The Art of Gardening Club is planning a number of activities over the next month.
The club’s Feb. 5 meeting marked a transition in leadership, with Cathy Siwek taking over as president from Kathy Bargar. Pat Edwards is serving as vice president, while Claudia Dunn and Rosemary Caster continue as secretary and treasurer, respectively, according to announcement from the club.
The Art of Gardening club is also preparing for its Seeds of Friendship initiative, which has a deadline in March. The seeds − including bush green beans, green cabbage, carrots, onions, green peppers, tomatoes, cosmos and zinnias − are sent to Rwanda, where they are known to thrive.
President Cathy Siwek, standing, chats with Art of Gardening Club members Faith McKinley, left, and Sue Kelley during the club’s Feb. 5 meeting
In addition, Peggy Stover, Bargar and Edwards volunteered to assist Caster with the yearly audit. The club voted during to donate $100 to the Friends of Secrest Arboretum in Wooster, where they have a field trip planned for May 7. Members will receive a 10% discount on plant sales at the arboretum.
Val Smith, lead propagator at Honey Haven Farm, presented a program titled “New Plants at Honey Haven.” She discussed various plants, including the Frosty Kiss Gazania, the Red Golden Flame Canna and cucamelon, a Mexican sour cucumber that looks like a miniature watermelon. Smith also noted the popularity of ivy geraniums and shared her enthusiasm for dahlias, having grown over 50 different varieties last year.
Upcoming programs
The club has a series of programs scheduled for February at Freer Field Park District Building. All About Birds will be held at 10 a.m. Feb. 17, Wild Hope will be at 6 p.m. Feb. 18 and”Gardening for Wildlife is set for 6 p.m. Feb. 25.
Sue Kelley, a club member, proposed a fundraising idea that involves hosting a ladies’ tea event close to Mother’s Day, where attendees would dress up and enjoy scones, finger sandwiches and fruit.
The club’s March 5 program will feature members Skip Cather and Faith McKinley sharing their expertise on garden preservation, which includes processing, recipes and canning.
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This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Ashland’s Art of Gardening Club plans series of activities
