October 2013

Co-President's Letter

I'm inside writing this note because we're getting our first rain of the season today. A few of us were working in the Eden Community Garden and had to pack it up early as the rain drops suddenly appeared. This is one of those rains that our gardens love so well, big juicy rain drops that nourish the soil and replenish what has been lost to the dry California summer. Fortunately, it wasn't raining last weekend when about 30 of us turned out for the annual tomato tasting that Sondra and Teri hosted at the Camp Arroyo Terrace, where we all marveled at the huge variety of slicers, cherries and paste tomatoes and then feasted on the wonderful tomato dishes. (see page 5 for details)

I'm excited about all the events we have scheduled for October, read on to learn about everything going on!

Karen Abbruscato, Co-Pres

October occasions............in the garden

....the leaves have started to Fall so it is time to start whacking back in the garden. There is an excellent short video of Annie (yes, Annie of Annie's Annuals) clearing and cleaning out her garden beds at the nursery. You can connect with the video on our website at lavgc.org. Shows you how really far back she cuts her perennials ---and some she doesn't cut yet.

....as many of you know, I am gone for 4-5 months in the spring and summer so my garden is on its own as far as pruning and plumping so I thought I'd share some sturdy survivors with you. Most get some water. The abutilon are blooming and happy, the Sedum spectable "Autumn Joy" are in their glory and the aphids are just starting to move in on them. This plant is so versatile it survives in Colorado with no water but rainwater and below zero weather (the latter is why I am not there in the winter). Most of the succulents are happy and blooming or I can tell from spent blooms that they did bloom over the summer. Roses are happy, blooming, and many have hips but they really need deadheading to encourage another round of blooms now. The autumn clematis is fragrant and growing rampant with small white blooms over the decorative grape vine which will be bright red orange soon but is purple now. Unfortunately the grape decided to have fruit a few years ago and is just a mess now since the fruit is inedible (all seeds and skin) but leaves vivid stains on the sidewalk and patio. After the clematis blooms fade I will cut it back to the trunk so the grape vine can have its glory. This variety of clematis is very sturdy and exuberant so if it is not cut way, way back it would take over the world quickly.