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September Happenings

Sep15

EAGC’s first meeting of the 2024-25 season is Thursday, September 19. We’re adjusting the starting time of our general meetings – our new set-up time is 8:30, with doors opening at 9 for Social Hour. This will allow members more time to chat, check out displays and Promise Tree offerings, and enjoy the always yummy refreshments before getting down to business. (As always, bring your own beverage.)

Our Awards Committee will be announcing the recipients of three Outstanding Garden Awards at the September meeting. Outgoing chair, Carmen G., along with our new chair, Ginelle H., have invited award recipients to the meeting and have put together a Powerpoint presentation of photos of the winning gardens. The meeting will also include Ways & Means announcements, overviews of all our committees, and some committees will be meeting to discuss plans for the year.

Lazy Scarecrow – photo Ellen J.

Fall must have officially arrived – Ellen J. of the Beautification committee has created a seasonal display for the entrance to the Stratham Municipal Center. She’s taken the scarecrow theme to a new level, covering all the fun of fall!

Club News

Ways & Means

  • Workshops are underway for the Yuletide Fair, to be held on November 23rd. Lee C. and Ellen J. are hosting an Oct. 10 workshop to make Gnome Centerpieces (right). Members are also working on Scented Pomander Balls, under the direction of Pat N. Sign-up for the Gnome workshop will be available at the Sept. meeting.
  • A Promise Tree event: Apple Picking & Refreshments tomorrow, September 16, from 1-3 at LuAnn F.’s home. $10 donation to the Promise Tree. Contact LuAnn to RSVP.
  • We will be holding a Bake Sale at the Exeter polls on Election Day, Nov. 5. This is our first Election Day Bake Sale since the pandemic brought them to a halt.
  • Our 2024-2025 Yearbooks will be available at the September meeting, thanks to our new Yearbook Editor Pat N. Be sure to pick yours up at the membership table.
  • There are still a few empty board and committee spots waiting for member volunteers. Please consider whether one of these would be a good fit for you: Vice President, Nominating Committee, Hospitality chair to oversee monthly refreshments, Publicity, or Civic Beautification coordinator of the Holiday decorations at the Exeter Historical Society.
  • Looking ahead – our Holiday Luncheon date has been scheduled. We’ll be celebrating on December 5 at the Wentworth by the Sea Country Club in Rye.

Other Events & Activities

The Barrington Garden Club Seed Swap is on October 16 at 6 pm. Go to https://www.facebook.com/BarringtonBloomers/ for more info.

The Lane Memorial Library is offering an HBO documentary film, “Trees and Other Entanglements”, on Tuesday, September 24th, 2 PM and Friday, September 27th, 2 PM at the Weston Gallery & Theater. Free admission. In this film, meeting a young boy stolen and hidden amongst trees, an artist refining American bonsai, a photographer artfully observing trees, a mother fighting to protect the forests in her backyard, family trees and uprooted trees, and a man who steadfastly plants them.

Image by Freepik

August Happenings

Aug25

Our new gardening season is almost upon us – marking another summer that disappeared before our very eyes. Judging by the photos submitted by members, we spent our break enjoying the hard work we and others have invested in nurturing beautiful things. The highlight club activity of August was Lee C.’s design workshop. Ann H. provides us with these words and photos:

What fun members had learning the basics of flower arranging with Lee at her home recently. She is such a natural arranger who effortlessly blends technical skill with creative expression as evidenced by her latest Ogunquit Museum’s Art in Bloom design. Members were fortunate to be guided through arranging techniques, balance and harmony by crafting their own designs with feedback from Lee. How lucky we were to have access to Lee’s gardens and gorgeous umbrella pine tree!  Assisting Lee were Jane J., Kathryn J. and Ann H.

A note from our new President, Vicki…

The Promise Tree is a well-loved tradition for our Garden Club. Members participate in events outside of our regular meetings for the purpose of enjoying a fun time together; as well as providing funds for the community projects that we offer, such as: Civic Beautification, Mini Grants and Scholarships.
We encourage members to offer an event or service. The Promise Tree gets a new leaf, and the host provides a sign-up sheet for her event. This sheet provides date, time, place, theme, the number of people that can attend, and the price of the event (we value the social aspect more than funds).
We have created a new ADVOCATE position, on trial, as we are trying to revive the Promise Tree after our COVID years. Please volunteer to ensure the Promise Tree set-up looks great for your month, be available to answer questions, and encourage new events with our empty leaves. Consider pairing up as Advocates to mingle more during the social hour. Let us try for a full and healthy tree this year to display at our June Luncheon.
The Advocate sign-up sheet is included in your most recent club email or sign up at the next meeting.

Club News

Our first Board meeting of the season will be held at 9:30 on Thursday, Sept. 5, at the Stratham Municipal Center in the Hutton Room.

In case you’ve lost track of your week, the summer maintenance schedules for the Stratham Veterans Garden and the American Independence Museum are now posted on the website, under Members Only. Don’t forget to notify the next person on the list at the end of your week!

Our September 19th general meeting will feature the Awards Presentations for Outstanding Commercial and Residential Gardens. After touring nominated gardens and much deliberation, the Awards committee has made some difficult choices and will reveal them at the meeting. We will also hear committee overviews from the chairs and hopefully have time for some committee discussions. The meeting starts at 9 a.m. at the Morgera Room of the Stratham Fire Department.

Other Plant News

Want more info about where and how plants originated? The five-part Ancient Earth series from PBS NOVA and the BBC is available to stream on pbs.org/nova, NOVA on YouTube, and the PBS app. The series uses realistic animation based on the latest research to explore the dramatic history of Earth, from its formation to the emergence of humans.

Can you guess why the name tulip comes from the Turkish word tülbent which means “turban”? How about why the petunia gets its name from the Tupi word petí̵ma which means “tobacco”? Check out this website for your etymological answers. Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden | Merriam-Webster.

For those of you with night-blooming Cereus who are patiently waiting for a bloom, Carmen G. has discovered a foolproof way to get blooms out of a recalcitrant plant. Being much discouraged that her large, healthy Cereus has refused to produce, she gave it an ultimatum: “bloom this summer or it’s the compost for you.” Well, here’s the result, as of 11 p.m. on the 24th.

Here’s the bloom’s progression from Aug. 14 to the 25th.

Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet. Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Lastly, more wonderful photos from Lynda B. “I helped my daughter feed cows, goats, and rabbits on the Appleton Farm in Ipswich, Mass. where she volunteers; a doorway in Ipswich; a smoky sunset in Exeter.”

June Happenings

Jun12

Before we get to the news of the month — please make sure you’ve renewed your membership for 2024-2025! The deadline for inclusion in the Yearbook is June 30. Please send your Registration Form with your dues to Niccky J. If you need your photo taken or would like a new photo for the yearbook, a photographer will be available at the June 19 Luncheon.

At May’s meeting, members stepped into the world of floral artistry with 6 club members presenting an Art in Bloom exhibit, where each display was inspired by beloved films. In a nod to the elegance of “Pride and Prejudice,” Lynda’s delicate roses intertwine with greenery, evoking the romance of Austen’s classic tale. What better movie for a Brit to choose! “Julie and Julia,” by Carol C., inspired a culinary delight, with vibrant herbs and edible flowers adorning a rustic kitchen garden tableau. Lee had us follow the yellow brick road to “The Wizard of Oz,” where we were transported to the land of Oz complete with a tornado.

For fans of modern romance, “You’ve Got Mail” displayed a New York City scene, as vibrant sunflowers spill over a mailbox, capturing the essence of love letters and city streets. With the movie, “Tulip Fever”, Lynne ignited the senses with a riot of tulips in rich hues, evoking the passion and intrigue of the Dutch Golden Age. And some of her props were beloved items passed down from her great-grandmother who hailed from Holland. Finally, with “Little Shop of Horrors” Nickky and Jan took a whimsically macabre turn with carnivorous plants, a playful homage to the cult classic’s dark humor. Each display was a testament to the artistry and imagination of our 6 members and we delighted in seeing favorite movies brought to life through flowers. Following the meeting, displays were transported to Wiggins Memorial Library to be on display for the enjoyment of library patrons. Bravo to all participants!
– Ann H.

Julie & Julia, designed by Carol C.
Pride and Prejudice, designed by Lynda B.
Little Shop of Horrors, designed by Niccky J. & Jane J.
Tulip Fever, designed by Lynne B.
The Wizard of Oz, designed by Lee C.
You’ve Got Mail, designed by Linda V.

These arrangements had to be seen in person to appreciate the detail and thought that went into them. Some included very personal items, such as the little soldier made for Lynda B. by her mother many years ago, and the Dutch family memorabilia from Lynne B., including the tiny wooden shoes worn by her grandmother. No wonder this is one of the most anticipated meetings of the year!

Stratham Library Display
And let’s not forget the month’s Hospitality crew — yum!
Iain Nicol with Pat N., President

EAGC was very pleased to award our annual $1000 scholarship to Iain Nicol, a 2024 graduate of Winnicunnet High School in Hampton. Iain will be moving on to UNH to pursue chemical engineering with a focus on environmental conservation. To read more about his goals, go to our Scholarship page on the website.

Our yearly wrap-up Spring Luncheon and Plant Auction is only days away. This year brings something new & different – we will be meeting at the Abenaqui Country Club in Rye. The luncheon/auction is always a celebratory event and a fun and affordable way to take home new plants for the garden or patio. We will also be swearing in a new board officer (welcome Carmen G.!) and saying goodbye to Pat N., who has earned a well-deserved retirement (although she will still be busy, preparing next year’s yearbook.)

Last month we reported that our annual Indoor Yard & Bake Sale was a success, raising more than $1000 for our coffers. Our members donated plants, baked goods, and miscellaneous items in addition to the table rental we collected from outside vendors. Thank you to the Ways & Means committee, headed by Johann S. for making it happen.

Artful Display
Johann surverying the goods
Mel M. helped organize the gardening section
Vicki B. (finger unidentified)

More recently, EAGC was represented at the Exeter YMCA’s Healthy Kids’ Day. We were asked to (wo)man a table to help educate participating kids about gardening and hopefully encourage them to undertake some gardening of their own. Ann H. had this report:

Pat N., Jill C., and Ann H. represented the EAGC at the YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day by presenting a sensory exploration of aromatic herbs. Smiles of accomplishment filled the air as children used their senses to guess each herb. The reward? A coveted Welch’s fruit snack and a colorful sticker for those who correctly identified at least one herb, adding a flavorful twist to the day’s activities.

Also available were tiny herb and tomato seedlings, cat grass seed kits for cat owners, and an opportunity to learn a little more about insects using posters from the Environment and Conservation Committee’s theme this year. Termites and stink bugs seemed to draw the most attention.

(Posters were designed by Jill C. Photos from Ann H.)

These are the worker bee who cleaned up the beds for spring at the American Independence Museum in Exeter. EAGC will again be maintaining the foundation beds for the museum, one of our community projects. If you’d like to be a part of this good-looking crew, contact Linda S.

Board News

  • Please review your calendars for which month you would like to be on the refreshment committee during our next year.  A sign up form will be at the June 19th luncheon.  We will assure that there is a lead and 5 volunteers for each month.  If you will be a lead for a month, you can send that info to Vicki B. and she will put you on the form before the luncheon.  If you must have a specific month, send that to Vicki to fill in on the form.  Thanks.
  • The Membership committee is requesting that all members check their profiles on the website to make sure all your info is up to date, including your committee choices. You can find your profile by clicking on “Howdy, your name” on the top right of the website home page.
  • There is an Inventory List on the website, under Members Only, that lists all club items and which member is holding it at this time. Please check that list to make sure that you have any items assigned to you. If you have club items that aren’t on the list or see any other errors, contact Vicki B.

    Thank You!

If you haven’t been to Bedrock Gardens in Lee or haven’t been there recently, check out their website calendar. They have so many interesting activities planned for the summer. For the unitiated, “Bedrock Gardens is a public garden that integrates unusual botanical specimens and unique sculpture into an inspiring landscape journey. This 30-acre site has recently transitioned from a historic farm and private garden to a public oasis of horticulture, art, and inspiration.” Open Tuesday through Fri and the 1st and 3rd weekends of the month. 10 am to 4 pm. 19 High Road, Lee, NH 03861.

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Coincidence or Planned?
Our May Meeting Mystery

May Happenings

May10

April General Meeting

Douglas Cygan, Invasive Species Coordinator at the State of NH Dept. of Agriculture, shared his conprehensive knowledge of NH Invasive Species with members at our April meeting. Doug is THE authority on this topic in New Hampshire and is obviously very passionate about his topic. Everyone who attended came away with a much greater understanding of the negative effects of invasives and how those are being addressed.

The Hospitality committee, coordinated by Jill C., did its usual magic, providing a refreshment table that was both spring-like and mouthwatering.

Treasures Unveiled – A Promise Tree Event

Lee C., a passionate collector of Japanese art, welcomed club members to her Asian room to explore the history, the craftsmanship and sprit of her collections. Starting with the bright red wedding kimono she stands before, she shared the intricacies and history of many of her pieces from jewelry to hair ornaments, ceramics, furniture, cloth, carvings, and paintings. Favorite items were passed around to admire the details and artwork, such as the delicate netsukes, tiny carved masterpieces worn on obi sashes of kimonos.

Following her presentation, Lee gathered her guests around the table for a traditional Japanese lunch, explaining each delicious course as it was brought to the table. Everyone savored the flavors of every successive dish. It was a wonderful time of camaraderie, hospitality, and teaching in Lee’s comfortable home.

One of our club’s most important community service projects, the Veterans Memorial Garden in Stratham, is in need of more volunteers to help maintain it this summer. As anyone who’s been there knows, this garden is a lovely, peaceful place to spend some quiet time. Why not do a little weeding & deadheading while enjoying the beauty? Contact Mel M. to sign up for a week.

Board News

  • Our Indoor Yard Sale is tomorrow (Saturday, the 11th). Remember your Baked Goods and Yard Sale items – which should be brought to the Stratham Municipal Center between 2 and 5 Friday or by 8 on Saturday.
  • Returning and incoming officers and committee chairs are invited to the June transition meeting on Monday, June 17, at LuAnn F.’s home. Please reserve the date; more details to follow.
  • Time to renew your membership! Please download the Registration Form from the website (here) and bring it along with your check to the May 16 meeting.
  • If you haven’t signed up for our Spring Luncheon and Auction yet, contact Paige C. The deadline is May 25th!

Lee C., with the assistance of Ann H., is again representing our garden club with an arrangement at the Ogunquit Museum of American Art’s annual Art in Bloom event, Friday, June 21 through Sunday, June 23. Some of you will remember that on Lee’s first attempt at this event two years ago, she placed second! Lee has just chosen the artwork she will be interpreting and has shared a sneak preview.

‘Tis the season for Plant Sales! Patti E. has done some excellent research and compiled a list of local sales, which she posted on our Facebook page (find it here – visit and like it often!) Here’s a brief rundown of her efforts. She also offers precautionary advice regarding invasive jumping worms.
A gentle reminder to wash the roots of your plants before transplanting to prevent the spread of jumping worms and their eggs.

Other Local Events

  • The Portsmouth Garden Club Literature in Bloom is displaying floral arrangements at Portsmouth Public Library. This year they are featuring Children’s books. Display is free and open to the public beginning at 1:00pm on Wednesday, May 15 through Friday, May 17 at noon.
  • Online. Emily May, Pollinator Conservation Specialist, Xerces Society will present “In the Life of Nocturnal Pollinators” on May 23 from 1:00 – 2:00pm. Learn about the pollinators that come out to work as others turn in for the evening. Moths, flies, beetles, and other dusk and night-time pollinators play important roles in pollinating wild and managed plants. Free. Click here to register.
Wikimedia Commoms

This Month’s Big Question: Does leaving the dandelions in my lawn benefit pollinators?
I know of a certain husband (who will remain un-named) who strongly believes that dandelions serve no purpose other than to aggravate lawn lovers. Steph Sosinski, Home Horticulture Program Manager for UNH, has written an article that should help put that question to rest. Here’s her opinion.

Member Ginny T. was fortunate enough to be hiking in Leavenworth, WA when she came across some amazing flowers – Chocolate Lillies:

April Happenings

Apr6

April is National Garden Month

Let’s jump into Spring with some gorgeous floral arrangements, courtesy of our very own designing members. At the March 28th Design Workshop and under the direction of chair, Ann H., members made Easter-themed arrangements, proving once again what a talented group of arrangers we are. Enjoy the results:

And here are some of the creators at work:

These arrangements were made using Sideau, a floral foam alternative crafted from Earthwool, a natural material derived from volcanic igneous rock and fortified with a binder free from plastics and formaldehyde.The floral bricks can be reused or composted, added to the garden soil or as a starter base for seeds. Using this eco-friendly solution to floral foam, we not only reduced waste but contributed to a healthier environment.

In other spring news, our March speaker was Jamie Colen, who has been Garden Director of the beautiful Fuller Gardens for over 20 years. He impressed attendees with his extensive knowledge of soil dynamics and his passionate belief in natural, versus synthetic, soil management.

Jamie Colen

Members brought Spring to the meeting by displaying their first garden blooms on the Hort Table. A surprising number of cheerful flowers made their appearance, including Iris, hellebores, Pieris japonica, pussy willow, Johnny jump ups, and snowdrops.

And of course, the Hospitality Committee, put on a seasonal show at the refreshment table:

The March meeting also featured an Environment & Conservation presentation on ground insects, those little critters who work busily and mostly out of sight on our soil and plant roots. In addition, Patti E. offered members seeds from the club’s Seed Library, which is open for business again at the Exeter Public Library.

Thanks to Ann H for all the wonderful photos!

A great many members participated in the club’s 2024 Member Survey, which was collected at the February meeting. Ginny T., our Treasurer, gave a brief overview of the results at the March meeting. Although opinions and suggestions varied widely, their were some common responses that will help guide the club in a direction that maintains the relevance and value to our members. More information about the survey will be forthcoming.

The Programs Committee hosted a very elegant “Mingle, Munch and Moot” luncheon on March 14 to explore new ideas for possible meeting programs. Ann S. hosted the group in her beautiful home, while Vicky B. and Mary Anne J. helped with prep and refreshments. It was a lovely way to spend an afternoon getting to know each other better. And there was actually some serious discussuion about programs!

Several members of the Civic Beautification Committe put together a cheerful spring welcome for anyone visiting the Stratham Municipal Offices. Our club has adopted the somewhat barren entry as one of our beautification projects and our contributions have been greatly appreciated.

Wellington Gardens is open for the season. Their annual PERENNIAL SALE will be from Saturday, April 27 – Friday, May 3 or until sold out. Sale hours: 7 am – 6 pm. All 4-inch Perennials are $3 each.
Their ANNUALS SPECIAL is Saturday, May 4 – Sunday, May 12 or until sold out, from 7 am – 6 pm. Select Annuals 6-packs are $2.50 each. They’re at 89 Rowell Road East, Brentwood.

UNH Extension has published two articles of special interest to spring gardeners. “How to Utilize Raised Beds for Small Space Gardening” explains how raised beds can be be used to grow flowers, vegetables or even fruit. Find the article here.
And UNH Extension’s question of the week is “Which Spring Ephemerals Are Best for New Hampshire Gardens?” Ephemerals emerge early in the spring, flower and go dormant by summer, only to emerge again the following spring. This article describes those that flourish in NH. You can read about them here.

Spring beauty (Claytonia virginiana) image by Ivy Main, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Common

Upcoming Events:

April 11, 12:00 – 1:00pm “Building Resilient Landscapes” Online, Free
Presented by Dan Jaffe Wilder, Director of Applied Ecology, Norcross Wildlife Foundation
In this changing world, it behooves us to build resiliency into every landscape. The days of landscapes dedicated to beauty alone are passing. People are demanding ecologically sensitive landscapes; they want reduced lawn, reduced maintenance, and greater wildlife value. Register here.

April 16 Traffic Stopping Curb Appeal by Kerry Ann Mendez
Hosted by the Rye Driftwood Garden Club. https://www.ryenhgardenclub.org/programs for info.

April 17, 10:30 AM – 12. Flower Arranging presented by Jayne Densmore
Portsmouth Garden Club, held at the Urban Forestry Center, Elwyn Rd., Portsmouth. They ask that non member guests donate $5 to cover cost.

April 22, 2:00 – 3:30pm “Edible Native Plants” Online, Free
Presented by Russ Cohen, Naturalist, edible native plant seed collector, propagator & planter
The fact that many of our native species are edible by people too provides an additional incentive for people to plant them in their yards that might otherwise be insufficiently induced to do so for the ecological rationale alone. Register here.

April 24, 7:00 – 8:00pm “Rethinking Gardening” Online, Free
Hosted by York Public Library. Presented by Wild Seed Project
Our garden plant choices can determine which species can seek refuge in our gardens, how much species diversity we see in residential areas and help minimize impacts of climate change such as flooding and drought. Register here.

May 8, 7:00 – 8:30pm “Gardening Among Hungry Mammals” Online, Free
Presented by Nancy Lawson, Author, The Humane Gardener
Discover how a combination of strategies—including mixtures of preferred and unpalatable species, strategic plantings along well-used pathways, and gentle exclusion techniques—can help you trade resistance for peaceful coexistence. Register here.

Lee C. is creating Gnomes again – this time a special Easter Gnome.