Mill Bay Garden Club

May 22, 2012

Meeting called to order at 7 p.m.

Moved by Heather Gibbins and seconded by Al Mikalishen that April’s minutes be adopted as published in monthly newsletter.

Thank you to tonight’s kitchen crew.

Questions about President’s Report - none

Sign up sheet circulated for flower and garden show volunteer positions.

AGM at Mary Gale’s next month. Please do not look at the weeds! Can come early and help get rid of them. Bring a sweater.

Gardening party to clean up in front of hall from l – 3 p.m. May 27. Bring tools Not too bad shape.

How many interested in showing spring flowers next year? Five or six interested. Ajay attended the last Cowichan Valley garden club meeting and a cross club spring show was discussed. This will be discussed further over the summer.

Judges group will put on a series of classes for flower judging. Contact Ajay. Will be held in Victoria, $100. Sign up by June 15^th.

Vice-President – Cliff: Pat Johnson has books on table and brochures for taking this evening. Nominating committee has found a volunteer for each of three vacant positions. If you would like to have your garden open for touring let Cliff know and announcements will be put out.

Treasurer – Gale: balance is $2005.23.

Secretary – Arlene – no report.

Flower & Garden Show - Heather Gibbins: All going well. Participants reminded to bring scissors. Vases are clear and will be lined with saran wrap. Indoor show convenor Jillian Seal Jones will have four people assist her to fulfill her volunteer duties as she has broken her leg. Silent auction members can donate to Dot. So far there is a good variety of donations.

Four guests this evening. We have their email addresses and they will receive the newsletters. Guests must become members if they wish to vote at AGM.

Raffle – Carmen: transplant fertilizer, bowl, hibiscus

Plant Sales – Heather J: pretty much sold out

Website – Elizabeth: no report

Library –Janice: not much to report. Still has standards . Books out now not due until Sept. Let Janice know if you love or dislike a book. Unloved books will be sold at the Flower and Garden Show.

Kitchen – Diane: assortment of things on back table that have been left behind in the kitchen over the past few months.

Historian -Mary Gale: Two cards out this month

Newsletter – Elaine: On June 14 Elaine will be having a mastectomy. Barb Kohlman will be taking Elaine’s place. Plants can go to Elaine’s place or to Mary Gale’s. This is our main fund raising event and donations would be greatly appreciated. Plant sales bring in approx. $ 1000 each year.

Diane McAmmond from Cowichan Valley club here to promote Cowichan Valley Show and Plant Sale June 2 at St. Peter’s Church, Duncan. No vegetable entries. Their show cycles between April, May and June. Considering dropping June show and alternating between April and May. All info on their website.

Bus Tour – 17 signed up from here and 1 on a waiting list. Not enough for another bus unfortunately. Could follow in vehicle. Will have to pay 12 dollars for garden and art tour. Still keeping waiting list.

Member’s forum: Pip – Master gardeners conference on Oct. 20 with four excellent speakers. Pip has further info. Do not have to be master gardener to attend. Early bird pricing until end of June. VIMG hoping to put on course at VIU. Leaflets available. Course starting in September. Everyone is invited to St. John’s Anglican Church, Cobble Hill, on June 23, for an old fashioned fair in celebration of their 125^th anniversary.

Brag Table – Barb Kohlman – May!Oui! many beautiful spring flowers and radishes as well.

Q&A - Bill Herring : Carmen asked about clematis wilt. Cut it right down, it should come again. Trillium – corms from last year are hard and shrivelled, soaked them and they plumped up. Can they be planted? Yes. Tomato blight – carried by rain, protect them by covering, comes in mid-august or during periods of warm humid weather. It does not remain in soil. But not recommended to compost. Tent catapillars. Cut off, dish soap and water mixed in a bucket will kill them. Must be done when it is cool, morning or evening.

Speaker is Pat Johnson on using native plants in the landscape.

Adjourned: 9:05 p.m.

Next meeting: AGM. Info to follow in newsletter. June 26.

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