Beyond the Garden Gate
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Beyond the Garden Gate Volume 2 Issue 9—May 2011 Editor: Carol Wheeler Message from the President I hope you all enjoyed our tour of Rae House and lunch together as much as I did. Wholey Ravioli did a wonderful job of accommodating us and had something on the menu for everyone! Those of you who could not attend were missed. There is a lot going on in May. First off is our May 5 meeting where we will elect officers. It will be a Cinco de Mayo luncheon at the Williams’ home. Please call Ellison if you plan to attend. We only have seating for 36. Our bus tour to Sonoma is full and promises to be one of the best tours yet! California Garden Clubs, Inc. annual convention will be in Northern California this year and our district meeting is later in the month. Try to attend if you get a chance. Fondly, Diana Raymond, President Happiness held is the seed. Happiness shared is the flower. 
Minutes—Elk Grove Garden Club April 14, 2011 The meeting was called to order by President Diana Raymond after our tour of historical Rae House and gardens in Galt, CA. Seventeen members and one guest, Julie Gaines, were present. Our tour guide, Earl, was thanked as members soaked in the sun on the front steps of the historical home built in 1868. It was noted that Jan Prater is having eye surgery and Pat Loretz is spending time with family on the occasion of her birthday. Minutes from the March meeting were approved as was the treasurer’s report. Mary Gress, our treasurer, announced that we have been receiving a $15 monthly service charge on our account at River City Bank. It was voted upon to close this account and move funds to our Premier West account. Correspondence was read from the Elk Grove Historical Society thanking us for our donation of $300 to the Phantom Ball. Funds will be used to buy another section of the wrought iron fence for the restoration project. Other correspondence was from the University of California Cooperative Extension, which oversees the Master Gardener program, thanking us for the speaker fee for Judy Eitzen who spoke to our group about pruning roses.
Old Business: It was voted upon to send our new children’s gardening books to Franklin Elementary School, because they have an after school garden program. Carol Wheeler will order the four books chosen at our meeting. Diana announced that our May garden bus tour has been filled. The marble plaques to mark our memorial roses have been ordered. Pat Schreiber volunteered to serve as secretary for the 2011-2012 term. She was applauded for her willingness to serve. Carpools will leave for the Occidental and Jackson field trips from the Burlington Coat Factory parking lot. New Business: Members were asked to call Ellison Cowles by May 1 to reserve places at our May Membership Luncheon. Seating is limited. It was remarked that a new Penny Pines certificate be sent in memory of Loraine Silveira and Lois Andrews when funds become available. Announcements April 16th - 9 to 2 Heritage Rose Sale at Old City Cemetery April 16th&17th – Orchid Show and Plant Sale Scottish Rite Temple 10-4 April 23rd – Elk Grove Community Garden Plant Sale April 25th – Carpool to Occidental for tour of private garden April 30th – Carpool to Jackson for Amador Flower Show & Sale May 5th – Cinco de Mayo - Membership Luncheon RESERVED SEATING May 7th – Elk Grove Historical Society Tea and Fashion Show May 11th – EGGC ANNUAL BUS TOUR – Sonoma $40.00 8am May 15-19 – 80th Annual CGCI Convention May 26th – SRVD General Meeting and Luncheon June 8th – Gardeners of the Grove Bus Tour – Columbia $45 There being no further business the meeting was adjourned to travel to Wholey Ravioli for lunch. Carol Wheeler, Secretary Club Conundrums How well do you know the history of your club? At our Cinco de Mayo Membership Luncheon you will have the opportunity to show your knowledge of Elk Grove Garden Club. Did you know that 10 trees have been planted in area parks in remembrance of past members? Did you know that this club had a very successful flower show in the 1960’s? Did you know that 38 presidents have served the club admirably over the years? Did you know that garden art and crafts were often a part of club activities? Be prepared! Plant, plant, plant! May is the optimal month to get the summer garden growing. It is time to get vegetable starts into the ground. Seeds that can be sown directly such as pumpkins, beans, corn, cucumbers and melons will germinate quickly. Place cages over newly planted tomatoes, peppers and eggplants. Flower seeds and summer bulbs may be planted now. Buy a rose in full bloom for Mothers’ Day. Prune roses lightly 6 weeks before a special event for a lovely show in your garden. Water early in the day to avoid evaporation, and help prevent moisture-caused fungal diseases. Keep newly planted trees and shrubs well watered with a slow soak that wets the entire root ball. Even if the temperature is not hot, wind can quickly dry out new plantings. Mulch with 4-6 inches to conserve soil moisture. Regular deep watering 1-3 times a week is best for lawns. Be sure sprinkler heads and drip emitters aren’t clogged. Prune and clean up spring bloomers. Dead-head annuals and perennials to encourage growth and continued bloom. Pinch growing tips of plants like petunias, zinnias, fuchsias, coleus and herbs to keep them full and compact. Lightly trim hedges, shrubs, and vines to shape after blooming and to remove dead wood. Bring houseplants outside to summer in a shady place. Flush soil with water to remove accumulated fertilizer salts. Remove dead or yellowing leaves. Raise containers off hot surfaces with pieces of tile, brick, wood or “pot feet” Check plants for aphids, use a blast of water early in the day to remove or spray with insecticidal soap. Examine plants for signs of slug and snail damage. Watch for powdery mildew on roses, spraying foliage with water in the morning can reduce the disease, but if necessary treat with a fungicide. Continue thinning fruit on apples and pears. If you didn’t do it last month, apply a sticky barrier like Tanglefoot to trunks of fruit trees to control ants. 
 May 5th Celebration
Invite your friends and neighbors to our 3rd annual Membership Luncheon in celebration of Cinco De Mayo 11 am on May 5, 2011, at the home of Donna Williams This is a time to show prospective new members what Elk Grove Garden Club is all about Please RSVP to Ellison by May 1 as seating is limited.
Elk Grove Garden Club - Treasurer’s Report April-May 2011 River City Bank Balance $1,487.98 Income/Deposit Void check to CGCI Insurance 20.00 Void Check to Ed Pendofin 4/2010 25.00 Total Deposit $ 45.00 Expenditures Delta Charter Bus Service $ 840.00 Moved to Premier Bank 500.00 Total Expenditures $1,340.00 Total River City Bank Balance $ 192.98 192.98 Premier West Bank Balance $1,128.30 Income/Deposit Moved from River City Bank 500.00 Penny Pines 8.00 Book Fund 10.00 Total Deposit $ 518.00 Expenditures Diana Raymond—Bus Tour Postage $ 44.00 Galt Historical Society—Rae house tour 25.00 CGCI—Insurance Certificate 20.00 Total Expenditures $ 89.00 Total Premier West Bank Balance $1,557.30 Total River City Bank Balance $ 192.98 Grand Total Balance $1,750.28 Distribution Pennies for Pines $ $35.14 Book Fund 84.69 General Fund 1,630.45 Herb of the Month  Oregano
What do you think of when you hear of that herb? - tomato sauce and pizza! The name oregano has caused confusion because there is a whole genus of plants, but one of the most flavorful is lippia graveolens, known as Mexican oregano. Oregano has a hot peppery flavor and is used in cuisines of Italy, Greece, Brazil, Mexico, Spain and wherever marjoram, its gentler twin is found. To grow start with a plant or cutting which you have tasted. It is agreed that Oregano vulgare is not very flavorful, try Oregano heracleoticum. Oregano is a hardy sun-loving perennial that tends to sprawl. In late summer it blooms pinkish-purple flowers. Snip springs of leaves when about 6 inches high before blooming. Chop fresh leaves and stir into olive oil. Refrigerate and use over pastas and pizzas. Or hang in a dry place and strip leaves when dried. Store in airtight containers. When it is dried the taste is sharper. Oregano enhances cheese and egg combinations. It adds dimension to yeast breads, marinated vegetables, roasted bell peppers, and stewed meets. Its flavor combines well with garlic, thyme, parsley and olive oil. Chef tip: Toss thinly sliced red radishes with minced scallions, minced fresh oregano, lemon juice and olive oil, and serve on a bed of shredded spinach.
Calendar of Events May 5 Cinco de Mayo Membership Luncheon RSVP May 7 Elk Grove Historical Society Tea and Fashion Show May 12 Elk Grove Garden Club Annual Bus Tour—Sonoma May 15-19 80th Annual CGCI Convention May 26 SRVD General Meeting and Luncheon June 8 Gardeners of the Grove Bus Tour – Columbia $45 June 9 General Meeting Installation of Officers Silent Auction and Plant Exchange
If April showers bring May flowers, can weeds be far behind? 
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