Wyckoff Garden Club

In the garden - April

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:27:18 -0400

Submitted by Amy Hovey, amyhovey@hotmail.com

Spring is here, and it‘s time to get busy! Clear leaves from beds. As a general rule, clear half when the Forsythia is blooming, and the rest as the Forsythia finishes, just in case of a late freeze. As you clear leaves, add compost,
composted manure, peat moss or other organic soil amendments. “Fluff up“ any existing hard-packed mulch and top up mulch, as needed.

Finish pruning trees, leaving it later causes the cuts to bleed as the sap rises, and can leave the tree prone to disease or insects. Although you should prune dead or diseased material at any time of the year, remove suckers, especially from Crab Apples, Cherries, Dogwoods, Lilacs and Magnolia’s. Applying “Sucker Stopper” can help slow re-growth. Continue to prune hardy non-Spring flowering shrubs and cut back any remaining perennials or grasses. Cut down Liriope - or if you have a larger patch run the lawnmower over it.
Fertilize perennial beds. Start to divide and transplant perennials once growth is 3-4’.

Planting: New planting can usually start the last week of the month. Bare root shrubs, especially roses can be planted now, as soon as the soil is workable.
Spring bulbs should be showing signs of life and if any leaves are showing signs of being eaten by little critters, sprinkle “Shake Away” or other similar product to discourage them: “Deer off” also works but granular varieties tend to last longer.

Start to sow seeds inside - vegetables, herbs and other annuals - and put in a greenhouse or grow light area if you are lucky enough to have one, otherwise a sunny window sill works well. Keep them watered but watch out for dampening-off, and turn trays regularly to keep them from getting too “leggy”. As the weather warms up they can go out during the day to harden-off, just don’t forget to bring them in at night. Wait until our frost free date, Mother’s Day - May 14th, to plant out seedlings or start seeds directly outside in beds.

Message from our President, Janet Schulz

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 10:19:52 -0400

President, Janet Schulz

Happy spring everyone.
Beautiful gardens don't just happen; they take a lot of planning and work. A great garden club also takes a lot of work by all its members to keep it at its best just as our gardens do.

New opportunities await each spring as we look forward to renewal and rebirth of our gardens. As one season is born another begins to close and that brings time for reflection as well as anticipation.

Reflect on what you have done to make this past year a great one in our club. Yes, we have had a great year with wonderful programs, workshops and holiday party. Were you one who brought refreshments or chaired a committee? It is not too late to get involved.

The spring opportunities await not only in our gardens but also in our club. There are many ways you can help. The up-coming garage /plant sale needs many volunteers, as does the maintenance of our adopted garden at McFaul and the care and up-keep of the gardens at Zabriskie as well as the municipal plantings in Waldwick and the Wyckoff Library.

Just as we must make time to care for our gardens try to make time to help our club. Ask yourself, “How can I help?” and I am sure you will find ways to make our club one of the best in the district.

We can all learn from one another, lean on one another and support one another. Come grow with us.
Janet

Sue Hurd’s Egg Bake

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 10:17:26 -0400

1/2 CUP CHOPPED GREEN PEPPER
10 SLICES OF CUBED STALE BREAD
1/4 SLICED SCALLIONS
1/2 SLICED MUSHROOMS
1 CUP CUBED HAM OR BACON
8 OZ. SHREDDED CHEDDER CHEESE
8 EGGS SCRAMBLED
2 CUPS MILK OR HALF & HALF
1 TSP. DRY MUSTARD

In a skillet sauté peppers , scallions , mushrooms, & ham . Place bread in greased 9x 13 baking dish, sprinkle with ham mixture & half of the cheddar
cheese Beat eggs, milk & mustard. Pour over bread mixture.
Cover and refrigerate 2 hours or over night. Before baking sprinkle the remaining cheese on the top & bake at 325 degrees 45 min to 1 hour. (I’ve never
had to leave it in for more that 45 min.) Hope you all enjoy ...its a great brunch dish!

Sue

Down & Dirty: How to do it in the Shade

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 10:10:40 -0400

THE MASTER GARDENERS OF BERGEN COUNTY Present “Down & Dirty: How to do it in the Shade” With Janet Schulz

Janet Schulz, well known local gardener, Master Gardener and horticultural lecturer will share her immense knowledge and love of the garden in a fun slide presentation, “Down & Dirty: How to do it in the Shade.”

Janet’s presentation will include detailed information on how to garden effectively in the shade, why some plants work well together, how to cluster plants and important design tips.

Janet has spent 40 years employed in the garden center industry. She is active in area garden clubs, the Tri-State Hosta Society, American Rock Garden Society and the New England Primrose Society. Janet’s garden has been listed in The Garden Conservancy’s ‘Open Days’ directory. Janet has been a featured garden commentator on Home Time Cable TV (2000) and teacher at the Ridgewood Community School.

The presentation will held be on Tuesday April 22, 2008 at 7:30pm, at the James A. McFaul Environmental Center, Crescent Avenue (off Godwin Ave or Franklin Ave) in Wyckoff, NJ. Meetings are open to all, free of charge, and refreshments are served, starting at 7pm.

For more details on this and other Master Gardeners activities, please contact: Tracey Fraser (201) 768 1856.

Giant PLANT/GARAGE SALE information

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 10:09:30 -0400

As this upcoming event is our main fundraiser for this year we expect all members to participate in some way. Bring plants, bring merchandise and/or help man the tables. We need all the help we can get. Without your support we will not be as successful as we ought to be.

SET-UP DATES – TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY MAY 27-28-29 9:30-12:30
ACTUAL SALE DAYS - FRIDAY MAY 29 AND SATURDAY MAY 30

Four hour shifts 8-12 and 12-4 Karen Campbell and Dee Bernstein are coordinators. Clean-up Saturday afternoon or possibly Sunday.
Plants should be dug and potted well in advance. Remember to label with name and conditions such as sun or shade.

All merchandise donated is to be clean and in GOOD condition. Costume jewelry, linens, garden related items, household and decorator items and garden books only. NO tires, clothes, shoes or other books.