The following is a repeat of my last group email. I’m trying to work my way into a blog so bear with me……
Hello Friends,
Remember the recipe for the Zick Bird Dough I mentioned a while back? If you click on this link Feathered Friends you should be able to see some of the photos I’ve taken of the birds that are eating my Bird Dough. I love watching the birds even more now that I purchased new binoculars! I can SEE! If you are in the market for a pair, I can recommend the style that I purchased.
Here Are Some Things to See:
Orchid Display –
I recently had the opportunity to meet Ohio’s former first lady Hope Taft at the Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus. (There is a new project underway at the Governor’s Residence which I’ll highlight at another time.) The jewel in the conservatory this trip was the current display, “Orchid Forest”, now going on through April 3. The orchids were spectacular! For hours, admission and directions, visit www.fpconservatory.org/. There is a wonderful bonus to those of you who are members of the American Horticulture Society – always free entrance to the conservatory! Here are more pictures from the exhibit.
Orchid Show – Cox Arboretum – February 19 & 20 – Dayton
Hundreds of orchids will be on display, as well as orchids and other items for purchase. Informal orchid talks and repotting classes will be held throughout the weekend. This event is sponsored by the Miami Valley Orchid Society.
Educational Opportunities
Workshops at Benham’s Grove – Centerville
Centerville’s City Beautiful Commission has two workshops planned.
1. Master gardener Kathleen Garnica, from “The Secreat Garden,” will present “A Few of My Favorite Things.” at 10 am on Saturday, February 12 at Benham’s Grove (166 N. Main St. in Centerville). The free workshop will feature garden art, container gardens and appropriate plants for container gardens. Reservations are not required.
2. Marvin Duren (Note: OAGC honored Marvin with the 2009 Daisy Sticksel Conservation Award) of “Marvin’s Organic Gardens” will discuss composting and organic care of lawns and plants at 10 am on Saturday, March 12 at the Department of Public works on South Suburban Road in Centerville. Reservations are not required for this free event.
Miami Valley Gardening Conference – Sinclair University, Dayton
Five Rivers MetroParks is presenting a special event on Saturday, March 5. (What is it with March 5??? I can’t be three places at once!) The 16th annual Miami Valley Gardening Conference offers a day of learning with over 15 speakers and several mini-classes/demonstrations. Keynote speakers include Peter Del Tredici , senior research scientist of Harvard University’s Arnold Arboretum, and Jeff Lowenfels, noted soil and garden expert. Speakers are garden experts from OSU, Five Rivers MetroParks and nurseries in the Dayton area. There will also be two cooking presentations by the Culinary Department at Sinclair. During lunch and the afternoon break there will be hands-on demonstrations of valuable skills for all gardeners. Parking is also included. Read more/register at http://metroparks.org/conference
Dayton Home and Garden Show – March 4-6 – Dayton Convention Center
A follow up from the previous issue publicity on the Home and Garden Show
Question: Regarding the Friday, March 4 half-price tickets for garden clubbers – Are the tickets only good for Friday? Do separate tickets have to be purchased for each day or is there an inclusive ticket for all three days available?
Answer: There are no all-event pass tickets to purchase, However, you can purchase pre-sale tickets at half price and use them on any of the 3 days as there are no dates printed on them. Each ticket is good for one day. Tickets can be mailed out or they can be picked up at the Will-Call booth. Guests/friends or family members can also use the discounted tickets.Tickets are a bargain at $4. Partake in any of the classes on the big stage as well as to any of the ‘How To’ Garden Series on the small stage PLUS entrance to the Dayton Home and Garden Show. A couple of speakers you don’t want to miss, on Friday at 10 am Pam Bennet from Ohio State talks about “Proven Plants for Color” and then at 4 pm don’t miss Barb Balgoyen of Walters Gardens of Michigan and her presentation “New and Exciting Perennials for 2011.” Walters Gardens is one of the leading wholesalers in the nation. Saturday highlights include: 11am when Randy Zondag of The Ohio State University & Alan Siewart Ohio Division of Foresty put on ‘”Tree pruning and training boot camp”: A hands-on class where you will actually use pruners to learn the proper way to trim. At 5:30pm John Scott of Knollwood Garden Center talks on “Container Gardening” and shows how to make A BIG IMPACT!
Flora-Quest – May 1 & 2 – Shawnee State Park
Many of Ohio’s foremost botanists will be leading field trips the weekend of April 29 – May 1 in the beautiful hills of Shawnee State Forest in southern Ohio. Flora-Quest is a botanical retreat geared towards learning and appreciating the most spectacular flora in all of Ohio. Check it out at http://flora-quest.com/ (Wistful thought: I want to get to this some day…….)
This ‘n That
Commission Offers Grants – Centerville
The Centerville City Beautiful Commission is offering $250 Beautification Grants to nonprofit groups or volunteers who demonstrate a commitment to the beautification of the city of Centerville. More information can be found at http://www.ci.centerville.oh.us/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=801&Itemid=1658.
Great Backyard Bird Count – February 18-21
The 2011 Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) will take place Friday, February 18, through Monday, February 21. The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like each day of the event. It’s free, fun, and easy—and it helps the birds. Participants count birds anywhere for as little or as long as they wish during the four-day period. They tally the highest number of birds of each species seen together at any one time. To report their counts, they fill out an online checklist at the Great Backyard Bird Count website. Go to http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/whycount.html for more information.
Edible Art for Birds
Here is a cute way to get our young’uns interested in bird watching. It is a video from our friends at the Department of Natural Resources and shows how we can provide food for backyard birds in a fun and creative way. All you need is some bird seed and a little snow. Check out this edible art for wildlife project at: http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Default.aspx?tabid=21318
Ohio Record Tree located in our area
Did you get a chance to go to the ODNR’s Ohio Champion Tree link from a post or two ago? I discovered that there is a local celebrity growing in our area. Listed among the Ohio Champion Non-Native Trees is a Littleleaf Linden (Tilia cordata) tree located at Bethany Lutheran Village in Centerville. The current record holder measures 195″ in circumference and is approximately 79′ tall!
World Flower Show Trip Update
The Ohio Association of Garden Club’s (OAGC) bus trip to Boston and the World Flower Show in June is basically sold out with two buses. If you have already paid a deposit to reserve your spot, trip coordinator Susy Spence (sspence@oagc.org) is now accepting the balance due. The optional $40 trip insurance should be paid at this time as well. A waiting list has been formed.
You Can Help Make a Difference
Dear Friends of Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens,
The Chadwick Arboretum and Learning Gardens is a self-funded organization maintaining 60 acres of green space on The Ohio State University campus. During the past year a green roof team has been focused on designing and installing a green roof (vegetative) on Howlett Hall. Just last month, the Arboretum received a generous donation toward the Green Roof at Howlett Hall project, but we are continuing to raise funds and write grants.
The irrigation company RainBird is promoting an inter-active grant award program The Intelligent Use of Water Awards. If you are inclined, please take a minute to go to the link below and vote for the Chadwick Arboretum’s Green Roof project and help raise another $10,000. The project with the most votes wins a $10,000 reward. You can vote once a day until March 22, 2011 so spread the word!
Thanks for your help!
Mary C. Maloney
Director, Ohio State University Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens
Vickster's Vine 