What to Do While You're Waiting for Spring to Come

"Plans for a Winter Garden" by Linda Knox, Adams County Master Gardener


"How to Create a Winter Garden" by Charlie Dimmock, CBS, video


"Create Some Interest in Winter Gardening" by Laura Stokes, Master Gardener


"Planning Ahead for Next Year's Garden" by Trent


"It's Time to Start Planning Next Year's Garden" by Farmgirl Susan (inmykitchengarden.blogspot.com)




Seed Catalogs

Burpee Seeds

Johnny Selected Seeds

Park Seed

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

Seed Savers Exchange

Rocky Mountain Rare Plants

Thompson & Morgan Seeds

Bountiful Gardens

Nichols Garden Nursery

Trip to Longwood Gardens

Friday, December 12th is a trip to Longwood Gardens to experience the Christmas lights. Meet at the Elanco Library at 2:00PM. We will share rides down and back or on your own. There is an option to have dinner at the garden before it gets dark.

Christmas at Longwood — November 27–January 11

Dazzling floral displays, stunning trees, holiday music, 500,000 outdoor lights, dancing fountains and ice skating under the stars create a Christmas fantasy at Longwood. Holiday concerts in the ornate Ballroom include organ sing-alongs, and evening choral and bell choir performances by area groups. Enjoy ice skating performances under the stars and feast on sumptuous buffets, including the Thanksgiving Buffet, Breakfast with Santa and the Yuletide Buffet. Celebrate New Year's Eve at Longwood with fun for the whole family.

Club Events

June

5th: Master Gardener, Fred Spracher, will provide a slideshow how to create a Container Garden, 7:00PM.

18th: Visit to Conestoga House in Lancaster, PA, 4:00PM. Bring a bag dinner.

19th: If we are rained out on the Conestoga visit, we will hold our meeting at 7:00PM.


July

3rd: No meeting.

17th: Phyllis's garden visit. Meet at the Ephrata Public Library parking lot at 6:00PM.


August

7th: Master Gardener, Fred Spracher, will give a presentation about Roses, 7:00PM.

21st: Garden Club meeting, 7:00PM.


September

4th: Master Gardener, Fred Spracher, will present a slide show of "Longwood Through the Years and Seasons," 7:00PM.

18th: Garden Club meeting, 7:00PM.

First Meeting of 2008

WELCOME!

Spring is just around the corner and it is time to start thinking about gardening. What a wonderful season it is. A time of renewal and rejuvenation.

The My Monet Garden Club has moved to a new location. We are now meeting at the Eastern Lancaster County Library in New Holland. Our first meeting will be held on March 24th at 7:00PM. This will be a time to brainstorm about what we would like to accomplish this coming growing season. Everyone is welcome. If you have any questions feel free to call and ask for Donna at 717-354-0525.

See you then!

Starting Plants from Seeds

Erv Evans, Extension Associate

Frank A. Blazich, Professor

Department of Horticultural Science, NC State Univ.

Growing your own transplants from seeds indoors can give you a head start on the growing season. In some cases, it may be the only way to obtain plants of a new or special cultivar (variety) that is not widely available through garden centers.

To obtain vigorous plants, start with high-quality seed from a reliable source. Select cultivars which provide the plant size, color (flower, foliage, or fruit), and growth habit you want. Choose cultivars adapted to your area. Many vegetable and flower cultivars are hybrids. They may cost more than open pollinated types, but they usually have more vigor, more uniformity, and better growth than non-hybrids.
Purchase only enough seed for one year's use, because germination decreases with age. The seed packet label usually indicates essential information about the cultivar, the year in which the seeds were packaged, the germination percentage, and whether the seeds have received any chemical treatment.

If seeds are obtained well ahead of the actual sowing date (or are surplus seeds), store them in a cool, dry place. Laminated foil packages help ensure dry storage. Paper packets are best kept in tightly sealed containers and maintained around 40oF in low humidity. A good storage location would be an air-tight jar or a sealed, Zip-Lock-type bag in the refrigerator. Some gardeners save seed from their own gardens, but these may not produce plants similar to the parents; this is especially true of hybrids.

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