April 2 was a great day to get out and celebrate the arrival of spring at the Beaches Museum’s “Springing the Blooms” event.
Sponsored by Jax Beach Festivals and Casa Rosa del Mar, the event featured two presentations in the Chapel.
Terry Brite DelValle, extension agent emeritus with University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, spoke on “Helping the Monarchs on the Journey.” Her presentation included interesting facts about the monarch butterfly and how to differentiate it from other species that are similar in appearance. She also addressed the types of plants that attract monarchs and threats to the butterflies and their food sources.
In the second presentation, JoAnne Krestul Slade and Liz Slade Forman spoke about the benefits of “Vertical Gardening,” a type of hydroponic gardening. With the prices of groceries on the rise, people are taking another look at growing their own vegetables, and vertical gardening can produce a good yield.
“Springing the Blooms” visitors also had opportunities to see the wide variety of plants in the museum’s Heritage Garden, talk with experts on gardening and related topics and watch a video on the life cycle of the butterfly.
Kids enjoyed special stations devoted to coloring pictures, face painting, listening to music and growing vegetables.
Booths and displays featured the Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol, The Potting Shed, a Master Gardeners’ plant clinic, the Nassau County Beekeepers Association and more.
