Welcome To The Mendham Garden Club

12/1/03 update ---------------------- Most Recent Pictures Garden Club Set for Holidays Every December, members of the Mendham Garden Club decorate the main floor of the Phoenix House in festive holiday tradition. Stop in to admire the lovely displays, particularly on Saturday. December 6th. As part of the Holly Trail, the Mend-ham Historical Society will sponsor the Ella Mock-ridge Retrospective Exhibit and Victorian Tea. Ella founded the Mendham Garden Club, and her niece, Wilma Sagurton, is a current member. Admission is free,-but donations will be gratefully accepted. TIMELY TIPS: RECYCLING YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE Use cut branches as an insulation around perennials and bulbs. This will reduce the thawing and re-freezing of soil. Or set your Christmas tree outside where it is sheltered from the wind, and buy or make garlands of raisins, nuts, and dried fruit pieces for the winter birds to enjoy. Fill citrus peels with peanut butter and place on the tree as edible ornaments. Garden Club Readies for Winter------November This month, the Mendham Garden Club will begin its annual wreath making project for our Borough's buildings. Perhaps in prior years you have admired these wreaths not realizing that each one is hand-crafted by the Mendham Garden Club-even the bow! In November, we gather at the home of one of our members to pick the greens to be used. Pine boughs and other evergreens such as Holly and Boxwood are carefully harvested, cut, and stored until the wreaths are made. In December we gathe; at the Old Ralston Fire House to assemble the wreaths-our newer members learn from our seasoned members the various techniques used to make the wreaths. This project is a very fulfilling one for Mendham Garden Club members. We have the opportunity to do something special for the Borough, while enjoying the time, talent, and friendship of each other.

9/1/03 update Most Recent Pictures Garden Club Plans The Mendham Garden Club members have been greatly enjoying themselves this summer with some exciting projects. Hosting "A Garden Party" for the children at the local library was just one of their highlights. With plants donated by the Mendham Garden Club, children were able to plant a flower garden under the Mendham Library sign. .They learned how to plant flowers, water and then fertilize them with an organic fertilizer to keep the soil healthy. The children also enjoyed stories about gardens, as well as a delightful snack of dirt cake, complete with worms (gummy, that is). The Mendham Garden Club has also been gathering weekly to maintain the Oak Tree Triangle and Phoenix House Gardens. The members of the Club invite everyone to come by and see the beautiful gardens; it is very rewarding. Joining the Mendham Garden Club would also be a very satisfactory experience, so please consider it! From September through June, the Club meets once a month (on the third Tuesday), and they would love to see you there! For more information, phone Emily Wood, at 543-3445.

7/1/03 update Congratulations to Ted Henry, this year's recipient of Mendham Garden Club's award to a graduating senior. The Phoenix House garden has been planted and work is planned to be done on the fence surrounding it. The gate needs to be rehung and the fence is in need of scrubbing and painting. A local Boy Scout, Andrew Schmadel, plans to see that the work is completed. The planting inside and outside the fence will be done when the work is finished. The severe winter killed five of our permanent plantings at the Oak Tree Triangle and they had to be replaced. The usual annuals: begonias, blue salvia and of course cleome' (which seeds itself) have been put in place so that the garden will be as beautiful as always. Some 2003 pictures. When you see us working on the gardens - JOIN US - or at least wave. Dotty Fleming

6/1/03 updateJune brings about many new and wonderful things. Each day we see new blossoms - roses, clematis, and dogwood among them. This June we will see a new President of the Mendham Garden Club - Mrs. Emily Wood. She will bring new life and spirit to the Club. It has been a busy and exciting five years and I will be happy to be the twenty-sixth Past President of The Mendham Garden Club, Established in 1932. On Tuesday morning, June 17, our Club will be touring Helen and Frank Donn's private two-and-a-half acre Watnong Garden in Morris Plains. This garden was written about in the Summer 2002 issue of New Jersey Outdoors. It is sure to be an interesting, educational and exciting trip. Why don't you join us? Call me: Dotty Fleming 1-973-543-7585.

5/1/03 updateIt is nearly PLANT SALE TIME! The third Saturday in May is usually the ideal time to plant your garden. What is your most ardent garden desire? Helebores? Winter Aconite? Celendine Poppies? Globe Thistle? Fern? Ground Covers? Try us! We might have just what you have been looking for! You will recognize us - we'll be the ladies with the Mendham Garden Club sweatshirts. The date is Saturday, May 17th, 2003. The place is Mendham Village Shopping Center. The time is short - from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. We sell out rapidly - so come early! Besides I need to get home for our son Dan's wedding that afternoon! You can also see us planting at the Phoenix House Garden the following Tuesday. Join us! We can use the help and you'll have fun! Dotty Fleming, Pres. 1-973-543-7585

4/1/03 updateAs I am writing this, it is March 4, barely 20 degrees and as I looked out where the snow cleared slightly, the daffodils are up about 2 inches. It is the length of the day that makes them grow! The snow and the cold do not hurt them -- except once they are up to bend them a little when new snow or heavy rain falls on them. However, my helebores (Christmas Rose, a January bloomer and the Lenten Rose, a February bloomer) are still unseen under all the snow. Even April Showers will be welcome this year, if it means that Spring is here at last. Those members who missed the opportunity to make their Mendham Garden Club shirts will have an opportunity to do so in April. Wait until you see us in all our splendor at our Plant Sale in May! Join us! It is fun and we'd love the extra help! Call 1-973-543-7585 for Dotty Fleming.

3/3/03 updateIt is March and we are getting anxious for Spring. Check your catalogs, but be sure to save garden space for the plants you'll buy at our "Annual Plant Sale" on the third Saturday in May. It is the PERFECT TIME to plant outdoors. If you just can't wait, I've been told that March 17 is the day to plant peas. It is another GREEN thing to do for St. Patrick's Day. More gardening tips and a review of our Constitution, By-Laws, etc. are on the program for the Garden Club meeting 12:30 PM, Tuesday March 18 at the Garrabrant Center, Join us! For more information call me at 1-973-543-7585. Dotty Fleming

2/1/03 updateAre you tired of snow, ready for a taste of Spring! If the weather is fine on Tuesday, February 18, the Mendham Garden Club will have our usual meeting at the Garrabrant Center on Wilson St., Mendham at 12:30. We will show a video of the Philadelphia Flower Show "A Symphony of Gardens". It is bound to lift your spirits! Members may want to complete their "Garden Club" sweatshirts. Wait til you see us at our Plant Sale in May. For further information, contact me: Dorothy Fleming 973-543-7585.

1/4/03 updateThis year the Phoenix House was part of the Mendham House Tour and was decorated in spectacular fashion by members of the Mendham Garden Club. As the decorations used were for the most part artificial in keeping with the fire code, they can be used year after year. I'm sure you will agree that they were magnificient and the committee is to be congratulated. They will be removed and stored early in January. Tree-Tech Inc. of Mt. Freedom deep-root watered, fertilized and will prune the shrubs and trees that decorate the Phoenix House Garden at no cost to us. We are very grateful for the experienced expertice of their personnel to help us keep the Garden beautiful. Did you know that in addition to decorating the Library at Christmas, the Mendham Garden Club volunteers supply the Library every two weeks with a new flower arrangement. Take a look! The arrangements are unique and reflect the many personalities of our members. To join, call: Dorothy M. Fleming, 1-973-543-7585.

12/4/02 updateBy December 3 or 4, the Mendham Garden Club members will have made wreaths for the Library, MASH, Post Office, Police Station, Phoenix House, Old Ralston Fire House and the Bower's Building. The Oak Tree Triangle will have new plantings and will be decorated for the Holidays. The interior of the Library and the Phoenix House will be decorated for the "Library House Tour" by members of the Garden Club. We are sure that you will be pleased by the fruits of our labor. It is our way of wishing Mendham and all who pass through a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday Season! Dorothy M. Fleming, President 973-543-7585

10/7/02 updateIt has come to our attention that some homes have trees, shrubs and other garden plantings that are crowding out the sidewalks, making walking very difficult. Some overgrowth forces walkers into the street. Please see that your sidewalks are safe for school children and others to pass. If you are unsure about how to prune your bushes, trees, etc., a member of the Garden Club will be happy to advise you. The weather has been so warm that our gardens, particularly the Oak Tree Triangle, may not have been put to bed yet. This will not last as all good things end at some point and the begonias and other annuals will be removed and the perennials will be cut back. By the end of November we will be putting in our winter decorations and gathering greens for our wreath making early in December. If you have been thinking about joining the Garden Club, now is the time! You will learn so much and have such fun! If you have a computer, look for us at inmendham.com/garden, or call me: Dotty Fleming 1-973-543-7585

9/4/02 updateDid you see us in Mendham's Labor Day Parade? We hope that you caught some of the Cleome' seeds we were distributing! They should be planted now. The seeds are tiny but the plants are large -- 24 to 36 inches. So, sprinkle them lightly where you want them to grow. You can thin the plants to 6 to 8 inches apart when they come up about the end of June or early July next year. The deer do not like Cleome', but we certainly do! Our next meeting will be held at the Garrabrant Center on Tuesday, September 17. Call me to learn the time. A members plant exchange will be part of the program. Yearbooks should be available for distribution. Dotty Fleming, President 1-973-543-7585 Webmaster note: I have been working on some Desktop Wallpaper Images.

8/1/02 update We missed you when we toured Wellsweep Herb Farms. It is always a lovely trip and a guided tour is very worthwhile. We told you about the plants at the East end of the Oak Tree Triangle, now we'll tell you about the plants at the West end. We follow through with the pink and white begonias . The day lillies were planted long before the deer became so abundant and they became one of their favorite snacks (we spray with Deer Off and hope for the best). The fuzzy grey leaves are Lambs Ear and are deer resistant. The pretty yellow flowered bushes are Potentilla and the other grey is Dusty Miller, a perennial. We work hard to keep it beautiful. The August President's Meeting will be held at my home. We will have a fancy hat contest. Decorate your hat with as many flowers as you think are necessary to make it beautiful and come to our meeting at 12:30, Tuesday, August 20. Call me for directions at: 1-973-543-7585. Join us whenever you see us working at the Phoenix House Garden or the Oak Tree Triangle -- that's fun too!

6/1/02 update We know you like the work done by the Mendham Garden Club members at the Oak Tree Triangle (we've heard you toot your horn), but have you visited the Phoenix House Garden lately? It is done in quiet restful shades of blue and white on the shady West side and in vibrant colors on the sunny East side. Take a minute to come in, sit on the wall and enjoy the view or help us to work - we're usually there on Tuesday mornings. We get many questions about the Oak Tree Triangle....why isn't it destroyed by the deer...what kind of flowers are they...do we fertilize???? The plants that we use are: Agastache*: the tall blue flower near the sign; Caryopteris: the blue fllowering shrub; Coreopsis: fluffy green with yellow flowers; Cleome, tall bright pink to purple spider like flowers; Blue Salvia and Begonias both pink and white. Most of these plants are well established perennials and are drought and deer resistant. *.Bees are attracted to the Agastache so be careful where you use this plant. For fertilizer, we use Milorganite. It smells awful! Perhaps that is what helps to keep the deer away. Don't let that keep you away...join us...we'd love to see you! Dotty Fleming, President 973-543-7585

5/28/02 update Our Annual Mendham Garden Club Plant Sale is over (pictures). We hope that you found all the garden treasures you've been hoping for! Be sure to plan to come again on the third Saturday of May next year. We were glad to see you and you may see the results of our profits in the Phoenix House Garden and at the Oak Tree Triangle.very soon. To help keep your new plants damp in this drought, it is important that you have lots of organic matter in your garden like peat moss, compost, shredded leaves, even shredded newspaper or used tea bags (as they hold water for a long time) when planting your new plants. Loose soil makes it easier for plant roots to spread out and reach for moisture. You can also save enough water by putting a large pot in you kitchen sink to save the water used to wash off fruits and vegetables or to wash dishes then use it in your garden (soap will not hurt your plantings). It may even be possible to save the water you use to do laundry (I haven't figured that out yet). Mulch on top will help to keep the moisture in. The established plants that we have and those that we will be putting in at the Oak Tree Triangle are, for the most part, drought and deer resistant. We work hard to make our town beautiful! Join us if you can, we are always glad to have extra help and if you are a beginner, we'll let you know what needs to be done and how to do it. If you see us working in the gardens, stop by and say "Hello!" or toot your horn to let us know you like what we have done. Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, June 18, in the Garrabrant Center on Wilson Street at 12:30. We'd love to see you there. Call me: Dorothy M. Fleming, President, 973-543-7585

4/9/02 update Whether or not we have had April Showers, May flowers are coming and so too is the Mendham Garden Club Annual Plant Sale . It is held rain or shine on the third Saturday, May 18th from 8:00 am to 12:00 PM at the Mendham Village Shopping Center. We always have a good selection of plants from members gardens and selected favorites from other sources. Many of our members are very knowledgeable gardeners and are happy to be of assistance to you with your gardening problems. We will have a limited number of "Sugar Maple" seedlings as mentioned here last month plus some leaflets of gardening hints. Mark you calendars and come early for best selection. We'll be waiting for you! MENDHAM GARDEN CLUB MEETING Tuesday April 16 at 12:30 at Garrabrant Center Note time change (we're trying to get it right). This meeting is to plan for our annual plant sale on May 18. Members are needed to work on purchasing and planning commitees. There will also be an opportunity to complete the slate of officers to be voted upon in May.

3/16/02 update Now that Spring is here we can start planning not only for our seasonal gardens but also for the long-term beauty of our community. Wilma Sagurton, a life-long resident of Mendham and a Garden Club member, suggests that we consider Sugar Maple trees when planning our landscapes. The Sugar Maple (also known as Hard Rock Maple) can be considered as a "tree of civilization" because of all that it provides. This tree was originally transplanted by early settlers as a source for syrup before honeybees were brought here from Europe. The Sugar Maple also provided shade to homes and water wells, as well as beautiful wood for furniture. Of course, in the fall this tree provides spectacular yellow color. If you would like to make Sugar Maple trees part of your landscape, saplings will be available at the Mendham Garden Club's annual plant sale on Saturday, May 18th, from 8:00 am to 12 noon at the Mendham Village Shopping Center. Plans to make this possible were completed by: Emily Wood. A Plant Sale planning meeting will be held on April 16th at noon at the Garrabrant Center on Wilson Street, Mendham.

2/6/02 update FEBRUARY 19th MEETING MENDHAM GARDEN CLUB Gardening Hints is the topic for the March 19th meeting of the Mendham Garden Club. It has been decided to have our meetings at the Garrabrant Center to begin at 12:00 PM instead of 1:00 PM so that members can be home when school lets out. Marge Davidson left a legasse of "Gardening Hints" that has been compiled into a collection, printed and will be distributed to members at the meeting. There are hints that you may have read about but forgot to clip out to save and there are valuable hints you just never heard about. Come and join us . They should prove to be a lively topic for discussion. As usual refreshments will be served. Call me for further information: 973-543-7585, Dorothy M. Fleming, Pres., Mendham Garden Club. An Update of the meeting of the Lyme Disease Prevention Program also on the agenda.

1/9/02 update If we have no snow, the Mendham Garden Club will have going to the Duke Gardens in Somerville on January 15. Lucy Monahan, Barbara Sundt and Emily Wood have agreed to drive. If we have snow our trip will be held on February l9. We meet behind the old Ralston Fire House at 9:30 AM. At our meeting, prior to leaving for Duke Gardens, John Clayton of the Lyme Disease Intervention Program came to talk to us about the study he will be coordinating on Lyme Disease in Mendham Borough and Mendham Township. We also plan to start our meetings at 12:00 PM in order to accommodate new members who want to be home when school is out. Some 10 to 15 years ago our Club sponsored a "Trees for Trash" program for recycling cans, bottles and paper. If you were a recipient of one or more trees and they have grown well in your yard, will you contact me. We would like to come with a camera and take pictures of the results of this project. Please check your "Town Planner Community Calendar - Mendham" and www.inmendham.com/garden/ for information and pictures of our activities. Feel free to call me at 1-973-543-7585 for information regarding the Mendham Garden Club. Dorothy M. Fleming, President.

The Mendham Garden Club's next “Mendham Beautification” project is the annual Holiday Season adornment of all municipal buildings, i.e. the Phoenix House and Garden, Bowers Building, Ralston Store, Public Library, Police Station, Post Office, MASH and the Oak Tree Triangle. Wreaths will be handmade and decorated on December 4th. Anyone desiring to “give a little back” to our wonderful town, by helping us in our efforts-- Please contact Dorothy M. Fleming 543-7585. We are pleased to note that there are several men who often help us with projects like the spring plant sale and trimming the hedges, and we would be delighted to have more to help and advise us.