Meet Diane Clapp

Diane Clapp is a native of Maplesville and has been married for 40 years to Clem Clapp, a banker and chairman of the Maplesville Historic Society. They have two daughters, Hannah and Mary Margaret who have given them three granddaughters.  Diane enjoys being a Nana to them.

Diane became a certified Master Gardener in 2012.  She chose the Chilton County class because of the close proximity to her home. Diane was one of the quieter classmates; however, she is creative, energetic and fun to work with.  In 2012 she went to the Maplesville City Council and received permission to plant a city corner.  The Town Council gave her funds for the project and she also secured donations of materials and plants.  In 2013 she served as CCMGA Co-Chairman of Membership and Volunteer Hours, along with working on the Christmas Home Tour.  In 2014, she has also joined the Fund Raising and Demonstration Garden Committees.  She is the Plant Sale Coordinator for the Maplesville Plant Sale scheduled for the Maplesville Heritage Day Celebration on April 12.

Diane first started vegetable gardening in her thirties. She said, “Even though I grew up eating from a vegetable garden, I contribute my gardening interest to my father-in-law.  He taught me the “how-to” of a low maintenance block vegetable garden.  He avidly studied the Ladies Birthday Almanac for planting schedules and kept journals for planting, growth, and blooming.  Seeing the enthusiasm he had for his gardening motivated me.”

Her yard is mostly shaded and the gardens are always in progress and constantly changing. Her  favorite spot outside is the “Sanctuary”.  It is nestled under a tree canopy overlooking the back yard with a fire pit for all year enjoyment.  There she and Clem enjoy having their morning coffee and quiet time.  In the evenings, they enjoy watching deer and turkey graze across the field below and as night falls they can gaze at the stars and fireflies and savor the gentle breezes.

Diane prefers plants, flowers and shrubs that have long blooming periods and that attract butterflies.  Her favorites are lantana, gardenia, hydrangea, ginger lilies and ferns.  She likes oak, dogwood, crape myrtle and maple trees especially for their fall color.  Diane plans to put in a butterfly garden this year.

Asked if she grows fruits and vegetables, she said, “Mainly vegetables but I plan to branch out and try blueberries and blackberries in the near future.”

Besides gardening, Diane enjoys sewing and reading.  Having had a previous nursing career, she also takes yearly medical mission trips to Guatemala.

Diane believes that we all should be kind, compassionate, and forgiving;  having the same attitude as that of Christ. She shares a quote by George Washington Carver that she believes is worth considering,  “How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong.   Because someday in your life you will have been all of these.”

Her favorite thing about CCMGA is the people!  The association is more of a family than just an organization.