Magnolia Garden Club hears from Keith Fontenot

The Magnolia Garden Club held its monthly meeting at the home of Theresa Attales on Monday, March 10. The meeting was hosted by Attales and Paula Landreneau.
Keith Fontenot, Evangeline Parish County Agent/Parish President, was the guest speaker. He spoke about lawn and garden insects and disease pests, lawn weed control and how to take soil samples. Powdery mildew, cercospora leaf spot, aphids, Japanese beetles and sooty leaf mold are pests found on crape myrtles. He discussed how crape myrtles are affected by each one and showed examples of insecticides and fungicides to use. He discussed toe growth of the burweed or sticker plant, a member of the aster plant family found to control this undesirable plant. Before planting any new yard or garden plants, Fontenot suggested a homeowner take a soil sample to be tested by the LSU AgCenter to determine if the soil is acidic or alkaline. Many questions were then asked and answered.
The Magnolia Garden Club chose not to enter the Cleanest City Contest this year because it would have been held the first week of March. The harsh winter would have prevented a thorough clean up and many plants are still dormant. For the same reasons, the Yard of the Month will not be chosen until April. A clean up day will be announced soon.
Area flower shows were announced for those wishing to attend. Several members plan to attend one in Rayne on March 27.
The nominating committee presented a slate of officers for the coming year and dues were collected.
A social hour followed the meeting.