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©
May2010
Volume XXXVI, Issue 5
Newsletter of the Danville-Alamo Garden Club
President’s Message - Louise Wiggins
"The world's favorite season is the spring.
All things seem possible in May." ~ Edwin Way Teal
Gardeners share. We give no-occasion bouquets, leave boxes of
vegetables on a neighbor’s doorstep, and send a friend home with
divided bulbs or cuttings of geranium. Several things in my garden are a testament to the generosity of others. I am reminded of
these friends as I look at my red oxalis, the bulbine, tuberous beginnings of alstroemeria that I’d forgotten about until they appeared this spring, golden feverfew that punctuates one of my
front beds with its bright
foliage. I was recently
given tulip bulbs that
travel. Imagine! And now
there’s the promise of a
wisteria start. Of course,
sometimes the shared plant
becomes a nuisance, like
an attractive ground cover
that becomes invasive and
must be pulled twice a year
to allow other plants some
space or like the redwood
sprigs that grew into giants
that I wouldn’t plant again.
But, as they say, it’s the
thought that counts – or,
maybe caveat emptor is
more apt.
Anyway, I was reminded
of this characteristic sharing trait during the tour to
Matanzas Creek Winery
when our group was strolling through the gorgeous
gardens there. Each person had something to contribute as we
walked and made observations: a bit of advice about how to grow
something, identification of a plant, how to get rid of a pest, prob-
lems with a certain weed. For me, this exchange of information
among people with a common interest creates a bond that is hard
to describe. It’s as significant as the handclasp of friendship. I
love that we practice generous gardening.
I’ve been sprucing up a few containers recently. I used to do
specimen planting, just a single plant per container, but the last
few years I’ve enjoyed combining plants with similar requirements or trying color combinations that are appealing. We know
about the concept of “thrillers, spillers, and fillers,” purportedly
the key to a successful grouping.
Last year my attempt at such a
combination worked for a few
weeks, but by the end of the
season, the spiller had demanded all of the attention,
obliterating the filler and doing
a pretty good job of overtaking
the thriller. Although a successful trio isn’t guaranteed if you
don’t pay attention to the growth
habits of what you plant, the
bright green ipomoea still provided quite a show on my deck.
However, it didn’t survive the
cold winter and has just been
replaced by a golden bacoba that
promises to share the spotlight
with its potmates.
Don’t forget your opportunity at
the May meeting for a photo
retake for next year’s Directory.
It’s not too late to suggest a recipient for a donation at the end
of the year. When you give the
information to a board member, be as specific as you can about
what the money will be used for by the group needing funds. I’ll
see you all soon!
Inside This Issue:
Page 1 ………… President’s Message
Page 2 ………… Horticulture, Programs, Social
Page 3 ………… Proposed Board of Directors
Page 4 ………… Calendar
Page 5 ………… Birthdays, Deadheaders, Workshop,
From the Ground Up, Tours
Page 6 ………… Our Sponsors
Horticulture
Programs
In all the years I have lived in California, the phrase “April showers
bring May flowers” didn’t apply until this year. I am amazed how
much rain we have had in April. I am amazed how cold it still is. We
have had cool weather in April, but not for as many days as this year.
It makes it hard to decide if we should plant tomatoes, impatiens, or
zinnias yet.
We all learned so much from our April speaker, Daxin Liu of Fragrant Hill Design. I hope members will access his website. There
are more stunning photos and information in his portfolio. Perhaps
a future destination for our members will be a trip to Suzhou ,
China !
Many of the plants that we call annuals are really tropical plants that
do well in our warm summers, but will die when it frosts. Tomatoes,
and impatiens are such plants, and that is why some of you who live
in the warmer areas of our valley have impatiens that winter over.
May brings us our own Kristin-Yanker-Hansen! Kristin will speak
on the care and varieties of house plants (I can vouch that she has
about 200) and gift plants (just in time for Mother’s Day). There
will be an opportunity for questions and answers.
As we go from winter to spring our soil is very cool, and these plants
languish if our temperatures don’t warm up the soil sufficiently.
They just don’t want to stick their toes out of their warm nests where
they were raised in the greenhouse.
Every May meeting, we celebrate a tradition. We pay homage to
almost everyone’s favorite flower, the rose. Please bring in your
favorite blooming rose to share with the group. One stem or an entire bouquet will be just wonderful. Do label them if you know their
name. Last year the Double Delight and French Lace were most
remarkable.
There is one trick you can use to make your plants happier. If you
get some fresh compost, my favorite being mushroom compost, it is
still quite warm because as organic matter decomposes it gives off
heat. Layer it about two inches on top of your planting area and plant
these plants directly into it. Since our outdoor temperatures remain
cool, the plants are quite happy to be in this warmer place, and will
put out roots. The heat of the compost will also raise the air temperature immediately around the plants.
Lunch out will be determined. We are thinking something sushi!
See you then!
Joyce Michalczyk
Program Chair
The Farmer’s almanac is saying that we should expect another cool
summer. This makes for late tomatoes. I sure hope they are wrong,
since Caprese salad, which is tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil is
my favorite summertime meal.
Kristin Yanker-Hansen
Directory Pictures
Members will have an opportunity at both the May and June meetings to have their photographs retaken. If your Directory picture
doesn't do you justice or if you haven't had yours taken yet, take
advantage of this second chance. Penny will have her camera
handy.
Social Committee
DAGC gives a special thank you to Linda Sanchez for hosting our group in her lovely garden for the "Mint Julep Derby Garden Social" and
to Peggy Stevens for all of her donations for this event, including the prizes for our "Most Creative Hat" contest. Thank you also to all of
the members who grew and harvested the mint varietals for our drink tastings.
Cheers to an American tradition, the Kentucky Derby!
Ingrid Lara, Social VP
Executive Board
President
First Vice President
Program Vice President
Membership Vice President
Social Vice President
Recording Secretary
Corresponding Secretary
Treasurer
Appointed Positions
Club Advisor
Parliamentarian
Elected Board Positions
Historian
Horticultural Chair
Newsletter Editor
Sponsor Representative
Tour Chair
Way and Means Chair
Website Administrator
Workshop Chair
Appointed Club Support Positions
Artistic Arranger
Email Coordinator
Inspiration
Penny Pines
Plant Exchange
Rose Garden Chair
Special Committee Chairs
Audit Committee Chair
Budget Committee Chair
Bylaws Committee Chair
Directory Committee Chair
Holiday Committee Chair
Nominating Committee Chair
Sheila Truschke
Sue Naas
Karen Fox/ Sandi Stamates
Deb Cattaneo/ Donna Samluk
Judy Dehont/Aline Richards
Joyce Michalczyk
Raquel Hansen
Sandy March
Louise Wiggins
Marian Bliss
Penny Adams
Kristin Yanker-Hansen
Ofelia Barr
Sibylle Waizenegger/Connie Lieske
Ingrid Lara
no need to fill at this time
Sharon Gibson
Win Cronin
Linda Scotting/ backup Charlene Gieger
Tena Gallagher
Veronica Knaack
Lisa Ortiz-Claussen
Terre Hepburn
Vicki Brown
Barbara Perry
Sandy March
Marian Bliss
Carol Sayers
Emily Pennington
Sue Naas
10th Annual Danville-Alamo Branch of AAUW Garden Tour
Seven Delightful Gardens located in Alamo and Danville
Friday, May 7th & Saturday, May 8th 10:00AM - 4:00PM each day
Light Refreshments. No children under 12 please.
All proceeds benefit AAUW’s Educational Foundation which supports aspiring female scholars.
$30 if postmarked by April 30th, $35 thereafter; $25 for seniors 65 + throughout tour
For tickets with garden locations, mail check by April 30th payable to: “Danville-Alamo AAUW EF” with self-addressed, stamped
envelope to: AAUW Garden Tour, 400 Cliffside Dr, Danville, CA 94526
Tickets also available: East Bay Flower Company, 206 Sycamore Valley Rd W in the Danville Livery.
After April 30th or Questions? Call Mary, (925) 831-1784 or [email protected]
Date & Time
Events
Place
Details
Every Tues 9am-12
Plant Sale
Markham Arboretum
Weekly sale. Bargain prices.
May 1 10am-2pm
Plant Sale
Markham Arboretum
Volunteer propagated plant sale.
May 1 11am & 3pm
Mini-Class
Navlets Garden Center
May 1 10am
Orchids Basics
Navlet’s Garden Center
May 1 11am-4pm
Danville area
May 6 & 7 9am
Garden Tour Valley
Oak Respite Center
Mt. Diablo Rose Society Spring Rose Show
DAGC Workshop
May 8 10am
Orchids Basics
Navelt’s Garden Center
Mother’s Day Gifts. Best gift selections will be gathered for an easy 15 minute shopping spree.
Guest instructor Brian, The Orchid Guy, discusses
how to successfully grow the most popular orchids
and will cover a wide range of orchid related topics.
Fund raising tour to benefit adult day care features 6
gardens. More info in this newsletter.
Novice public entries welcome between 7-10am.
Show from 1-4pm.
2 day workshop limited to 10 participants. $10. See
Workshop article in this newsletter.
See info above for May 1 class.
May 8 1-5pm
70th Annual Pleasanton
Public Rose Show
10th Annual AAUW
Garden Tour
The ABC’s of Herbs
Pleasanton Libaray
May 2 1-4pm
May 7 & 8 10am-4pm
May 8 10am
May 8 9am
Dublin Senior Center
Vicki Freeberg’s home
Alamo & Danville
Sloat Garden Center
May 8 & 9 10-5
Rose Care for Beginners
Mother’s Day Party
May 8 & 9
11am-4pm
“Scentsational” Day
for Mom
Alden Lane
May 13 9:30am
DAGC General Meeting
Mini Class
Alamo Women’s Club
May 15 11am & 3pm
May 2 10am-4pm
Armstrong Nursery
Annie’s Annuals
Navlet’s Garden Center
East Bay Gardens
May 20 9:30am
Bringing Back the Natives Tour
DAGC Board Meeting
May 22 9am
Orchid Repotting
Armstrong Nursery
May 22 2pm
Summer Rose Pruning
Navlet’s Garden Center
May 23 2pm
Compost Class
Navlet’s Garden Center
May 27 8:30am
DAGC Tour
Sycamore Park’n Ride
May 29 9am-5pm
Free Hands-on African
Violet Workshop
SF County Fair Building
Raquel Hansen’s Home
Award Ceremony, 1:30pm. For more information
visit www.pleasantonroseshow.com.
Features 7 gardens in Danville Alamo area. More
info in this newsletter.
Expert Rose Deming shares her favorite recipes using
basic herbs.
Staff will give quick & easy tips to having your roses
blooming all summer long.
One of 5 Annie’s Annuals annual parties. 1-888-2664370 for info.
Stroll through roses, enjoy the tent featuring Alden
Lane’s most fragrant roses, mix potpourri to take
home & sip Lemonade Iced Tea w/ cookies in the
patio. Cost is $5/person. Reservations required.
(925) 447-0280.
“The Care of House Plants & Gift Plants”, Kristin
Yanker-Hansen
Rose Maintenance. In 15 minutes learn how to keep
roses blooming all summer & into the fall.
Free self-guided tour of 60 East Bay Gardens. For
more info visit www.bringingbackthenatives.net
RSVP.
Orchid basics will be covered, including how to replant your orchids
Buss Bertolero will cover pruning, watering, fertilizing & disease & pest control for roses.
Ashley Louisiana discussing composting…the how to
& benefits of composting.
Half Moon Bay Nurseries. See Tour article in this
newsletter.
SF African Violet Society hosts workshop. Call Fred
at (415) 664-9308 or email [email protected]
for more info.
Happy May Birthdays!!!
Sandi Stamates
Michele Snover
Terre Hepburn
Marcia Steinhardt
Christa Stegman
Ann Johnson
Marjorie McMahon
Diane Scofield
Janet Hamby
Nancy Bukunt
Flower Of The Month: Lily of the Valley
Birthstone: Emerald
Attention Deadheaders!
It's time to find your bucket, gloves, clippers and hat so you'll be
ready to start deadheading the roses in Osage Park this summer. No prior experience needed. Our garden is located behind
Charlotte Wood Middle School at 600 El Capitan Drive in Danville and we are clipping on Thursday mornings from 8:30 am to
9:30 am beginning June 3rd (no clipping on June 10th due to the
garden club meeting). If you have questions or have not had an
opportunity to sign up please contact Vicki Brown to get on the
email list.
Those of you already signed up watch your email for information
on our deadhead "kickoff" coffee at my house.
Vicki Brown
From the Ground up
May's Garden To-Do List
Vegetable Gardening Tips
Tomatoes: plant where sun shines 6-10 hours daily. Wait for
night temperatures to be above 50 degrees. Bury transplants
deeply, covering part of the stems. Protect from cutworms with a
collar made from a Styrofoam or paper cup. Make room for:
corn, cucumbers, melons, squash, tomatoes, and zucchini.
Plant closer: beans, beets, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, eggplant, leafy greens, lettuce, peppers. .
Closest: carrots and radishes.
Our gardens face between four and six rainless months
ahead. Now is the time to build basins around plants. Many wellestablished plants will survive the dry season with only one or two
deep soakings. Mulch heavily to reduce evaporation and to protect roots from the baking heat of the sun, taking care to keep the
mulch away from the stem or trunk of plants.
Your Down To Earth Gardener, Diane Scofield
Mosaic Workshop
(Led by Vicki Freeberg)
Come and create something fun and colorful for your garden! How
about a stepping stone, a small garden tabletop, or a piece of wall
art? Get your artistic juices flowing at this 2-day workshop where
you will create a mosaic just like the ones you have seen in designer
shops. Attendance is limited to the first 10, so send your $10 check
to Vicki Freeberg to hold your space.
WHEN: Thursday, May 6th and Friday, May 7th
TIME:
Thursday: 9:00 - 3:00 PM (Mosaic must dry overnight)
Friday:
9:00 - 12:30 Noon (We will finish our project this morning)
WHERE: Home of Vicki Freeberg
COST:
$ 10
Vicki will contact all participants about purchasing mosaic tiles and
tools.
You may wish to bring a lunch and wear clothes that can get dusty.
Questions? please phone or e-mail Vicki.
Tours
Final tour of the season:
Thursday May 27, 2010
Half Moon Bay Nurseries
Meet at Sycamore Park & Ride at 8:15
Cost $10.00 to carpool driver
Optional lunch at a local restaurant
Enjoy a lovely drive to the coast and leisurely visit to several
local nurseries in the area.
©
Newsletter of the Danville-Alamo Garden Club
Ofelia Barr ~ Editor
Danville–Alamo Garden Club
P.O. Box 920
Danville, CA 94526
[email protected]
Our Sponsors
Alamo Ace Hardware
3211 Danville Blvd., Alamo
Armstrong Garden Centers
7360 San Ramon Road, Dublin
925-551-0231
Diablo Valley College
Horticulture Department
Markham Arboretum
1202 La Vista Avenue, Concord
925-681-2968
Navlet’s
800 Camino Ramon, Danville
925-837-9144
Regan Nursery
4268 Decoto Road, Fremont
510-797-3222
Sloat Garden Center
828 Diablo Road, Danville
925-743-0288
Sunset Color Nursery
1435 San Ramon Valley Boulevard, Danville
925-831-3574
Remember, our commercial sponsors donate the door prizes, and they support us
with speakers for our general meetings.
Please support them!
www.dagc.us
May 2010