Garden Clippings October 2006

McMinnville Garden Club Vol. 6 No. 2

October 16, 2006 – Beverly Mulkey

Hillside Retirement Community “Activity Room” at the Manor

300 NW Hillside Park Way, McMinnville, Or 97128

Social time: 10:30 a.m. - Business Meeting: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Dessert, coffee and tea will be provided by hostesses:

Barbara Pehrson, Joan Wheeler, Kathleen Bennett and Christine Davison

Program: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.: Larry and Carolyn Kolb,

Wind Dancer Nursery, Salem

Owners Larry and Carolyn Kolb, will talk to us about ornamental grasses for our gardens. They have been in business seven years and currently grow 150 varieties of grasses. Each year they search for more new and interesting grasses to bring to the market. They have an extensive display garden which allows you to see how the grasses grow in the landscape. October 23, 2006 a field trip to their nursery is planned so we can see the grasses in full bloom.

October 23, 2006 Field Trip - Judy Eggers

Wind Dancer Nursery

Address: Orchard Heights, Salem, Or

We’ll carpool from Bethel Baptist Church at 9:30 a.m. Sharp.

This field trip is the week after Carol Colby of Wind Dancer Nursery is the program for October. Look forward to seeing beautiful grounds with lots of different grasses. Plants will be available, of course, for purchase. Afterwards, we’ll lunch at Annette’s, 1311 Edgewater St., NW Salem. Annette’s Westgate Café is located in the historic Kingwood building which was originally the Kingwood Market started in 1928. You can still see the old West Salem Library from almost every seat in the dining room. The menu is extensive and the prices are moderate.

Don’t forget to sign up for this event and watch for the clipboard.

President’s Message

Dear Garden Friends,

The new year for the McMinnville Garden Club has officially begun and with a bang! Nine new members joined the Club on September 19^th! The new handbooks were distributed with new sections including a letter from the President (me), a pullout calendar of meetings, field trips and seasonal garden reminders, and a gardening reference section. “Thank you Kim”, for doing the handbooks. Each member is encouraged to bring their handbook to each meeting and add meeting agendas and handout materials.

The results of the small group brainstorming were absolutely awesome! The creative list of ideas for our Club may be found elsewhere in this newsletter and will be revisited at the October 16^th meeting. Each of you is encouraged to attend to participate in identifying our Club goals for the year. The theme “Making Our World Blossom” provides the foundation for our projects, community outreach and gardening fun.

I did inquire about the Paris Gardens Field Trip in May, 2007, via the e-mail address and requested an article for this newsletter edition. Look for it and consider your level of interest in participating in a grand field trip to Paris, which will be briefly discussed at the October meeting. In the meantime, Judy Eggers, Field Trip Leader, planned a delightful trip to the Bishop’s Close in Portland, September 25^th. The gardens were beautiful and the company delightful. Join us next month when we travel to “Wind Dancer” Nursery in West Salem. You may want to add the Club dates to your personal calendar so you can attend every event planned just for you.

Kim Jongedyk and I attended the Fall Pioneer District meeting last week and were pleased to hear about District activities, contests and the Fall activities. There seems to be much in which to participate as we wish.

Enjoy this beautiful Fall weather, try my friend’s zucchini recipe below and pick a bouquet for your table! See you in October, if not before.

Flowerly,

Gaye Stewart, President

Zucchini Quiche

1cup buttermilk baking mix

½ cup chopped onion

½ cup grated parmesan cheese

2 tbsp parsley

½ tsp salt (I omit)

½ tsp seasoning salt

½ tsp oregano

1 clove garlic, crushed

½ cup vegetable oil

4 eggs, slightly beaten

3 cups zucchini, sliced into ¼ inch thick rounds

1. Mix together first seven ingredients in large mixing bowl.
2. Stir in garlic, oil and eggs and blend until smooth. Stir in zucchini.
3. Pour into greased 9-by-9 inch baking pan.
4. Bake in 350-degree oven 25 to 30 minutes or until browned and set in center. Test with knife.
5. Cut in squares to serve.

Hort. Beat - Julie Maahs

Well, it's finally arrived, autumn and how lovely it is. And with it, the never ending chores in the garden and yards.  It's all worth it though as whatever time and energy you put into cleaning them up you take in twofold enjoyment next spring. It'll be worth it I promise!

So with that, one planting to attend to is Garlic*.  All your cold weather crops can go in as well and of course all those spring blooming bulbs.  Just know that you can be creative with the plantings, all doesn't have to be in pristine single file rows; think of bouquets and the surprising spot of color where a few landed where they were thrown (some digging required here). Grab those spading forks and shovels 'cause it's time to divide the perennials*!  What a way to get to know your neighbors by sharing in the harvest "if you will" and them with you. Our gardens can be a shared enjoyment for all around.

New book:  It's a good one - Miracle Gro Guide to Growing Healthy Houseplants  144 pages. Amazon.com makes it available for $14.95. Great books can be found at your local nurseries as well. Incahoots has a great selection!

New 2007 Plant Picks and Proven Winner selections:  Black Lace 'Sambucas' (Elderberry) Shrub Deep burgundy leaves with a 10" pale pink flower.  Fall berries can be harvested for Elderberry wine and jellies. This shrub can grow to be 8' and can be kept smaller by pruning.  Sun / Part shade. Lemon Fragrance. Look for this in all your garden centers next year.

* Buy your bulbs from a garden center, the bulbs at the grocery stores may

be treated to prevent sprouting and retard growth.

* Perennials. Divide spring-blooming in fall -- fall-blooming in spring.

Have your cameras at the ready as the autumn will bring a delight of color and beauty.

NEW SPROUTS - Mary Whinery

We have twelve new members to introduce. Be sure to welcome them into the club! Addendums with their contact information for your MGClub books will be provided.

Carla Arriaga, Shirley Fox, Sue Hughes, Stephanie Janik, Marilyn Mathis, Norma Parker, Jacque Shaw, Sylvia Sproed, Jan Hudson, Jacque Farrrell, Sandy Quiring and Amy Eads.

WELCOME ABOARD!!!! Remember to tell the newcomers in our neighborhoods about our wonderful group, and invite them.

September Yard of the Month

2388 NW Findle Way Congratulations to Finnis and Cheryl. See it at: http://mcminnvillegardenclub.org/yards2006.htm

Pioneer District Fall Luncheon Meeting

Attention: Let's support the Pioneer District Fall Luncheon Mtg., Thursday, October 19th,

9 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the Meriwether National Golf Club in Hillsboro. Tickets are $12.50.  Door Prizes.  Send check (payable to McMinnville Garden Club) to Jacci Reed, Treasurer, 13905 NW Willis Road, McMinnville, OR 97128.  Carpool leaves Bethel Baptist Church at 8 a.m.

Categories from Brainstorm Session, September 18, 2006

Promote Our Club

Distribute flyers to Newcomers Club, Welcome Wagon, Chamber; Exchange gardening ideas at meetings; Make friends of local nurseries; Participate in County Fair with horticulture entries; Produce a cheesecake calendar; Promote club at garden centers; Share our Yard of the Month program with others; Sister Garden Club in McMinnville, TN; Welcome male members.

NEXT YEAR: Flower arrangement styles, Bonsai classes for outdoor plants only, identify fall and winter blooming shrubs.

80^th Birthday Recognition

Enter float in Mac’s Christmas Parade, Rose Festival; Hold birthday party for oldest Garden Club – TV, radio, newspapers, and web.

Beautify Our Community (or Make Our World Blossom)

Extend our reach to broader community: Fall Fling, Amity Daffodil Festival, County Fair; Local Habitat for Humanity – donate gardens, landscape; Select and renovate a rundown area – “Clean-up on Wheels” – enlist high school kids; Send seeds to disaster areas (not just New Orleans); Share our Yard of the Month idea with others.

Club Meeting Activities

Commercial Garden of the Month; Exchange and share garden magazines; Exchange garden ideas ; Form a telephone tree; Form interest groups: containers, interiors, new homeowners, outdoor Bonsai, floral arrangement styles; Garden Tours, out of state, Canada, Idaho, Paris, etc.; List garden centers and bargain centers; Research grants for special projects; Use e-mail for special announcements.

Youth

Help kids get involved with gardening by having their own gardens; Work with youth in teaching capacity – work with schools to implement.

Club History - Dorothy Mathiesen

October 16, 1933

Meeting was called to order at the country home of Mrs. Eberhard. 27members present. Under correspondence several letters were read. One of much importance from Standard Oil of California giving their cooperation with their road signs. Motion passed, a letter of thanks to be sent to them (Garden Club at that time was against huge road signs, and telling companies so DM) A letter from Mrs. Honeyman asking for dues of $2 for membership in the Oregon Council for the Protection of Roadside Beauty. Motion passed that dues be sent, making us a member as an organization.

Miss Hendrick invited the Garden Club to the Woman’s Club Convention held in McMinnville, and asked for flower donations for same. At 3:30 PM Thursday, Mrs. Pearson will talk on KOAC (radio station, DM) in a regular feature garden program. Some discussion on planting corner at Cook School was turned over to Roadside Committee to investigate. Mrs. McLaughlin was assistant hostess, so she gave the garden calendar for the month. She made a lot of good suggestions for Fall planting and gave us a lot of good suggestions in general. Mrs. Caldwell, a visitor, gave an interesting talk on chrysanthemums. Mr. Rogers from Salem was invited to do this, but failed to show up. Mr. Daubrana from Sheridan had some early blossoms on display.

These members paid dues at this meeting, two of them new. Mrs. Alice Crabtree, Mrs. Marie Travis and Mrs. L.W. Ladd. Total $1.50

Lepha Hawley, President

Marie Hartzell, Secretary

Sunshine

Marilyn Coats sent in the following: I want to thank everyone who sent cards, phoned, visited, and voiced their support.  It really meant a lot that so many people cared to think of me at a difficult time in my life.  I am very lucky to have
such great friends.

‘AN Insider’s Look At Paris Gardens’, May 18 to 27, 2007

Springtime in Paris? Undeniably fabulous. Paris Gardens in spring?  Even better!  You are invited to join an intimate, escorted nine-day tour that will take you to experience various carefully selected Paris Gardens.  Learn about and enjoy a remarkable variety of garden-styles ranging from classically elegant and grand, to contemporary and innovative, to intimately charming.  Your co-leaders for this tour are Maureen Bovet, Landscape Designer and recent Paris resident, and Sally Peabody, Paris Specialist, of Your Great Days in Paris. 

Each day we will explore one or more gardens, and further explore the cultural treasures of their vibrant  quartiers.  We’ll even take you to shop for gardening accessories where savvy Parisians shop!  The price, $2550 includes three-star hotel accommodation with early check in (double occupancy), daily buffet breakfast and lunch or dinner, metro passes, selected admissions, airport transfers in Paris, and two experienced leader-guides.  Airfare not included.

Contact:  Sally Peabody, Your Great Days in Paris, 781 391 6183 or s.peabody@verizon.net for further information. Tour detail on http://www.yourgreatdaysinparis.com

Backyard Habitat – Alicia Dimond

Preserving Herbs: If summer fills your garden with more herbs than you can use, freeze or dry them to keep the fresh flavor.

What to Keep: The best herbs for preserving are ones that have robust flavor, such as oregano, mint, tarragon, marjoram, sage, basil, thyme, and rosemary.
How to Harvest: To keep plants producing as long as possible, treat them gently at harvest time.  Experts at the Better Homes and Garden test Garden recommend cutting before the heat of the day to reduce stress on the plant.  Look for stalks that haven't bloomed, and snip just above a leaf.  Snipping the youngest portion of the plant encourages it to grow more densely. (The more you cut the more new growth is encouraged).  If you want blossoms, either for garnishing or cooking, be aware that once a plant flowers, growth slows and the plant's life is shortened.

How to Preserve: To dry and preserve herbs hang small bunches upside down in a cool dark place like in a guest room closet, somewhere sheltered from the rain until the leaves crumble easily. You can also dry larger leafed plants like sage between paper towels.

To Freeze Herbs: Chop them in a food processor adding enough oil to form a paste, then freeze in ice cube trays. Once frozen, remove cubes from trays and wrap in plastic. Store in the freezer. 1 cube makes 1 teaspoon which is equal to 1 Tablespoon in recipes.

Websites to Check Out

• Crane Fly Treatments Needed in Spring and Fall! (Just Ask Mary Whinery!)

http://extension.oregonstate.edu/news/story.php?S_No=182&storyType=garden

• Houseplants for Fall Color

http://www.southernliving.com/southern/gardens/seasonal_gardens/article/0,13676,517540,00.html

• Fall Decorating Ideas

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/falldecorate

“Backyard Havens” Garden Tour June 24, 2007 - Patty Sorensen

Watch for the tour job descriptions and organizational chart at the October meeting! It takes ALL of us to make it successful. We need any and all talents you have shared with the club.

All 2007 yards have been selected. Thanks to Jean L., George Q., Sharon G., and Mildred R. for their help!

McMinnville Garden Club Organized in 1926 PO Box 386 McMinnville OR 97128 http://mcminnvillegardenclub.org Information: 503 434 4344 Meeting Information Meeting Day: Third Monday September through June 10:30-10:45 AM Social Time 10:45 AM – 1 PM Optional Brown Bag Lunch Hillside, Activity Room, 300 NW Hillside Park Way, McMinnville, OR Meetings are open to the public. Executive Board President Gaye Stewart Past President Kim Jongedyk Vice President Beverly Mulkey Secretary Mildred Reppeto Treasurer Jacci Reed Conservation Pledge I pledge to protect and conserve the natural resources of the planet Earth, and promise to promote education, so we may be caretakers to our air, water, forests, land, and wildlife. Ongoing Projects Summer Garden Tour The Oregon Garden Support Scholarships for Horticulture National Garden Week Garden of the Month Blue Star Memorial Marker City Beautification “Garden Clippings” is a monthly publication of the McMinnville Garden Club. Contact Gaye Stewart or 503-434-4344 for info.

Committee Chairs Backyard Habitat Alicia Dimond Field Trips Judy Eggers Garden Tour 2007 Patty Sorensen Garden Tour 2008 Jean Lierman Georgia Queen Garden Faire 2007 Margaret Roberts Historian Dorothy Mathiesen Horticulture Julie Maahs Hospitality Julie Hughes Cathy Burdett Library Plant Care Sandy Ford Membership Mary Whinery Newsletter/Website Patty Sorensen Newsletter Asst. Sandy Bolmer Parliamentarian Sharon Gunter Post Office Landscape Joanne DeWitt Publicity/PR Beverly Mulkey Scholarship Ann Silverthorne Sunshine Joan Friese Telephone Vicki Brink Yard of Month Evelyn Mundinger Yearbook/Photography Kim Jongedyk The newsletter deadline for submission of articles for our monthly newsletter is the 25th of each month. Please send them to Patty Sorensen. Do you know of any prospective Garden Club members? Be sure to let Mary Whinery know names and addresses. We would love to send them our newsletter for two months.