ONEIDA — Affordable plants from loved gardens were taken to new homes Friday at the Green Thumb Garden Club of Oneida Castle.

Members brought plants they've been preparing since the ground thawed, from herbs and vegetables to trees and flowers, to the Eclectic Chic in Oneida. Funds raised through the flowers go back to the community, whether it's buying school supplies for students in need, helping families during Christmas, and more, coordinators say.

Sharon Myers, president of the Green Thumb Garden Club, has been living in Oneida Castle for 24 years and has been a member of the Club since 2017. The Club was founded in 1964.

"My mother had recently passed, and there was a whole in my life. I needed something to do and having retired, I joined this wonderful group of ladies," Myers said, recalling how she got involved. "There's hundreds of years of experience here."

Mabel Smith, of Blossvale, said she started farming when she was three-years-old with her father. "We were growing a victory garden in Munnsville across the street from Carlon Field during World War II," she said happily. "I retired and moved back to the area in 1996. I've been a member since."

Anyone with a love of gardening and the outdoors is welcome to join. Monthly meetings are held every third Thursday at the Oneida Castle Village Hall, with special speakers discussing topics of all kinds.

"In September, we have someone coming to speak about mushrooms," Myers said. "We try to provide education to the public, and our meetings are open to everyone."

Smith said gardening is a mix of beauty and food, letting people grow something beautiful or edible for their own use. The lifetime continued, saying she's seen people a lot younger get into gardening as of late.

"It seems to be a trend, whether it's due to the cost of things or it's getting back to nature," Smith said. "But there's a lot more growers around now."

Anyone interested in joining is invited to attend the monthly meetings on the third Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m.

"We want everyone to have a chance to grow something," Myers said.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/plantinginthepark