Make Time to Garden

Your allergies might prevent you from working with pets, and your aversion to runny noses keeps you away from kids, but have you considered working with plants? Oh, we know you have already killed off a Christmas cactus, a spider plant, and some variegated ivy (just kidding, Mom!), but you can still blossom during the Volunteer Information Days at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. You can start off slowly and work at the gift shop or membership table, serve afternoon tea, or assist field biologists with data collection and weeding. Maybe then you can grow into the horticulture area, where you can cultivate flowering vines, care for aquatic plants, and learn more about the heliconias and ginger plants. Before you know it, you’ll be driving the tram and pointing out the wonders of Lysiloma sabicu to visitors. Volunteers are asked to commit to three to four hours a week for a minimum of three months. Information sessions will be held Thursday, August 24, and today at 9:30 a.m. (a two-parter), as well as tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. Call 305-667-1651, ext. 3324, or visit www.fairchildgarden.org.

Fri., Aug. 25