October Meeting - A Seasonal Tapestry

The demonstration by Kymrie Zaslow was enjoyed by everyone at the October meeting. The luncheon was delightful and many people asked for the recipes for the Squash Soup and the Almond Tarts.

Chelsea Gardens Foundation presents Paul Tukey

The Chelsea Gardens Foundation is proud to present a speaking program featuring Mr. Paul Tukey on October 28, at 7 pm on the campus of Norwich free Academy.

Cartoons & Cocktails

The Mystic & Noank Library is presenting
Bob Englehart
Editorial Cartoonist for the Hartford Courant
on Friday, October 24 at 6:30 PM
Call for reservations - 572-8191

October Meeting Presentation - Kymrie A. Zaslow

Our upcoming October Meeting Presentation is "A Seasonal Tapestry" by Kymrie A. Zaslow.

Award winning designer Kymrie Zaslow began her floral design career in 1991 having designed and worked in shops in Ohio and Connecticut. Her experience covers retail flower shops, mass market floral management, design education, and the handling of both fresh and permanent florals.
In 1996, Kymrie was inspired to open a unique warehouse showroom, The Floral Gallery, Inc. She serviced her client’s needs in the areas of custom home floral décor, party planning, bridal design, and decorative painting. In the spring of 2006 she closed her retail showroom and directed her talents toward freelance designing, lecturing and education.
Kymrie’s extensive industry experience, as well as her membership in The Federated Garden Clubs of CT and West Hartford Garden Club, has given her the opportunity to share her knowledge and passion as an educator, lecturer, and guest designer. In April 2005 she became a National Garden Club Accredited Judge. She is also a member of Creative Arrangers of CT and Creative Floral Arrangers of the Americas. She has designed live on WVIT Channel 30 and had her designs and ideas published in CT Bride, Hartford, and Living in West Hartford magazines.
Intrigued by a broad spectrum of creative challenges, Kymrie has recently put her talents to work on designing landscapes and theatrical costumes. Over the years she has also graciously lent her time and talent to the Wadsworth Athenaeum, New Britain Museum of American Art, CT Children’s Medical Center, Mark Twain House, Noah Webster House, Wethersfield Historical Society, Hartford Public Library, Premier Dance Theater Company, and many other charitable and community organizations.
Kymrie resides in West Hartford with her husband Robert and two young children, Sophia and David.

Save Your Seeds

One of the new items we are creating in the Greens Sale workshops is a decorative packet of seeds which can be hung on your tree as a decoration with artwork created by Jane Bogdan. Members are asked to collect seeds from their garden to place in these packets. Please identify the seeds.

The following seed collection instructions are from the website Flower Garden News

Click here for a printable version of these instructions.

SAVING YOUR OWN SEEDS
If you'd like to collect seeds from your flower gardens here is a basic method I use to save my seeds.
Step 1 Getting started:
Throughout the growing season I allow flowers to go to seed; producing seed heads or seed pods. Than I let the seed heads dry out as much as possible while still on the plant. Weather permitting of course.
Step 2 Collecting seeds:
Before the pods break open, are eaten by birds, or risk of frost and winter weather starts I will collect the dried seed pods from the plants on a dry sunny day. I carefully cut or break off the seed heads from the plants with a container in the other hand to catch any seeds or seed pods that may fall.
If collecting seeds from many different plants at once; it is a good idea to collect them in separate envelopes or containers with a quick label for each to remind yourself what seed is from what plant!
Step 3 Drying seeds:
After collecting the seeds I usually place them in a ventilated box or container to dry out completely. I keep the box outside in a warm and dry spot. So if drying outside try to keep them protected from wind, wet weather, and rodents.Some seeds will dry out faster than others. I always make sure that any seeds that I'm
ready to store are completely dry. This prevents rotting and minimizes the possibility of mold.
Step 4 Preparing seeds for storage:
When seeds are good and dry I shake the seeds and pods through a mini screen, or sieve. I give them a gentle "crush" onto the screen and gently shake this over a white piece of paper. The screen usually holds most of the seed pods, and chaffs allowing the seed to fall through onto the paper.
Step 5 Storing seeds:
I simply use paper envelopes to store my seeds. Labeling is important. Label envelopes with the date and year collected as well as the name of the plant. It is a good idea to store envelopes in a cool dry area. I store my seed collection in the laundry room. I also store some seeds outside in the garden shed over winter. If storing seeds outside remember to place envelopes in a rodent proof container such as a metal can with lid. An old washed out paint can with lid works great.
The seed's success depends on how old it is, and it's storing conditions. That is not to say that my seeds have not been stored for more than one year. I have done so. I do try to plant seeds I have collected right from the previous year for best results in the garden. Although, I have had successful plantings with older seeds. If I become overloaded with seeds, I just give them away to friends.

Printable Instructions

Donna Fuss Memorial

I regret to announce that Donna Fuss passed away on Tuesday night at Hartford Hospital after a protracted illness. Donna was a founding member, and a Past President, of the Connecticut Rose Society, key to all things roses at Elizabeth Park and all-around wonderful person. She will be greatly missed by all of CRS, and by rose enthusiasts in CT and nationally.
Donna did a wonderful presentation "Easy Care Roses" to our membership last May, 2008. She shared many slides of her beautiful roses and a lot of her knowledge.
A memorial service will be held Saturday morning, October 4, 2008 at 11 am at the Bloomfield Congregational Church in Bloomfield, CT.
Directions to the church at found at this link: http://www.fccbloomfield.org/index_files/Page1459.htm
You can read her obituary in the Hartford Courant Obituaries.