THE ISLAND GARDENER
OCTOBER ~ 2021
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And now it is Fall! The temps are dropping along with some raindrops and leaves, and the winds are restless and busy blowing us into the next season. Ready or not . . .
Our membership drive is in full swing and we’ve been thrilled at the numbers of early responses. Many of you have sent in your renewals and we welcome a few brand new members. THANK YOU all so much. If you haven’t gotten around to sending in your membership renewal, there’s still time to do so. Your support and membership fees make all this possible.
Beginning with our October program, our club will be partnering with the Lopez Island Garden Club from time to time as co-hosts for our monthly presentations. We are so pleased to be able to work together and to share the opportunity to learn more about the wonders of gardening. This month’s program is on Wednesday, Oct. 20th at 10:30 and our presenter will be Kristy Bredin, a local herbalist. The program will be virtual and will be recorded for those of you who can’t join us on Wednesday. You can read more about Kristy and her work in the newsletter below.
You’ll also find wonderful information about foraging, growing amaryllis, putting your garden to bed for the winter (with a one-question survey at the end -- please participate!), and then . . . almost everything you ever wanted to know about PUMPKINS, PUMPKINS, PUMPKINS. Yes, there’s a little history, some folklore, nutritional info, craft ideas, local growing success stories, and, of course, Helen’s pumpkin recipes. Plenty of things for your reading pleasure as you sip your tea in a cozy spot on a blustery Fall day.
Until we meet again, be well and stay safe.
Nita Couchman, President
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Wednesday
October 20 @ 10:30am
via ZOOM
The Orcas Island Garden Club
and the Lopez Island Garden Club
present . . .
KRISTY BREDIN
WILD PLANTS OF THE
FIELD, FOREST AND SEA:
Medicinal Plants of the San Juans
Zoom Meeting Link:
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The Orcas Island Garden Club and the Lopez Island Garden Club are pleased to invite you to Kristy Bredin’s virtual (Zoom) presentation Wild Plants of the Field, Forest, and Sea: Medicinal Plants of the San Juans on Wednesday October 20, 2021 at 10:30 am. This presentation will be recorded.
For her presentation, Kristy will discuss some interesting wild plants found in the San Juans and their medicinal uses. Plants may be found in the field, forest, and sea, as well as in your own garden.
Kristy Bredin began her journey as an herbalist in 2009, when she began a two-year apprenticeship with herbalist Robin Rose Bennett in New York. For the past decade she has worked with Ryan Drum, wildcrafting medicinal herbs and cultivating an in-depth knowledge of traditional Western herbalism and local plants and seaweeds. Since 2013, she has been sharing plant remedies of the PNW through Mermaid Botanicals.
Kristy practices as an herbalist on Orcas Island, and is passionate about exploring the natural world and working with wild plants in ancient and creative ways. Please mark your calendars and attend Kristy's presentation on October 20.
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IT'S MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL TIME
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Did you remember to renew your OIGC membership or to become a NEW member!!
As a bonus, we'll continue adding names of new and renewing members to our monthly raffle drawing.
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Renewals as of Sept. 15 --
Renewals (Sept 15 to Oct. 15) --
New members (Sept 15 to Oct 15) --
TOTAL MEMBERS - Oct. 15 --
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MEMBERSHIP FEES
Individual: $25/year
Couple: $35/year
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We've Made it Easier for You to Become a Member
If you did not receive a renewal letter in the mail, and you would like to renew your membership or become a new member, you can print a membership form from the button below. Fill in the form and mail it with your check to OIGC Membership, P.O. Box 452, Eastsound, WA 98245.
To make it even easier for you, we are happy to announce that memberships and donations can also be done directly from our website (www.OrcasIslandGardenClub.org/membership.html) where you will find an electronic membership form and a PayPal option.
To renew your membership, become a member, or make a donation,
please select whichever method works best for you.
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AND THE
WINNER IS
. . . . .
JULIA TURNEY
& JAY LUCAS
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Rosemary Gladstar's
MEDICINAL HERBS
(purchased at Darvill's Bookstore
where you'll find other books like this)
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AND THE
WINNER IS
. . . . .
LISA ELLIS &
JERRY LANE
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Ornamental Cabbage
from
Driftwood Nursery
More plants like this are available at
Driftwood Nursery
(closing for season at the end of the month)
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Send in your membership renewal now
to be eligible for next month's great raffle prizes.
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THIS LOOKS INTERESTING . . . |
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MY GARDEN OF A THOUSAND BEES
8:00 pm, Oct. 20, PBS KCTS9 Nature
"Martin Dohrn, a veteran wildlife cameraman and a bee enthusiast, decided to embark on a special challenge during the COVID-19 lockdown of 2020: to film all the bees he could find in his tiny urban garden in Bristol, England."
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Jessi Bloom
Permaculture & Resiliency
November 10, 2021 @ 10:30 am via Zoom
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Jessi will discuss applying the principles of permaculture to creating gardens that support increased resilience.
Jessi Bloom is the author or co-author of three books, including the best-selling Practical Permaculture (Timber Press 2015). She co-owns NW Bloom EcoLogical Services (https://www.nwbloom.com/) and is an award-winning ecological landscape designer. She is known as an innovator and leader in the field of permaculture, sustainable landscape design, construction and land management. Recognition and accolades for her work include awards from the Washington State Department of Ecology, the American Horticultural Society, Pacific Horticulture magazine, Sunset magazine, the WSNLA (Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association), and WALP (Washington Association of Landscape Professionals). Jessi has built many popular display gardens at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show, winning Gold medals. She lives near Seattle with her three kids on their permaculture homestead, which is full of functional gardens and rescue animals.
This presentation is co-sponsored by the Orcas Island Garden Club and the Lopez Island Garden Club and will be recorded. The link to the live meeting provided by the Orcas Island Library is:
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San Juan County - WSU Master Gardeners |
2021 Gardening Workshop Series - via Zoom
October 16, 19, 21 and 26
Registration closed on October 12.
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2022 Whidbey Gardening Workshop -- March 4, 5 & 6 |
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Mark your calendars for another horticultural learning opportunity. Registration opens in early January, 2022. Go to WhidbeyGardening.org for more information.
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MEDICINAL PLANT SPOTLIGHT - GHOST PIPE
Laura Walker
The newsletter team is excited to introduce a new monthly feature that explores the natural ways plants can improve our well-being. Each month we will discover some of the most loved and unique medicinal plants. We will reach out to local herbalists, wild crafters, foragers and naturalists to learn more about their journey, perspectives and to highlight their favorite medicinal plants.
Our first feature is with Kristy Bredin and the Garden Club is lucky enough to have her join us as our special speaker this month. Please enjoy!
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“Working with wild plants offers a different kind of energy,” explained Kristy Bredin, a passionate wild crafter and owner of Mermaid Botanicals. “They are growing in places where they have taken root organically, amongst a variety of other plants, and often in more stressful conditions than cultivated plants. The thought among herbalists is that these qualities can make them more medicinally potent.”
As a fussy baby, Kristy's father used to take her into the garden and teach her the names of plants to calm her. She laughed and suggested maybe that just may have planted a seed for her future. A student of English and music, Kristy wasn’t originally planning on a career in herbal medicine. She reflected, “Interestingly, a lot of well-known herbalists have a musical background. Similar to a musical experience, the practice of herbal medicine is an art form. It moves and shapes, offers a new perspective from which we can learn and grow."
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Kristy spends her time on both Orcas and Waldron islands. Two key individuals have shaped her journey. An alternative herbal medicine apprenticeship with Robin Rose Bennett in New York City and a mentorship under Dr. Ryan Drum in the San Juan islands both pathed the way. "I remember being struck by something Ryan had said to me. I asked him if the plant I was about to harvest was good enough quality. He responded that it is the places where the plants that have been wounded and have healed themselves have the most medicine. It reminds us of the wounded parts of us that are part of our growth and how we are shaped and how we shape the world."
Working with Ryan has afforded her the opportunity of wide access to wild places in the islands in order to study the entire ecosystem. In this way, she is able to gather a holistic perspective on caring for and managing the resources that she harvests in a sustainable way.
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When asked to share a favorite medicinal plant, the rare and fascinating Ghost Pipe was Kristy’s response. Known by many other names including Indian Pipe, Ghost Flower, Dutchman's Pipe, Corpse Plant and botanically Monotropa uniflora, this ghostly translucent plant can be found in the dense, dark under-story of the forest and only flower for about a week before dying.
Interestingly as well, most plants produce chlorophyll from the sun’s energy creating lovely shades of green but not in the case of the Ghost Pipe. Instead, it relies on a relationship with the forest and shares in the nutrients with mature trees.
Many claim it has healing power for coping with intense physical pain, emotional pain, and overwhelming experiences. It has also been used by the Salish externally for healing wounds, colds, fevers, pain, and toothache.
To find out more about this unique plant, read Kristy's article:
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Disclaimer ~ While the Orcas Island Garden Club shares information about using essential oils, natural oils, and herbs, these items are not regulated by the FDA. The content included in these monthly medicinal features are for those who are looking for alternative ways to lead a more natural lifestyle. You must not rely on the information in these articles as an alternative to medical advice from your doctor, healthcare provider, or other professional.
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Kristy's recommended books |
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Kristy has a lot of exciting plans for the future. She is very excited to restart her apprenticeship program in the spring of 2022. Last January she ran a successful Kickstarter fundraiser for an herb drying structure which will be built by next spring and will enable her to expand her herb harvesting work.
Would you like to know more about Kristy and her work? Don't miss her virtual presentation on Wednesday October 20th at 10:30 am featuring Wild Plants of the Field, Forest, and Sea: Medicinal Plants of the San Juans.
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Our love of pumpkin carving has a long history. Ancient Celtic tribes in England, Ireland and Scotland celebrated the festival of Samhain by carving gourds and placing candles in them to use as lanterns and window decorations. Samhain was celebrated at the end of October. The Celtic translation is ”summer's end,” the season of frost and firelight. In the US, immigrants from those countries brought these traditions with them as they traveled. They found the pumpkin to be easier to carve and eventually it replaced the gourd.
Source: Kindling the Celtic Spirit by Mara Freeman
Archaeologists discovered the oldest domesticated pumpkin seed in Central America over 7,500 years ago, making the pumpkin one of the very first wild plants cultivated for human consumption in America. It could be planted, controlled, stored throughout the winter and times of scarcity, making it a vital nutritional source.
One of the first recipes to be documented in the United States was in 1672. John Josselyn included a pumpkin recipe in his book New-England Rarities Discovered. The side dish called for dicing ripe pumpkin and cooking it in a pot over the course of a day. Once finished, butter and spices were added. This early recipe sounds a bit like our modern preparation of mashed sweet potatoes.
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ORCAS ISLAND HISTORICAL MUSEUM HOLLYHOCKS |
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The museum had a very busy summer with a record-setting number of visitors! One of the stars of the season were the hollyhocks in the museum’s heritage garden. Late summer found the garden alight with their many colors delighting visitors and locals. The flowers have been the subject of many a photograph and an inspiration for artists. Museum volunteer, artist and gardener Mary Nash has lovingly harvested the hollyhock seeds and hand painted seed packets to sell for $3 in our museum store. All proceeds benefit the museum. Museum hours are Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 11 am – 3 pm and Saturday from 11 am – 2 pm. Come by, purchase some seeds and see our new exhibit on Mapping Orcas! |
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Mary explains her love of flowers and art.
“I have grown flowers most of my life – my son once said to me, ‘You have to have dirt to dig in, or you are not happy.’ After all these years, I still see each seed sprouting as a small miracle. Painting the garden is almost as much fun as growing it…”
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"The museum’s garden has been an Eastsound treasure for many years. It is a mix of native and heritage plantings (plants and cultivars with historical significance or associated with old island homestead cabins like those of the museum). The museum needs volunteers to assist with garden maintenance, new plantings and help identifying and labeling plantings. Please contact info@orcasmuseums.org if interested. No minimum time commitment – anything you can do to help is greatly appreciated."
Nancy Stillger, Executive Director Orcas Island Historic Museum and Garden Club Member
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NEWSLETTER VOLUNTEERS NEEDED ! ! ! |
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I know what you're thinking -- "There's already a whole team of Garden Club members who work hard each month to put together THE ISLAND GARDENER. They don't need me." But -- you're wrong! We can always use more help. Come on, why should WE be having all the fun?!?
- Perhaps you have photographs of your garden that others would love to see.
- Perhaps you have a lot of expertise or a burning interest in some garden-related topic and could write up an article for the newsletter.
- Perhaps you are an IDEA ! person who is constantly thinking of something interesting that we could include in the newsletter.
- Perhaps you have a gardening success (or disaster) story to share
- Perhaps you have another interest or talent that would enhance the newsletter?
This is YOUR newsletter and we want it to be a true reflection of the gardening interests of the broadest spectrum of our members. If any of this rings true for you, we'd love to hear from you. Don't wait! Click on the button below and send us an email today!
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GROWING GREAT CUCURBITS
Laura Walker
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Did you know that squash are considered a fruit and are part of the cucurbit family which also includes pumpkins, cucumbers and melons? Squash are the hardiest members of this family and will grow well in most areas of the Pacific Northwest.
Generally, squash can be classified into Summer and Winter varieties. Summer types, like Zucchini, grow quickly and can produce dozens of fruits in a few months. Winter squash grow quickly as well but take longer to mature, are denser and have a thick skin.
We are fortunate to live in a region where many varieties of pumpkins thrive. Steve Solomon, author of Growing Vegetables West of the Cascades, provides great advice for growing pumpkins successfully such as giving your seeds a head start in a greenhouse, providing plenty of room for your vines for a better yield and removing smaller fruits beginning September 1st to help ripen the remaining large fruits.
Interested in growing some new varieties? According to Washington State University, here are some favorites to try:
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EXAMPLES OF SUCCESSFULLY GROWN
WINTER SQUASH ON ORCAS:
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Perri Gibbons shares her wheelbarrow of beauties! She describes her most prolific as the bright orange Potimarron and light green Spaghetti. Her favorite she adds is the light orange Winter Luxury that has a silky texture! Also she adores Naked Bear, the smaller one and Butterscotch which is white. |
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Helen Huber enjoyed her baby Kabocha squash growing vertically on a trellis. |
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A cheery orange Atlantic shown at the Orcas School Garden -- photo by Tony Suruda and Colleen Stewart. |
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Musquee De Provence, a beautiful vintage looking french pumpkin variety and Delicata, a favorite for its nutty flavor, are Laura Walker's treasures this year. |
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GETTING TO KNOW YOU . . . |
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DIANE KELLER-BATTER ~ Renewing Member |
Diane has been a GC member for over ten years, joining soon after she moved to Orcas. She loves going on the garden tours and seeing the enthusiasm of the owners and docents. Her favorite gardening activity is growing, harvesting and eating her home grown vegetables with that accompanying feeling of accomplishment. One challenge has been getting down on the ground, after a hip and ankle replacement. Her husband, Tom, built four raised beds, which has made it much easier for her to care for her plants. Her advice is to consider your climate, your goals in gardening, and to ask for help when you need it. Thanks for sharing your garden with us, Diane! |
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I have had a passion for gardening since an early age, when I was finally allowed to mow, edge, plant, etc. Something about that wonderful feeling of instant gratification from hard work and the anticipation of what is to come.
Experience:
- From ages 14-21 - Worked summers as a full time gardener of a private 3 acre English/PNW garden estate.
- Spent 22 years transforming the garden of our first home in Kirkland, WA.
- For the past 4 years, we have been reshaping the overgrown garden of our 2nd home.
Our Garden: Our garden is a great mix of what the northwest has to offer. Rhododendrons, azaleas, ferns, hostas, hydrangeas, roses, lavender, crocosmia, hellebore, bleeding heart, scented geranium, heuchera, mondo grass, black eyed susans, tulips, daffodils, dogwoods, camelias, cherry trees, pear trees, even crabapple. We also have a small vegetable garden and multiple gathering spaces in a mix of shade and sun.
Why OIGC?: I have grown up visiting our family home off Olga Rd and experienced ROCK and DEER when it came to landscape projects and plantings. Last year, my husband Tom and I purchased our own lot near Eastsound. After reading of your garden club in the Sounder and your successes, we are now hopeful that we can build a garden on Orcas. I am looking forward to all that you have to offer!
Welcome to the Orcas Island Garden Club, Anne!!!
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PERSISTENCE & WATCHING THE RED GIANT GROW
Tony Suruda
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In December 2018 I noticed amaryllis seeds for sale with the description: "This is the largest flowering amaryllis we have ever grown here." Appropriately named "Red Giant" Amaryllis vittata, it is an honored recipient of the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.
I purchased and sowed a packet. After three weeks there were a few seedlings and I potted them up. Amaryllis is a monocotyledon, so the first two leaves that emerged were true leaves. I kept the seedlings under grow lights and they didn't produce any additional leaves for five months. In November 2020 a flower stalk appeared. The bloom was four inches across.
In June 2021 a second bloom shown in the photo was seven inches across. This was the largest amaryllis flower I have ever seen. We sold a few seedlings at the spring Master Gardener plant sale. Those who purchased them, please be patient. You will be rewarded in due time. There will be a few more available at next year's plant sale.
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PUMPKINS ~ A HEALTHLY OPTION |
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Bursting with antioxidants, both Summer and Winter squash boast countless health benefits. Rich in Vitamin A and packed with lutein, they have been found to protect our eyes. Squash is shown to build strong immunity systems and contain high values of Vitamin C to help ward off illness. Additionally, pumpkin is packed with fiber, potassium and vitamin C, all factors in supporting heart health. There’s so much great research about multiple benefits of eating pumpkin.
Feeling inspired?! Check out Helen's recipes below!
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OCTOBER RECIPES -- Pumpkins !!!
Helen Huber
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Much like birthdays and anniversaries, the arrival of October pumpkins is a marker in time. Season after season, against a backdrop of fall colors, we propped the baby/toddler/beaming boy/reluctant teen on or near a pumpkin documenting growth since the last pumpkin patch photo extravaganza. Now that I’ve broken out layers and long sleeves, pumpkins are everywhere -- on the deck, on my counter, and in the oven roasting. There’s a chill in the air and pumpkin/winter squash recipes in regular rotation. This month’s offerings are all based on pumpkin purée (or canned pumpkin--not canned pumpkin pie mix). As always, the recipes can be adapted. ENJOY!
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To Make Homemade Pumpkin Puree ...
(which really tastes so much better, you won't believe it!)
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Grab a small orange round/ovalish sugar pumpkin. Cut in half lengthwise cutting around, not through, the stem. Put the seeds aside for cleaning, flavoring and toasting in the oven later. See the note at the end of this article for more detailed instructions.
Lightly brush cut surfaces of the pumpkin with oil. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment, cut side down, and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until a fork easily goes through the flesh. Cool for 10-20 minutes or until you can comfortably hold the warm halved pumpkin.
Using a tablespoon, scoop the orange flesh right into a food processor or a blender. The blender may require a little water or stock which you can add as needed a teaspoon at a time to make a purée. Process until very smooth.
You should get a cup of puréed pumpkin for each pound of pumpkin. (Most sugar pumpkins are between 2 and 4 pounds.)
Or you can use canned, unsweetened pumpkin—not pumpkin pie mix, which is sweetened and spiced. Use what you need. You can freeze any leftover purée. Just thaw and drain any “juice” that appears before using.
Or you can use other winter squashes such as Cinderella, butternut, kabocha, etc.—all special in their own squashy way.
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Click on the links below for RECIPES using your pumpkin puree! |
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FOR YOUR READING PLEASURE
Perri Gibbons
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Foraging: searching for wild food resources (Wiki)
Foraging: wander in search of forage or food (Merriam-Webster)
Foraging: free food (Perri)
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There are a lot of reasons to look into foraging: to eat healthier, fresher plants, to get in closer touch with nature, to have fun! The library had a book display on PNW foraging, so I snapped three up. I promise to return them soon! |
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Northwest Foraging claims to be the classic guide to edible plants of the Pacific Northwest, and I can understand why. This one is small and light enough to tuck into your knapsack out in the field. Plants are arranged with basic and identifying information, habitat/range and edibility. Even though edibility might seem a bit subjective, I really liked this section the best. Just because many things are edible, it's nice to know if they're good! The biggest drawback are the black and white illustrations. As a novice forager, I want photos for better identification. A back section identifies poisonous plants.
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Pacific Northwest Foraging is a hefty book with the benefit of color photos. It offers more information on when and how to gather. There is also an important section on future harvests to promote stewardship -- how to avoid overharvest and expand desirable plants. I especially liked the comments on plant use by Native Americans. This was the only book that did not include recipes.
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Family Foraging says it’s the fun guide to gathering and eating wild plants. This may be a more basic guide with only 40 plants, but there’s good information on the ones presented. It’s different than the other two books, in that the plants are presented by harvesting season rather than alphabetically -- useful information for those of us who want to know what’s out there now. The biggest drawback is that the foraging is not PNW based, but there are maps for each plant to identify where in the world they can be found. The best part is the lovely layout. This book is a visual delight that includes photos of kids foraging and especially eating. The many recipes and photos of scrumptious food prepared with foraged ingredients made me hungry. And, after all, that is why I forage. :-)
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The Garden Club has gift-worthy bags we introduced at last summer’s Garden Tour. Since we will continue remote meetings via Zoom for everyone’s safety, we’re offering these bags to you for your shopping pleasure as detailed below: |
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Garden Club Deluxe Tote Bag -- $20
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Sturdy, attractive and highly functional!
- 12 oz. canvas tote bag
- 14" H x 18" W with a huge 7" gusset
- Durable cotton canvas
- Snap closure
- Front pocket with the stylish OIGC logo
- Cotton-bound inner seams
- 22" handle
**Apples not included.**
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GETTING OUR GARDENS READY FOR WINTER
Nita Couchman / Perri Gibbons / Helen Huber
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First frost is just around the corner and most of us are thinking about putting our gardens to bed for the winter. Here are a few ideas for you to create your own to-do list and perhaps you'll even find something that makes you smile.
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- clean up annual flower beds -- remove fading plants, mulch beds with manure or garden compost to feed soil and suppress weeds
- trim and stake bushy herbaceous perennials to prevent wind damage
- recycle disease-free plant materials into compost
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- harvest potatoes, carrots, beets; ripen green tomatoes indoors; harvest apples, pumpkins, squash & gourds
- cut back asparagus and rhubarb and mulch with compost
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if you’re lucky enough to have tomatoes that are rotten, invite any mischievous kids in the neighborhood over for a tomato fight
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- plant sweet peas in starter pots for early spring planting
- continue planting bulbs -- including garlic
- finish planting trees and shrubs
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GENERAL WINTERIZING
- winterize irrigation systems -- disconnect and drain hoses and irrigation lines and valves
- prepare for frost -- consider frost blankets to protect vulnerable plants
- add mulch -- don't turn over or stir up old much - add a new mulch layer 3-6 inches thick on top of old mulch
- consider cover crops in vegetable beds to enrich soil and prevent weed growth -- WSU suggests crimson clover, vetch or a combo of annual rye and vetch
- clean greenhouses and cold frames for plant storage and winter growth
- clean, sharpen & oil tools and equipment before storing for winter
- cut back and remove invasives such as Himalayan blackberry. Remove any seed pods of teazel, a noxious weed, and put them in the trash -- not in the compost pile.
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Cover Crop planted on Orcas Island |
Perri Gibbons says:
"Since I plant heavy feeder crops like tomatoes and corn, protecting my soil from the nutrient-leaching winter rains is important to me. I lightly till, seed with winter rye, and cover with straw to try to discourage birds."
Perri says that although she is not a Master Gardener, she has been trying winter cover crops and it has been working well for her.
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LOOKING OUT FOR THE BIRDS AND BEES AND INSECTS ???
"Leave the Leaves"
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- only clean up what you absolutely need to
- leave perennials as habitat and food for birds, insects and overwintering native bees
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Check out these websites to learn more about the benefits of being not quite so tidy with your fall clean-up.
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WHAT ARE YOUR FALL
GARDEN PRIORITIES?
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Please take this VERY short and simple survey and let us know how YOU put your gardens to bed for the Fall/Winter. Thank you. We'll share the results in next month's newsletter.
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REFERENCES AND ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
For those of you curious about the sources for the information in this column, here are some of the websites consulted to bring you this information. If you want to read more, these are good places to begin and you just might find yourself going down the rabbit hole of garden research!!! You've been warned!
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PUMPKIN CRAFTS
Make a pumpkin succulent centerpiece or use a pumpkin as a vessel for a cut floral and greens arrangement
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Step one – find yourself a pumpkin with lots of character like this Warted Knucklehead I found at the local market. Carefully cut off the pumpkin stem as low to the pumpkin as possible.
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Step two – gather up a variety of succulents with different colors, textures, heights and lengths. Divide your succulent plants with a sharp knife and remove most of the roots. Rinse them thoroughly with water to remove soil.
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Step three – carefully drizzle hot glue all over the top of your pumpkin.
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Step four – attach the succulents to the top of the pumpkin, using more glue as needed. Add additional adornments such as Madrone berries. Water your creation under a slow running facet.
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Step five – display your work --inside or outside!
Note: when you’re done with your pumpkin, your succulents can be planted
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Alternative project - Hollow out a pumpkin large enough to insert a mason jar inside the pumpkin. Then fill with festive flowers and greenery or edible components such as sage, basil or calendula.
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Do you recognize this striking image???
YES, it's the OIGC logo -- celebrating FALL!!
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Undressing the Maple
by Nita Couchman
I meant to take a picture of the maple
wearing her vermillion and saffron headdress,
to celebrate her transformation from summer’s green,
expecting her glory to last for days
But the wind had other plans
slinking in during the charcoal night quiet
harvesting her crop of leaves
just because he could
Today the driveway is covered with the remains,
shriveled and crisp and curled,
skittering like crabs across the ground
still hopelessly trying to escape the wind’s fickle kiss
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IF YOU ENJOYED THIS MONTH'S NEWSLETTER,
WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!
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PRESIDENT:
PROGRAMS:
MEMBERSHIP:
MEMBERSHIP:
GARDEN TOUR:
GARDEN TOUR:
SECRETARY:
TREASURER
COMMUNICATIONS:
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Nita Couchman
Lene Symes
Perri Gibbons
Karen Hiller
Sally Hodson
Laura Walker
Margaret Payne
Tony Suruda
Helen Huber
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Orcas Island Garden Club
P. O. Box 452
Eastsound, WA 98245
oigc376@gmail.com
www.orcasislandgardenclub.org
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