Garden Club Travels to Baldwin County

     On March 14, 2013, the Monroeville Garden Club traveled to Baldwin County for their meeting.  The first stop was the Antique Rose Trail in Foley.  Hundreds of roses are planted around a public walking trail through the heart of Foley following the path of the old railroad line.  The roses have signage that identifies each plant species and the year it was propagated.
     It was a little early yet so the roses were just beginning to bloom but in a couple of weeks, the trail should be spectacular!  The trail is beautifully done with attractive paving, benches, and arbors throughout.
     Our next stop was lunch at The Gift Horse Restaurant in Foley where we enjoyed a wonderful buffet complete with several dessert choices.  After lunch we browsed at the Gift Horse Antique Shop next door.
     Our final stop was at Fran's on 59 which is "8.5 acres of waterfalls, gardens, and pottery".  Fran's has a "totally unique mix of natural stone, antiques, fountains, pottery, and landscaping materials".  Check out her webpage at franson59.com.
     Eight members and two guests went on the trip.

(L to R)  Nancy Ziebach, Dora Pelham, Jean Booker, Paula Booker, LeNette

Knapp, and Gail Touchton.

Dora Pelham and one of the roses that was in full bloom.

Entrance to the rose trail with Old Blush across the top just beginning

 to bloom.

Lucy Calloway and one of the many beautiful flower beds in Foley.

Lunch at The Gift Horse.

More beautiful flower beds in Foley.  We learned that the city has a
horticulturist who oversees the plantings there.

Fran's has a wide assortment of pottery and several on the property were

set up as fountains.

Beautiful Koi pond at Fran's

Attractive use of mondo grass.  In the background on the table are individual
pots of mondo which Fran gave to each of us to try out in our own yard.

(L to R) Gail Touchton, Dora Pelham, Lucy Calloway, Bev Colquett, Nancy
Ziebach, Pat Hornady, LeNette Knapp, Paula Booker, (guest), Jean Booker and
Joyce Houston, (guest).

Gulf Shores Garden Club Event

     On February 6th, Pat Hornady, Dora Pelham, Patsy Wadlington and I traveled to Gulf Shores for the "Gulf Shores Garden Club's 22nd Annual Flower Seminar" held at the Erie Meyer Civic Center.

     Felder Rushing was the guest speaker.  According to the bio provided on the webpage of the Gulf Shores Garden Club, Felder is host of "The Gestalt Gardener Radio Show", author and co-author of 17 popular garden books and has had many  magazine articles published in various garden magazines.

     Although Mr. Rushing is a horticulturalist, he talked about forgetting "gardening rules" and approaching gardening in a more relaxed manner.  For instance, he recommended choosing easy  plants that can thrive in our hot and dry climate and thus avoiding having a tombstone epitaph that reads "He Moved Hoses".  Mr. Rushing is a colorful character who uses humor to present common sense gardening advice.  His most recent book is "Slow Gardening - A No Stress Philosophy For All Senses and Seasons".  You can learn more about Mr. Rushing on his website:  felderrushing.net

Felder Rushing (image from Gulf Shores Garden Club
webpage)

Lunch was served in a flowerpot...Chicken Salad Croissant, chips, and cookies.

Sandwich was garnished with a flower tomato.  A fresh carnation was "planted" in the

pot and a package of wildflower seeds was attached to the stem.

Some pots had these gummy worms in the bottom which meant you won a door prize.

Patsy with her door prize.

Felder Rushing's truck.  In the back is a garden which he points to as evidence that

anyone can have a garden anywhere.

February Meeting Features Garden Craft

     The Monroeville Garden Club met on Thursday, February 14th at 1:00 p.m. at the Monroeville Presbyterian Church.  Nancy Ziebach was hostess with Jean Booker as co-hostess.

     Following the business session, Pat Hornady led the group in painting a garden ornament which was a butterfly made using a  (re-claimed) spindle as the body and wings cut from metal flashing.

     After the craft activity, members enjoyed Red Velvet Cake,  heart shaped sandwiches of chicken salad , pimento salad, lemonade and coffee.  Seventeen members attended.

Hostesses Jean Booker and Nancy Ziebach

Pat Hornady's Butterfly

Paula Deen's Red Velvet Cake Recipe

2 eggs

2 1/2 cups cake flour

2 cups sugar

1 tsp salt

1 tsp cocoa

1 cup buttermilk

2 oz. red food coloring

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 lb. butter

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tbs. vinegar

Preheat oven to 350.  Beat eggs, add sugar.  Mix cocoa and food coloring.  Add butter and egg mixture; mix well.  Sift together flour and salt.  Add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk.  Blend in vanilla.  In small bowl, combine soda and vinegar and add to mixture.  Pour into three 9 inch round greased and floured pans.  Bake for 20-25 minutes.

Frosting

1    8 oz. pkg. cream cheese

1    stick butter

1    16 oz. box powdered sugar

1     tsp vanilla

1/2  cup chopped pecans

Combine all ingredients except nuts and beat until fluffy.  Fold in nuts.  Frost cake.

"Water Right Garden Hose" Product Review

     It won't be long before it's time to pull out those water hoses and like most of you, I have experienced hoses that are heavy and cumbersome or light ones that kink.  Last year I read about a hose called "Water Right"  that promised to be light and easy to use so I decided to give it a try.  I bought a 50 foot hose and a 25 foot coil hose.  I have been very pleased with the regular hose.  The coil hose is better than those I previously purchased but I do have some problems with it getting tangled.

     I purchased my hoses from Gardener's Supply ( http://www.gardeners.com) but since then I discovered the company has a website ( http://www.waterrightinc.com) and you can read all about the product there as well as order.  I also liked that they have color choices which blend into the landscape such as the olive one shown below.

Members Watch Video on Pruning Roses

     The first meeting of the new year was held at the Monroeville Presbyterian Church on January 10, 2013, at 1:00 p.m.  Members watched a video on how to prune roses by horticulturalist, James Smith.

     Following the video, members went to the home of Bev Colquett in Monroeville for refreshments.  Mrs. Susan Stacey and Mrs. Lindy Bayles served as co-hostesses.  Members were served cake, toasted and candied pecans, "Gone in 60 Seconds" Dip and Crackers, Sausage Rollups, spiced tea and coffee.
Twenty members attended.

Oatmeal Cake

New member, Casey White, with Dana Shinholster and Pat Hornady

Lindy Bayles and Margaret Groves


Oatmeal Cake
(This is a recipe from former member, Anne Hudson)

1 1/2 cup boiling water

1 stick margarine

1 cup raw oatmeal

Mix in bowl and let stand for 20 minutes.

Add:

1 cup white sugar                            1 cup brown sugar                             2 eggs

1 1/2 cup self rising flour               1 tsp soda                                            1/2 tsp cinnamon

Stir by hand until mixed and pour into a greased and floured oblong pan.  Bake 35 minutes at 350.

Icing

1 stick margarine                             1 small can milk                               3/4 cup white sugar

1 tsp. vanilla                                     1 cup coconut                                   1 cup pecans

Put first four ingredients in pan and let come to a boil and thicken.  Then add nuts, coconut and stir.

Pour over cake while still in pan.  Set under broiler and brown.  Cut into squares.

Peggy's Pound Cake

1  Coconut Supreme Cake Mix                          1 cup sugar

1  cup oil                                                                 1 cup sour cream

4  eggs                                                                   1/2 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350.  Combine cake mix and sugar with mixer.  Add oil, sour cream, eggs, and vanilla and beat

two minutes.  Pour batter into a greased and floured heavy Bundt pan and bake for 45 minutes.  Do not open oven.

Remove from oven to wire rack.  Cool 10 minutes and remove from pan.  May dust with confectioners' sugar.

(This recipe was the grand prize winner in the 2009 Mississippi Magazine Recipe Contest.)

Gone in 60 Seconds

1 cup chopped pecans                        1/4 cup mayonaise

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese         1/2 cup chopped green onion

Combine ingredients and pack in a shallow bowl or mold.  Refrigerate overnight.  When ready to serve, turn mold

over onto a serving plate.  Cover mixture with Chile Beach Jam.  (I purchased this from Andre's at The Mockingbird Market but it is available on line as well. http://www.chilebeachjams.com.) You could use pepper jelly instead.

         

Christmas At the Cabin

     The Monroeville Garden Club members donned their tackiest holiday wear for an "Ugly Christmas Sweater Party" on December 13, 2012 at the Hornady cabin in Peterman, Alabama.  Pat Hornady was the hostess and co-hostesses were Bev Colquett, Deloris Dean-Bailey, Elba Bonham, and Kim Dillow.
     To start the party , a paper plate art game was played.  Members were given a paper plate and pen and told  to place the plate on top of their head.  They were then instructed to draw various things such as a Christmas tree, ornaments on the tree, a fireplace, etc.  At the end, points were given based on the drawing.  Winners were Judi Burns and Carolyn Holley.  Carolyn won a ceramic holiday platter and Judi won a garden journal.
     Members each  brought a garden related wrapped gift and played the "Right-Left" game to exchange.  The Christmas Story was read with the words "right" and "left" inserted throughout and each time the words were used, the gifts were passed accordingly.  At the end of the story, each member unwrapped the gift she held.
     Following the games, members enjoyed hot spiced cider, cheeseball and crackers, and an assortment of cookies.

Door Prizes decorated with fresh flowers (hydrangea and Queen Anne's Lace) and
greenery (asparagus fern, rosemary, pittosporum, and boxwood)  The gold holder is
a Christmas ornament purchased from the Dollar Tree.   Floral foam was used inside

the holder to help keep the flowers fresh.

  Pat Hornady, Dorothy Jernigan and LeNette Knapp

Ree Smith and Carolyn Holley

Judi Burns, Margaret Groves, and Audrey Griffin

Kim Dillow and Dana Shinholster

Evelyn Bond, Margaret Groves and Gail Touchton

Deloris Dean-Bailey and Dorothy Jernigan

LeNette Knapp and Elba Bonham

Members playing the paper plate art game

We had some interesting "Master Pieces"

Judi Burns with her nicely decorated Christmas tree which won a prize.

Members look at their gifts.

Enjoying spice tea and other refreshments.

Beautiful wreath made by our hostess, Pat Hornady

Easy Cheese Ball

Brought by Kim Dillow

2 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, softened                           2 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar Cheese

1 (1 oz.) package of ranch dressing mix (she used Dill)       1 1/2 cups chopped pecans

DIRECTIONS:  In a medium size bowl, mash cream cheese.  Mix dressing mix and cheddar cheese into the cream cheese.  Shape the mixture into a ball.  Roll the ball in the chopped nuts.  Refrigerate covered until ready to serve.

Rollo Pretzel Bites

Brought by Bev Colquett

Rollo Candy

Pretzels (small)

Pecan Halves

Lay pretzels on a baking sheet.  Top each with an unwrapped Rollo.  Bake at 350 for about 3 or 4 minutes.  Remove from oven and place a pecan half on top of the rollo and press down a bit.  Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes to harden.

Members Share Gardening Hints

     The home of Gail Touchton was the setting for the meeting of the Monroeville Garden Club on Thursday, November 8, 2012, at 1:00 p.m.  Dorothy Crawford served as co-hostess.
     After the business session, a program on "Gardening Hints" was given by various club members.

     Gail Touchton shared her extensive file of gardening articles that she had collected through the years.

     Bev Colquett talked about keeping a garden journal and gave a handout to use as a guide for starting a journal.  Bev passed around her garden journal which she started about ten years ago.

     Evelyn Bond cautioned members about buying plants without first considering whether they are suited to our area (8a) and also recommended that you know where you will be placing them in your yard so that sun requirements will be met.

     Pat Hornady brought a set of gardening books that she no longer needed and offered these to anyone interested.  She also shared some Meyer lemons grown by her brother who lives in Birmingham.

     Dora Pelham shared a hint that she learned from garden club charter member, Mamie Lou York, who had learned it from her mother.  She said the most important thing is your soil and you should always be doing something to improve it.  She added coffee grounds, leaves, pine straw, and vegetable scraps to her soil.   Dora said that in her own garden she also adds egg shells to this mix.  Mrs. York's mother was so protective  of her soil that was was careful to shake loose any soil around the roots of plants she shared with others.  When she pulled weeds, she would let them dry several days and then shake the soil from the roots before disposing of the weeds.

     Margaret Groves offered several hints for repelling gnats and mosquitoes that plague gardeners.  She has found that a spray of original formula Listerine works for her.  Margaret also suggested attaching a dryer sheet to your clothing as a bug repellent.

     Nancy Ziebach recommended that members look at "Pinterest", an internet sharing service as a source for helpful garden information.  One "pin" that she found there suggested using vinegar as a weed killer.  Dana Shinholster said that she uses a homemade weed killer using vinegar, salt and dishsoap.

     Dorothy Crawford shared that she has found that using pecan hulls as mulch is helpful in keeping the family dog from digging in flower beds.

     Everyone who participated in the program was eligible for a door prize drawing.  Winners were Gail Touchton, Pat Hornady, and Dana Shinholster.

     Following the program, members enjoyed refreshments and a social time.  Fourteen members attended along with guests, Brenda Gardener, Casey White, and Martha Kress.

Door prizes were wrapped in brown kraft paper and decorated with items from the

yard:  oak leaves and acorns, hydrangea blooms and a rose made from oak

leaf hydrangea leaves.  To find out how to make one of these roses, check out this website

Roses from autumn leaves

                   

Dora Pelham shares gardening hints.

Gail Touchton and Sara Bradley visit during social time.

Another Great Tool - The Popup Yard Bag

     Recently I purchased a popup yard bag from McNider's Ace Hardware in Monroeville and so far have been pleased with this purchase.  I have seen similar bags around for a while and though interested, found them too heavy before you even put anything in them.  These bags were much more heavy duty and more expensive.  This bag is only $4.99 and works great for collecting leaves from the yard to move to the mulch pile, etc.  I would not recommend it for sticks or other heavy materials.  It comes packed flat and when you release the velcro straps, it springs open.  It collapses to 3" when you are ready to store it.
     Read about it here:

Pop Up Yard Bag

Great Tool For Planting Bulbs and Bedding Plants

     Recently I ordered a heavy duty bulb and bedding plant auger by Better Garden Tools from Amazon.  The auger attaches to most any drill.  It was $21.95 plus shipping.  You can read about it here:

Heavy Duty Bulb and Bedding Plant Auger

     I highly recommend this tool.  If you have a prepared bed, it works like a dream.  If you have a bed with rocks or roots, it still works but is more difficult and you will probably need to have your husband dig the holes.

   The auger will work with a cordless drill but works better with an electric one and it is more powerful.

"The Dirt on Soil"

     The Monroeville Garden Club met at the home of Dotsy Compton on October 11, 2012 at 1:00 p.m.  Carolyn McMillian and Sara Bradley were co-hostesses.  Fifteen members attended and there were three guests.

     During the business session, it was decided to have a garage sale as a fund raiser.  The sale will be on Saturday, November 3, 2012 at 7:00 a.m. in the parking lot of St. John's Episcopal Church in Monroeville.  Any money raised will be used to fund the expenses for the large flower pots and hanging baskets around the square and The Katherine Lee Rose Garden.

     Ellen Huckabay, Regional Extension Agent with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System in Mobile was the guest speaker and presented an informative program entitled "The Dirt On Soil".  She stressed the importance of having a soil test done as the first step in starting a garden and she gave each member a soil sample kit.  Information from a soil test points out what needs to be done to make the soil ideal for the kind of plants to be grown.

     Following the program, guests were served caramel cake, miniature pecan pies, cheese straws, and coffee.

Dotsy Compton, Carolyn McMillian, and Sara Bradley

Ellen Huckabay talks with guest, Judy Burns.