Beyond the War on Invasive Species: Program by Tao Orion on October 6

Tao Orion, author of the book Beyond the War on Invasive Species: A Permaculture Approach to Ecosystem Restoration will be our guest speaker at Garden Club on Tuesday, October 6. Tao teaches permaculture design at Oregon State University and at Aprovecho; consults on holistic farm, forest, and restoration planning; and is focused on rethinking invasive species from a permaculture-based perspective.

Tao's book, Beyond the War on Invasive Species offers an alternative perspective on invasive species and the best practices for their management based on a holistic, permaculture-inspired framework.

Utilizing the latest research and thinking on the changing nature of ecological systems, Beyond the War on Invasive Species closely examines the factors that are largely missing from the common conceptions of invasive species, including how the colliding effects of climate change, habitat destruction, and changes in land use and management contribute to their proliferation. Beyond the War on Invasive Species demonstrates that there is more to the story of invasive species than is commonly conceived, and offers ways of understanding their presence and ecosystem effects in order to make more ecologically responsible choices in land restoration and biodiversity conservation that address the root of the invasion phenomenon. The choices we make on a daily basis—the ways we procure food, shelter, water, medicine, and transportation—are the major drivers of contemporary changes in ecosystem structure and function; therefore, deep and long-lasting ecological restoration outcomes will come not just from eliminating invasive species, but through conscientious redesign of these production systems.

Please join Garden Club on Tuesday, October 6 as we welcome Tao Orion. Our business meeting starts at 6pm, Tao's presentation begins at 7pm. Refreshments provided. All guests welcome.

First Presbyterian Church, 216 South 3rd Street (the corner of 3rd and Adams), Cottage Grove, Oregon.

Canning the Summer's Harvest Garden Club's September Program

Whether they are Mighty 'Matoes from Log House Plants or Indigos from Territorial Seed, what do you do with your abundance of tomatoes? Canning is one way to preserve those luscious red globes.

On Tuesday, September 1, Cottage Grove Garden Club’s own Master Food Preservers will demonstrate how easy it is to safely can your tomatoes using the water bath method. This presentation will feature a demonstration and discussion about canning tomatoes and tomato products. Remembering the risk of botulism poisoning, the information will focus on what to water bath can and what to pressure can. SAFE and tasty recipes for combined tomato-vegetable sauces and salsas will be demonstrated and shared. Making a delicious basil tomato hors d'ouevre by dehydrating them together will also be demonstrated and tasted.

Presenters are Garden Club members Ona Chambers, Suzanne Keaveny, and Beth Pool.

Please join us on Tuesday, September 1 at the First Presbyterian Church in Cottage Grove for Canning the Summer’s Harvest with Master Gardeners and Preservers. Our regular meeting starts at 6pm and the presentation begins at 7pm.

Refreshments provided. All guests and visitors welcome.

Fruiting Shrubs for the Northwest Edible Garden

On Tuesday, June 2, please join the Garden Club as we welcome Devon Bonady, co-owner of Fern Hill Nursery and Botanical Sanctuary in Cottage Grove. Devon will share in-depth information about growing edible fruiting shrubs in our area. She will discuss her favorite shrubs and varieties as well as how to enjoy the fruit over many years of harvest.

Devon started Fern Hill Nursery in 2006, and along with her husband Brian, they propagate and cultivate a diverse array of edible, medicinal, native, and locally adapted plants. Some of those plants will be available for sale following the presentation.

We have had the pleasure of hosting Devon in the past and are excited that she will be joining us again. Garden Club meets in the Friendship Hall at the First Presbyterian Church, 216 South 3rd Street (the corner of 3rd and Adams). Our business meeting starts at 6pm, and Devon's presentation begins at 7pm. All guests and visitors welcome. Refreshments provided.

Tiptoe Through the Tulips

As you take a bright spring walk through the world famous Keukenhof Gardens of Lisse, Netherlands, you will see tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils wash over the landscape in a riot of colors - lining walkways, framing ponds and waterways, and blanketing the woodland floor.  While you meander through the Japanese Garden, you can marvel over the orchids in the Beatrix Pavilion. 

Come Tiptoe Through the Tulips with the Cottage Grove Garden Club as Club member Diane Murray shares a slide show presentation of a recent visit to these beautiful locations. We will meet on Tuesday, May 5, the business meeting begins at 6pm and Diane's presentation begins at 7:00. Refreshments provided, all visitors and guests welcome.

The Cottage Grove Garden Club meets in the Friendship Hall at the First Presbyterian Church, 216 South 3rd Street (the corner of 3rd and Adams), Cottage Grove, Oregon.

Here's a sampler from the Keukenhof website:

Dahlias

Photo from B. Mully, Flickr/Creative Commons.

Just in time for spring planting, you will find all the information you need for growing dahlias at Cottage Grove Garden Club's April 7th presentation.

This Tuesday we feature Dan Duffy of the Lane County Dahlia Society. Dan will take us through bulb varieties, selecting, planting and growing dahlias.

If you've ever been curious about growing dahlias, or want to learn tips to grow healthier dahlias, please come join us at the First Presbyterian Church on the corner of 3rd and Adams. Business meeting begins at 6pm, Dan's presentation begins at 7pm.

All guests and visitors welcome.