HAPPY SPRING! It was a little slow in arriving; however once spring started, it seems the flowers exploded everywhere! My yard is full of my favorite flowers. On the left, the Watsonia from Vivian is now taller than I am. On the right, “Soaring Spirits” is my favorite climbing rose.

Unfortunately, the weeds are doing just as well, and I am feeling a little overwhelmed. However, working in a garden full of blooms and bees is so relaxing!

I hope you all had fun arranging flowers at our last meeting. Thank you again to Vivian and Carmen for providing flowers and greenery from their gardens. And thank you to Ana and her committee for the wonderful lunch.

Marlene Simon, also known as “The Plant Lady”, is on our program for our May meeting to give us all some help with pests that seem to thrive in spring.

We still hope to tour members’ gardens this month. Please consider sharing your yard or garden for a walk-through!

See you at the meeting on May 9th.

Rhinda

May Meeting Thursday, May 9

Congregational Church 9624 Melrose Ave.

Elk Grove , CA Join us at 10 a.m. for a “meet

and greet”, after which our Program starts at 10:30 a.m.

Roll Call What is your most

annoying garden pest?

www.elkgrovegardenclub.org May 2019, Vol. 11, Issue 9

May Presentation “Pest Control”

Presenter Marlene Simon

Greetings from Our President Rhinda Furtado

Inside this Issue

May Program 2 April Highlights. 2 In the Garden. 4 Announcements. 7 Upcoming Events. 9

BEYOND THE GARDEN GATE Elk Grove Garden Club

Affiliated with: National Garden Clubs, Inc., Pacific Region of National Garden Clubs, Inc., California Garden Clubs, Inc., Sacramento River Valley District

Editor - Barbara Gumbs

Beyond the Garden Gate May 2019 !2

MAY PROGRAM: Pest Control

We are fortunate to have Marlene Simon as our May presenter. She is well-known in the gardening community as “the plant lady”. If you have listened to “Good Day Sacramento” you will recognize her as being a regular guest on the weekend edition of this program. When she is not guest lecturing or at various venues, answering questions on anything related to gardening she enjoys her “ultimate dream job” as the staff Horticulturalist at the UC Davis Botanical Conservatory in Davis, where she grows and cares for over 3,000 species of the world’s most exotic/rare plants and flowers.

Marlene Simon describes herself as “a UC educated and blue collar trained horticulturist from Northern California”. Extensive knowledge about urban farming, succulents, strange edibles, corpse plants and orchids are among her strengths. At our meeting, Marlene will address organic pest control and, if time permits, she will include some discussion on disease and fungus control. Come prepared to ask questions on controlling pests in your garden.

Our meeting hall was transformed into a mini flower market for our meeting. As one entered the room one could not help but notice about two dozen buckets on the edge of the stage, each one with a variety of colorful blooms and filler flowers while others displayed different types of greenery. These were intended for our hands-on session.

Patty Nulton, Floral Designer, provided us with lots of tips on flower arranging while demonstrating various approaches for the selecting and prepping of flora, challenges encountered in using various shapes of vases, and the different types of supports that are available and how to use them in arrangements. Her handout also provided us with homemade flower food recipes.

The pictures below capture members who were totally absorbed in arranging their creative displays. (Photo credit: Rhinda Furtado).

APRIL HIGHLIGHTS

Beyond the Garden Gate May 2019 !3

Here are some members proudly displaying their floral arrangements at the end of the session. (Photo Credit: Jane Ikemura).

Ana Weekley, hostess, and committee members Donna Williams, Diana McPherson, Maureen Slocum, Margrethe Reed, Rita Montez, Lela Hartley, Barbara Gumbs and Punky Dias collaborated to provide us with an array of delectable dishes. On the menu were green peas and mushrooms in a marinade, bread and butter, cupcakes, glazed carrots, carrot bundt cake with cream cheese frosting, deviled eggs, fruit salad, ham with fruit sauce, s’mores and a massaged kale salad.

Punky Dias contributed to table centerpieces which were crafted by Ana Weekley. The predominant colors used in the centerpieces - purple, green, yellow, and pink reflected the traditional colors of Easter which was just one week away. In the downturned stemmed goblets, chocolates wrapped in similar colors were a temptation that we had to resist if we were not lucky enough to be winners of the raffled centerpieces on each table.

Thank You to the April Luncheon Committee

Beyond the Garden Gate May 2019 !4

1. Develop a garden watering plan.

2. Water early in the day or later at night to avoid evaporation.

3. Plant vegetable seeds outdoors; chard, cucumber, melons, summer and winter squash, pumpkins, beans, corn and okra.

4. Plant eggplant, pepper and tomato seedlings.

5. Continue thinning fruit on fruit trees, grape shoots and grape clusters.

6. Start fruit tree summer pruning.

7. Paint exposed fruit tree branches to prevent sunburn. Use a mix of half light-colored interior latex paint and half water.

8. Some citrus fruit drop is normal in May through June.

9. Harvest blueberries May through July; wait one week after they turn blue to increase sweetness.

10. Adjust the mower to keep lawns tall and to use less water: 1 inch for Bermudagrass and Buffalo grass, 2 to 3 inches for most lawns.

11. Fertilize roses according to directions, usually after flowering.

12. Look for leaf footed bugs, fire blight, powdery mildew and citrus leaf miner damage.

IN THE GARDEN

May Garden Checklist By Jan Fetler

At Work in the Rose Garden at the Laguna Town Hall

Diane McPherson & Mary Strohmaier Bonnie Marr Mary Tolan-Davi

Beyond the Garden Gate May 2019 !5

One of the many challenges for home gardeners is how to control weeds that invade their lawns and garden beds, and in many instances, their entire landscapes. Below are tips which we can follow. However, we must be persistent - if not, our efforts will be in vain.

1. Remove small weeds by hand before they flower and set seed. 2. Destroy all roots. If you leave roots behind and only pull the leaves, the weeds will quickly grow again. Grab

the weed close to the ground and pull straight up. Or, use a dandelion digger that is designed to remove weeds by the root without disturbing neighboring plants.

3. When the ground is wet, it is easier to pull the entire weed out of the ground. 4. If the soil is dry, or if your weeds are too small to pull by hand, use a hoe with a sharp blade. Hoeing will

also help to remove annual weeds between ornamental plants. 5. Use the right hoe. Hoes with triangular blades are good for closely spaced rows and underneath plants.

Scuffle or loop hoes are pushed and then pulled back over the soil doing double-duty as they scrape. 6. If you have a large landscape, try using devices such as a string trimmer (weed-whacker). 7. Do not leave bare spots. Establish new plantings as quickly as possible to cover bare areas and to shade out

weeds. 8. Before you plant and right after you plant: apply mulch.

The UC Integrated Pest Management Program (UCIPM) advises that mulch is the key to weed-free landscaping since mulches prevent weed seed germination by blocking sunlight. For mulch to be effective it needs to be applied properly and to be replenished. Their handout entitled “Weeds in Landscapes” further advises on the use of mulches and landscape fabrics as stated below. • Organic mulches (e.g., wood chips, bark chips, compost): Attractive but must be replenished. Choose a

medium-sized mulch (3/4 inch) and maintain it at an adequate depth (3 to 4 inches). • Natural inorganic mulches (e.g. sand, gravel, pebbles): More stable than organic mulches, but difficult to

keep clean • Landscape fabrics: Porous and long lasting; vary in how long they remain effective. Cover with organic

mulch. • Black plastic: Not preferred since it can restrict air and water movement and promote root rot.

References Weeds in Landscapes. University of California. Agriculture and Natural Resources. Statewide IPM Program ( Shared by Vivian Sellers).

Fast and Easy Weeding Tips: Make This Garden Chore Fly By With These Simple Tricks. By Lynn Coulter (www.hgtv.com/profiles/editorial/lynn-coulter)

For identification of weeds in your lawn or garden, check the “Weed Research & Information Center” at: wric.ucdavis.edu At this site you will find a weed photo gallery with information on broadleaf weeds, grasses, sedges and aquatic weeds.

Spring is Here and So Are the Weeds!

Beyond the Garden Gate May 2019 !6

Have you ever grown ornamental sweet potato vines in a hanging basket? Well, you can, and they are very attractive too! The edible sweet potato vines have flowers, while the ornamental varieties do not. Over the last decade, ornamental sweet potato vines in hanging baskets have become very popular, either in combination with other plantings, or as an attractive display all on their own. Their colorful leaves and shapes are outstanding! The leaves can grow up to 3 inches long and their vines can trail over the side of a hanging basket for

up to 10 feet. These vines can be grown in USDA plant hardiness zones 9 to 11. While there are several varieties of ornamental sweet potato vines, “Blackie” (Top Right), Marguerite”(Left) and “Tricolor” (Bottom Right) are the most commonly grown. Reference: “Potato Vine Hanging Basket.” homeguides.sfgate.com Shared by Mary Adams-Wiley

Sweet Potato Vines in Hanging Baskets

The Nicolaus Dairy was established in 1890 in Elk Grove. The historic site was home to a German immigrant family with 11 children. The renovation of the outside of the home is now complete while the inside work is on-

going. The home will be furnished by the Park Service. At right is a picture of the side view of the home, that shows an apartment that was added at the back of the house. The EGGC is responsible for planning and maintaining 4 garden boxes of beautiful flowers. Dahlias will be planted in 2 boxes in mid-May and the plant selection for the two pollinator boxes will be

finalized later in May. These garden boxes will be located just behind the apartment and to the left. Professional landscapers will be responsible for the lawn and flower garden in the front of the house (picture at the left).

EGGC’s input to The Nicolaus Dairy Project Mary Adams-Wiley

Beyond the Garden Gate May 2019 !7

ANNOUNCEMENTS

MAY

Nancy Baldwin 5/25 Ellison Cowles 5/8 Linda Di Marco 5/8 Joanie Freedman 5/31 Mary Hill 5/10 Claudia Horn 5/3 Bonnie Mischo-Allinger 5/19 Rita Montez 5/20 Doretta Morgan 5/15 Mary Willis 5/27

SACRAMENTO RIVER VALLEY DISTRICT MEETING

May 14, 2019, 9:30 am At

Shepard Garden & Arts Center McKinley Park

3330 McKinley Blvd., Sacramento

Program: A Bromeliad or A Carnivore Presenter: Chet Blackburn

Bromeliad and Carnivorous Plant Society

DONATIONS OF HOUSEHOLD ITEMS - 1950’s ERA

For the Museum At the

Nicolaus Dairy Refurbishing Project

All types of furniture and everyday utensils that belong to the 1950’s era as well as pictures of any aspect of the dairy industry in Elk Grove will be appreciated. If you would like to donate an item, but are not sure that you would like to part with that item permanently, you can request that the item be placed “on loan” to the museum.

Please contact Carmen Schindler (916-364-0608) or Patti Sipula (psipula@egusd.net) to obtain further information on items for donation or to arrange for the collection of these items.

LUNCHEON - ATTENDANCE

Please immediately notify the Membership Committee: Chris Duane, Leslie Haynes or Mary Hill if you will either be bringing a guest or if you will NOT be attending our meeting on May 9th Please check the Yearbook for their contact information.

WASTONIA BULBS

Your Wastonia bulbs should be in bloom at this time. Vivian Sellers is reminding you to label the colors that you have. Then when the foliage dies back, and you dig and divide the bulbs, you will be able to package and label the bulbs correctly for Bill the Bulb Baron, who is expected to be a presenter at one of our meetings in 2019/2020.

VISITS TO MEMBERS’ GARDENS

What’s blooming in your garden? Please contact Rhinda Furtado if you are ready for a visit to your garden by fellow members in our club.

SAND - FREE FOR THE TAKING Contact Vivian Sellers

Beyond the Garden Gate May 2019 !8

Deadheading: Members are invited to learn about the different types of roses, how to deadhead, and the reason for deadheading. U.C. Master Gardener, Vivian Sellers, will lead us in an engaging and informative discussion. Vivian is a regular speaker who readily shares her knowledge of roses and all things garden-related, including her “tried and true” tips.

Planning: We need your input to plan next year’s expansion of the rose garden. A landscaping design needs to be prepared and submitted to the Cosumnes Parks and Recreation Department. If you can draw or prepare a layout of a garden, please come! We need you.

Optional. After these working sessions, it would be fun to have a no-host refreshing bite at the nearby “Todo un poco”, Mexican/Italian restaurant.

A work day to build raised planter beds is scheduled for May 5th. From 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. The lead volunteer agency is California Young Farmers and Ranchers. Lunch will be provided. Come prepared to work. Please bring work gloves, staple guns, wire snips, power screwdrivers, saws, sawhorses, measuring tapes and heavy duty extension cords. Other items suggested are: sunscreen, work clothes and shoes, and water bottles Please RSVP to: Patti Sipula, (916) 892 - 2211; psipula@egusd.net. Driving Instructions: • Access the Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District Property via the Dwight Road Gate (Off Laguna

Blvd., Between Franklin and I-5 • Proceed through the open security gate. Continue on Dwight. (You will see the farm off to your left). • Turn left onto Nicolaus Dairy Road (not on GPS) and proceed through open yellow gate. • At the dead-end, turn left on to thew gravel/dirt driveway.

DEADHEADING ROSES & MAKING PLANS FOR 2020 THURSDAY, MAY 16 10:00am

at the Rose Garden, 3020 Renwick Avenue

Linda Rivera

WORK DAY #1 THE NICOLAUS DAIRY PROJECT

Carmen Schindler

Beyond the Garden Gate May 2019 !9

PLANT SALES, SHOWS MEETINGS and WORKSHOPS

May 4 (Saturday) 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. May 5 (Sunday) 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Sacramento Cactus & Succulent Show

May 6 (Monday) 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Sacramento Geranium Club Meeting

May 8 (Wednesday) 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. California Native Plant Society

May 9 (Thursday) 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Sacramento Rose Society Meeting

May 11 (Saturday) 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Sacramento Chrysanthemum Plant Sale

May 11 (Saturday) 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Sacramento Geranium Club’s Show & Sale

May 14 (Tuesday) 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Sacramento River Valley District Meeting

May 15 (Wednesday) 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Delta Gesneriad & African violet Society

May 16 (Thursday) 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Sacramento Fuchsia Club

May 20 (Monday) 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Ikebana International Workshop

May 20 (Monday) 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Satsuki Aikokai - Bonzai Azalea Meeting

May 21 (Tuesday) 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Iris Society Meeting

Meetings at Shepard Garden and Arts Center 330 McKinley Blvd., Sacramento

May 21 (Tuesday) 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Sacramento Begonia Society Meeting

May 22 (Wednesday) 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Sacramento Valley Cymbidium Society Meeting

May 23 (Thursday) 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Chrysanthemum Society Meeting

May 23 (Thursday) 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Sacramento Perennial Plant Club Meeting

May 27 (Monday) 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Sacramento Cactus & Succulent Society Meeting

May 28 (Tuesday) 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. American Bonsai Association Meeting

June 1 (Saturday) 10.00 a.m. Fuchsia Club Annual sale

June 3 (Monday) 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Sacramento Geranium Club Meeting

June 6 (Thursday) 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Capital City African Violet Society

June 12 (Wednesday) 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. California Native Plant Society Meeting

June 13 (Thursday) 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Sacramento Rose Society Club Meeting

June 15 (Saturday) 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. June 16 (Sunday) 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Bromeliad & Carnivorous Plant society 48th Annual Show & sale

Beyond the Garden Gate May 2019 !10

May 11 (Saturday) 9:00 a.m. - Noon Open Garden* (Free Event)

June 15 (Saturday) 9:00 a.m. - Noon Open Garden* (Free Event)

* “This is your opportunity to roam the gardens, watch what we”re doing, find out about what we’re growing, and ask questions about your garden and landscape.”

* 10:00 a.m. Mini-demonstrations

Fair Oaks Horticulture Center 11549 Fair Oaks Boulevard, Fair Oaks CA 95628 UCCE Master Gardeners of Sacramento County

For additional information visit: sacmg.ucanr.edu Or call (916) 876-5338

May 18 (Saturday) 10:00 a.m. - Noon All About Bees - Our Great Garden Pollinators Instructor: Steve Hays, Bee Keeper For reservation, contact: ludlowj@frontiernet.net

June 1 (Saturday) 10:00 a.m. - Noon Irrigation and Irrigation Troubleshooting A partnership w/Florin Resources Conservation Dist. & EG Community Garden Instructor: ReScape California For Reservation, contact: sjones@egwd.org

Two selections from Chris Duane’s Shade Garden.