GARDENING CONSULTANTS COUNCIL

Organized 1996

Contact us at gardeningconsultants@ncagardenclubs.org

JANUARY 2010 NEWSLETTER

MISSION:  To stimulate interest in gardening and horticulture, to encourage the use of the most advanced gardening techniques, to be an informational source for members and the public, and to provide speakers for garden clubs and the public.

2009−2011 OFFICERS

President ~ Paula Knepper

Vice President ~ Tom Lewis

Secretary ~ Karen O’Meara

Treasurer ~ Ellen Spencer

 
New Officers:  (l to r) Paula Knepper, Tom Lewis, Karen O'Meara,
Ellen Spencer and Newsletter editor Charmane Truesdell

Theme:  Enhancing Our Gardens for the Environment

CHAIRMEN

Accrediting ~ Sue & Tom Lewis

Advisor ~ Billie Trump

Historian ~ Ann Lunson

Hospitality ~ Karen Lucas

Membership ~ Audrie Whitney

Newsletter ~ Charmane Truesdell

Parliamentarian ~ Mary Ann Wren

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE:  Our emphasis for the next two years will be on the importance of increasing the use of native plants; planting to encourage butterflies, beneficial insects and other wildlife through all stages of life; and studying the many ways gardening can improve our environment, particularly in the National Capital Area, our waterways, and the Chesapeake Bay.  To help us enhance our gardens for the environment (after all, gardens are ever-changing, either by accident or design), we will have wonderful speakers, and a garden tour or two.   

HISTORY:  The first Garden Study course in the National Capital Area was offered in the fall of 1994, with the next three courses following in order in April and October 1995, and April 1996.  Eleven students who completed all four courses and passed all of their exams earned the honor of becoming the National Capital Area’s first accredited gardening consultants.  Ten additional students who had completed at least two courses became provisional consultants.  On September 26, 1996, the first meeting of Gardening Consultants Council was held. 

Our group currently has 42 gardeners who are graduates of the Gardening Study program.  Knowing that learning and doing are life-long gardening pursuits, we continue to study and learn about state-of-the-art techniques and products that help to make gardening fun and rewarding.  Our Council is sponsored by National Capital Area Garden Clubs, Inc., a non-profit organization which is part of the largest gardening organization in the world, National Garden Clubs, Inc.

GOALS:  To stimulate interest in gardening and horticulture, to encourage growing plants to their peak of perfection, to keep members and the public informed about advanced gardening techniques, to assist garden clubs by giving programs that promote gardening and horticultural excellence, and to support the Gardening Study program. 

We enjoy garden visits, nursery tours, expert lectures, plant study, and other related programs and activities aimed at increasing horticulture knowledge.  Gardening Consultants then use their knowledge to serve on community beautification committees, to help with historic garden restoration projects, to work with children to promote gardening enthusiasm and knowledge, and in many other ways that serve the communities where we live.

MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS:  Any NCAGC garden club member who has taken all four Gardening Study courses and passed the examinations with a score of at least 70% may join Gardening Consultants Council.  Students who complete any two courses are eligible to join the Council as provisional members while they complete the final two courses.  To retain membership, consultants must complete at least one refresher Gardening Study course at least once every five years.  Members may also refresh by taking an approved (NGC sanctioned) trip/tour.

MEETINGS:  We meet on the fourth Wednesday of October, January or February, April and June, 10:30 a.m., at the U. S. National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington, DC.  During 2009−2011, we are emphasizing the use of native plants in the garden.

Date                            Program

October 28, 2009        The Gardening Consultants Council has contributed to the renovation of Fern Valley, and it is time to look at the results.  Curator Joan Feely will lead us on a tour which emphasizes native plants.  We will begin our tour near the Administration Building and then go to Fern Valley.

January 27, 2010         Cheval Opp, Cheval’s Garden Tours, conducts tours of gardens in the Central Atlantic area and has a personal interest in the use of native plants within these gardens.  She will give us a pictorial presentation of how these plants can be most decorative in this setting.

April 13, 2010*           Professor Doug Tallamy, University of Delaware, is the author of the book Bringing Nature Home.  In his fascinating presentations, he makes the case that the environment very much needs gardeners to start using natives, and he gives the reasons why.  For this important lecture, we are inviting members of all NCA garden clubs to attend so this message is widely dispersed.                                                 

June 23, 2010**          Annual Picnic − Location TBA

  *note change in date

**note change in location

GARDENING STUDY SCHOOL:  As you stroll down your garden path, do you feel the tingle of desire to know more?  All gardeners can become accomplished horticulturists, and NCA has created a series of Gardening Study courses to help you reach this goal.  These courses are designed to inspire and instruct, but they also give you the chance to get to know like-minded members from other clubs.  Think of the fun you will have, sharing your stories of gardening triumph and tragedy with people who are really interested.

The next Gardening Study course will be held on May 4 and 5, 2010, at Meadowlark Gardens.  It will include outdoor identification of plants, specialized styles of gardening, techniques for growing woody ornamentals, and home irrigation techniques.  All instructors are professionals in their fields and have academic qualifications.  Registration information will be available in the early spring.

Each course is filled with useful information, all of the courses are interesting and fun, and you may take the courses in any order.   Once you have successfully completed any two courses, you are eligible to join the Gardening Consultants Council as a provisional member.  After completing all four courses, you will be an accredited Gardening Consultant.  We would love to see you at one of our courses.  Please come! 

A detail of the gardens at the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, site of Gardening Study School

HELPFUL RESOURCES:  If you are interested in adding native plants to your garden, you may wish to visit the following websites.

To find out more about native species:  www.natureserve.org/index.htm

For more information on invasive and native plants: http://www.mdflora.org/publications/invasivesframe.html (Maryland Native Plant Society)

 http://www.vnps.org/invasive.html (Virginia Native Plant Society)

To find out if vegetation is native to the area where you live, use the database offered by the U. S. Department of Agriculture:  http://plants.usda.gov