october  27th, MEETING

Soil Preparation and Planting Techniques, Presented by: Tim Malinich Ohio State Extension Agent: Horticulture.  The secret to growing a lush, healthy garden, whether it be flowers or vegetables, is in the preparation of the soil.

 "Feed the soil and the soil will feed the plants." Therefore, the initial preparation of a planting bed is of the utmost importance before you ever plant a single plant!  Come learn how from this horticulture specialist. 

Refreshments will be served.  Hostesses:  Sue Roehl, Coordinator, Karen Bang, Barb Duda, Gail Gersna, Jean Kern, Susan Peters, Joan Schneider, Beth Stroh. 

Yearbook Updates

Thanks to Valerie Wollerton for bringing to our attention an error in the Yearbook.  The date, December 17^th is correct for the Holiday Luncheon, but the day of the week should be changed to FRIDAY.   

Please make these additional corrections:

Jean Andorka, e-mail: bookdrop@earthlink.net

Nancy Berens, e-mail: sewgirl@centurytel.net  (remove extra "l")

Susan Peters, e-mail: spetersinteriors@aol.com

Stephanie Uptmor, e-mail: Jstlaugh@comcast.net

Ann Nock, new: Ann Nock, new member: 29501 Wolf Road, 44140-1861, 440-871-8986, Jan 12, annie@nock.com

Bev Hine, e-mail: denishine@juno.com  (remove 1 "n" from orig)

Beverly Oring, e-mail: bevmoring@aol.com   (add"m" to orig)

 Nancy DeCesare's correct address is: 25925 Hilliard Rd, Wstlk 44145-3315,  nancyhilliard555

Thanks to everyone submitting changes and corrections.

Sue Roehl

Greening of Bay

Please pass on the enclosed flyer to a neighbor or a friend, invite them to attend the 22^nd annual Greening of Bay.  They will be sure to enjoy the experience.  Some of the committees are still in need of volunteers, please look for Keri Eckel at the next meeting or give her a call, (440) 892-8716 to join the committee of your choice.

The Christmas Carousel, sponsored by Lake Erie Nature and Science Center has offered us a table at their show on November 6^th at the Dwyer Center to showcase our Christmas arrangements for Greening.  Brenda Ziegler will make samples of the Boxwood Tree and Our Newly Designed Wreath.  Nan Smith has volunteered to put together the Center Piece.  Ann Massey will provide an easel to display our Pre-decorated wreath.

Brenda Alexander and Patty Perona will set-up and be on hand from 8:30 am to 10:30 am.  Laura Noble and Judy Minium the 10:30 to 12:30 shift.  Brenda Ziegler and Vivian Mautz will man the table from 12:30 to 2:30 and Carol McDonald and Bev Hine will work from 2:30 to 4:30 and then close up shop.  So thanks to all of you for taking time out of your busy Saturday to promote Greening! Please attend the Christmas Carousel and visit your fellow Garden Club Members as well as browse the show. The show sponsored by the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center Women’s Board will host Artist, Craftspeople and Local Vendors for a great day of pre-holiday shopping at the Dwyer Center.  Doors open at 9:30.    You can sign-up for the Greening member workshop that day also.

The Greening committee has been busy purchasing supplies for the upcoming event.  Brenda Ziegler has been shopping for materials for our newly designed wreath it’s a beauty.  Pam Myers has taken over the reins of the Boxwood Tree and is putting her own design flare on this old standard.  Ann Massey and Carol Van Arsdale made the annual shopping trip to Halls. So you can see things are well into motion.  Please help out by signing up for a committee and signing up to make your own arrangements on December 6th.  We are also including in the last section of this newsletter another registration form for the member’s workshop on December 6^th.  You can mail this to our registrar Bay Village Garden Club c/o Diana George, 32360 Brandon Place, Avon Lake, OH  44012-2546 or see her at the upcoming meetings.  

Yard Art

This committee has of a new leader Pam Myers.  She will work with Brenda Ziegler.  The first Yard Art Project found the Garden Club traveling to Allen’s Green House in Avon Lake on Monday October 4^th at 2:00 p.m. There they planted a Fall Outdoor Arrangement.  The containers held  Icicle pansies ,helichrysum, calirachoa (super bells), chrysanthemums, brassica oleracea (ornamental cabbage), varigated ivy, and a scarecrow. (Thanks Rosie Daniels for all the names of plants!)

The onset of autumn doesn't have to mean the end of the container gardening season if you pick plants that stand up to the frost.  Six years ago our first frost here along the Lake in Bay Village was December 12^th.  So these containers may provide to all who made them several months of enjoyment.  If we do have a frost alert it won’t hurt to move them into the Garage or cover them with a paper bag.

Brenda Alexander and Vivian Mautz put the finishing touches on their containers.

Allen’s Greenhouse is undergoing a name change.  This Spring look for Allen’s Greenhouse to become Abby’s Greenhouse, new exciting changes are in store.

Newsletter

Thanks to everyone who has agreed to receive your newsletter by email.  This month I will be sending you a hard copy as well as emailing you. Since we are including so many photos in our newly formatted newsletter I find that it is necessary to zip the document when emailing.  I’ve tested this and run into a problem that I’m hoping our computer expert member Candace

Wintering can help me solve.  She will also be helping me load our updated website to the Internet so look for it by October 22^nd.

 The next date to fold and stuff the Newsletter is Friday November 12^th at 9:30 am.  Please come to my home, 26052 Lake Rd. that morning.   Thanks to everyone who worked  this month.  Many hands make light work, so call if your available (440)871-8173.

Another feature I would love to incorporate in our newsletter are photos members gardens; this month Brenda Ziegler garden is highlighted.  Please recommend gardens for our upcoming issues, by email or phone (440)871-8173.
Deb Manns

What to do in your garden in October

PLANTING

* AMARYLLIS INDOORS. Plant amaryllis bulbs in containers early this month for Thanksgiving bloom or in late October for Christmas bloom.

* GARLIC. Choose hardneck types like 'Chesnok Red' or 'Korean Red'. Break bulbs into cloves; plant each clove 4 to 6 inches apart and 3 to 4 inches deep in good garden soil that receives full sun. Mulch the bed after planting.

* LANDSCAPE PLANTS. Set out hardy ground covers and container-grown trees, shrubs, and perennials no later than six weeks before the ground normally freezes in your area. From fall through winter, water the transplants often enough to keep their rootballs from drying out.

* SPRING BULBS. Before the ground freezes, set out bulbs of allium, crocus, daffodil, fritillary hyacinth, Iris reticulata, scilla, and tulip. Dig holes 6 to 8 inches deep for daffodils and tulips, or 3 to 4 inches deep for small bulbs, then add bulb fertilizer at the bottom of the holes and plant the bulbs. Water the soil deeply and mulch the bed after planting.

MAINTENANCE

* CARE FOR LAWNS. Give lawns their last feeding of the season. Fertilizer applied before the lawn goes dormant in the fall helps the grass green up faster in the spring.

* CUT BACK PERENNIALS. After the first hard freeze, cut back perennials such as aster, campanula, daylily, phlox, and veronica, leaving 6-inch stubs above the ground.

* DRAIN DRIP SYSTEMS. Before the soil freezes, drain drip systems to prevent cracked tubing. Remove end caps from the main lines, turn the water on for a few minutes, then shut it off. Drain all the water, then replace the end caps. Roll up soaker hoses and store in a dark, protected place for the winter.

* HARVEST, STORE CROPS. Pick broccoli and brussels sprouts before a killing frost hits. Cut pumpkins and winter squash with 2-inch stems; store at 50[degrees] to 60[degrees]. Beets, carrots, potatoes, and turnips keep best at 35[degrees] to 45[degrees] in barely damp sand. Onions and shallots need cool, dry storage in mesh bags or slotted crates. Store apples and pears indoors in separate containers at 33[degrees] to 40[degrees].

* MULCH FOR WINTER. After a hard freeze, spread 2 to 3 inches of compost, weed-free straw, or other organic matter to protect bulbs, perennial flowers, vegetables, and strawberries.

* WATER. Water deeply before a hard freeze is predicted. Continue watering flower beds, lawn, shrubs, and trees once a month if the soil is dry 2 to 3 inches below the surface.

BACK TO BASICS

Healthy start for newly planted trees. Young trees become established faster and form stronger trunks if their lower branches are left to develop along the trunk for the first few years after planting. If side branches become too long or vigorous during this time, shorten them during the dormant season. Once the trunk is at least 2 inches thick, begin removing the lower branches gradually, over a period of several years.

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Such an interesting group of members, here are some examples of what our members are up to: 

Rosie Daniels, an exhibit of her paintings, oils as well as a few watercolors are on display this month at the Friendship Center located in the Community House.  Before or after the meeting stop in and see what this very talented lady accomplishes.

Marian Velmin, has opened an Asian Food Take-Out business out of Westlake.  If you don’t like to prepare meals and would like to try something exotic and delicious, give her a call.

Pam Myers, will thrill the child within you as well as children in your family with her delicious as well as magnificent chocolate house for the Holidays.  Forget that old staple the Gingerbread House!  Give her a call to place your Holdiay Order.

MEMBERSHIP WORKSHOP SIGN UP

At the Dwyer Center

Members who wish to make any of the three workshop items for Greening can do so on Monday December 6^th at the designated times.  The cost to members will be $15 per item.  Registration must be received by Monday November 29^th.

NAME_______________________

WREATH                        2 PM

BOXWOOD TREE            3 PM

CENTERPIECE               4 PM

If you would like to purchase a kit instead of attending the workshop, please indicate that on your reservation.

Make checks payable to Bay Village Garden Club.  Send to Diana George,32360 Brandon Place, Avon Lake, OH.  44012-2546

Cut this form out and mail it with your check or Look for Diana at the next few meetings!