Welcome to our e-newsletter, "The Laurel Branch."

Week in the Wild Registration is Now Closed
Week in the Wild registration is now closed for this summer. Soon, campers will explore and enjoy all the fun the Gardens offer. Camp this year has an amazing lineup of guest speakers and fun activities. We have Holly Sellers from Black Creek Wildlife Center, Master Gardener Susan Harvey, and Geraldine Cuypers from Clemson Extension coming to impart their knowledge and expertise to each of the camper's young minds. It is going to be a full week of games, crafts, exciting hikes, and so much more. If you see us on the trails, make sure to wave as we go on our merry way.

Volunteer Success Day 
On July 1st, Kalmia Gardens hosted a volunteer appreciation day full of good food, team-building exercises, and, most importantly, the greatest volunteers around. The Kalmia staff is comprised of only three people handling all the Gardens throws our way. A helping hand, for even a few hours each day, makes a big difference in the Gardens and the community. The saying, “many hands make light work,” has never been tested or proven as thoroughly as at Kalmia Gardens. We are so fortunate to have found these amazing people willing to share their time and diligence with us no matter the weather. These people with a heart for giving back to the places and communities they love have all become irreplaceable parts of the Kalmia family. We are so thankful for each and every volunteer that we decided it was time we had a day to celebrate the dedication and hard work they share with us each week, month, and year. If you would like to become one of our prestigious volunteers, please email Efloyd@coker.edu. We offer opportunities of all types and areas of interest in the Gardens, and we are more than happy to write letters of recommendation or be a reference wherever life may take you next.

Elizabeth’s Volunteer Spotlight 
The volunteer of this spotlight issue is Tatianna Rios! Summer has been turning up the heat on us all, but Tatianna has stayed cool as a cucumber in her dedication to the Gardens. The summer and spring months are the busiest here at Kalmia, and this is when volunteers become worth twice their weight in gold. Plants, both the ones we want and the ones we do not, are growing double time under the summer sun. Tatianna has never failed to be up for the task and is always a team player. Tatianna and I worked together this spring to re-plant all the pots throughout the Gardens. We let our creative juices flow with each pot. We ensured each one had companion plants that worked well together in aesthetics and needs. They turned out amazing. One thing I appreciate about Tatianna as a volunteer is that she always asks great questions and immediately puts the answers to use. No matter the task, she has a keen eye for asking about the important details to fine-tune the direction she received from Chris and me. A desire for knowledge always accompanies Tatianna’s hard work. Not to mention, she makes every project more fun. Whenever Tatianna is around, there is sure to be a smile on everyone's face. Tatianna says she started volunteering at the Gardens to get out of the house and meet new people while helping the community. We are so glad that she decided to come to Kalmia. Tatianna said, “I really love the knowledge and skills I’ve learned from volunteering, as well as the people I’ve met. There’s so much that can be done, and it’s nice to see when you’ve made a difference in the Garden so everyone can enjoy Kalmia.” If you are thinking about volunteering at Kalmia Gardens, Tatianna states, “No two days at Kalmia are the same! Volunteering is a great opportunity to learn new skills and knowledge, and a couple of hours can make a huge difference. It fits nicely into my schedule. It is also very flexible with life and other things you may have going on outside of Kalmia.” I could not have said it all better myself. Kalmia is a fun, flexible way to make new friends, make a huge difference, or even get some exercise while helping the community. If you are interested in volunteering. We would love to add you to the Kalmia family. Happy volunteering.

Chris’s Tip
As gardeners, we know plants need certain resources, like water and sunlight, to grow and thrive. Resources are everything! No matter what you are planting, knowledge is an irreplaceable resource gardeners and their gardens need most. Today, I am letting you in on a not-so-hidden gem to expand your knowledge base in all things gardening. Look no further than Clemson Extension Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC) hgic.clemson.edu for information on any gardening topic your heart could desire. It is a valuable asset to even the most experienced gardeners, as it can help refresh your memory and keep you up to date on the newest information in the gardening world. The website covers weed control, plant location, pest management, and everything else in between. You can access it by clicking HERE. There is no need to wonder if this site only recommends an addition to promote products or if the recommendations are fact-based. This web resource is full of the best kind of information— research-based information! You can trust your garden and your wallet to this reliable resource. This knowledge is the foundation from which the garden of your wildest dreams can truly grow and thrive. I encourage you all to take advantage of this website and see how your garden goes from good to great. Happy gardening!