Bless The Gardener

I spend my spare hours growing shrubs and flowers. I tend the land with spade in my hand. I gather the fruits of my labor and sow cuttings and seeds.  The scent of my roses just lingers with love and great care.  I tend all that is there.  Thank goodness for the land - and the hands that help Matzke Butterfly Garden.  Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Coffee and Treats at the Garden

The Norchester Garden Club has a new Butterfly Garden Director, Jean.  She provided a wonderful treat (with table cloth) of coffee, fruits and homemade bakery.  Some very lovely ladies have taken on individual beds to maintain.  You are going to see some wonderful happenings as this idea is expanded.  This is a fun group and please join them December 1 at 8:30 a.m. to prepare the beds for winter with mulching.

Comments on Watering

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I stopped by the garden this morning with a compressor to refill the tires on the garden cart.  The garden really looks quite nice except for a few of the plants.  The issue is water.   Pictures below.

The garden has a sprinkler system on a timer that was installed to water the three main raised beds.  Since then, I have added on to the lines three times as new beds and the roses were added.  The system does a very good job  ...  where it is able to reach.  As plantings and things change, there are always a few areas that need hand watering.   In particular... the north end of the roses, the east side of the fence, and the south end where the two crape myrtles are.  These areas must be watered with the hoses.

Now the hoses are in very poor shape.  But they work.  Whenever I have replaced the hoses with "good" ones, they "walk off."   No one bothers stealing these hoses.  And, earlier this summer, we were having a real problem with kids running the water and then leaving it on... flooding the garden area and path.  Although the Pct 4 guys have been very patient with this, I finally removed the handles and "hid" them.. one still remains.  It is under the metal dog water dish on the south end.

Yet, in the last week, there have been two more cases of running water anyway.  I talked with the park guy this morning and we decided that I'll find new handles and re-install them and we will just take our chances.  At least people might water the needy plants or turn it off when left running.

  Nice new bedding plants ... these among the roses on the west side of the fence.   These guys look great. 





Although close by... this guy doesn't.  The sprinklers do not reach up over the top of the pot.

 

These bedding plants are on the north end of the roses and the sprinklers do not quite get to them .  In this picture the difference in color is not a shadow.. On the right, it has been watered by the sprinklers in the previous hour.  On the left.. the plants are dying.          

Another issue to watch out for... in some places we have a rather fine, red mulch.  While fine for keeping weeds down this stuff does not hold water and for sure, does not hold the root ball of a new plant to which this poor guy can attest.                            

The following are plants on the west (soccer field) side of the fence.. These areas have no sprinklers that get to them.  The hose will reach these areas.

Shout Out to the Lovely Children's Program Ladies

The general public ( 30+) kiddo's experienced the wonder of "Catherine The Catapiller" this morning at Matzke Butterfly Garden.  The garden is loaded with butterflies and beautiful flowers, the perfect time of year to enjoy.  The Norchester Garden Club Garden Committee has done a wonderful job in maintenance.  Thank you Meda, Kathy, Kathleen and her friend, Loretta and Joan.  Especially Joan who provides the wonderful handouts to the children.

Workday Friday Oct. 19th at 8:30 a.m.

With the Butterfly Event on Saturday Oct. 20th we want to spruce up Matzke Butterfly Garden a bit.  A workday is planned for Friday Oct. 19th at 8:30 a.m.  Some planting, some weeding and some general dead heading to be done.

Gardening News

Gardening News

    I have been working with Mercer Arboretum and Botanical Gardens to develop and offer quality programs to gardeners.  Coming up is an exceptional trip on Friday Oct. 12th to Lady Bird Wildflower Center near Austin.  Those attending have a fabulous opportunity to buy plants at their members only sale.  Check The Mercer Society Website for details http://themercersociety.org/  Watch for other trips planned for 2013 including in the spring Shangri La in Orange Tx and a 3 day trip to the Dallas Arboretum, Fort Worth Arboretum and The Botanical Research Institute and other surprises.

 

The Norchester Garden Club will be presenting " Catherine The Caterpillar" at Matzke Park Butterfly Garden on Sat. Oct. 20th at 11, 11:30 and noon.  Please join us.

 

In January, the plastic white fence will be replaced by a white wrought iron fence.  Funding for the new fence has been developed through Association for Better Community Schools. Precinct 4 will support with soil and man power.  ABCS continues to support the maintenance of the butterfly garden, stewardship of the garden, and the children's educational programs.  Most of the monies come from individual donations and support of the Kroger and Randalls Reward Programs.  Thank you for you support. 

 

I will post work days as they are determined.  Please drop by on these days to help or make suggestions, your opinions and time are important elements to having this garden survive.
 

Bending and Clipping

Lots of bending, stooping, stretching, and clipping in the garden this morning.  Thanks to the good turnout of willing helpers.  They created two huge piles of cuttings as vines were pulled from the roses, and most of the shrubs were pruned and the beds weeded.  The garden really looks good but it does take constant effort by those who really care.