September: Patricia McNelis demonstrates ikebana arrangements. Member Bench Show: “Flower Pot Power”

April 11th: Linda Fleming, noted herbalist, writer, and delightful storyteller, will be our guest speaker. Topic: Moon Gardening:  Planting According to the Phases of the Moon.  Please join us at 1:15 at the Norwalk Senior Center (11 Allen Road, Norwalk).

May 26th:  Annual Plant Sale!  Located in the parking lot at 1 Park Street (near the Norwalk Green), hours 9am to 1pm.  Save the date!

The public is invited to hear our selection of informative speakers this winter.

Jan.10: Victor DiMasi, noted lepidopterist, will tell us about our native butterflies and how the environmental changes are affecting them.  Lecture at 1:15 at the Senior Center, 11 Allen Road, Norwalk. (Room B of the Senior Center)

Feb. 14: Sarah Graber will talk to us about the Norwalk Land Trust programs.  Lecture at 1:15 at the Senior Center, 11 Allen Road, Norwalk.

Mar. 14:  Kim Eierman, environmentalist, will discuss gardening to benefit ecosystems.  Lecture at 1:15 at the Senior Center, 11 Allen Road, Norwalk.

September kicks off a new year of terrific guest speakers and events for the Norwalk Garden Club. Our meetings are held the 2nd Wednesday of the month at the Gallaher Mansion in Cranbury Park at 12:15. Guest speakers start around 1:15; the public is welcome to join us!  

September guest speaker: Tovah Martin – horticulturalist and well know garden author will discuss the Indestructible Houseplant.     [No guest speaker in October]

November guest speaker: Evelyn Lee from Butternut Gardens in Southport will prepare holiday floral arrangements.

Annual Christmas Fair:  Saturday, December 2, Cranbury Chapel in Norwalk

Memorial Day – Adopt-a-Spot

Happy Memorial Day weekend!  As you work in your garden this weekend, please consider adding some new plants which you’ll be able to  purchase at our annual Plant Sale (Saturday, June 3rd from 9:30am to 2:30pm). This is a one-day-only event featuring backyard plant divisions – which means they are more adaptable to this area and more suited to your yard! Great prices!  Stop by and see us at the corner of East Wall and Park Street (adjacent to the Norwalk Green).

April Gardening Chores:  Zone 6                              

Lawns:  As ground becomes workable, rake up winter debris (leaving certain areas as natural food source for birds); de-thatch lawn if necessary; fill in low spots with soil, and fertilize established lawns. Crabgrass will begin to germinate when soil temperature reaches 50 degrees (around the time the forsythia blooms).  Apply corn gluten (to control weeds) at this time, or a crabgrass pre-emergent.  Test lawn soil, and apply lime if necessary.

Beds:  Farmers Almanac tip to determine whether your garden soil is ready for seeding – grab a handful of soil. “If it forms a ball, the soil is too wet, but if it crumbles through your fingers like chocolate cake, it is ready for planting!” Have your soil tested (CT Agricultural Experiment Station website http://www.ct.gov/caes/site/default.asp  provides a form and instructions for mailing soil samples). Fertilize preferably with a fertilizer containing slow-release nitrogen. Divide and replant crowded bulbs (winter & spring blooming).  As you are cleaning up your beds, bear in mind that many unwanted insects and diseases can overwinter in your garden, so you may not want to add this debris to your compost.  Cut back any perennial foliage that you didn’t trim back last fall; wait until new growth appears before cutting back the butterfly bush, lavender, sage, Montauk daisy, caryopteris, and other woody shrubs.  Cut back ornamental grasses before new growth appears.  Prune roses and boxwoods!  As our “winter soil” softens and dries out, divide and transplant! Hostas, ornamental grasses and ferns and best divided & transplanted in early spring.

Container plants: Make sure to provide sufficient water to plants that have over-wintered in containers (soil in containers dries out quickly); check the soil for mold and re-pot with fresh soil if necessary.

Set up birdbaths and maintain with fresh water for our migrating, nest-building friends!

Maintaining the garden at the Norwalk Public Library.

Join our March and April meetings to hear the following guest speakers (1:20 pm, Gallaher Mansion, Cranbury Park, Norwalk):    

March 8 – our guest speaker is Amy Ziffer, Northeast gardening specialist, who will discuss Shade Gardening with us!  http://www.amyziffer.com/

April 12 – Linda Fleming, Master Gardener and herb expert, will tell us how to “Bloom where we are planted”.

The Norwalk Garden Club supports the creation of backyard habitats for our wildlife, especially during the winter months.  Rather than throwing out your holiday greens, make a brush pile in a protected area of your yard to provide shelter for birds and other wildlife. Brush piles provide safe spots for chipmunks, rabbits,hibernating reptiles, amphibians, insects and ground-nesting birds. Leaves (especially shredded ones) help fertilize the soil and protect roots from extreme cold.  Provide water that won’t freeze! Our wildlife can expend valuable energy looking for water on extremely cold days. Invest in a quality heater for your birdbath, or have water supplies close to the house and keep them supplied with fresh water.

November 9th workshop at 1 pm: we will be creating Holiday Floral Arrangements. Members bring your container of choice – flowers will be provided. (Gallaher Mansion, Norwalk)

December 3rd – Annual Christmas Fair from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm at the Cranbury Chapel (365 Newtown Avenue, Norwalk)