Karen Harty, whose idea it was to start a Lehigh “edible garden club,” composed of people who want to raise edible food, held its first get- together last week and she called it “a smashing success.”

“We had about 70 gardeners here interested in learning more about gardening in Lehigh,” said Harty. A feature story on Harty and her plans was in the Lehigh Acres Citizen a few ago.

Russ Luther enlightened the group on ECHO’s mission and his intern presented unusual edibles that will grow in Lehigh’s hot summers. Most of the plants discussed were unknown for many of the gardeners, Harty said.

“It was a true learning experience. The Lehigh Acres Edible Gardening Exchange (LAEGE) plans to have ECHO return and speak in the future,” she said.

ECHO in Fort Myers stands for Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization and provides a host of services regarding agriculture.

In the spirit of the group being an “Exchange,” gardeners brought items to share with other gardeners including tools, garden chemicals, gardening magazines, seeds, cuttings, herbs, and vegetables.

Some volunteered as a greeter and to help set up and break down the room, or helped clean the room after the meeting.

“Yummy homemade snacks and juices were also brought in to share. Yet another volunteer set up a booth to teach about the use of chickens in gardening/ sustainable living,” Harter said.

The second session of the Lehigh Acres Edible Gardening Exchange will be held at the East County Regional Library on Gunnery Road on Wednesday, August 17.

“Mingle and chat with other gardeners from 4 to -5:30 p.m. The meeting will start promptly at 5:30 p.m.,” Harter said.

Discussion will be on “Healing Sandy Soil,” focusing on everything from how to add nutrients to the sand to how to deal with nematodes.

Harter noted there is no fee to attend but she asks that those who come bring their own mugs or cups and something they can share with other gardeners at the meeting.

The Lehigh Acres Edible Gardening Exchange is all about learning, sharing, and giving back to the community, Harter said.

You can find more about them on Facebook at: Lehigh Acres Edible Gardening Exchange, and you can email them at: ilovelehighacres@gmail.com‘>ilovelehighacres@gmail.com‘>ilovelehighacres@gmail.com‘>ilovelehighacres@gmail.com.

For more information, call Karen Harty at 239.206.3373.

She also has a blog site at: lehighacresediblegardeningexchange.blogspot.com/‘>lehighacresediblegardeningexchange.blogspot.com/‘>lehighacresediblegardeningexchange.blogspot.com/.