Don't wait until Valentine's Day to bring the good vibes of flowers into your home or office. Choose several small vases and feature a different type of flower in each vase. Cut the stems short so the flower heads form a tight cluster: one for your desk, one next to the kitchen sink, one on the bathroom vanity. Group vases together on the dining table.
Thanks for this tip, Joyce!
Monday, January 28, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Gardeners questions and answers for January
Question: I bought seeds on sale last fall and I didn't store them carefully. How can I tell if they are still viable?
Answer: Here's a fairly quick way to test the viability of your old seeds:
Dampen a thick paper towel. Sprinkle some seeds on the paper towel (you don't have to use all the seeds). Gently roll up the towel and store in a sealable plastic bag. Place the bag in a warm area (about 75°F; the top of a refrigerator works well) and keep away from direct sun. Check the seed packet for number of days to germination, and start checking your seeds a few days before the recommended number. Once germinated, you can transfer the seeds in to a soil medium. You can determine the rate of germination by counting germinated seeds (e.g., if 10 seeds out of 100 germinate you can estimate that 10 percent of the seeds in the packet are viable).
Question: I stop feeding my houseplants during the winter. When should I start feeding them again?
Answer: Watch the plant, typically it will show you! Once you see new growth (around mid-February when days grow longer) start feeding, but don't get carried away. More is not better. I advise feeding at 50 percent strength of recommended applications. Also, different plants need different nutrients, so make sure your feeding program is appropriate for your plants. When in doubt, you can't go wrong with an all-purpose houseplant fertilizer. I prefer using organic plant food, which is widely available at garden centers and nurseries. And be careful with the watering. People are more likely to kill plants by over-watering them. Water only when the top inch of soil begins to dry out. Remember that water requirements also vary from one plant to the next.
Courtesy of Joyce Banner
Answer: Here's a fairly quick way to test the viability of your old seeds:
Dampen a thick paper towel. Sprinkle some seeds on the paper towel (you don't have to use all the seeds). Gently roll up the towel and store in a sealable plastic bag. Place the bag in a warm area (about 75°F; the top of a refrigerator works well) and keep away from direct sun. Check the seed packet for number of days to germination, and start checking your seeds a few days before the recommended number. Once germinated, you can transfer the seeds in to a soil medium. You can determine the rate of germination by counting germinated seeds (e.g., if 10 seeds out of 100 germinate you can estimate that 10 percent of the seeds in the packet are viable).
Question: I stop feeding my houseplants during the winter. When should I start feeding them again?
Answer: Watch the plant, typically it will show you! Once you see new growth (around mid-February when days grow longer) start feeding, but don't get carried away. More is not better. I advise feeding at 50 percent strength of recommended applications. Also, different plants need different nutrients, so make sure your feeding program is appropriate for your plants. When in doubt, you can't go wrong with an all-purpose houseplant fertilizer. I prefer using organic plant food, which is widely available at garden centers and nurseries. And be careful with the watering. People are more likely to kill plants by over-watering them. Water only when the top inch of soil begins to dry out. Remember that water requirements also vary from one plant to the next.
Courtesy of Joyce Banner
April 2008 Gardening Symposium
Greetings! My name is Kerry Ann Mendez and I am a garden writer, speaker, teacher, and designer from Upstate New York. I hope your New Year is off to a great start. Would you kindly share the below information about the Fifth Annual Great Gardens and Landscaping Symposium with your group and other gardeners? For more information, please visit the www.pyours.com/Symposium2008.html. This event sold out two months ahead of time in 2007 so those interested should reserve their spot early! If you have questions, please call me at (518) 885-3471.
Fifth Annual Great Gardens and Landscaping Symposium April 4 & 5, 2008 at the world-class Equinox Resort in Manchester, VT
Sponsored by Bradfield Organics, Coast of Maine Organic Products, Davey Hecht Woodworking, Dutch Gardens, Equinox Valley Nursery, Gardener’s Supply Company, Messenger, People, Places & Plants, Proven Winners, SafeLawns, TerraCycle, The Vermont Association of Professional Horticulturists & Garden Arts Custom Landscapes
Friday 7:00 - 9:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Enjoy six dynamic lectures by renowned professionals in their fields. Last year the symposium sold out two months prior to the event. Guest speakers are Tara Dillard, a national award winning author, designer, speaker and former TV host on CBS from Atlanta, Georgia; Shepherd Ogden, a renowned speaker, author, teacher, horticulturist, and founder of The Cooks Garden (a pioneering organic seed company); Mardell Steinkamp from Sunny Border Nurseries, one of the largest wholesalers of perennials and new introductions in the northeast; Kerry Mendez, a popular speaker, teacher, writer, consultant and former TV show host; and Kelly Sweeney, master designer, landscaper and head gardener for the 700 acre Basin Harbor Club in Vermont (one of the Historic Hotels of America). Topics include The Art of Garden Design, New Perennials for 2008, Creating Focal Points In The Garden, Sensational Flowering Shrubs,Step-by-Step Organic Vegetable and Flower Gardening, and All About Annuals. Package price for one night's accommodations at a four diamond resort, welcome reception with heavy hors d’oeuvres and cash bar, full breakfast, midmorning refreshments, gourmet luncheon buffet, six garden lectures with handouts, a garden gift, chance to win great door prizes, and all taxes and gratuities is only $276.97 single or $406.79 double ($203.40 per person). Two night packages available. For package reservations, call the Equinox Resort (www.equinoxresort.com) at (800) 362-4747. For more information about the agenda and topics, visit www.pyours.com/Symposium2008.html or call (518) 885-3471.
Fifth Annual Great Gardens and Landscaping Symposium April 4 & 5, 2008 at the world-class Equinox Resort in Manchester, VT
Sponsored by Bradfield Organics, Coast of Maine Organic Products, Davey Hecht Woodworking, Dutch Gardens, Equinox Valley Nursery, Gardener’s Supply Company, Messenger, People, Places & Plants, Proven Winners, SafeLawns, TerraCycle, The Vermont Association of Professional Horticulturists & Garden Arts Custom Landscapes
Friday 7:00 - 9:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Enjoy six dynamic lectures by renowned professionals in their fields. Last year the symposium sold out two months prior to the event. Guest speakers are Tara Dillard, a national award winning author, designer, speaker and former TV host on CBS from Atlanta, Georgia; Shepherd Ogden, a renowned speaker, author, teacher, horticulturist, and founder of The Cooks Garden (a pioneering organic seed company); Mardell Steinkamp from Sunny Border Nurseries, one of the largest wholesalers of perennials and new introductions in the northeast; Kerry Mendez, a popular speaker, teacher, writer, consultant and former TV show host; and Kelly Sweeney, master designer, landscaper and head gardener for the 700 acre Basin Harbor Club in Vermont (one of the Historic Hotels of America). Topics include The Art of Garden Design, New Perennials for 2008, Creating Focal Points In The Garden, Sensational Flowering Shrubs,Step-by-Step Organic Vegetable and Flower Gardening, and All About Annuals. Package price for one night's accommodations at a four diamond resort, welcome reception with heavy hors d’oeuvres and cash bar, full breakfast, midmorning refreshments, gourmet luncheon buffet, six garden lectures with handouts, a garden gift, chance to win great door prizes, and all taxes and gratuities is only $276.97 single or $406.79 double ($203.40 per person). Two night packages available. For package reservations, call the Equinox Resort (www.equinoxresort.com) at (800) 362-4747. For more information about the agenda and topics, visit www.pyours.com/Symposium2008.html or call (518) 885-3471.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
VGC January Newsletter
Next meeting: Tuesday, January 8th at 7:00 pm at the Manor House
Hostesses: Pat Broun, Cecilia Schnackenberg & Gail Whitefield.
Note: Hostesses need to coordinate with each other desserts, creamer, and decorations for the table. Please arrive at 6:30 so you have plenty of time to set up before the meeting. Thanks!
Program: Taking Down the Decorations
VGC Blog: Get all the latest news and gardening tips at our new blog website. Go to http://vgcstonykill.blogspot.com/ from any Internet connected computer.
YEARBOOK: If you haven’t received yours yet please see Gail Whitefield. Please note this update: Rita Dalton’s new email address is: rdalton1377@peoplepc.com
Harvest Festival: Each venue chairperson for the Harvest Festival is asked to complete a report: include comments on set-up, expenses, income, supply sources and cost, top sellers, what didn't sell, and any other information that would be helpful for next year's festival. Be sure to get your report to Karen Vitek who is typing up the annual Harvest Festival Report.
Step into Spring: If you haven’t paid Diane yet, you are late! The dinner is Monday, April 28th at Anthony's Pier 9 in Newburgh, NY. Please see Diane Sedore if you have any questions.
DEC Camp: Applications are being accepted for our scholarships for two summer campers to one of four New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Summer Camps. If you need information please contact:
--DEC's website at www.dec.ny.gov;
--call 518-402-8914,
--e-mail edcamps@gw.dec.state.ny.us or
--call Joyce Banner at 896-5283.
This year's camper scholarship deadline is February 9th. Campers, boys or girls, age 12-14 can choose from one of four camp locations. Campers, boys or girls, age 15-17 must attend Camp Pack Forest. Returnee campers are welcome, with certain weeks set aside for returnee campers only. Campers must meet the age requirement during the week they attend camp. Campers choose from 8 one-week camp sessions with week 1 being June 29 thru July 5 and week 8 being August 17 thru August 23
Check with your children, neighbors, co-workers, and friends for a teenager who would like to be sponsored by us. We sponsor two campers each summer. The camper and his or her family are responsible for transportation to the DEC camp. If you know of an interested camper, call or e-mail Joyce. Additional camper information will be distributed at the December meeting.
A quote especially for January~
In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy. ~William Blake
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Hostesses: Pat Broun, Cecilia Schnackenberg & Gail Whitefield.
Note: Hostesses need to coordinate with each other desserts, creamer, and decorations for the table. Please arrive at 6:30 so you have plenty of time to set up before the meeting. Thanks!
Program: Taking Down the Decorations
VGC Blog: Get all the latest news and gardening tips at our new blog website. Go to http://vgcstonykill.blogspot.com/ from any Internet connected computer.
YEARBOOK: If you haven’t received yours yet please see Gail Whitefield. Please note this update: Rita Dalton’s new email address is: rdalton1377@peoplepc.com
Harvest Festival: Each venue chairperson for the Harvest Festival is asked to complete a report: include comments on set-up, expenses, income, supply sources and cost, top sellers, what didn't sell, and any other information that would be helpful for next year's festival. Be sure to get your report to Karen Vitek who is typing up the annual Harvest Festival Report.
Step into Spring: If you haven’t paid Diane yet, you are late! The dinner is Monday, April 28th at Anthony's Pier 9 in Newburgh, NY. Please see Diane Sedore if you have any questions.
DEC Camp: Applications are being accepted for our scholarships for two summer campers to one of four New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Summer Camps. If you need information please contact:
--DEC's website at www.dec.ny.gov;
--call 518-402-8914,
--e-mail edcamps@gw.dec.state.ny.us or
--call Joyce Banner at 896-5283.
This year's camper scholarship deadline is February 9th. Campers, boys or girls, age 12-14 can choose from one of four camp locations. Campers, boys or girls, age 15-17 must attend Camp Pack Forest. Returnee campers are welcome, with certain weeks set aside for returnee campers only. Campers must meet the age requirement during the week they attend camp. Campers choose from 8 one-week camp sessions with week 1 being June 29 thru July 5 and week 8 being August 17 thru August 23
Check with your children, neighbors, co-workers, and friends for a teenager who would like to be sponsored by us. We sponsor two campers each summer. The camper and his or her family are responsible for transportation to the DEC camp. If you know of an interested camper, call or e-mail Joyce. Additional camper information will be distributed at the December meeting.
A quote especially for January~
In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy. ~William Blake
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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