Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens

 

The Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens is located about ten miles southwest of downtown Savannah, Georgia. It's a fifty acre garden which is part of the University of Georgia.

The garden's collections began in 1890 when Mrs. H. B. Miller planted three huge Japanese timber bamboo plants. They had become a substantial grove in 1915, which got the attention of botanist, David Fairchild. His friend, Barbour Lathrop, purchased the site and added to the collection. In 1983 it was deeded to the University of Georgia and is part of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Today the garden has over 100 kinds of bamboo, making it the largest collection open to the public in North America.

While the gardens are noted for the remarkable bamboo collection (and bamboo maze), there are plenty of other flowers here.  There's a Mediterranean garden, a water garden which showcases a nine-foot waterfall, an orchid greenhouse, and a cottage garden with a white gazebo which is a popular site for weddings.

The gardens are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Saturday from 10:00 - 5:00, and Sunday from 12:00 - 5:00.  Admission is free.

Today's IWSG question is, "Is there anything you'd like to change about the publishing industry?"

I'd like to change the trend of short picture books with simple language. Kids need more complex words to help build their vocabulary. Look at Make Way for Ducklings. Now that's a classic with some substance! What would you like to change?   

Tips for "Senior" Gardeners

 

Gardening is one of the most common leisure activities for older adults. The benefits are numerous:  stress relief, exercise, and regulation of emotions. However, with aging, seniors may develop mobility, functional, and physical limitations. Here are some tips that can help older folks enjoy their time in the garden:

1. Protect your skin. Wear long sleeves, gloves, and pants. And of course, use sunscreen.

2. Limit bending over by using a garden bench or seat and long tools for weeding.

3. Keep tools handy on a garden belt or rolling cart. 

4. Mulch in order to prevent weeds.

5. Break down gardening tasks into 20-30 minute increments.

6. Counter the effects of gardening with swimming or yoga.

7. Use raised garden beds.

8. Recruit help if you're not able to complete a task.

9. Take breaks to stretch.

10. Change your body position and grip during longer activities.

You are never too old to enjoy gardening and having the satisfaction of watching plants grow. These tips should help you enjoy gardening all through your senior years. 

This month's IWSG question is, "Do you get your story ideas from one place, or all over the place?"

I get mine from life, which for me, tends to be "all over the place." Many of my picture book ideas came from being a parent. My middle-grade Bubba and Squirt Adventure books came from my travels around the world.  Some ideas come from what I see or what I read. Living brings all sorts of inspiration! Where do you get your ideas?

One more thing today—My book Happy Birthday to US! is in All Author's Cover of the month contest. If you like it, please consider voting for it. (You can vote anonymously.) Here's the link.

 

 Thank you!