Barrington Bloomers Meeting Notes

May 17,2017 Julie Coleman Nativars/cultivated variety of Native plants 7 members in attendance Julie spoke about different types of plants and the advantages and concerns about Nativars. Advantages: reduces stressors on native wildlife, More resilent to environmental changes, Adds beauty and interest, Provides a buffer in fragmented habitats. Concerns: Genetic variability, Some Nativars may not be as versitile as native, characteristics may disrupt habitat balance Examples of nativars: Clethera Alnifolla Summersweet, sweet smelling, mid summer bloom, very hardy, good for pollinators Physocarpus Ninebark Bapitsia Butterfly weed Ascleplas Tuberosa Sneeze weed- Heliniumtake Julie said "Feed the soil not the plant" Plantone, Amonium Sulfate- check PH levels. June no meeting, but we had a raffle at the Friends Of the Library's plant sale. We had 5 items for raffle #1 Hanging Fushia Plant donated by Wentworth Greenhouse, won by Barbara Cormier #2 Gardening Book donated by Lydia Cupp, won by Sara Rodriguiz #3 Pottery Planter filled with tools, gloves,kneepad, won by Karolina Bodner #4 Hanging varigated petunia plant- donated by Wentworth Greenhouse #5 Plant Pottery with Pony Tail Palm, made and donated by Joann Pearson July 15, 2017 Pickity Place with 9 members in attendance. We carpooled to Mason, NH and had a wonderful time touring the gardens, greenhouse and gift shop. Had a delicious meal they prepare from their gardens and locally sourced foods. August 9, 2017 BerryBogg Farm, Strafford, NH Had 8 in attendance. Cost was $10 for each and we enjoyed a tour of the farm and got to pick a pint of blueberries, then enjoyed a meal prepared by Julie Butterfield. Enjoyed by all and we were given the recipes used: blueberry barbeque sauce was used on chicken cooked on the grill added to a beautiful salad with a blueberry vinigarette, served with blueberry muffins in 2 sizes and the dessert was a wonderful blueberry gingerbread with whipped cream on top. this was served on a long table under the trees on a beautiful evening. September 20, 2017 Had our annual dues meeting to discuss plans for the coming year. 5 members in attendance. $10 dues for membership to the Bloomers Garden club. We discussed looking for new officers if anyone is interested. Joann has been president for 3 years and would like for someone else to have a chance at it. Ideas for upcoming months are. October speaker from UNH on composting. October 21 garden cleanup 9am, October 28 Library cleanup 9am. November will be make a wreath at Studleys in Rochester date and time TBD. December will be our annual Yankee Swap, dinner and donations to the local Food Pantry date, time TBD. Will send out another mailing with more ideas and times and dates. Thanks to all who helped maintain the garden Cindi