October Bouquets & November Fun

Doris Patete from Ralphs Flowers in Mt. Sterling joined us in October and shared great tips on putting together a beautiful floral arrangement using fall-colored flowers.

Always a fun time!

People are starting to get lost among the jungle of foliage!

Hard at work!

Ta-Da!  Beautiful arrangement comes together!

Lots of beautiful arrangements going home with everyone.

Ruth's arrangement is almost as pretty as she is (almost! :)

Our new officers were also installed;  From the left, Adrienne Barnes is Vice-President, Kathleen Mink (middle) is our new President! and Pat Sarosi is staying on as treasurer;  Absent was Debby Paige, staying on as Secretary

November's Shared Meeting was hosted by Scioto Cut and Dry in Commercial Point.

Beautiful arranging was the program with a holiday touch.

Kathleen and Diana with one of Kathleen's cool pumpkin creations using salvaged wood.

Pat and Adrienne sharing a laugh, comparing their black stripes!  :)

Always a fun evening with the other two garden clubs: Darby Valley and Scioto Cut and Dry;  Thanks Ladies for putting on a wonderful, entertaining evening!   (I think it's our turn next year!)





 

Tour of Deb Paige's Gardens

What can I say? Deb Paige's home is just beautiful!  Always immaculate!    Just look at how beautiful their back patio area is?    Something out of a magazine!  

Super-cute potting table and sitting area tucked away in a corner of the covered patio area up at the house.

 

Many unusual garden art pieces throughout the beds:

 

 

 

Everyone oohed and aahhhed over the simple bucket filled with succulents, hanging from a shepherds hook:

 

 

Delicious refreshments provided by Vickie Lamb and Kathleen Mink;   

 



 

Not only did Deb outdo herself having her gardens in tip-top shape, she opened up her home to us for our meeting AND gave a program on Vertical Gardens!     She prepared and passed out flyers on all kinds of fun and unique ideas to bring your garden to a whole new level; Go Vertical!

AND she made these vertical wood pieces for each us to take home and try our hand at going vertical!

 

 

 

How cute is this idea of attaching several mason jars to an old barnwood piece and fill with herbs?

 

 

Thank you SOOOO Much Deb for ALL you did!   We ALL enjoyed the evening so much and ALWAYS enjoy visiting your home.   You are truly the Hostess with the Mostess!!

 

Hosta's

Our August meeting was held at Ardie Black's home on Borror Road and she just happens to live beside the Hosta King himself, Dick Barbee!   Dick and his wife Jeanie grow hundreds of varieties of hosta's, have won numerous awards and have just recently won a "National" award!   We were extremely honored to have Jim there and he was kind enough to share with us tips for growing hosta's.

The most important is, Water!  When first coming up in the spring, they need lots of water, then regular watering and always best to water under the leaves;  Then good to fertilize starting in February with a mixture of 19-19-19 NPK just by throwing with your hands, making sure not to clump it or leave little piles; then again after the plants start coming up, making sure not to get it on their leaves.  Watch for pests in early spring and treat accordingly.

When showing your hosta leaves in a show or other display, put leaf into water-filled bottle and hold it up straight by packing cotton balls against where the stem goes into the bottle or vase.

Delicious refreshments were provided by Ruth Wolery and Freda McPherson, who outdid themselves with homemade chicken salad sandwiches, cole slaw, dips and several varieties of homemade cookies and treats!   No one went away hungry, that is for sure!

Ruth's centerpiece was the talk of the evening, all from her garden;  Beautiful dusty miller combined with hydrangea and hosta buds coming up the center! 

After the meeting, several enjoyed a moonlight garden tour by Ardie but it was too dark to take pictures.  Sorry!  Thanks Ardie for hosting!!   It was a lot of fun!

Derby Village Landscaping Contest!

Boy Derby, you sure made it hard this year!!   So many nice-looking homes with great curb appeal!   You really outdid yourself and should be very proud!!    It was VERY difficult to select winners but here they are:

First Place goes to 11740 London;  Beautiful cottage-like setting with knock-out roses, geraniums, petunias and just overall wonderful curb appeal!

Second Place goes to 11745 London:  a wonderful 'country-like' feel with country accents, a planted wheelbarrow, huge hostas and ferns surrounding a tree and an overall welcoming feel.

Third Place goes to 11585 London; always neat and trim with beautiful containers and beds!   The "tipsy-pots" really tipped us over the edge!

Honorable Mentions really should have gone to EVERYONE else!!   Way too many nice homes to choose from but the following addresses receive $5.00 Dairy Queen gift cards. 
11750 London, 11625 London, 11735 London, 11948 London and 11729 London.
Here are a few shots but some people we haven't caught at home yet:

The Derby United Methodist Church always has beautiful landscaping:

Thanks again Derby!!  It was a lot of fun!   We hope you continue to check our website from time-to-time to see what we are up to and you are ALWAYS welcome to attend any of our fun meetings, workshops or tours!     You can also contact us if you ever have any gardening questions. Congrats!! 

Zen Garden Tour at Latta's

At our July meeting, we were graciously invited to tour the beautiful, serene Zen garden at the Latta's home in Clarks Lake.   It was a beautiful evening for such a tour!

Front of home was just loaded with beautiful perennials.

 

Then an inviting entrance to the backyard Oasis!

Beautiful Koi pond just steps from the patio.

Some of the Koi were HUGE!   For winter care, they turn the filter off but leave the pump on;
the fish hibernate at the very bottom.

Lots of Japanese-inspired accents & plants thru-out the garden

Kathleen found the secret sitting area, under a huge cherry tree.

Thank you Latta's for opening up your home & beautiful yard to us!   We enjoyed it immensely!