Outdoor Decorating

This month, consider decorating an outdoor tree to provide food for winter birds. You could hang a garland made of popcorn, cranberries, peanuts in their shells, and raisins. Wondering what to do with that Indian corn left over from fall decorating? You can hang it outside for our avian friends along with some apples and carrots. Then, sit back and enjoy the bird show!

-MJ

Nature Happenings - December 2015

December 2015

December 19

Crossbills, pine grosbeaks, and redpolls may be around by this time.

December 20

Most ladybugs are hibernating outside, often in clusters of hundreds or even thousands in tree crevices or under leaves or bark. But you may find a few overwintering in your home.

December 22

Winter solstice—shortest day and longest night.

December 25

Full moon. The Christmas Moon (Colonial American).

December 29

Mercury is at its highest point above the horizon for the best viewing. After sunset watch for the planet low in the western sky.

Excerpt taken from Mass Audubon's Outdoor Almanac.

Succulents & Pumpkins

We'll be learning the art of design & balance as we creatively construct our own arrangements at the November monthly meeting tonight.  It's sure to be a conversation starter at holiday gatherings!!

Tonight, 11/4, at Harmony Hall, Dracut Historical Society, 7-9 PM

Houseplants

Now that the heat is on in our homes, remember that the air quickly gets dry, so our house plants really need to be misted. Spritz them a few times a week, or daily if they seem to be suffering from lack of humidity.  Clustering plants and placing them on trays of pebbles to which you regularly add water to just below the bottom of the pots can be helpful as well. If you grow cactus, stop all water during this period because they're naturally adapted to winter drought.  Houseplants will not begin growing again until they get more light and don't need fertilizer until early February.

Nature Happenings - November 2015

November 2015

November 3

Listen for woodpeckers drumming on tree trunks; they are not only foraging for insects but also enlarging their cavities as seasonal shelter.

November 7

Robins forage for berries in wild cherry, dogwood, sumac, and viburnum.

November 8

Woolly bears, bristly black and bronze caterpillars of the Isabella tiger moth, are now likely frozen solid and will thaw out in the spring. According to myth, the length of their central stripe predicts the duration of the coming winter.

November 12

Field, vesper, chipping, and Savannah sparrows depart this month for their wintering grounds.

November 14

Yellow-rumped warblers are migrating through Massachusetts.

November 25

Full moon. The Dark Moon (Celtic).

November 28

Watch for wintering snow buntings and juncos in fields and open areas searching for seeds on withered golden grasses.

November 30

Observe wildlife tracks after snowfall—you may find prints left by foxes and skunks, or even fishers and coyotes.

Excerpt taken from Mass Audubon's Outdoor Almanac

Recognition for our Arbor Day & Conservation Efforts

The Dracut Garden Club was recently honored to receive 2 awards for our Celebrate the Earth program.  The GCFM, Inc. held their annual Fall Conference on October 26, 2015 where our state garden clubs come together to connect, learn, and celebrate achievements.

The DGC was given The Charlotte Lane Connor Arbor Day Award, a silver bowl, for our Arbor Day/Earth Day event (Celebrate the Earth) which included programs, educational exhibits, and the planting of an American Elm tree. This is the 6th time we have received this award in the last 12 years from the GCFM!

We were also recognized with a New England Regional Award this year.  The Laura Wetmore Conservation Award was presented to us for the environmental education, exhibits, and programs at our Celebrate the Earth event this past April.

A big thank you again to the Celebrate the Earth Committee and everyone from the Dracut Garden Club, the Town of Dracut, and participants who supported us with another fantastic, award-winning event!

The Frightened Frog

Connecting Children With Nature

Do you remember being told to go outside and play as a child? Without realizing it, our parents gave us the greatest gift of all, freedom to experience the great outdoors where our imagination ran wild and our stress and unneeded calories melted away.

Today’s children are held captive by our fears and electronic devices. Spending more than 7 ½ hours a day consuming media, these “digital natives” often spend less than 1 hour a week on unstructured recreation. As a society, we have a moral and ethical obligation to give the natural world back to our children.

Every child needs time in a natural setting. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends sixty minutes of daily unstructured free play as essential to children’s physical and mental health. The worldwide initiative to reconnect children with the natural world is making a difference. The International Union for Conservation of Nature in 2012 recognized “Children have a human right to a connection to the natural world and to a healthy world.”

Recent scientific research identifies strong correlations between experiences in nature and children’s ability to learn and cope. Schools with environmental education programs score higher on standardized tests in math, reading, writing and listening. The National Wildlife Federation notes Cal Tech’s Jet Propulsion Lab interviews all candidates about their play experiences as children, because they’ve found a direct correlation between hands-on play and superior problem solving skills.

National Garden Clubs, Inc. encourages you to read and discuss The Frightened Frog with the children in your life. Even better, take them on a quest to find an egg mass, tadpoles, frogs and other amphibians. Become an environmental hero! Sit and listen while enjoying the mystery and magnificence of the natural world with the most important people anywhere, our children.

As parents, grandparents, and educators, we have a pivotal role in the experiences of the future stewards of the natural world. Now is not the time to hesitate, but to leap into action.

Sandra H. Robinson
President 2015-2017
National Garden Clubs, Inc.

From National Garden Clubs, President's Projects:  The Frightened Frog

Nature Happenings - October 2015

October 2015

October 2

Look for ripe wild grapes along old stone walls.

October 8

Larch trees, the only northern deciduous conifers, turn brilliant yellow.

October 10

Peek inside goldenrod flowers and you may find yellow crab spiders.

October 15

Look for miniature white parachutes floating in the air; they are milkweed seeds adrift after the pods have burst open.

October 27

Supermoon, the third and last of the year; this full moon appears lighter and brighter than most because it is closer to the earth than usual.

October 28

Rare three-planet conjunction. Before sunrise look for a tight triangle in the eastern sky formed by Venus, Mars, and Jupiter.

October 31

Halloween—don’t be afraid of harmless daddy longlegs inhabiting your garage or basement.

Excerpt taken from Mass Audubon's Outdoor Almanac

Solidago altissima / Tall Goldenrod

Gaura

Maybe you're not familiar with this perennial, but I recommend it. I planted two varieties of it this summer for the first time and they are both still in bloom. It has many small, pink flowers and I have one called "Freefolk Rosy" that has bicolor pink and white blooms and variegated foliage. They need full sun and are easy care. They grow 1-3 feet tall and may spread to 2-4 feet wide. An added bonus--they attract butterflies!

-MJ

Photo credit:  http://www.finegardening.com/wand-flower-gaura-lindheimeri

Fall Plantings

We immediately think of mums, but there are also ornamental kales and cabbages for sale. They are hardy even after frost and as temperatures drop, their colors often get deeper.
Many garden centers have perennials, shrubs and trees on sale at this time so take advantage of lower prices and add more life to your garden. 

And of course, autumn is the time to plant tulip and daffodil bulbs for color next spring. And remember the smaller bulbs like crocus, grape hyacinth and snowdrops which are the first to pop in early spring.

-MJ

Greenhouse Gardening

Please join The Dracut Garden Club and Paul Steen, a retired physician and healthcare software executive, who will be speaking to us about Greenhouse Gardening!

WHEN:  Wednesday, October 7th, 2015 at 7 PM 

WHERE:  Harmony Hall,  1660 Lakeview Ave., Dracut, MA

The basics of greenhouse gardening will be covered along with:

• types of greenhouses
• heating and ventilating needs and how to measure
• soils, pots, water, and fertilizers

He will also address the gardening aspects of greenhouses including dealing with new plants, unwanted visitors, sanitation, and space allocation.

Time will be allowed for questions and discussion on what plants to grow.

Paul has been gardening for over 50 years, & has owned a hobby greenhouse for the past 30 years where he grows camellias, succulents and tropical plants. Paul's outdoor garden is primarily a woodland and shade garden.

Paul completed 3 years of college-level horticulture courses at the New England School of Gardening at Tower Hill Botanic Garden. He became a certified Master Gardener in 2005 at the MHS.  He lectures on topics such as home greenhouses, shade gardening, xeriscaping, plant diseases and on cactus/succulents and houseplants.

DIY natural herbicide

Nature Happenings - September 2015

September 2015

September 1

Bumblebees busily search for nectar and pollen in late-season blossoms. They slow down with colder weather, sometimes resting inside the center of a flower.

September 9

Praying mantises are camouflaged in high grasses and garden patches.

September 10

Broad-winged and sharp-shinned hawks migrate at about this time of year.

September 12

Eastern kingbirds and olive-sided flycatchers have departed for their wintering grounds in South America.

September 23

Autumnal equinox; days and nights are of equal length.

September 25

Look for late-blooming goldenrods and New England aster in fields and on roadsides.

September 27

The last of the ruby-throated hummingbirds have left for Mexico and Central America.  

September 28

Second supermoon of the year. This is even closer than last month’s giant full moon, appearing larger and more brilliant.

September 30

Watch for green darner dragonflies over sunny meadows.

Excerpt taken from Mass Audubon's Outdoor Almanac

Eurybia divaricata/Aster divaricatus/ White Wood Aster

Solidago caesia / axillary goldenrod

Vines

If you're running out of garden space, consider growing vines vertically on trellises, arbors, or fences.  A good annual to try is morning glory.  I start seeds outside in late May. Morning glories don't like to be transplanted so decide exactly where you want them. They bloom from midsummer until frost in shades of blue or pink.

Perennial vines include clematis and wisteria. There are many varieties of clematis in lots of colors. Some are spring bloomers, while others flower in summer or even fall. Check the tag when you buy one to see when to expect flowers. They also have attractive seed pods.
Wisteria vines are very woody and need strong support. After planting they may not bloom for several years. They need full sun to thrive. The blue or light purple panicles flower in April.

http://www.almanac.com/plant/wisteria#

Dracut's Old Home Day 2015

Save-the-date for Dracut's annual Old Home Day 2015!
Saturday, September 12th
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (we'll be at our table until 4 PM)

Our raffle baskets have always been a hit, but this year we'll be doing something a little different... stay tuned for more details!

Always try to grow in your garden some plant or plants out of the ordinary, something your neighbors never attempted. For you can receive no greater flattery than to have a gardener of equal intelligence stand before your plant and ask "what is that?" --Richardson Wright

Can you identify this plant?

Bird Baths

If your bird bath has grown an algae scum, a good way to clean it is to use a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water. Let it sit for about 30 minutes, then rinse it out.

Another suggestion is to pick 6 stems of lavender, wrap them with an elastic band, then float the bundle in the water.  It's worth a try!

Annual Plant Sale a Huge Success!

Our 5th annual plant sale fundraiser was a huge success!  The event was held at the Dracut Historical Society on Saturday, June 6th.  Eager customers were scoping out plants before we even finished setting up!  We had a wide selection of perennials, annuals, trees and shrubs, herbs, vegetables and unique floral arrangements.  Gardening containers of all types, fertilizer, and handmade garden flags were also available for purchase this year.  We raffled off a beautiful, locally-made adirondack chair, and container gardens artfully designed by our members.  Thanks to all who donated and purchased plants to support our non-profit club.

More Recognition for our Blue Star Memorial By-Way Marker

At the GCFM Annual meeting, The Dracut Garden Club was honored with 2 more awards for last summer's Civic Development Project -- the site restoration, establishment, and placement of a Blue Star Memorial By-Way Marker at a Dracut intersection.  The Air Force Sgt. Daniel Robert Turner Square was re-dedicated in July 2014.  We are proud to have this project recognized by the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts and the National Garden Club.

President's Tray for restoration of a neglected site at an intersection;
Blue Star Marker at Hildreth St. & New Boston Rd.
June 2015

Mary F. Brewer Roadside Beautification Award for our Blue Star Marker
June 2015

Certificate of Merit for an outstanding Civic Development Project;
The establishment & placement of a Blue Star By-Way Marker at
Air Force Sgt. Daniel Robert Turner Square, June 2015

Weeding

There's a word to make us groan, but it's important to get rid of weeds because they compete with your flowers for valuable resources such as soil nutrients and water. You should pull out weeds by the roots.  This is easier to do when the ground is damp after a rain or after you've watered. 

If you're trying to get rid of weeds in the cracks of your walkway, patio or driveway, fill a spray bottle with white vinegar and zap them with a strong blast. After a few days, try again if a few have survived. Vinegar won't harm children or pets, and is kinder to our environment than most commercial sprays.

Remembering Our Veterans

The Dracut Garden Club honors our veterans each year by planting flowers around town.  This year we added some patriotic colors to our new Town Hall, the library, and at the newly renovated Dracut High School.  We remember and appreciate the sacrifice of all our veterans past and present.

Dracut Library Front Garden

In front of the new Town Hall

Near the Dracut School Complex

Save-the-Date for our annual Plant Sale!

Please join us for great deals on locally grown plants at our annual garden club plant sale!

Saturday, June 6, 2015
8 AM - 1 PM
Dracut Historical Society lawn
Lakeview Avenue, Dracut

Arrive early for the best selection!

Summer Bulbs

These are bulbs planted in late spring to bloom in the summer. They are also called tender bulbs because they will not survive our winters. The two most common summer bulbs are dahlias and gladiolus. Both come in a wide range of colors. 

They like rich, well-drained soil and lots of sun.  After blooms finish in the fall, you can dig up these bulbs, dry them and store them in a mesh bag in a garage or basement to plant again next spring.

Yard Sale Fundraiser - next Saturday!

Stop by our annual yard sale fundraiser on Saturday, May 16, 2015!

8 AM - 1 PM
390 Arlington St., Dracut

All proceeds help beautify & educate our community....from maintaining our town gardens to bringing speakers on gardening & conservation topics, among many other things!

We thank you in advance for your support.

Dividing Plants

Would you like to get free plants to expand your garden or fill in bare spots? It's easy to divide perennials to get more plants. Summer and fall-blooming plants can be divided in the spring.

Using a spade, dig up the whole plant. Then use your hands or a knife to break it into smaller pieces, each with some leaves and roots. Replant the new divisions in areas that have the same light & soil conditions as the original plant. Water the new plants well, and if it's really hot and sunny, provide them with some shade from an umbrella or an overturned laundry basket for a few days until they get established in their new spot. 

Division does not work well for plants that have one long tap root such as baptisia, balloon flower, butterfly weed or oriental poppy.

Educate Yourself About Ticks & Lyme Disease

Please join us for an important educational session during our May monthly meeting.  A member of the Middlesex Tick Task Force will be sharing important information about the different types of ticks, protection from them, and the controversial disease they carry.

Wednesday, May 6, 2015
7 PM - 9 PM
Harmony Hall at the Dracut Historical Society

Celebrate the Earth with us this Saturday!

Kick off school vacation week with a little fun and get back in touch with nature. Rain or shine this Saturday at Harmony Hall... Stop by for hands-on crafts, interesting exhibits from a local beekeeping family to a worm expert, plus an owl show featuring up to 6 live owls. Don't miss this chance to educate & entertain your kids at the same time!

Please join us for our annual celebration of Arbor Day & Earth Day on Saturday, April 18th, 2015.

10 AM - 1 PM:  Exhibits, activities, raffles, and crafts outside the Dracut Historical Society
11 AM:  A live owl show by Eyes on Owls inside Harmony Hall

Discover "Whooo's in Your Backyard?".  Learn about native plants and wildlife, plus ways to become more environmentally friendly at home, school, and in your community.

Free and family-friendly!  First 100 participants/families receive a free tree sapling.  Hope to see you there!

For more information, please message us on Facebook.

The "Celebrate the Earth" and Eyes on Owls programs are supported in part by a grant from the Dracut Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Annual Yard Sale Fundraiser

Stop by our annual yard sale fundraiser on Saturday, May 16, 2015!

8 AM - 1 PM
390 Arlington St., Dracut

All proceeds help beautify & educate our community....from maintaining our town gardens to bringing speakers on gardening & conservation topics, among many other things!

We thank you in advance for your support.

Celebrate the Earth with us in 1 week!

Save-the-Date for our Annual Plant Sale

Please join us for great deals on locally grown plants at our annual garden club plant sale!

Saturday, June 6, 2015
8 AM - 1 PM
Dracut Historical Society lawn
Lakeview Avenue, Dracut

Arrive early for the best selection!

Everything's Coming Up Roses!

All are welcome to join us on Wednesday, April 1st at 7 PM!  We'll have a brief business meeting followed by guest speaker, Jeannette Danehy, a local rose expert.

It's finally spring!!

Spring-cleaning Your Houseplants and Starting Seeds

Spring-cleaning Your Houseplants and Starting Seeds

Here are a few ideas for gardening now. It's a good time to clean the dust off your houseplants. The coating can inhibit the exchange of air and moisture for the plants. With smooth leaved plants, you can just wipe them with a damp sponge or moist paper towel. For plants that have textured or fuzzy leaves, take a clean paint brush or even a make-up brush and whisk away the dust.

If you are starting seeds indoors, try to water them from the bottom. Watering from above can dislodge the seeds or even knock down a tender seedling. Set the flat or pot into a larger container and pour the water into that and let the seeds absorb what they need from that. Just don't leave them in standing water for more than a few minutes.

Happy spring, and keep a look-out for those first crocus, or flowers on a hellebore, the plant also known as a Lenten rose because it can blossom as early as Lent.

-MJ

You're Invited to Celebrate the Earth!

Please join us for our annual celebration of Arbor Day & Earth Day on Saturday, April 18th, 2015.

10 AM - 1 PM:  Exhibits, activities, raffles, and crafts outside the Dracut Historical Society
11 AM:  A live owl show by Eyes on Owls inside Harmony Hall

Discover "Whooo's in Your Backyard?".  Learn about native plants and wildlife, plus ways to become more environmentally friendly at home, school, and in your community.

Free and family-friendly!  First 100 participants/families receive a tree sapling and a gardening gift.  Hope to see you there!

For more information, please message us on Facebook.

The "Celebrate the Earth" and Eyes on Owls programs are supported in part by a grant from the Dracut Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

1st Meeting of 2015 is just around the corner...

New members welcome!

Please join us Wednesday, March 4th, 2015
7pm @ the Dracut Historical Society, Varnum Room

Happy New Year!

We look forward to resuming our monthly meetings and activities starting in March 2015.  New members welcome to join at any time!

Meetings are held the 1st Wednesday of each month (March - December)
7 PM to 9 PM
Harmony Hall, next to the school complex on Lakeview Ave.

For membership or any information:
Contact Mary Jo at 978-454-9733
or Donna at 978-937-7078

Or message us on Facebook!