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www.dagc.us Newsletter of the Danville-Alamo Garden Club February 2015

February Program Garth Jacober, of Mt Diablo Nursery & Garden in Lafayette, will be our speaker this month. He will be

instructing us on what must be in our “winter job jar,” everything from planting, pruning, and dividing to fertilizing and amending. All of the plants and fertilizer he brings will be for sale at 10% off.

He began his career at the nursery as a young man working there part-time to help pay for school. The original owner of Harry’s, as it was first called, was born in Alamo in 1912. Harry Ide and his wife

were among the 120,000 Japanese Americans who were relocated and held at internment camps. Prior to departure Ide was stripped of his American citizenship and forced to sell his belongings. After the war, in 1946, the Ides returned to Contra Costa County. It was here that he started his new ven-

ture in 1950, Harry’s Nursery.

When Ide retired in 1982, the business was leased to Jiro Mishimoto for 30 years. During the last few years of this period Garth began working there, and in 2007 he made his dream come true; he pur-chased the lease, and the business became his. The gift shop still honors the Harry name, but the

nursery was renamed.

Garth works with Magic Gardens in Berkeley and specializes in plant care, propagation, and winter pruning; he has held diverse positions with East Bay Parks and worked in Til-den Botanical Garden. He's had a long-standing sub-contracting agreement with Larar

Landscape in Berkeley. He has a passion for everything that grows in the ground and how to get it to prosper. Come learn what we should be doing to ready our soil and plants for

the growing season. Nancy Peterson, Program Vice President

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Volume XLII, Issue 2

President’s Message I thoroughly enjoyed Matthew Levesque’s “Growing Art” program last month. I love the

fact that he is promoting recycling and reusing products that would have gone to fill more land-

fills. He had a great personality and was able to present an entertaining program even without the use of our video system that he had planned

on. My husband and I went to three different salvage yards in Petaluma and Sonoma. I love

walking through these places looking for items I can use in my garden. I found a small porcelain sink, planted tulips in it, and put in on display in

my front garden. You can let your imagine go wild in salvage yards looking for products you

can recycle. I apologize again for the issues with our audio

system. I along with Nancy Peterson and Linda Scotting met with the Women’s Club Property

Manager. We received training on how to use the new system along with the lock cabinet codes. We are all getting used to the newly-

remodeled club house.

I am going to be putting the beautiful floral ar-rangements Rebecca Byrom creates each month

at the head table where I will be standing. Since you all have to look at me, you will also be able to see her creation and be inspired to purchase

a ticket or tickets for an opportunity to win. All proceeds go to our June installation luncheon.

Look for balloons in February. Patty Dobbin will be using them to make it easier to find her to purchase your tickets. We will have the drawing

after our short break, before the program begins.

Be sure to check out the upcoming workshops and tours that are planned for February. Every-

one seems to enjoy them. It’s a good way to get to know other club members..

Nancy Peterson has another wonderful program

scheduled for February. It sounds like a very useful and timely presentation. See details Nancy has provided above. See you Thursday,

February 18th, at 9:15 AM.

Sharon Williams, President

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So there was absolutely no rain in January which is supposed to be our wettest month. I

was just in South Africa for two weeks explor-ing the Drakensburg Mountains. Every day I

could connect to the internet, I looked at the weather report for Danville. My heart sank as

no rain ever came to fruition. I must admit to getting a little depressed. I figure our gover-

nor is going to ask us to cut back 50% this year unless some miracle occurs. Last year

we cut back 24% of our normal usage.

The miracle we need is cold storms that will leave snow in the moun-

tains. When I flew over the

Sierras there was little snow. Traveling around on

dirt roads in South Africa made for slow going, and

gave me time to think about what I might do with my

garden.

First of all I have accepted that I am going to lose

some plants. I don’t want to lose trees so the kitchen and shower water is

going to go to them. I did have my Elm trees pruned hard a few months ago, so I am hop-

ing that they will require less water.

I never liked my lawn because it is Bermuda

grass, although last year I noticed that it

holds up really well to less water even though

it doesn’t look that good. Dick has agreed

that the major cutback is going to be on the

lawn.

I also have to accept my front garden is going to

look tired and some things will die. I am hop-

ing to keep my hibiscus bed watered a little extra

since they are in greater need than most plants.

Hydrangeas will continue to be grown in

pots with saucers to trap the water. This re-quires watching out for mosquito larvae

every few days. In fact all pots where possi-ble will have saucers on

them. This allows plants

roots to go deep and ab-sorb water as needed.

Where I lose plants I am

planning on adding succu-lents and bromeliads.

These plants don’t need as much water. However, I

have been experimenting with other plants that will

grow dry. I will probably plant more of those in my regular garden.

I guess I view this as a learning opportunity.

Although I love plants more than most peo-

ple do, I realize all things must pass. But maybe I will find new plants don’t need

much water, and there will be some happy new learning experiences. Here is hoping!

Kristin Yanker-Hansen,

Horticulture Chair

From Roseann: I’ve always loved the happy

Kristin when she is talking about gardening.

Lovely smile on her face!

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Community Outreach

Bounty Garden: The volunteers for the spring Bounty Garden are Penny Adams, Kayrene Braden, Tena Gallagher, Rose Towery, Janet Howes, Verna Kershaw, Nancy

Peterson, and Michele Snover. We will meet at 10 am in the barn at the Bounty Gar-den for a composting workshop. We are looking forward to selecting our “cool crop”

vegetables and to getting our seedlings started in our beds! Project Produce: Don’t forget to drop off your “harvested” produce in front of the

clubhouse. Thank you again for all of your contributions.

Janet Howes, Community Outreach

Contra Costa Food Bank: We will be returning to the CC Food Bank to sort and package food for the needy on Thursday, Feb. 26th. Our time there last October was fun, rewarding, and so educational as

we learned about the needs being met by our Food Bank and our role in it with the food donations we make each month and our efforts in the Bounty Garden.

We will work from 1–3, and you can have a tour of the facility after, if you like. We will meet at 12:15 at the Creekside Church on Danville Boulevard, across from the Alamo

Women’s Club. It’s a fun afternoon. Please wear closed-toed shoes and clothes suitable for working in the warehouse. RSVP to me at kayreneb@att.net. Let me know if you are willing to drive. We are limited

to only 15 people, so sign up early. We would love to have you come and join us. Thank you!

Kayrene Braden, Janet Howes, Community Outreach

San Francisco Garden Show Tickets

The 2015 San Francisco Flower & Garden Show, "Going Wild" will take place at the San

Mateo Event Center on March 18 - 22, 2015. There is something for everyone at this

popular event. Purchase early bird tickets before March 1 at local nurseries to get a 20%

discount. (Tickets are $22 at the door, $17.50 if purchased by March 1.)

Louise Wiggins, Calendar

DAGC Donations

Each year the Danville Alamo Garden Club makes end-of-year donations to garden-related non-profit organizations or entities in our area that have a need or project that

could use additional funding. A letter describing the need or project should be submit-ted to the Treasurer by the April meeting for consideration. In the past donations have

been made to such places as public gardens, historic parks, or a school project that involves gardening or landscaping needs. All requests will be reviewed and voted on by the board members at their April meeting. The final vote by the membership will

take place at the May general meeting. If you have any questions, please contact me.

Jenny Offringa, Treasurer

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Louise Wiggins, Calendar

Dates & Times Events Details Feb 8, Sunday 10:30 am

Workshop: Terrariums, Living

Gifts Sloat Garden Center

Create and take home a beautiful terrarium for

yourself or someone special! Register in advance.

Fee: $55; $45 for Rewards Members.

Feb 12, Thursday 9:15

DAGC General Meeting Alamo Women’s Club

Garth Jocober of Mt. Diablo Nursery will talk

“Gardening 101,” presenting basic garden infor-

mation for use during winter months.

Feb 14, Saturday 10:30 am

Class: How to Prune Hydran-

geas Sloat Garden Center

Learn pruning techniques to grow beautiful hy-

drangea blossoms year after year. Register in ad-

vance. Fee: $10; free for Rewards Members.

Feb 14, Saturday 9 am Feb 15, Sunday 10 am

Class: Orchid Care Armstrong Garden Center

Orchids look exotic, but their care is easy. We’ll

show you the best way to water, feed, get them to

rebloom, and repot – all you need to know for

beautiful orchids.

Feb 17, Tuesday 9:30 am. Meet on

Stone Va Way

DAGC Tour: Lucky Garden Dublin

We will tour this new sponsor to learn about aq-

uaponics and the seedbank. Lunch to follow. Con-

tact: Marcia at marcia.steinhardt@yahoo.com.

Feb 18, Wednesday 11 am

DAGC Workshop: Wreath Mak-

ing English Rose Tea Shop 163 West Neal St, Pleasanton

Enjoy an early afternoon tea while we are making

our small heart-shaped rosemary wreaths. Con-

tact: Kathy at designergirl@prodigy.net.

Feb 19, Thursday 9:30 am

DAGC Board Meeting Home of Nancy Norland

RSVP at nnorland@earthlink.net.

Feb 21, Saturday 9 am

Class: Starting Summer Veg-

gies from Seeds Armstrong Garden Center

Growing edibles from seed is easy and fun and

very rewarding. We’ll show you how it’s done and

which veggies are best grown this way.

Feb 26, Thursday 12:15. Meet at

Creekside Church

Community Outreach CC Food Bank

Volunteers will take a brief tour of the facility and

then pack food for needy families. Contact:

Kayrene at kayreneb@att.net.

Feb 27, Friday Noon

Class: Citrus Pruning 101 Sloat Garden Center

Now is the time to prune citrus. Learn the impor-

tance of shaping your plants and how to prune

them. Register in advance. Fee: $10; free for Re-

wards Members.

Feb 28, Saturday 10 – 11:30 am

Community Outreach: Com-

posting Workshop The Bounty Garden

Composting Workshop for Bounty Garden Cool

Crop volunteers.

Feb 28, Saturday 1:30

Class: All About Citrus Sloat Garden Center

Learn directly from the grower. Debbie Saffell of

Colorama Nursery, about the citrus varieties that

are best for our microclimates, as well as general

citrus care. Register in advance. Fee: $10; free for

Rewards Members.

Feb 28, Saturday 2 pm

Class: Boot Camp for Beginning

Gardeners Navlet’s Garden Center

Gardening doesn’t have to be intimidating or com-

plicated. Let Navlet’s teach you the basics of

planting, feeding, and watering.

Feb 28, Saturday 9 am

Class: Waterwise Gardening Armstrong Garden Center

Learn which plants are best for waterwise garden-

ing and simple techniques to ensure you have a

healthy and beautiful low-water garden.

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February Birthdays:

Kathy Andino Marian Bliss

Sherry Bonn Rebecca Byrom

Patty Dobbin

Lynn Griffith Barbara Hazelton

Kathy Kaminski

Judith LeBris Marvie Lee

Sandy March

Carol Sayers

Diane Shelby-Loranger Rose Towery

Workshops

Our January picture frame workshop was a success. Check

the photo section of our web site to see the results. The February workshop of wreath making and tea tasting on

Wednesday, February 18th is full. However, if you are interested, I am

taking names for the waiting list. The

cost will be about $20 per person at the English Rose Tea House in Pleasan-

ton at 11:00 AM.

Looking forward, our March workshop

will be at Navlet’s in Danville for spring container ideas. We will learn new ways of mixing our container gardens with color and herbs on Wednesday, March 18th, 10:00 AM. You’ll

not want to miss this fun event. Thank you for your continued support and interest.

Contact me at (925) 735-5110 or designergirl@prodigy.net.

Kathy Kaminski, Workshop Chair

Bookworms

The Bookworms will meet next on Wednes-day, March18th, at 10 a.m. at the home of

Joyce Michalczyk. Join us for brunch and a

discussion of Winged Obsession by Jessica Speart.

The book is an expose and thriller about

the pursuit of the world’s most notorious butterfly smuggler. Do sign up at the Feb-

ruary and March meetings.

Joyce Michalczyk and Page Krause,

Bookworms Leaders

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February Tour

Where: Lucky Garden, Dublin

When: Tuesday, February 17, 10 AM

Join us for a tour to one of our new sponsors. Lucky Garden is Michael and Natalie Elola’s family-owned aquaponics business and seed bank. Aquaponics is the co-cultivation of plants and fish in a cir-culating environment. The hydroponic system duplicates what nature has been doing for millions of

years. Aquaponic systems are an economical, efficient, and environmentally friendly way to harvest large amounts of vegetables and high protein fish for healthy dining and nutrition. In addition, at their

in-house seed bank, you will be able to purchase the plants that you need for your garden and fish farming.

We will meet at Stone Valley Way (first left street after the underpass off Stone Valley Road East) at 9:30 AM and carpool to Lucky Garden, located at 7071 Village Parkway in Dublin. The tour should last

approximately 1-1 ½ hrs.

Optional lunch possibilities nearby in Dublin include:

Casa Orozco, 7995 Amador Valley Blvd., 925-828-4769 and The Elephant Bar, 7202 Amador Plaza Rd., 925-803-0170.

Marcia Steinhardt, Tours

February Social!

Many thanks to those who brought goodies in January. The meeting

came around fast and furiously. Thank you to all the members who helped get the meeting (and the coffee) started with all challenges

of the morning. We are now off to a New Year and month!

Sign-ups for goodies are as follows: Savories - Ann Hampel, Page Krause, Sharon Townsend, Marcia Davis, Joyce Michalczyk, Sharon

Williams and Susan Polk.

Sweets: Charlotte Graham, Rebecca Byrom (fruit) Betty Maddox and Patty Dobbins. Vegetable Platter: Lynn Hoagland

Please sign up in February for March and April if you have not contributed this year.

Joyce Michalczyk and Ellen Frost , Social Co-Chairs

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General Garden Care

Remove moss from pathways: Use hydrated lime. Note that lime will raise the soil pH if

it runs off pathways.

Remove winter weeds and the early summer weeds that are just germinating.

Clean clay pots—wash in soapy water with a wire brush; dry thoroughly, rub with lin

seed oil. May take two coats.

Set out one or two ground wasp (yellow jacket) bait stations to attract queens and early scouts. This will radically reduce the number of nests in your area.

Fruits & Vegetables

Spray for Peach Leaf Curl before bud break (when buds start to show a little color).

Harvest citrus.

Do not prune back freeze damaged citrus wood until late spring.

Add compost, if the weather is dry enough, to your summer vegetable beds to prepare

them for planting in a month or so.

Start tomato, eggplant, onion, parsley, and pepper seeds indoors this month, using bottom heat for best germination.

Flowers & Landscaping

Finish pruning roses by the middle of the month. Spray with dormant oil to control

pests. Finish dormant season pruning you started last month.

Prune fuchsias at the end of the month.

Apply dormant oil on deciduous trees to control aphids, mites, scale and some caterpilars.

Pick up all spent Camellia blossoms to reduce the incidence of Botrytis blight and petal

blight.

Plant Gladiolus bulbs

February in the Contra Costa Garden by Contra Costa Master Gardeners

Master Gardener Hotline If you have gardening questions,

Master Gardeners can help!

9 am – 12 noon M-Th Telephone: 925-646-6586 Drop in at office (closed state holidays) or… Email: ccmg@ucanr.edu Website: http://ccmg.ucanr.edu Facebook: www.facebook.com/CoCoMasterGardeners

Contra Costa Master Gardeners University of California Cooperative Extension

75 Santa Barbara Rd., Second Floor Pleasant Hill, CA 94532-4215

Master Gardener Talk: Starting a Summer Vegetable Garden

Date: Feb 26, Thursday, Time: 6:30 – 8 pm

Place: San Ramon Library

CC Master Gardener Brad Miller will describe meth-ods for creating a healthy vegetable garden. He will discuss soil preparation, starting with seeds or trans-plants, using cover crops, fertilizing, watering, mulch-ing, planting times, and selection the right crops.

He also will describe bio-intensive techniques that in-crease production while decreasing the need for water, fertilizer, and growing space. There will be time for Q and A afterwards.

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Newsletter of the Danville-Alamo Garden Club

Roseann Krane ~ Editor

Danville–Alamo Garden Club

P.O. Box 920

Danville, CA 94526

Our Sponsors

Ace Hardware 3211 Danville Blvd.

Alamo,CA,94507 (925) 837-2420

Annie’s Annuals 740 Market Ave,

Richmond, CA 94801 510-215-3301 or 888-266-4370

Armstrong Garden Centers 7360 San Ramon Road, Dublin

925-551-0231

Lucky Garden Hydroponics 7071 Village Pkwy, Dublin, CA 94568

(925) 828-4769

Navlet’s 800 Camino Ramon, Danville

925-837-9144

Orchard

4010 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Lafayette, CA 94549

(925) 284-4474.

Regan Nursery

4268 Decoto Road, Fremont 510-797-3222

Sloat Garden Center 828 Diablo Road, Danville

925-743-0288

www.dagc.us

Please support our sponsors!

Remember, our commercial sponsors donate the door prizes, and they support us with speakers for our gen-eral meetings. Please support them!

Sharon Cohune, Janice Fassiotto, Lynn Hoaglin

Sponsor Reps

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