Westerville Garden Club

CONTACT  US

     Follow the directions in the right-hand column to contact us.

 RESOURCE LINKS

• FRANKLIN COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE-www.ohioline.osu.edu
• GARDEN CLUB OF OHIO-gardenclubofohio.org/
• DIRECTORY OF GARDEN CLUBS-by national garden club-www.gardenclub.org
• DELAWARE COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE-www.delaware.osu.edu/
• CITY OF WESTERVILLE-www.westerville.org/home

                   To-Do Monthly

     "Gardening Hints"

JANUARY, 2011            

 "DECEMBER HAS COME AND GONE!"

     I hope all of you enjoyed the warm weather we had in November and took advantage of it to finish up outside jobs in your garden.  January's cold and snow is upon us.  Here are a few hints to get you through this month.

1. If you have a snowblower, count your blessings.  Count your blessings a second time if you have a good neighbors (as I have) who clears your driveway and sidewalks using your snowblower.  When the snow is finished for the year, be sure to drain the gas out of it-just as you did for your lawn mower last fall.
2. Do not use salt based de-icers on your sidewalks as it will harm your plants and grass.  Sand is a better choice.
3. Pull out those diagrams of your planting beds and update where you planted bulbs this fall.
4. It is time to start your "wish list" for next spring.   What is it you want to add to the existing beds?  Remember,  you can buy perennials and annuals at out own PLANT SALE.
5. Be crafty-make a pomander ball.  Poke whole cloves all over an orange, lemon or lime.  Then roll in a mixture of 1 tsp each of cinnamon and nutmeg with 2 tablespoons of orris root(as a fixative).  Allow to dry on waxed paper for about a week.  The fruit will shrink and harden.  Makes an unusual and fragrant addition to your home.
6. And lastly, the clebration of December 21st was a real biggy since it was the shortest day of the year.  The days are now getting progressively longer.....and that is a wonderful thing. 

FEBRUARY, 2011           

"THE NORTH WIND DOTH BLOW 

      AND WE WILL HAVE SNOW"

    With all the snow we have received this month, while are stuck at home,  let's turn February into the Planning Month.  I don't know about you, but I have received many, many seed catalogues.  So someone out their thinks I am ready to start my list of what I want in those beds or containers this spring.  Pull out those diagrams of your flower beds and see what you want to add this year.  Start your buying list to use at our plant sale in May.  Find a calender  dedicated  just for gardening---a really great idea.  That way you will know when plants bloom, when you planted new items, even when you mowed your lawn!! 

Here are some websites for some of those catalogues you want to request free:

1. www.dutchbulbs.com(not just tulips, etc.
2. www.tmseeds.com (Thompson and Morgan Seeedsmen)
3. www.burpee.com
4. www.seedsofchange.com
5. www.johnscheepers.com
6. www.kitchengardenseeds.com
7. www.whiteflowerfarms
8. www.highcountrygardens.com
9. www.territorialseed.com

   Remember, you can buy your annuals and perennials at our Plant Sale in May.

Also, we need baskets to plant the Mother'sDay Baskets for our Plant Sale.  Bring them to the April Meeting.  The baskets should be in good condition and large enough to hold 4-5 annuals. 

 March, 2011       "In like a Lion

                                  Out like a Lamb?"  

     Well, the crocus are in bloom and the daffodils, narcissus, and other bulbs are really through the ground in fine fettle.  In time the puddles of water throughout the yard will dry up.  There are jobs now starting to come to mind for this wonderful month.  The  first day of spring will be here soon. 

     One of the jobs to do this month is to prune shrubs or trees. It is easier to see where pruning is needed before leafing out occurs.

     Try not to walk on the lawn where it is wet.  Take a look around your lawn with mowing in mind.  Eliminate acute angles along your beds and borders...i.e.adding ground cover rounds out a bed.  Also, consider putting your bird bath  among flowers instead of standing alone in your yard.

    Now is the time to add a product such as Preen to eliminate weeks coming up in your flower beds.

    Don't forget to update your plans for a vegetable and/or flower garden and decide what items to buy at our plant sale. 

    APRIL 2011  THE AWAKENING

  Yes, April is the month that the whole outdoors seems to be waking up from winter.  The cool weather plants can go in the garden-those are the cabbage, brussels sprouts, potatoes, peas, lettuce, and onion sets.  Wait until mid-May to plant  your annuals or they could be killed by a frost.  

   As for your lawns,  apply pre-emergent weed control products with fertilizer to green up the grass and kill off the dandelions.

   Don't apply mulch until mid May or later to give the soil time to warm up.  

    You should have pruned out the dead wood in your roses by now. You can also prune them to establish a beautiful shape.  I had a lovely hybrid tea that went back to the old  non-hybrid  rose.  So what did I end up with????  I have a very prolific pink rose that comes up every year and I have no idea what it originally was. But it does delight the eye.

  Lift three or four of your perennials and pot up in fresh potting soil to bring to our plant sale.  I intend to bring Lily-of-the-valley, Day lilies, a Hosta, Thyme and a Toad Lily.  We sell them for $3.00 to $7.00 and it is pure profit for the club.  We made over $150.00 last year from these plants. 

    SEE YOU AT THE PLANT SALE IN MAY  

 June 14    ANNUAL PICNIC 

This is held at the Everal Heritage Park at  60 N. Cleveland Ave.

BRING A POTLUCK DISH, YOUR PLATES AND SILVERWARE.  The meat and beverages are provided by the club.

    Also, bring a couple of your plants to exchange with others.  We also trade magazines, books and other garden items. 

Be sure to sign up for the committees you wish to serve on next year.  SEE YOU IN SEPTEMBER !!

If you want to contact the Westerville Garden Club about anything, please fill out the form below..