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October 2005 President's message I have been enjoying the fruits of the labours of gardeners this autumn. The bounty of my herb garden has been included in many meals, as well as herbal vinegars, butters; I also did some harvesting and preserving for the winter months. I hope to increase the number of vegetables and herbs in my garden next year. I also have thoroughly enjoyed our local farmer's market which features only locally grown produce, especially the one vendor whose beet greens I consumed in mass quantities. I also just came back from Kingston's farmer's market which is larger than ours, but imports non-local produce. I also could not pass up a stand of squash by a farmer's field, using the honour system to pay and collect your change from a small margarine tub left with the produce. I hope all of you have enjoyed your own crops and local produce, a real treat in this world of fast food. We have many things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. Geri ********************************* Membership renewals October is renewal time, if you have not already done so please fill out the form on the back page and either mail it with your payment or bring it to the general meeting. Please note new fees. ********************************* NEXT MEETING Wednesday October 26th 7:30PM Cassellholme Auditorium Speaker: Helen Tripp, Master Gardener - Popular Houseplants 101 Please remember to bring a mug for your tea or coffee, Styrofoam takes many years to break down in the landfill, do we really want to leave our grandchildren with the problem? Put your mug on your kitchen counter with your car keys in it so that you don't forget, this way you will make Judy very happy! GARDENING GUIDE Mid October to Mid November
Green Insecticides This is the time of year when we bring in our houseplants that have been enjoying the summer weather outdoors. Unfortunately we often bring in a few hitch hikers who wreak havoc on anything growing inside. These recipes from Ed Lawrence should help. Aphids: Mix 40 parts water and one part dish soap. Spray on plants. Or steep 6 rhubarb leaves in 3 litres of boiling water. White flies: Steep 1 part crushed mullein leaves (a common plant) with 5 parts of water. Spray on plant. Spider mites: Mix 28 grams of table salt in 4.5 litres of water. Spray on plant North Bay Horticultural Society General Meeting, Sept. 28/05 Attendance 43 at Cassellholme auditorium Following the delicious Pot Luck supper, President Geri Openshaw called the meeting to order at 7:33pm, welcoming everyone. Minutes of the June 22nd general meeting as printed in the Green Thumb, were moved to be adopted by Adrian Van der Bijl and seconded by Carol Ann Gingras. Correspondence - Thank you note from Living Quilt Community Gardens, OHA Summer Newsletter, seed & bulb catalogues, bill from The Nugget, Hamilton Civic Museum info, OHA Meeting, letter from Vickie Weimer thanking all who helped at Convention 2005, thank you letter from Nipissing U with honorarium of $250.00 and thank you letter from Communities In Bloom re judges of Front Yard Contest Correspondence sent - sympathy card to Norma Harper. Treasurer - Helen Bannerman moved the acceptance of her report as printed in the Green Thumb with the balance of $2,135.12, seconded by Debbie Caldwell. Carried. REPORTS Civic Beautification - Ruby McLeod's report was - the gardens are still blooming . The Communities In Bloom judges commented, with enthusiasm, on the waterfront garden. Ruby was pleased to hear that many Conventioneers had taken photos of the OHA waterfront garden. The library Lily bed had been vandalized twice. Membership - Darlene Lecour reported 11 new members. Green Thumb - Sue Finnis will print recipes in the newsletter if sent by Email. Social - the president thanked Judy Watling for the Pot Luck supper presentation and Judy responded by inviting those who didn't bring their plates to contribute desserts for the next meeting, and she thanked everyone who provided the Pot Luck menu. OHA Bulbs - Pat Madill had sold 39 packets and had distributed all of them. Convention 2005- Betty Foy thanked all who participated at the Convention, she had so much fun and all the volunteers were terrific. Helen Tripp said she was proud to have participated. Fruit baskets were presented to Betty and Helen, with many thanks by the president. Vickie Weimer gave a brief report on the marvelous work done by the Convention Committee and all had such a good time. The Nominating Committee must consist of two members from the executive, who are Sue Finnis and Pat Madill, and three members from the general membership, who are Debbie Lee, Eileen Garvey and Donna Williams. The OHA Fall meeting is October 1st. in Gravenhurst. The Annual General meeting is in Bracebridge in 2006. Helen Tripp had a booklet on Perennials at $2.00, from the Master Gardeners. The President had souvenir Convention 2005 book marks available to all members. Adjourned at 8:02pm by Adrian Van der Bijl. Peggy Dillon, Secretary Guest speaker was Al Tomek, Waste Management Coordinator on composting. Deterring deer and rabbits Deer and rabbits can cause a lot of destruction in the garden and there seem to be a lot of rabbits around this year. Here are some plants that that are not so enjoyable to those cute but annoying creatures. Any plant with prickly leaves and/or stems, milky sap, woolly foliage, very fibrous foliage and strongly aromatic scents. Shrubs: Hollies, barberry, hawthorn, boxwood, red and blackcurrant bushes. (Do not plant weigelas, euonymus, spireas, mugo pines, sand cherry or hydrangeas, even though some are touted as animal resistant.) Perennials: Lamb's ears, yarrows, Artemisia, feverfew, Russian sage, Bergenia, Geranium maccrorhhizum, thistles, periwinkle, sweet woodruff, oriental poppies, plume poppies (macleaya cordata), Narcissi, lily of the valley, perennial forget-me-not, peonies, tarragon and rhubarb. Annuals: Dusty miller, tagetes, marigolds, Salvia cocchinea, garlic, fall and winter squash. Euphorbias, perennials which have a rash inducing milky sap irritate deer and rabbits too. Try encircling shrubs, plants or trees with euphorbia polychroma or euphorbia myrsinites. Some commercial deterrents use the urine of predators, but this is collected in an inhumane way with the animals being kept in cages with wire floors and no bedding, only works for a short while and has to be constantly renewed. I find my dogs do an admirable job of keeping both deer and rabbits away because they wander all over the backyard leaving their scent wherever they go, I have never had a problem even though I live in the woods. Treasurers report Sept 28th 2005 Investment savings.....4072.25 Bank statement.....2135.12 Deposit.....260.00 Outstanding cheques x 4.....245.40 Total current account.....2149.72 Mailing address North Bay Horticultural Society PO Box 1482 North Bay ON P1B 8K6 e-mail [email protected] General Meetings 4th Wednesday of the month 7:30 PM Cassellholme Auditorium Our website:- http:/www.gardenontario.org/site.php/northbay Master Gardeners' Hotline 495-0920 Leave a message on the answering machine and a Master Gardener will return your call and answer your questions --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL FORM OCTOBER 2005 Please fill out the form below and bring it with your payment to the general meeting or mail it to North Bay Horticultural Society, PO Box 1482, North Bay ON P1B 8K6 Please circle one: Single $10:00 Family $15:00 Name___________________________________________________ Address________________________________________________
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