September Newsletter

Greetings from the President


Hello everyone,

It's September.......where did the summer go? As I watch everything turn to brown, I do get a little sad. I'm a summer lover, and I miss the brilliant greens, yellows, reds and all the glorious colors that a summer garden
brings. When all the trees begin to shed their leaves, I think my heart sinks a little too, and once they're totally naked, I just want to "get away.” But, autumn weather brings our harvest dinner. This year we will be
holding that event at the Swan Lake Park Civic Association, 86 Lake Drive,Patchogue.  For those of you that remember, it was the small meeting house we used to use for our general meetings a few years back. The time is 4 p.m., unless you want to help us set up the tables, chairs and decorations, then please be there at 3:30 p.m. The club will supply water and soda. Please BYOB if you care to, and a covered dish (of any variety) suitable for about 15 people. We will discuss entertainment at this month’s general meeting which will be held back at the American Legion Hall on Baker Street, Patchogue at 7p.m., Tuesday, September 27th. Hoping for a lovely day on the lake with the swans and ducks and hoping to see you all there.

Diane

[Update:  NO Harvest Dinner after all.  Venue fell through.]

Mark the Date

Regular Meeting—September 27th-American Legion Hall—7 p.m.

Speaker: Christine from Bayport Flower House: Bulb Lasagna and Fall Planting

Luncheon Committee —First Meeting October 3, 2011, 10 a.m. Same place, different time

Suwassett Garden Club (Port Jefferson) “Fall Fantasy Luncheon”
Wednesday Oct. 5th, 11-3 at the Port Jefferson Country Club at Harbor Hills RSVP: Judy Zaino  631-476-1705

September Birthdays

Frank Densing
Barbara Bruce
Joanna Drake
Millie Zimmerman
Lynn Kane
Carolyn Savastano

October Birthdays

Diane Riviello-Voland
Richard Waldman


August Meeting in a Flash— We welcomed  new members Rick and Bari Zepernick, below.

• Members voted to accept the name, “Members Bulletin Board—This, That and the Other” for a new column in the newsletter.
• Jo Miller talked about the Education Workshop to be held on Sept. 10th.
• Georgia Dulmovits and Arlene Lamberti are looking for members for the luncheon committee.  Group members can be thinking of donations for the baskets. The theme this year is “Aprons,” and the speaker will talk about gardening with herbs.
• The group discussed the Harvest Dinner
• We were reminded to continue maintenance of our section of the Community Garden.
• Lynn Kane received a thank you from the American legion for our donation. Nothing can be done with the plantings until the sprinkler system is in working order.
  
  
  

Here is Babette Bishop’s back yard. It extends into the woods with pleasant, curving pathways that move to different levels. At the southern corner of her home is a small and secluded koi pond (left). Even though it’s tucked away in a little corner, she says herons have discovered it. Hence, the wire mesh cover.
Below, Babette takes a well-deserved rest from all the work of getting ready for club visitors. 

 

What’s In the News?

1. Do earthworms have any sense of place or direction? When they are dug up in the garden and put back down someplace else, do they just return to work, or do they try to get back to their former location?  “In any case, yes, once they are put back down, they will get back to work, after first trying just to get away from the very large thing that just picked them up and could have eaten them,” Dr. Siddall said. “But, no, as long as they are put back in a suitable habitat, they don’t try to go back where they were.”  Read more in this NY Times article sent in by Richard Waldman: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/16/science/16qna.html?_r-2&ref=science

2. Here’s another from Richard:  “Hydrangeas are one of the most dependable garden plants.They rarely get diseases or are victims of insect pests, and I hardly ever need to water them in my upstate New York yard.”
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904716604576544410039587734.htmlmod=WSJ_HomeAndGarden_LEFTTopNews

3. “Modern-day pink flamingo? I just don’tknow.” R. Waldman Karen Ferb and Richard Waldman both
sent me an interesting article about how some people are creating garden decorations from colored plastic bottles. Some of these decorations were quite pretty. Here’s one.
4. “What an important news flash—How cant the world still spin without knowing this?  Hydrangea lovers of the world unite! I can just see it now—Madonna getting pelted with truckloads of hydrangeas. And who knew Madonna was still around?” What inspired this outburst from Richard Waldman?  It was this article: http://popwatch.ew.com/2011/09/07/madonna-hydrangeas-rep/.  Madonna’s spokesperson said, “She’s entitled to like any flower she wants and she didn’t want to hurt the feelings of the hydrangea lovers of the world...but she prefers different types of flowers.”
Get to Know A Fellow Gardener—Georgia and John Dulmovits

Where were you born?
John was born in Manhattan. I was born in Patchogue.

Tell us about your family?
John and I met at a party in NYC.  We were going to school there at the time. We were married a year after graduation and decided to make our home in Patchogue. We have five children and eight grand-children ranging in age from 2½ to 24 years old. As you can imagine, the house swings on the Holidays.

What gave you your first interest in gardening?
John's grandfather had a farm in Austria. He heard many stories from his dad about the farm which provoked his interest in gardening. My grandmother always had a beautiful veggie and flower garden. I will always remember the warm feeling being with her in that garden.  I started one as soon as I had time.

An accomplishment you are proud of?
I think John and I are happy that we were able to raise five children..

Your favorite sport?
We both enjoy Basketball, Baseball, Track and Soccer. " Go Yankees" !!!

Your favorite food?
John and I are both vegetarians. I have been one for 20 years and John for seven. We just love those roasted veggies!!  We live an exciting life!

Education, job experience?
John is an Aeronautical Engineer.  I am a Registered Nurse.  We are both retired.

Timely Tips for the Garden in October

• Cut back and remove diseased perennial foliage/
• Finish planting bulbs.
• Start raking. Shred or compost this fall gold. Turn your compost pile.
• Make sure all vacationing houseplants are brought back inside.
• Harvest and dry or freeze herbs for winter use.
• Dry and save seed
• Take cuttings of tender perennials.
• Amend your soil with a dressing of compost.
• Continue harvesting fall crops like beets, kale and leeks.
• Carrots can stay in ground all winter for a sweeter taste.

Though an old man, I am but a young gardener. Thomas Jefferson