The Watercan Post. Paradise Garden Club, Inc. November 2017 PRESIDENT S MESSAGE

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1 The Watercan Post Paradise Garden Club, Inc. November 2017 Editor: Lee Brasel, 530/ TODAY S PROGRAM Holiday Inspirations from the Garden Jane Locas, former PGC member, will demonstrate how to create holiday decorations with easily found materials. These items could make nice gifts or décor for your door, mantle or table. A separate workshop will be held the day after our meeting, on Tuesday, at 10 a.m. at Suzanna Williams house, See details on page 2. DECEMBER S PROGRAM December 11 Christmas Luncheon The combined choruses of Paradise Junior and High School, under direction of Richard Gray, will entertain us. MARK YOUR CALENDAR Workday at Library: Nov. 16, 9-11 a.m. Workday at Elliott & Skyway: Dec. 14, 9-11 a.m. PGCI BOARD MEETING Monday, Dec. 4, 10 AM Newsletter s Submission Deadline Tuesday, December 5 PRESIDENT S MESSAGE Here it is, the 13th of the month. Halfway (well, almost) through November. Where did the month go...heck, where did October go? I had so many gardening plans for October...fun things, where I d be playing in the soil (not dirt) and have immediate satisfaction. Well, that went right out the window when I came down with the yucks (better known as upper respiratory infection). It wiped me out for a few weeks and when I came to, it was November. I finally took a walk around the yard a few days ago, checking things out and feeling bummed about what wasn t done. At a point, I took a breather and sat down. As I was sitting there, looking around, the phrase smell the roses came to mind. Gerber daisies were blooming, pots of freesia were sprouting, jack-in-the pulpit were shooting up, and where did all those grape hyacinths come from? Here I was, bemoaning what wasn t, I almost missed what was. Whether its enjoying quiet moments during this season or enjoying the small surprises our gardens give us, my wish for all of you this Thanksgiving is to smell the roses. (By the way, while sitting there, I think I found a spot for just one more rose bush.) Julie Jones P.S. On another note, we will be having a December luncheon and Carol Mordock wanted me to let you know there will be a Christmas tree again this year, the theme being Reindeer. Remember trees from the past; daffodils, snowmen, gingerbread. This one should be just as fun. Paradise Garden Club, Inc. (PGCI) is a member of the Pacific Region of the California Garden Club, Inc. and National Garden Club, Inc. To learn more about the Club s people, programs and activities, visit Paradise Garden Club, Inc. November 2017

2 WORKSHOP, TUESDAY, NOV. 14TH A separate workshop will be held the day after our meeting on Tuesday at 10:00 at Suzanna Williams house, 680 Bille Rd. No doubt we will be sharing items, but here is a list of possible items to make your own creation: Clippings from: lavender, rosemary, bay, cedar, fir, boxwood, holly or anything with berries. Look for interesting twigs, seedpods, acorns. Construction materials: glue gun, flexible wire, and wire-edged ribbon. These items are available at the dollar store. If you have fresh grapevine or jasmine vine, I will show you how to shape it. The greenery is just clippings from gardens and fields that gardeners can use to make holiday decorations or even gifts for neighbors and friends. I will show lots of variety and materials to use. I will also share ideas for making wreaths and other things from vines. These are grapevine wreaths that I will use, made just this week. Jayne Locas LOVE PARADISE - MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY (MADD) Arlan Hudson Make A Difference Day Friday, October 27 at 8:30 a.m. was Kickoff Day at Hudson Appliance Store on Pearson Road, to sign up for your choice of 15 different projects. Students from Paradise High and many different organizations assembled and began their clean-up projects that day and the following day. Paradise Garden Club members and several Senior Center Board Members met in the Senior Center parking lot on Saturday. We shoveled and raked piles of chipped and shredded bark into the islands where trees and shrubs were planted, covering many exposed tree roots. The bark was donated by Tom s Tree Service. Ron Watts and Ward Habriel Suzanna Williams, Cheryl Habriel and Sue Harrington MADD volunteers Dave and Karen, Joan & Al, Ron, Sue, Suzanna, Jeudie, Lee, Ward & Cheryl, Plus Senior Center Board members. Photos and article by Lee Brasel DON T FORGET TO PAY YOUR CLUB MEMBERSHIP DUES BEFORE JANUARY to the Membership Chairman Paradise Garden Club, Inc. 2 November 2017

3 BEAUTIFICATION Aloha, I want to tell you a little story. Nearly two years ago, I had a talk with the Town of Paradise staff. I asked them why the town was not keeping the black pots along Skyway filled with plants and watering them. They gave me the answer.no $$$$. Last month, as I m driving down Skyway, I see town workers planting flowers in pots. I stop and have a talk with them; they now have $$$. They have planted the pots and will be doing the watering. Now that s a great story. Two dates to remember: This Thursday, Nov. 16th, We will be doing some beautification at the library on Clark Rd. The other date to mark down is Dec. 14th, 9-11 at Elliott & Skyway. We need to clean those locations up before winter sets in and we could use all people on board. While the Club is near 100 members, I get the same 3-5 people show up to work. We could use your help, PLEASE. Aloha, Jim Dill, Beautification Chairman Photos taken by Jim Dill SUNSHINE A Thank You card was sent to Gwen Quail for her October program presentation. A Feeling Better Wishes card was signed by many of us for Thea Max and later in October, many attended her birthday gathering at Cypress Convalescent facility. A Thinking of You card to Pat Pickard, We Care & Send Get Well Wishes to Julie Jones. Jeudie Lovell Corresponding Secretary and Sunshine Greeter and Telephone Jeudie Lovell Paradise Garden Club, Inc. 3 November 2017

4 CONVENTION CORNER I m including here the info about the CGCI Fall Board Meeting held the first week of October at the Gold Country Casino, and the wrap-up meeting held October 27 th. This Fall Board Meeting was the first ever for the Buttes District and the first of any CGCI meeting to be held in Oroville. The CGCI Board meetings are held twice during each year; fall and winter. These meetings are for conducting the business of the Club and are attended by the Officers, Directors and Committee Chairs from all over the state. Although local club presidents and other officers are encouraged to attend, they do not vote for Club business. Typically, these meetings are held over three days and include guest speakers at each lunch and dinner. The local clubs participate by providing volunteers to staff a variety of positions throughout the meetings. Local clubs also contribute gift baskets for a fund raiser to the District (this year the funds received exceeded the budgeted amount by nearly double). Julie and I were staffers at the registration table each day; so we greeted each Board member with a smile and welcome to the Buttes District. At the wrap-up meeting, conducted by District Director, Ilene Herringer of the Lake Oroville Area Garden Club, we reviewed the outcome of each area of the meeting. The success of the FBM was highlighted by all the thank you notes that were received. Many stating that it was one of the best meetings, or best food, or best speakers, or the best tours, and so on. Krystal Migliore (our current CGCI President), was especially pleased and was very appreciative of all the volunteers efforts. I had a dual role, since I am the CGCI Committee Chair of Water Conservation; I gave a presentation summarizing water conservation efforts from all over the state. There is a Buttes District General Membership meeting coming up that all club members are welcome to attend; date and location to be announced soon. Everybody has something to contribute, so please join us. There will be an announcement during our 11/13 regular meeting. Ward Habriel, DONATIONS NEEDED PID DEMONSTRATION GARDEN The PID demonstration garden project is coming along. If you haven t seen it lately, go check it out; the pathways are laid out, the planting areas are being prepped and the irrigation controls are being set up. Part of the objective of this project was for volunteers from our community to contribute labor and/or donations so that PID customers were not bearing the costs of the garden. In that regard, the PID Water Conservation Committee devised a donation plan to offset the cost of the plant material called Buy-A-Bloom. Flyers about this fundraiser will be available during the 11/13 meeting. Your contributions would be greatly appreciated. Any questions, ask Ward. Paradise Garden Club, Inc. 4 November 2017

5 It s about the birds and the bees SEED SAVERS Seeds form because the plants have been pollinated; the all important step to fruiting. Wind plays a role, of course, but so do the birds, bees, butterflies and other insects. Mother Nature has designed a beautiful plan for the flowers and the trees to attract the pollinators to the plants. Scientists are just discovering the intricacies of those plans. The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, has found that some flowers have nano-structures on their petals that generate a subtle optical effect called the blue halo, attracting pollinators such as bees. The chances of pollination are also increased by timing the flowering to attract the right pollinators. Some even are timed to be night blooming. We love our food! We protect what we love, so as gardeners, we absolutely must protect our pollinators. Provide nectar and pollen. Native plants are the heart of a pollinator friendly garden and are 4 times more attractive to pollinators than non-native. Provide a source of water for drinking and reproduction. Butterflies gather and sip at shallow pools and mud puddles. Bird baths are decorative and functional. Provide nesting sites. Bumblebees and many solitary bees nest on the ground and need open patches of bare soil. They also nest in stems and twigs. Dead wood provides nesting areas for bees, wasps, beetles and ants. Over wintering requires protection, so instead of cleaning up all of your garden in the fall, wait until late spring. Most importantly, reduce pesticide use. There will be seeds for great pollinator attracters at the Seed Saver Station. Among them are hollyhocks, Shirley poppies, morning glories and herb seeds. Please help yourself and our pollinators. Carolyn Matheny Seed Saver Special Chair Here s this month s chance to win or call the name of this plant to: Carolyn Matheny at OR henryhooray@aol.com by Nov. 30 Helen Botsford identified October s plant puzzler as the Chinese Fringe Flower or Loropetalum, a member of the witch hazel family. November s Plant Puzzler: Winner receives: 2 FREE RAFFLE TICKETS that can be exchanged at any meeting. The winner will be selected by a random drawing among all the accurate submissions received. Paradise Garden Club, Inc. 5 November 2017

6 Below are Thank You notes written to our club by the four 2017 PGCI Scholarship Recipients and sent to us by Lisa DeLaby, Director of Institutional Advancement, Butte College Foundation. In her note, she wrote On behalf of our students, faculty and staff, please accept my sincere thanks for your continued support, and thank you for the vital role you play in assisting deserving students with the gift of a college education. Dear Paradise Garden Club: I would like to thank you f0r choosing me to be your scholarship recipient. Your help and generosity towards furthering my education is truly appreciated. I am excited for this upcoming semester, and it is possible because of all of you. Thank you. Sincerely, Allison McDonald Dear Paradise Garden Club: I would like to express my deepest appreciation for being selected to receive the PGCI Scholarship. As a full time employee, a weekly volunteer and a student, any additional funding towards my educational goals and aspirations is highly valued. Again, thank you very much. I am honored and humbled. God bless, Patrick Johnson (center in photo above) AN UPDATE FROM SCHOLARSHIP CHAIR COLLEEN FRANCIS: THANK YOU NOTES FROM 2017 RECIPIENTS Dear Paradise Garden Club: I would like to thank you for the scholarship award in the amount of $1000. This scholarship will help lessen the burden of my financial obligation while I finish my degrees and certificates at Butte College. As a returning OEF/OND veteran and going back to school with a family of five, it has been quite a challenge...to say the least. I was not going to go back to school as an adult with a family as I felt I needed to get back into the job market. However, after much debate with my wife, we felt that pursing college degrees would be the best choice in the long run. I have been studying diligently and maintaining a respectable GPA. This scholarship is a wonderful reward for my hard work, and I am beyond grateful for your generosity! I sincerely thank you for choosing me for your scholarship. Warm regards, Alex Hurst (right in photo) Dear Paradise Garden Club: I d like to thank you for creating this scholarship which has helped ease my stress about paying for school. The funds are going to help me further my goals of receiving various degrees in Agriculture. With these degrees, I want to transfer to CSU Chico to get my Bachelor s in Agriculture Business and my teaching credentials so that I can be a High School AG teacher. I want to be an AG teacher because FFA has made me into the man I am today, and I want to give back by helping the youth find their path and self. When my teacher was busy scheduling field days or putting lessons together, I was asked to coach forestry practices, and during these experiences I was able to witness the joy on kids faces when they understood how to scale a log or describe a plot of land. Their reaction was all I needed to see to know that I wanted to be an AG teacher. Again, thank you for helping me to take a step closer towards my future. Sincerely, Emilio Smith (left in photo) Paradise Garden Club, Inc. 6 November 2017

7 UC MASTER GARDENERS OF BUTTE COUNTY FALL 2017 WORKSHOPS REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED at ucanr.edu/p/56426 About the Workshops Workshops in Pat s Barn are open to 50 participants. All other workshops are limited to 25 participants (unless otherwise noted). Heavy rain cancels outdoor workshops. Questions? Send an to anrmgbutte@ucanr.edu Workshop Locations Pat s Barn at Patrick Ranch, Midway, Durham Nov. 18 Sat., 10 - Noon Pat s Barn PERMACULTURE Join educators from Earthshed Solutions to learn about permaculture, the practice of simulating or directly utilizing the patterns and features observed in natural ecosystems. The practice incorporates agriculture and home gardening systems that are intended to be regenerative and self-sufficient. Permaculture is based on core design principles and was promulgated by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren in the late 1970s. Dec. 7, Thurs. 7, 10 Noon Pat s Barn SEED SAVING Seed saving (saving seeds or other reproductive material for use from year to year) is the traditional way farms and gardens have been maintained over the last 12,000 years. Plants that reproduce through natural means tend to adapt to local conditions over time, and evolve as reliable performers, particularly in their localities. To be successful at seed saving, one must take care that the desired characteristics are retained. Join the founders of the Chico Seed Lending Library to learn how to successfully harvest and process your seeds. Daffodils are still available. Same great deal: 100 premium bulbs for a $25 donation to PGCI. Send to Ward (thehabs@sbcglobal.net) for a pre-order and they will be available at the next meeting. DAFFODILS AND MORE DAFFODILS Ward & Cheryl Habriel Co-Chairs Daffodils on the Ridge Paradise Garden Club, Inc. 7 November 2017

8 NOVEMBER IN THE GARDEN Freezing temperatures in our area can happen as early as the first week of November. Get ready for the rain and cold weather. Disconnect, straighten out and drain any water from garden hoses to prevent cracking. Drip irrigation systems should be turned off if a freeze is forecast; remove the end plug for drainage. Add leaves and small twigs to the compost pile. Using a chipper/shredder on fall garden debris will speed up the composting process. You do compost, don t you? Spruce up the garden with plants that produce colorful red berries during the winter. Cotoneaster, toyon, pyracantha do well in the foothills. Sasanqua camellias are in bloom now. They take more sun than japonica camellias, which bloom in winter and spring. Plant blueberries in acidic soil. They will succeed wherever you have azaleas doing well. Plan on spraying your deciduous peach and nectarine trees this month for peach leaf curl. Plant freesia corms now for cut flowers in late winter. Pansies, violas, calendulas, Iceland poppies, cyclamen, primroses, snaps, stocks, dianthus and ornamental cabbage and kale can be planted now. Continue planting daffodils. See Ward Habriel for 100 mixed daffodils $25 donation to PGCI. Hold off pruning until shrubs and trees go dormant. There are many things that you can prune anytime, but if you aren t sure, it s best to wait. The sun is lower in the horizon. Move all houseplants inside and close to an inside light source. Source: Is anyone interested in adopting this jade plant? It would like to be in an area that is at least 55 degrees during the winter months and enjoys being in a semi-shady, outdoors area during the summer months. Very easy care. Water only when dry but provide a good light source indoors. The plant is about 2-1/2 high in this 10 container. See Lee Brasel, or call me to pick it up. GARDEN OFFERINGS AND SERVICES FREE listings are available here for your gardening related services. For more information, contact editor at: newsletter@paradisegardenclub.org Tom Piantanida 530/ You want fresh manure; I've got it fresh. You want aged manure; I've got it aged. It s raked up into a pile on my place. I'm about 5 miles from Hwy 70 along Cherokee Road, close to the covered bridge. If you want any or all of it, please call me. Ward Habriel Tractor/backhoe service to Paradise Garden Club members at a discount (town of Paradise area only). Dennis Barrett Tractor Service: Backhoe, post holes, grading, and rototilling. Discount to PGCI members. Franci Lamb Healing Mind, Body & Spirit. Certified Massage Therapist offers Hot-stone and Swedish massage therapy. Gift certificates available for that hard working someone special in their life or their favorite gardener! ramewelamb@att.net Paradise Garden Club, Inc. 8 November 2017