The Apollo Beach Garden Club is inviting South Shore residents to a free Open House on Saturday, Aug. 15, at the Apollo Beach Recreation Center, 664 Golf and Sea Blvd., from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
Visitors will get a farm-fresh egg breakfast and member-supplied potluck, guided tours of the Community Forest Garden, and a chance to buy plant starts from the club's nursery.
"We'll be cooking up a free breakfast of farm-fresh eggs and a member-supplied potluck in the garden, offering tours and welcoming everyone in the South Shore area to come join us," Teresa Hall, the club's director of marketing, told the Observer News. Hall said visitors can explore the garden and food forest, meet members and ask questions.
New raised beds improve access
Club members recently installed eight 32-inch-tall Vego raised beds at the Community Forest Garden, part of a project to replace all 24 in-ground beds by the end of 2026. The taller beds make gardening easier for older residents and those who have difficulty bending, and their reinforced design better withstands storm damage. The garden already has six ADA-compliant beds.
Membership drive targets 60
The club is running a summer membership drive with a goal of reaching 60 members. Annual dues cost $32. Members who complete orientation and log 10 volunteer hours can rent one of the limited organic garden beds for $50 per year, which covers soil, organic amendments, fertilizer, tools, water and support from fellow gardeners.
Membership also includes a free Florida Federation of Garden Clubs membership, the club's monthly newsletter and invitations to free members-only events. The Apollo Beach Garden Club is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and donations are tax deductible.
What's ahead
The club's annual membership meeting is set for Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 6:30 p.m. at the Recreation Center. A board election vote will be followed by a free sourdough class.
The semi-annual plant sale is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 14. Vendors selling gardening-related items can apply under the Plant Sales tab at apollobeachgardenclub.com. Hall can be reached at 813-310-3204 for questions about the Open House or membership.
