Kingston Garden Club

Meeting Minutes for September 16, 2009

             And this year’s theme is…

Be Inspired! 

President Maxine H. reminded us the Kingston Library has an extensive selection of gardening books, courtesy of Dan Hinkley (former co-owner of Heronswood).

Program                          

Dave Halsaver, owner of Foxglove Greenhouses, provided a hands-on demonstration of how to divide and repot a variety of plants in preparation for our Plant Potting Party October 21, 2009.  Using only a pair of Felco #6 hand pruners, an old hand saw, and a long-bladed kitchen knife, Dave demonstrated the division of Carex morrowii ‘Ice Dance’, Heuchera ‘Silver Lode’, Schizostylis coccinea ‘Oregon Sunset’, Agastache ‘Purple Haze’, and Ligularia.  Dave generously offered KGC free pots and space in a greenhouse for plant sale preparation.  Foxglove Greenhouses are open Saturdays 9am – 4pm and weekdays by appointment at 30600 Hansville Road NE in Kingston.

Hospitality Report           

• Attendance: 37 members and 3 guests: Evie, Hollace, and Inga.
• Thanks to our hostesses:  Pam W., Karen R., Elaine J., and Karen A.

Treasurer Report   

• The new budget was distributed in a straight-forward spreadsheet format.
•  Aloha Wright grant applications must be submitted to the Ann I. by February 2010.

Old Business

• Special thanks to our August Picnic hostess Betty T.!
• Thanks again to Gwen W. for organizing our June trip to Harrison Hot Springs!

New Business

Blanche Gray Garden Shows

Chairperson Annika M. announced this year’s theme is “Gardening with the Stars!”  Locally donated seeds are planted by students in their school gardens and the produce is awarded annually in September. Every child receives multiple ribbons to encourage continued gardening interest.

         Upcoming Events

• September 17, 2009 at Wolfle Elementary School from 8am to 3:30pm
• September 24, 2009 at Gordon Elementary School from 8am to 3:30pm

**Volunteers are still needed for clean-up at 3:30pm on this date!** 

Please E-mail Annika M. to volunteer.

Kingston Community Beautification Committee

Monthly meetings held at Cleo’s Landing on the 4th Thursday of each month at 4pm.  Chairperson Kay P. recommended the KGC adopt all planting beds surrounding the Kingston Community Center.  A motion to this affect was passed unanimously.

         Upcoming Events

• September 26, 2009 - Kingston Clean-up at the Kingston Community Center from 9am – Noon (Bring your own tools and gloves!)
• November 28, 2009 - Kingston Christmas boughs at the Kingston Community Center from 9am – Noon (Bring your own tools and gloves!)

Kingston Village Green Community Park

Chairperson Nancy M. thanked members for their support of the Kingston “Pie in the Park” event.

         Upcoming Events

• September 24, 2009 – Apple Cider Pressing at 6pm

Kingston Garden Club Plant Sale

Chairperson Noel L. reminded us not to think of the plant sale as work, but as the main fundraiser for continuing our civic programs!  Carol D. is the point of contact for those needing assistance with digging, dividing, and/or repotting plants in their yards.

        Upcoming Events

• October 21, 2009 – Plant Potting Party at Linda M.’s house

**Volunteers are still needed to bring soup, bread, and/or chairs and to help with clean-up after this event!**

Please contact Noel to volunteer.

Kingston Scholarships to Bellevue Botanical Gardens

Maxine H. announced that Kingston is looking to send 3 volunteers (all-expenses-paid) to the Bellevue Botanical Gardens’ annual Decorating with Christmas Lights Workshop.  Volunteers must in turn bring back instructions and provide demonstrations on what they learned.  Please contact Maxine to volunteer and/or for more information.

Pearls of Wisdom

Formerly “Show and Tell”…  Maxine encourages members to bring beauties, problems, questions, and/or solutions from home gardens to our monthly meetings.  Also, suggestions for ‘What should I be doing now?’ in the garden.  3 x 5 cards will be provided on tables – please fill out your name and information then submit cards to the Secretary, Holly G., following the meeting.

• Ann I. shared Kale from her garden
• Wendy T. suggested a sweet red table corn ‘Ruby Queen’ from her garden
• Gwen W. brought a giant sunflower from her garden

        What should I be doing now?

• Make lavender cuttings!  Just stick them in the ground (well-drained soil) in dappled shade, water, and cover with a glass jar over the winter.   Plant a cluster of 4 to 6 cuttings to get 2 or 3 plants.  Use these new starts to replace old, overgrown lavender plants!  (Thanks Wendy!)

c2009 Kingston Garden Club