Club sets meeting schedule
PRESQUE ISLE — The Presque Isle Garden Club will begin its 2011 season by learning how to extend the growing season. Roberta Griffiths will offer information about raising vegetables, including crop varieties, methods to discourage garden pests and how to raise a maximum crop in a minimum of space. The program began on Tuesday, March 15, at the home of Sue Barrett.
Photo courtesy of Roberta Griffiths
FORCING BULBS — Eva Griffiths, at right, holds a pot of tulips that were started last November and brought out of cold storage in February. This is a great way to have living color in the middle of winter. Members of the Presque Isle Garden Club will learn how to force bulbs at the organization’s October meeting.
Weatherman Ted Shapiro will be the guest speaker on Tuesday, April 19, when he will discuss the weather and how it affects gardeners. Roberta Griffiths will be hosting the meeting.
On Tuesday, May 17, at 5 p.m., the club will meet at Downing Park where members will work on the new perennial bed. Dinner will follow at a local restaurant.
On Tuesday, June 21, at 6:30 p.m., in celebration of the first day of summer, members will meet at Myrtle Tree to hold a friendly competition of peonies — each member bringing specimens from her garden to exhibit. There will be a discussion of the cultivation of peonies and the different varieties that are available. Containers will be provided and the public is invited to participate. Just be sure to cut a long stem if you are going to bring a peony to “show.”
Participants will be learning how to prune perennials on Tuesday, July 19, at 6:30 p.m. at Ann Wight’s house. After flowers and shrubs bloom, it is important to keep the foliage neatly pruned so that the garden looks well-maintained and neat. This is especially important in public gardens.
On Tuesday, Aug. 9, club members will return to Myrtle Tree where they will exhibit their day lilies (hemerocallis). Donna Keegan will be the facilitator, with club members learning about hybridization and how it is producing a wide variety of day lilies. Hybridization is easy for any gardener by following easy steps.
On Tuesday, Sept. 20, the Garden Club will meet at the Presque Isle Congregational Church to learn how to arrange “bouquets” of flowers. Flowers will be provided and participants are asked to bring their own containers.
The October meeting, to be held on Tuesday, the 18th at 6:30 p.m., will be a potluck supper and members are encouraged to bring something from their gardens to share. Participants will learn how to pot up or “force” bulbs to enjoy in the snowy days of February and March. The meeting will be held at the home of Frances Flewelling.
The Garden Club members will continue their beautification projects which include the Main Street flower bed, the Turner Memorial Library and Downing Park. Anyone who would like to join the Garden Club is certainly welcome, and information about membership may be obtained by calling Roberta Griffiths at 768-5608.
