Our March meeting was so much fun! Thank you to Vivian, Maria and Diane for a wonderful presentation on herbs! And thank you to Sharon and her committee for the delicious luncheon and beautifully decorated room.

I was lucky to trade a rainy Elk Grove week for a week in Palm Springs where I visited an amazing “Great Garden”. The 1800 acre “Living Desert Zoo and Gardens” has 22 different garden areas in the most beautifully landscaped zoo I have ever visited! The blooming cacti were gorgeous. Truly worth a visit!

F l o w e r s w e r e b l o o m i n g everywhere in the desert area. I especially loved the huge colorful lantana and bougainvillea found in many areas! Euphorbia firesticks, are planted in many landscapes. They are quite lovely to look at, but the sap is not good for your skin (or for dogs!).

Home to my own garden with just a few sweet peas and lavender in bloom. Lots of buds on roses - just waiting for warmer weather! See you in April for another great program!

Rhinda

April Meeting Thursday, April 11

Congregational Church 9624 Melrose Ave.

Elk Grove , CA Join us at 10 a.m. for a “meet

and greet”, after which our Program starts at 10:30 a.m.

Roll Call What is your favorite

Spring flower?

www.elkgrovegardenclub.org April 2019, Vol. 11, Issue 8

April Presentation “Using Gathered

Materials” Presenter is

Patty Nulton, Floral Designer

Greetings from Our President Rhinda Furtado

Inside this Issue

April Program 2 March Highlights. 2 In the Garden. 5 Announcements. 8 Upcoming Events. 10

BEYOND THE GARDEN GATE Elk Grove Garden Club

Affiliated with: National Garden Clubs, Inc., Pacific Region of National Garden Clubs, Inc., California Garden Clubs, Inc., Sacramento River Valley District

Editor - Barbara Gumbs

Beyond the Garden Gate April 2019 !2

APRIL PROGRAM: Using Gathered Materials

Patty Nulton, our April presenter, comes to us with over twenty years’ experience as a florist. She seized this opportunity as a ministry at her church to bless and help young couples to avoid the high cost of flowers for their weddings. She has done dozens of weddings over the years, as well as florist designs for many different occasions. Patty is self-taught and keeps abreast with new techniques, tricks of the trade, and design ideas. Patty shared that she always has volunteer helpers and she takes great delight in teaching them what she knows.

The primary objective of her presentation is to help us see the potential beauty that is all around us. She will demonstrate how seasonal greenery, seed pods, grasses, as well as flowers can be used to make beautiful arrangements for the home. She will be covering all the basics - when and how to gather and how to arrange these materials in all kinds of containers.

Patty will be bringing containers and everyone will be able to choose a container in which to make an arrangement with materials provided. The only item that Patty would like us to bring to her presentation is your favorite clippers!

Beyond the Garden Gate April 2019 !3

Members were so enthusiastic about learning everything there was to know about herbs, that many of them were seen making notes and asking our presenters lots of questions during and after each session as groups moved from table to table! Our presenters Vivian Sellers, Maria Schiffler and Diane Schultz supported their presentations with several exhibits, demonstrations and handouts.

D i a n e d i s c u s s e d t h e p r o f i l e s o f c u l i n a r y herbs ,companion planting of selected herbs and gave us food for thought as she informed us about landscaping with herbs.

Maria did a show and tell as she demonstrated how to propagate cuttings and how deep to plant some seeds to get herbs started. Some of us followed her example and actually took away a cutting which we proudly planted ourselves during the session at Maria’s table.

At Vivian’s table there were several examples of items in which herbs are ingredients e.g lemon verbena tea, edible flowers in salads even a beauty soak using dry lavender flowers, epsom salts and coconut oil capsules as ingredients. We were very happy to receive recipes from Vivian for lemon verbena lady’s jelly, shortbread, scones, rosemary, garlic and chives potatoes. We learnt that Chinese chrysanthemum flowers, fresh grapefruit mint leaves and chamomile flowers can also be used to make teas.

MARCH HIGHLIGHTS

How to Use Herbs

Julie Gaines wants you to enjoy raising your tadpoles so she provided the following tips:

1. Change tadpole water when dirty using either rain water(ideal) or tap water that has sat for 24 hours. 2. Feed the tadpoles boiled cabbage leaves or boiled romaine lettuce. Flaked goldfish can also be used. 3. When tadpoles start to get legs, they need a perch on which to climb. Place a branch or rock for them to

use. 4. Once the tadpoles have 4 legs they are ready for release into your garden. At this stage they will be about

half an inch long. 5. Let them go to eat mosquitoes, flies and other annoying bugs.

(The following references provide further details: “How to Care for Tadpoles” - You Tube (several videos); AllAboutFrogs.org; “Caring for Tadpoles - From Egg to Froglet” pethelpful.com

Tips and Techniques

Beyond the Garden Gate April 2019 !4

This month’s luncheon hostess, Sharon Saint, and members of her committee did not let us forget that St. Patrick’s Day was “right around the corner”. Sharon Saint and Committee members: Lela Hartley, Mary Gress, Cathy Jow, Ellison Cowles, Janie Gessner, Linda Di Marco, Mary Hill, Diane McPherson, Leslie Haynes and Joan Prater provided a feast in keeping with St. Patrick’s Day. The menu: corned beef/red potatoes/onions/cabbage/carrots; carrot cake; green salad; broccoli salad; lime Jello salad; fruit salad; soda bread;

orange Jello salad. Several members contributed to the centerpieces which were crafted by Sharon Saint.

IN THE GARDEN

Thank You to the March Luncheon Committee

1. Convert sprinklers to low volume or drip system. 2. Check to make sure that plants are getting water. Adjust watering system if needed. 3. Work 3 to 4 inches of compost into vegetable and flower beds before planting. 4. Plant vegetable seeds outdoors: carrots, spinach, radishes, beets and chard. 5. Plant tomato and eggplant seedlings in late April when nights are consistently over 55℉. 6. Begin thinning apples, pears, peaches, apricots, plums and other stone fruits. 7. Remove frost-damaged citrus branches and suckers from below the graft union. 8. Thin grape shoots. Also thin grape clusters to increase grape size. 9. Plant summer annual flowers. 10. Fertilize brown-in-winter lawns when they are fully green. 11. Do not compost clippings from lawns treated with weed-and-feed products in the last 12 months. 12. Prune woody plants that flowered on last year’s growth such as azalea and camellia. 13. Mulch 2 to 4 inches deep around plants. 14. Look for leaffooted bugs, powdery mildew, fire blight, aphids, hoplia beetles, slugs and snails.

April Garden Checklist By Jan Fetler

Beyond the Garden Gate April 2019 !5

Benefits of Hill Culture (Hugelkultur) Gardening right in your backyard. You can:

1. Save 50% WATER the very first year and more thereafter. 2. Grow your plants and trees FIVE TIMES bigger and faster. 3. Save on FERTILIZER COST; hill culture is all natural and organic. 4. Double your PLANTING SPACE - on a hill not on a flat bed. 5. Provide DRAINAGE and loose soil for the roots to grow. 6. Attract beneficial BACTERIA and SOIL CRITTERS 7. Prolong the GROWING SEASON - decomposition creates heat. 8. Prevent WEEDS. 9. Practice hill culture gardening on ANY SIZE of land, from huge to small. 10. Practice effectively in ALL CLIMATES and on ANY TYPE OF SOIL. 11. Cultivate fruit that is LARGER, MORE FLAVORFUL AND MORE PLENTIFUL.

How to Construct your own Hill Culture Garden

1. Gather all the woody waste material you can find: big and small logs, twigs, wood chips, and branches. It is a great way to recycle and reuse dead trees and wood. However do not use eucalyptus, black oak or aromatic or treated wood.

2. Dig either a trench or hole - at whatever depth possible, about 1 to 3 feet. Assemble the wood pieces into a mound, big pieces on the bottom, smaller on top; the bigger, the better! They will reduce by 50% within half a year! You double your planting space and the hill adds visual interest to any garden.

3. Cover the wood with compostable materials: chicken manure - which helps nitrogen balance in the hill, leaves, grass clippings, garden and kitchen waste, cardboard or newspaper, etc. Cover the hill with soil and mulch to keep in the moisture. Repeat this process until you have a nice big hill. Water every layer to start the decomposition process.

4. Start planting at once - any kind of trees, bushes, flowers or vegetables. They will grow five times faster and larger than anywhere else! The first year your plants will require regular watering, but in the second year over 50% less.

References for further reading. “Hugelkultur, nature’s raised garden beds”. awaytogarden.com “How to Hugelkultur AMAZING Grow Method for Raised Bed Vegetable Gardens - Organic and Cheap”. youtube.com

“5 Steps to Creating the Perfect Hugelkultur Garden in Your Backyard”. Jennifer Poindexter. morningchores.com

Hill Culture - The Ultimate Raised Garden Bed Shared by Heidemarie Stack, Solano Community College Horticulture Club

At the Sacramento River Valley District Meeting 9th January 2019

Beyond the Garden Gate April 2019 !6

Spring is here and we are all getting our tools ready to launch into a gardening frenzy! Have you ever stopped to think that while you enjoy being out in your garden, raking and weeding etc. that you can really get a total body workout? Well, you can! Gardening chores can work major muscle groups: legs, buttocks, arms, shoulders, neck, back, and abdomen. We all use the tools shown at the left. This image from Pinterest (shared by Carmen Schindler), gives us an idea of which muscle groups are exercised when we use each tool.

However to reap the benefits of getting a total body workout in the garden - without being in pain afterwards - it is highly recommended that gardeners do at least a few minutes of warm-up-and-stretch exercises before starting garden chores. In addition, we need to keep ourselves hydrated while we are engrossed in making our gardens beautiful. Images of some stretches that are recommended for gardeners are shown at left. (“Before and After Gardening”. Source: “Stretching”. By Bob and Jean Anderson. Shelter Publications. Routines 119. 2010).

Additional References “The one thing you always forget to do when gardening: Hands up if you’re guilty of this.” By Olivia Heath. House Beautiful. June 13, 2017. housebeautiful.com “Exercise tips for gardeners”. By Linda Melone. aarp.org

NB.Consult your doctor before starting any new exercise programs.

Gardening as a Total Workout

Beyond the Garden Gate April 2019 !7

The planning phase of the Nicolaus Dairy Project is going well. In recent days we have made changes to both the sizes and locations of our garden boxes. Carmen Schindler is directing the planning and design of two 4’x 8’ boxes that will be 24” high, and will be ready for plants in May. These will be the pollinator boxes, and they will be located in the middle of the vegetable box area.

The goal is for plants to be blooming throughout the seasons to ensure a bright and colorful garden. The committee will do much of the planting with seeds. Our plan includes plenty of old fashioned flowers, milkweed for the monarch butterflies, and plants that will attract the beneficials.

I was in charge of designing the two 4’ x 11’ boxes, also 24” high, to be devoted to Dahlias. Half of these plants will be heirlooms (introduced 50 or more years ago), and the heirlooms selected are all from 1924 through 1969. Twenty-four tubers have been ordered. They have started to arrive, and will be stored in their boxes until May.

Each garden box will have 2 rows of 6 dahlias each. The box at the very front of the area will have 3’ and 3-1/2’ dahlias and in the other box right behind it will be 4’ and 4-½’ dahlias. All the main types will be represented as well as about 8 different colors. Some of the dahlias have funny names like Awe Shucks, Brumble Rumble, and Crazy Legs. Since this project is for children, we made sure there are dinner plate dahlias from 8” to 12” in the mix. In fact, bloom size varies from the 2” pompons to the largest dinner plate

at 12” across. The dahlia pictured here is Bishop of Llandaff, the type is Peony, and it has 5” blooms on a 3’ high bush. Introduced in 1924, it is one of the oldest dahlias still being grown and shown, often the jewel of the garden — according to Bill McClaren, author of the Encyclopedia of Dahlias. It has open deep-red flowers with nearly black, mahogany foliage.

Just in case you are wondering, the Bishop of Llandaff Urban (1076–1134) was the first bishop of South East Wales to call himself 'Bishop of Llandaff '. He was of a Welsh clerical family and his baptismal name in the Welsh language is given in charter sources as Gwr

Design of Garden Boxes and Selection of Dahlias For the Nicolaus Dairy Project

Mary Adams-Wiley

Tartan, 1951 heirloom, Informal Decorative, 7” blooms, 4-1/2’ high bush.

Pooh, 1998, Collarette, 3-1/2” blooms, 4-1/2’ high bush.

Beyond the Garden Gate April 2019 !8

ANNOUNCEMENTS

TO TWO NEW MEMBERS

Meet Jan Prater who is rejoining our garden club and she is delighted to be back. Jan has lived in Elk Grove for 27 years. She loves roses, and gardening is one of her hobbies. At this time, her primary hobby is working on her family’s genealogy which she finds fascinating and addictive. Jan also loves to travel. She has been on four European river cruises and has enjoyed the scenery and all the beautiful flowers and gardens she visited.

We are pleased to have Silvia Boggs as our newest member. She has lived in Elk Grove for the last 10 years and was recently introduced to our Garden Club by Pat Schreiber. Sylvia has a small backyard that looks fine but she confided that there is room for improvement. In joining EGGC, she feels that she would learn more about plants that grow well in our area, be inspired to beautify her yard, and at the same time, meet some wonderful people. In particular she is looking forward to learning about community gardening projects. Besides gardening, Sylvia enjoys reading. She is a member of the Senior Center's Book Club and she recently joined the Jane Austen club. She also enjoys classical music and travel.

APRIL

Karen Shelby. 4/3

Maureen Slocum 4/17

Beyond the Garden Gate April 2019 !9

LUNCHEON - ATTENDANCE

Please notify the Membership Committee immediately: Chris Duane, Leslie Haynes or Mary Hill if you will either be bringing a guest or if you will NOT be attending our Meeting on March 14th. Please check the Yearbook for their contact information.

BUS TOUR QUARRY HILL

BOTANICAL GARDEN MAY 1, 2019

Reservations are on a first come - first serve basis. Send your completed application with check for $60.00 made payable to Elk Grove Garden Club, P.O. Box 385, Elk Grove, CA 95759. Application forms are available at our meetings from Mary Anne Strohmaier and Ana Weekley. For further information call: Mary Anne Strohmaier - 209-747-8330 or Ana Weekley - 916-212-8742

ITEMS for RAFFLE BASKETS

EGGC is committed to providing two raffle baskets for the May meeting of the Sacramento River Valley District. We plan to prepare a basket with a GARDEN theme and the other with a focus on COOKING. Kindly bring your donations to our April Meeting.

WANTED

HOUSEHOLD ITEMS FROM THE 1950’S ERA for

THE NICHOLAS DAIRY REFURBISHING PROJECT

The Elk Grove Garden Club is but one of 30 organizations involved in the Nicholas Dairy refurbishing project which is jointly sponsored by the Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District and the Elk Grove Unified School District. The Nicholas Dairy is historically significant due to the many innovations the family made to the dairy industry, not only in California, but across the Nation.

Carmen Schindler (of EGGC) is assisting in sourcing items from the 1950’s era for placement in the proposed museum that is part of this project. The objective is to restore the Dairy to its 1950’s glory, to initially use the farm as a teaching tool for Elk Grove schools, and later for the entire Sacramento County. Once restored, the site will be open to the public.

You may find 1950’s treasures in your attics or store rooms that could be displayed at the museum. All types of furniture and everyday utensils that belong to this era as well as pictures of any aspect of the dairy industry in Elk Grove will be appreciated. If you would like to donate an item, but are not sure that you would like to part with that item permanently, you can request that the item be placed “on loan” to the museum. Please contact Carmen Schindler (916-364-0608) or Patti Sipula (psipula@egusd.net) to obtain further information on items for donation or to arrange for the collection of these items.

Beyond the Garden Gate April 2019 !10

PLANT SALES, SHOWS MEETINGS and WORKSHOPS

April 10 (Wednesday) 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. California Native Plant Society Meeting

April 11 (Thursday) 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Sacramento Rose Society Club Meeting

April 13 (Saturday) 10:00 a.m. -4:00 p.m. April 14 (Sunday) 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. American Bonsai Association 60th Annual Bonsai Show

April 15 (Monday) 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Satsuki Aikokai - Bonzai Azalea Meeting

April 16 (Tuesday) 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Iris Society Meeting

April 16 (Tuesday) 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Sacramento Begonia Society Meeting

April 17 (Wednesday) 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Sacramento Bromeliad & Carnivorous Plant Society

April 18 (Thursday) 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Sacramento Fuchsia Club

April 20 (Saturday) 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. April 21 (Sunday) 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Iris Society Show & Sale

April 22 (Monday) 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Sacramento Cactus & Succulent Meeting

April 23 (Tuesday) 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. American Bonsai Association Meeting

Meetings at Shepard Garden and Arts Center 330 McKinley Blvd., Sacramento

April 24 (Wednesday) 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Sacramento Valley Cymbidium Meeting

April 25 (Thursday) 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Chrysanthemum Society Meeting

April 25 (Thursday) 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Sacramento Perennial Plant Club Meeting

April 27 (Saturday) 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Rose Society Show

May 2 (Thursday) 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Capital City African violet Society Meeting

May 4 (Saturday) 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. May 5 (Sunday) 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Sacramento Cactus & Succulent Show

May 6 (Monday) 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Sacramento Geranium Club Meeting

May 8 (Wednesday) 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. California Native Plant Society

May 9 (Thursday) 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Sacramento Rose Society Meeting

May 11 (Saturday) 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Sacramento Chrysanthemum Plant Sale

May 11 (Saturday) 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Sacramento Geranium Club’s Show & Sale

May 14 (Tuesday) 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Sacramento River Valley District Meeting

Beyond the Garden Gate April 2019 !11

April 27 Backyard Composting 101 UC Cooperative Extension Auditorium

April 27 - April 28 Information Table - Folsom Garden Tour

May 4 Backyard Composting 101 UC Cooperative Extension Auditorium 4145 Branch Center Road, Sacramento, CA 95827

ANNUAL GARDEN SALE

At The American Cancer Society

DISCOVERY SHOP 8470 Elk Grove Blvd. CA 95758

FRIDAY APRIL 12 from 9:00 a.m.

SATURDAY APRIL 13 from 10:00 a.m.

AMERICAN RIVER HERB WALK Sat. April 20 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Fee $25. Register online at: soilborn.org

Location: American River Ranch 2140 Chase Drive, Rancho Cordova

CA 95670. Meet at Oak Shelter