KINGSTON GARDEN CLUB

MEETING MINUTES MAY 20, 2009

Our featured speaker at the April meeting, Ed Hume, gave a great presentation on vegetable gardening to the Indianola and Kingston Garden Clubs at the Redeemer United Methodist Church. Ed also sold and autographed his new book “Gardening with Ed Hume – Northwest Gardening Made Easy”. As well as making the book available to the garden club members at a substantial reduction, Ed also donated $5.00 of the sale price to the garden clubs.

Noel L. called the May meeting to order at Redeemer United Methodist Church at 9.40^am.

Members Present: 32 and 1 guest.

Pledge of Allegiance:

Hospitality: 1 guest, James A. (became a member) – Jim, welcome to the Kingston Garden Club.

Hostesses: Thanks to Sharon N., Jan S., Pam W. and Carol M. our coordinator.

Minutes: Minutes for April were circulated on the web. The April minutes were approved as circulated

Treasurer’s Report: Our bank balance is $10,250.31.

Committee Reports: Sunshine – No report.

Blanche Gray – Seeds have not arrived yet – hopefully they will be sent by Thursday. Ed Hume donated 125 packets of seeds from his warehouse. (A thank you card was distributed around the room for signatures to send to Ed Hume). Dates for Blanche Gray are Wolfle September 17 and Gordon September 24. If you are interested in participating in these events, please contact Annika M. and let her know. Noel L. will e-mail with more information.
Ways and Means – No report.

Aloha Wright – No report.

Unfinished Business: 2009 Plant Sale, May 2^nd – The net income for the plant sale was $4,585.20 with $867.00 of the total from the quilt raffle. Congratulations to everyone, this is fantastic and a special THANK YOU to Michael, Mitzi and Laurie for a job well done.

Spectrum School – So far Bobbi W., Elaine J. and Noel L. have hired Spectrum students to help in the garden – the reports are good, the students are very hard working. If you need help during the summer please contact Bob Geballe at the school before June 15, the cost will be $12/per hour.( $8.50 to the student/$3.50 to Spectrum).

Unfinished Business. (cont’d): Hot Springs Trip, June 25/26 – Gwen W. has finalized the plans for the Harrison Hot Springs overnight trip. This total includes the limo drive from the church to Harrison Hot Springs, the hotel and entrance into the gardens. Arrangements have been made so you can leave your car at the Church; the trip will take 3-4 hours. If you are interested in this trip please contact Gwen W. before the end of this week, she needs to collect the money now. Don’t forget you will also need proof of U.S. residency to return to the U.S.

New Business:                           Nominating Committee – The following officers were nominated and elected:
President :                Maxine H.
Vice President:         Karen A.
Secretary:                 Holly G.
Treasurer:                 Ann I.
Informal Garden Tours – If you would like to share your garden with members contact Noel L. and an e-mail will be sent out.
Dues – Kay P. is collecting next year’s dues now. Please be sure to get your dues to Kay before or at the next meeting in June. The new handbook is going to be put together during the summer so they can be available at the September meeting.

Donations – Members voted on the following:

$200 for the Kingston July 4^th celebration – MSP

$100 for a hanging basket – MSP (see below)
$300 for a section of sidewalk– MSP (see below)
Kingston Hanging Baskets – After the initial $100, it will be $25/year if we choose to continue. Carol M. added that volunteers are still needed to water the baskets, please contact Karen R. if you are interested.

West Kingston Road Sidewalk– The hawthorn is being replaced with permeable concrete and native plants. A plaque will be installed with the KGC name.

Kingston Beautification Committee – is being formed as an arm of the Chamber of Commerce. There will be a meeting Friday, 2:30 at the Chamber of Commerce. Linda M, Sharon N and Kay P volunteered to go to the meeting.

Show and Tell: Maxine H. brought in two beautiful rhodies, Naselle which was pink and Nancy Evans a yellow rhodie which, when it first opens, is a copper color.

Maxine H. urged members to think about taking a turn in different aspects of the club to lead in some way.
Pam W. brought in the table decorations of cut greenery, bleeding hearts and carnations and gave them to the officers present. Thank you Pam.

Announcements: Wine and Rhodies – Kitsap Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society is holding their annual rhodie auction May 28^th at the Bainbridge Island Winery, 8989 NE Day Road. There will be a garden tour and wine tasting 5:30-6:30^pm followed by the auction 6:30-8:30^pm.

Bobbie W. – handouts from Ed Hume’s presentation last month are on the KGC website as well as Ed Hume’s website.

Plant Sale Raffle Winners: Karen E. of Poulsbo won the quilt and Tracey M. won the garden ornament.

Horticultural Tip: Jim L. read about foliage feeding for annuals and vegetables at this time of year – after 10 days of showing growth fertilize with balanced fertilizer 6-6-6, 5-2-2 or 5-10-10. This tip was from Mary Robson's book, NW Gardening by Month. Also, do not cut the foliage on your tulips until it turns brown as this signals that the bulb is ready.

Next Meeting: June 17 – Dana Coggon, WSU Weed Advisor will be giving a talk on invasive weeds and what they look like.

The meeting adjourned at: 10.30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Dawn V., Secretary