Putting the Garden to bed: Cover Crops and Winter Clean-up

Crimson clover, a popular cover crop.

Around this time, we just cannot bear to look at, or eat, another tomato. The vines have browned, the fruit mushy, and our garden has taken on a life of its own as it starts to succumb to the colder temperatures and the dwindling light. Don't hang up your gardening gloves just yet! This is one of the most critical times of the year as we prevent disease, and protect and nurture those beds as we prepare for next year's garden.

On Tuesday, October 4, please join the Cottage Grove Garden Club as we learn about some of the most important fall tasks, including choosing a cover crop, from Andrea Mull.

People who have heard Andrea's previous presentations know that she packs them with handy tips and practical knowledge.

Our business meeting begins at 6pm and Andrea's presentation begins at 7 in the Friendship Hall at the First Presbyterian Church, 216 South 3rd Street (the corner of 3rd and Adams), Cottage Grove, Oregon. All guests welcome.

Tomato Tasting with CG Garden Club

Are you having a tasty tomato season?

Do you want to show off your harvested goodies?

Are you interested in sampling veggie varieties for next year's garden?

If so, come to September's Garden Club meeting on Tuesday, the 6th. Bring your taste buds, and if you want, a veggie or fruit sample to share with others, hopefully with the varietal name. We'll supply the table and plates.

Share your gardening stories and tips and we'll all be the richer.

The Garden Club's informational meeting begins at 6pm and the Tomato Tasting begins at 7. We meet at the First Presbyterian Church, 216 South 3rd Street (the corner of 3rd and Adams).

All visitors and guests welcome.

Gardener of the Year

Gardener of the Year, Andrea Mull, works at Opal Park.

The Cottage Grove Garden Club is pleased to announce that member Andrea Mull was selected as the “Gardener of the Year” by the Oregon State Federation of Garden Clubs at its annual state convention in June.

The club nominated Andrea for this award for two reasons.

First, because of her work and leadership during the critical infancy stages of the Cottage Grove Garden Club. As a charter member of the Club, Andrea quickly volunteered to be vice president then went on to serve as president for 3½ years.

2009, our first elected officers. Jen as president, Andrea as vice president,
Claire as treasurer, and Suzanne as secretary.

Andrea's leadership in the club went beyond her capacity as an elected officer. During the formative years for the garden club, Andrea was the plant sale coordinator for the annual, district-wide plant sale, she volunteered to lead many informative, hands-on programs, she wrote educational pieces for our newsletter, and she was dedicated to promoting the club within the Cottage Grove community.

Claire, Andrea, and Suzanne at Opal Park.

Second, and perhaps her largest role with the garden club and to the city as a whole, has been with the All-America City Square (aka Opal Park).

Early in the spring of 2009, when the club was barely 6 months old, we were approached to take over the planting of the redesigned park. With Andrea’s encouragement, the club looked at this as an opportunity for us to become involved in a high-profile, civic project.

In the beginning, Andrea worked with members Suzanne Keaveny and Claire Dross to plan the plantings and a community-wide planting event held in June, then they maintained the park on a regular basis. Now, Andrea leads the garden club’s involvement with the park. She organizes and leads volunteers in planting spring flowers, pruning and maintenance, keeping the beds mulched and weeded, and replacing plants as necessary. She also acts as our liaison with the city, which owns the park.

Club president Peggy and Andrea working at Opal Park.

In 2011 the club received a Mayoral Certificate of Appreciation for our work at Opal Park and in 2014 the park was honored with the American Institute of Architects People’s Choice Award. Also in 2014, Andrea was interviewed about the park by the Portland gardening show “Garden Time.” The park continues to receive attention, including a recent cameo appearance in a video created by Travel Lane County.

The Cottage Grove Garden Club thanks Andrea for her work these past seven years in developing both the club and the plantings at the redesigned Opal Park.

Andrea being interviewed for Garden Time t.v.

Paleo Vegan Smoothies: Nutrition On the Go From the Garden

Photo from Flickr user Anslem Fischer

We’ve heard a lot about how smoothies are a great way to start our day or provide nutrition on the go. At Cottage Grove Garden Club’s June 7th presentation, you can also learn how to dramatically increase the nutrient density of your diet from your garden, every day.

Smoothie recipes are delicious and only require four easy steps--you’ll see and taste them as Yaakov Levine, NTP and Nutritional Health Coach demonstrates how to supercharge your garden smoothie for personalized health benefits!

Please join us on Tuesday, June 7th, at The First Presbyterian Church (corner of Adams and 3rd Streets). Informational business meeting starts at 6:00 pm, Yaakov's presentation begins at 7:00 pm.

Butterflies of the Southern Willamette Valley

Imagine, you are strolling through a garden..... Is that a painted lady? Oh, my goodness! There’s a tiger swallowtail! Perhaps you see a great spangled fritillar.

How can you invite migrating (and threatened) monarchs to repose (and lay their eggs) in your garden? What do you plant in your garden to encourage visits from these unique creatures...who pollinate your plants?

Come to Cottage Grove’s Garden Club presentation on Tuesday, May 3rd learn from the North American Butterfly Association's members ­Alison Center and John Hogan (CGGC’s own) as they share their vast knowledge of butterflies that call our area “home” and explain the local efforts to expand habitat for monarchs, for which complimentary milkweed seeds will be available.

Please join us on Tuesday, May 3rd, at The First Presbyterian Church (corner of Adams and 3rd Streets). Informational business meeting starts at 6:00 pm, Alison and John's presentation begins at 7:00 pm.

Wine Grape Growing with Scott Byler from Saginaw Vineyard: April Program

Wine grapes.

Scott Byler, vineyard manager and wine maker for Saginaw Vineyard, will present “Winegrape Growing: Practical Practices in a Commercial Vineyard” at Cottage Grove Garden Club’s meeting on Tuesday, April 5th.

Scott is a practiced vineyard manager with twenty-five years of experience in the Willamette Valley. His experience includes establishing and maintaining a nine acre vineyard with numerous grape varieties.

The presentation, easily generalized to the backyard garden, will include practices for establishing a vineyard, common problems, and managing the vineyard for continued production. This will be presented from the perspective of an economically viable enterprise. Saginaw wine will be available for sampling.

Please join us on Tuesday, April 5th, at The First Presbyterian Church (corner of Adams and 3rd Streets). Informational business meeting starts at 6:00 pm, Scott's presentation begins at 7:00 pm.

For more about Saginaw Vineyard visit their website at http://saginawvineyard.com/

March Madness: A Flower Show

Playing off the theme "March Madness," on March 18 and 19 the Willamette District Garden Clubs present the 2016 standard flower show.

This show will feature beautiful floral designs, individual plant cuttings from member's gardens (called "horticulture"), educational displays, and garden-themed decorative craft competitions.

As a flower arranger expect to be inspired and amused with such categories as "Free Throw Line," "Three Point Shot," and "The Whistle." As a attendee expect to learn about the beautiful flowers and plants you can grow in your own yard.

Come get inspiration for your own garden through our floral and plant displays, flower arrangements, and informational exhibits.

To exhibit, see look here for a schedule.

Friday, March 18, 1pm-4pm
Saturday, March 19, 10am-3pm

Free and open to the public.

Location: the Eugene Garden Club, 1645 High Street, Eugene.

Opal Park Clean-up This Sunday!!

 

OPAL PARK, ALL AMERICA CITY SQUARE CLEAN-UP!!

Come help the Garden Club do a Spring Cleaning in the Downtown Park!!

We will be digging out some overgrown plants, removing weeds, dead-heading and transplanting plants as well as spreading fresh mulch. PLEASE JOIN US!!

Date:    SUNDAY MARCH 13

Time:   11am-1pm

Bring:   Work Gloves, Hats, Rain Gear, Kneel pads, Buckets or Tubs to put debris in, and your           favorite hand tools for digging.  Wheel barrow?

Provided: Shovels, broom, 1 gallon nursery pots, scones and coffee at the Backstage Bakery!!

"Many Hand Make Light Work" - Someone wise and famous!!

Phone Andrea to confirm or for questions: 541-731-9347

Start the growing season with Log House Plants: March Program

Alice Doyle of Log House Plants.
Photo by Shawn Linehan Photography
www.shawnlinehan.com

Cottage Grove Garden Club is proud to open the growing season once again with Alice Doyle, co­founder and co­-owner of Log House Plants, renowned for the Mighty ‘Mato tomato and Ketch ‘n’ Fries specialty plants.

On Tuesday, March 1st, Alice will introduce this year’s lineup of Log House’s new innovations and jaw-­dropping specialties of ornamental and vegetable plants. You don’t want to miss what’s coming our way from Log House Plants.

Please join us. Informational business meeting begins at 6pm, Alice’s presentation begins at 7pm.

Tuesday, March 1st, at The First Presbyterian Church (corner of Adams and 3rd Streets). Refreshments provided. All guests and visitors welcome.

**Just a reminder, we'll be having a raffle with prizes awarded to all current members. Come Join the Garden Club and participate in the fun.**

Alice Doyle of Log House Plants
(photo from NWNewsNetwork)

Community Gardens in Cottage Grove: February Presentation

Were you aware that The Grove has a community garden? A couple of them as a matter of fact!

Bohemia Elementary School has been operating a successful school/community garden for several years under the devoted leadership of Suzanne Keaveny, a member of Cottage Grove Garden Club. 

Cottage Grove High School has a refurbished garden and greenhouse because of the dedicated efforts of Joel Reiten, longtime Grover and global seed buyer for Seeds of Change who has made this work financially possible through their philanthropic community support program.

Community Garden at Cottage Grove High School

On Tuesday, February 2nd, Joel Reiten will be describing our community gardens' many successes through the collaborative work of cgFEAST--the area's local food movement.

Please join us to learn how you may take advantage of renting a garden plot and become part of community efforts to strengthen our local food system. Business meeting begins at 6pm, Joel's presentation begins at 7pm.

“Dangling pretties” and “prettified pots”

Hopefully you were at the January meeting where we made "dangling pretties" and "prettified pots" to sale later in the year at various fund-raisers. We had a great turnout and everyone seemed to be having loads of fun.

Thanks to Kit and Peggy for helping us with our creations.

Creating glass sun-catchers

Peggy painting a pot

Andrea working the decoupage.