Spring 2013

Welcome to a New Season 

As we begin a new Garden Club season, I am looking forward to the plantings in the town and the village, the plant sale and all of the interesting programs planned for our meetings.

 I always keep in mind that all of the above is realized by the hard work, camaraderie and dedication of our members.  You are the Garden Club and you are what make our town and village a special place to live.  

Let’s all have a good year and enjoy our gardens and the Garden Club.  

Jayne Petersen

Cornwall Garden Club President

Spring Luncheon 

Our annual Spring Luncheon and Installation of Officers for the upcoming year took place at the Powelton Club on March 23.  The afternoons’ activities centered on “Renewing Friendships and Gardens” and began with a social hour with passed hors d’oeuvres followed by a delicious lunch.   

Many thanks from all to Elizabeth Heath and Tara Hoffmann, co-chairs for the day’s events.  It was a wonderful day.   

Our business meeting included the installation of officers for 2013.  Although she could not attend the event, incoming president Jayne Petersen was with us in spirit during the ceremony conducted by Ellie Loughlin and Dianne Schliphack, co-chairs of District X, Federated Garden Clubs of New York State, Inc.  The officers for 2013 are as follows:  President, Jayne Petersen; First Vice Presidents, Rita Chase and Marie-Elise Peterson, Second Vice Presidents, Beverly Abraham and Marge Krupa; Third Vice Presidents, Rachel McKible and Sally Ryan; Recording Secretary, Susan Olsen; Corresponding Secretary, Andrea Hamburger; and Treasurer Arlene DeSocio. 

 

Outgoing president Margaret Vatter announced that Ann Bloom has been named in the Federated Garden Clubs of New York State Book of Recognition for her outstanding contributions at the local, district and state levels.  We are proud to have Ann as a member of our club and benefit so much from her garden club knowledge.   

Elizabeth Congelli and Linda Parrella were welcomed into the club.  We look forward to having them as members. 

 

Club members provided the table centerpieces with a “Spring Is Here” theme with the requirement to use a basket and incorporate boxwood in the exhibit.  As ever, the designs demonstrated the creativity and artistic talent of our club members. 

 

The 2013 Cornwall Garden Club yearbook was distributed to those attending.  All were delighted to see the interesting series of programs that Rachel and her program committee have planned for us.  We certainly have another great series of gardening activities to look forward to this year. 

 

 

Annual Plant Sale 

Plans are well underway for our annual Plant Sale on Saturday, May 11.  We are looking forward to a day filled with community spirit and fellowship.  Please remember to bring your Members’ Plants and Baked Goods.  Donations for the Silent Auction and Grandma’s Attic would be greatly appreciated.  

 

Remember volunteers are needed for the Friday, May 10, plant delivery.  We will meet at the Homestead at11:45 a.m.  Spouses and friends are most welcome to come and lend a hand. 

 

After the plant sale, come celebrate at our post plant sale pizza party at Beverly Abraham’s house.  We will collect $5 per person to cover the cost of the pizzas.  If you can, bring an appetizer, salad or dessert; and, if you like….perhaps a bottle of wine.  

Arbor Day

This year’s Cornwall Garden Club Arbor Day observance will take place on April 26 at 4 p.m. at the Sands Ring Homestead.  Arbor Day is traditionally held on the last Friday in April.  The first Arbor Day was held in Nebraska in 1872.  The day is meant as a special time each year dedicated to tree planting. 

This year we will plant a tree at the Homestead to help replace the trees there that have recently died or been destroyed by one of our many devastating storms.  Many trees in the area met similar fates in the past few months, and spring is an excellent time for replacing them.  Go plant a tree!

 

 Scholarships

Each spring, the Cornwall Garden Club sponsors two scholarships.  All club members are asked to encourage potential candidates to submit applications for consideration.

 

Our scholarship for a graduating senior from Cornwall Central High School is for $1,000.  The award goes to a student who plans to major in Environmental Science, Landscaping, Landscape Architecture, Horticulture, Botany, Forestry or State Parks and Recreation. 

 

Younger students can apply for our Hudson Highlands Nature Museum award of $350 per year that funds attendance at summer Eco Ranger Camp.  

Sally Ryan, Linda Parrella and Marie-Elise Pearson can provide applications specifics.  

Impatiens Lovers Take Heed

Consider avoiding Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana) altogether in your garden this summer.  In many regions of the United States (including Cornwall), plants were struck by a widespread blight in 2012 causing them to drop their leaves and die.  

Plasmopara obducens is a fungus-like pathogen that causes this downy mildew disease.  In past years the disease was limited to small areas.  But, in 2012 weather conditions made downy mildew more widespread in areas of the country with plenty of cool, rainy weather during the growing season causing the impatiens plants to lose their leaves and die.  Spores are produced on the under-surfaces of the leaves and spread by air currents.  

 

Infected plants appear normal for at least a week after infection.  Thus the disease can begin to spread before symptoms announce its arrival.  Symptoms include yellowing, curling leaves with grayish fuzz on their undersides.  As the disease progresses, leaves and flowers wither, then drop off the stems.  The good news is that this downy mildew is specific to bedding impatiens, so it does not affect other plants.  The bad news is it spreads easily, is difficult to control once infection occurs and is likely to overwinter in the soil causing problems the following year. 

Instead of planting impatiens consider plant alternatives such as begonias (above), coleus, polka dot plant, torenia, fuchsia or caladiums to add color to shady spots.  New Guinea impatiens (I. Hawkeri), also resistant to downy mildew, is another option. 

Article courtesy of the Ingomar Garden Club, Wexford, Pennsylvania:

Growing Leaf Lettuce 

One of easiest and most worthwhile vegetables in the spring garden is leaf lettuce, and now is the time to plant it.  Lettuce grows best in cool weather and will fade in the hot days of July. 

 

A small bed, planting box or even a few pots is all that is needed to grow enough for a daily salad.  Leaf lettuce seed is inexpensive and readily available at our local garden supply stores.  Adams has a great selection such as heirloom Black Seeded Simpson, Prize Leaf, Green Ice and Red Sails.  Plant a variety for an interesting mix in your salad bowl. 

Open Days Program 

Since 1995, the Garden Conservancy has sponsored the “Open Days” program that enables the public to view some of America’s finest private gardens.  The program includes gardens across the country with many beautiful properties in the Hudson Valley participating.  For example, on May 5 several gardens in Dutchess and Westchester Counties will be open. 

 The visits are scheduled from early spring through the fall and are usually on the weekend.  An admission fee of $5 per person is collected.  The tours are self guided and take place rain or shine.  A list of gardens and when they are open can be found at the Garden Conservancy’s website at http://www.gardenconservancy.org/opendays/open-days-schedule. 

 

Photo courtesy of Abby Jane Brody, East Hampton, N.Y. 

Upcoming Events

Mark your calendar for the following upcoming events. 

 April 26 – Arbor Day Ceremony.  Sands Ring Homestead at 4 p.m.

 
May 10- Annual Plant Sale Setup.  Volunteers should come to the Sands Ring Homestead at 11:45 a.m. to help unload the plant delivery trucks and place the plants in the house.  Gardening gloves recommended.


May 11 – Annual Plant Sale.  All members are expected to participate from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.  Celebrate that evening at the post plant sale party at Beverly Abraham’s house. 

June 2 – 8 – National Garden Week

June 6 – June meeting “The Art of Garden Photography” with Tom Doyle at 6 p.m. at the Cornwall Presbyterian Church.