502.