This week in the Garden – Vol 128

This week in the garden…Vol 128

March 13, 2024

Planting for Pollinators Series-Workshop 2 Saturday, March 16^th 10:30am City Hall, 2^nd 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 into what plants to include in your garden. Master Gardener, Shirley Bohm will lead an interactive presentation about native and non-native pollinator friendly plants. Registration is required. To register for Worshop 2 and future workshops, visit Planting For Pollinators Workshop Registration.

Monday, March 18^th 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 25^th–April 27^th
10A-7P Thursday and Friday; 10A-2P Saturday

Plant Drop Off Days: April 22^nd thru April 24^th

If you cannot drop off plants on these dates you can bring them to the cottage on Sunday, April 21^st.

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. 

Potting guidelines from Kathy Sumner

·         Use black #1 size plastic pots. 

o   Place a coffee filter in the bottom of the pot.

o   Add dried leaves.

o   Then top with a small amount of soil.

o   Place the plant in the pot and add more soil. Make sure the roots are covered.

Get ready everyone! Think about what plants can be dug from your garden and make a list of plant names and estimated quantity. Contact neighbors or friends who may be interested in digging and potting plants from their gardens to donate to our sale. Soil is available at Dorothy Archer’s driveway, 60 Buchanan St. It is on the right side, under a tarp. Please use only for potting for the plant sale and bring your own bucket or container to fill.

 ·         Plant digs are being scheduled now! 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. Please text Kathy and let her know the following information. (Kathy S: 678-357-8684)

¨      When are you available to dig-morning or afternoon, weekday or weekend? 

¨      What task or tasks do you prefer-digging, potting, labeling, storing and caring for potted plants for the sale

§  If you are digging your own plants- Please follow the potting guidelines and make sure all plants are labeled. Make a list of the plants that have been dug for the sale—include the name and quantity of each plant. Send the list to Kathy as soon as you can. (kesumner@att.net)  If you have pictures of any of your plants, please make a few copies that can be used at the sale.

·         Remember to save the sale dates and time during the preceding week on your calendar. We ask members who can, to 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)

Community Garden Groundbreaking Ceremony at Stripling Elementary School

The official Groundbreaking ceremony is Thursday, March 21^st at 6p. Rebecca Phillips, STEM teacher and Community Garden Project Leader, is inviting members to attend.

Please contact Kathy ASAP if you can attend groundbreaking and if you are available for a workday. (Kathy S: 678-357-8684)

Stripling Community Garden Workdays-Friday, April 12 and Saturday, April 20

Two shifts on April 12 -10a-2p and 1p-5p. And 8a-12p on April 20. You can volunteer for as long as you are able. You don’t have to stay for the entire shift. Please let Kathy know if you can help.

Peachtree Farm Spring Plant Sale, Saturday April 6^th 9a-3p. 

Peachtree Farm, 356 Research Ct., Peachtree Corners, GA 3009

The sale will feature a wide variety of edible and ornamental plants.Ceramic, glass, and plastic pots to match any interior or exterior planting needs will also be available.

Peachtree Farm needs volunteers to help with the sale. Below is the link to the sale flyer and there is a volunteer link on the flyer. If you pre-register for the sale, you may win a free plant! Please consider supporting their sale through purchases and volunteering. https://www.peachtreefarm.org/plant-and-pot-sale. 

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).

Great Grow Along’s 2024 agenda of FREE seminars, chats and Q&A with your favorite authors, educators and influencers is LIVE and ready on the website. This year, the festival is curated into three subject-specific weekends. Pick one or all, it’s up to you!

Weekend 1: Flower Power Party – March 16-17
Weekend 2: Kick A** Kitchen Garden – March 23-24
Weekend 3: Native Plants & Pollinators – March 30-31

Member, Susan Thompson, attended last year’s seminars and found them to be interesting. Seminars are free but include advertising of related products. 

https://greatgrowalong.com/agenda/?syclid=cnokvgsh33ns73ddtpl0&utm_campaign=GGA+2024+Agenda+Promo&utm_content=Agenda+Live+Now&utm_id=8471&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=Newsletter

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

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/