Garden Club News
++++ September Program ++++
SAVE THE DATE
Sandy Spring Museum Garden Club Program
Sunday September 19
2pm - 4pm
Fall decorating with an eco-friendly spin!
Join Lauren Peirce, Sandy Spring Museum Marketing Director, and Lori Thomas, Strawberry Festival Chair
for this interactive discussion and workshop. The mother-daughter duo have a passion for decorating
and all things fall. Each day they are learning to live more sustainably, making them more conscious of
what they use to decorate from season to season. They will discuss how the same decor can span the seasons to help beautify your home. In this program, they will share their tips and tricks and lead a take-home decorating activity.
The September program will be outside, with indoors as a back-up. $5 for members, $15 for non-members. Be sure to sign up early as numbers may be limited. Check the museum web site
calendar.
Our Courtyard Garden Angels
Christmas in July - prepping for the Holiday Greens Sale
Plant Booth at The 100th Annual Women's Board Picnic and Bazaar
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| Thank you to the Scouts of Olney Troop 264 |
)))) Weeds - Friend or Foe ((((
The Benefits of Garden Weeds
1: Weeds protect soil.
Weeds are fast growing, so they can quickly cover bare ground to protect it. Their roots hold soil together and keep it from eroding away in the wind or rain. Their presence can indicate the need for mulch to protect soil, i.e. more mulch can often mean fewer weeds.
2: Weeds may fertilize soil.
Many weeds are said to accumulate vital nutrients from the subsoil and bring the nutrients into their leaves. As the weed leaves die back, they make a healing medicine (fertilizer) for damaged topsoil.
Their presence can indicate the need to enrich your soil with amendments such as worm castings or compost. That’s because each time you harvest vegetables, you extract nutrients from the soil.
Decaying roots—especially deep taproots—add organic matter to the soil. They provide channels for rain and air to penetrate. Decaying roots also create tunnels for worms and other beneficial soil microbes. They help improve the no-till garden.
4: Weeds attract beneficial insects.
Weeds are usually quick to sprout, yet short-lived. For this reason, they flower frequently in order to set seed for the next generation. The flowering and their dense foliage can attract beneficial insects looking for habitat or nectar.
Beneficial Weeds
Dandelion
- Nutrient Accumulator: Dandelion’s deep roots are said to accumulate potassium, phosphorus, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, and silicon while loosening the soil.
- Beneficial insects: Dandelion attracts ladybugs, lacewings, parasitoid wasps, honey bees and pollinators looking for nectar.
- Dandelion has edible leaves, roots, and flowers with highly medicinal properties.
White Clover
- Nutrient Accumulator: Clover is said to accumulate phosphorus.
- Beneficial insects: Clover attracts ladybugs, minute pirate bugs, and pollinators looking for nectar. It provides shelter for parasitoid wasps, spiders, and ground beetles. Clover is a preferred egg-laying site for lacewings.
- White clover has edible flowers.
Plantain
- Nutrient Accumulator: Plantain is said to accumulate calcium, sulfur, magnesium, manganese, iron, and silicon.
- Plantain has edible and medicinal properties
Chickweed
