February 2016
/THE GARDEN CLUB OF LOS ALTOS
PRESIDENT: BETTY WARD
VICE PRESIDENT & PROGRAMS: JOANNE CONNELLY
NEWSLETTER EDITOR: JUDY HOGAN
WEB SITE: www.gardencluboflosaltos.org
MEETING PLACE: Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Los Altos Lutheran Church
460 S. El Monte Avenue, Los Altos
FERTILIZERS SALE: 12:15 p.m.
GARDEN TREASURES SALE: 12:15 p.m.
GENERAL MEETING: 12:45 p.m.
PROGRAM: 1:30 p.m. The sky is falling! Watch out for that tree! Are those wildflowers or weeds? Doom and gloom. Doomier and gloomier.
Do we have your attention? Good! We have not yet found anyone willing to be President OR Program Chairman for the Garden Club of Los Altos for the year beginning April 1, 2016. We have 211 members! Please, please consider being an o!cer – perhaps as a “co” president or a “co” programs chairman? Contact any member of our nominating committee: Liana Cauz, Liz Calhoon or Linda Freed.
The Garden Club is 87 years old this year – that’s either too old or too young to die!
PLANNED PROGRAM: Master Gardener Joan Cloutier will present her program Growing Your Own Seedlings Successfully_ You can grow all the varieties you really want by starting your own vegetable seeds. You may want to buy new vegetable varieties or disease-resistant plants but can’t find them in the garden center! Different methods of starting your own seeds will be covered as well as soil, light, water, plant nutrition, diseases and insects that can affect your seedling germination and growth.
This program was developed by Betty Ward. There is a $5 fee for guests.
FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS: For the February meeting, I would like to suggest your selecting a mono-chromatic color theme. For example, if you have some pink blossoms from a flowering tree that you would like to incorporate into your bouquet, perhaps you could build on this by adding another pink/light red flower into the bouquet. Of course, if this does not fit in with what you have available in your yard, please design an arrangement that is more convenient and appealing for you. “Newbies,” here is a chance for you to try your hand at flower arranging and familiarizing the Garden Club with what is blooming in your yard. Carol Press
HOSPITALITY: February birthdays, please remember to bring cookies or a veggie/fruit plate this month. If you missed bringing your goodies during your birthday month or love to bake – please bring them. They would be welcome. Remember your cups, please. Marguerite Appling
HISTORY HOUSE MUSEUM GARDENS: We are starting to work again on Thursday, February 11, from 9-11 a.m. Bring your favorite tools and prepare for some fun visiting while we work! We will work every Thursday morning unless it’s raining! Ellie Moll
FEBRUARY “GARDEN TREASURES” SALE TO BENEFIT SCHOLARSHIP: We plan to sell gift-worthy books, ceramics, linens, etc., -- donated by our members -- that have a flowery/gardeny theme, before the February meeting. Look on your shelves and in your cupboards for that pretty vase, charming cup and saucer, dramatic framed print, beautiful book, flowery set of napkins or ??? Please price the item(s) you donate “to sell,” bring them before 12:15, and if they remain unsold after the meeting, we ask that you take them home with you. (Any unsold treasures left behind will be donated to charity). The proceeds of the sale will go towards the 2016 Garden Club of Los Altos Scholarship given to a deserving student at Foothill College. Thanks, Liana Cauz
FERTILIZER SALE: This fertilizer sale is one of the Club’s main fundraisers. The Club buys the fertilizers in bulk and sells to Club members at a price less than that charged at nurseries. We will have 200 pounds of an Earthworks organic fertilizer and 150 pounds of the Super-Iron for acid-loving plants. We will sell the fertilizer before the February meeting – about 12:15 p.m. Please bring a strong bag to carry what you buy.
IN MEMORIAM: Former president of the Garden Club of Los Altos Molly Pipe has passed away. She had joined The Garden Club of Los Altos in 1990 and was President 1997-1998. Dear Molly had been in failing health for a number of years so was not a current member. The board voted to donate to Sempervirens Fund in her memory. She was our softest-spoken president ever – and we were all charmed by her. Molly’s husband Peter informed us that their two daughters and daughter-in-law are planning to have a Tea Party in Molly’s honor on Saturday. February 20 at 4:00 p.m. at the Sunnyvale Community Center, 550 E. Remington Drive, Sunnyvale. All of her friends are invited. If you plan to attend the Tea Party, contact Susan Trost by Monday, February 15 and she will tell Peter how many to expect from the Garden Club.
SAVE THE DATE! The Members’ Gardens Tour is schedule for Thursday, May 26, 2016. We still need a few gardens so call Kris Gulesserian, 492-0864, or Sue Becker, 948-9549, with any questions and suggestions.
MEMBERSHIP: Welcome to our new member: Elsie Rabago
Welcome back to: Betty Lee
And farewell to: Marlys Okada has resigned from the Garden Club of Los Altos. She permanently relocated to Connecticut in October. Marlys says she hopes to find a similar club in Connecticut.
ALONG THE GARDEN PATH: A special feature of our meetings every month is the floral arrangements that our members share. Carol Press writes suggestions for “The Theme of the Month” in the club’s newsletter as a way of encouraging everyone to participate. Wasn’t it delightful to see such lovely creations at the January meeting? Every display was different and unique! Many people were interested in the technique of using a pasta machine to cut leaves into narrow strips. Mims Munro kindly shares what she learned in a class she is taking: “Run each flax leaf all the way through the machine after cutting off one end of the leaf; if the spine is very thick, remove it first. Tie the ends with a strip of flax or with wire.” The Ikebana class, taught by Katsuko Thielke, who has been one of our presenters, meets at Hillview Community Center in Los Altos. For February’s meeting, consider joining in the fun of creating an arrangement, and remember you don’t need to follow the theme. . .just listen to your heart! Happy Valentine’s Day! Betty Ward
BEWARE OF PRE-EMERGENTS: Most pre-emergents have as an ingredient ARSENIC. This kills all organic creatures in the soil, including worms. So carefully check if you buy a preemergent. Pat Ley DO NOT USE
MARCH BOARD MEETING: The March Board Meeting on Monday, March 7 at 2 p.m. will be hosted by Liz Calhoon, Nancy Shardell and Linda Caprini at Liz’ home. Please call Liz, Nancy or Linda if you will not be able to attend.
UPCOMING EVENTS Gardening Throughout Your Life – Wednesday, February 24, 2016 from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Our president Betty Ward will give this talk at the Los Altos Library. Gardening can help keep you fit and healthy. Come and learn more about the benefits of gardening and the practices you might wish to consider to remain active in one of your favorite activities!