Workdays 8/6 & 9/2012

Saturday, I came and worked on finishing the front bed in preparation for soil. Rock was added to circle the remaining shrubs (Potentilla), and around the back of the juniper/spruce in the middle of the bed. These were extra rock from the expedition a couple of weeks ago for the MMG. I also removed soil and debris from the south end of the bed.

On Monday we had a small crew - Julie Holmes, Becky Lewis - and they finished work on weeding the corner garden. I spent my time watering pots and cleaning up in prepartion for the 10th Anniversary. Nancy Palmer came and worked on setting stones in the MMG.

On Thursday our big task was unloading 3 truckloads of soil that Linda Guarino brought from the Landscape Connection. Crys Wells, Marcia Lamkin, and I all helped Linda unload and spread the soil. I planted 3 shrubs (1 smokebush, 2 large leaf barberry), Linda moved large rocks in the bed, Marcia-Betty-Crys cleaned up, and it began to rain (yeah) so the dirt could settle. This bed has a long way to go to be finished but looks 100% better even with a couple of shrubs, tree, and clematis. We will use the theme of the 1/2 circle with red and purple colors along with a few other colors for spring. It will also be mulched with small rock/gravel. An "under construction" sign will be put in place for the 10th Anniversary Celebration.

Judith Chaddock, Jeannette Sletton, and Betty Marcus spent their time deadheading, watering, and planting. Betty began collecting hollyhock and Mexican Hat seeds. Laura Davis worked on the MMG.

Work for next week:
Monday workday cancelled
Thurs. - continue work on the front bed/evening out the soil now that it has rained/circling the shrubs with rock.
Compost
Watering - indoors/outdoors as needed
Begin cutting back iris
Removing dirt from the north wall in prep for work on the foundation
Move peony from the bed on Switzer and replant in Rose Garden

Upcoming:
Fall Harvest Potluck - Sept. 20, 12pm following our workday

Special thank you to Linda Guarino this week for use of her truck and all her hard work to get the soil in out front beds.

Thanks for all who came and continue to support this garden,
Loni

Workdays 7/23, 27 and 29

On Monday, we had our usual small crew but were able to get many jobs off our list for the week. Our focus is to get ready for the Native Plant Society garden tours on Sunday. Laura Davis stopped by on her way to Phoenix and gave Nancy Palmer and Toni Barnes their assignments. Toni watered and Nancy and Toni moved all the rock that was gathered on Saturday to the MMG. Toni also moved our compost to the compost area. Katarina deadheaded and washed what was left of our pots. I added a few planting, worked on protecting our strawberries from the squirrels, and watered indoors.

Dave Brimhall, one of the gardener's from Riordan Mansion stopped by and picked up the last of our plants from the sale as a donation. The remaining garden items were taken to Hodge Podge. We made over $500 this year with minimal digging. The money will go towards rain barrels for the garden.

The house held an "ice cream social" which I made homemade ice cream for (strawberry & coffee), and one of the residents cut lettuce for a lunch salad.

Thursday, our crew spent most of their time getting the gardens ready for Sunday's tours. Linda Guarino worked on compost, protecting electric lines for the drip system, and weeding. Laura Davis worked in the MMG. Jeanette Sletten brought another volunteer and they worked on removing the Wood's Rose from underneath our apple tree. Carol Lease worked on a drip repair and made tags for new trees/shrubs and the MMG. Becky Lewis, burried drip lines in the FG, placed 3 bricks, and cleaned up the rose garden (weeds and debris). Judith Chaddock returned and took care of plants in the house, planted a few plants, cleaned up the sun porch and outside pots, and deadheaded. Marcia Lamkin cleaned up the cushion for the bentwood bench, and swept sidewalks. I spent my time doing various odd jobs, and keeping everyone else busy.

Several years ago we had 7 aspens donated that were planted by Gore. We lost 2 after the 1st year - one to winter plows and the other to deer. After that we fenced the trees. They have grown considerably and our pruner noticed that the one in back on the edge of the garden before it drops off is actually a cottonwood. It is much taller than the other trees and has a grey bark rather than white. Joe Harte removed the fence and pruned it. It should be big enough to withstand deer browsing.

On Sunday the garden was open from 11am-4pm for garden tours for the native plant society. We had two gardens recognized - 1/2 Circle Red/Purple Mini Meadow Garden and Zane's Memorial Garden. Many visitors came and enjoyed the garden, tours, and refreshments.

 

Plans for next week:
*Finish digging front beds
Compost
Watering as needed
Weeding corner garden
Clean up debris around iris, deadhead as needed

Thanks,
Loni

Workdays 6/11 & 14/12

On Monday I was off attending a class on Native Plants at CCC. Laura Davis was in charge for the day and several regulars came to help water, along with a new master gardener trainee and Peggy Sheldon-Scurlock. Special thanks to Betty Marcus who filled in last week on several days to water in my absence.
On Thursday, we had a small crew with many regulars vacationing or out ill. Carol Lease worked on some plant tags and put in our new oblesques and added a clematis to each. They are both located in the front of the home.

Carol Lease and new trellises

Laura Davis and Betty Marcus both watered along Switzer Canyon. I watered new planting and made some soil for pots. Joe Harte came and worked on the pathway from the rose garden to the parking lot.

Because our crews have been small we have been unable to dig up enough plants to do our annual plant sale. Instead we will offer what we have already dug up on our workdays beginning June 21, for about a month. We will have plants, pots, books, and other gently used garden materials and our fundraising items for sale
.

Sale Plants 

Plans for next week:
The decorative wheel barrow has arrive and needs to be assembled.
There are several plants - large and small - for a variety of gardens that need to be put in the ground.
The back patio need to be re-sanded and some pieces buried more.
The woods rose is taking over one of our apple trees and needs to be pruned and some dug up
We need to begin removing plants from the front garden bed that will be redone
Weeding inferno strip and deadheading iris.
Watering indoors and out
Compost management

New in the garden:
Most of the vegetable have been planted
Deer are enjoying the strawberries
Half dollar sized apples on our granny smith tree for the first time
2 new oblesques made into trellises in front of the house

Hope to see you in the garden this week.

Loni

Earth Day Workday

On Saturday, 4/21/12, Earth Day we had a small crew working on cleaning up the garden. We had one student from the Grand Canyon Youth who cleaned pine needles and planted two mums he brought in our front gardens. Marcia Lamkin came and helped bring out hardscape for the the Faerie Garden. Debbie Crisp weeded a front garden in prep for adding some donated tulips on Thurs. & Sat. next week. Laura Davis worked on weeding in the MMG and watered that garden and the north Inferno strip. I worked on cleaning up the Moon Garden/Zane's garden and helping with bringing out hardscape.

New blooms:
Pasque flowers in several areas

Tulips (variety)

Thundercloud Flowering Plum

Heath in the Moon Garden

Donation:
2 mums Ben Kelty

Our next workday is on Thurs. 4/26 from 9am-12pm. Focus will be on continuing clean-up:
Raking pine needles and bagging
Planting tulips donated this spring
Bringing out hardscape
Deadheading last seasons plants
Watering before the drip is turned on
Planting daylilies

Thanks,

Loni Shapiro
Volunteer Garden Coordinator

1st Workday for 2012

We had a beautiful day for our 1st workday for the 2012 season. Many of our regulars came and 3 new drop-in master gardeners were oriented to the gardens. Laura Davis worked on cleaning up the tea garden (deadheading and removing pine needles). Judith Chaddock did her usual magic on the sun porch (cleaning, feeding and watering the plants). Our red amaryllis is blooming for the 5th year, and many of the geraniums are also in bloom. Linda Guarino got the compost season started by turning, sifting, and general cleaning of the area. Christine Orr returned for her 2nd season and learned about the compost, cleaned around the front entry way (weeding and removing pine needles). Marcia Lamkin worked on cleaning the Faerie Garden in preparation for taking out some hardscape on Saturday. Crys Wells cleaned some of the front gardens (weeding, deadheading, and removing debris). I spent my time setting up for the workday, filling a couple of feeders, and doing an orientation for some new gardeners.

Linda also planted our new rose bush that was purchased to honor a long time resident and garden visitor Lois. It is a ketsup & mustard rose and it was planted near Zanes garden, one of her favorite friends. Later this season the rose and a brick will be dedicated.

Scheduling for the next couple of weeks include:
Earth Day Clean-up - Saturday, April 21, from 9am-12pm
2nd Workday - Thursday, April 26, 9am-12pm
1st Monday Workday - Monday, April 30, 9am-12pm
2nd Orientation - Saturday, May 5, 10am

Activities to work on:
Bringing out hardscape
Planting tulips
Watering as needed
Connecting up rain barrels, fountain
Expanding a brick pad
Putting together a swing/glider
Sanding and sealing raised beds
Deadheading and general clean-up

For those volunteering, parking is only available at the 1st Congregational Church or on Turquoise. Please wear close toed shoes, long sleeves and pants and a hat suggested (there is little shade in the garden). Snacks and water (in a large container so bring a small one if you want to carry it with you) are provided.

Thanks,
Loni Shapiro

Meeting/Workday 3/20/12

Thanks to all who came to our meeting workday on Tuesday 3/20 (Karen Kent, Cynthia Davis, Peggy Sheldon-Scurlock, Judith Chaddock, Laura Davis, Crys Wells, Linda Guarino, Betty Marcus, Julie Holmes). In addition to a brief planning meeting we put together a spring fundraising mailing for Northland Hospice (about 5000 pieces of mail). Seeds will be sent for soliciting funds for the organization. It is similar to the Stay at Home Tea done in the fall. It took longer than we anticipated (8am - 130pm) but we managed to have a good time and lots of food while working. A handout was circulated on HIPPA (confidentiality while working in the garden)that all volunteers need to read as a reminder. If you were not present please pick up a brochure the next time you volunteer.

Plans for the start of the season are:
April 19, 9am-12pm First Workday weather permitting
April 21 9am-12pm First Saturday monthly workday
April 30 9am-12pm First Monday workday

We will again try 1 Saturday a month for the summer and need 1 volunteer for each month to supervise any volunteers. These are the dates I need volunteers for supervision and the plant sale:
May 19, 9am-12pm (I am doing a Container Gardening Class that day and will be there from about 1030-12pm but busy with the class.
June 23 7am-10am I need 1-2 people to sit at a table at the Run for Your Life to advertise our Annual Plant Sale.
June 30 10am-2pm I need a minimum of 4 people for the plant sale who will do sales, garden tours, refreshments, and parking.
July 21 9am-12pm
August 18 9am-12pm
September 15 9am-12pm

We will no doubt have other special workdays for groups but they are not scheduled as yet.

Watch next week for an update on other info from our meeting.

Thanks,
Loni

Last Official Workday for 2011

Thanks to all who came to work on Thursday. It was cold when I arrived at 8am and I didn't end up taking any layers off before I left at about noon. Linda Guarino was the 1st to arrive and she worked on compost and the drip.We have 2 new composters from Home Depot and she finished getting them up and running. She also added some compost from the house which we will continue to do throughout the winter. Judith Chaddock arrived next and she worked on watering indoors and deadheading lavender. Watering indoors will continue throughout the winter 1x a week. I have put a sign-up on the wall in the OW office. It is filled for November Thursdays. I will send out a list of task that need to be done and some basics. The calendar is open for December and 2012 so sign up if you want to help. Julie Holmes and Becky Lewis arrived next and they spent their time deadheading. Nancy Palmer tied up our larger rose bushes. Joe Harte and Linda worked on emptying our rain barrels and cleaning them. Worth noting if you are buying one the ugly black plastic one was very clean inside and the beautiful Fiscars tan barrel was filled with algae (we are guessing the sun got through). I spent my time putting up parking lot reflectors in hopes the snow blower stays out of the gardens this year. I also fed the birds and will continue to do that until we run out of seed. We have placed many suet feeders out and I saw several nuthatches, a woodpecker, and a flicker busy on them yesterday. We actually finished early today at 11, with a good sized crew.

Thanks to the Whites (Ray and Joan) for coffee from Starbucks. We needed it today. Joan won a gift package at the volunteer lunch and she donated it to the garden crew. It contained coffee, tea, a mug, and a gift certificate which was used today.

I will be in the garden occasionally for the next couple of weeks feeding birds, tying up a glider, and putting a small bag of winterizer out, but otherwise enjoying some time off. In January we will have our first meeting for the 2012 season. We will meet monthly after that until April when we began all over again. Watch this blog for dates and times. I will also add a review of 2011 goals and accomplishments.

Thanks for a great season of gardening at Olivia White. As usual "It takes a village". Flagstaff did not disappoint with 18 regular volunteers, 7 occasional, and 4 group workdays.

Loni Shapiro
Volunteer Coordinator
Olivia White Gardens

Workday 10/20/11

Fall has arrived with cooler nights, but the days are still warm. The leaves have begun to fall with an increase in winds. The reds were spectacular this year, but the aspen color was minimal before leaves began falling. On Thursday, another beautiful warm day, Judith Chaddock, Julie Holmes, and Joe Harte joined me in the garden. Judith watered indoors and then helped Julie with deadheading the lavender and Russian sage. Joe came for a short time and we enlisted his help in putting the stone bird baths away for the winter. I planted the last of the bulbs and began giving all our shubs and trees a long drink before winter sets in. If the warm weather continues this will need to happen weekly.

We are almost wrapped up for the season except for indoor watering and filling bird feeders until we run out of food or we can no longer get to them. The plan is for next week to be the last official workday.

Activities include:
Watering indoors and outdoor trees and shrubs
Finish deadheading the lavender
Finish the new composter if the part arrives and get the area ready for winter
Two main lines need to be buried to avoid damage from plows. We also have 2 small repairs.
The rain barrels need to be disconnected and emptyied
Put wheelbarrels and all other hardscape away
Work on glider pad
Plant a few more bulbs

Plans for winter:
Continue watering indoors weekly. There will be a sign-up sheet for this.
If the winter is dry we will water trees and shrubs monthly.

If work is not completed this week we will continue to Nov. 1.

"A garden is never so good as it will be next year."
Thomas Cooper    Horticultural Magazane 1993


Thanks,
Loni

Workdays 9/12/11 & 9/15/11

On Monday I worked alone after a bad hail storm cleaning up debris and trying to prop up 3 locust trees that were almost on the ground. I pulled out all the veggies in the sitting raised bed, because they were shredded by the large hail.

Luckily, a large crew came on Thursday to help clean-up after several more storms and hail. Victoria Oehlbaum was the first to arrive and she watered indoors and worked on cleaning up the front 1/2 circle - leaves and weeds. Becky Lewis spent her time picking the remaining tomatoes and emptying the pots. Linda Guarino worked on the compost (chopping and layering), staked our locust trees with me, and planted a dogwood shrub from our Switzer beds in back of the house. David Hockman, Jim Woods, and Joe Harte planted two more large shrubs along Switzer Canyon (burning bush and serviceberry). Betty Marcus spent her time gathering seeds (hollyhock and Mexican hat). Judith Chaddock picked hollyhock and deadheaded. Kay Balzer dug up a juniper in the 1/2 circle garden with Joe's help and replanted it in our north beds. Marcia Lamkin worked on planting leftover plant sale items with Kays help. All are now safely back in the ground for winter. Marilynn VanWagner worked on the compost material, deadheaded, and watered some geraniums that don't get water. Crys Wells finished cleaning up the tomato pots and planted some fall mums.

Our season is winding down earlier than usual with all the hail in the last week. Happily all our tours and special events are over for the year. The trees, shrubs, and vines are beginning to change color (maple, sumac, virginia creeper). In the next several weeks we will begin re-organizing the sheds in preparation for putting away hardscape for the winter, adding mulch to the roses, planting fall bulbs, and continuing with general clean-up. We may be done by the 1st of November this year.

Upcoming:
Fall Harvest Lunch - Saturday September 17th, 12-2pm, at Judith Chaddock's
Northland Hospice Lunch - Friday, September 30th, 12pm-2pm, at the Raddison
Fall Bulb Planting - October (date TBA)

New in the garden:
Fall Mums/Asters have been added for a bit of color, and many perennials have returned.

"They have climate in England; we have weather."
Helen Rutherford Ely, A Woman's Hardy Garden (1903)

Thanks for all you do for the garden and to help me,

Loni

Workdays 9/5/11 & 9/8/11

Monday was a holiday and not an official workday, but Julie Holmes came and watered. I headed out to the county fair to pick up all our ribbons.

On Thursday Cynthia Katte was the first to arrive and she worked on the compost, along with Jim Woods. She also helped Victoria and Linda Guarino unload soil for a new bed for wildflowers. Betty Marcus watered several areas and collect hollyhock and Mexican Hat seed. David Hockman worked on the Rose Garden Pathway, sanding and adjusting bricks. Kay Balzer weeded the front 1/2 circle, planted some thinned gaillardia, and some iris. Becky Lewis worked on cutting iris back and planted some of our plant sale plants. Judith Chaddock watered indoors and deadheaded throughout the garden. Rebecca Moore and Laura Davis worked in the Michael Moore Garden.

Dave Hill and Murphy were back and out in the garden with residents. Leslie Pennick delivered her Colorado peaches and Becky brought some more homemade goat cheese. In the afternoon between rain storms we had visitors from the Arboretum staff. While they were there a female and baby deer were hanging around munching grass below the garden.

Upcoming:

Saturday workday 9/10 10am-12pm - Flagstaff High Honor Society
Annual harvest lunch 9/17 12pm-2pm - Judith Chaddock's
Volunteer Lunch provided by Northland Hospice 9/30 12pm-2pm Raddison Hotel

New in the garden:
More fall mums

This weeks workday:
Plant 3 shrubs
Water as needed
Plant leftover plant sale items
Deadheading (especially roses)
Help in Michael Moore Garden
Composting
Drip lines

The season is winding down with cooler temperatures but we will still probably be in the garden until the 1st part of November if you want to join us. We will be deadheading, planting bulbs, mulching for winter, staking gardens for winter snow removal, and putting hardscape items away.

Workdays 8/22 & 25/11

On Monday, I worked with Kay Balzer in the garden and Laura Davis came to water the MMG. I spent my time watering, weeding, and deadheading Shasta Daisy. Kay removed a large grass in front of our angel statue, dug some iris, and weeded in the front 1/2 circle. There is no end to the ragweed and bell flowers even after revamping the garden.

On Thursday several regulars were off doing other things in their life, but we were able to get many things done. David Hockman planted another Sumac and reinforced the rebar surrounding our new willow. Becky Lewis and Crys Wells thinned and cut back iris. Marcia Lamkin and Rebecca Moore helped Laura Davis in the MMG. Laura gave us a short in-service on the progress with that garden and plans for the future. Cynthia Katte worked on the compost and deadheading throughout the garden. Judith Chaddock took care of the sun porch and house plants and deadheaded. Betty Marcus watered pots and new plantings. I spent my time deadheading, watering, and planting some new plants by our angel.

New plants:
Rock Rose and Dianthus (FG)
Sumac (Rose Garden Walkway)

Upcoming:
Coconino County Fair Sept. 2-5
Fall Harvest Lunch - Sept. 17, Judith Chaddocks, 12pm-2pm
Northland Hospice Volunteer Lunch - Sept. 30 12pm-2pm
Monthly Saturday Workday - Sept. 25, 9am-12pm

Plans for this week:
Help with Fair entries
Continue iris thinning/cutting back
Deadheading
Plant another Sumac
Plant some day lilies
Need 1 load of soil/compost for north garden
Compost - shredding material
Drip - continue adding lines

The extension of the FUTS trail will not happen until next spring so we have plants that we need to get rid of. We will plant 4 large pots of Shasta daisy and keep 3 shrubs for planting on the corner. Free plants (gaillardia, Shasta daisy, day lily) and iris available on Monday/Thursday workdays. Donations accepted.
CMGA 2012 Calendars for sale

Thanks,
Loni

Workdays 7/25/11 & 7/28/11

We had a small crew on Monday but as usual got many tasks done. Kay Balzer came and worked on the 1/2 circle garden, weeding and planting a new red 9-bark shrub. She also watered and weeded with me. Susan Thompson helped me carry pavers to the new Pet Memorial area for placing on our Thursday workday. Rebecca Moore came and worked in the MMG, triming trees, weeding, and watering. Kasey McConagha fed birds and filled birdbaths. As usual Dave Hill and Murphy brought out most of the residents to enjoy the gardens on a beautiful day. It began raining just before we left.


On Thursday we had our annual visit from AmeriCorp. There were 8 volunteers and 3 helped in the Michael Moore Garden with Laura Davis, 3 worked with Cynthia Katte weeding the compost area and placing pavers, one volunteer worked on weeding the north rock wall and one helped David Hockman transplant a tree. Linda Guarino worked as usual on the drip and helped Cynthia clean-up the compost. Judith Chaddock cleaned the sun porch, watered indoors, and cut lavender to dry. I helped Linda, did some watering, and supervised the crew.

We had fewer volunteers than anticipated and will have a full schedule for this week. Happily it rained and more is expected, and we have a 2x a week volunteer to feed and water the birds (Kasey McConagha).

New in the garden:
Red Nine-bark shrub
Moved a "Starburst Locust"

New blooms:
Karen Kent's Peace Rose

Indian Paintbrush in the 1/2 circle garden

Roses throughout the garden - Julia Child, Peace, Morden Sunrise, Carefree Delight, etc.

This week:
Placing pavers for the pet memorial area
Washing pots
Weeding in a few other beds
Cutting more lavender
Compost (sifting and chipping)
Drip continued
MMG variety of tasks

Upcoming:
August 2, visit from the Arboretum volunteers - 9:30
August 5, visit from the Senior Companions and their clients, 11am
August 10, Native Plant Society Extravaganza
August 14, Native Plant Society Garden Tours 11am-4pm
August 20, Monthly Saturday Workday 9am-12pm

A garden is a friend you can visit anytime. Unknown.

Thanks,
Loni

Workdays 7/18/11 & 7/21/11

On Monday we had a small crew watering, weeding, and doing general clean up.
On Thursday, Laura Davis, Rebecca Moore and Marcia Lamkin worked on the MMG. Linda Guarino continued to add to the drip in the gardens and spruced up the rock garden in preparation for Sunday's judging. Al Katte built some shelves in the greenhouse and made changes in the arbor construction. Cynthia Katte worked on the compost and deadheaded some plants. Gail Reed planted some house plants, and watered the back gardens and the sun porch. Betty Marcus worked on watering along with me. David Hockman and Joe Harte worked on transplanting a Starburst locust. Joe also brought some soil from the Landscape Connection. With all the heat Betty came on Saturday and help me water one more time plants not on the drip. On Sunday the Native Plant Society came for judging the Moon and Rock gardens.


While we were in the garden we spotted a strange beelike insect on the Shasta daisy, and it was acting and looking like a hawk moth. Rebecca Moore found this photo that seems to look like what we saw. It is called a Bumblebee Moth and it has a long proboscis to suck nectar from the flowers. She also spotted one at the arboretum.

New in the garden:
Shelving in the greenhouse thanks to Al Katte
A weed whacker and birdhouse from the Paul Montoya family

New blooms:
Shasta Daisy throughout the garden, more roses, all the yarrows, hollyhock

Upcoming:
Arboretum Docent Visit - August 2, 930am
Senior Companion Program Visit - August 5, 11am
Native Plant Society Extravaganza - August 10
Native Plant Society Garden Tours - August 14
Monthly Saturday Workday - August 20, 9am-12pm
"Hello Dolly" with David Hockman - watch for dates in September

Plans for this week include our yearly help from AmeriCorp
Creating a pet memorial area
Revamping the compost area (weeding, weedcloth and maybe pavers)
Weeding (several areas on the property)
Pot washing and putting away for the year
Cleaning the sun porch
MMG - several activities
Tree moving - digging and replanting
Extras - garbage on Turquoise, lavender bundles, flower pressing, watering as needed

Did you know that Victorians used plants and plantings to create a special language in the garden? Two that I thought you might find interesting are symbols of humility - morning glory and bindweed. I must say that symbol is appropriate as I work along the Inferno Strip. Lavender has several symbols - memory and peace - also appropriate. The smell seems to sharpen the mind (wakes you up) and leaves you in a peaceful state.

Thanks,
Loni

Workdays 7/11-14-16.2011

Old shed with new pavers for entrance.

Thursday was another beautiful and productive day in the gardens at Olivia White. Julie Holmes stopped by to deliver some sign-in records for Northland Hospice and she filled the bird feeders before leaving. Laura Davis came and worked on the Michael Moore Garden which now has many new plants. Carol Lease worked on two paver pathways for the sheds. This will allow entry without dragging in all the dirt. Carol also managed to clean the water feature which was full of pine pollen. Gail Reed planted some of our leftover plant sale plants, watered and weeded. Becky Lewis re-sanded the back patio and the new north pathway. David Hockman repaired one of our redwood gliders and weeded. Betty Marcus watered and deadheaded. Marilynn VanWagner watered and again picked lettuce for the house. Jim Woods weeded the south rockwall area - steep incline and nasty weeds. Marcia Lamkin came by and swept and watered indoors. I spent most of my time finding work for others in between washing pots.

On Saturday, Laura Davis supervised and worked on the vines in the gazebo, Betty Marcus watered, and Debbie Crisp worked on sanding the walkways and planting some new hens and chicks.

Thanks to:
Pats Shriver for making a beautiful cushion for our bentwood bench with a cover to protect it from the sap and rain.

Betty Marcus and Becky Lewis for treats. Becky brought some of her homemade goat's milk cheese (yum).
Val Bryant for the donation of some hens and chicks.
Laura Davis for supervising the Saturday workday.
Becky Lewis, Joe Harte,and Marillynn Van Wagner for working the 10% day at Warners.



New blooms:
Coreopsis, coneflower, more roses

New plantings:
Licorace Mint, Mountain Hollyhock, Penstemon Barbatos, Calliroe (Wine Cup)

Upcoming:
Native Plant Society Contest Judging - July 24 or 25
Arboretum Docent Visit - August 2, 930am
Senior Companion Program Visit - August 5, 11am
Native Plant Society Garden Tours - August 14
Monthly Saturday Workday - August 20, 9am-12pm
"Hello Dolly" with David Hockman - watch for dates in September

"More things grow in the garden than the gardener sows" Spanish Proverb

I have noticed that we have many purple flowers in the garden - more than any other color. From the book "A Garden of Love and Healing" - the symbolism of the color purple (intuition, idealism, self-sacrifice, inspiration, kindness, spirituality). Lamb's Ear, which we have an abundance of, symbolizes healing. Thank you for all you do!

Loni

Workdays 6/27/11 & 6/30/11

On Monday we had a small crew. Betty Marcus and Char Wallace watered, and I worked on putting together a new rack for the shed. Nancy Palmer & Laura Davis watered in the MMG. Several people stopped by and purchased leftover plants from our sale.

On Thursday, most of our regulars came, we had a visit from Carol Leases's daughter, and we managed to finish several projects. Shoppers continued to purchase and our intake has now exceeded last year and is almost at a $1000 for our 2nd Annual Plant and Garden Sale.


Carol and her daughter Lori spent their time organizing the sheds. Another crew worked on the half circle garden - first weeding, then adding rock mulch, and finally adding a few more grasses. That crew included Becky Lewis, Gail Reed, Kay Balzer and Linda Guarino who transported the rock in her truck. The new garden looks great and is ready for impending monsoons.


Susan Thompson and Gail weeded the north bed along Switzer Canyon. Betty Marcus made sure all dry pots and new plantings were watered. Joe Harte trimmed some trees and planted our new flowering plum with the help of Gail and myself. Vicki Goodwin finally got our trees boosted with fertilizer and gave them all a long drink. Judith Chaddock did her usual deadheading and watering the sun porch. Crys Wells came and also helped with the deadheading. The MMG had it's usual crew of volunteers watering and weeding - Laura Davis, Nancy Palmer, Rebecca Moore and Marcia Lamkin back from vacation.

Special thanks to:
Kay Balzer for the rock mulch
Linda Guarino for the use of her truck again
All the gardeners who purchased plants even though they planted many of them
Rebecca and Carol for the snack
Joe Harte for caring for our trees including planting one today
Crys Wells bloodgrass for the 1/2 circle garden

New in the garden:
We are trying rock mulch for the first time
2 sheds neatly organized by Carol Lease & her daughter
A flowering plum (Thundercloud)
New frogs and a bed and chair for the Faerie Garden





New blooms this week:
Daylilies, more roses and lamb's ear, sulfer buckwheat, native primrose volunteers

Next workday Thurs. July 7, 8am-12pm - no work on July 4
Saturday workday for July, the 16th from 9am-12pm
Warner's 10% Day, July 16th, 9am-5pm

"Under that heat haze the great garden lived like a happy beast, released from the world, far from everything, freed from everything."
Emile Zola The Faute de L'Abbe Mouret 1875

Thanks,
Loni

Workdays 6/20-23-25/11

On Monday, Laura Davis and Rebecca Moore worked in the MMG. Char Wallace, Kay Balzer, Al Katte, and I were busy in the main garden and Linda Guarino stopped by to check on the new drip in the 1/2 circle. Char and I watered the front and back gardens and removed some excess mulch mostly from the rose garden. I also worked on cleaning up some plants for the sale. I finally have all the plants from the front beds identified. Kay worked on the 1/2 circle and divided some daylilies. Al finished the shed so it is ready to load. All the annuals are planted. Thanks to Al Katte and Jim Woods for getting our new shed up and the old one moved. They had help from Cynthia Katte, David Hockman, and Vicki Goodwin in preparing the ground.

On Thursday we had a big crew again to help get ready for the plant sale. Judith Chaddock and Cynthia Katte priced the gently used items. Cynthia also reorganized the compost and Judith the sun porch plants. Gail Reed and Susan added plant tags and did other small tasks to get ready for Saturday, Vicki Goodwin and Gail potted some plants, and Vicki watered the front gardens. Linda Guarino and Dave Hockman worked on edging the back pathways. Linda also transported some soil for the MMG. Betty Marcus watered several areas. Char Wallace deadheaded iris and help with plant sale preparation. It was a busy day but we manage to get all plants and sale items ready for Saturday. Several areas had to be watered more than once due to the temperatures and the wind. Nancy Palmer and Laura Davis worked on the Michael Moore Garden. Crys Wells brought us some tables for the plant sale and watered some thirsty plants in the front 1/2 circle.

On Plant Sale day we had many of our regulars helping in the garden: Nancy Palmer, Cynthia Katte, Rebecca Moore, Gail Reed, Judith Chaddock, Vicki Goodwin, Marilynn VanWagner, Carol Lease, Jim Wood, Crys Wells, Maret Mitchell, Betty Marcus, Char Wallace and Julie Holmes. We had a small crowd of shoppers, but managed to make over $500 for the garden. It was a warm, windy day but people from the garden club came for both tours. We had lots of yummy refreshments, cookies/fruit/ and herbal teas for people to taste while shopping. The raffle for 2 items was won by Christine Orr and Char Wallace.

We still have many plants available for sale, so will have them available for the next couple of weeks on our workdays. What is not sold will be replanted in the garden on the corner after the FUTS trail is completed.

Special thanks to:
Rachel Edelstein for collecting many of our gently used items for the plant sale.
Linda Guarino for bringing many loads of soil in her truck this year, working every week on the drip, compost, and helping with the 1/2 circle garden project.

Upcoming:
July 9 - Kitchen Herb Class through CCC, 9am-12pm
July 16 - Saturday workday for July 9am-12pm
July 16 - Warner's Annual 10% day for Northland Hospice - 10% of all purchases benefit the garden

New blooms in the garden:
Bell flower, sulfer buckwheat, some roses, New Mexican locust (north side of house)

It take's a village. Thank you to all who make our gardens beautiful with their time or donations. The garden is truly a community effort.

Thanks,
Loni

Workdays 6/13,16,18/2011

Monday was another beautiful warm day in the the garden. We had a small crew. Nancy Palmer came and watered the MMG and the south Inferno Strip. Kay Balzer continued to work on the front 1/2 circle. She brought some plants from home, planted a couple of shrubs and some grasses from Crys Wells, and moved some plants from other parts of the garden. Char Wallace came and watered the dry beds in back of the house and some of our sale pots. I worked on planting some more annuals, watering, and putting out some signs.

Wow! Each week I think we have such a long list of tasks, and we will never get them done, but we always manage to do them and more. It was a beautiful day this Thursday, despite all the pine pollen blowing about. We had a large crew that worked primarily on two tasks - getting ready for the plant sale and putting in our new shed. Judith Chaddock, Becky Lewis, Julie Holmes, Susan, and Marilynn VanWagner all worked on getting plants ready for the sale (clean-up and tagging). Cynthia and Al Katte, Jim Woods, Dave Hockman, and Vicki Goodwin moved the old shed including leveling the ground, and put in the foundation for the new shed. David also managed to plant a Coloradao Blue spruce recently donated. Laura Davis and Rebecca Moore weeded and began planting in the Michael Moore Garden. Kay Balzer and Linda Guarino worked in the front half-circle, watering and getting in the drip system. Carol Lease helped repair the drip and helped me hang the baskets in the gazebo - a sure sign of summer. Betty Marcus and Char Wallace came late and stayed late to make sure all gardens were watered. Laura, Char and I cleaned up the pot area in prep for moving things into the sheds next week. Joe Harte came and worked on the trees. He also did a pruning demonstration with ponderosa and crab-apple.

On Saturday we had a small crew but managed to get many things done. Cynthia Katte, Debbie Crisp, and I planted the last of the annuals, perennials and worked on the plant sale pots. Al Katte and Jim Woods finished putting up the new shed and re-building the old shed on a new site. Al still has some tweaks but we should be able to get items in the sheds next week.

Rachel Edelstein and her husband Bob dropped by a bunch of items for our Plant and Garden Sale. Thanks to Rachel for collecting them thoughout the year for us.

New blooms in the garden:
Locust tree, sulfer buckwheat, native gaura (some pulled due to too many this year), lambs ear and cinquefoil(in the sun. A new plant in the Faerie Garden that seeds were planted for last year - Love in the Mist - a donation from Roabie Johnson's garden.

Special thanks to:
Al Katte and his crew for getting our new shed up and running.
Joe Harte for educating us about tree pruning
Judith Chaddock and her crew for plant sale preparation

Garden visitors:
Dave Hill and Murphy with many of the residents.
Dana Prom Smith

Upcoming:
Saturday, June 18, 9am-12pm workday
Mon. & Thurs., June 20-23 8am-12pm workdays
Saturday, June 25, 11am-2pm Plant & Garden Sale
Saturday, July 16, 9am-5pm Warner's 10% Day

Come join us for any of our workdays. Work over the next week will be primarily on finishing planting and getting ready for our plant sale on June 25 (clean-up/tagging plants).

"Those who labour in the earth are the chosen people of God, if he ever had chosen people." Thomas Jefferson Notes on the State of Virginia (1787)

Thanks,
Loni

Workdays 6/6/11 & 6/9/11

On Monday, we had a small crew but managed to get several things done. Nancy Palmer came and manged to get more weeding done in the Michael Moore Garden. Char Wallace finished deadheading the germander on the Inferno Strip. Kay Balzer came and finished getting the 1/2 circle garden ready for soil on Thursday. I spent my time planting a few annuals and watering.

Thursday we had a larger crew. David Hockman finished working on the pavers for the north pathway and will finish adding the frames next week. Betty Marcus had the unenviable task of removing all material from the shed and putting it in the greenhouse, so we can begin to construct our new shed. She also managed to find time to water the Inferno Strips. Becky Lewis sprayed some roses for aphids, planted some annual pots, and helped Kay Balzer unload soil for the 1/2 circle garden. Kay unloaded soil and planted the new plants in the garden with the help of Linda Guarino. Linda brought the soil in her truck and helped unload and plant.


Carol Lease worked today mostly on drip repairs. Cristine Orr and Gail Reed spent their time planting annual pots throughout the garden. Judith Chaddock cleaned the sunporch area again and brought out all the geraniums. Julie Holmes planted some annuals in pots. Nancy Palmer continued to work on the weeding in the Michael Moore Garden with the help of Hattie Braun.

Signs of several animals visiting the garden were evident this week. The tops of our beautiful variegated pink-phlox were gone, and I found many holes where tulip bulbs used to be. We have an abundance of lizards this year and I spotted this fellow sunning himself on a rock. I almost missed him.



New in the garden:
Annual pots: lobelia, petunia, geraniums, vinca, callibrochia, bacopa, salvia, alyssum, red salvia, dahlberg daisy, pennisetum grass
New in 1/2 circle garden: a variety red & purple penstemons, a variety of grasses, purple & red sage, bee balm

New blooming:
More iris including Dutch, gaura, dogwood, ox-eyed daisy, penstemons, and lambs ear, Austrian copper rose, sulfur buckwheat, and locust tree along Switzer Canyon



Special kudos:
Kay Balzer for all her hard work on getting the 1/2 circle garden up and running before the monsoons
David Hockman for putting in a difficult pathway with little help
Linda Guarino & Carol Lease for all their work on getting the drip up and running
Nancy Palmer for managing the Michael Moore Garden for the last 3 weeks in Laura's absence (finishing the pavers and weeding)

Plans for next week:
Educational piece this Thursday from Joe Harte on Pruning Tips (at the break)
Finish the north pathway
Remove some mulch from heavy areas
Finish planting annuals
Begin getting plants ready for sale (dividing larger pots of Shasta Daisy)
Water new plantings as needed
Move old shed and begin constructing new

Upcoming:
June 18, Monthly Saturday Workday 9am-12pm
June 25, Plant and Garden Sale, 11am-2pm
July 16, 10% Day at Warners, 9am-5pm

Come join us for our upcoming workdays on Mon. 9-12 and Thurs. 8-12 and Saturday 9-12. Parking on Turquoise or at the 1st Congregational Church lot. Hat and sun screen recommended. Water and snacks provided.

"Of all wonders of nature, a tree in summer is perhaps the most remarkable; with the possible exception of a moose singing "Embraceable You" in spats."
Woody Allen

Thanks,
Loni

Workday 5/30/11 & 6/2/11

Wow! What a beautiful day to work in the garden. We had one of our biggest volunteer days for the season with 17 volunteers showing up to help.

Nancy Palmer, Marcia Lamkin and Rebecca Moore weeded, watered and placed sandstone pieces for a pathway in the Michael Moore Garden. Kay Balzer, Becky Lewis and Jim Woods all worked on the 1/2 circle garden. They gathered rock from Kay's property with the help of Jim Wood's trailer and then began creating the hardscape. Jim was quite a trooper with recently fracturing some ribs. Judith Chaddock, Cynthia Katte, and a new master gardener all worked on the roses. They pruned, uncovered the crown area, fed and then watered. The aphids are already abundant with our cooler/wetter spring. David Hockman continued to work on the north pathway. With a few more pavers he should be finished next week. Crys Wells and Vicki Goodwin both watered needed beds not yet on the drip and pots for our plant sale. Char Wallace finished pruning the lavender and helped with watering some roses. Marilynn VanWagner did the nasty job of pruning the germander along the inferno strip. Joe Harte pruned some trees and repaired some drip lines on the inferno strip. Linda Guarino and Carol Lease both continued to work on repairing and adding drip lines. Betty Marcus watered the south inferno strip and the corner garden. I spent my time updating the sensory pots and planting vegetable that Linda brought from her greenhouse.

New blooming in the garden:
Ox-eyed daisy, salvia, Austrian Copper rose, some penstemons, colorful iris (pink, yellow, orange), and the hawthorn and mountain ash trees



New plants added:
Veggies - pickling cuke, zucchini, Japanese cuke, Japanese eggplant, summer squash, bunching onion, salad burnet
Sensory pots - Color/Little Zebra grass, pineapple sage, statis, alyssum
Touch/Carex,horsetail rush, white licorace, yellow strawflower
Taste/Fern leaf dill,chocolate mint, stevia, curled and Italian parsley
Smell/Chocolate mint, alyssum, Provence lavender, trailing rosemary, fragrant Persian stonecress
Tea Garden - German chamomile

Plans for next week:
Planting annual pots and hanging baskets
Finish planting perennials
Finish north pathway
Rose care - aphid control
Watering as needed
Continue adding drip lines
Get soil for front 1/2 circle

Come join us on Monday (9a-12p) or Thursday (8a-12pm). Parking is available on Turquoise just past Switzer Canyon Drive or in the 1st Congregational church lot.
Hat and sunscreen are recommended for this warm weather. Water and snacks will be provided.

"Perhaps our best hope for gardening as an art is that gardening is an activity whose never-achieved aim is progress towards a never achieved work of art."
Geoffrey Charlesworth The Opinionated Gardener 1988

Loni

Workday 5/16 & 5/19

On Monday Kay Balzer and I worked alone in the Garden. I planted and covered some vegetables with frost cloth, weeded, and watered some of our transplants in pots. Kay spent her time digging and hauling dirt from the front 1/2 circle garden to the MMGarden. The front 1/2 circle is being revamped. The soil level was too high and of poor quality. We will add new soil and Kay will organize the redesign of that garden.

On Thursday even though we had about an inch of snow on arriving it melted quickly even in the cold. Several brave souls came bundled to work. Kay Balzer again worked on the !/2 circle digging and hauling. Linda Guarino worked on the compost and transplanted some silver buffaloberry shrubs to the native garden, in preparation for 6 new climbing roses. Judith Chaddock continued to prune roses, deadhead, and care for the plants in the sunporch. Laura Davis and Nancy Palmer came and did some planning on the MMG. Laura will be gone for 3 weeks and Nancy will assume responsibility for that garden. I worked on filling bird feeders, weeding, and cleaning up after the storms. Marcia Lamkin came late and we did some planning for the Saturday workday.

Plans for 5/21/11 Saturday workday:
Weeding a grassy area near the front of the house
Deadheading lavender and germander shrubs
Watering pots as needed
Continuing to dig rose shrub holes to plant next week
Continuing to move soil from the 1/2 circle garden

New blooms in the garden:
Many iris, a few penstemons, ajuga, baskets of gold, prairie smoke, white tulips

Donations:
Birdhouse to remember Zane from Munds Park friends of Dave and Terri Hill

Upcoming:
Workdays for next week 5/23 & 26 (see above for plans)
June 25, Plant & Garden Sale 11am-200pm
July 9, Growing, Drying and Using Herbs class for CCC 9am-12pm

"They have climate in England; we have weather."
Helena Rutherford Ely - A Woman's Hardy Garden, 1903

Happy gardening!
Loni