Past Programs and Events

Here's what went on...and what you might have missed!

 

May 19, 2010

How Do Your Trillia Grow?

Our own Barbara Trunkey, who has a magnificent garden on the north side of the island will present a program on the joy and beauty of northwest trillia (plural of trillium).

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April 21, 2010

Those Darn Voles

Dave Pehling from WSU Extension Snohomish County, who teaches the vertebrate pest management course for the Master Gardeners, will come with samples and ways to capture these pests.   Dave is an entomologist by training and also teaches insect pest management.

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March 17, 2010

Evans Farm Nursery

John and Wanda Evans have served Orcas for twenty-one years at Evan Farm Nursery near Doe Bay and have a vast knowledge of what plants perform well on Orcas.   They will speak about native plants, fruit trees and ornamentals adapted to our climate.

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February 17, 2010

Tool Time

with Errol Speed of Smith & Speed Mercantile

What is your favorite garden tool?   Learn how to repair and maintain the tools so necessary for gardening chores.   Wear old clothes and bring your hand pruners, loppers, etc. for a "hands on" demonstration.   Patrick Bennet will film and simultaneously project onto the screen Errol's work so we can see and follow along.   Bring other tools that need sharpening.

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January 20, 2010

Cutting Gardens Through the Seasons

Suzanne Phalen of Peace and Plenty Flowers on Orcas will speak about growing cutting flowers and how to get successive blooms throughout the growing season.   Suzanne's designs have been featured in Real Simple and the New York Daily News.

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December 9, 2009

Annual Holiday Tea with former members as our guests

Chris Morris of Island Thyme will talk about various plants that are used to create products for mind and body.   Chris and Suzanne Morris own Island Thyme in Olga.

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November 11, 2009

Bees and Butterflies in Your Garden

Rhonda Barbieri of La Campesina Project will discuss plants that attract bees and birds so that we can increase their numbers in our gardens.   Rhonda has been farming on Orcas since 2000 and keeps bees herself.

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October 21, 2009

Fall Planting: the opportunities that fall presents

Roger Ragusa has been the retail nursery manager at Wells Nursery in Mt. Vernon for the past ten years. His undergraduate degree is from San Francisco State University and the San Francisco Bay Area is where he began his nursery career. He has worked as a propagator as well as in nursery management.

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September 16, 2009

"Woodland and Shade Plants"

by Richie Steffen , curator of the Elizabeth C. Miller Botanical Gardens in Seattle

A well-know personality on the Pacific Northwest horticultural scene, Richie joined the Miller Garden in 2000, bringing with him a variety of horticultural expertise. After moving to Seattle in 1980, he worked at Sky Nursery in Shoreline and then, as propagator/nursery manager, at the Rhododendron Species Garden. He studied horticulture at the University of Maryland.

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June 10, 2009 *Note: date and time change
Place: Ken Walker's home - Time: 11:00am

Annual End of the year Picnic!

The Changing of the Guard!
Everyone bring a potluck dish!

Driving directions to the Walker's: Take Enchanted Forest Road from Lover's Lane toward West Beach a little over a mile to Harper Road. Turn left on Harper and immediately left again on Snowberry Lane. Follow Snowberry past the green draped fence to the cul-de-sac where you will see the Walker sign and the gate.

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May 20, 2009

"Small Fruit Production"

by Colleen Burrows

Colleen is the Integrated Pest Management Coordinator for Whatcom County Extension. She works with raspberry and blueberry farmers as well as diversified organic farmers on pest control issues with the goal of reducing pesticide use. She completed a masters in horticulture from WSU where she worked on raspberry and strawberry breeding programs.

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April 15, 2009

"Rain Gardens"

by Julia Turney

A natural way to contain, treat and infiltrate surface water runoff and improve water quality. How to size and locate a rain garden. Julia is a Master Gardener, a Washington State Licensed Geologist and has a home on Orcas. She works for the King County Department of Transportation, Road Services Division, Environmental Unit obtaining permits for construction projects and helping meet storm water permit requirements.

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March 18, 2009

"Mediterranean Gardens"

by Terri Stanley and Terry Moyemont

Terri and Terry are owners of Mesogeo Gardens on Bainbridge Island which specializes in Mediterranean plants, and they are the branch leaders for the Northwest Chapter of the Mediterranean Garden Society. Terri Stanley has designed and installed gardens for 20 years, and her design work has appeared in numerous gardening books and periodicals. Terry Moyemont’s photographs have appeared in Pacific Horticulture, Garden Design and in The Encyclopedia of Exotic Plants for Temperate Climates.

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February 18, 2009

"Ornamental Grasses"

by Jeff Bossler

Before moving to Orcas Jeff worked in California on landscaping crews, in wholesale and retail
nurseries and at the Mendocino Botanical Gardens. On Orcas, as the sole proprietor of Alpine Seaside Landscapes, he continues to work with plants and rocks. His “art” has evolved into his landscape designs, local community non profits and humanitarian work in Nepal.

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January 21, 2009

"Vegetable Gardening"

by Carol Miles

Carol is the WSU Vegetable Extension Specialist located at the Mount Vernon Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center. She specialized in vegetable production and has a strong interest in alternative crops and organic production. Carol has her Ph.D. in vegetable crops from Cornell University and has been teaching and learning about vegetable production for 25 years.

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December 10, 2008
10:30 AM - Wednesday *Note: date and time change
Holiday Luncheon - TBD

"The Care and Watering of Orchids"

by Robin Becker

Robin is an orchid hobbyist. She does not consider herself an expert. However she has been growing orchids for the last eight years and has more than 160 varieties to take care of. For those of you who may be tired of poinsettias, we plan to have some orchids for sale for your holiday decorating needs.

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November 12, 2008

"Remarkable Trees: the art of tree placement"

by Marguerite Greening

Working with the large tree canopy, screening and practical tips on planting and caring for your trees. Marguerite has been working with plants professionally on Orcas since 1987. She and her husband, Chuck Greening, run a landscaping business whose work has been featured in the Seattle Times pictorial section. “Nature holds the highest standard of beauty. We consider it a success when our customers’ needs integrate seamlessly with the character of the property they fell in love with.”

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October 15, 2008

"Creative Composting"

by Kristina Bayas, Kris is the Volunteer Coordinator for WSU Extension in San Juan County. 

She will provide practical tips on how to enrich our soils through hassle free composting and worm bins. Kris will also have applications and information on the 2009 Master Gardening Class that will be held in Friday Harbor.

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September 17, 2008

"Plant Exposure"

by John Christianson, As owner of Christianson’s Nursery in Mt. Vernon, John is a great asset to our island.  1 800 585-8200

We look forward to John’s presentation and enjoy the opportunity to purchase the exciting plants that he brings on his visits to the island. 

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June 11, 2008 (note date change!)

Club Picnic

This year the Garden Club picnic will start at 11:00 am at the home of Jackie Abell - 118 Golf Estates Road

Driving instructions: Take Orcas Rd. South from Eastsound and, just past the Golf Course, turn left onto Sunderland Rd. Go through the Golf Course to the homes behind. Golf Estates Rd. is the first Right.

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May 21, 2008

"Orcas Soil Management"

by Craig Cogger, Ph.D., Dr. Cogger is a research soil scientist at Washington State University in Puyallup. 

He encourages us to bring a soil sample from our garden site, two handfuls, for texture analysis.

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April 16, 2008

"Renovating the Overgrown Garden"

by Cass Turnbull, As founder of Plant Amnesty and author of the book, Guide toPruning, she is creating new respect for the plants in our lives.

We welcome back Cass and look forward to learning more about her passion for keeping plants and trees alive. 

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March 19, 2008

"Plants That Do Well on Orcas"

by Lorna Vestor, Lorna is the owner of Driftwood Nursery in Eastsound.

Lorna is going to expose us to plants that grow well on Orcas. Many of us come from other states and want to grow here what did well where we last lived.  Some of us have tried and been disappointed.  After today, we should know about some plants that grow successfully on Orcas.  376-6801

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February 20, 2008

"Resources for Gardening on Orcas"

by Emily Reid and Hazel O’Brien

Emily and Hazel will lead us through some of the resource materials we have on Orcas to assist us with our gardening. Everyone is encouraged to bring one or two of their favorite books on gardening.  We will have tables set up to display these books. By the time we are finished, every person in attendance should be introduced to many wonderful aids for their gardening.

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January 16, 2008

"Roses That Love Orcas"

by Midge Kraetzer, Midge is an active Master Gardener on Orcas. “When does passion become obsession? When I looked out at my California garden on New Year’s Day and realized that I had forty rose bushes to prune. I moved to Orcas, gave away all my rose books and swore off.  Those pesky roses came creeping back.  I had heard that rugosa roses were great by the sea because they were salt tolerant so a few of those entered.  Then Sally Holmes came.  I couldn’t do without.  Now I am back where I started with some of my old rose books and some new ones." 

"What I would like to share is a very personalized tour through the genus Rosa with those roses I have found do best for me and others with some hints about rose care. No black spot."

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December 12, 2007

"Landscaping with Bamboo"

by Jackie Heinricher, Jackie is the owner of Booshoot Gardens.

She will explore the challenging art of growing bamboo. Her focus will be on managing growth and establishing the desired location.

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November 14, 2007

"Plant Propagation Simplified"

by Colleen Howe, Colleen is the owner and propagator of Mitchell Bay Nursery on San Juan Island.

She will help us learn the methods necessary to propagate our plants. Bring clippings of your favorite plants and share with others what you love and enjoy from your homes.

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October 17, 2007

"Mini Gardens in Containers"

by Mary Robson, Horticulture Writer for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.Educator in ornamentals, gardens, lawns and soilsResponsible for the Master Gardener Programs in Pierce and King Counties. Extensive experience in urban horticulture

This program is for everyone; those who confine their gardening efforts to containers on the deck to those who perk up the garden space with fanciful pots filled with portable color.

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September 19, 2007

"Tantalizing Trees on Orcas"

by Sam Bullock, Sam is the owner of Green Island Landscape and Design in Deer Harbor, 376-2773. In addition to being a long time resident of Orcas, he brings a wealth of practical knowledge and gardening experience to our meeting.

Today he will be discussing some unique trees that grow on his property. Following our question and answer time, Sam will have items from his nursery to purchase.

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June 30th 2007 10:00am - 5:00pm

"ORCAS IN BLOOM" Garden Tour 2007

Six fabulous gardens this year!

Photos to be posted soon....

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June 13 th 2007 11:00 AM

*Note date change to Second Wednesday

Annual End of the Year Garden Picnic

at the McPeakes

The Changing of the Guard!

Everyone bring a potluck dish!

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June 6th 2007 10:00 - 3:00

GINCIG Garden

The Gincig's have graciously opened their garden to members of the OIGC.

There will be a self-guided tour of Bill and Monique Gincig's on June 6th from 10-3. They have a large vegetable garden with a strawberry patch you will envy. They also have beautiful fruit trees and a lovely new pond. Through the Gincig's loving care, their garden thrives even after this very bad winter.

Hope you had a chance to see it!

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May 16 th 2007

"Stone Scaping"

by Maureen Burlew & Jackie Abell, OIGC Members

Maureen and Jackie will present a program showing how stone has been used both historically & in present day. They will show examples of ways to use the island rock we can’t get rid of, how to create lovely rock walls, garden dividers, paths, benches, streambeds & monuments.

(The results are guaranteed to be Deer-proof.)

For members who choose to go, there will be a follow-up field trip to local gardens which use rock in a masterful way.

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May 5th 2007 - Saturday

Workshop: Embellished Cement Stepping Stones

Make one or two stepping stones. Learn how to lay out decorative embellishments of your own, or use Yvonne's! Learn how to mix cement.


TIME: 10 TO 3
INSTRUCTOR: Yvonne Ashenhurst

WHAT TO BRING: Lunch & Beverages, Wear old clothes, Rubber Gloves, Tiles, Broken Pottery or China, Decorative rocks, etc.

Our creations will need to cure for a few days before they can be moved so Yvonne will bring them to Orcas Island when they are ready.


LOCATION: Yvonne's house on Crane Island . Carpool to Crane Island Dock at the end of Deer Harbor Road in Deer Harbor. No one will be able to leave the workshop early, so plan on staying until 3:00 pm.
COST: $10.00 for materials and boat ride to Crane Island
ENROLLMENT: Limited to 10 lucky people due to boat size

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April 24th 2007 - Tuesday and April 26th 2007 - Thursday

Workshop: Basic Digital Photography in the Garden

This is all about taking photos of your garden and plants. Learn some basics about digital cameras, shooting techniques, automatic vs manual settings, close-up focusing and more. For the beginner and intermediate digital camera user.


TIME: Tuesday: 2 TO 5 - Thursday: 1 TO 4
INSTRUCTOR: Sara Hennessey

Limit: 7 people per session


WHAT TO BRING: Digital Camera, Fresh Batteries (If necessary), Memory Card(s)
LOCATION: Tuesday: Barbara Trunkey's Garden - Thursday: Ed Williams' Garden

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April 18th 2007

"Pruning"

Learn how to prune when you thought you shouldn't.

by Cass Turnbull, Owner of independent landscape consulting business, President/Founder of Plant Amnesty: a national organization to establish appropriate pruning and quality care for urban ecology, Author of books about "Pruning in Summer" & garden renovation.

Cass will demonstrate basic pruning and the kinds of cuts to be used while pruning in summer. That’s the time to reduce growth in plants. She will provide handouts: A Summer Pruning Guide & the Plant Amnesty’s Pruning Guide.

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March 29th. 2007 - Wednesday

Workshop: Fruit Tree Pruning

Sharpen pruning shears and learn how to properly prune fruit trees

TIME: 10 TO 2
INSTRUCTOR: Marguerite Greening
WHAT TO BRING: Pruning Shears, Gloves, Safety Glasses, Lunch


LOCATION: Start at Emily Reid's orchard, 7 Emily's Orchard Lane (across from West Sound Marina on Deer Harbor Road)
Approximately noontime we will move to 200 Deer Harbor Road
If time allows we will then move to 4971 Orcas Road (between Deer Harbor Road and Nordstroms Lane).

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March 21st 2007

"Birds-Scape"

Functional and colorful: who are these visitors?

by Keith Geller, Landscape Architect, Speaker for the Audubon Society for Audubon Gardens

Mr. Geller will identify the types of birds that frequent our island and suggest how to attract them to our space while they are here. He will touch upon the ecological reasons we benefit from the birds’ visits

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February 21st 2007

"A Conversation With Our Experts"

Orcas Island Garden Club Panel

Moderated by Dixie Walmsley, Master Gardener

This meeting will feature a panel of experts that will discuss all aspects of gardening. The interactive session will cover favorite gardening discoveries and planting tricks. Bring your questions and problems to our panel of Orcas Island Experts.

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Jan 17th 2007

"Plant-Scape Rivals"

Plants That Can’t Share Space

by Fiona Norris - OIGC Member, Science Director of the San Juan Nature Institute, Lecturer to incoming Master Gardener Classes, Former director of botanical gardens in Texas, Honolulu and South Africa

Strange Bedfellows: Compatible companion plants and antagonistic companions in a garden. Why sagebrush is so evenly paced and how some plants restrict growth of near neighbors (allelopathy).

 

Contact: Garden Club, P.O. Box 452, Eastsound, WA. 98245

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