Ixora Garden Club of Sanford

04/01/2026

03/27/2026

03/14/2026

Something unusual just happened in North Carolina — and it wasn’t driven by politicians or corporations. It was regular people showing up for nature.

The state’s annual North Carolina Pollinator Count just shattered its previous record, with 5,067 pollinator counts submitted in 2024 — a 113% increase from the year before.

The community science event invites residents, schools, farmers, and gardeners to spend 15 minutes observing bees, butterflies, and other pollinators and report what they see. The goal is simple: help scientists understand how pollinator populations are changing across the state.

But this year something bigger happened.

Alongside the record participation, communities across North Carolina also created more than 160 new pollinator gardens — small habitats filled with native flowers that provide food and shelter for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.

Why does that matter? Because pollinators are responsible for helping produce about one-third of the food people eat, yet many species are facing pressure from habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change.

Events like the Pollinator Count turn everyday residents into community scientists, collecting data while also restoring habitat right where they live.

It’s a reminder that conservation doesn’t always start in national parks or research labs.

Sometimes it starts with a backyard, a patch of flowers, and 15 minutes of paying attention. 🐝🌼

03/13/2026

We had a lot of fun at our March meeting today at the Seminole County Geneva Wilderness Area. Thank you to Natalie and her talk on ethnobotany, taking us for a walk through for forest, and letting us play with the snakes! Thanks also to the co-hostesses who provided all the yummy treats and coffee.

03/04/2026

Thanks for all the ladies coming out today to make kokodama creations for our plant sale on April 18!

02/25/2026

Warm weather is on the way!

02/20/2026

Work day at the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Garden. Eight of us cleaned up the Children’s Garden area which was in need of help after our recent frosts.

02/20/2026

Lovely Feb meeting last Friday with new and old friends. Thanks to all who helped make it happen, especially Mary Anne!

02/15/2026

In all blue zones, people continue to garden even into their 90s and 100s. Gardening is the epitome of a blue zones activity because it engineers more mindless movement into our lives. But did you know that gardening is good for your mental health, too?

7 BENEFITS OF GARDENING ON YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

YOU CAN DEPEND ON IT: Studies show uncertainty affects our mental health. A neatly cut lawn or a yard full of blooming flowers can put some normalcy and certainty back into your life.

GREEN IS GOOD: Just being outside in a green space is good for your mental health and can result in reduced stress.

BETTER NUTRITION: It's no secret that healthy eating boosts your mental health. Plant an array of colorful vegetables such as sweet potatoes, eggplant, green beans, and swiss chard for a healthier menu.

GARDENING AS EXERCISE: It’s not just running and biking that gets the endorphins going. Researchers say gardening counts as exercise, too. Just a few minutes of gardening can help lower your levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

GARDENING AS CONNECTION: Caring for a living garden, or better yet a community garden, can reconnect you with a sense of purpose, and keep you surrounded by like-minded people.

BEING MINDFUL: Activities such as pruning roses or cutting back bushes, afford you the opportunity to practice being in the moment. It’s a practice that has proven mental health benefits.

PRIDE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT: Don’t have a big plot of land? Create a balcony garden or kitchen herb garden to improve your mental health.

Read more: https://www.bluezones.com/2022/06/7-benefits-of-gardening-and-yardwork-on-your-mental-health/

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02/01/2026

🐝🌷Spring Festival Here At The Farm!🌷🐝

🐝🌸 Come out to Black Hammock Bee Farms on Saturday, March 7th 10am-3pm to help us kick off spring!🌸🐝

👉 Flower planting station!🌷🌼🌸 pick what color pot you want, decorate it! Pick the perfect spring flower, and plant it to take home!😍🌷🌼🌺

👉 Honeybee craft stations will be set up! 😍 choose to make one cute craft OR all 3!🐝🤗🤗

👉Dennis The Bee Guy will do honeybee presentations throughout the WHOLE day!! ( 10:30,11:30,12:30,1:30&2:30) 🐝🥳

👉 honey tastings all day!🍯💚🤤 always wanted to try all our honeys and learn about them?🤓🍯 Today’s the day!!🍯🙌

👉 PLANT SALE!! 🌼🌸🌷🌻 we will have BEEutiful spring flowers for sale! 💐💐

👉 Come have lunch at the farm and enjoy the view of the Apiary! 🐝🍔🌭🍿 we will have all beef hamburger meals, and all beef hotdog meals available!🤗🤗 we will also have fresh kettle popcorn!🍿💛

👉Photo Op Spot!! 🤩🤩 come try on official Beekeeping jackets and take some super fun photos!📸🐝📷

It’s going to BEE a super fun day here at the farm!🤗🐝🍯 come learn all about Bees📚🐝, plant spring flowers for your home🌷🌷, let the kiddos have fun, making crafts🥹, enjoy a wonderful lunch with a BEEutiful view!🍔🐝🍿 and of course the farm store will be open!🙌🙌

We have had sooooooo many customers asking us to PLEASE do another event🥹… So this is for you guys!🫶🏻🫶🏻 we get very busy on the farm so these are hard for us to do😮‍💨 but we love our community❤️❤️ and we know how much fun you have here!🐝💚🍯 bring your friends and let’s have a BUZZtastic time!!!😍😍

01/28/2026

Join us at Eden of Wings for our first class of the year!!
“Build your dream butterfly garden”
Check on our website for more info.
www.edenofwings.com

01/21/2026

Small, simple changes can turn an ordinary Florida lawn into a life-saving pit stop for migrating birds and a safe home for year-round residents.