APRIL/MAY 2023 NEWSLETTER
NEWS YOU CAN USE - IF YOU CHOOSE
(any text in GREEN below has a link)
(any text in GREEN below has a link)
Garden Club News:
21 Garden Club Members (including individuals from each of the Membership Categories) met at the Town Hall Auditorium on March 13 for a very fruitful and lively discussion about proposed Garden Club Policies and Procedures revisions. Stay tuned for more information.
______________________________________________________________________________
Did you know that the Garden Club has traditionally provided the annuals to the Ancient Order of Weeders, who take care of the islands at 153 and 154?
Well, change is afoot! This year, the Club has agreed with the Weeders that instead of annuals, Knock-Out Roses, Russian Sage and Angelina Sedum will be planted instead at the following Essex, Ivoryton and Centerbrook locations:
Essex Ambulance, Transfer Station, Ivoryton Island (Comstock), Centerbrook Post Office, Centerbrook Mini Island, Centerbrook Island, 154 by 153 North Island, 154 by 153 South Islands (3), and Essex Fire Department.
In addition, the Club will plant Knock-Out Roses, Russian Sage and Angelina Sedum at the Foot of Main, various Town Park locations, and South Main by 154.
Annuals will continue to be planted in the Town Hall Planters, Town Park Pots and the Silent Policeman.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
At the April Business Meeting, it was confirmed that Kaye Griffin will be the First Vice President for 2023-2024.
21 Garden Club Members (including individuals from each of the Membership Categories) met at the Town Hall Auditorium on March 13 for a very fruitful and lively discussion about proposed Garden Club Policies and Procedures revisions. Stay tuned for more information.
______________________________________________________________________________
Did you know that the Garden Club has traditionally provided the annuals to the Ancient Order of Weeders, who take care of the islands at 153 and 154?
Well, change is afoot! This year, the Club has agreed with the Weeders that instead of annuals, Knock-Out Roses, Russian Sage and Angelina Sedum will be planted instead at the following Essex, Ivoryton and Centerbrook locations:
Essex Ambulance, Transfer Station, Ivoryton Island (Comstock), Centerbrook Post Office, Centerbrook Mini Island, Centerbrook Island, 154 by 153 North Island, 154 by 153 South Islands (3), and Essex Fire Department.
In addition, the Club will plant Knock-Out Roses, Russian Sage and Angelina Sedum at the Foot of Main, various Town Park locations, and South Main by 154.
Annuals will continue to be planted in the Town Hall Planters, Town Park Pots and the Silent Policeman.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
At the April Business Meeting, it was confirmed that Kaye Griffin will be the First Vice President for 2023-2024.
Garden Club Events:
Community Organization of the Month at Essex Savings Bank: The Garden Club will be displaying information about the Club's activities and how to become a member at the Essex Village Branch during the month of April - along with publicity about May Market and the Scholarship program. Stop by and check it out!
May Market: Saturday, May 13, 8:00 am - 1:00 pm (note new start time!)
Horticultural Field Trip on Wednesday, May 17 to Lee Memorial Garden in New Canaan. Meet at Town Hall Parking Lot at 9:15 am to carpool. Sign up via VSP
Community Organization of the Month at Essex Savings Bank: The Garden Club will be displaying information about the Club's activities and how to become a member at the Essex Village Branch during the month of April - along with publicity about May Market and the Scholarship program. Stop by and check it out!
May Market: Saturday, May 13, 8:00 am - 1:00 pm (note new start time!)
Horticultural Field Trip on Wednesday, May 17 to Lee Memorial Garden in New Canaan. Meet at Town Hall Parking Lot at 9:15 am to carpool. Sign up via VSP
Garlic Salt Production/Spring Clean Up/ Digs/Divide and Pot/Post May Market Party:
You can sign up for all these activities via VSP so that you can choose the dates that work best for you. Sign up early and often!
You can sign up for all these activities via VSP so that you can choose the dates that work best for you. Sign up early and often!
2022-2023 New and Returning Member Photographs:
Nancy Bentivegna Diane Brody Devon Dabbs Cathy Hagan Midge Kayfez
Bryan O'Neal Patti Pickering Kim Reilly Stafford Sarah Richardson Laurel Stewart
Ann Tillman Maurianne Smith Pat Thompson Nohora Yuille
Returning Active Returning Active Returning Sustaining
Member Member Member
Returning Active Returning Active Returning Sustaining
Member Member Member
Please welcome them when you see them at activities or business meetings.
ps: If anyone (new or existing member) is unhappy with their picture in the Member Photo Directory, feel free to send me a replacement - I'm no Annie Liebovitz! I would also love to have the missing pictures of Associate and Sustaining Members so that new folks will be able to recognize them at May Market! Send to [email protected]
May Market News:
Important information for all EGC members for Divide and Pot
Everyone should know that our 12 PERKY PLANTS are due at the Cross Lots Corral on
Friday May 5, 9:00 am - noon.
For all plants:
- Make them look “good enough to sell” - would you buy this plant?
- Make sure it’s in a big enough PLASTIC pot – 6 inches diameter minimum
- Make sure it’s labeled :
BOTANICAL NAME
COLOR – this is a real selling point!!!
If you are unsure about the botanical names of your perky plants, fear not! Our team of Master Gardener Plant Identifiers will be at Cross Lots and able to help you.
One last note about Divide and Pot:
Besides pruners, gloves, knives/saws, please bring NEWSPAPER and POTS/FLATS. If you need pots for your 12 plants, and tongue depressors (for plant names) you can find some in the corral. They will be located in a plastic container for your convenience. If you have 6” pots or larger size shrub pots in your garage, please clean them, and bring them to “Divide and Pot”. Try not to have nursery names or prices on the pots. Spray paint can solve that issue.
“Divide and Pot” dates are Tuesday May 2, Wednesday May 3, and Thursday May 4 from 9:00 - noon
If you have questions, we have answers! Call us:
Adriane Costello 860-767-0141
Liz Fowler 860-304-1476
PS: The padlock to the corral uses the code 4-3-2-1. Be sure to push up and pull down!
______________________________________________________________________________
Boutique is still accepting donations of higher-end items. If you have items to donate, please contact Elise Helmecki (860-767-2219) or Kelley Sadosky (860-305-2170).
Jewelry is off to a great start thanks to a generous donation of vintage designer belt buckles by Club Member (and Jewelry Team Member) Francine Smith. Jewelry contacted an Etsy dealer and sold the complete collection for $200. If you still have jewelry, scarves, handbags or belts to donate, contact Tia Smith (860-767-1976) or Lynda Salway (612-868-9343) to arrange a pick up.
Suzanne Tweed, Treasures Lead, is still collecting donations for Treasures. Click here to see items which she is receiving. Contact Suzanne Tweed (860-575-2247) to arrange a time to meet her at the Cross Lots barn for drop off.
Website Updates:
More photographs have been added to the Library Flowers slideshow on the Photo Gallery page on the website. Please check out the beautiful arrangements which Club Members take to the Library.
Photographs of the St. Patrick's Day Arrangements and Miniature Flower Arrangements for Spotlight on Horticulture from the last two Business Meetings can also be seen on the Photo Gallery page of the website.
More photographs have been added to the Library Flowers slideshow on the Photo Gallery page on the website. Please check out the beautiful arrangements which Club Members take to the Library.
Photographs of the St. Patrick's Day Arrangements and Miniature Flower Arrangements for Spotlight on Horticulture from the last two Business Meetings can also be seen on the Photo Gallery page of the website.
Fundraising:
If you are planning on ordering spring bulbs or dahlias, remember Brent and Becky's has a fundraising program for nonprofits which donates a portion of your purchase to the Garden Club.
If you are planning on ordering spring bulbs or dahlias, remember Brent and Becky's has a fundraising program for nonprofits which donates a portion of your purchase to the Garden Club.
First Signs of Spring:
Snowdrops (Galanthus) Crocus (Crocus sativus) Winter Buttercups (Eranthus cilicica)
Places to Visit:
The Orchid Show - Natural Heritage at the New York Botanical Gardens: Now thru Sunday April 23
Essex Daffodil Days: Now - April 23
Daffodil Days at Blithewold, RI - Now - April 23
Dancing Daffodils at Halfinger Farms, Higganum: April NOW OPEN FOR PICKING
Meriden Daffodil Festival: Saturday, April 29 and Sunday, April 30
Wicked Tulips Flower Farm: Preston, CT opens April 25 FOR PICKING
Connecticut Garden Conservancy Open Days: April - Oct - includes Sleepy Cat Farm in Greenwich, on Saturday, April 29
Trade Secrets, Lakeville, CT: Sunday, May 21
Elizabeth Park Conservancy: What's Blooming When
The Secret Garden Tour, Newport, RI: July 7 - 9
Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival, Cape Cod, RI: July 7 - 16
The Orchid Show - Natural Heritage at the New York Botanical Gardens: Now thru Sunday April 23
Essex Daffodil Days: Now - April 23
Daffodil Days at Blithewold, RI - Now - April 23
Dancing Daffodils at Halfinger Farms, Higganum: April NOW OPEN FOR PICKING
Meriden Daffodil Festival: Saturday, April 29 and Sunday, April 30
Wicked Tulips Flower Farm: Preston, CT opens April 25 FOR PICKING
Connecticut Garden Conservancy Open Days: April - Oct - includes Sleepy Cat Farm in Greenwich, on Saturday, April 29
Trade Secrets, Lakeville, CT: Sunday, May 21
Elizabeth Park Conservancy: What's Blooming When
The Secret Garden Tour, Newport, RI: July 7 - 9
Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival, Cape Cod, RI: July 7 - 16
|
Tower Hill Botanic Garden Orchid Show: Guide to the Orchids at the Tower Hill Botanic Garden Orchid Show (includes care level, watering, fertilizing, light and repotting information) |
|
|
Slideshow from Tower Hill Orchid Show
|
Other Gardening Related News and Articles:
The Corpse Flower is Blooming at the New York Botanical Gardens
The Garden Conservancy Virtual Events (including a Webinar "Pete Oudolf at Work - April 13)
National Gardening Day: Friday, April 14
Welcome to Square Foot Gardening: Thursday, April 20 at 7:00 pm at Essex Library
Earth Day 2023: Saturday, April 22
______________________________________________________________________________
How to Make Seed Balls so Plants Grow Exactly where you Intend
How to Force Branches to Bloom Indoors
Monthly Tips for Growing Dahlias in New England
Growing Foolproof Roses in New England
A Little Gardening Humor
The Corpse Flower is Blooming at the New York Botanical Gardens
The Garden Conservancy Virtual Events (including a Webinar "Pete Oudolf at Work - April 13)
National Gardening Day: Friday, April 14
Welcome to Square Foot Gardening: Thursday, April 20 at 7:00 pm at Essex Library
Earth Day 2023: Saturday, April 22
______________________________________________________________________________
How to Make Seed Balls so Plants Grow Exactly where you Intend
How to Force Branches to Bloom Indoors
Monthly Tips for Growing Dahlias in New England
Growing Foolproof Roses in New England
A Little Gardening Humor
