Here s the Dirt. River Valley Garden Club Newsletter. May speaker to speak on Water and the new California landscape.

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Flora Stephens
5 years ago
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A few warm days, a sprinkle of rain, and warmer soil mean bursts of color in our gardens and in our neighborhoods.

One local event that I look forward to each year is our annual Trash n Treasure, which through the years has outgrown the plaza and is now held at Cosumnes River Elementary School.

This year we will be featuring drought-tolerant plants, color bowls, vegetables, succulents, garden art, custom bird feeders, and many lovely and unique boutique items.

But volunteers will have already delivered tables, benches, plants, raffle prizes, and the many other items that contribute to the success of this event.

1 Volume 12 No. 8 May 2015 Here s the Dirt River Valley Garden Club Newsletter Affiliated with the California Garden Clubs, Inc., the Pacific Region of NGC, Inc. and the National Garden Clubs From the Editor s Desk No season is more rewarding for a gardener than spring. A few warm days, a sprinkle of rain, and warmer soil mean bursts of color in our gardens and in our neighborhoods. It s sometimes hard for me to keep my eyes on the road when I m driving, as everywhere I look, I see nature s bountiful rewards. One local event that I look forward to each year is our annual Trash n Treasure, which through the years has outgrown the plaza and is now held at Cosumnes River Elementary School. The River Valley Garden Club is always a big draw. People come from everywhere to see what spring flowers and vegetables we will have, and they are confident that the plants we sell are top quality. This year we will be featuring drought-tolerant plants, color bowls, vegetables, succulents, garden art, custom bird feeders, and many lovely and unique boutique items. The date is Saturday, May 30, and the gates will open at 8 am. for shoppers. But volunteers will have already delivered tables, benches, plants, raffle prizes, and the many other items that contribute to the success of this event. This event is our major fundraiser and supports our scholarship and grant program. See you at Trash n Treasure. May speaker Nicolai Laquaglia worm castings. May speaker to speak on Water and the new California landscape Nicolai Laquaglia, our May meeting speaker will speak on the topic, Water and the new California Landscape. This timely presentation will address issues that are becoming increasingly critical as we continue to face a water shortage of unprecedented proportions, to include river friendly landscape practices such as compost, mulch, nurturing your soil, worms and It will also address sustainable gardening and how to design waterefficient landscapes that have curb appeal. Included as well will be designing, implementing or retrofitting irrigation systems to save water and get better results from the plants in existing gardens and landscapes. Nicolai has been a Master Gardener since 2007, is a Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor (CLIA), and was on the committee that brought the Green Gardener Program to the Sacramento area. Born and raised in Sacramento, Nicolai has lived most of his life here in the valley, with the exception of ten years he spent living on the Monterey Peninsula. Originally in business as a photographer, he has won many awards, and is published internationally. He can trace his roots in this country back to 1618, and many of his forbears were farmers and gardeners. His family began composting and organic gardening in He and his wife, Patsy, own and run A Sustainable Garden, which provides, among other items, premium grade compost, worm castings, mulch, and Vermi-Tea for designers, contractors, farm and homeowners. Inside this Issue From the editor s desk.. p.1 May speaker to speak on Water and the new CA landscape p.1 Tour of Bouquets to Art... p Youth Grant Program p.3 How to Multiply Plants....p.4 Photo Contest Update.p.5 Announcements p.5 Annual Picnic Potluck.. p6

Here s the Dirt May 2015 Page 2 Tour of Bouquet to Art at the de Young Museum a home run A bus full of enthusiastic River Valley Gardeners traveled to San

Bouquets to Art is an annual exhibit that allows professional floral designers to pay tribute to and draw inspiration from the art in the fine art museum s

Designers depict in their floral designs what they see in the painting they select.

Then take a look at the Waterfall painting (left) and floral design depicting flow and movement (right) floral design on the right that seems to flow from

Then note the floral arrangement in front depicting a violin made of leaves and featuring succulents and long stalks created to imitate the strings on the

In the 31 years since its inception, this popular and much anticipated event presented by the volunteer members of the San Francisco Auxiliary of the Fine

Funds raised are used to help underwrite special exhibitions, conservation projects, and educational programs.

2 Here s the Dirt May 2015 Page 2 Tour of Bouquet to Art at the de Young Museum a home run A bus full of enthusiastic River Valley Gardeners traveled to San Francisco s de Young Museum to see a breathtaking exhibit called Bouquets to Art. Bouquets to Art is an annual exhibit that allows professional floral designers to pay tribute to and draw inspiration from the art in the fine art museum s permanent collections. This year s theme was entitled, The Permanent Collection in Bloom. Designers depict in their floral designs what they see in the painting they select. There is actually no way to describe this incredible display of beauty and talent, but I ll give it a try. Notice the painting of the waterfall on the left. Then take a look at the Waterfall painting (left) and floral design depicting flow and movement (right) floral design on the right that seems to flow from top to bottom with a similar feeling and motion using similar colors. Now notice the musical theme of the painting on the wall in the photo left and below. Then note the floral arrangement in front depicting a violin made of leaves and featuring succulents and long stalks created to imitate the strings on the violin. In the 31 years since its inception, this popular and much anticipated event presented by the volunteer members of the San Francisco Auxiliary of the Fine Arts Museums has drawn nearly 7oo,ooo visitors, and its total net proceeds have exceeded $5.75 million. Funds raised are used to help underwrite special exhibitions, conservation projects, and educational programs. Brightly colored flowers represent a brilliant painting behind it Orange and yellow calla lilies with a bright fabric illustrates the warmth and feeling of the painting visible in the background One of my personal favorite floral representations was designed to imitate a winter snow scene. The painting is shown on the left, below. On the right, a floral design mainly in white is shown which is accented by greenery intended to illustrate in flowers the trees in the painting. The bus trip to and from San Francisco was comfortable and relaxing. Many thanks to our Tour Director Pam McCabe for planning this tour.

Here s the Dirt May 2015 Page 3 Scholarship/Grants Committee members with winners of the 2015 Youth Garden/Related Project Grants 2015 Youth Grant Program Awards Winners.

A $500 grant was awarded to Franklin High School, and a $300 grant was awarded to Albert Einstein Middle School.

Leaders of each group thanked the membership for their awards and explained what and who their programs involved and how the grants would benefit their program and communities.

Franklin High will be expanding the School Garden Project that won the $500 grant in 2014 to add four additional gardens to the campus: 1.

3 Here s the Dirt May 2015 Page 3 Scholarship/Grants Committee members with winners of the 2015 Youth Garden/Related Project Grants 2015 Youth Grant Program Awards Winners.. By Marie Maschmeyer The River Valley Garden Club awarded its 2015 Youth Garden/Related Project Grants to two schools in Sacramento County. A $500 grant was awarded to Franklin High School, and a $300 grant was awarded to Albert Einstein Middle School. Representatives from these two schools were presented their checks at the garden club meeting on Tuesday, April 28. Leaders of each group thanked the membership for their awards and explained what and who their programs involved and how the grants would benefit their program and communities. Ag teacher Ann Hennessey from Franklin High School in Elk Grove wrote the application for the winning $500 grant. Franklin High School Vice Principal John Harrigan was present to accept the grant. Franklin High will be expanding the School Garden Project that won the $500 grant in 2014 to add four additional gardens to the campus: 1. An English garden outside the English classrooms that would have benches to allow students to read and work in small groups; 2. A Native California flowering plant garden outside the biology classrooms; 3. A California Rock Garden, a geology garden for use by Earth Science students wanting to see examples of common rocks and desert plants; and 4. An Art Garden outside the art building where students would be able to sit on tree stumps scattered randomly along decomposed granite paths and photograph, sketch, or paint the plants growing around them. Money from the grant will go toward materials needed to build these gardens. The Franklin High School Garden Project Steering Committee is also working on a grant application form the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service s Schoolyard Habitat Program. Principal Chantelle Albiani reported that over two hundred students have worked on the various academic gardens throughout the school year. Michelle Misca, teacher at Albert Einstein Middle School, received $300 and was present with two of her students. The small organic garden at their school was established in late They plan to expand the garden to encompass the entire 98 x 60 grassy area on which it currently sits. More garden and herb boxes and several fruit trees will be added to the garden area where flowers will also be planted. Although this garden was only established some months ago, many benefits may already be seen. Students enrolled in life science classes, as well as students with special needs that are members of the school s Science Club, now have a calming place for hands-on learning, can make new friendships and improve social skills, learn about where their food comes from, how to use what they grow to eat healthy meals, and have also become more responsible through tending the garden. The grant funds will help purchase fencing and an irrigation timer and drip system to assist in maintaining the garden over the summer. Assistant Principal Michael Holt expressed that the garden will be a showcase for the school and the larger community.

Here s the Dirt May 2015 Page 4 How to Multiply Your Plants....from Gardening Scout Almost everyone has started slips in a glass of water at one time or another.

Cuttings started in this special pot develop stronger roots that are less likely to rot before reaching transplant size.

Needed materials: A clean plastic pot about 8 inches in diameter Smaller unglazed terra cotta clay pot 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 inches in diameter Paper towels Small cork Bag of fresh horticultural-grade

This project can be a little messy, so work on a waterproof surface that may be wiped easily. * First, line the bottom of the large plastic pot with a paper towel to cover the drain holes.

Make sure the paper towel doesn t come too close to the top of the pot where it will act like a wick, drying the vermiculite.

4 Here s the Dirt May 2015 Page 4 How to Multiply Your Plants....from Gardening Scout Almost everyone has started slips in a glass of water at one time or another. But there s a much better way to propagate most houseplants rooting cuttings in a forsythe pot. Cuttings started in this special pot develop stronger roots that are less likely to rot before reaching transplant size. They also make the transition to potting soil more readily than weaker water roots that clump together when removed from their watery environment. Needed materials: A clean plastic pot about 8 inches in diameter Smaller unglazed terra cotta clay pot 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 inches in diameter Paper towels Small cork Bag of fresh horticultural-grade vermiculite Houseplants such as peperomia, ivy, heart-leaf philodendron, pothos, African violet, or jade plant. This project can be a little messy, so work on a waterproof surface that may be wiped easily. * First, line the bottom of the large plastic pot with a paper towel to cover the drain holes. This prevents vermiculite from sifting through the holes, but allows water to drain freely. Make sure the paper towel doesn t come too close to the top of the pot where it will act like a wick, drying the vermiculite. * Next, fill the large pot with fresh, dry vermiculite, to about 1 inch below the rim. * Plug the drain hole of the small terra cotta pot tightly with a cork. The forsythe pot s success depends on a snug fit. Screw the corked terra cotta pot into the center of the vermiculite, using a back-and-forth motion. Push it in deeply enough so the top of its rum is nearly level with the top of the vermiculite. * Water the vermiculite slowly. Don t be too generous at first, as excess water will come pouring through the drain holes. Fill the terra cotta reservoir with water. Because its walls are porous, water will wick through them as moisture evaporates from the vermiculite. All you have to do is keep the reservoir full, and the vermiculite will stay evenly moist. * Stick cuttings into the vermiculite about 2 to 2 1/2 inches apart in a circle around the reservoir. Take stem cuttings that are no more than 5 inches tall. When taking cuttings, cut them off the main plant about 1/2 inch below a node, which is the point at which a leaf stem is attached to the main stem..(continued on back page.)

Here s the Dirt May 2015 Page 5 Photo contest update Our Photo Contest Chair, Bill Gengler, encourages all members to submit a photo for this year s contest.

This year s categories include: Horticultural: Photos in this category may be submitted in any of the subcategories: (1) A Rose is a Rose; (2) Hanging basket or clever container; (3) My Garden any

Wildflowers: Photos in this category may include the following: (1) Any species of wildflowers; (2) A field of wildflowers; (3) Wildflower or wildflowers up close; (4) Any location for wildflowers

Photos must be 8 x 10 and may be brought to the May 26 meeting and handed to Bill, or sent to Bill s home no later than June 5. Prizes will be awarded at the June meeting.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Please make note of the following: 1. Membership: Fast-track your RVGC membership for next year!

All you need to do is show up with your cash or check in the amount of $20, fill in the form and you ll be good to go for next year. 2. California Garden Clubs, Inc.

5 Here s the Dirt May 2015 Page 5 Photo contest update Our Photo Contest Chair, Bill Gengler, encourages all members to submit a photo for this year s contest. The categories under which photos will be accepted have been broadened, providing a better opportunity for your very best photo! This year s categories include: Horticultural: Photos in this category may be submitted in any of the subcategories: (1) A Rose is a Rose; (2) Hanging basket or clever container; (3) My Garden any selection of flower or flowers; and (4) Majestic tree-shrub/mushrooms. Wildflowers: Photos in this category may include the following: (1) Any species of wildflowers; (2) A field of wildflowers; (3) Wildflower or wildflowers up close; (4) Any location for wildflowers (home or away). Members may submit up to two photos one under the Horticultural category and another under the Wildflower category. Photos must be 8 x 10 and may be brought to the May 26 meeting and handed to Bill, or sent to Bill s home no later than June 5. Prizes will be awarded at the June meeting. So grab your camera (or phone some of these take photos every bit as lovely as actual cameras). Go out in the garden and have fun snapping some great shots. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Please make note of the following: 1. Membership: Fast-track your RVGC membership for next year! Our Vice Presidents for Membership, Doris Lighty and Jeannie Holler, will have membership forms at our May 26 meeting. All you need to do is show up with your cash or check in the amount of $20, fill in the form and you ll be good to go for next year. 2. California Garden Clubs, Inc. Annual Convention: Just a quick reminder to alert you that it s not too late to sign up for the CGCI Annual Convention which is scheduled for June This year s convention is being held at the Circus Circus Hotel in Reno, and room prices have never been lower ($42) for a single or double. Come and meet fellow gardeners from around the state. Attend interesting workshops. Enjoy the special events, including the Awards Luncheon. For further information, please go onto the web site at californiagardenclubs.com, and then click on the link CGCI Convention Trash & Treasure: Our Publicity Chair, Cindy Martin, recently provided a detailed list of dates relevant to our preparation for Trash & Treasure. Please refer to that list and volunteer to prep plants at Mindy s, donate monetarily (checks to Lois), or contact Sharon Barton to volunteer your services on the day of the event, which is Saturday, May Annual End-of-Year Picnic Potluck: Scheduled for Tuesday, June 23 at the RMA building. See information on back page. 5

Here s the Dirt April 2015 Page 6.How to Multiply Your Plants...continued from page 4.) Some words of advice: * Strip off the lower leaves of the cutting to fully expose the nodes. (see photo, left).

* And finally, once it s filled with cuttings, place the completed forsythe pot in a bright location. I winter, keep the pot in a sunny window.

If the water level goes down more rapidly than that, the small pot is not corked tightly enough. You can tell if roots have formed on your cuttings by tugging them gently after a few weeks.

Just add more vermiculite as you remove cuttings. After several uses, however, it s best to wash pots in hot, soapy water, then reassemble with fresh vermiculate.

6 Here s the Dirt April 2015 Page 6.How to Multiply Your Plants...continued from page 4.) Some words of advice: * Strip off the lower leaves of the cutting to fully expose the nodes. (see photo, left). This will also allow you to push the nodes down into the vermiculite. Keep leaves out of the vermiculite to avoid rotting. * And finally, once it s filled with cuttings, place the completed forsythe pot in a bright location. I winter, keep the pot in a sunny window. Move it a little father from the window in late spring or summer when sunlight is more intense. Top off the pot with water once every day or two. If the water level goes down more rapidly than that, the small pot is not corked tightly enough. You can tell if roots have formed on your cuttings by tugging them gently after a few weeks. If you feel resistance, there are roots. Scoop out the cutting gently, shake off some of the vermiculite, then transfer the cutting to a small container of potting soil. You can re-use the container. Just add more vermiculite as you remove cuttings. After several uses, however, it s best to wash pots in hot, soapy water, then reassemble with fresh vermiculate. For a fun activity for all ages, get together with other houseplant enthusiasts to build forsythe pots. Everyone can bring one or two houseplants and share cuttings. It s kind of like a cookie exchange, but without the calories! Eating: 6:00 p.m. Location: RMA Building The River Valley Garden Club invites you to the Annual Picnic Potluck Date: Tuesday, June 23 Time: Bring: Appetizer, salad, or dessert to share Bring: Adult beverage of your choice Bring: Membership renewal form and check ($20) NOTE: Signup sheet at May Garden Club Meeting Greeting: 5:45 p.m. (doors open) Meeting: 7:00 p.m. Note: Guests welcome!

Here s the Dirt. River Valley Garden Club A Place to Grow. Program: Donn Reiners, aka Mr. Geranium! 4/25. Dues Increase for 2017/18

Here s the Dirt. River Valley Garden Club A Place to Grow. Program: Donn Reiners, aka Mr. Geranium! 4/25. Dues Increase for 2017/18 River Valley Garden Club A Place to Grow April 2017 Volume 14, Issue 7 Here s the Dirt Program: Donn Reiners, aka Mr. Geranium! 4/25 Nancy Compton, Vice President Programs Did you have any idea that the