October ~ November

The Cornwall Garden Club

CORNWALL CAPERS ON-LINE

http://cornwallcapersonline.blogspot.com/

October ~ November 2010

The President's Message:

Dear Club Members:

It's the middle of October and still no killing frost, but I've been thinking about what plants to bring in from my deck for the winter once that first frosty night shows up.

Of course, the Christmas cactus will make the trip. I think I've had that plant for more than thirty years. And my big begonia and several smaller ones will come in too. I have one begonia with

pink pompom flowers that my brother gave to me as a cutting ages ago that I just love.

But should I try to overwinter the geraniums?

Some years they have done fine; other times, they languish until a slow death claims them in late March. I have a lot of coleus that could survive in a sunny window; but, then again, Adams has a lot of coleus come June.

Clearly, my first priority to make the trip into the house are those plants that have some sentimental value. Like that treasured knick-knack that you couldn’t give away at a yard sale, but you just love because you got it from Aunt Sue when you were ten years old, some plants value is in the memories they bring us.

The wonders of gardens and plants are never ending; and, along with beauty, they bring us the gift of remembrance.

My wish to you this October season is that you have at least one plant to save from freezing that will give you the joy of a memory when the winter snow is falling.

~Andrea

From the Editor's Corner:

Autumn Greetings!

From the shadows, I emerge like the creepy (or is it sleepy) old man from the Irving folktale Rip Van Winkle. I feel as though the summer season sped quickly by as she presented herself at first as the mellow and welcome arrival which later turned into the swooning heat wave for nearly the full month of July. The rains managed to provide a few inches during August just enough to fill the streams and keep our flower beds and gardens happy.

So quickly does the time fly, that my days were filled with, of course, working, preparing my children for their college experience and missing three months of Garden Club programs! June's Walking Tour of member gardens, July's Green Home presentation and most regrettably the trip to Palaia Winery. I did manage to attend September's meeting called "Houseplants; Adding to the Ambiance of Your Home" I was the Hosting Chair, so, naturally, I didn't want to blow it!

It is always a great feeling to be around such enthusiasm that comes from this extraordinary group of gardeners and flower arranging women whom I can call friends.

Happy Harvesting and Winterizing!

~karen