Folsom Garden Club

Folsom Garden Club
Neighborhood Gardeners since 1934
Volume XIII, No. II
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 1681, Folsom, Ca 95763
Website: www.folsomgarden.org
“One can complain because rosebushes have thorns,
or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses”
Abraham Lincoln
Happy Easter.
You are cordially invited to
honoring past Presidents.
At 10 am, Thursday, March 7th
Tea and Coffee will be served, with traditional Afternoon Tea
fare
Why not bring a teacup and saucer, instead of your usual
mug?
Wear your favorite Gardening Hat
Or
Decorate a Gardening Hat.
: Mary Ann Horton, from Horton Iris Garden in Loomis will
talk about the varieties and care of Iris.
Garden Tour meeting will follow at 12:15
Dirt Gardeners Field Trip
Thursday, March 21 at 10 am
Tour of Kikkoman manufacturing plant (1000 Glenn Dr,),
then your own picnic lunch in Lembi Park.
Afternoon Tour of Gekkeiken Brewery; Sake tasting; followed by visit to gift shop and garden.
For more information, please contact Nina Sanders
FGC Newsletter
Page 1
March 2013
The President’s Corner.
Joye Gephart
It's been a wild week as I sit down to write this - we got a good layer of snow at our
cabin in Georgetown (at an elevation of 2,632 ft.) and a little rain in the valley,
with much more normal temps for winter, but we still needed to water today
(Wednesday, February 20th) because it has been unseasonably warm. The weeds
seem to be keeping up with things better than I have! I hope you're looking forward
to spring, as I am. I also hope that you enjoy our speakers and meetings as much as
I have! See you at the March meeting!
We now have a couple of openings We need someone who has a computer who is willing to look at what gets e-mailed out to the club and
then call up our non-email members to keep them informed. Our current Phone List volunteer, Anna
Lombard, is living in So. Cal. and into a couple of garden-related clubs in her area and is finding that it
might be best to have a local member volunteer for this important position.
Thanks for being there for us, Anna, even though so far away!
We need an Historian who can keep the monthly newsletters in a binder for the club's history. Please
contact Joye Gephart if you're interested.
Thank you! to Sue Simpson for helping us out in 2012.
You can get more information in your Yearbook, page 29, Section 6.
Connie Dibb
Audrey Dufault
Marty Andis
Mary Chapman
Joyce Roderick
Mar 1
Mar 5
Mar 9
Mar 10
Mar 10
Georgette Branham
Ann Lake
Gladys David
Pat Rowell
Simin Kiani
Mar 13
Mar 17
Mar 19
Mar 22
Mar 30
April Calendar of Events
Location
Event
Contact
10 to
12:15
Rotary Clubhouse,
Lew Howard Park
Business Meeting
Discussion and finalization of plans for the
13th Annual Garden Tour.
Joye Gephart
10 to
noon
Horton Iris Garden,
Loomis
Dirt Gardeners, Field Trip
Nina Sanders
Thurs
25
4pm to
6 pm
(approx.)
Gardens of the
Garden Club‟s Tour
Sat
27th &
Sun
28th
11am
To
6 pm
Date
Thurs
4
Thurs
18
Time
FGC Newsletter
Pre-Tour and Dinner
13th Annual Folsom Garden Tour
Page 2
Ron Byrd
Jan-Can Prendergast
March 2013
The February Meeting: 65 members attended and 1 guest.
We have a total of 118 members.
Hodgepodge Table: $58.50
Raffle: $158. Our thanks go to the following for their generous donations to the Raffle:
 Erin Angulo, $50 Dinner certificate
 Sherril Gomes, See’s candy, worth $25
 Jennie Lewis, a Cymbidium
 Guest Speaker Nancy Brennand, three floral arrangements.
Penny Pines: $31.01
Penny Pines
Progress: $144.85_
Joyce Roderick quoted Mary Sarton, poet, novelist,
journal writer.
“Beyond the garden,
the present cats,
two speckled sister,
creep in and out of the log grasses
and among the daisies like tigers,
but as soon as one of them is inside the garden proper,
she comes to sit decorously under the rosebush,
paws tucked in
and wearing the expression of Queen Victoria
at her most bland.”
The refreshment table decorated
for Valentine‟s Day
February Plant of the month, presented by Erin Angulo
Cerinthe, “Honeywort”: Mediterranean native. Categorized as an annual but self-seeds
and can be perennial. Grows to about 2‟ x 2‟ and blooms spring to fall with 1” long, tubular
flowers full of nectar, making it very attractive to Bees. The leaves are blue/gray in color.
Borage:
European Herb; annual, but self-seeds. Tolerates poor soil; its long tap root makes
it drought tolerant but difficult to transplant. Grows to 2‟ – 3‟ x 1 ½ „, with bristly, gray-green
leaves and blue, star shaped flowers. All parts of the plant are edible: the leaves used while
young and tender taste like cucumber; in recipes or sautéed like spinach. Also can be used to
soften and cleans the skin. Eat the flowers raw in salads or crystalized for edible decorations.
Use them as cooling additions to summer drinks: steeped in fruit „teas‟ or wine, or frozen in
ice cubes. Even the roots can be candied. There is also a long list of Medicinal uses.
A 17th century Herbalist described Borage as able “to make the mind glad and drive away all
sadness” and is “of known virtue to revive the Hypochondriac and clear the hard Student”.
A list of seed to be taken to New England from Britain in 1631 includes „1oz Buradg (Borage)
seed‟.
(Page 8 has a recipe.)
FGC Newsletter
Page 3
Cerinthe
Borage
March 2013
February‟s Guest Speaker was Nancy Brennand, Floral Designer.
Nancy demonstrated how she
assembles a free-form bouquet.
Nancy showed how to use multiple,
intertwined vine as a mesh inside tall or wide
vases. This supports the foliage, flowers,
fruits and vegetables that she uses to create
floral arrangements. The fruit and vegetables
were speared on wooden skewers.
Nancy generously donated the three creations
pictured above to the Raffle.
February Dirt Gardeners. Judy Hickey, assisted by Adrienne Coolidge, demonstrated the art
floral arrangement using flowers, leaves, fruit and vegetables. Participants brought their own containers to
created masterpieces.
FGC Newsletter
Page 4
March 2013
Gardening Tips:
Average March weather in Folsom: Max 65 o, Min 44º, Precipitation 4.3“.
Sunday, March 10, Daylight Saving Time Begins.
Sunday, March 17, St Patrick’s Day
Sunday, March 31, Easter Day
California Arbor Week, March 7 to 14th
The spring growing season and spring winds begin this month. About 15% to 20% of our
March, and a
. This is truly the beginning of the gardening year.
Weeds are at their peak. If your neighbor has dandelions,
you will have them too.
Most weeds can simply be pulled or cultivated out of the
garden while they are young.
Broadleaf weeds are easy to control with spot spraying.
There is no need to resort to weed-and-feed products that
deposit herbicides over your entire lawn.
Remember, once the weeds go to seed you
can be fighting that weed for seven years or more.
No matter what condition your
garden is in, adding a layer of
mulch will give it a clean,
freshly planted look. But the
benefits of mulch are not just
cosmetic. Mulching is one of
the best ways to maintain soil
moisture (save on your water
bill), insulate roots and
prevent weeds.
falls in
Plant
trees,
shrubs,
herbs,
perennials, and ground covers. When
planting, dig a hole twice the diameter of the
root ball but not deeper. Firm the soil you
replace. For most woody plants there is no
need to add amendments to the backfill soil.
Continue to plant summer bulbs like
gladiolus.
Prepare planting beds by cultivate
down to about one foot and add organic
amendment, especially for vegetable and
flower beds.
Fertilize shrubs and trees if this
wasn't done in February. Use an acid type
rhododendron fertilizer to feed evergreens,
conifers,
broad
leaf
evergreens,
rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias.
Fertilize lawns to get them
growing again. Lawns deficient in nitrogen
are very susceptible to rust and red thread
fungus diseases during the cool months of
spring.
For 3” deep mulch: a 2-cubic-foot bag covers 8 sq ft; 1 cubic yard of mulch covers 108 sq ft.
Tinkathe
Davi,
lovely photographs of your Camellias.
In general, the denser theThank
mulchyou,
particles,
lessfor
youthese
need.
Apply at least once a year in early spring before weeds sprout. You can also add a second layer as a top dressing in
late fall.
You can leave mulch in place indefinitely. Just scrape it aside if you want to plant in a mulched area.
I
My Plant!
Thank you, Tinka
Davi, for sending
in photos of these
gorgeous
Camellias.
Above, Pope Pius IX
Left, Pearl Maxwell in Pewter vase.
Above, C.M. Wilson
Right, Mathotiana Supreme
FGC Newsletter
Page 5
March 2013
Spring is also the time to turn you attention to Bird Houses (nest boxes), Feeders and Baths.
Page 7 of your January newsletter has suggestions about Bird Feeders and bird seed.
Clean Bird Houses, Feeders and Baths.
Used nests are often tainted with fleas,
mites, and lice waiting for more
inhabitants. Feeders can spread parasites
and disease. Remove nests after rearing
and clean and spray nestboxes and
feeders with a mix of 90% water and
10% chlorine bleach. Replace wood
chips
in
nestboxes
for
ducks,
woodpeckers and chickadees.
Protect nests from raccoons, weasels,
opossums, cats and dogs by mounting
at appropriate heights, metal poles, and
wrapping wood posts with sheet metal.
Nest boxes also attract squirrels, mice,
snakes, insects and unwanted birds like
house sparrows or starlings. Make sure
desired birds aren't being driven
away. If they are being intimidated by
more aggressive bird species, it's a sign
they are in peril. It‟s so sad to find a
family of dead bluebirds, adults and
babies, around a nest box. Sparrows
move into homes with 1 1/2" or larger
openings and starlings will use
anything larger than 1 1/2".
Clean feeders regularly and provide more
than one if large numbers feed, to reduce
close contact. Smaller birds will be
bullied less. Make sure seed is dry and
free from mold. Store seed where mice
cannot contaminate it with droppings,
parasites and disease.
Water for Birds
Birds need fresh water. Many birds love
to bathe in water; even the sound of
running water will attract birds.
Bird Baths absolutely must be cleaned
regularly.
If they are not cleaned, it would
be better not to have one at all
Humming Bird Feeders need not be daunting to maintain:
Food: Make sugar water - 4 part water to one part sugar. No need to add red food dye. A red ribbon works
well to attract the hummingbirds.
Cleaning: pipe cleaners; dental floss; floss threaders; interdental brushes; tooth picks all can help to clean
tiny openings. Use a solution of vinegar and water, along with rice, sand or (un-popped) pop corn & swish it
around
Discourage ants: the lid of a jar drilled with a hole and attached to one side with a J bolt and an eye bolt to
the other creates an instant moat. Or cooking spray will make the surfaces too slippery for ants.
Add a few floating beads or buttons – you‟ll be able to tell from afar when the fluid level gets low.
Add a few wire coat hangers for extra perches.
Thank you to Joyce Roderick for the information from “Birds and Blooms” magazine.
FGC Newsletter
Page 6
March 2013
The Folsom Garden Tour,
Saturday, April 27th & Sunday, April 28th
131 tickets have already been sold – thank you!
Tickets are now $12, which still a great price.
Tickets will be $15 at the Tour
The March meeting is when you can decide how you‟d like to help on the Tour.
There will be sign-up sheets for:
Host or help at individual gardens
Distribution of Posters and Rack cards
Assistants for the Plant Sale
Pre-Tour pot-luck Dinner - to bring a salad, a main dish or a dessert.
Now’s the time to prepare and/or start your plants for the Sale!
5 plants each would be ideal.
Do you still have a yellow Garden Tour yard sign at home? If so, please let David Coolidge know or bring it
to the next Business meeting. We need to take an inventory and refurbish the signs.
The Folsom Garden Tour Sponsorship Committee‟s goal is to raise money to pay the expenses of the Garden
Tour, so that the proceeds from the ticket sales can go to our scholarships, community projects and other club
expenses. The committee is looking for club members who would like to join the committee.
As a club member, you could actually be a sponsor. Several of our members have already given cash donations.
Another way to help would be to give one of the committee members the name of any business you think might
be willing to be a sponsor or an in kind gift donor. If they are not already on our list, we will contact them.
A sponsor who has made a cash donation of $50 or more will be listed on the Garden Tour tickets and in the
club Yearbook.
We would appreciate your help in any of the above ways. If you would like to join or contribute, please call
any of the following committee members:
David Coolidge - Chairman, Sponsorship Committee
Sherril Gomes - Member, Sponsorship Committee
Adrienne Coolidge - Member, Sponsorship Committee
For more information, please contact Tour Director Jan-Can Prendergast.
Thank you for your continuing support.
Looking for a unique foundation planting?
FGC Newsletter, Page 7, March 2013
A – Euphorbia Euphorbia xmartini „Ascot Rainbow‟ Perennial; masses of
cream, blue-green and red bracts early summer to fall; full sun; 18 to 20 in.
tall and wide; cold zones 5 to 9, heat zones 9 to 1
B – Barberry Berberis thunbergii „Orange Rocket‟ Shrub; coral-red new
foliage; full sun to part shade; 48 to 52 in. tall, 12 to 16 in. wide; cold zones
4 to 9, heat zones 9 to 1
C – Crocosmia Crocosmia Little Redhead („Walrhead‟) Perennial; redorange flowers in summer; full sun; 18 to 24 in. tall, 12 to 15 in. wide; cold
zones 6 to 9, heat zones 9 to 1
From gardengate/com
2012-2013 Board of Officers
President
Joye Gephart
1st Vice Presidents
Adrienne Coolidge
Nina Sanders
2nd Vice President
Garden Tour Director
Are you already a Folsom Library volunteer,
or are you interested in that? New library
management would like to work with us, the
Folsom Garden Club, in helping maintain their
indoor plants. What is involved? We don't
know yet! We will set up a meeting with staff
to find out what they need from us and then go
from there.
~~~~~~~~~~
Folsom Library Spring Book Sale,
Sat, March 16 & Sun, March17, 9:00 to 4:00
Thousands of books at $1.50 – soft covers
$2 - hard covers
Huge variety of subjects including gardening.
Gardening books are also available at the
BOOKtique, open at the same times as the
Library
Treasurer
Sally Berry
Jan-Can Prendergast
Recording Secretary
Sherril Gomes
Preceding President
Erin Angulo
Parliamentarian
Joy Greene
Green Acres is having a "Dig Into Spring Ideas Fair" March 1-3. (Fri. 1-7
pm, Sat. 9-5 pm, Sun. 9-3 pm) with free seminars, expert hands-on help, BBQ
demos, food, and hot buys! Learn what's new and exciting in the garden this
spring; troubleshoot your toughest garden problems with experts in every area!
205 Serpa Way (above COSTCO).
Cannelloni with endive and borage stuffing
1lb cannelloni (or extra large pasta shells) 1 endive
1 large bunch or borage leaves
2oz bread
½ cup (4oz) grated Parmesan cheese.
½ cup butter
1 egg
1 egg yolk
1 small sliced shallot
pinch grated nutmeg
salt & pepper
6 tablespoons stock (or bouillon)
Blanche the endive and borage for 30 seconds in boiling water, drain and dry thoroughly. Soak the bread in the milk.
Pound the endive and borage in a mortar (or use a food processor) with the soaked bead, ¼ cup of the Parmesan, ¼ cup of
the butter, the egg, the egg yolk, shallot, nutmeg and seasoning.
(Minced chicken or other light meat could be added).
Cook the cannelloni in boiling water „til tender, then drain carefully. Spread each square flat and put a little mound of
stuffing in the middle. Roll up, tucking in the ends neatly.
Lay the rolls close together in a shallow baking dish join side down. Dot with the remaining butter, sprinkle with the
remaining Parmesan and the stock.
Bake 20 minutes at 350o.
FGC Newsletter
Page 8
March 2013