Guy’s Greetings
We’ve been enjoying the bounty of our fruit and vegetable gardens, and I hope those of you who also grow food are having a great harvest. For those of you who don’t, I hope you have good friends who do and are sharing with you.
Much is going on at 36 Grove. Up to my armpits in mulch, can’t wait to see all of you at the meeting in our garden next week and show you the results of our labors!
Guy
Mark the Date
Tuesday, August 25, 2009, 6:00 PM, general meeting at the sensational garden of Guy Vitale and Mark Jeffers, 36 Grove Avenue, East Patchogue. Bring a chair to be assured of a place to sit.
Thursday, September 9, 2009, Bayard Cutting Arboretum Sunflower Contest; Tom Stemler, Daisy Garden, will be there to judge entries. There will be 8 winners: First, Second & Third Prizes for Large and Small entries and Most Unusual/Whimsical - Large & Small. Entries can be live flowers or photos (please try to include a ruler to estimate flower size).
Jessica Damiano, Newsday’s Garden Detective, at 7:30 PM.
Saturday and Sunday, September 12 and 13, 2009, Fall Festival at Bayard Cutting Arboretum, 440 Montauk Highway, Great River, NY 11739. 631.581.1002. The club will have a display at the event.
July Meeting in a Flash
The September project for the Fall Festival at Bayard Cutting Arboretum was discussed. Mary Ann Tchinnis is chairing the committee . Volunteers are still welcome. The theme selected is “ A Magical Autumn Dinner in the Garden “. Carol Reitz briefly discussed plans for the project. The show is open on September 12 and 13, 2009.
Carol Tvelia handed out copies of the latest financial report. A second CD for the Winona is on hold at present and the money is sitting in our savings account. The club is considering two scholarships next year.
Arlene Lamberti said that the Parks and Recreation Department has seaweed available down by the Village pool behind the Crab Shack.
Plants of the Month
Now is the time to buy and plant a small group of fall blooming bulbs.
Colchicums: C. 'Waterlily', C. 'Lilac Wonder', C. 'Giant
Fall Blooming Crocus: C. sativus, C. speciosus, C. speciousus 'Albus'
Did You Know?
You can force rhubarb early in the year by placing an open-ended box with a glass or plastic cover over a sprouting clump. For winter production inside, cut off a piece of root with a couple of buds, then plant in an 8- or 10-inch pot. Leave it outdoors for a few freezes, then move it into the basement or garage. In two- to three months, you can harvest it. Then replant into the garden in spring. Green-stemmed varieties such as ‘Victoria’ are the most sweet and tender, but the red are more decorative (‘Canada Red’, ‘McDonald’, ‘Valentine’). Look also for non-edible species with brilliant leaf colors.
Serious Dirt From Richard Waldman
The Times Online (UK) 18 August '09 Carnivorous Nepenthes by Chris Smyth
Nepenthes attenboroughii is so big that small rodents could be trapped inside and dissolved by flesh-eating enzymes. He may be best known for his mellifluous tones and gentle manner, but for one group of botanists Sir David Attenborough clearly conjures up different associations. Explorers who discovered a new species of giant rodent-eating carnivorous plant have named it after the TV naturalist. A previously unknown variety of pitcher plant discovered on a remote mountain in the Philippines, it is so big that small rodents could be trapped inside and slowly dissolved by flesh-eating enzymes. It is thought that only a few hundred of the plants exist, growing only on one mountain on the island of Palawan. The species was discovered by a team of scientists who had heard reports from missionaries who got lost in the dense jungle.
Stewart McPherson, Alastair Robinson and Volker Heinrich decided to name the plant after Sir David as an “expression of gratitude” for his decades of work celebrating the natural world. He has inspired a generation into protecting the world and developing greater understanding diversity of the planet,” Mr McPherson said. “We really wanted to name this particular plant after him as an expression of gratitude. This is a very special one because its so big, there’s really been nothing found like it for a long time.” Sir David told The Times that it was a great honour to have the species named after him. He said that the members of the nepenthes family were “very dramatic plants. I’ve always thought they are remarkable things, very elegant and charming.”
Mr McPherson said it was likely that the new species occasionally digested rats and mice. “It is without a shadow of a doubt big enough,” he said. “I found a species in Borneo with pitchers half the size with dead mice in it.” Nepenthes rajah, the only species of pitcher plant bigger than N. attenboroughii, has been known to digest rodents since the British naturalist Spencer St John was astonished to discover a drowned rat in a specimen in Borneo in 1862. Sir David featured that species in his early TV series Zoo Quest and also The Private Life of Plants in 1995. “I’ve seen them in the wild a bit, mostly in Borneo. They’re lovely things,” he said. The naturalist already has several species named after him, including a spiny anteater in New Guinea, a rare tree in Ecuador and a marine reptile, the Attenborosaurus, that lived during the Jurassic period. But he downplayed the scientific significance of such names. “You have to have names for things and you run out after a bit,” he said. “It’s just a compliment, but it’s very nice to receive compliments." Mr McPherson has spent the past three years cataloguing the 120 known nepenthes species. N. attenboroughii was discovered in 2007 but formally described only this year. Mr McPherson mounted an expedition after hearing about missionaries who tried to climb the mountain on Palawan in 2000 to install a radio relay station. They got lost in the uncharted jungle and had to be flown out after 13 days without food. They reported seeing giant pitcher plants on the mountain and Mr McPherson said he was trying to follow up on that lead. He believes that the expedition discovered about 30 new species, only a few of which have been published.
Paula’s Road Trip: Pat and Don’s Pumpkin Patch Farm Stand, 142 LI Avenue, Yaphank
Oh, YUMMY! … Finally! We now have LOCAL CORN!!
As a rule, we don't procrastinate. How could we? We run a seasonal farm stand. But if you do procrastinate and you've neglected to plant or the deer have eaten everything, don't fret..it's not too late. Stop in and we'll help you pick out something.
The blueberries are in bloom, good thing! Now is the time for plums, peaches and nectarines too. These are the real McCoy...supermarket imitations don't come close,don't bother.(Did we just say "imitation"? We sincerely apologize for our bad attitude. From now on, we pledge to keep our opinions to ourselves.)
Now is also the time for local grown lettuce and veggies. We’ve got radishes, carrots, scallions, broccoli, cauliflower, swiss chard, beans and rhubarb, just to name a few. Don’t know what to do with rhubarb? Don’t worry, we’ve got some recipes for you here at the farm stand. And not just for rhubarb. Ask us how to make something!
We’ve also got fresh herbs including basil, parsley, arugula, dill and cilantro. Our resident potter, Jill Fine of glazedOver, has handmade some very charming herb garden stakes that you can purchase to add extra rustic charm to your garden. See you all soon! 631-924-7444 http://pumpkinpatchfarmstand.com/
We Accept Special Orders.
This Is A List Of What We Carry Through Out The Season:
Flowers
Bedding Plants: May To July
Annuals (Over 100 Varieties)
Vegetables (Over 100 Varieties)
Hanging Baskets
Potted Plants (4 ½ “ To 16”)
Local Home Grown Vegetables
Strawberries: May To June
Lettuce: Up To 8 Varieties May To November
Corn: July To October
Tomatoes: August To October
Plum Tomatoes: August To September
Apples: August To November
Peaches: July To October
Fresh Herbs: June To November
Beans: June To October
Summer Squash: June To October
Winter Squash: August To November
Many Other Fresh Fruits And Vegetables Too
Numerous To Mention Are Available From May-Nov
Perennials
A Large Selection Of Full Sun To Shade Plants, Grasses (From May To August) And Mums In The Fall
Potted Herbs
A Full Line Of Medicinal, Ornamental, and Cooking Herbs In Various Size Pots
Local Made Cheeses
Del Fiore’s Fresh Home Made Mozzarella
Catapano’s Fresh Home Made Chevre Goat Cheese
Pies
Harvest Apple, Apple Caramel Walnut, Apple Cranberry, Peach, Peach Blueberry, Peach Praline, Peach Melba, Blueberry, Lemon Blueberry, Very Berry, Blackberry, Red Raspberry, Cherry, Cherry Vanilla, Black Cherry, Apricot Orange Glaze and Strawberry Rhubarb
Condiments To Enhance Food Flavor
Barbecue And Steak Sauce, Chipotle, Salsas,
Pumpkin Patch Salad Dressings, Hot Sauces,
Jams And Jellies And New York State Local Honey. Holey Moses Cheesecakes
Original, Oreo Cookie, Heathbar Crunch, Chocolate Mousse, Chocolate Marble, Bailey's Irish Cream, Amaretto, White Russian, Blueberry, Key Lime, Pineapple, Raspberry Almond, Strawberry, Cherry, Lemon, and Chocolate and Vanilla Sugar Free
Rocky Point Bread
Delivered Fresh Daily
Yard And Garden Accessories
Statues, Shepherd Hooks, Bird Houses, Planters
Wide Selection Of Frogs And Gnomes, And Painted Slates
Large Selection Of Fall And Halloween Merchandise
Members' Page
Joanna Drake has dig-your-own strawberry plants. Make arrangements with her at 375-8433.
Thanks to Mary Ann Tchinnis: God’s Thoughts on Lawns
GOD: Frank, you know all about gardens and nature. What in the world is going on down there on the planet? What happened to the dandelions, violets, thistle and stuff I started eons ago? I had a perfect no-maintenance garden plan. Those plants grow in any type of soil, withstand drought and multiply with abandon. The nectar from the long-lasting blossoms attracts butterflies, honeybees and flocks of songbirds. I expected to see a vast garden of colours by now. But, all I see are these green rectangles.
ST. FRANCIS: It's the tribes that settled there, Lord. The Suburbanites. They started calling your flowers 'weeds' and went to great lengths to kill them and replace them with grass.
GOD: Grass? But, it's so boring. It's not colourful. It doesn't attract butterflies, birds and bees; only grubs and sod worms. It's sensitive to temperatures. Do these Suburbanites really want all that grass growing there?
ST. FRANK: Apparently so, Lord. They go to great pains to grow it and keep it green. They begin each spring by fertilizing grass and poisoning any other plant that crops up in the lawn.
GOD: The spring rains and warm weather probably make grass grow really fast. That must make the Suburbanites happy.
ST. FRANK: Apparently not, Lord. As soon as it grows a little, they cut it -sometimes twice a week.
GOD: They cut it? Do they then bale it like hay?
ST. FRANK: Not exactly, Lord. Most of them rake it up and put it in bags.
GOD: They bag it? Why? Is it a cash crop? Do they sell it?
ST. FRANK: No, Sir, just the opposite. They pay to throw it away.
GOD: Now, let me get this straight. They fertilize grass so it will grow. And, when it does grow, they cut it off and pay to throw it away?
ST. FRANK: Yes, Sir.
GOD: These Suburbanites must be relieved in the summer when we cut back on the rain and turn up the heat. That surely slows the growth and saves them a lot of work.
ST. FRANK: You aren't going to believe this, Lord. When the grass stops growing so fast, they drag out hoses and pay more money to water it so they can continue to mow it and pay to get rid of it.
GOD: What nonsense. At least they kept some of the trees. That was a sheer stroke of genius, if I do say so myself. The trees grow leaves in the spring to provide beauty and shade in the summer. In the autumn, they fall to the ground and form a natural blanket to keep moisture in the soil and protect the trees and bushes. It's a natural cycle of life.
ST. FRANK: You better sit down, Lord. The Suburbanites have drawn a new circle. As soon as the leaves fall, they rake them into great piles and pay to have them hauled away.
GOD: No! What do they do to protect the shrub and tree roots in the winter to keep the soil moist and loose?
ST. FRANK: After throwing away the leaves, they go out and buy something which they call mulch. They haul it home and spread it around in place of the leaves.
GOD: And where do they get this mulch?
ST FRANK: They cut down trees and grind them up to make the mulch.
GOD: Enough! I don't want to think about this anymore. St. Catherine, you're in charge of the arts. What movie have you scheduled for us tonight?
ST. CATHERINE: 'Dumb and Dumber', Lord. It's a movie about....
GOD: Never mind, I think I just heard the whole story from St. Francis.
Richard Waldman thinks you should check out the Home Made Simple site that brings you tips, recipes, expert advice, and other solutions for easy living! http://www.homemadesimple.com/en_US/nbrcontent.do?contentType=op&articleId=ar085&subscriber=1
Timely Tips for September
Plant or move broad & narrow-leaved evergreens; soak after planting & mulch.
Now is a good time for fertilize your lawn (see page 5 for more on this subject)
Divide and plant early-blooming perennials, especially overgrown ones.
If your soil hasn’t been tested for pH for 3 years, do it now.
Pot up parsley and chives for fresh herbs throughout the winter.
Compost leaves as they start falling.
Prevent disease next year by cleaning up any infected leaves, twigs, flowers,fruits.
Autumnal Solstice, September 22, 2009, 5:18 PM EDT
"Equal dark, equal light
Flow in Circle, deep insight
Blessed Be, Blessed Be
The transformation of energy!
So it flows, out it goes
Three-fold back it shall be
Blessed Be, Blessed Be
The transformation of energy!"
- Night An'Fey, Transformation of Energy
