The Exceptional Garden Diary

Spring is coming!

2011-03-03T15:00:00.000-08:00

With the cold of winter on its way out, the garden at the Exceptional Foundation is sprouting some new life! Here are some pictures of grape and jasmine vines that were planted:

New pictures from the garden!

2010-12-06T20:41:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures taken from Thursday's Gardening Club.

Fall Gardening

2010-10-08T13:57:00.000-07:00

The Gardening Club this past Thursday began planting a fall garden! They planted some lettuces and some beautiful perennials. Check out their progress!

Picture Time!

2010-09-30T12:38:00.000-07:00

Here are some more pictures of everyone planting herbs in the fall garden.

It was a beautiful day, perfect for gardening!

We had lots of help - here is our gardening team!

Everyone worked hard planting dill, cilantro, and other herbs

we can use for cooking.

Be sure to come back soon to see what we've been growing!

2010-09-15T06:47:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the start of a new year working in the garden. Check back soon for more pictures!

We're Growing!

2010-01-05T12:45:00.000-08:00

Looks like there has been much flower action at the Exceptional Foundation Greenhouse! From lettuce and rosemary to coleus and geraniums, we are growing!!!

Exceptional Foundation participants filled smaller planters with dirt and planted lettuce.

Coleus samples were also cut and planted for rooting. It will be fun to see if we can get Coleus cuttings to root and grow!

Look at this beautiful pot with rosemary and pansies! Wish this was sitting next to my front door!

Geraniums and lettuce...which will grow bigger?

Hanging baskets with geraniums add color to the greenhouse! Exceptional foundation participants after a fun-filled session in the greenhouse.

Planting Fun

2009-11-17T19:03:00.000-08:00

The Tuesday group was busy last week with their first project. Junior League members Christi Lunsford and Katie Peebles helped several Exceptional Foundation participants decorate flower pots. The pictures on the pots were so colorful and creative!

Red and pink Geraniums were then planted in the decorated pots. Some of the leftover Geraniums were planted in the wooden planters in the greenhouse. It will be fun to watch these flowers grow and bloom over the next few weeks!

A thermometer was placed in the greenhouse so we can tell how hot or cold it is inside where the flowers and plants are growing. Looks like it was about 63 degrees inside...a little chilly but not too bad!

The carrots are starting to grow...hopefully, they will be ready in time for Easter!

Come Play In The Dirt

2009-11-16T17:33:00.000-08:00

The Monday group still had much work to do getting the greenhouse set up. Once the planters were built the topsoil had to be place in them. Several participants helped with the finishing touches by getting the greenhouse ready for some planting!

JLB volunteer, Amanda Stringfellow, Exceptional Foundation participant Merrill, Exceptional Foundation volunteer Battaile and Exceptional Foundation participant Josh fill beds with dirt.

Finally, the planters were filled with dirt, and it was time to start the fun stuff! Exceptional Foundation participants Meagen and Brishette plant carrots and peppers. They were the first participants to "play in the dirt!" Let the excitement of the greenhouse begin!

Greenhouse Preparation and Workday

2009-10-20T17:37:00.001-07:00

The Exceptional Foundation greenhouse is off to a great start! This year members of the Junior League of Birmingham will host weekly gardening projects with the participants of the Exceptional Foundation in Homewood, AL. However, before the blooming began the greenhouse needed a little face lift. We have been working hard to build and remodel the greenhouse located outside of the Exceptional Foundation building. A special thanks to Scott Stone, Chief Financial Officer, Source Medical for volunteering his time and talents to create the greenhouse. We could not accomplish this year's project without your help building the inside of the greenhouse!

After the greenhouse was originally built at the Exception Foundation it has pretty much remained empty. As you can see, we started with nothing but stone cylinder walls and a gravel floor.

The ply wood and topsoil were unloaded, and the time came for Scott Stone, the Junior League Members, and the participants to get to work building the planters inside of the greenhouse.

Thanks to all of the Exceptional Foundation participants who helped Scott throughout the day haul lumber to the greenhouse. You were all such strong and hardworking men!

Exceptional Foundation participant, Stephen, brought his Bama pride to help on our workday!

After much hard work the planters were completed on one side of the greenhouse. However, there is still much work to do filling up the planters with topsoil and getting the beds ready to plant...