JoAnne's Archive

Fifty Years of Going Green

In the early days of nursery plant growing there was no such thing as plastic pots for plants. Nurseries grew their plants in gallon size metal containers gathered from hospital kitchens, cafeterias, restaurants, and so on. The five gallon containers were large square things called ‘egg cans’ because they held a large quantity of eggs used industrially. A special can splitter was used to get the plants out of the containers when ready to install in the landscape. Later, companies started making green metal containers with slanted construction in different sizes. Eventually they led to the plastic containers used today. Kathryn Litton transitioned through all of this in her 50 years of nursery growing and landscaping.

Oct.22 nd, the Union County Farmers Market will be hosting Litton Landscaping as Kathryn celebrates 5 decades of digging in the dirt and beautifying our county (for over 3 of those decades). A huge display of Kathryn’s plants will be on display that day, directly across from the Market office. Litton Landscaping is also providing landscape seminars beginning at 10am – seating will be available. Come and take notes from the Master Gardener! At 11am, live music will be performed by local group “Forgiven” and free refreshments will be served.

Union County’s “Green Industry” is worth roughly 15 million dollars a year, which is more than half of the county’s Ag income. Kathryn Litton isn’t just a local legend. She has been a moving force throughout the state and nationally, sharing her expertise, serving on numerous projects and research programs.

Kathryn has been a member of the Blairsville Garden Club since 1980. She has served as Vice-President, as President, and in various chairmanships. For many years she served on the State Board of The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. as State Chairman of Parks and Public Lands, working with State Parks on their beautification programs using native plants. For more than 15 years she has volunteered her time at Vogel State Park, and they have won numerous state and national awards for their landscape projects.

Come out this Saturday, have a cup of Hot Chocolate and a cupcake and take a few minutes to share in the celebration. Market will be open this season through Oct 29. See you Saturday!