Minutes of Meeting #2 March 9, 2008

FLOURISH!

Minutes of Meeting #2: Saturday 1^st March 2008

Venue: Tracy Dunley-Owen, Higgovale.

Flourish committee: Caroline Doyle (Chair Lady); Tricia Simons (Editor); Alison Reidy (Web Manager); Sally Franz (Librarian); Joanne Austin (Secretary); Nicky Ferris (Treasurer)

Apologies:

Mandy Hewlett; Craig Carbutt; Ally Reidy; Lise Kargaard; Louise Mulholland; Saranne Salmon; Tracy Vainio; Nicky de Stadler; Karen Gray-Kilfoil; Paul Kilfoil; Olga Constantatos; Natalie Turner; Alistair Simpson; Emily Tyler; Saranne Salmon
Hostess Garden

Tracy Dunley-Owen discussed her garden with us and later there was an informal walk-around after the meeting, at tea time. Thank you Tracy for opening your home to us.
News/Announcements:

Look out for the March issue of Garden & Home – Tracy Van Maaren’s garden is featured. Congratulations Tracy, your garden certainly looks fabulous!

Admin:

Although at this stage, there are no subs in early days; each new member to pay R60 – if you haven’t already paid R60, please contact Nicky Ferris (Treasurer) for Flourish bank details. Many thanks to Nicky Ferris for volunteering to be our Treasurer.

Minutes:

Joanne Austin has very kindly volunteered to take minutes at our meetings. As such, she takes on the role of Secretary, and joins the committee. Many thanks Joanne.
Library:

Our library - there are 25 books in the collection so far. People are also welcome to loan or donate books to the library. Please contact Sally Franz, our librarian. Sally will bring books along to our next meeting, and members will be able to take out books then; the loan to last till the next meeting.

Flourish Blog:

Remember to check out the latest information on our new and beautiful blog (bravo to Ally Reidy for creating a wonderful website!): http://flourishgardenclub.wordpress.com/
All sorts of useful information and news of events etc, is regularly added by Tricia Simons (Editor) – thanks so much Tricia - and Ally Reidy (Web Manager). Members with any material to add to the blog, please contact Tricia Simons.
Project Flourish Update

A few members have already taken their ‘before’ photos and selected/prepared their chosen areas. And Nicky Ferris kindly showed us her photos and 3D plans of her garden. Let’s keep our inspiration going!

Plant Table

Amarylis Bella Donna (March Lily) – Glenda Bell.

*** members please feel free to bring a plant to show or query next time***

Garden Queries:

Caroline Doyle asked how to handle Amarylis after it has finished flowering; Jenny Simpson suggested planting it in a shaded but not wet area of the garden and ensuring that it does not get much water to prevent rotting of the bulb.

Sally Franz asked for advice on how to manage a vine creeper that has taken over in her garden. Advice is to get it under strict control, and restrict its growth only in useful places, otherwise it will dominate and become a pest.
Plants to Gift:

Sally Franz has indigenous yellow-flowered water plant.

Glenda Bell offered shade-loving slips to Tracy Dunley-Owen for her hillside garden.

Joanne Austin has asparagus fern.

**Please contact these members directly if you are interested in these plants**

Guest Speaker

Jenny Simpson inspired us all with her valuable advice on ‘What to be doing in Your Garden in March/Autumn’. Jenny’s farm garden in Elgin sounds like paradise on earth and listening to Jenny speak of tried and tested gardening practices, home-made recipes to ward off pests, and tell her stories over the years had us all captivated and enchanted. Jenny also brought with her a beautiful collection of what is flowering in her garden at the moment - suffice to say that we were suitably wowed! Thank you so much Jenny for honouring us with your time and advice! Also, many thanks for those delicious apples! *A copy of Jenny’s talk will be available on our blog – watch that space!*

We would love to arrange a Flourish outing to Jenny’s garden, to coincide with the annual Rose & Garden Festival in Elgin – Jenny’s garden is one of the open gardens at this festival which is held in October every year. That will definitely be something to look forward to and diarise!!!
Next Meeting:

Saturday 19 April 2008 at Karen Gray-Kilfoil’s house: Sun Valley. Our guest speaker is: Judy Maconachie and the topic is: “Tips on planting & re-locating shrubs”. Please arrive from 8.45 for a 9am sharp start! We will aim to finish by 11am with tea and hostess garden walk-around. **Please RSVP yes or no ASAP to Caroline Doyle: **