WORKSHOPS, TOURS, CLASSES

Until I can get our "Special Events" planning committee to commit, here is a list of potential/probable workshops, classes, tours, etc. that we are working on for the next several months. I will list the events in chronological order as best I can.

If you see something that you are interested in, please e-mail or call and we'll get you on the list now. I will send an e-mail when our dates are firm so if you're not on our e-mail list, now would be a great time to send your address to me.

claireolson@roorbachflowers.com
920-682-7711 x111




November/December 2008
NOVEMBER 27: Thanksgiving
*Make-your-own FRESH WINTER WREATH
*GLITTERED CONE ORNAMENT
*FRESH EVERGREEN "KISSING ORBS"
DECEMBER 25: Christmas

January/February 2009
*After-The-Holidays TIME TO WINE DOWN featuring wine tasting and fresh flowers
*Mid winter 1/2 price GREEN PLANT SALE including "orphans" and pottery
FEBRUARY 14: Valentine's Day

March 2009
*Chicago Flower Show (back at Navy Pier!)
*Going to Pot Orchids - orchid class
*Water Gardening for small spaces

April 2009
*Cincinnati Flower Show
*LIVING WREATH of succulents or annuals
APRIL 12: EASTER SUNDAY
*late April SPRING OPEN HOUSE & GERANIUM SALE
*SILK SCARF PAINTING

May 2009
MAY 10: MOTHER'S DAY
*EUROPEAN GARDEN BASKET
MAY 25: MEMORIAL DAY (observed)
*GREEN BAY BOTANICAL GARDEN SALE (May 30 & 31)

June 2009
*CEMENT LEAF garden accent
*HYPERTOOFA BALL garden accent (a P Allen Smith project)
*FAIRIE GARDENS for kids
*BOWLING BALL (gazing ball) garden accent
*BENT COPPER garden accent

July/August 2009
BUS TOURS:
*Klemm Arboretum (Rockford, IL)
*Rotary Gardens (Janesville, WI)
*Olbrich Gardens (Madison, WI)
*Camp Rosemary (Lake Forest, IL) - as part of the Illinois Garden Conservatory tours

September/October 2009
*FALL FESTIVAL - weekends from mid September thru Halloween
October 31: Halloween

BLACK RADISHES

On one of my "sessions" on Ron Zimmerman's "Be My Guest" program on WOMT recently, the subject of black radishes came up. As is the case with some questions we get, this one was a mystery. So, when I got back here, I started looking up black radishes on the Internet. Not much information on growing them, but did find out that they are a native of Southeast Asia and, like many other foods from that part of the world, are hot in the spicy sense of food.

Last month Robert Jarosh stopped in to ask about the black radish search - he had one along! (That's Mr Jarosh with his prize radish at the top of this post.)

He went home, prepared the radish for eating (peal, slice thin, salt well and wait). He brought a few slices back that afternoon for us to "enjoy". A definite radish taste, but with a "bite" - sort of like horseradish in the sinuses. Mr Jarosh gets his seed from the Silver Lake Country Store or the co-op in Whitelaw. He planted the one he brought, in mid-August, and within six weeks it was ready to eat.

How did it get to be late October?

I guess it was the "wedding of the century" that really took it's toll on our summer. The ceremony was held in our yard - on our back patio (see below). Everything went perfectly - weather was wonderful, everyone was on their best behavior, and we got the best new daughter (Justine Bushman) whom we love, dearly.

We are working on our workshop & class/special event/bus tour schedule and will post it here and send to our e-mail list very soon. We are not having a formal holiday open house this year, again, but will be having special weekend events throughout November and December.

SEASONAL NOTES:

It's time to think about putting our gardens "to bed" for the winter. However, there are some things that can't be done this early. Don't cover tender perennials, mums, etc. until the ground is firmly frozen - usually around Thanksgiving. The purpose of mulching is to protect the plant's roots from the freezing/thawing activity that does the damage and may even kill the plant. This is why plants in raised beds or patio pots are at a greater risk of freezing out over the winter. If you have pots of perennials on your deck, you should submerge the pots into the ground, or transplant the plants into the ground now for winter protection.

Remove dead plant material - especially large leaves like Hosta - after a good frost. Not only does your garden look better, but you are removing a winter home for diseases and bugs.

Leave ornamental grasses, coneflowers, and other plants with a good "skeleton" for winter interest in your garden. The seeds feed the birds, too. Next spring, as soon as you see new growth, cut these plants back to about 6" above the ground.

Ge those spring-blooming bulbs in! It's getting to the end of the planting season - you want to have a little growing time for the bulbs to get their roots established before really cold weather. However, as of this writing, my bulbs are still in their bags in my car! Like I always told my children, "do what I say, not what I do".