The meeting was called to order by President Karen Cook at 1 p.m. Oct. 1 in Whitlock Hall, St. John’s Episcopal Church. Refreshments were served by hostesses; Beth Gillan, Carolyn Fisher, Janet Linton and Trish Schwabe. The hostesses provided a delicious lunch that included ham and egg salad sandwiches, fresh veggies and yummy sweet treats. Table decorations featured lovely pumpkin themed displays.
The coin jar was passed and roll call taken. Thirty-six members were in attendance and a guest, Marcie Isenberg. New members, Ann Stanley and Marsha Smith were welcomed.
President Karen Cook opened the meeting by thanking the hostesses and reminding everyone that dues are to be paid by November. Next month the program will be the gently used garden item auction. These items can include; tools, books, flower pots, garden decor, seeds etc.
Teresa Huxhold, on behalf of the nominating committee, announced the slate of officers for next year: President, Denise Durcharme; Vice President, Lana Presslor; Treasurer, Belinda Grimble; Secretary, ML Dawald; Historian, Kezia Blackwell; and Karen Cook, Advisor.
The election will take place at the November meeting.
President Cook shared an update for the annual Christmas party. The gift exchange will still occur, but the party will be held at St. John’s with a caterer, to be determined. The payment for the lunch can be made in November.
Terri Trinkle updated the group on the downtown flowerpots. She thanked Deb Barowsky for providing pumpkins for the pots and urged members to cut back their petunias as they die off, but to keep the ornamental grass. The grass will provide a centerpiece when greenery is added for winter.
The program was a presentation by Annie Sipahimalani, master gardener. Her topic was putting your garden to bed. Annie shared slides of beautiful winter landscapes, full of garden plants left standing in the winter. She encouraged gardeners to leave perennials standing, and not feel obligated to cut down the dead bushes and plants. During the winter, the birds and insects need the dead foliage to survive. By leaving plants standing through fall and winter, you’re not only creating a more interesting garden landscape, but also supporting local wildlife. Birds, beneficial insects and small mammals will thank you for the food and shelter during the lean months
Annie emphasized the beauty of those plants once the snow and frost hits. Ornamental grasses, something most gardeners like to cut back, should be left standing, because the grasses make the soil healthier. As for the types of plants, Annie encouraged everyone to use native plants whenever possible. Natives are essential for the birds of Indiana. Annuals are like junk food for birds, they don’t provide the diet the birds need. Also, she suggested that mulching was productive, because any area left with bare soil will grow weeds that have to be dealt with next spring. No need to buy mulch if you have leaves in your garden. Leaves make great mulch. (Tropical milkweed is the exception and should be pruned to encourage monarch migration and to help eliminate lethal parasites.)
Another advantage of not trimming plants, is that If you hold off until early spring, this allows birds and other small animals to use the fluff surrounding the seeds and the fibers from the stalks to build nests. By leaving plants standing through fall and winter, you’re not only creating a more interesting garden landscape, but also supporting local wildlife. Birds, beneficial insects and small mammals will thank you for the food and shelter during the lean months. Annie suggested an excellent resource with Purdue Extension Services. www.the-education-store.com and www.extention.purdue.edu.
The next meeting will be Nov. 5 at St. John’s Whitlock Hall. Hostesses for the meeting are Lana Presslor, Karen McCloud, Sandra Lawson and Margie Staten.
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