Mill Bay Garden Club

October 25 2011

Called to order at 7:01 p.m.

Minutes accepted as read. Moved by Cliff Stainsby, seconded by Heather Gibbins.

Pip Woodcock has volunteered to write South Cowichan Life articles.

Thank you to set up crew, kitchen helpers, cooks.  Sign up sheets circulated again.

Pam Clark has volunteered to run a 50/50 draw with proceeds to the  flower and garden show.

Cori Lee Fisher has trees on her property which are available to be dug up by garden club members.  Please contact her at cori.fisher@telus.net. There is a mixture of ornamental and native 3 year old trees.

Holiday pot luck dinner will be next meeting Dec. 6. at 5:30 p.m.  Bring a fully cooked dish, oven in kitchen is for warming only.  Bring cutlery, plates, tablecloths, etc. and  there will be a centerpiece competition.  ‘Winterberries’ is the theme.  A prize is awarded.  Santa will be here. More info coming in newsletter. Spouses are welcome.

Garden tours for summer – 12 last year.  If you want to be included let exec. know soon.  Spring garden, vegetable garden, all welcome.

Need someone to head up committee to look into resuming bus tours.  Perhaps in conjunction with Cowichan Valley club.  Anyone?

Vice-President’s report - nothing

Treasurer’s report -  Balance is  2046.08 and is posted.  Order name tags from Gale or do it yourself at Heritage Trophies. They will be ten dollars next year.

Secretary - no

Newsletter -  Both Nov. and Dec. will be in next month’s newsletter. No letter in Dec.

Membership -  7 new members are welcomed this evening. 

Garden Show report -  Heather Gibbins still requires lots of help.  Need outside vendors, inside co ordinator, silent auction (Dot Garbut will co-ordinate but  needs helpers).  Committee meets once a month starting in January.  Flower Show is June 15 and 16.  Hall and judges are booked.

Library – lots of books borrowed, four new books on the way.  Books borrowed tonight not due back until January.  Mary Gale has old books from the library that will go to Bucknucks (at Valleyview) who will credit us for them.

Website – no

Plant sales – lots of good things donated for sale this evening

Raffle – lots of things tonight including a huge bag of bulbs, vases.

Kitchen – all well tonight

Historian – Cynthia Vernall is unwell and card will be sent. Mary reports that at an Oct. 1985  high school reunion MBGC did flowers for all the events and were given cheque for $200.  10 years of notes have disappeared completely.

Members forum:

Elaine Scott – info on Young Naturalists club of Cowichan Valley, great organization for children 5-11 years old, planted 160 trees by Quamichan lake, salmon watch, etc.

Brochures on master gardener program and info night on Nov. 15, brochure available.

Joy Story – magazine on line, downloadable, free copy or can be received monthly. Organic gardening classes starting in Nov.  teaching simpler and easier ways to garden.  Wed. night open discussion “how does does your garden grow?” at Sunflower Café across from train station 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Barb Kohlman – ‘ Bewitched’

Parsnips, pinky winky hydrangea, osmanthus, huechera, maple half moon, abutilon (needs taking in over winter), burning bush, ornamental grape vine, Osaka zuki, dwarf pampas grass, dogwood tree water sprout from Eddie’s White wonder, calla lily, parsley, kale, calendula, amaranth, ground cherries, tomatilla, artichoke, walking stick cabbage, hosta leaves, giant Himalayan lily, soloman’s seal, shredded umbrella plant, aralia, peonies (leave heads on), chocolate vine , clematis, sea lavender, brunnera (jack frost), vibernum.  Thank you everyone.

Q and A.  Bill Herring away.  Joy will answer questions tonight.    Wormy potatoes:  wire worm attacks root veg, rust fly attacks carrot, covering carrots will work, late planting helps.  Pip’s carrots planted late grew  with garlic and did well.  Wire worms are white.  Nematodes need to be applied when soil is warm.  Garlic grown during WW2 to avoid problem.  Nematodes do not over winter. Sold in the spring. Flower buffer between veg and grass can help.  Lives in the roots of the grass. Strawberries and yellow onions worked as companion plants.  Wire worm is the larva of a beatle.

Need a garden consult? – we can give you names and phone numbers of people who can be hired,  Root ginger has been attempted and failed.  Does not grow here.  Rots.

Tonight’s guest speaker is Gordon MacKay of Alba Plants.

Adjourned: 7:57 p.m.

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