february 2007 newsletter

Many thanks to Ann and Budda for hosting our last meeting!
Our most recent meeting

We met at Ann and Budda’s home in Gulfport and had a great time. I don’t recall ever getting hugged so much! John Starnes talked about how to raise an edible garden, and filled us in on the tricks for success. Thanks to all who attended, and especially to Ann and Budda!

Our Next Meeting:

This month we are spreading our wings and journeying to that mystical land over the Skyway!  Lesli Larmon, Joan Bowling and Ann Glenn of Accent Trees & Nursery have offered the use of their facilities for our next meeting on Sunday, February 18th at 1pm. Their nursery specializes in butterfly attracting plants, and they also have a butterfly house and sell butterflies! 

The nursery located at: 6205 16th Ave East, Palmetto, FL 34221, on the corner of Palmview and Canal Road, just off US 41. Please RSVP to Marty Volpe or call to coordinate your potluck items. You will probably want to bring a chair with you, since I am not sure of the seating arrangements.

Directions to next meeting: Login to Members page

I am sure you will be bringing lots of plants for the raffle.  If you don’t, of course you could always buy some there. I am told that this is the largest retail nursery in Manatee County! If you don’t believe me, check them out www.accenttreesandnursery.com  Please don’t forget to identify your plants for the next owner.  I am sure you will appreciate finding out how to care for the plants you select.

Of Interest to Gardeners

Norris Crenshaw’s monthly timetable of gardening chores:

February

1. Prepare garden for Spring
2. Spray the petals of azaleas and camellias to prevent blight
3. Transplant trees

Also of interest:

Selby Botanical Garden in Sarasota
Sunken Gardens, 1825 4th Street N, St Pete.
Pinellas County Extension Service calendar for lots more gardening events.
City Beautiful Commission in St. Petersburg
Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum in St. Petersburg

Monthly meetings at Moccasin Lake Nature Park
2750 Park Trail Ln., Clearwater:

Clearwater Audubon Society
1st Monday, October – May, 7:00-9:00pm.
Pinellas Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society
First Wednesday of month, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Suncoast Sierra Club
3rd Thursday, 7:30-9:30pm

Mark on your calendar

Saturday Morning Market – through May
Central Ave. from 1st to 2nd St. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

European-style open air market featuring fresh produce, prepared foods, gourmet baked goods, greenery, handcrafted gifts & house wares, local artists and live music.

We were there last weekend and saw several of our members, and picked up some great plants!

Club News

What a great meeting we had last month! Ann and Budda were the perfect hosts, opening their home and garden to all. Budda even was willing to let those of you interested watch the game with her!

There wasn’t a lot to discuss this month, although we did accomplish a few things. For one thing, we were pleased to announce that our website is under construction and soon to become a reality! We created a Web committee made up of Bill Ward, Tony Parente, Marty Volpe and myself to work together with Chris Chomick of ChrisArt Designs to design our site. Ann and Budda allowed access to their computer which allowed us all to view the progress that has already been made. 

We voted on which color the group tee-shirts should be. The overall opinion was to go with the 6 PRIDE colors. Tee-shirts are available in your choice of size/color (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, or violet) embroidered with your name and the Rakes logo for just $15.00.  We will probably be offering additional styles of shirts at a later date. Please bring a completed order form with your payment to the next meeting!  

Jim introduced us to the possibility of purchasing PRIDE colored hats. He modeled the hat for us in several ways that certainly inspired me to want one!  Scott Hoffman has them available to order, so keep them in mind at the meeting!  

Jim also advised us of the upcoming need for a budget committee to work with Tony and help determine our financial needs.  He pointed out that the committee would not control the budget, but would suggest a budget based on previous expenditures, and determine the amount of our yearly dues.

Finally, I advised that our email lists were in need of a clean-up and explained that I would be sending out an email to unpaid members to have them verify that they wished to remain on the contact list.  This should have served as a reminder to everyone who got the email that it is time to join or renew your membership.  I will fill everyone in on the results at the meeting!

John Starnes was this month’s presenter. He spoke on how to grow an edible garden, and shared the wisdom he was given at a young age when he started his first vegetable garden. He also showed us the best way to cut a mini-blind to create many garden labels.

Suggestions and Volunteers Needed

Brian Cahill, our program coordinator, is still looking for suggestions and/or volunteers for demonstrations. Please email him if you would like to lead a demonstration or to suggest someone else who might. Also email him if you have a topic you would like to hear about.
Jim’s Plant of the Month:

Brugmansia
(Angel’s Trumpet)

Some of you are asking, “Aren’t they called Datura?” Well, they used to be. Some years ago it was decided that the species with upright pointing flowers would be called Datura, and those with pendant flowers would be called Brugmansia. A good decision, I think, because if you’ve ever compared the seed pods, you know they really aren’t the same plant. 

Especially since blue and purple are the most common colors for
Datura, but there are no blue or purple flowered Brugmansias. You may be surprised to learn, though, that just about every other color now exists, and so do many unusual forms. 

Those ready for an adventure may want to consider some of the newer colors and forms available. Some are long trumpets, others flare open widely to reveal the throat, usually of a lighter color. The so-called double flowered angel’s trumpets look like they have a flower growing out of another flower. Fantasma, or Shredded White, has abandoned the trumpet shape altogether, to become a bunch of petticoats. There are now deep pinks, oranges, reds, and lemon yellows that stay that way. Several varieties, such as Maya, have variegated foliage.

All angel’s trumpets grow as large shrubs or small trees, topping out at 12 to 20 feet, depending on the regularity of frosts and pruning. They are heavy feeders, performing best in a rich, moist soil in full sun, with regular water. I find the pinks will tolerate more shade than the yellows. If you have pets or children that like to chew on foliage, keep in mind that Brugmansias are poisonous.

I’ve included links to a couple of nurseries that have a large selection, just to give you a better idea of what’s available. Enjoy!

http://www.countrygdn.com/
http://www.fantastikgardens.com/trop-b2.html

Club Officers Contact

President: Jim Nevers, president@rakesandbladesfl.com
Vice President: Ann Allen, vicepres@rakesandbladesfl.com
Treasurer: Tony Parente, treasurer@rakesandbladesfl.com
Secretary: Bruce Bates, secretary@rakesandbladesfl.com

Newsletter: Bryan Hopper, newsletter@rakesandbladesfl.com
Photographer: Brad Hissing, photos@rakesandbladesfl.com
Raffleator: Kevin Ritter, raffles@rakesandbladesfl.com

Program Coordinator:
Brian Cahill, programs@rakesandbladesfl.com

Host Coordinators:
Ann Allen, Marty Volpe, hosting@rakesandbladesfl.com

Potluck Committee:
Marty Volpe, Stan Trimmer, Scott Hoffman
potluck@rakesandbladesfl.com
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