THE DIGGERS - Dorchester Garden Club Buczek demonstrates his interpretation of partial underwater submersion THE DIGGERS Dorchester Garden Club October-November, 2013 4 “Bugs Rule”

THE DIGGERS Dorchester Garden Club October-November, 2013

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Mark Your Calendars

October 29 NHPA Annual Meeting Dorchester County Historical

Society, The Robbins Center, Cambridge 6:30 pm November 1-2 “Recycle Dorchester” Estate Tag Sale, Dorchester

County Historical Society, Cambridge 7 am-noon 5-6 Gardening Study Symposium Cylburn Arboretum,

Baltimore 8 Maryland Blue Star Memorial Hwy 60th Anniversary

Re-dedication Rt. 301 East Welcome Center Drive, Centerville 11am. (Lunch at Fisherman’s Inn, Kent Island follows ceremony)

9 DGC Meeting “Roots to Shoots” Container Gardening Part II: Forcing Bulbs with Stephanie Wooten Cambridge Yacht Club 11:30 am

11 Veterans’ Day 12 FGCMD State Meeting hosted by District II 16 Thanksgiving Turkey Centerpiece Workshop Cylburn

Classroom, 10:30am-12:30 pm. Reservations required

22 Fall Seminar on Environmental Awareness Vollmer Center, Baltimore 9:30am-2pm. Reservations required

27 First night of Hanukkah 28 Thanksgiving Day December 3 DGC Holiday Wreath Workshop and Design

Demonstration Zion United Methodist Church, Cambridge 9am-3pm

5 “50 Shades of Red Afternoon Tea and Fashion Event” Dorchester County Historical Society, Heritage Museum 2-4 pm

7 “Holiday in the Home” Floral Demonstration , Kent Island Garden Club, Kent Island American Legion 12:30-3pm

12 “A Holiday Affair to Remember” DGC Holiday Luncheon and Shopping Boutique East New Market Fire Hall, 10am-3pm

14 “Wreaths Across America” Wreath Laying at Veterans’ Cemetery in Hurlock, 9 am

Note: registration information for all programs sponsored by other clubs can be found at: http://www.fgcofmd.org/Calendar_of_Events.html

Bugs Ruled!!!!

Verdict is in and it’s unanimous: District 1 Flower Show hosted by the Dorchester County Garden Club at Sailwinds Park October 9th was a huge success!

http://www.fgcofmd.org/Calendar_of_Events.html


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“On your mark… get set… Bugs Rule” DGC September 13th Meeting helped club members prepare for the show

Faye Phillips, Susie Middleton along with Judy Slaughter and Jane Brighton took club members through the “Bugs Rule” program, reviewed show rules, the proper completion of entry cards and shared their expertise in preparing stellar horticulture and design exhibits.

FGCMD President, Jackie Handley, presented the Flower Show Achievement Award to the Dorchester Garden Club for the 2012 “Our Living Heritage” Garden Show.

Julia Berman 1st Place

Class 2 “The Wow Factor”

Beverly Shelly 2nd Place

Class 2 “The Wow Factor”

Some of the many beautiful and colorful Fall Horticulture

entries


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Underwater Design Workshop On September 12th, Jane Brighton conducted the Underwater Workshop at the home of Alison Buczek. Participating were Julia Berman, Jane Brighton, Cookie Brohawn, Alison Buczek, Fran Collins and Mary Slacum. Beautiful job, ladies! Their lovely creations have components, including some or all plant material, submerged in water to create interest. Inspired to try your own hand at Underwater Design? Page 212 of your handbook provides further information and considerations when planning to create an underwater design.

Julia Berman Jane Brighton Cookie Brohawn

Alison Buczek Fran Collins Mary Slacum

Looey Buczek demonstrates his interpretation of partial underwater submersion


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“Bugs Rule” District I Flower Show, October 9th, Sailwinds Park Here is a list of our DGC member special award winners and blue ribbon winners. Photos are currently in use for the development of the Book of Evidence. A supplemental issue, with photo highlights, will be forwarded shortly! Congratulations to all! This information is based on the reports that I received and if I missed anyone or if I misrepresented any winners, please let me know and I will correct! DIVISION I - HORTICULTURE AWARDS b. Arboreal Award Section A, Class 10 Kathe Scanlon c. Award of Merit Section Award Section C, Class 21b Pat Beck Section E, Class 31f Susie Middleton Section F, Class 36 Jeanne Bernard d. Collectors Showcase Award Section H, Class 40 Jane Brighton Section I, Class 44 Susie Middleton DIVISION III – SPECIAL AWARDS DGC MEMBERS a. Award of Appreciation Div. III, Section S, Class 4 “Habitat” – Dorchester Garden Club b. Sweepstakes Award Div. II, Section M, Class 57 Faye Phillips c. District Director’s Award) Div. I, Section D, Patti Hopkins (and Kathy Green -TIE)

DIVISION II – DESIGN AWARDS c. Designer’s Choice Award Section M, Class 57 Faye Phillips e. Petite Award Section P, Class 64 Eulah Lee Legg f. Club Competition Award Section Q, Class 67 Dorchester Garden Club

e. Kathryne Carlon Holdt Perpetual Award Div. I, Section C, Class 21b, Pat Beck i. Show Chairman’s Award Div. II, Section Q, Class 67, Dorchester Garden Club j. Evelyn Williams/Joanna Cato Perpetual Award Div. II, Section M, Class 57, Faye Phillips


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Division II, DESIGN BLUE RIBBONS DGC MEMBERS Section M – Fear Factor – Faye Phillips (also Sweepstakes Award and Evelyn Williams/Joanna Cato Perpetual Award) Section P – Chrysalis – Eulah Lee Legg (also won Petite Award) Section Q – To Bee or Not to Bee – Dorchester Garden Club (also won Club Competition and Show Chairman’s Awards)

DIVISION I - HORTICULTURE BLUE RIBBONS DGC MEMBERS Section A, Broadleaf Evergreen Trees and Shrubs: Class1: Ellen Rindfuss Class 2a: Cookie Brohawn Class 2b: Susie Middleton Class 3a: Patti Hopkins Class 3b: Faye Phillips Class 5a: Susie Middleton Class 5d: Fran Collins Class 5e: Faye Phillips Class7: Dee Terry Class 8d: Susie Middleton Section B – Needled Evergreen Trees and Shrubs Class 10: Kathe Scanlon Class 5: Fran Collins Class 16: Kathy Miller

Section C – Rosa Class 20: Fran Collins Class 21b: Pat Beck Section D – Foliage Herbs Class 23: Susie Middleton Class 24a: Jackie Wolfle Section E – Flowering Annuals Class 29a: Patti Hopkins Class 29b: Patti Hopkins Class 30a: Pat Beck Class 30b: Pat Beck Class 31c: Linda Allen Class 31: Susie Middleton

Section F – Flowering Perennials Class 33: Dee Terry Class 36b: Jeanne Bernard Class 36e: Patti Hopkins Class 36: Susie Middleton Section G – Foliage Perennials Class 38a: Ellen Rindfuss Class 38b: Sandy Johnson Class 38c: Carla Huber Section H - Collections Class 40: Jane Brighton Section I - Displays Class 43: Susie Middleton Class 44: Susie Middleton Section J – Combination Plantings Class 47: Shirley Chatham Class 48: Susie Middleton


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Maryland's Wild Acres --Creating a Wild Backyard: BEES! From the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website

Bees come in all colors, shapes and sizes from the large carpenter bees to the tiny Perdita minima. Over 4,000 species of native bees can be found in the United States along with hundreds of non-native bees like the honey bee. Honey bees were introduced from Europe and now assist our native bees and other pollinators with the task of pollinating flowering plants. Surprisingly, honey bees are not effective pollinators for many native plants like cherries, blueberries and cranberries. So, attracting a variety of bees to your yard, particularly those which are native, will help with all of your pollinating needs.

Bee Basics Bees are considered to be insects, and like all other insects, bees have a head, thorax and abdomen. Bees also have six legs and two pairs of wings. On their head, bees have well developed antennae that allow them to feel and “smell” as well as five eyes: two large, compound eyes and three smaller, simple eyes. Bees also have mandibles used for a variety of tasks from biting to sculpting pollen and digging. In addition, bees have special tongues that are either long or short, depending on the shape of the flower they visit to consume nectar. The wings and legs of bees are attached to its thorax which connects to the abdomen. The bee’s abdomen is segmented, with female bees possessing six segments and males possessing seven segments. Only female bees have a stinger which attaches to the abdomen. The stinger is actually a modified ovipositor or egg-laying device.

Nesting All bees need nests, and bee nests are just as variable as bees themselves! Just about all bee species build their own nests, aside from Cuckoo bees which lay their eggs in the nests made by others. Some bees are miners which select open, sunny areas to excavate a network of tunnels underground to lay their eggs. Other bees, like masons and leafcutters, nest in holes. Many of these species take advantage of holes made by other insects like beetles to construct their nests. In contrast, carpenter bees design their own abodes by burrowing in wood. Most of our native bees are solitary nesters; each bee builds her own nest and does not share with others of her kind. European honey bees are colonial, centering their complex society around a queen. Paper wasps and yellow jackets are also colonial. Maryland Bee Families Maryland is home to around 400 different species of native bees. There are five common families of bees found in Maryland. These families include Apidae (Honey Bees, Bumble Bees and allies), Halictidae (Sweat Bees), Adrenidae (Miner Bees), Megachilidae (Leaf-cutter Bees, Mason Bees and allies) and Colletidae (Plasterer Bees).


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Apidae: Apidae is the largest family of bees, and it includes both species native to Maryland as well as non-native species like the honey bee. Bumble bees belong to this family. Bumble bees nest in the ground but can sometimes be coaxed to nest in boxes on the ground. Bumble bees strongly resemble Carpenter bees which excavate holes in wood. Carpenter bees, however, do not have a hairy abdomen like bumble bees.

Apidae also contains Squash bees, which as their name suggests, are specialized pollinators of squash and other plants in the Cucumber family (pumpkins, melons, cucumbers, etc). Cuckoo bees are also an Apidae. This large group of bees are parasitic red or yellow (photo on left) bees that do not pollinate flowers because they rely on other bees to care for and feed their young. Female Cuckoo bees lay their eggs in the nests of others, and the resulting young kill and eat the host bee’s larva.

Halictidae: Halictidae (on right) contains some of the most colorful bee species found in Maryland. These bees have shiny, metallic-colored bodies and nest mostly in the ground. Some Halictid bees are known as “Sweat bees” as they are attracted to salts found in human perspiration. Generally, a gentle swipe from the side will cause these bees to leave people alone; however, if females feel threatened then they might deliver a mild sting

Andrenidae: Adrenid bees are also known as miner bees, which, as their name suggests, nest in tunnels underground. Miner bees can be identified by a velvety patch of hair between their eyes and antennae. These bees are some of the earliest bees to emerge in the spring and several of the species are adept at pollinating azaleas and/or apples.

Megachilidae: This family of bees includes mason bees and leaf-cutter bees. Most Megachilid species nest in holes found in wood, and several species are easy to coax into using wooden nest boxes. Interestingly enough, bees in this family tend to carry pollen on their bellies rather than in pollen sacs on their legs or abdomen. One particularly important species in this family is the Blue Orchard Bee (Osmia lignaria).

Colletidae: Colletids are solitary bees which nest in pithy stems of plants. Many of these species of bees lack the hairiness of other bees, sometimes causing them to be mistaken for wasps. Bee Conservation Honey bees, both in the wild and in colonies, are dying at unprecedented rates due to Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). At this time, the underlying cause for CCD is unknown; however, it is believed that a combination of pesticides, stress, disease and malnutrition is leading to CCD. In addition to CCD, recent research in California has found that honey bees are becoming


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“zombie-like” after a parasitic phorid fly lays its eggs on them. Both CCD and the parasitic fly are a large concern for people as nearly one third of agricultural crops in the United States are pollinated by honey bees. The parasitic phorid fly also attacks bumble bees. In addition to these threats for the honey bees, our native bees are also declining in numbers. Some of the declines are attributed to the loss of native plants to feed on while others are due to the widespread use of broad-spectrum pesticides. As a consumer, you can make a difference by planting native species of plants in your yard as well as discontinuing the use of pesticides, aside from using select organic-approved pesticides. Any thing you do to help bees will also help our other beneficial pollinators and the plants that depend on them. A little assistance for our smallest creatures can help conserve a whole ecosystem! How to Build a Bee House When the winter “blah’s” set in, here are some fun projects to help create nesting habitat to attract beneficial pollinators to your garden next spring… Materials: • 7" x 7" x 7" block of untreated wood Construction: • Drill holes in the block, spaced 3/4" apart. • For leafcutter bees, the holes should be 1/4" wide and 2 1/2 -4" deep. • For mason bees, drill 6" deep, 5/16" wide holes. Do not drill completely through the block. Place block on the side of a house or shed, beneath the eave, or mount it securely on a fence post or pole at the edge of the yard. Attach an overhanging roof piece to the block if placed away from an overhang or building eave. Block should be erected in early spring and placed at least three feet above the ground. Position block to face southeast, allowing it to get morning sun. During the winter, you can take your box down and place it in an area like a shed to protect the larvae from the elements. Stem and straw bundles: Another easy option is to make nests from bundles of hollow stems or straws. Joe-pye weed, bamboo and common reeds are good choices, but any hollow stem will do. Manufactured plastic straws can also be used. Create a handful of tubes with only one open end. Strap the hollow stems together into a tight bundle with wire, string, or tape, making certain that the closed ends of the stems are all at the same end of the bundle. You can also pack the stems into a tin can, paper milk carton or short section of PVC pipe. The bundles should be placed in a sheltered location with the stems horizontal to the ground.


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WHAT TO DO IN THE GARDEN IN NOVEMBER?

Some timely gardening tips from the University of Maryland and Homestead Gardens…

Trees and Shrubs

Conifers can be planted or fed in November,

but not pruned!

Yes, you CAN plant trees and shrubs until the ground freezes. Evergreen shrubs and trees can be fed in November,

applying granular fertilizer under the tree’s canopy and out 8 to 10 feet from the canopy. Use a fertilizer low in

phosphorus. Newly planted and very young trees and shrubs benefit from being fed; established trees rarely need

feeding. This is NOT the time to prune evergreens, whether the type with needles or broad leaves. They need their

green foliage through the winter. If you notice interior older leaves yellowing and dropping from rhododendrons and

other evergreen shrubs, don’t worry. It’s normal for this time of year.

Mulching

Mulch should be applied only 2-4 inches deep around ornamental plants

and kept away from shrub and tree trunks. Mulch that’s too deep

makes a favorable site for voles to tunnel and feed on shrub stems over

winter. After the first hard freeze, usually around mid-November, apply

mulch 2-4 inches deep around perennials, surrounding the plant

crowns. The freezing and thawing of the soil in winter can cause many

perennials to heave; mulching helps moderate temperature fluctuations

thus, reducing this problem.

Plant those Bulbs! If you haven’t planted your spring-blooming bulbs, like tulips, daffodils, crocus and hyacinths, do it now!


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Protect Tender Plants

If you haven’t already brought houseplants indoors, do it right away. You might apply a safe-for-indoor plant

insecticide and fungicide to kill plant pests at the time you bring them indoors. Expect tropical and subtropical

plants to lose up to 50% of their foliage after they settle in inside the home. Dig up non-hardy summer bulbs

such as cannas, dahlia, gladiolus, caladium or tuberous begonia, and store them indoors for the winter.

In the Vegetable Garden

This is a good time to incorporate organic matter into garden beds – like composted

animal manure or leaf mold (chopped-up, aged leaves). Keep beds covered with a

mulch, (even just shredded leaves) to minimize the risk of soil erosion and nutrient

run-off. These can be tilled into the garden in spring or left in place as a mulch

between rows of vegetables. Spinach, lettuce, arugula, kale, and other cool-season

crops should be protected from freezing with a cold frame, plastic sheeting or

floating row cover. Carrots, parsnips, and turnips can be over-wintered by covering

the bed with a deep straw or leaf mulch. You can harvest these root crops through

the winter as needed. Herbs brought indoors for fall and winter should be located

where they will receive strong direct sunlight (usually supplemental fluorescent light

is required – for 14-16 hours each day.)

Most hardy bananas usually make it through our winters in the ground, but any newly planted ones should be heavily mulched.

“The Gardener’s Hollow Leg” As demonstrated by Ellen Rindfuss at the September DGC meeting, just put this recycled bag around your waist and start using both hands for weeding and harvesting!!! Great for your fall clean-up around the yard or as a holiday gift for a gardening friend. “The Gardener’s Hollow Leg” is available at Amazon and elsewhere online and comes in several sizes and colors.


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Happening in December…

Wreaths Across America 2013 December 14th is this year’s National “Wreaths Across America” day. The mission of the program is “To Remember, Honor and Teach”. Our club and District 1 have participated in the WAA ceremony at the Veterans’ Cemetery in Hurlock for the past several years.

The ceremony will take place at 9 am and we hope you will join us to lay the wreaths in this moving tribute to our service men and women. The ceremony will be held outside this year, as the chapel was not big enough to accommodate last year’s huge crowd. If you wish to sponsor a wreath (or wreaths), Mary Jo has the form to use with the coded designation to ensure that our wreaths go to the Hurlock Veterans Cemetery under the sponsorship of District I Garden Clubs. The cost is $15 per wreath. You may send them in yourself, or you may give your checks to Mary Jo and she will submit them prior to the deadline. Please note that the checks need to be made out to “Wreaths Across America TM” vs the Dorchester Garden Club.

December 3rd Holiday Wreath Workshop and Design Presentation Wreath workshop 9 am at Zion United Methodist Church in Cambridge. If you have not already placed an order for wreath(s), please contact chair Ellen Rindfuss or Mary Jo. Susie Middleton will conduct a Williamsburg Fruit Plaque Workshop at 1 pm. Plaque-making is limited to 10 people and reservation needs to be made by Nov 15 so Susie can order supplies. Non-plaque makers are welcome to attend the demonstration! Cost to make a plaque is $20. Mail check to Mary Jo Papin at 5112 North Drive, Cambridge, MD 21613

December 12th “Tis the Season… A Holiday Affair to Remember” Dorchester Garden Club Holiday Luncheon and Shopping Boutique, East New Market Fire Hall 10 am-3 pm. You will receive a printed invitation in the mail shortly. PLEASE NOTE- there will be tickets inside- ONE FOR EACH MEMEBER OR YOUR GUESTS. Half of the ticket will be returned to Miriam Zijp and the other half you keep for seating and DOOR PRIZES. Please pay attention to the stubs. On the back of your tickets you may request who you would like to sit with as Mary Jo will be making a seating chart. Alison Buczek will be reviewing all of the details at our November meeting. And don’t forget to start looking for your new or gently used garden-themed item for the Digger’s Boutique!


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Other happenings around Dorchester County….

Next weekend, Friday and Saturday November 1st and 2nd, 7 am to noon, there will be an Estate Tag Sale at the DCHS museum campus called "Recycle Dorchester." Donations of gently used items from clothing to books to household goods and yard/ gardening items are still being accepted--please check your closets for no longer wanted items to benefit the great programs and events sponsored by DCHS.

A really terrific event will take place on Thursday December 5th from 2-4 pm at the Heritage Museums: 50 Shades of Red Afternoon Tea and Fashion Event. You won't want to miss this and space is limited. This elegant affair will feature a fashion show of red clothing offered by our area consignment shops (in keeping with the Recycle Dorchester theme) and many of the sweet and savory offerings will be right out of this year's signature tomato cookbook, 50 Shades of Red. Ticket price for a very special afternoon is $35.00 which includes a free cookbook (a great gift if you already have one). The Museum Shop will be open and featuring many wonderful holiday items. Stop in before Thanksgiving to buy your tickets (only 50 special guests!) and check out the Shop's turkey collection and other lovely items!

Documents

THE DIGGERS - Dorchester Garden Club Buczek demonstrates his interpretation of partial underwater submersion THE DIGGERS Dorchester Garden Club October-November, 2013 4 “Bugs Rule”