Written by Donna Ditges
Our first meeting of the 2013-2014 year kicked off with our usual first speaker, Tom MacCubbin, Florida Gardening Expert and host of many Central Florida shows and articles. See links to Tom’s websites at the end of this post as well as photos provided by Club Photographer, Donna Ditges.
Hostesses Cannon Stoffel, Bonnie Baum and Peggy Collins provided wonderful snacks of deviled eggs, sandwiches, orange cake, fruit and coffee, juice and tea. Thank you, Ladies. It was delicious and above-and-beyond.
PROGRAM: Tom’s topic today was ”Eco-Friendly Treatment of Garden Pests and Diseases,” accompanied by a very informative handout “September in the Garden 2013” (click here to download as a pdf). He also added a trivia contest and gave several door prizes for correct answers. The winners of the door prizes were Angela Withers (gardening book), Carol Wolfe (garden hat), Joan Prasky (flower pot of goodies) and Anne Theiss (garden theme notecards).
50/50 DRAWING: This month we had a plant from the hostess table entered into the drawing. An arrangement for give away is not a requirement of hostessing; this was an unexpected addition.
- Tanya Chesire won the 50/50 drawing and
- Joan Prasky won the beautiful bromeliad hostess centerpiece.
SMART PHONE APP FOR THE GARDEN TIP: Vice President, Jill Thompson, had a very interesting tip for us. There is an app for smartphones that will help you with your gardening. It is called “Beesmart”. Just search on your smartphone for the app. It will help you decide on plants for your garden, i.e., search your zip code, then amount of light, then amount of water, then shrub, tree or plant; then flowering, etc. You get the idea. GREAT TIP JILL!
NEW GARDEN CLUB DEVELOPMENTS:
- Joan Prasky and Maureen Tuber will be hosting a one day flower arranging class. Details have not been decided yet. Check the website often for the latest developments.
- Beginning October 2013, everyone is encouraged to bring their plant cuttings or new plants they have started to the monthly meetings. These plants will be left at the front door for anyone to take. We suggest leaving a $1 donation that will go to the Garden Club. There is no requirement to bring a plant to exchange … there are plenty of members who have more than enough they would rather give away than throw away. You know how we gardeners are.
- Request that you bring any plastic nursery pots to the meetings. Many members need them to start new plants.
Visit Tom MacCubbin online at:
- Tom MacCubbin Plant Doctor, University of Florida IFAS Extension
- Tom’s Digs, Orlando Sentinel
- Better Lawns & Gardens streaming radio show Tom MacCubbin has hosted the “Better Lawns & Gardens” radio program for more than 15 years and is heard every Saturday morning on more than 20 radio stations throughout Florida.
- Better Lawns & Gardens website
CLICK ON A PHOTO TO ENLARGE & VIEW ALL AS A SLIDESHOW
Windermere Garden Club 