Bird by Bird Gardening

painting by Susan Westmoreland

Catherine Carney-Feldman (our past October speaker on butterfly gardening) will be teaching a workshop to interested gardeners entitled "Bird By Bird Gardening" at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary on Sat. March 24 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.. It will explain how to attract certain bird families to your backyard by appropriate plantings as well as seed choices and other environmental factors.  

One must reserve a space for this course since space is limited. Spaces fill up fast...  

CLICK HERE for sign-up information and details.

Winter Tea at Barbara's

Thanks to Barbara Ostberg who graciously opened her home again this year to garden club members for tea time on Monday and Wednesday of this week. One of the best things about
our club is spending time making our town more beautiful, more environmentally conscious and making good friends.What a lovely time we had gathering by the fire, looking out onto the icy river view and sharing our thoughts on so many subjects.

Gail, Therese, and Susie W.

Laurie M., Barbara(standing in back) Laura L. and Susie G.

From left: Holan, Alicia, Deb, Barbara R., Barbara O., Ann W., Annie P., Janet, and Nancy

Terri Stephens' McIntosh Cake

Thanks Terri for a delicious cake at the last IGC meeting. We asked for the recipe and here it is:

McIntosh Cake

11/2 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla
4 large eggs
1/4 cup unsweetened apple juice
3 cups unbleached flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 tablespoon cinnamon
4 medium McIntosh apples, cored and sliced, but not peeled.

Combine sugar, oil and vanilla in mixer bowl and beat at medium speed until thick, about 3 minutes. Add eggs and apple juice, and beat at high speed until thick and lemon-colored, about 3 more minutes. Add dry ingredients and beat on low until combined. Batter will be very thick.

Add sliced apples. Beat on low speed for a few secomds, just long enough to break up apples but not reducing them to a pulp. Spoon batter into a 10-inch tube pan heavily greased with solid shortening, not oil.

Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour and 25 minutes, or until tester comes out clean. Cool in pan 30-45 minutes, then remove and cool completely.

Meet at Barbara's ... THIS week!

January 17th Meeting BEE-KEEPING

Eric Josephson, long-time Ipswich resident and beekeeper delighted the IGC this past Tuesday evening with photos, and experiences of nurturing nature's hardest workers--bees. What would we do without their invaluable service of pollination to 80% of the world's flowering plants! There are over 4,000 different kinds of bees in North America. Eric introduced us to many of the species that are "working" our local trees and flowers during their seasons of activity. Eric referred to honey as "liquid sunshine" and he brought a long a variety of the delish golden goo for us to sample--from the dark, almost molasses-tasting, buckwheat honey to the heavenly, light, and crystallized lavender honey.

You can buy Eric's honey and beeswax candles at Appleton Farm's Dairy store, Grampy's Country Store, Tedford's and the Ipswich Farmer Market during the summer months under his brand name "Marshview Apiary".

Hay Now ... Christmas Branches too!

by Gail Anderson IGC Horticulturist
With the lack of snow this year, tender plants may suffer more than if they were covered with an insulating blanket of snow. The villain is the freeze-thaw-freeze-thaw cycle of our fluctuating weather. This may actually heave perennials right out of the ground, exposing their roots. Mulch can prevent frozen ground from thawing.

If you apply mulch too early, rodents will build condominiums in the mulch and munch away at your plants. Once the ground freezes rodents are less active. The best time to apply mulch is after the ground freezes but before it thaws again. So now’s the time.

Examples of mulches include salt marsh hay, pine needles, shredded leaves, and the cut-off boughs of your Christmas tree. Avoid packing the mulch against the stems of woody plants such as clematis. Cover the crowns of perennials and surround them with mulch. Just be sure the mulch is not soggy and that you remove the mulch no later than early April.

Amaryllis Red Blotch

by Gail Anderson IGC Horticulturist

A disappointing number of amaryllis bulbs that I and friends have purchased have been infected with a fungal disease called “red blotch” or “leaf scorch.” Here’s a description from the University of Florida Extension:

“Red spots appear on the flower stalks and leaves and enlarge, elongate and become sunken. Infected leaves and flower stems are characteristically deformed or bent at the point of attack. The flower stalks of heavily infested plants may break over at an infected area or wither and dry up before the flowers are produced. The fungus and spores of red blotch are carried on the bulbs. Consequently, the leaves and flower stalks which push up from infected bulbs may become diseased…Keep in mind that any injury to amaryllis tissue usually produces a red pigment, so red streaks, specks or irregular patterns are not always indicative of red blotch, which usually shows definite margins and outlines.”

If the buds of your amaryllis become twisted, marked with red, and fail to bloom, most likely your bulb has the disease. Experts disagree on whether to treat the bulb or to discard it. My temptation would be to discard it (in the trash, not compost). The recommended fungicide is supposedly difficult to obtain. One home remedy suggests that you “Dig up the bulbs, remove excess soil and soak them for 30 minutes in water kept at a constant temperature of 104-114°F (40-46°C),” but how do you keep that even temperature?

I recently planted a new bulb that seemed to be infected. I removed all loose infected looking skin and soaked the bulb in a 10% bleach solution. Don’t know yet if this will help. What a shame!!!!!

Thanks to IGC from Ipswich Schools Central Office

Ipswich Wetland Videos Premier - January 11th

The Ipswich Conservation Commission invites members of the IGC and the general public to view three short videos on Wednesday, January 11 at 7 p.m. in Room A of the Town Hall. The subject of the videos is the importance of wetlands in Ipswich and their value as a unique and natural resource.

The first video is entitled “Inland Wetlands” and was taken at Dow Brook Conservation Area. Mike DeRosa of DeRosa Environmental Consultants is the featured specialist.

The second video entitled, “The River Zone”, focuses on the Ipswich River and was taken at the Ipswich River Watershed Association headquarters. It features (our own) Kerry Mackin, the Executive Director of the Ipswich River Watershed Association.

The third video is entitled “The Coastal Zone” and was taken at Crane Beach and part of the Great Marsh. It features Kathryn Glenn, the North Shore Regional Coordinator of Coastal Zone Management. Catherine Carney-Feldman, a member of the Ipswich Conservation Commission and producer of the videos, will be the host at this premier. (Catherine gave a fascinating presentation on butterfly gardens in October to our club.)

This premier showing is part of the Conservation Commission’s Speakers Series and will include a short question and answer period. As will all offerings of this series, this event is free and open to the general public.  The snow date is  Wednesday, January 25^th.

ICAM will be showing the videos on Channel 9 starting Friday, January 13^th at 6 p.m.. The videos will also air on Channel 9 on Saturday, January 14^th at 6 p.m. and Wednesday, January 18^th at 8 p.m.  Starting on January 18^th anyone can go to ICAM’s web site, ICAMIpswich.com and call up the videos on their own computer at their convenience.

A Message from Tom Rawinski to the IGC

Here is a message from Tom Rawinski, our November speaker and Botanist USDA Forest Service, sent to Alicia on Dec. 16th. Tom's message reads as follows:

Hi Alicia,
If you would be so kind, please forward the note and attached photo to the Garden Club members - as my Christmas card, of sorts.

Click on photo for a larger view.

I photographed this doe today at the Turkey Hill Conservation Area (in Ipswich--she was one of 5 deer I saw there.  She is certainly a pretty gal. While I get so very depressed seeing what these deer have done to our forests and wildflowers, I will forever admire their exquisite beauty and grace.

I also visited Linebrook Conservation Area and found it to be just as devastated by deer as Turkey Hill was.  Life is full of tough choices, and we simply have to do something about the current deer overabundance problem - the forests are disintegrating before our eyes, and my magic wand seems to be on the fritz lately.

We should really, as a next step, meet with key town officials to discuss the issue.  Perhaps the Weston, MA model would work well in Ipswich, for instance.  And, while I was at Linebrook, I thought that it would be a fantastic place for a couple deer exclosures - for educational purposes primarily - like the ones
you saw at Audubon's Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. Perhaps the Garden Club could spear-head or fund the exclosures at Linebrook via Ross? I'd be willing to provide guidance.

I've cc'd New England Wild Flower Society's Conservation Director, Bill Brumback - he may be very interested in partnering with the Garden Club on such a project. I've also cc'd Mike Simmons who wrote the management plan for Turkey Hill - Mike is presently a grad student at UNH and is one of our seasonal employees at the Forest Service.

Happy holidays,
Best,

Tom

Successful Annual Greens Meeting and Holiday Luncheon

Barbara makes a tight maneuver on her JD with Laura and Susie applauding her driving skill.

Thanks to all who attended IGC's Annual Greens Making and Holiday Luncheon on second day of December. It was a mild and sunny day to create wreaths in Barbara's workshop at her home on the banks of the Ipswich River. So many beautiful holiday decorations for our town's civic buildings and the Ascension Church were made by cheerful members. Everyone enjoyed a scrumptious and healthy lunch after all the wreaths were installed. Enjoy some of the photos from the event below.

Paula, Susie, Laura and Grace all helped plan and organize the 2011 Greens Meeting.

Paige makes wreaths for the Hall Haskell House

The famous Chef Fischbach arrives.

Glittering gold for Ascension Church in recognition for use of Boone Hall during the year.

Grace demonstrates the Midas touch to Therese.

Connie and Barbara M. explain the fine art of making ribbons to Janet and Laurie.

Thanks to Nancy who brought many different kinds of greens to add to the balsam wreaths.

Dianne and Carol prepare a vegetarian holiday banquet.

Market St. island crew includes Laura, Susie, Paula and Alicia.

Ascension Church doors are adorned with holiday gold.

Maureen delivers a wreath to the Ipswich Schools Administration Building.

A holiday greeting at the Ipswich Police station.

The Firehouse is adorned with wreaths at its side entrances.

Paige's wreath decorates the Hall Haskell House.

Will anyone try to take the IGC wreath at the train station this year? Thanks to Rick Clarke and the DPW, we doubt it.

After all the decorations are delivered to the town, Dianne explains the menu to Hope, Ann, Joan, Nancy and Mitzi.

IGC Friends celebrate a morning of work...shown here are Carol, Paige, Annie, Joan, Laurie, Therese and Grace.

Carol's gorgeous Mushroom and Leek Galette could serve as an appetizer or main course.

Hope and Barbara make lunch selections.

Smile, Holan, and Happy Holidays!

Dates with Almonds and Candied Orange Peel

Carol Williams served up an exceptionally delicious and nutritional
treat at the IGC Holiday Luncheon. Here's just how nutritional her
dates, almonds and candied orange peel are:

According to a new study by researchers, DATES are a treat to

eat because they contain so many antioxidants. Antioxidants in

general have been linked to a number of potential health 
benefits, including protection against heart disease and cancer.
For the study,researchers analyzed the antioxidant content of 
more than 100 different food items, including vegetables, fruits, 
nuts, spices, oils and common beverages. Of all the foods and 
beverages studied, dates actually have the most antioxidants
based on serving size.

The benefits of ALMONDS  are due to loads of vitamin 
content in them. Almonds are rich in folic acid and 
vitamin B. Copper content helps in proper development 
of bone and improves nerve functioning. Almonds function 
as powerful antioxidants due to its Vitamin E content. 
It helps in improving blood circulation and lowering of 
cholesterol thereby providing added cardiac protection. 
Not only this, it helps to stabilize blood sugar as well. 
Therefore it can be the best snack for diabetic patients. 
One of the other significant health benefits 
of almonds are due to its laetrile content which 
serves as an anti cancer component.

And what about the ORANGE PEEL? Citrus peel, 
especially orange, contains considerable amounts of 
mineral and vitamins. Orange peel contains more  
vitamin C (ascorbic acid) than its juice. Likewise, the
peel is rich source of vitamin A, B-complex vitamins, 
minerals such as calcium, selenium, manganese, 
zinc...etc. several fold more than its pulp.

So now that we know how beneficial this treat is, here is Carol's recipe:


Plump medjool dates, cut in half if large
Roasted almonds, whole
Candied orange peel, cut into tiny strips
Shredded coconut (unsweetened)


Pit the dates, and remove the hard disk from the stem end. Add coconut.Tuck an almond and a strip of peel into each date and arrange on a flat dish.


Thank you Carol!

Annual Greens Meeting and Holiday Luncheon

Jingle   Jingle♫   Jingle♪ ☃  Jingle  ♬ Jingle  ❄ Jingle   Jingle   Jingle     

Firehouse Wreath made at last year's Greens Meeting!

           
            Please join fellow gardeners
            for a festive and creative morning of holiday greens-making
            to enliven the
            Town of Ipswich and
            a delicious holiday buffet.
           
            Date: Friday, December 2nd
            Time: Wreath decorating begins at 9:30am followed by greens
                        deliveries and lunch.
            Location:   Barbara Ostberg's house,
                                 21 Nabby's Point Road, Ipswich

                        http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl
           
                Coordinators: Paula Jones and Grace Hanson
                Luncheon: Diane Fischbach and Carol Williams
                Market Street Island Greens: Susie Glessner and
                                                                             Laura Larson

            We will have wreaths, ribbons, ornaments and wire to create the
           decorations for the Ascension Church, the Hall Haskell House,
           the Library, the Schools' Administrative Building, the Fire House,
           Police Station, Town Hall, Train Station and a couple for
           special friends.

            Bring clippers and your creative genius.
            PLEASE bring additional material from YOUR
            OWN GARDENS to fill planters and decorate wreaths.
            Bring what you have, such as:
           
            Branches of greens- arborvitae, balsam, yew, boxwood,
            juniper, pine, rhododendron and leucothoe.

            Berries- bayberry, winterberry, and rosehips

            Dried Material- Artemisia, grasses, seed heads, pods and
                                          pine cones.


            Mark your calendars. This meeting is always the highpoint
            of our Garden Club year.
            We look forward to seeing all of you and celebrating the beginning
            of the holiday season of 2011.

            PLEASE, PLEASE RSVP by November 25th so that we can plan 
            for greens work and  the buffet luncheon.
            
            RSVP to Janet. (978) 356-0334 or jtcraft@comcast.net

           

Jingle   Jingle   Jingle   Jingle♫   Jingle♪♪ ❄  Jingle   Jingle ♬  Jingle 

View our latest newsletter (PDF)

Late Fall 2011 IGC Newsletter (PDF)

Tulips Planting

Dear IGC members-

I am extending an invitation to anyone in the Garden Club who wants to help plant tulip bulbs this year.

I recently went to Messelaars http://www.tulipbulbs.com and got 450 bulbs consisting of varieties of carmine rose with thin gold edge, canary yellow with flannel red, deep scarlet, and then Hyacinths which Pieter recommended, to plant amongst the tulips and down at the Getty station. The Garden Club purchased 150 of the bulbs and Messelaars donated the rest. Pieter is so gracious and generous every time I come to his store.

I am hoping we can plant next Saturday morning, the 12th. If the weather isn't good--rain only, we would plant the following weekend.

Anyone who is interested, I am starting early around 7am.

Thank you.
Ann

Ann Wright -  Town Beautification Chair