Palos Heights Garden Club Newsletter

http://phgc.blogspot.com
Always check our website for updated information.

February through June 2014 Edition

The Palos Heights Garden Club promotes gardening through sharing knowledge, talent, and resources while developing community pride, environmental concern, and a sense of fulfillment.

Our next Five Monthly Meetings - Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

February 24 Dave Wanninger - What's New in Hydrangeas? Lots!"
Dave Wanninger is the Horticulturist in Charge at Boerner Botanical Gardens in Hales Corners, Wisconsin. Previously, Dave worked many years as Horticulturist at Beaver Creek Nursery and Klehms Song Sparrow Farm. Before that, Dave operated a landscaping company and was the nursery manager at a large independent garden center. He was also a longtime Instructor in the Horticulture program at Blackhawk Technical College in Janesville, Wisconsin. Dave embraces a large plant palette, but particularly favors hostas, peonies, and dwarf conifers in his home garden.

RED Set Up Team - Regina Childs ~ Fred Kunz ~ Pat Johnson ~ Bonnie McCarthy Hospitality: John Basso - Rich & Jackie Durkin - Patricia Johnson - Walt & Julie Kay Theresa Peterson-Bill Poore-Debbie Scheckel-Jane Shimkus-Donna Maloney-Gloria Pelt

March 24 Beth Botts - Behind Springtime: What's Going on as the Garden Comes Alive
Understand more about how your plants, your soil and the weather interact to make it through winter and explode into spring.

Blue Set Up Team - Yvonne Freeman ~ Eileen A. Lange - Donna Oliver ~ Hank Polson Hospitality: Bea Hucko - Ron Karlic & Dale Barz - Betty Polson - Hank Polson Kathy Setlak - Diane Sramek - Danelle Sowatzke

April 28 Donna Hirsch Grand Garden Show

The Grand Garden Show last August was a unique step back in time adventure at Mackinaw Island's Grand Hotel, presented by Proven Winners. We visited many stately mansions and their glorious gardens. The hardscaping and landscaping designs were stupendous, especially when considering no motorized vehicles are permitted on the island. Come and see how they do it!

RED Set Up Team -

Regina Childs ~ Fred Kunz ~ Pat Johnson ~ Bonnie McCarthy

Hospitality: Janet Engstrom - Gail Hossin - Donna Hirsch - Fred & Karen Kunz Debbie Litt ~ Phil & Doris Totorici - Helen Wann

May 19 Nancy Kuhajda Moonlight Gardens Gardens of White

Blue Set Up Team - Yvonne Freeman ~ Eileen A. Lange - Donna Oliver ~ Hank Polson Hospitality: Rose Bennett - Emil & Gail Biedron - Marge Carlson - Yvonne Freeman Eileen Lange - Judy Marik - Bonnie McCarthy

Garden Walk: June 23, 2014

Come to the Art Garden at 123rd Street and 72nd Court in Palos Heights at 6:30 p.m. and find out what gardens are on the walk. Want to be on the garden walk? Talk to either Jim Agnos, Clara Van Howe, Patt Bailey, Sherry TerMaat, Debbie Rea, Debbie Litt, Donna Hirsch, Barb Weller or Corny Morgan.

Ask Donna Q. Will this winter EVER END?

A. No. Global warming is so last year, and we have officially entered a new Ice Age. But don't worry, things keep better in the coldincluding you! Q. My house plants are starting to look blah. Anything I can do to perk them up? A. Oh my! I am starting to look blah, too! It's a combination of the shorter days, lack of light, cold near the window, dry heat, and the poor plants are probably suffering from a severe lack of moisture. I'm noticing the big plants I usually water every 7 -10 days are needing water after 5 days. The dry air from the constant furnace heat is wicking moisture from every place it can. If possible, put your plants in the sink and give them a good soak with tepid water. Let them sit in the water for 10-15 minutes to rehydrate the pot, too, if it's clay. Drain well before placing them back in their (cleaned) saucers. For larger pots that are too big and heavy to move, water them with a cup or two of soapy water. Just a drop of soap or detergent in the water will be enough. The soap will act as a wetting agent and help to moisten the whole root ball. Add a cup of water every hour or so until you start to see water collecting in the saucer. If the soil has pulled away from the sides of the pot and the water runs right out of the drainage holes, you need to water very slowly to avoid a huge mess. Throw a bunch of ice cubes on the surface of the soil. When they are almost completely melted, switch to the soapy water a cup at a time. That should get moisture to the driest of roots. Look at your leaves. Are they dusty? A quick wipe of large leaves with a damp cloth on the top and bottom of the leaf will allow more light to reach the light receptors in the leaf, or a quick shot in the shower will wash most of the dust away and add moisture to your home. Just be sure to let the plants drip in the shower before carrying them to their usual resting place. For plants with fuzzy leaves like on an African violet, dust can be brushed away with an old paint brush. Begin feeding your house plants in March with half strength of your normal fertilizer. By April your plants will be looking perkier, and hopefully so will we.
If you are interested in becoming a Board member, please see either Jim Agnos or Debbie Rea. The club is always looking for new people with fresh ideas for our Board. Remember to support Ace Hardware in Worth on 111th off of SW Highway. They always give us those seed packets Jim brings to our meetings.