This is the first report of the sustainability series initiated by the Countryside Garden Club. Each of our members will participate in reporting a subject of their choice.
Need to sustain the species responsible for the care of our landscapes.
Use deciduous trees on south side of our home to create summer shade and evergreens on north side to stop winter winds.
Water efficiently – use soaker hose or drip irrigation – water directly to root zone preferably in the morning – avoid sprinklers – water infrequently but deeply to encourage deep roots.
Group plants with similar water needs.
Reduce storm water runoff by using rain barrels and/or rain gardens.
Stabilize stream banks or pond edges using water-loving plants that reduce soil erosion.
Stabilize slopes with ground covers.
Reduce or eliminate lawns!!!
Minimize the use of impervious surfaces so rainwater can be filtered before reaching storm water system.
Choose drought-tolerant plants, except in wet spots.
Weed regularly – because weeds compete for water with the plants we want.
Let lawns go dormant in summer.
Mulch.
Compost.
Adopt low maintenance techniques such as:
Relying on trees and shrubs
Planting in sweeps and masses
Use simple curves around landscape beds
As sustained gardner, we increase local plant and animal diversity while creating the air and filtering water– so gardening benefits the environment more than we may have thought!!
Bill Baur, one of countryside garden club members had eight entries at Philadelphia Flower Show and won all sorts of prizes including two first prizes. Congratulations, Bill.
Please join us for the Annual Red Clay Valley Clean Up day on Saturday, March 28, 2015 at 8:00 AM. Volunteers assemble at Ashland Nature Center. We will be cleaning Brackenville Road in Hockessin between Rt. 41 and Rt. 82.
Sheila Papa (right in the photo) has joined our club on January 15. Thanks to Tracy (left on the photo), an active member for encouraging her to join our club. Sheila is a member of Delaware Nature Society and interested in several activities such as Garden Therapy, Youth Projects, and Fund Raising. She will play an important role in vitalizing our club activities.
Countryside Garden Clubreceived the“Environmental Concern Awards” in the small club category at the annual Central Atlantic Regional Conference held at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino from October 26-28. For more information on the activities of the CAR, visit the CAR homepage.This award was presented to a club for the “best effort to create awareness of the need to protect and/or conserve our environment. A program of “It’s ALL About Trees” encouraged club members to participate in community activities relating to trees. The program was initiated and managed by the leadership of Bill Baur. These activities included;
“Favorite Tree” presentation – 100% of members. These were educational in nature and there were no duplications
3 members attended the Delaware Center for Horticulture’s (DCH) “Saving Urban Trees” 1 member and her son attended DCH’s “Bare Root Tree Planting” 3 members helped at the Delaware Nature Society’s Middle Run Tree planting 2 members submitted entries for “Unique Tree” 1 member conducted a tree tour on her property for a Girl Scout troop and helped them earn their Tree badge 1 member conducted a tree tour on her property for Club members and offered saplings to members Several members planted new trees on their properties 1 member was certified as a Tree Steward by the DCH 1 member organized a tree trimming group for his community Several members participated in the Adopt a Highway clean up Several members participated in the Red Clay Creek clean up
Bill Baur won four awards for his entries with his treasured succulent collections. Congratulations, Bill!
ate summer shade and evergreens on north side to stop winter winds.
Countryside Garden Club of Hockessin, DE 