Oakland Garden Club News

THURSDAY,  FEBRUARY, 12 2014 OAKLAND GARDEN CLUB

Oakland Garden Club did not meet in January because of bad weather.

Thirteen members of the Oakland Garden Club met in the Rosen room at the Oakland auditorium at 2:00 p.m., on February 12, the second Thursday of the month, their regularly scheduled meeting time and place.

Sandra Anderson         Marge Elsasser            Cathi McMurtry        JoAnn Petersom

Marie Daubert               Lela Heineman            LaVerne Osterndoff    Lois Schneekloth

Julie Easton                 Betty Homes              Geraldine Peterson      Debbie Rosenboom

Audrey Unwin

Hostesses Lela Heineman and Julie Easton decorated with valentine napkins, two miniature rose plants, valentine candies and served a cake with whipped cream and fresh strawberries. Members decided to repeat their 2014 Simplicity theme: Lunches will be very simple with one decoration and one candy or nuts.

Members gave pledge to the American flag and read the Garden Club Creed in their handbooks. Each member answered roll call by telling or estimating how many houseplants she has in her house. With the number ranging from two to at least one hundred, at the end, Lela Heineman said we must have the cleanest air in the country. Geraldine Peterson reported that she and Julie had arranged to send gifts to members who’d had surgery: a poinsettia to Vernelle Nelson, flowers to Cathi McMurtry, and fruit plate to Sue Beckner. The thank you’s to the Club were read.

Members decided to skip reading the notes Audrey took at the October meeting. Audrey gave the balance in the treasury as $3094.62 with no outstanding bills. Cathi reported that Denise Gilliland would like to post the Garden Club minutes on her Katcountryhub@gmail.com.Members agreed it would be good to have them on line as well as in the local paper.

With election of officers, Geraldine Peterson, Co-President, announced that she would be unable to serve again. Julie Easton, also Co-President, would serve again with another, and Debbie Rosenboom agreed to serve with her as Co-President. Audrey Unwin and Cathi McMurtry agreed to serve again as Treasurer and Secretary. Lela Heineman agreed to act as Historian, and Geraldine Peterson to act as Cheerer [sender of cards, notices, etc.] Geraldine Peterson and Lois Schneekloth agreed to act as Callers. Members voted to approve choices made.

Lela Heineman asked if we would consider moving meeting times to evenings or moving some to evenings After discussion on how many meetings people already had, no change was made. Then Lela Heineman moved and Geraldine Peterson seconded that we offer Associate membership of Garden Club for people interested in helping with flower beds without these members having responsibility for dues or acting as a hostess. The motion passed. Audrey Unwin moved and Sandra Anderson seconded that Garden Club not meet in January. The motion passed with only one dissent. Lela Heineman moved and Audrey Unwin seconded that the Garden Club purchase a can of coffee and keep on site for meetings. Sandra Anderson agreed to come early to meetings to make coffee and set up tables and chairs.

After members set up schedule of meeting lessons and presenters, roll calls, and hostesses for the year, Lela Heineman agreed to make the Garden Club book for the 2015 year.

Marie Daubert read a parody poem “Night Before Taxes.”

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY, 12 2014 OAKLAND GARDEN CLUB

Lela Heineman gave a review of Winter Sowing. Plant in Jan., Feb., or March. This works best in zones 5 or 6. Plant perennials or very hardy annuals.

For containers use milk jugs, large soda bottles, dessert or fast food bowls, clear cake or cottage cheese containers, etc. but tops must be clear or translucent to let in daylight. Add holes to the sides, tops and bottoms for air circulation and drainage. If bottom holes are too big, line with coffee filters, newspaper, etc. Tops should be at least 2 inches above soil to allow for seedling growth. If using milk jugs, cut in middle halfway or more around to bend back to plant and tape back together with duct or packing tape when finished. Also tape lids on when finished. Label clearly on bottom or on markers placed inside as sun will bleach writing off visible markers.

Put potting soil or seed starting mix in container, about two to three inches deep, moisten soil, and sow seeds, putting light cover of soil over them. Attach lids and place containers outside. Keep containers moist. As weather warms and seeds germinate, increase ventilation, finally removing lids. Transplant seedlings into garden with no hardening off needed.

The list of perennials to sow is almost endless, even shrubs, trees, and vines, although trees and shrubs may require long dormancy over a year to germinate.

At lunch time, as valentine presents, Julie Easton set out new packets of flower seeds for members to take home.

Cathi McMurtry, Secretary