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August 24, 2008
Olivia White Hospice Garden Project
On Sunday the 17th of August we hosted a Garden Party to raise funds for next year. The gardens looked beautiful for an hour and then the rain/hail came for almost 30 minutes. Most of the damage was to large leafed vegetables like the zucchini, squash and cucumbers. The new lettuce planted at the end of July looked dead, but perked up after a couple of days of sunshine. The party was successful. With our auction/raffle and the sale of tickets to attend we will probably be able to fund the finishing of our drip, shelving the greenhouse and further development of our native garden. Joan White, Olivia's grandmother, who won the generous gift certificate to Native Plant and Seed, donated it to the garden. This will be used in creating our rock garden next spring. We also recieved a bin of Dana Prom Smith's compost from a couple of other bidders in the auction. We all got a little wet but really enjoyed Russ Mann's auction, wonderful food from Thornagers, and music from Jan Torney (harp) and Nancy Swan (violin). Thanks to all the donors who made this such a sucessful event.
On Tuesday, we attended the Native Plant Society Meeting and were given a special award for the Use of Native Plants in a Community Garden. They provided a beautiful plaque which we can post in the garden and a poster of AZ native plants.
On Thursday we had our regular workday and we worked on deadheading, cleaning up damage from the storm, some weeding, watering and filling the birdbaths and feeders. We had our regulars Karen Kent, Nancy Palmer, Gus Delgadillo, and some master gardeners from this years class.
Saturday, Cynthia Katte was in charge for our monthy Saturday workday. She had 7 people show up and they worked on cleaning up the garden, watering and weeding.
On Sunday, we hosted our open house for the Native Plant and Xeriscape contest. We had about 50 people come to visit our garden. Most were local but some were summer visitors from Phoenix.
New Blooms:
Beautiful and fragrant lilies in the Aroma Pot and many fall asters planted last year. The licorace mint is also beginning to bloom and the lettuce seems to have recovered from the hail.
Thank you:
For all those volunteers that help every week and those that stop by when they can. We have had a strong crew this season of regulars and MG's from the recent class.
Doug Grant for all he has done to help us in the garden. He is leaving for Georgia and we will miss him.
Karen Kent and Gus Delgadillo for helping host the garden tours and Marcia Lamkin for providing some much needed treats.
Come join us this week on Thursday any time between 7am-11am. It is so warm that we will probably quit early. Come for any or all of that time. Our plans include watering east gardens as needed, cleaning bird baths and feeders, cutting some flowers for the County Fair, continuing to gather rock for next years garden, and beginning to divide iris that have become to plentiful. Park in the 1st Congregational Church lot on Turquoise just past Switzer Canyon Drive. Bring a hat, gloves and any tools you prefer (we do have both) and sun screen (it should be hot). We will provide water and snacks.
Thanks,
Loni Shapiro
Posted by maxmaddy at August 24, 2008 9:47 PM