LAKEPORT, Calif. – Members of the Clear Lake Trowel and Trellis Club built two popular themed garden exhibits for the 2012 Lake County fair this summer.

The first exhibit, “Pretty as a Picture,” featured a large lattice wood picture frame beyond which lay a typical Lake County summer day picnic.  

The background was comprised of a large scene on canvas with Mount Konocti in the background, handpainted by member artist Joyce Porterfield with the assistance of her granddaughter, Blair Brooks.  

In the foreground, members planted many native species plants including manzanita, shoreline grasses and tules. A blanket spread on the grass with utensils welcomed viewers into the scene, surely with fond memories of their own past picnics around the lake.

The second exhibit, for the “Summer’s Biggest Blast” fair theme, featured an exquisite antique quilt hung on the rear wall with the caption, “Summer’s Biggest Blast is Growing Fair Winners.”  

The scene delighted fair-goers, with themed organic gardens in the foreground complete with a gardener potting up plants at her potting bench, a compost bin, straw bale garden and flower-vegetable companion plantings.

Shelves at either side of the background quilt contained home-canned produce complete with ribbons suggesting many past fair entries from the garden produce.

CLT&TGC President Leanne Harvey is pleased with the club’s efforts and excited about the growing interest in garden exhibits at the Fair.  

“Last year we installed the only garden exhibit in the floral building; this year every garden exhibit space was filled and the response by everyone who came through the building was tremendous,” said Harvey. “We welcome the competition and are so excited about rolling up our sleeves and showcasing our Club’s gardening expertise and talent in an even bigger way at the 2013 Fair.”

The CLT&TGC welcomes new members; more information about the club is available at www.CLTTGC.org or by contacting Harvey at 707-263-0850.

The club meets at noon on the third Tuesday of the Month – except July and August – at the Scotts Valley Women’s Clubhouse, 2298 Hendricks Road, Lakeport.

CLTTGC is a member of the Mendo-Lake District, California Garden Club Inc., Pacific Region and National Garden Clubs Inc.