March 31, 2011
Doors Open at 10:30 AM
Mediterranean Manor, 303 East Main Street, Patchogue NY 11772
Luncheon and Hat Exhibit with a talk on "Hats Through the Ages" by Marianne Annunziato Fulfaro, Designer and Facilitator of the Peace Labyrinth at Common Ground, Sayville.
You are encouraged to come and wear a favorite hat.
Raffles and Door Prizes
Tickets: $35
Payment should be received by March 28, 2011
Please send checks payable to the Patchogue Garden Club to Patchogue Garden Club, c/o Karen Ferb, 270 West Avenue, Patchogue NY 11772
For more information call Arlene (730-7572) or Georgia (289-0867)
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Oh, By Gosh, By Golly
...It was mistletoe and holly! The 'Homes for the Holidays' Christmas House Tour was stupendous! If you missed it, you have my sincere sympathy, but visit our Picasa photo album for a taste of the tour--just click on the title of this blog entry.
It began with a quartet caroling to the strains of a guitar in an old carriage house renovated and modernized to accommodate a family comfortably. The owner is a gardener, and her style of decorating for Christmas is a very natural one, "just in from the garden", so to speak, with an abundance of natural materials to grace,among other objects, the mantel with its warming fire and the entry to the home.
"When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things--not the great occasions--give off the greatest glow of happiness" ~Bob Hope
From there it progressed to an 1890 home enlarged and brought up-to-date by a family that homeschools the children and keeps sheep and a mini-goat who keep the grass trimmed and provide wool for crafting. Of course, the whole operation has to be organic for the little lawn mowers to stay healthy! The decorating style here is basically "leave no object untouched by Christmas! Here our guests were treated to eggnog.
"Christmas is the keeping place for the memories of our innocence." ~Joan Mills
Third was a lovely Craftsman-style home, cozy and warm with a roaring fire and a table so seductively set for Christmas dinner that you almost expected to sit down to roast goose with all the trimmings. The decor was festive, but elegantly restrained, leaving the period furnishings to shine on their own.
"God Bless us, every one." ~Tiny Tim (Charles Dickens)
The entrancing circa 1927 home up next captures the heart of all who see it. While not a very large house, it boasts not one, but two, sun porches and is flooded with light from sunrise to sunset all year 'round. The tree, cut by the owners, has the place of honor right inside the front door. With their decorating, they try to evoke Christmas in a simpler time, but with no shortage of simpler decor!
"Remember, if Christmas isn't found in your heart, you won't find it under a tree." ~Charlotte Carpenter
At the fifth home the joyful abundance of multicolored lights belied the tininess of the cottage belonging to a young couple. The wife is an artist, so our guests enjoyed an art show along with favors created by some members of the tour committee. Guests could choose either macadamia nut brittle, a ball of mulling spices, or a packet of bay leaves. We do appreciate our guests!
"Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas." ~Peg Bracken
Last, but certainly not least, the 1917 Arts and Crafts Tudor-style home offered a glimpse of Christmas past with its old-fashioned lit village-in-the-snow scene and a toy box filled with antique toys among the greens and numerous candles. The aroma of cookies and cider beckoned guests into the kitchen. Garden club volunteers had baked I don't know how many. If I had to hazard a guess, I'd say a couple thousand.
"One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas Day. Don't clean it up too quickly. ~Andy Rooney
It began with a quartet caroling to the strains of a guitar in an old carriage house renovated and modernized to accommodate a family comfortably. The owner is a gardener, and her style of decorating for Christmas is a very natural one, "just in from the garden", so to speak, with an abundance of natural materials to grace,among other objects, the mantel with its warming fire and the entry to the home.
"When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things--not the great occasions--give off the greatest glow of happiness" ~Bob Hope
From there it progressed to an 1890 home enlarged and brought up-to-date by a family that homeschools the children and keeps sheep and a mini-goat who keep the grass trimmed and provide wool for crafting. Of course, the whole operation has to be organic for the little lawn mowers to stay healthy! The decorating style here is basically "leave no object untouched by Christmas! Here our guests were treated to eggnog.
"Christmas is the keeping place for the memories of our innocence." ~Joan Mills
Third was a lovely Craftsman-style home, cozy and warm with a roaring fire and a table so seductively set for Christmas dinner that you almost expected to sit down to roast goose with all the trimmings. The decor was festive, but elegantly restrained, leaving the period furnishings to shine on their own.
"God Bless us, every one." ~Tiny Tim (Charles Dickens)
The entrancing circa 1927 home up next captures the heart of all who see it. While not a very large house, it boasts not one, but two, sun porches and is flooded with light from sunrise to sunset all year 'round. The tree, cut by the owners, has the place of honor right inside the front door. With their decorating, they try to evoke Christmas in a simpler time, but with no shortage of simpler decor!
"Remember, if Christmas isn't found in your heart, you won't find it under a tree." ~Charlotte Carpenter
At the fifth home the joyful abundance of multicolored lights belied the tininess of the cottage belonging to a young couple. The wife is an artist, so our guests enjoyed an art show along with favors created by some members of the tour committee. Guests could choose either macadamia nut brittle, a ball of mulling spices, or a packet of bay leaves. We do appreciate our guests!
"Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas." ~Peg Bracken
Last, but certainly not least, the 1917 Arts and Crafts Tudor-style home offered a glimpse of Christmas past with its old-fashioned lit village-in-the-snow scene and a toy box filled with antique toys among the greens and numerous candles. The aroma of cookies and cider beckoned guests into the kitchen. Garden club volunteers had baked I don't know how many. If I had to hazard a guess, I'd say a couple thousand.
"One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas Day. Don't clean it up too quickly. ~Andy Rooney
Monday, November 22, 2010
It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!
We are very excited to announce our Christmas House Tour, "Homes for the Holidays". This year's tour features six Patchogue Village homes decked out in yuletide finery.
The homes you'll see include:
-- a century-old converted carriage house;
-- an enlarged and updated century-old home with much original detail;
-- two 1920's Craftsman-style bungalows;
-- an early 20th century cottage; and
-- a 1917 Arts and Crafts Tudor.
We hope to see you on Sunday, December 12, between 1:00 and 5:00 PM. Tickets are $20 and may be purchased at:
-- Remember Yesteryears, 46 East Main Street, Patchogue
-- Country Junque, 595 Middle Road, Bayport
-- Patchogue Chamber of Commerce, 15 North Ocean Avenue, Patchogue
Or:
Call Karen (758-2671) or Mary Ann (289-8122)
Please, no children under 12. Sorry, no refunds once tickets are purchased.
The homes you'll see include:
-- a century-old converted carriage house;
-- an enlarged and updated century-old home with much original detail;
-- two 1920's Craftsman-style bungalows;
-- an early 20th century cottage; and
-- a 1917 Arts and Crafts Tudor.
We hope to see you on Sunday, December 12, between 1:00 and 5:00 PM. Tickets are $20 and may be purchased at:
-- Remember Yesteryears, 46 East Main Street, Patchogue
-- Country Junque, 595 Middle Road, Bayport
-- Patchogue Chamber of Commerce, 15 North Ocean Avenue, Patchogue
Or:
Call Karen (758-2671) or Mary Ann (289-8122)
Please, no children under 12. Sorry, no refunds once tickets are purchased.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
October Newsletter
Tomb It May Concern: Happy Halloween
Guy’s Greetings
As I sit bundled up on this cold fall morning, I'm reminded of how much gardening I have left to do. I'm also reminded that election season is in full swing. Our Federal government is run by either the left or the right. In a governing body like our club board, one always hopes for center. It has been a privilege and an honor to serve as president of the Patchogue Garden Club for the past two years, and I want to thank all members of the board, past and present, for their contributions. I also want to thank each and every chair for the hard work in planning our events. And last, but certainly not least, each and every member of our club, because your contributions are the reason that the Patchogue Garden Club exists at all. Thank you for your trust, Guy
Mark the Date
Tuesday, October 26, 2010, 7:00 PM, meeting at the Hagerman Fire House, located in East Patchogue. Traveling east on Montauk Highway, turn right onto N. Dunton Ave., then a quick left onto Ralph T. Perry Blvd. Park and enter in the rear of the building. Please join us for this exciting presentation and a discussion of plans to build a labyrinth. Our speaker, Linda Mikell is certified by Veriditas, The Voice of the Labyrinth Movement.
Saturday, November 13, 2010, 9:00 AM ‘til done, put the Community Garden to bed and decorate the Gazebo for Christmas, rain date Sunday, same time. Please bring tools, gloves, and energy, and, remember, many hands make light work.
Sunday, December 12, 2010, 1:00-5:00 PM, our Christmas house tour, “Homes for the Holidays”. Interested in joining the committee? We will need at least 24 hostesses/hosts, "crafty" people to help with favors, people to make centerpieces, and cookie bakers. The difference between our house tour and others is the warmth of our hostesses and hosts and the other personal touches we give our tour. Please join us in making this tour the success that the others have been. Call/email Mary Ann (matchinnis@optonline.net) or Karen (karenferb@hotmail.com), or sign up at the October 26 meeting.
September Meeting in a Flash: We were reminded that the Community Garden needs to be cleaned up and any garbage picked up and bagged in anticipation of the Patchogue Arts Council-Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts Walking Arts Tour and Fall Festival on Sunday, October 24th. And please remember to protect the lattice work in the shed. It needs to remain covered when not in use. Please keep the shed clean and user-friendly.
Mary Ann said six houses for the “Homes for the Holidays” tour. Sign up sheets are out for cookie bakers and house sitters. The committee will also need fresh evergreens and berries for centerpieces for each house on the tour. These can be dropped off at Karen Ferb’s house where the centerpieces will be put together on Wednesday, December 8.
Exercise your vote! The candidates for the upcoming election Tuesday, October 26, 2010, are:
President – Diane Voland
1st Vice President –June Petruccelli
2nd Vice President –Carolyn Savastano or Sandra Franco
Corresponding Secretary –Arlene Lamberti
Recording Secretary – Babette Bishop
Treasurer – Carol Tvelia or Jack Heyer
Parliamentarian – Mary Ann Tchinnis
Thanks to Jo Miller for spearheading the slate of nominees!
To Our November/December Babies: Barbara Edsall, Karen Ferb, Sandra Franco/ Arlene Lamberti, Jo Miller, Bert Voland, Carl Unger May all your birthday wishes come true!
Hostesses for the October Meeting
Isn’t it fantastic that there are always members ready to volunteer each meeting to be hosts/hostesses? Many thanks to all those who serve us every month. Marita will continue to chair this committee. Hostesses for the next meeting: Ronnie Manfredi, June Petruccelli, Carolyn Savastano, Ruth Szuminskyj, Mary Ann Tchinnis, and Guy Vitale. [A little bat told me they’re bringing Worms in Dirt, Ghosts in the Graveyard, Pus Pockets, Strained Eyeballs, Boo Bites, and Monster Munch—Ed.]
Serious Dirt from Richard Waldman
Seeking Tranquility?
The San people, better known as South African Bushmen, have for centuries chewed a plant they say reduces stress, relieves hunger and thirst, sedates, and elevates moods. The plant, sceletium tortuosum (locally known as Kanna, Channa, or Kougoed), which grows wild in Namaqualand in the arid Northern Cape, has potential as a dietary supplement called Zembrin, aka San Prozac, licensed to be produced in the U.S. But will the FDA approve it for U.S. consumers? That remains to be seen. Ben-Erik Van Wyk, a professor of botany and plant biotechnology at the University of Johannesburg, said he's extensively researched the plant and found no ill effects or evidence of dependency. He first read about the plant in 1985, then visited San people to research doses and side effects. [This just in: http://www.amazon.com/African-Red-Tea-Sceletium-1-76-Ounce/dp/B0019ZZEL0/ref=pd_sbs_hpc_6.
Be prepared to pay a lot for your tranquility—Ed.]
Single Farmers in Vermont Give Weed Dating a Whack
By Melissa Pasanen and Adam Silverman, Burlington Free Press (Excerpts)
Weed dating, a variation on speed dating, is going on in Tunbridge VT, said to be the first such event in the nation.
Participants in the weed-dating series pay $10 for the privilege of meeting and weeding. Those in the inaugural event ranged in age from early 20’s to 50. Each wore a name tag with his or her first name and the name of a favorite fruit or vegetable, which became a weed-dating surname. At intervals of about seven minutes, a small goat bell rang, and everyone got up, shook muddy hands, and moved a row over to a new weeding companion. Quipped one weed dater, “Speed dating is too blatant. This is practical.” So far, though, much weeding, no weddings. [If I were single, I’d be setting up my own weed dating event in my own back yard—Ed.]
It's a Scary Time to Be a Weed
By ANNE MARIE CHAKER WSJ Life and Style, 29 September 2010
They come to hiking trails and abandoned lots armed with shovels, chain saws and souped-up farm equipment—all in the name of wrestling weeds.
Volunteers are reclaiming public parks and carving out nature trails in spaces overrun by innocent-sounding plants like Tree of Heaven. Weed-obsessed volunteers band together to pull out invasive, mostly non-native plants wreaking havoc in parks, gardens and other spaces, taking weed whacking to a new level. Read the whole story at:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703499604575512333943058138.html. [I think it would be terrific to have a brigade of whackers working on eliminating invasives in the Village. A good place to start would be next to the Winona in the area planned for the labyrinth and habitat restoration.—Ed.]
Susan Toplitz Shares “As the Twig is Bent, So Grows the Tree”
Pooktre tree shaping is a unique eco-art form perfected by Peter Cook and Becky Northey in South East Queensland, Australia. Pooktre is a dream made into a reality through inspiration, love of nature, tree finesse (see the photos), persistence, and understanding trees and how they grow. An early master of tree shaping, Axel N. Erlandson (1884-1964), put himself on the map, literally and figuratively, by creating a roadside horticulture attraction he dubbed The Tree Circus in Scotts Valley, California back in 1947. Erlandson had a vision of a horticulture theme park and charged admission but it was never a commercial success. Property owners came and went over the years. Finally, in 1985, the owner of a tree nursery bought 24 of the trees from the previous owner and transplanted them to his horticulture theme park, Gilroy Gardens in Gilroy, CA, and they are on display today. Some of the other trees were sold and ended up at The Museum of Art and History in Santa Cruz, CA and in Baltimore at the American Visionary Art Museum. Want to read and see more? Just Google “Pooktre”.
Joanna Drake Writes “Ah! Well away! Seasons flower and fade.” ~Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Timely Tips for November
From now until the ground freezes is one of the best times to fertilize trees and shrubs. Food taken up will be available in spring.
Transplant deciduous trees through November. It’s an ideal time.
Clean up and compost annuals, perennial tops, vegetable plants, and fallen leaves.
Remove dead, diseased, and broken branches from trees & shrubs.
After mowing the lawn for the last time, winterize your mower.
In October I’ll be host to witches, goblins, and a ghost—I’ll serve them chicken soup with toast!
Whoopee once, Whoopee twice, Whoopee chicken soup with rice!
~Maurice Sendak, “Chicken Soup with Rice”
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Club Archive Photos
Click on the title to see a selection of 45 photos of club members and activities from 1997-2004.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Road Trip to Bridge Gardens
A group of garden club members traveled to Bridgehampton on Friday, a picture-perfect day. Well worth the trip, definitely recommend. Click on the title above to view our photos of the trip.
The Uncommon Ground Exhibition is a sculpture exhibition that runs until September 12featuring John Van Alstine, Kevin Barrett, Jim Henderson, Win Knowlton, Joel Perlman, Carol Ross, John Ruppert, Isobel Folb Sokolow, and Naomi Teppich.
For more information on the Uncommon Ground Exhibition, go to www.peconiclandtrust.org/BG_UC
If you haven't visited the gardens yet, make sure you do, for they're really quite something at this time of the year--or for that matter, any time of year. And don't let the heat deter you - many parts of the garden are covered by treetops or shaded by the undulating hedges. For more information on the Bridge Gardens and upcoming events, go to www.peconiclandtrust.org/bridge_gardens.
About The Peconic Land Trust: Peconic Land Trust conserves Long Island's working farms, natural lands, and heritage for our communities now and in the future. For more information on the Peconic Land Trust go to www.peconiclandtrust.org
The Uncommon Ground Exhibition is a sculpture exhibition that runs until September 12featuring John Van Alstine, Kevin Barrett, Jim Henderson, Win Knowlton, Joel Perlman, Carol Ross, John Ruppert, Isobel Folb Sokolow, and Naomi Teppich.
For more information on the Uncommon Ground Exhibition, go to www.peconiclandtrust.org/BG_UC
If you haven't visited the gardens yet, make sure you do, for they're really quite something at this time of the year--or for that matter, any time of year. And don't let the heat deter you - many parts of the garden are covered by treetops or shaded by the undulating hedges. For more information on the Bridge Gardens and upcoming events, go to www.peconiclandtrust.org/bridge_gardens.
About The Peconic Land Trust: Peconic Land Trust conserves Long Island's working farms, natural lands, and heritage for our communities now and in the future. For more information on the Peconic Land Trust go to www.peconiclandtrust.org
Thursday, August 19, 2010
August Newsletter
Guy’s Greetings
Is it every going to rain again? I, like most of you, can't water fast enough. Nor can I decide what part of the yard needs water today even though I water every day. And let's not even talk about the vegetable garden; last year it was the monsoons, this year it is a drought. Can we just find a happy medium???? Guy
Mark the Date
Tuesday, August 24, 2010, 6:00 PM, general meeting at the Community Garden. There will be a plant exchange; bring plants from your garden to exchange with others. Please bring a chair if you want to be assured of a seat and your beverage of choice.
Sunday, September 12, 2010, 4:00 PM, Annual Harvest Dinner at the Patchogue Beach Club. Please bring a dish serving 8 to share. Arlene Lamberti will head the committee. Contact her if you wish to help with setup and/or cleanup.
September 18-26, Fall Festival and Harvest Show at Bayard Cutting Arboretum. Our theme this year will be a wine tasting room. Members, please save your empty wine bottles! Anyone wishing to join the committee should contact Mary Ann Tchinnis. The arboretum is located at 440 Montauk Highway, Great River, NY 11739. Phone 581-1002.
July Meeting in a Flash
Our July gathering was held at the garden of Bert and Diane Voland. It was a perfect evening for outdoor socializing among the flowers, trees, and shrubs. Announcements at the meeting included that the club had received a $25 donation from a lady who lives in the apartments overlooking the Community Garden [isn’t it nice to be appreciated?—Ed.] and that our $750 scholarship was given to Steven Lerman.
We will finish out this year meeting at Hagerman Firehouse and in January begin having meetings at the American Legion Hall. Richard Waldman will draw up a simple plan for plantings; Carolyn Savastano will head up the committee for plantings. This is our way of saying thanks to our veterans.
Mary Ann Tchinnis reminded everyone that the Christmas House Tour is scheduled for December 12, 2010 from 1PM to 5PM. There will be six homes on the tour. Janet Heyer is head of a subcommittee to make favors for each of the visitors. Mary Ann needs house sitters and cookie bakers. The committee makes evergreen centerpieces for each house, so, as the date approaches, greens and berries you can cut and donate will be much appreciated.
Jo Miller presented ideas for trips, including one to Peconic Land Trust - Bridge Gardens on August 20. Others are Planting Fields Arboretum, New York Botanical Garden, Long House Reserve, Madoo Conservancy, and the Japanese Stroll Gardens.
Happy Birthday to Our September Babies: Frank Densing, Joanna Drake, Lynn Kane, Carolyn Savastano, and Millie Zimmerman. May all your birthday wishes come true!
Hostesses for the August Meeting
Isn’t it fantastic that there are always members ready to volunteer each meeting to be hosts/hostesses? Many thanks to all those who serve us every month. This August, our special thanks go to to Marita and
Ronnie for honchoing and to Ruth Szuminskyj, Joanna Drake, Annie Rubbo, and Jo Miller for goodies.
Serious Dirt from Richard Waldman
Serious Question: Are there groundcover plants that don't require much water?
Serious Answer:
Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) is an evergreen plant that forms a dense mat 6 to 12 inches tall and 15 inches wide. Prefers full sun or light shade. Doesn't need fertilizer or clipping once it is established, but it is a slow grower and can be hard to transplant. Hardy to USDA Zone 3.
10.
Violets (Viola spp.) can form an effective groundcover in partial shade. Foliage dies down to the ground over the winter. Forms colonies by self-sowing. [Sweet violets, sweeter than all the roses….covered all over from head to toe, covered all over with sweet violets. [They, too, can be quite invasive and difficult to get rid of.—Ed.]
Snow-in-summer (Cerastium tomentosum) is a perennial for sunny sites. Grows under a foot tall. Spreads by underground stems and by seed if the spent flowers are not removed in summer. Spreads most quickly in cooler climates. Does not tolerate humidity or very hot summers well. Zones 3 to 7.
Creeping lily-turf (Liriope spicata) is a grasslike plant with evergreen foliage that turns bronze in the winter. Plants grow 8 to 12 inches high and wide. Prefers part or full shade. A tough plant that spreads by underground stems and can be very aggressive/invasive. However, there are places for it, such as all by itself in a contained area like the right-of-way between the street and the sidewalk. Another might be a steep embankment where there’s room to remove each year’s unwanted spread without damaging any nearby plants. Or in full shade, where its spread is less aggressive. Zone 4 to 10.
But wait! There is a well-behaved liriope, Liriope muscari, the clumping kind that does not spread by runners and basically stays where you put it. It blooms purple, not white like spicata, but it shares all the good qualities of the spreading kind—incredible toughness and adaptability—without the invasive behavior. And there’s an especially attractive green-and-white variegated variety of this plant, which brightens up any shady spot.
Well, budget gardeners, the bad news about clumping liriope is that you’ll have to buy many more of them to accomplish the same coverage you’d get quickly and cheaply with the spreaders. And clumpers usually aren’t available free from your neighbors like spreaders are. So it’s easy to understand why so many homeowners use the spreading type where they shouldn’t, even after being warned.
http://www.hortmag.com/article/lowwatergroundcovers/
"But now in September the garden has cooled, and with it my possessiveness. The sun warms my back instead of beating on my head ... The harvest has dwindled, and I have grown apart from the intense midsummer relationship that brought it on."
~Robert Finch
More Serious Dirt from Richard Waldman: Adapt or Die!
Adapted from July 26, 2010 New York Times Botanical Gardens Look for New Lures By JUDITH H. DOBRZYNSKI
For the last quarter century, the Cleveland Botanical Garden went all out for its biennial Flower Show, the largest outdoor garden show in North America. With themed gardens harking back to the Roman Empire or an 18th-century English estate, the event would draw 25,000 to 30,000 visitors.
But in 2009, the Flower Show was postponed and then abandoned when the botanical garden could not find sponsors. This year, the garden has different plans. From Sept. 24 to 26, it is inaugurating the “RIPE! Food & Garden Festival,” which celebrates the trend of locally grown food — and is supported in part by the Cleveland Clinic and Heinen’s, a supermarket chain…
…So it is across the country. Botanical gardens are experiencing an identity crisis, with chrysanthemum contests, horticultural lectures and garden-club ladies, once their main constituency, going the way of manual lawn mowers. Among the long-term factors diminishing their traditional appeal are fewer women at home and less interest in flower-gardening among younger fickle, multitasking generations.
Forced to rethink and rebrand, gardens are appealing to visitors’ interests in nature, sustainability, cooking, health, family and the arts. Some are emphasizing their social role, erecting model green buildings, promoting wellness and staying open at night so people can mingle over cocktails like the Pollinator (green tea liqueur, soda water and Sprite). A few are even inviting in dogs (and their walkers) free or, as in Cleveland, with a canine admission charge ($2).,,
In May, the Atlanta [Botanical G]arden opened an attraction that would fit right in at a jungle park: a “canopy walk” that twists and turns for 600 feet at a height of up to 45 feet, allowing visitors to trek through the treetops. Not far away, food enthusiasts can stop in at a new edible garden, with an outdoor kitchen frequently staffed by guest chefs creating dishes with fresh, healthy ingredients. Edible gardens are the fastest-growing trend at botanical gardens, consistently increasing attendance, experts say, along with cooking classes. Attendance in Atlanta since May is double what it was for the same period last year….
Trends that could increase garden attendance include:
Concern for the environment
Interest in locally grown food
Efforts to reduce childhood obesity
Demand for family activities and mania for interactive entertainment
Economic pressures could help botanical gardens, as more people try to grow their own food.
Some tactics designed to entice nongardeners are not new, of course —sculpture and concerts have been around for years—but their popularity is growing. The New York Botanical Garden drew big crowds with a tribute to the poet Emily Dickinson, who was also a gardener.
The new exhibition at the United States Botanic Garden in Washington features “the spectacular spud family,” with potato-related artifacts, music and bits of pop culture, especially the endurance of Mr. Potato Head.
And children’s gardens are growing more whimsical and interactive, says Sharilyn Ingram, a former president of the Royal Botanical Gardens in Canada who is now a culture professor at Brock University in Ontario. “You get to have a little more fun now,” she said.
Food festivals are becoming a large part of the year-round programming that gardens view as important to winning repeat visitors. In January, the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables, Fla., drew some 12,000 people to its fourth International Chocolate Festival with Coffee and Tea. It was followed in April with a local food festival, and this month with a mango festival. In November comes its annual Ramble, a garden party featuring antiques and music.
Read full article at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/27/us/27botanical.html
Mark Jeffers Want to Dispel Some Gardening Myths for You
I learned that you shouldn’t believe every bit of gardening advice you hear in graduate school, thanks to my statistics professor, Walter Stroup, who loved to wear his “Walter Beer” hat during class. This weird-looking derby made from yarn and beer cans was a gift from one of his former students. During the first class, Stroup explained he always wore his Walter Beer hat when he fertilized his plants and wearing it was what caused them to grow so well. The purpose of his anecdote, I realized, was to impress upon his students the importance of questioning every claim and bit of advice. We have all followed someone’s gardening advice without knowing if it was based on sound information. As you maintain your garden, consider if your techniques are simply ideas passed down through the ages or smart practices based on solid science. Here are a few of my favorite myths and the truths we should all embrace.
Myth: If a plant is under stress, it should be fed. Truth: Fertilizing plants that are not nutrient deficient can lead to additional stress. Fertilizer is added to plants growing in poor soils and to plants that show symptoms of lacking a particular nutrient. Generally, when a plant is stressed, it’s not from lack of food. Compacted soil, heat, salt spray, faulty planting, and improper placement are usually the culprits that stress plants. It is important to rule out other environmental conditions before deciding a plant is underfertilized. When fed, stressed plants use up energy that is better spent on growing roots, walling off decay organisms, or defending against insects.
Myth: Cover newly pruned areas with varnish, tar, or paint. Truth: There really isn’t a way to keep fungal organisms out of a new cut. In about half of the situations where these wound dressings are used, the tree’s heartwood decays faster than it would have without the topical application. The paint or tar holds moisture near the new wound, which, unfortunately, helps the various fungal decay organisms grow. Instead, simply make a clean cut just outside the branch collar and leave it alone. If pruned properly, trees can take advantage of natural defense mechanisms to ward off most decay problems.
Myth: Organic pesticides are less toxic than synthetic ones. Truth: Misused pesticides can be harmful, regardless of whether they are considered natural or synthetic. Pyrethrum, for example, is made from chrysanthemums but is still toxic to people and pets when handled improperly. Whenever possible, it’s best to select the least toxic control option available because, even if not lethal, many of these pesticides can cause serious health complications. Safe storage of these products can help prevent any harmful accidents. Read and follow all label directions, and remember that these products are tools, not miracle workers or silver bullets. Pesticides cannot correct mistakes made in plant selection, installation, or maintenance.
Myth: Newly planted trees need to be staked and guy-wired. Truth: Staking a tree can hinder its proper development. This practice was once a landscape industry standard, driven by a gardener’s inner desire to do something good for the plant to help it grow. It’s best to avoid staking unless the new tree is located in a windy or on a sloped site. Allowing the tree to sway in the wind encourages the development of stronger stabilizing roots. If staked, the tree may become dependent on this support, preventing the root system from becoming strong and healthy. If it is truly necessary, tie the trunk loosely to the stake using fabrics such as T-shirts or bicycle inner tubes to avoid damaging the bark, and remove the support after one growing season.
Myth: Sunshine focused through water droplets will burn leaves. Truth: The diffused rays of the sun are not powerful enough to cause burning. If it were the case that water droplets burned leaves, farmers would encounter huge losses after each daytime rainstorm. In fact, lawn care professionals often cool turf by spritzing water over the foliage during the hottest part of the day. In general, the best time to water most garden plants is early in the morning because of higher municipal water pressure, a lower evaporation rate, and the potential to reduce foliar diseases that often occur in overly moist situations. But if you are left with no other choice, watering midday will not harm your plants.
Read more by John C. Fech at http://www.finegardening.com/plants/articles/demystifying-garden-myths.aspx
Timely Tips for September
Plant or transplant evergreens, soak and mulch.
Now is the time to fertilize your lawn; continue watering.
Dry summers=early leaf drop; water trees well before dormancy.
Divide and plant early-blooming perennials.
If soil hasn’t been tested for three years, do it now.
Pot up herbs for winter use indoors.
Try to remember the kind of September when life was slow and oh, so mellow.
Try to remember the kind of September when grass was green and grain was yellow.
Try to remember the kind of September when you were a tender and callow fellow.
Try to remember, and if you remember,then follow.
~Music: Harvey Schmidt Lyrics: Tom Jones 1960
Is it every going to rain again? I, like most of you, can't water fast enough. Nor can I decide what part of the yard needs water today even though I water every day. And let's not even talk about the vegetable garden; last year it was the monsoons, this year it is a drought. Can we just find a happy medium???? Guy
Mark the Date
Tuesday, August 24, 2010, 6:00 PM, general meeting at the Community Garden. There will be a plant exchange; bring plants from your garden to exchange with others. Please bring a chair if you want to be assured of a seat and your beverage of choice.
Sunday, September 12, 2010, 4:00 PM, Annual Harvest Dinner at the Patchogue Beach Club. Please bring a dish serving 8 to share. Arlene Lamberti will head the committee. Contact her if you wish to help with setup and/or cleanup.
September 18-26, Fall Festival and Harvest Show at Bayard Cutting Arboretum. Our theme this year will be a wine tasting room. Members, please save your empty wine bottles! Anyone wishing to join the committee should contact Mary Ann Tchinnis. The arboretum is located at 440 Montauk Highway, Great River, NY 11739. Phone 581-1002.
July Meeting in a Flash
Our July gathering was held at the garden of Bert and Diane Voland. It was a perfect evening for outdoor socializing among the flowers, trees, and shrubs. Announcements at the meeting included that the club had received a $25 donation from a lady who lives in the apartments overlooking the Community Garden [isn’t it nice to be appreciated?—Ed.] and that our $750 scholarship was given to Steven Lerman.
We will finish out this year meeting at Hagerman Firehouse and in January begin having meetings at the American Legion Hall. Richard Waldman will draw up a simple plan for plantings; Carolyn Savastano will head up the committee for plantings. This is our way of saying thanks to our veterans.
Mary Ann Tchinnis reminded everyone that the Christmas House Tour is scheduled for December 12, 2010 from 1PM to 5PM. There will be six homes on the tour. Janet Heyer is head of a subcommittee to make favors for each of the visitors. Mary Ann needs house sitters and cookie bakers. The committee makes evergreen centerpieces for each house, so, as the date approaches, greens and berries you can cut and donate will be much appreciated.
Jo Miller presented ideas for trips, including one to Peconic Land Trust - Bridge Gardens on August 20. Others are Planting Fields Arboretum, New York Botanical Garden, Long House Reserve, Madoo Conservancy, and the Japanese Stroll Gardens.
Happy Birthday to Our September Babies: Frank Densing, Joanna Drake, Lynn Kane, Carolyn Savastano, and Millie Zimmerman. May all your birthday wishes come true!
Hostesses for the August Meeting
Isn’t it fantastic that there are always members ready to volunteer each meeting to be hosts/hostesses? Many thanks to all those who serve us every month. This August, our special thanks go to to Marita and
Ronnie for honchoing and to Ruth Szuminskyj, Joanna Drake, Annie Rubbo, and Jo Miller for goodies.
Serious Dirt from Richard Waldman
Serious Question: Are there groundcover plants that don't require much water?
Serious Answer:
Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) is an evergreen plant that forms a dense mat 6 to 12 inches tall and 15 inches wide. Prefers full sun or light shade. Doesn't need fertilizer or clipping once it is established, but it is a slow grower and can be hard to transplant. Hardy to USDA Zone 3.
10.
Violets (Viola spp.) can form an effective groundcover in partial shade. Foliage dies down to the ground over the winter. Forms colonies by self-sowing. [Sweet violets, sweeter than all the roses….covered all over from head to toe, covered all over with sweet violets. [They, too, can be quite invasive and difficult to get rid of.—Ed.]
Snow-in-summer (Cerastium tomentosum) is a perennial for sunny sites. Grows under a foot tall. Spreads by underground stems and by seed if the spent flowers are not removed in summer. Spreads most quickly in cooler climates. Does not tolerate humidity or very hot summers well. Zones 3 to 7.
Creeping lily-turf (Liriope spicata) is a grasslike plant with evergreen foliage that turns bronze in the winter. Plants grow 8 to 12 inches high and wide. Prefers part or full shade. A tough plant that spreads by underground stems and can be very aggressive/invasive. However, there are places for it, such as all by itself in a contained area like the right-of-way between the street and the sidewalk. Another might be a steep embankment where there’s room to remove each year’s unwanted spread without damaging any nearby plants. Or in full shade, where its spread is less aggressive. Zone 4 to 10.
But wait! There is a well-behaved liriope, Liriope muscari, the clumping kind that does not spread by runners and basically stays where you put it. It blooms purple, not white like spicata, but it shares all the good qualities of the spreading kind—incredible toughness and adaptability—without the invasive behavior. And there’s an especially attractive green-and-white variegated variety of this plant, which brightens up any shady spot.
Well, budget gardeners, the bad news about clumping liriope is that you’ll have to buy many more of them to accomplish the same coverage you’d get quickly and cheaply with the spreaders. And clumpers usually aren’t available free from your neighbors like spreaders are. So it’s easy to understand why so many homeowners use the spreading type where they shouldn’t, even after being warned.
http://www.hortmag.com/article/lowwatergroundcovers/
"But now in September the garden has cooled, and with it my possessiveness. The sun warms my back instead of beating on my head ... The harvest has dwindled, and I have grown apart from the intense midsummer relationship that brought it on."
~Robert Finch
More Serious Dirt from Richard Waldman: Adapt or Die!
Adapted from July 26, 2010 New York Times Botanical Gardens Look for New Lures By JUDITH H. DOBRZYNSKI
For the last quarter century, the Cleveland Botanical Garden went all out for its biennial Flower Show, the largest outdoor garden show in North America. With themed gardens harking back to the Roman Empire or an 18th-century English estate, the event would draw 25,000 to 30,000 visitors.
But in 2009, the Flower Show was postponed and then abandoned when the botanical garden could not find sponsors. This year, the garden has different plans. From Sept. 24 to 26, it is inaugurating the “RIPE! Food & Garden Festival,” which celebrates the trend of locally grown food — and is supported in part by the Cleveland Clinic and Heinen’s, a supermarket chain…
…So it is across the country. Botanical gardens are experiencing an identity crisis, with chrysanthemum contests, horticultural lectures and garden-club ladies, once their main constituency, going the way of manual lawn mowers. Among the long-term factors diminishing their traditional appeal are fewer women at home and less interest in flower-gardening among younger fickle, multitasking generations.
Forced to rethink and rebrand, gardens are appealing to visitors’ interests in nature, sustainability, cooking, health, family and the arts. Some are emphasizing their social role, erecting model green buildings, promoting wellness and staying open at night so people can mingle over cocktails like the Pollinator (green tea liqueur, soda water and Sprite). A few are even inviting in dogs (and their walkers) free or, as in Cleveland, with a canine admission charge ($2).,,
In May, the Atlanta [Botanical G]arden opened an attraction that would fit right in at a jungle park: a “canopy walk” that twists and turns for 600 feet at a height of up to 45 feet, allowing visitors to trek through the treetops. Not far away, food enthusiasts can stop in at a new edible garden, with an outdoor kitchen frequently staffed by guest chefs creating dishes with fresh, healthy ingredients. Edible gardens are the fastest-growing trend at botanical gardens, consistently increasing attendance, experts say, along with cooking classes. Attendance in Atlanta since May is double what it was for the same period last year….
Trends that could increase garden attendance include:
Concern for the environment
Interest in locally grown food
Efforts to reduce childhood obesity
Demand for family activities and mania for interactive entertainment
Economic pressures could help botanical gardens, as more people try to grow their own food.
Some tactics designed to entice nongardeners are not new, of course —sculpture and concerts have been around for years—but their popularity is growing. The New York Botanical Garden drew big crowds with a tribute to the poet Emily Dickinson, who was also a gardener.
The new exhibition at the United States Botanic Garden in Washington features “the spectacular spud family,” with potato-related artifacts, music and bits of pop culture, especially the endurance of Mr. Potato Head.
And children’s gardens are growing more whimsical and interactive, says Sharilyn Ingram, a former president of the Royal Botanical Gardens in Canada who is now a culture professor at Brock University in Ontario. “You get to have a little more fun now,” she said.
Food festivals are becoming a large part of the year-round programming that gardens view as important to winning repeat visitors. In January, the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables, Fla., drew some 12,000 people to its fourth International Chocolate Festival with Coffee and Tea. It was followed in April with a local food festival, and this month with a mango festival. In November comes its annual Ramble, a garden party featuring antiques and music.
Read full article at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/27/us/27botanical.html
Mark Jeffers Want to Dispel Some Gardening Myths for You
I learned that you shouldn’t believe every bit of gardening advice you hear in graduate school, thanks to my statistics professor, Walter Stroup, who loved to wear his “Walter Beer” hat during class. This weird-looking derby made from yarn and beer cans was a gift from one of his former students. During the first class, Stroup explained he always wore his Walter Beer hat when he fertilized his plants and wearing it was what caused them to grow so well. The purpose of his anecdote, I realized, was to impress upon his students the importance of questioning every claim and bit of advice. We have all followed someone’s gardening advice without knowing if it was based on sound information. As you maintain your garden, consider if your techniques are simply ideas passed down through the ages or smart practices based on solid science. Here are a few of my favorite myths and the truths we should all embrace.
Myth: If a plant is under stress, it should be fed. Truth: Fertilizing plants that are not nutrient deficient can lead to additional stress. Fertilizer is added to plants growing in poor soils and to plants that show symptoms of lacking a particular nutrient. Generally, when a plant is stressed, it’s not from lack of food. Compacted soil, heat, salt spray, faulty planting, and improper placement are usually the culprits that stress plants. It is important to rule out other environmental conditions before deciding a plant is underfertilized. When fed, stressed plants use up energy that is better spent on growing roots, walling off decay organisms, or defending against insects.
Myth: Cover newly pruned areas with varnish, tar, or paint. Truth: There really isn’t a way to keep fungal organisms out of a new cut. In about half of the situations where these wound dressings are used, the tree’s heartwood decays faster than it would have without the topical application. The paint or tar holds moisture near the new wound, which, unfortunately, helps the various fungal decay organisms grow. Instead, simply make a clean cut just outside the branch collar and leave it alone. If pruned properly, trees can take advantage of natural defense mechanisms to ward off most decay problems.
Myth: Organic pesticides are less toxic than synthetic ones. Truth: Misused pesticides can be harmful, regardless of whether they are considered natural or synthetic. Pyrethrum, for example, is made from chrysanthemums but is still toxic to people and pets when handled improperly. Whenever possible, it’s best to select the least toxic control option available because, even if not lethal, many of these pesticides can cause serious health complications. Safe storage of these products can help prevent any harmful accidents. Read and follow all label directions, and remember that these products are tools, not miracle workers or silver bullets. Pesticides cannot correct mistakes made in plant selection, installation, or maintenance.
Myth: Newly planted trees need to be staked and guy-wired. Truth: Staking a tree can hinder its proper development. This practice was once a landscape industry standard, driven by a gardener’s inner desire to do something good for the plant to help it grow. It’s best to avoid staking unless the new tree is located in a windy or on a sloped site. Allowing the tree to sway in the wind encourages the development of stronger stabilizing roots. If staked, the tree may become dependent on this support, preventing the root system from becoming strong and healthy. If it is truly necessary, tie the trunk loosely to the stake using fabrics such as T-shirts or bicycle inner tubes to avoid damaging the bark, and remove the support after one growing season.
Myth: Sunshine focused through water droplets will burn leaves. Truth: The diffused rays of the sun are not powerful enough to cause burning. If it were the case that water droplets burned leaves, farmers would encounter huge losses after each daytime rainstorm. In fact, lawn care professionals often cool turf by spritzing water over the foliage during the hottest part of the day. In general, the best time to water most garden plants is early in the morning because of higher municipal water pressure, a lower evaporation rate, and the potential to reduce foliar diseases that often occur in overly moist situations. But if you are left with no other choice, watering midday will not harm your plants.
Read more by John C. Fech at http://www.finegardening.com/plants/articles/demystifying-garden-myths.aspx
Timely Tips for September
Plant or transplant evergreens, soak and mulch.
Now is the time to fertilize your lawn; continue watering.
Dry summers=early leaf drop; water trees well before dormancy.
Divide and plant early-blooming perennials.
If soil hasn’t been tested for three years, do it now.
Pot up herbs for winter use indoors.
Try to remember the kind of September when life was slow and oh, so mellow.
Try to remember the kind of September when grass was green and grain was yellow.
Try to remember the kind of September when you were a tender and callow fellow.
Try to remember, and if you remember,then follow.
~Music: Harvey Schmidt Lyrics: Tom Jones 1960
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