This week in the Garden – Vol 127
Tuesday, March 12th Day Meeting at the Cottage
March 3, 2024
This week in the garden…Vol 127
9:30am social; 10:00 – 11:30am Program and meeting
Ken Ostrowski, VP of Atlanta Bonsai Society will present “Care and Growing Bonsai”
Please RSVP to Debbie Boyd by Friday, March 8th if you can attend. (Debbie.boyd@comcast.net).
What to bring?
· Grocery store plastic bags for Neighborhood Cooperative Ministry
· Pull tabs for Ronald McDonald House
· Cash for door prize raffle
Potting and Plant Dividing Tips presented by Kathy Sumner
After our meeting, Kathy will have a short session for members interested in learning about potting and dividing plants.
Expense Reimbursements– From Sue Wyatt: if you have expenses that need to be reimbursed, please attach receipts to a request form that can be found in the Treasurer’s folder in the file rack in the cottage kitchen. Please submit it ASAP!
Planting for Pollinators Series-Workshop 2 Saturday, March 16th 10:30am
City Hall, 2nd Floor Community Room (Hosted by Sustainable Norcross and the Bee City Committee)
Workshop 2: What to plant to attract pollinators to your garden? This workshop will give insight on what plants to include in your garden. Come to the workshop to hear a guest speaker lead an interactive presentation to learn about native and non-native pollinator friendly plants. To register for Worshop 2 and future workshops, visit Planting For Pollinators Workshop Registration.
Monday, March 18th Gwinnett Masters Gardeners Meeting, 7pm
LOCATION: Bethesda Senior Center, 225 Bethesda Church Road, Lawrenceville, GA
TOPIC: “Prescribed Burns in Georgia” GUEST SPEAKER: Brandon Merz, Georgia Forestry Commission, will explain the why’s and where’s of prescribed burns in Georgia. Brandon’s program will begin shortly after 7PM. GCMGA meetings are free and open to the public. Join our potluck dinner at 6:30PM by bringing a dish to share to serve six people. For more information: https://gwinnettmastergardeners.com/
Annual Spring Plant Sale –Thursday, Friday, and Saturday-April 25th–April 27th
10A-7P Thursday and Friday; 10A-2P Saturday
Plant Drop Off Days: April 22nd thru April 24th
If you cannot drop off plants on these dates you can bring them to the cottage on Sunday, April 21st.
From Kathy Sumner:
Our plant sale will be here soon! We are still in need of Plant Sale chairpersons.
Please contact Kathy Sumner for more information and to volunteer. If two to four members step up to help with the organization of the sale, it will be manageable work for all.
Kathy will lead a potting training workshop to go through the basics of digging and potting plants for our sale. Stay tuned for more information.
Get ready everyone! Think about what plants can be dug from your garden and make a list of plant names and estimated quantity. If you have pictures, please make copies that can be used at the sale. Contact neighbors or friends who may be interested in digging and potting plants from their gardens to donate to our sale.
· Plant digs will be scheduled for mid-March! For the digs, volunteers are needed to help with digging, potting, and plant labeling. We also need volunteers who can help store and care for plants until the sale.
· Any member can lead a dig at their home. Recruit a few garden club friends or others to help you.
· Remember to save the sale dates and time during the preceding week on your calendar. We ask members who can donate time for sale prep and to work at least one 2-hour shift during the sale. Sign up Genie will be sent out closer to the sale.
· All plants brought to the cottage for the sale must be potted in #1 black plastic pots, clean of any dead leaves, and LABELED.
· To have a successful sale, we need all hands on deck to prepare for the sale. Let Kathy know what you can do. Questions? Contact Kathy Sumner (text:678.357.8684)
The Garden Club of Georgia Winter Newsletter
Please use this link to view The Garden Club of Georgia Winter Newsletter. https://files.constantcontact.com/0428ead4901/0ecf3e8f-22d9-46bc-a922-4ab9b047ab32.pdf?rdr=true There are many opportunities for gardening events, continuing education and other GCG initiatives. Please take a look! See page three for the 96th Annual Convention registration information. It will be held in Peachtree City, GA.
Garden Club of Georgia 96th Annual Convention ‘Y’all Come’
“Bloomin’ in the Heart of Georgia”
April 16-17, 2024, Crowne Plaza Hotel and Conference Center, Peachtree City, GA
The Okefenokee Protection Act -House Bill 71
OKEFENOKEE PROTECTION: House Bill 71 did not advance out of committee. The bill would bar mining near the Okefenokee Swamp in southeast Georgia. The Garden Club of Georgia will continue to support the passage of this bill. More information from GCG will be distributed at a later date. This link is periodically updated for news about HB 71. It is also a reliable source of information about the issue: https://www.gawater.org/okefenokee-swamp
Georgia Arbor Day Celebration at Pinnacle Park
Six members joined Mayor Craig Newton, the Norcross Tree Preservation Board, Sustainable Norcross, the Georgia Forestry Commission, City of Norcross staff, and local home schoolers to celebrate Georgia Arbor Day. Mayor Newton, Charolotte Osborn, and a Georgia Forestry representative spoke about the importance of continuing to plant trees to benefit our environment. Arborist Rick Barnes led an educational program which the children enjoyed. Many attendees, including the students helped with planting of a Shumard Oak,
reinforcing Norcross’ commitment to a greener future. Each student received a goody bag, tree cookies were enjoyed by all and tree seedlings from the Georgia Forestry Commission were available to all.
Members at Arbor Day celebration-Cathy Nelmes, Leanne Penman, Trudy Rudert, Jeanette Shewbert, Kathy Sumner and Laurie Wakefield.
Community Garden Groundbreaking Ceremony at Stripling Elementary School
Kathy Sumner met with Rebecca Phillips, STEM teacher at Stripling Elementary School to help her with a plan for a community garden. She also helped her gather information that Kathy used to submit a grant to the Garden Club of Georgia for Stripling’s Community Garden.
The official Groundbreaking ceremony is Thursday, March 21st at 6p. Rebecca is inviting members to attend, so that the school can recognize our support. They are also planning 2 workdays in April. Please let Kathy know which of these days you are available to help: April 12,13,19 and 20. Two dates will be chosen after Rebecca receives our feedback. Please contact Kathy ASAP if you can attend groundbreaking and if you are available for a workday. (Kathy S: 678-357-8684)
The Ultimate Guide to Container Garden Design-Container Gardening Course offered by Fine Gardening Magazine
Leanne spoke to a member of the eLearning team from Fine Gardening Magazine about a purchase for 3 Lesson series titled, “The Ultimate Guide to Container Garden Design.” Fine Gardening would like to make this Container Gardening course viable for our club and has willingly offered a club/group price. If interested, here is the specific link for the Norcross Garden Club, https://courses.finegardening.com/offers/kL2zCTsX?coupon_code=NORCROSSGC
By using this link, members can purchase the Container Gardening course for $44.99, rather than $79.99. If you purchase this course, you will have complete access to its content for 12 months. Container Gardening is a single course that is divided into three lessons for easier learning. The course content will be released on March 14th in its entirety. This opportunity will expire on April 30, 2024.
Help Wanted (and NEEDED)
We need members to help in several roles and committees. Please let Kathy Sumner know what you would like to help with. Examples: Publicity, plant digs and sale, youth activities, giving talks or workshops, leading a field trip, helping write up awards etc. Please let us know what your interests and talents are and how you would like to help the Norcross Garden Club. (Kathy S: 678-357-8684)
Cottage Garden Care
Members are encouraged to stop by anytime it’s convenient for weeding in our garden. Bring a friend or family member with you to pick up debris and pull a few weeds! If you have any questions, please text Pam Cammarta (770-314-9541).
Norcross Events (See https://www.norcrossga.net/) for details and more info and the event calendar: https://www.norcrossga.net/calendar.aspx?CID=22#changeDateMonthDropDown
City of Norcross March Newsletter is attached. Check it out for events and other information.
LionHeart Theatre: https://lionhearttheatre.org/. See website for upcoming performances, times and ticket information. Performances have been selling out! Reserve early if you see something you like!
The Norcross Gallery and Studios is open Thursday-Saturday 11am-4:00pm to view works and exhibits by local artists. For more information and gallery events: https://norcrossgalleryandstudios.org/
Peachtree Corners Events
Town Center Events Schedule-https://peachtreecornersga.gov/DocumentCenter/View/561/Full-2023-Event-Calendar-PDF?bidId= The Forum https://theforumpeachtree.com/
