Garden Club learns about edible Flowers
by Linda Broussard Hammond Garden Club
by Linda Broussard Hammond Garden Club
I guess I’ve heard just about everything as far as what people eat nowadays...but flowers wasn’t one of them!
However, the guest speaker for our March meeting at the Hammond Garden Club sure did show us how that is done, and may I say, it’s not only good for you but so beautifully decorative!
Dr. Edward Bush, professor of ornamental horticulture at Louisiana State University School of Plant, Environment and Soil Sciences, gave a lecture to our members that was all about edible flowers. He brought with him lots of blooming flowers from his gardens – lots that grow in our, and probably your, gardens too.
One of his most beautiful species was the rose – so fragrant, so tasteful when used in baked goods that can be iced with sugar and placed lovingly on a tiered cake, in fact often decorating a wedding cake.
There were carnations, hibiscus that could be gorgeous floating in the bottom of a champagne glass and many of the extra tasty or maybe spicy things were the leaves or flowers of herbs such as thyme, onions, dill, etc.
Dr. Bush said that most of the flowers’ petals were used, not the stamens. The petals were either cooked in something or iced with sugar and used in decorating but could be eaten.
The things we have learned this year... Maybe you could go online for directions and see about using some of the flowers in your garden to either lavishly decorate a cake or make some stuffing using the flowers from an onion plant mixed with some from garlic.
It’s spring, that wonderful season with so many awesome flowers and herbs in your garden, so why not give it a try?
Have you noticed the fantastic little pop of green coming out on the trees and bushes and the spectacular blooms this year of the azaleas? I don’t think they have ever looked so exquisite…those soft cloud-pink ones, or that hot pink fuchsia, the cottony snow white mixed in with that delicate lavender.
It’s really surprising we have such a beautiful show in the gardens this spring after the scorching hot weather we experienced this past summer, and then to be followed by a stormy and soggy winter too! I guess God and Mother Nature thought it was a good mixture and gave us this awesome show to prove to us they know what they are doing!
Well, after such an informative commentary on edible flowers, and before the opening prayer given by Chaplain Mary Thornhill and our recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, we were called to the luncheon buffet being served – delicious as usual – and the meeting room charmingly decorated with white tablecloths to the floor, flowers added to the centers of each table, as a touch of spring.
When lunch had been enjoyed, President Jennifer Allen called us back to order for the business at hand. She announced that the minutes of the last meeting had been sent or emailed to the members and approved as read by all, and she then called on Treasurer Phyllis diBenedetto. Her report was read, motion was made and approved by all.
She then called on Dona Calcote for her report on the Garden of the Month which she said was awarded in February to Mari Ann Calais and Mary Arnone and in March was given to Dr. Frank and Mary Ann Henchy. Dona also passed out some slips to the members for suggestions in finding great gardens especially in the really hot summer months or the frozen months of the winter.
Jennifer then called on Glenda Nelson for a report on Keep Hammond Beautiful.
She said that there is a Household Hazardous Waste Pick-Up in Zemurray Park May 4, at 8 a.m. that we always volunteer for.
This year we are losing one or two ladies who usually volunteer each year who won’t be able to, so we will need volunteers. Please let me know if you are able to help.
Allen then called on Linda Ross for the Link Award winner. Linda said the award was given to Pawn Depot at 1803 N. Morrison Blvd. She said store manager Nicholas Brandt was very proud to receive it.
She then called on Pat Graves for her report on information on classes to begin at the Hammond Regional Arts Center, starting June 8, for a floral design workshop which will be directed by Sharon Sledge as an instructor and Linda Ryan as an arrangement designer. There will be room for 15 to 25 people in the classes.
Pat also said on June 22 there will be another class entitled “Bloomed.” This is for nine contestants all interpreting the same painting. It also will be held at the Hammond Regional Arts Center, tickets will be sold, and there will be wine and food served. Call Pat Graves at 985-507-6712 or Linda Ryan at 985-401-0010 or 985-351-1871.
And the last bit of info I have for everyone is not to forget our road trip we have each year in April. If you haven’t signed up for it yet call Karen Nelson 985-373-0384.
Because we have had so much information to convey there’s not much room for my usual quotes. So here’s a short but powerful one for you to think about from Mandy Hale:
“Nothing is more beautiful than someone who goes out of her way to make life beautiful for others.”
Hugs until we meet again.
Linda Broussard lives in Hammond.
However, the guest speaker for our March meeting at the Hammond Garden Club sure did show us how that is done, and may I say, it’s not only good for you but so beautifully decorative!
Dr. Edward Bush, professor of ornamental horticulture at Louisiana State University School of Plant, Environment and Soil Sciences, gave a lecture to our members that was all about edible flowers. He brought with him lots of blooming flowers from his gardens – lots that grow in our, and probably your, gardens too.
One of his most beautiful species was the rose – so fragrant, so tasteful when used in baked goods that can be iced with sugar and placed lovingly on a tiered cake, in fact often decorating a wedding cake.
There were carnations, hibiscus that could be gorgeous floating in the bottom of a champagne glass and many of the extra tasty or maybe spicy things were the leaves or flowers of herbs such as thyme, onions, dill, etc.
Dr. Bush said that most of the flowers’ petals were used, not the stamens. The petals were either cooked in something or iced with sugar and used in decorating but could be eaten.
The things we have learned this year... Maybe you could go online for directions and see about using some of the flowers in your garden to either lavishly decorate a cake or make some stuffing using the flowers from an onion plant mixed with some from garlic.
It’s spring, that wonderful season with so many awesome flowers and herbs in your garden, so why not give it a try?
Have you noticed the fantastic little pop of green coming out on the trees and bushes and the spectacular blooms this year of the azaleas? I don’t think they have ever looked so exquisite…those soft cloud-pink ones, or that hot pink fuchsia, the cottony snow white mixed in with that delicate lavender.
It’s really surprising we have such a beautiful show in the gardens this spring after the scorching hot weather we experienced this past summer, and then to be followed by a stormy and soggy winter too! I guess God and Mother Nature thought it was a good mixture and gave us this awesome show to prove to us they know what they are doing!
Well, after such an informative commentary on edible flowers, and before the opening prayer given by Chaplain Mary Thornhill and our recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, we were called to the luncheon buffet being served – delicious as usual – and the meeting room charmingly decorated with white tablecloths to the floor, flowers added to the centers of each table, as a touch of spring.
When lunch had been enjoyed, President Jennifer Allen called us back to order for the business at hand. She announced that the minutes of the last meeting had been sent or emailed to the members and approved as read by all, and she then called on Treasurer Phyllis diBenedetto. Her report was read, motion was made and approved by all.
She then called on Dona Calcote for her report on the Garden of the Month which she said was awarded in February to Mari Ann Calais and Mary Arnone and in March was given to Dr. Frank and Mary Ann Henchy. Dona also passed out some slips to the members for suggestions in finding great gardens especially in the really hot summer months or the frozen months of the winter.
Jennifer then called on Glenda Nelson for a report on Keep Hammond Beautiful.
She said that there is a Household Hazardous Waste Pick-Up in Zemurray Park May 4, at 8 a.m. that we always volunteer for.
This year we are losing one or two ladies who usually volunteer each year who won’t be able to, so we will need volunteers. Please let me know if you are able to help.
Allen then called on Linda Ross for the Link Award winner. Linda said the award was given to Pawn Depot at 1803 N. Morrison Blvd. She said store manager Nicholas Brandt was very proud to receive it.
She then called on Pat Graves for her report on information on classes to begin at the Hammond Regional Arts Center, starting June 8, for a floral design workshop which will be directed by Sharon Sledge as an instructor and Linda Ryan as an arrangement designer. There will be room for 15 to 25 people in the classes.
Pat also said on June 22 there will be another class entitled “Bloomed.” This is for nine contestants all interpreting the same painting. It also will be held at the Hammond Regional Arts Center, tickets will be sold, and there will be wine and food served. Call Pat Graves at 985-507-6712 or Linda Ryan at 985-401-0010 or 985-351-1871.
And the last bit of info I have for everyone is not to forget our road trip we have each year in April. If you haven’t signed up for it yet call Karen Nelson 985-373-0384.
Because we have had so much information to convey there’s not much room for my usual quotes. So here’s a short but powerful one for you to think about from Mandy Hale:
“Nothing is more beautiful than someone who goes out of her way to make life beautiful for others.”
Hugs until we meet again.
Linda Broussard lives in Hammond.