Page 1 ………… President’s Message Page 2 ………… Horticulture, Programs Page 3 ………… Tours, Happy Gardener, Membership Page 4 ………… Calendar, Directory Page 5 ………… Have you heard?..., Birthdays Page 6 ………… Our Sponsors

Inside This Issue:

February 2011 Newsletter of the Danville-Alamo Garden Club Volume XXXVII, Issue 2

President’s Message - Sheila Truschke

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“The love of gardening is a seed that once sown never dies” . Gertrude Jekyll, Landscape Architect January’s speaker Carol Rossi really knew her subject matter. I have always gotten excited when I plant seeds. I go into the gar-den daily to see if any sprouts have begun to appear. After listen-ing to Carol’s presentation, I now know why most often they are never seen again. I had no idea that starting from seed was so involved. It really was an eye opener. We get spoiled with the wonderful assortment of nurseries we have in our area that pro-vide us with instant gratification. I recently read an interesting article entitled ”Myths Uprooted.” I found some of the myths very interesting, and I would like to pass along some of the article’s sage advice. Myth: A bug is a bug. Aphids are a pest you should always get rid of. Fact: Recent thinking is improving the lowly aphids’ standing. Aphids attract beneficial predators to your garden, where they eat not only the aphids but other harmful bugs. Think of aphids as benign appetizers to draw these beneficial “hunting” insects to your garden. Resolution: Hose off excess aphids or use a mild soap solution to wipe off an infestation but don’t aim for an aphid-free garden.(Whew, I can stop fighting the aphids that take over my roses each year) This one was my absolute favorite: Myth: Plants live forever. Fact: We all get attached to plants in our garden and even de-velop relationships with them. But even with our best efforts, plants have a natural limit to their life span. Plants do reach their natural end that even the gardener’s best effort to keep them go-ing cannot avoid. Resolution: Sometimes it is better to replace a sickly plant than keep it on life support. Remove long suffering plants, or plants that no longer fit that location’s needs, and start fresh. This re-placing can even be invigorating. (We do a lot of replacing in our garden. The author forgot to mention it is also very costly.)

We had 94 in attendance at the January meeting. Our speaker for February is Mary TeSelle and her subject matter will be ”Trends in the Garden.” We have asked Creekside Community Church if we can use ap-proximately 15 car spaces to park on our meeting days, and they have said “yes.” I hope that this will avoid having to park on Dan-ville Blvd. Please make use of this privilege they have given us. Please remember to buy a ticket for the Opportunity Bouquet that Linda Scotting provides each month. Remember the funds go to our June luncheon being catered. Not only is it for a good cause, but if you win you are able to enjoy the very distinctive, lovely arrangements that Linda makes. Hope to see you all at the February meeting. I may even be able to get the public address system working, but don’t maker any bets on it. Happy Valentine’s Day to you all.

Happy Valentine’s Day

Horticulture As of this writing we have had a beautiful balmy winter day. The temperature hit 60 degrees, and I was able to walk around outside in a long sleeved T-shirt. I love this time of year because I can putter in the garden and I am not uncomfortable in the heat. There is a group of plants that particularly likes this weather. These are the mosses and lichens. I have a lot of moss on my old brick patios. Every year it seems to move farther and farther onto the patio. It also collects on my old grape stick fences. I like to look at the patterns it makes on the fences. It is especially beautiful on cloudy days. When I was younger I thought that moss was a pest. There are all kinds of products out there that kill mosses, and I was deter-mined to do so. In the last 10 years I have come to appreciate moss. It had grown on the north side of my breezeway in the back yard, and instead of the usual rye grass growing in it a seedling of cam-panula poscharskyana had germinated. I was curious and let it grow. The plant grew to adult size and bloomed for a couple of months during the summer. So I decided to let the moss con-

tinue to grow. Now the moss and the campanula have taken over

Programs Mary Te Selle is an award winning garden designer. She owns Quite Contrary Garden Design, a design company dedicated to creating beautiful spaces. She won the Association of Professional Land-scape Designers Award in 2010 from the San Francisco Flower and Garden Show . In 2009 she won the Garden Creator Bronze Award for "The Return of Paradise." Mary has won many many awards. Go to: QuiteContraryGardenDesign.com, you will be sur-prised. Check your local Sloat Nursery for Mary's speaking engage-ments.

Sandi Stamates Program Vice President

most of the north side of the breezeway, where it is in the morning sun for very short times at the peak of the summer. The campanula is quite magnificent when it blooms. It seems to get just enough water from the overspray of the lawn and the pots that drip onto it. It has about 10 feet left to spread. I notice that the moss is establishing there nicely. I found out that moss is a plant that is a nitrogen fixer. This means it can take nitrogen out of the air. Apparently the mosses that grow on the oak and other trees are actually feeding those oaks nitrogen as the rain leaches out the element from the plant. Florists like mosses a lot, and if you were to purchase a real moss covered pot you would pay a lot of money. Martha Stewart actually has a recipe of buttermilk and moss that she puts on her pots in order to establish a moss colony. Here is a website of some moss graffiti artists painting with moss. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zubLxZ0bwpQ&feature=related It is a very interesting concept and seems to appeal to young people. So hopefully you will go outside and look at your moss with new eyes.

Kristin Yanker-Hansen Horticultural Chair

February DAGC Tour Alden Lane Nursery

Saturday, February, 19th, from 10 am to 4 pm. The Cost is $20.00 which includes all seminars, lunch and a 20%

off coupon. Make check out to: DGAC. Mail to: Ingrid Lara, P.O. Box 1561, Danville CA 94506. Questions: call Ingrid. This very special day is devoted to YOU, the dedicated plant con-noisseur. Along with the fabulous expert advice given at seminar, lunch will be provided by Railroad Café. When you mail your reservation, please state your lunch preference. The choices are listed under ***Lunch is Served, in the seminar list.

***Space is limited. *** Vertical Gardens 10-11 am. Greg Zollars demonstrates how to adapt the vertical concept to your spaces. Container Garden Designs 11-12 am. Heather Schamber shows how to combine temporary and permanent plantings, including edibles. ***Lunch is Served! 12-1 pm. We will enjoy a tasty box lunch from Railroad Café. When you make your reservation, please let us know if you want a delicious Turkey (with a cherry cran-berry sauce) Sandwich, or their famous Chicken Salad Sand-wich. Vegetarian Sandwiches are also available. Drinks and chips are included. Orchids 101- Survive, Revive and THRIVE! 1-2 pm. Sue For-dyce will build your confidence with all the tools necessary to achieve the ultimate —healthy, blooming orchids. You may bring a “problem” plant in for advice. Super Soil 1 to 2 pm. Attention to soil preparation is the founda-tion to great gardens! All elements of “what, when, where and how” are covered by Josh Pucinella, of Alden Lane. Top Picks for New and Favorite Veggies 2-3 pm. Ginger from Suncatcher Harvest guides us through her top picks for 2011 and will answer your veggie questions. Pop Bottle Pizazz 2-3 pm. The ultimate in recycling (as per the chic and fashionable Anthropologie stores), Shirley Stewart will demonstrate the “how-to’s” of making these darling pop bottle blooms that will last longer than the landfill! Now you’ll find out the secrets of making them and take home a small bouquet. What’s Buggin’ You? 3-4 pm. Annie Joseph from Alameda County Bay Friendly Gardeners is an expert in Organic Pest Con-trol, and she makes this subject fun as well as informative. She has a great program that will put you on the right track for a bountiful garden using earth friendly pest control measures.

Ingrid Lara

Happy Gardener In my garden the rosemary is blooming and the camellias are begin-ning to show color, two signs that spring is just around the corner! Our last speaker gave us clear instructions as to how to start plants from seed. In addition, bare root stock is still available at our spon-soring nurseries. Such stock should be planted before new growth starts, for best results. If you didn't divide your perennials in the fall, it's okay to do it now providing your soil will allow you to work with it. It's also time to finish pruning roses, trees and summer blooming plants. Remem-ber to hold off on spring bloomers, as well as frost damaged speci-mens. Better to wait another month or so for them, and then they can be pruned to shape after the flower show is over.. With spring comes also our great friends, snails and slugs. Start looking for the little destroyers now, and keep after them. If you find aphids and/or scale, insecticidal soap will take care of them. Citrus trees can be planted in March, along with shrubs and other perennials. A general application of a moderate fertilizer with a high iron content is beneficial to almost everything we grow, and can be spread all around. I shall be off on a cruise in February, so it will be exciting to return to see what is thriving and blooming in March. This is my favorite time of year. You enjoy as well!

Nancy Goreth

Membership We had another crowd pleasing agenda last month. It’s no wonder we have such a huge waiting list, 31 as of January! 88 members and 6 guests joined us for the January meeting. Valentine’s Day is approaching…it’s the perfect date to remember to fertilize your bearded Iris. This was a tip from one of the exhibi-tors at a local Iris Show. He recommended fertilizing with an or-ganic rose fertilizer such as EB Stone or Whitney Farms on Valen-tine’s Day. So I have a standing date with my iris each year, they’ve been spectacular ever since.

Deb Cattaneo Donna Samluck

Membership Vice Presidents

Dates & Times Events Details Tuesdays 9 am – noon

Plant Sale Markham Arboretum

Great prices on 2”, 4”, & gallon-size plants. Call ahead if it’s raining.

Now – March 27 Noon - 5 pm Tues – Sun 6 pm – 8 pm when evening performances @ Lesher Center

Exhibit: “Nature’s Beloved Son: Rediscover-ing John Muir’s Botanic Legacy” Bedford Gallery @ Lesher Center Walnut Creek

After tracking down plant specimens originally collected by John Muir, Stephen Joseph and Bonnie Gisel present the re-stored collection in the form of bold and big photographs – some up to 7’ tall – that show in exquisite detail the small wild lilies, ferns, leaves, and pinecones collected by the Martinez resident who became America’s most famous naturalist. Cost: $5.00; free on first Tues of month.

Feb 1 – 14 3rd Annual Winter Orchid Festival Sloat Garden Center

Sloat features 2 weeks of fascinating seminars, beautiful orchids, and everything you need to know and grow these beautiful plants.

Feb 5 10 am

Class: Rose Pruning 101 Sloat Garden Center

Call ahead to reserve a seat. Attendance is limited. Free for Gardener’s Reward Program members; others $5.00.

Feb 5 10 am – 1 pm

Class: Japanese Maples Demystified The Gardens at Heather Farm

Barry Hoffer, of Maples for All Seasons, will lead a study of the best varieties for sunny or shady areas, how to plant and prune your tree. Will show variety of leaf and bark color, of-fer trees for sale. Cost: $20 for GHF members/ $25 non-members. Call 947-1678

Feb 10 9:30 am

DAGC General Meeting Alamo Women’s Club

Mary Te Selle, award-winning designer of Quite Contrary Garden Design speaks on “Trends in the Garden.”

Feb 12 9 am

Class: Rose Pruning Armstrong Nursery

Our experts will demonstrate proper pruning techniques and give you helpful hints. You’ll also get tips for planting and caring for roses.

Feb 12 11:00 am

Class: Fruit Tree Pruning Armstrong Garden Center

Learn how to prune your fruit trees for a more fruitful harvest. Our garden experts will show you pruning techniques, what to look for in a pruner, and more.

Feb 17 9:30 am

DAGC Board Meeting Home of Sandy March

Feb 19 (Sat) 9:15 am – carpool from Syc Park & Ride

DAGC Tour/Seminars Alden Lane Nursery

“Inspiration for the Garden” seminars from 10 am – 4 pm. We’ll be indoors, so come rain or shine. Cost: $20; includes box lunch. Contact: Ingrid Lara.

Feb 19 9 am – 12 pm

Class: Successful Small-Space Gardening The Gardens at Heather Farm

Suzanne Arca, designer and horticulturist, will teach how to design and organize a small garden room using plants with narrow habits, small leaves, and colors that give the illusion of depth. Pruning, plant selection, containers will be covered. Cost: $20 for GHF members/ $25 non-members. Call 947-1678.

Feb 25 Call for time

Happy Flower Hours Armstrong Garden Center

Help us kick off the spring with this great annual event. Bring your friends to enjoy free wine tasting, free food, and plenty of gardening. We hope to see you there.

Feb 26 2:00 pm

Class: Spring and Summer Vegetables Navlet’s Garden Center

Join us for this year’s selection of spring and summer vegeta-ble plants. From the ground up, we’ll teach you how to pre-pare your soil and how to plant, fertilize, and water all your vegetables. Free.

Happy February Birthdays!!! Kathy Andino Marian Bliss Sherry Bonn

Rebecca Byrom Deb Cattaneo Nairy Colello Pat DeRensis

Mary Engstrom Nora Kvale

Judith LeBris Connie Lieske Sandy March Carol Sayers

Dianne Tinnes Rose Towery

February Flower: Violet February Birthstone: Amethyst

2010-2011 Directories The remaining unclaimed Directories were mailed January 12. Now every member should have a 2010-2011 Directory. Directory correction: Please note on page 7 incorrect dates for June 2011. June 10th should be June 9th for the Installation Luncheon; June 17th should be June 16th for the Joint Board Meeting. Please make correction in your Directory.

Carol Sayers - Directory Committee Chair

Have You Heard the News?

More Parking Available: We may now also park our cars at Creekside Community Church rather than along Danville Blvd., which can be dangerous.

Keeping Membership Costs Down: Starting next year, there will be a $15.00 charge for those who wish to receive the Flower Pot in hard copy, allowing us to keep membership dues as low as possible.

Buy a Plant & Eat Lunch: Did you know that?… Monies received from the Plant Ta-ble, the monthly Opportunity flower drawing, as well as the Spirit of Danville returns will help fund the June lunch

Members Helping Members: A new committee is forming to organize DAGC’s new Member Outreach program. Want to join? Call Sheila Truschke.

Newsletter of the Danville-Alamo Garden Club

Ofelia Barr ~ Editor Danville–Alamo Garden Club P.O. Box 920 Danville, CA 94526 obarr@sbcglobal.net

Our Sponsors Alamo Ace Hardware

3211 Danville Blvd., Alamo 925-837-2420

Armstrong Garden Centers 7360 San Ramon Road, Dublin

925-551-0231 Diablo Valley College

Horticulture Department 321 Golf Club Rd., Pleasant Hill

Home Depot 2750 Crow Canyon Rd. San Ramon

925-838-0194 Markham Arboretum

1202 La Vista Avenue, Concord 925-681-2968

Navlet’s 800 Camino Ramon, Danville

925-837-9144 Regan Nursery

4268 Decoto Road, Fremont 510-797-3222

Sloat Garden Center 828 Diablo Road, Danville

925-743-0288 Sunset Color Nursery

1435 San Ramon Valley Boulevard, Danville 925-831-3574

Remember, our commercial sponsors do-nate the door prizes, and they support us with speakers for our general meetings.

Please support them!

February 2011

www.dagc.us

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