Southport Magazine

Life can feel overwhelming at the moment. It seems now more than ever, we all need a little bit of joy to brighten our days. Karen Hartigan, President of the Boiling Spring Lakes Gardening Club, shared some ideas for getting outside and blowing off stress safely. Kindness rocks, which can be seen around Southport, are a great way for kids to express their creativity. 

“Children can paint designs on rock and place them around the neighborhood to help spread good cheer. Golf balls can be painted to resemble lady bugs too,” she said. “Kids can also make mushrooms using oven bake clay, which could be put out in gardens.” Overall, Karen suggests spending time in the sunshine is the best thing you can do for yourself. “Plant zinnia or sunflower seeds and watch them grow. Gardening of any sort is good for the soul!”

Celebrating its 20th year, the Boiling Spring Lakes Gardening Club was founded by a group of women who were instrumental in beautifying Boiling Spring Lakes City Hall with their gardening knowledge. “The Club promotes good gardening practices, civic and environmental responsibility, and beautification of Boiling Spring Lakes,” Karen said. 

They have since continued to share their gardening skills, “The Club maintains butterfly and hummingbird gardens, as well as a bog garden, located at the back of the BSL Community Center. We also maintain a spring flowering garden of azaleas and daffodils at Spring Lake Park — 300 new daffodils bulbs were added in December — and a small ‘pink’ garden around the BSL City Hall sign for breast cancer awareness.”

When the Club isn’t looking after their gardens or beautifying Boiling Spring Lakes, members are volunteering their efforts to improve the community. “We sponsor Operation Clean Sweep twice a year and participate in community activities such as the Southport Spring Festival and Trunk ‘N’ Treat,” Karen said. The Club also raises money through the sale of rain barrels for a $500 scholarship, which is donated to Brunswick Community College for a second year horticultural student.

Once a month, September through May, the Club meets at the Community Center to hear from speakers. “Various subjects such as native plants, butterflies, birds, gardening practices and wildlife are covered. Our January talk by Becky Skiba of the NC Wildlife Resources Commission was attended by almost 60 people. The meetings are always open to the general public,” said Karen. For more information, check out their website at bslgardenclub.org.