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Home , Community gardening, Sensory garden

NEWS from the

Fall 2013

...building community through , education and environmental stewardship.

IN THIS ISSUE... BRING ON THE TREES! Executive Director’s Message p2 Board President’s Message p3 There’s still time to order one of our beautiful cut Fraser Firs from North Carolina. Also, beginning Friday, November 29th, trees will be on sale FUNDING OUR MISSION: Recent inside the Green Learning Station at Oak and Reading (our parking ar- Grants and Donations p4 ea). Of course hundreds of returning tree customers know that the best strategy is to reserve the tree in advance and let our volunteers load it STEM and Sustainability p6 onto your car while you browse the huge selection of Clay Alliance pot- tery and other gift’s in our lobby. Tree Sale hours are: Our Future of Gardening in Schools Monday – Friday 9-5 p7 Saturday 11-5 Sunday 11-5 Educating Youth: Welcome Mary! p8 Don’t wait too long to order; quantities are limited. Call us at 513- 221-0981 or visit our web page at www.CivicGardenCenter.org Classes and Workshops p9

Horticultural To-Dos –Bennett says “don't rest yet!” p10

Hoffman Library News p11 Volunteer in the Spotlight p13

Our Holiday Wishlist p11 Orchids & Bonsai p12

Gardeners turn in the green manure at the Over The Rhine People’s . Learn more about Com- munity Gardening on page 5. Civic Garden Center of Greater Cincinnati Executive Director’s 2715 Reading Road Cincinnati, OH 45206 Message Closed December 24 through January 1 In this age of information overload, I Lobby hours: 9-5 M-F, 9-4 Sat., Closed Sunday often find myself tuning into Admission to the facility and Hoffman Library is free information only after I’ve heard the same thing referenced a number of Phone: 513-221-0981 times. Or, maybe I’m like the road- FAX: 513-221-0961 runner who needs to be hit over the www.civicgardencenter.org head by an Acme anvil to pay Helpline (M,W,F mornings): 513-221-TREE attention. Either way, I heard

numerous times from more than a CGC Staff few people that Bill Moyer was doing an interview with author and Vickie Ciotti (x12) Vickie Ciotti environmentalist, Wendell Berry, so I Executive Director tuned in. [email protected] I’m not certain I’ve ever seen or heard an interview with Mr.

● Terry Houston (x18) Berry. He could be anyone’s grandfather, father or uncle. Executive Assistant His southern accent gives him a certain air of wisdom and [email protected] immediately you know he’s one of those true gentlemen. One of his first comments has stuck with me. He said that ● Jan Simms (x14) “we do not get to ask if we will be successful (in turning Volunteer Coordinator around the destruction of our environment), but rather we [email protected] must ask what is the right thing to do.” Although feasibility studies and public hearings have their place, there are some ● Peter Huttinger (x16) issues important enough that we must just get on with Community Coordinator actions directed at solving the problem. He doesn’t spend [email protected] time pointing the finger of blame, or as a former colleague ● Mary Dudley (x11) used to say “celebrating the problem” by talking it to death. Youth Education Coordinator He’s somewhat matter-of-fact in that we must just do what [email protected] we can; “do the right thing”. — Refreshing and empowering. I’m also reminded of an interview of Mary Beth King, owner ● Bennett Dowling, Horticulturist (x26) of Sweet Peace Bakery. She said “don’t do nothing because Horticulturist you can’t do everything.” I’m unsure if it’s an original quote, [email protected] but certainly the first time I had ever heard it. These words have become my mantra. How often have you felt Cara Hague, Horticulturist (x17) paralyzed by the enormity of work facing you? We all end [email protected] up sitting on the couch some days because we just don’t know where to begin in order to do all we must. Too often ● Ryan Mooney-Bullock (x22) the substantive problems our society faces seem Green Learning Station Coordinator overwhelming. It takes resolve and inspiration to believe [email protected] that my small individual actions will provide any real impact.

It doesn’t take a great deal of research to find out just how ● Sam Dunlap (x35) quickly and dramatically those small actions add up to big School Gardens Coorinator changes. [email protected] Berry was asked how we could possibly find hope in our ● Roger Smith (x19) current situation. His response was (I’m paraphrasing) that Finance Manager we must map out the grounds of a legitimate, authentic [email protected] hope. “If you can find one good example, you have grounds for hope. Change yourself and you have reason for hope. “ ● Mary Lou Schueler (x17) It helps us get off the couch and begin to tackle the work – Bookkeeper even when we know we can’t do everything. Hope drives us [email protected] to do what we know is right. NEWS from the Civic Garden Center

Published by Jan Simms

2 Greetings from the President CGC Board of Directors Thanks to these folks for overseeing the CGC of the CGC Board of Directors operations and for the direction they provide

, John Bentley Matt O'Connell The first snow has hit the Queen Mary Bishop Kevin O'Dell City...in November! The weather Chris Doan Patrick Polley reminds us that gardening has Kara Troquille Gunsch Amber Shidler seasons - as does your Civic Ann MacDonald Karen Sills Garden Center. Dan Meyer Pete Singer

This year, spring began with the Arthur Motch Beau Tuke best-ever Home & Garden show Rick Noland and continued with a terrific Rick Noland Sale. Summer displayed vertical gardens on the Green Learning Station, new signage Fall Appeal Sets 20% Funding and the flowering of the “green roof” next to the walkway into our main building. Fall featured our first - but Increase Target certainly not the last - Brews and Blues festival. Now, as Very soon our annual Fall Appeal Letter will show up in we rake leaves, and shovel snow, at home, and look your mailbox! As we strive to reach our fundraising goal toward winter, the Civic Garden Center is preparing for next year. for 2013, our thanks goes out to all who have given so generously to support our mission. We are already We are moving forward on completion of the interior of looking forward to gardening with you in the coming year! the Green Learning Station. Thanks to the generosity of several supporters, we have begun to fully realize the How you can contribute... vision of a laboratory to educate and demonstrate environmental stewardship. Work on the interior should If you would like to make a donation to support any of our be complete in Spring ‘14, providing enhanced programs – Community Gardens, Youth Education, capabilities in this major addition to our campus. Horticulture Education, the Green Learning Station, the In keeping with the season, the Civic Garden Center’s Serenity Garden – or to offer general support to the Civic annual Christmas tree sale and eco-friendly holiday Garden Center, please contact Executive Assistant, begins this month! The Civic Garden Center offers Terry Houston at (513) 221-0981 ext 18. Donations can be freshly cut Fraser fir trees, wreaths and white pine made any number of ways including automatic monthly roping, unique handmade items, garden gifts, pottery credit card deductions, on-line and through stock transfer. and Christmas tree decorations. The sale begins Nov. 29th and continues thru Dec. 15th. Stroll our grounds, sip hot cocoa and, on Nov. 30th and Dec. 7th, create your own video card to send out for the Holidays. Check our website, www.civicgardencenter.org, or call 513-221- 0981.

The Civic Garden Center is committed to helping make just completed the Master class - with the wisdom Cincinnati a great place to live. Our mission of building gained from a successful career leading research and devel- community through gardening depends on you, our opment teams in the fragrance and flavors industry. She will friends and supporters. The Fall Appeal is our key be a wonderful President. fundraiser for the year. It is this appeal which provides the majority of funding for the classes, support for Thank you for your support this year. You should feel confi- Community Gardens, outreach programs, grounds dent that your Board, working in partnership with Executive maintenance, everything the Civic Garden Center Director Vickie Ciotti and the excellent Civic Garden Center contributes to our community. Please allow me urge you staff and volunteers, will continue to strive to make the Civic to respond as generously as possible to this year’s Garden Center a jewel in the crown of the Queen City! appeal, so that we can continue to serve our city in so many ways. Happy Holidays!!

Finally, as the seasons turn, so does the leadership of your Board of Directors. Mary Bishop takes on the responsibilities of President of the Board for 2014 and 2015. Mary combines a passion for gardening - she has

3 Hauck Society Members In-Kind Donations The following individuals have given major financial gifts to the Civic Garden Center. We thank them and recognize them Ace Hardware with year long membership in the Hauck Society. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens Cincy Magnolia Level $10,000+ Judi Graves Linda Dooley Allison Herschede Priscilla Garrison Haffner Mrs. Martha Ewalt LaMacchia Family Foundation Mr. Jerome Glinka Miggie Jacobs Oak Level (con’d) Ms. Judi Graves Meshewa Farm Foundation Cornelius and Janet Hauck Ms. Cynthia Heinrich and Mr. Nick Payne Oliver Fund of the Greater Cin- Mr. and Mrs. Carl Huether cinnati Foundation Klosterman Baking Co. Ms. Terry Houston Ron and Jane Koppenhoefer Ms. Janet Kivora-Simms Beech Level $5,000+ Terry Lemmerman Mr. Eric Nielsen Marjorie Drackett Lewis and Marjorie Daniel Ms. Linda Rosselot Dr. Donald Hawley Foundation Mr. Chuck Schramm and Mr. Dan Newman Arthur Motch, Motch Family Mr. and Mrs. Phillip C. Long Mr. and Mrs. Tom Singer Foundation W. Richard and Sandy L. Man- teuffel

Oak Level $1,000+ Daniel Meyer Garden Club Donors Phyllis and Bill Augspurger John L. Mitchell

Sarah Allyn Bahlman Louis and Marjorie Rauh Fund Bellbrook Garden Club Mary Bishop of The Greater Cincinnati Foun- Cincinnati Judging Center James Briggs dation Clovernook Garden Club Ronald & Barbara DeNamur Mrs. Mary Stern Charitable Fund SHS Fund of The Greater Cin- Field and Garden Club Michele Dragga cinnati Foundation/Sue Stur- Garden Circle of the Junior League Mr. Thomas Dunlap geon Greater Cincinnati Master Gardener Association Lucile and Richard Durrell Margaret and Michael Valentine Mt. Healthy Garden Club Special Fund Carol and Richard Wilson Southwestern Ohio Daffodil Society Diana T. Dwight, Motch Family Woodward Family Charitable Foundation Foundation Grants and Endowments Keep Cincinnati Beautiful Program Donors Knowledgeworks Foundation Community Gardens Mr. and Mrs. Robert Haynes Louise Taft Semple Foundation Mr. Dick Weiland Lucile and Richard Durrell Special Fund III Green Learning Station Ms. Martha Seaman Marjorie Rauh Garden Intern Endowment Mary Bishop iGive.com Holdings LLC Mrs. Priscilla Haffner Mr. and Mrs. Paul Sittenfeld Race Street Garden Anonymous (1) Honorarium and Memorial Ms. Ashley Assanuvat Mrs. Kathryn Blackwell Given by In Memory of Ms. Heather Byer Nancy Brant Ms. Susan Brand Mr. Jerry Mellman and Ms. Ms. Kristin Engler Alice Horn Gayle Weston Mr. Gordon Strauss Mr. and Mrs. Louis Rauh Mr. Bradley Hughes In Honor of Mr. and Ms. James Kerns Ault Garden Club Bennett O. Dowling Mr. Ryan Messer Edwin and Wanda Booth Connie and Bob Booth Over-The-Rhine Community Happy Garden Connie Booth Housing Club Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Scheper Ms. Judy Mitchell The Dirt Crew Mr. and Mrs. Joe Wilmers Maureen Dillon Sam Dunlap Ms. Karen Wittenberg School Yard Gardens Ms. Gina Szweda All donations and grants recognized on these pages are for gifts received and processed in the May - August period. Youth Education Greater Cincinnati Foundation

4 Community Gardens

Community Garden Development Training Begins a New Season! By Peter Huttinger, Community Gardens Coordinator

Would you like to grow healthy food

and make your neighborhood more 2013-2014 CGDT CLASS SCHEDULE safe and beautiful? Do you want to learn more about sustainable biological gardening practices? If 1. Intro to Neighborhood Gardens so, the Civic Garden Center has a Wed., Nov 6, 6-8:30pm series of classes that may interest you! 2. Civic Engagement Training Tues., Nov. 12, 6-8:30pm Join us in November for the Community Garden Development Training (CGDT) series. The 3. The Social Art of Wed., Nov. 20, 6-8:30pm program offers a unique and successful set of tools to help neighbors of all ages come together to create community 4. Getting Started: “Tools & Rules” gardens. The heart of CGDT is the peer-centered curriculum Wed., Jan. 15, 6-8:30pm that allows participants to share their talents and utilize community resources to develop and implement neighborhood 5. Thriving Garden Practices gardening projects. The CGDT Certificate Program is free and Wed., Jan 22, 6-8:30pm open to people interested in starting a community garden. 6. Healthy Traditions: Perspectives on Nutrition & CGDT Certificate Requirements Food Preparation To receive a certificate 10 of the 12 classes must be attended, Wed., Jan. 29, 6-8:30pm and the required 8 hours volunteer service completed. CGDT 7. Basic Organic Vegetable Gardening participants who have met certificate and site/program Wed., Feb. 5, 6-8:30pm requirements may be eligible to apply for financial and technical support for their new community garden project. 8. Garden Site Visits Sat., Mar. 15, 10 – 1pm Unless otherwise noted, all classes meet at: Civic Garden Center 9. for Vegetable Gardeners/Seed Starting 2715 Reading Rd. Wed., Mar. 26, 6-8:30pm Cincinnati, OH 45206 10. Designing Your Community Gardening Project

For additional information on this CGDT Program contact Peter

Huttinger, Community Gardens Coordinator, at 513-221-0981 11. Construction Techniques for the Gardener ext.16. Or by email at: [email protected] Sat., Apr. 19, 10 – 1pm

12. Garden Practicum (off site) Please note: Classes on general gardening practices are Instructor: Peter Huttinger open to the general public, non-certificate participants, for a fee of $10 per class:

Thriving Garden Practices Healthy Traditions: Perspectives on Nutrition & Food Preparation REGISTER AT Basic Organic Vegetable Gardening www.civicgardencenter.org Botany for Vegetable Gardeners & Seed Starting

5

Green Learning Team Brings Teens Together to Explore Environmental Issues

by Ryan Mooney-Bullock, Green Learning Station Coordinator

On the first Saturday of every month to the age old problem of getting enough water to their this school year, a group of high . To kick off this project, Ryan Geismar of Human school students is spending the day Nature (and former CGC intern), presented the students exploring environmental issues in with a rigorous sustainable design process to provide a the region. The students from framework for their efforts. We toured two gardens in Walnut Hills, Clark Montessori and, Northside run by Happen, Inc, an art education non-profit. Princeton High Schools have The students conducted detailed site inventories including expressed interest in pursuing not only the physical layout of the site but the cultural and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) relational dynamics as well. Back at the CGC the students careers and each month work alongside mentors in those did a brain dump of everything they had learned and fields. Through this program they are learning about and started talking through their thoughts with the goal of practicing the skills STEM professionals use in their work. getting as many ideas out on the table as possible. We look forward to seeing the designs they come up with, Our September session took us to Amberley Creek in individually over the next few weeks and the collaborative French Park, where we worked with Groundwork designs that come out of our next session. Cincinnati-Mill Creek to assess the water quality of the stream using test kits to measure pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrates, phosphates, fecal coliform and turbidity. The The rainwater harvesting project will culminate with a favorite test was using a kick seine to collect presentation of their final proposals on January 4, 2014. If macroinvertebrates (critters) from the stream. The you are interested in attending, please contact Ryan for students enjoyed identifying the critters and learning which more information. The second half of the year will be spent ones were indicative of a stream with good water quality. exploring decomposition and the effect of compost on We visited the Mill Creek and learned about its history as a plant growth and engineering rapid composting systems. dumping ground for industrial waste and what efforts are Stay tuned for more discoveries! underway to restore it to health. If you are a professional who works in related fields and would like to get involved as a mentor, guest In October we initiated a 4-month project in which the students are designing rainwater harvesting systems for speaker, lunch sponsor or in some other way, please three local gardens who are looking for a creative solution email Ryan at [email protected].

STEM participants assess water at Amberly Creek. Students conduct rainwater harvesting site inventory.

6 Shedding the Old, Embracing the New

by Sam Dunlap, Coordinator

Last spring, shortly after Greg Potter and I finished putting we can expand our reach to more schools and more kids. the roof on the new garden shed at Pleasant Ridge Mon- We see our role as provider of garden expertise, resources tessori, a curious kindergartener asked me as she entered and strategic planning. This will likely involve participating the garden for class, “Is that where you and Mr. Greg in school garden committees, offering trainings for teach- sleep?” I got a hearty chuckle out of that and Mr. Greg and ers, helping with garden installations and work days, and I had fun speculating afterward on the details of our life as providing periodic classroom instruction. This final piece “shed-mates” in the school garden. I imagine rolling out of will represent collaboration between the School Garden a bed of straw in the mornings and saying, “Mr. Greg, get Program and our new Youth Education Coordinator, Mary up, we’ve gotta go teach garden class.” He snorts in re- Dudley (welcome Mary!). sponse, plucking straw twigs from his beard and knit cap. As entertaining as this little girl’s question was, sometimes We recognize that this model will look different for different I feel that it’s not too far from the truth! We’ve been work- schools. At Riverview East Academy, for example, we ing hard over the last two years since we began the School have a smaller, although still significant, effort under way. Gardens Program and it strikes me as a good time to Instead of the entire k-12 school, we have students in share some of our successes and our plans for moving grades K-4 coming to the garden. They come every week forward. and are incredibly enthusiastic about their garden time! A huge victory is that the teachers are equally enthusiastic, This fall marks a transition in the program. After gaining a which is necessary since there is not the same kind of par- lot of valuable experience at our original schools, we are ent and community involvement. The teacher committee beginning to move away from doing so much direct pro- will be the group shouldering the garden load moving for- gramming and instead, helping set up systems for the ward at Riverview. Having their commitment and dedica- schools to run their gardens more independently. tion is therefore extremely important. They have shared on several occasions that without the kind of involvement that Here’s a descriptions of how this transition will look... we’ve had up to this point, there would not be the impetus Pleasant Ridge Montessori stands out among our projects or motivation to carry the garden forward. for the sheer magnitude of the vision and the dedication of the people involved in bringing that vision to life. As of this fall, we have every class in the school coming out to the garden regularly, most of them on a weekly basis. This is thanks, in large part, to parent volunteers who are either helping us with the lessons we teach or facilitating garden classes on their own. I was amazed when we had nearly filled an entire page in the volunteer sign-in booklet after only one week of garden classes!

An exciting development at Pleasant Ridge this fall is our School Garden Correlate (teacher committee). This corre- late, made up of one or two teachers from each grade lev- el, a parent and me, is an instrumental piece in our transi- tion toward turning the school garden more fully over to the school and community. The correlate’s role is to identify ways that the garden can be integrated into the existing school curriculum and routine and then provide ideas and resources to the rest of the teachers to help make the gar- Mr. Greg building the shed. den integration happen. As the opening story about the inquisitive kindergartener Another key aspect of the transition is our parent commit- illustrates, the world of young people is all about the here tee. This is the nuts and bolts crew that deals with garden and now with their life experience thus far as the point of logistics. What needs to happen and when? What materi- reference. Not much in the way of abstraction. What a als and resources do we need and where are they going to wonderful time and opportunity, a crucial one in fact, to come from? They secure money from the PTO and other make gardens and nature experiences part of that point of sources, recruit volunteers and represent the garden at reference! Our goal with the School Gardens Program is to school and community events. make gardens a greater part of the here and now experi- ence for our kids in Cincinnati so that this knowledge is The third leg of the transition plan is us, the Civic Garden engrained for a lifetime. The learning and experiences that

Center. We don’t plan to go away completely, just to scale we have had over the last two years are equipping us to back and be more strategic about how we’re involved so make the transition necessary for this goal to be a reality. Peas 7 EDUCATING YOUTH

by Mary Dudley, Youth Education Coordinator

The CGC recently added Mary Dudley to our staff as Youth Education Coor- dinator. Mary is no stranger to our mission and programs; she began as an intern! Taking Stock Coming to work at CGC is like coming home. The talent- The phrase “coming full circle” is the perfect way to de- ed staff and volunteers are so supportive and resource- scribe my adventure with the Civic Garden Center. My ful. I’ve been busy organizing files, clearing out cabi- journey began in 2008 when I walked in to take an nets, and taking stock on the foundation my predeces- evening class and walked out with an application for the sors have built. I am honored to be part of such a strong summer intern program. I was looking for a fun job to fill organization and I know I’ll learn and grow with each the months until my graduate courses started in the fall. new experience. I’ve been visiting schools, clearing out Little did I know that my experiences with the staff and gardens for winter, and introducing myself to board community partners at CGC would shape my academic members and volunteers. Each time I mention CGC I career. get a smile and a story; it’s just amazing how many lives have been touched and molded through our outreach Instead of taking the science track at Miami University I programs. opted for a Master of Arts in Botany which allowed me to take a variety of education courses along with botany As I was cleaning out some files I came across some labs and work in several gardens as part of my thesis curriculum materials I had written in 2008, and I had to project. I worked as the garden educator at the Oxford smile at my own story. Connecting people to plants is Community Arts Center Gardeneering Camp, wrote cur- the most rewarding endeavor I’ve participated in and I’m riculum for the gardens at Peaslee Neighborhood Cen- so thankful to have found my niche. Thank you CGC! I ter and helped with field trips at the conservatory on Mi- can’t wait to see how the rest of the story goes. I hope it ami Hamilton’s Campus. I won scholarships and grants will be a long and exciting adventure. to fund my research and invited the entire botany de- partment to hear my defense. I just wanted to share my passion for botanical education with the world!

After graduation, I travelled to sunny south Florida and worked as the Elementary Programs Coordinator at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. I had the amazing opportunity to collaborate with scientists, educators and students from around the globe. The region’s diverse population was mirrored by a vast wealth of botanical treasures. The school gardens grew plants from Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica and the Bahamas. The farmers markets were overflowing with cacao, sapote, mango and tama- rind. It was a wonderful place to learn and grow, but I knew my heart was in Ohio and I looked forward to the time when I could return to my community and share the bounty of the Midwest. Welcome home, Mary, we are looking forward to growing with you again!

8 Classes and Workshops

Horticulture Education for the Beginner to the Expert Register for all classes with Terry Houston at the CGC, 513-221-0981 x18. Or register online at www.civicgardencenter.org All horticulture classes qualify for Master Gardener recertification education hours – designated by

MGC

Community Gardener Development Training December Open to the general public, non-certificate partici- Greens Gatherings pants, for a fee of $10 per class:

Join us for a CGC annual event! Bring your pruners, wire- Thriving Garden Practices cutters and scissors and we'll provide a bundle of fresh cut Wednesday, January 22, 6:00-8:30 pm greens, some warm refreshments and holiday spirit. A limited Instructors: Sam Dunlap, School Garden Coordi- quantity of extra greens, novelties and ribbon will be available for purchase. Each class is $30 and registration is limited nator, Peter Huttinger, Community Garden MGC Coordi- nator so reserve your spot early! Cost: $10 (free for CGC volunteers and CGDT partici-

pants) Friday, December 6 ,1:00-3:00pm BYOC—bring your own container! Sustainable Practices including an introduction to rain Whether your container is an old family favorite, found item or water harvesting, mini-passive solar cold frames, over- wintering , woody perennials and an introduction to recent purchase, Jan Simms will help you channel your “inner . artist” to visualize and realize a beautiful table decoration. With special attention being given to mechanics and structural ele- Healthy Traditions: Perspectives on Nutrition & Food ments, the sky is the limit for accents you would like to bring and Preparation include in your work. Participants should bring scissors, wire cutters, and pruners. We’ll provide fresh cut greens and me- Wednesday, January 29, 6:00-8:30 pm Instructors: Lauren Niemes M.Ed., R.D., L.D., Nutrition chanics. Council and Peter Huttinger, Community Garden Coordi-

nator Saturday, December 7 Fresh Holiday Decorations with Sue Cost: $10 (free for CGC volunteers and CGDT partici- Sue Trusty’s classes are as much a tradition around the CGC as pants) the Greens Gatherings. Take one class or both and check holi- Basic Organic Vegetable Gardening day decorating off your list! Wednesday, February 5, 6:00-8:30 pm

Instructor: Dave Koester, Campbell County Ex- 10:00am-Noon MGC Table Arrangement tension Agent Enjoy the friendly pace and individual attention from Sue as you Cost: $10 (free for CGC volunteers and CGDT partici- construct a holiday arrangement in your own container. Partici- pants) Topics: Timing the vegetable garden, seasonal consider- pants should bring scissors, wire cutters, and pruners; we’ll pro- ations, fall gardening, variety selection and intensive gar- vide the greens and mechanics. dening, succession planting and

1:00-3:00pm techniques. Wreath or Swag Your neighbors will be “green” with envy when they see your Soap making for the Holidays beautiful door decoration! We provide the greens with seasonal Thursday, December 19, 2013, 6:00-8:00 pm berries, frames and mechanics; feel free to bring any embellish- *Class size is limited. Registration is required. ments to suit your taste or décor. Instructor: Carisa, Seventh Street Gifts in Newport Fee: $5 per participant Family Class: Natural Christmas Ornaments Participants will make two of their own customized soaps Saturday, December 14, 10:30am -12:00pm, 1:30pm - using goats milk and/or vegetable glycerin bases. Essen- 3:00pm tial and fragrance oils, botanicals and natural additives will Instructor: Mary Dudley, CGC Youth Education Coordinator be available to create a soap perfect for gift giving! Every- Fee: $5 per participant, registration is required day kitchen materials will be turned into useful and practi- There are a lot of little treasures nature leaves us in the winter cal soap molds. Participants will leave with their handmade time. Learn how to take dried nuts and plants and turn them soaps, recipes and ability to continue the fun at home. into ornaments for your Christmas tree.

Click to view our full calendar Please register early for classes. This helps ensure that we plan and prepare appropriately to minimize waste of materials and to maximize staff and volunteer time.

9 Horticulture Corner

AN AUTUMN TO-DO LIST – by Bennett Dowling,

The garden is waning as we go into rutting season for deer, and protecting tree trunks autumn, but relaxation should be under 6” in diameter is very important. Use plastic put off a little longer. There is still or wire mesh and tie off around trunks. If you use much to do in the garden... solid plastic piping, make sure to remove it upon spring’s arrival so as not to seal moisture against

the trunk. Perennials – if choosing to cut back your perennials in Tropicals – dig up cannas after they have been nipped the fall, wait until frosts and cold temperatures by frost. Allow the plants to dry for a day, shake have killed the foliage. Consider leaving your the soil from the roots, cut back the stalks, and Echinacea and Rudbeckia as food for finches and store the roots in crates or paper bags with other birds in winter. Also consider leaving sphagnum moss, shredded paper, or shredded grasses for winter interest and shelter for fauna. leaves. Check to make sure they are not drying When cutting, consider the winter interest of out in the winter. For Alocasia and Colocasia dig certain perennials such as Sedum, Joe Pye weed, before frost and store similarly. and Russian sage. Some perennials, such as Chrysanthemum, Russian sage, butterfly bush, and Caryopteris should not be pruned until they begin to come out of dormancy in spring. Roses – despite your desire to do so, do not cut back shrub roses until late winter or early spring when their buds begin to pop. Hybrid tea, grandiflora and floribunda roses should only be cut back slightly or tied up to prevent winter breakage. Once freezing temperatures have set in, pile wood chips or shredded leaves around the crown of the roses, covering the graft location. Also, avoid Russian sage, butterfly bush, lavender and Caryopteris until early spring. Fall leaves – instead of removing your leaves, shred them with a leaf shredder or lawn mower and mulch your beds or compost them. Remember that since dried leaves are high in carbon, incorporating ‘green’ nitrogen-rich elements such as grass clippings, manure or coffee grounds will speed decomposition. Shredded leaves will also break down faster in the compost. Layer with straw or twiggy perennials or grasses to prevent leaves from compacting into airtight layers. Evergreen protection – if you have narrow evergreens prone to winter splaying (for example, arborvitae and juniper), consider tying them up with stretchy material such as nylon stockings, bungee cord, or The CGC staff would like to congratulate twine. All evergreens continue to transpire during graduates of the 2013 Master Gardener Class— winter, even though their roots cannot take up we are looking forward to working with you! water from frozen soil, so it is important to keep them well watered this fall if precipitation is inadequate. Also, some broadleaf evergreens, if Interested in becoming a Master in exposed areas, can benefit from the protective Gardener? qualities of anti-desiccant sprays or burlap Contact Julie Crook at [email protected] or enclosures, all of which should be done in late fall. at 513-946-8998 for information. Tree protection – September through March is the 10

Ho-Ho-Hoffman!

Books are such a popular gift during the end of the year, why not consider donating some of the ones VOLUNTEERS NEEDED… you’ve read to the Hoffman Library? Our used book area during the Plant Sale can sure use them. What: Weekend Christmas Tree Sale Where: Inside the Green Learning Station in the Gently used garden books CGC parking lot When: Friday 11/29 11-5 Cooking and recipe books Saturday 11/30 9-5 Sunday 12/1 11-5 Gardening and landscaping magazines Saturday 12/7 9-5 Sunday 12/8 11-5 Birding magazines Saturday 12/14 9-5 Sunday 12/15 11-5 If you have any of these items, just bring them by the ** help also needed with delivery. Center’s front lobby in bags or boxes. Too much to carry? We’ll gladly help you carry them in! Weekday Tree Sale 12/2-12/13 Support the CGC Staff by staffing the sale at the After business hours? Books Green Learning Station during 9-5 business hours. can be put into the book drop slot just outside the auditorium door. Wreath Making - Monday 12/2 and Tuesday 12/3 “Copy” wreaths from samples to add to our holiday Thank you! sales items. We supply everything—it’s a terrific way rev up some holiday cheer!

Our Holiday Wish List… Thanks to all who donated items from our last Wish List. We are so grateful to YOU, our supporters, no matter the size and scope of your gift.

CGC Home -New roof -Paint for building exterior Everyday Operations -Contributions to purchase OTR garden parcels -Stamps -Kroger gift cards Community Gardens -4 Pitch Forks - 5 –6 tine type -2 Wheelbarrows - 6 cu. ft. capacity with steel tray and flat free tire Volunteer Operations -$500 T-shirt sponsorship

-Paper Cutter: Swingline® SmartCut® 15" Commercial Heavy-Duty Rotary Paper Trimmer, 30 Sheet Capacity, Gray (at STAPLES)

-2 1/4" Button Pin Maker / 2.25" Badge Machine +500 button parts,samplepack and DVD from PeoplePowerPress (on AMAZON)

-1-1/2" Button Pin Maker / 1.5" Badge Machine +500 button parts,samplepack+DVD from PeoplePowerPress (on AMAZON) 11 Orchid Growing Tips Bonsai Society of Greater – by , The Greater Cincinnati Orchid Society Cincinnati The BSGC meets every month on the www.cincinnatiorchids.org 3rd Thursday. For more information visit www.cincinnatibonsai.com .

Orchids in Winter Scott Yelich, owner of Eagle Creek Bonsai in Indianapolis will be the guest for Maybe you got one of those orchids for the holi- the November 21st meeting. He will days & are now wondering, “What the heck am I speak on suiseki and creating daizas for supposed to do with this thing NOW?” Well, de- the viewing stones. Scott Yelich's interest in bonsai began spite the fact that they are available at all sorts of like many others, by watching the original "Karate Kid." stores these days at a reasonable price they do not have to be disposable. Once his interest was sparked, he starting learning by reading library books on bonsai and by lots of personal trial Whether you got it for yourself as a beautiful table and error. Soon, Scott met Mike Devore, owner of Northridge Bonsai in Crawfordsville, Indiana. Mike specialized in tropical centerpiece or it was a hostess gift, this orchid bonsai. Much of Scott's styling technique and teaching style you have is probably either a Phalaenopsis or a was learned from Mike. When Mike decided to retire from his Dendrobium. The following is basic orchid culture, bonsai business, he encouraged Scott to take over where he aka, “Orchids 101”. left off. Scott became the new "go-to guy' for tropical bonsai in the Indianapolis area. This also sparked the creation of Light Eagle Creek Bonsai. Without enough light, orchids may produce lush looking growths but no flowers. Not giving orchids Although Scott still loves his tropical trees, he also works with enough light is the most common reason for fail- a great deal of outdoor species, including pines, maples, ure to bloom. How much light is enough? The elms and juniper. He has also improved his skills by working with artists like, Andy Smith, Ted Matson, Jerry Meislik and answer to this is "as much as they will take with- Erik Wigert. Along the way, Scott also became interested in out burning". Phalaenopsis are ‘low’ light orchids. suiseki, the Japanese art of stone appreciation. They grow beautifully in an east window. Den- drobiums need lots of light, but not direct sun. A Scott constructs and sells hand made daizas. Bonsai trees lightly shaded south window is best. and viewing stones from Scott's personal collection are often seen at both local and regional bonsai shows. Water How often you water will depend on the potting Scott is available by appointment for Bonsai, Penjing and medium. The easiest way to tell when to water is Suiseki workshops and demonstrations. Besides being the to water thoroughly & let drain for 15 minutes. owner and operator of Eagle Creek Bonsai LLC, Scott is a member of the American Bonsai Society, the Ft. Wayne When you pick it up to put it back in its growing Bonsai Club and the Indianapolis Bonsai Club, where he is area, note how heavy it is. Pick it up again in a the current club president. few days & feel how heavy (or light) it is. When it feels as light as it did before you watered it the first time water it again. Continued on p14

Soil Testing The Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District Locating Utilities: Call Before You Dig – to (SWCD) offers soil fertility testing through Michigan locate utilities when working on landscaping projects. State University. The test results provide a soil amend- These are Public Utilities Protection toll free numbers: ment recipe to ensure that you get the most out of your Ohio: 800-362-2764 plant investment. Kentucky: 800-752-6007 Indiana: 800-382-5544 Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District 22 Triangle Park Drive Sharonville, OH 45246 513-772-7645 Monday - Friday, 8am - 4:30pm

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News from the Wild Ones “Autumn flings her fiery cloak over the sumac, beech and oak.” ― Susan Lendroth, Ocean Wide, Ocean Deep

Autumn has arrived and another year comes closer to its end. This season has provided us with beau- tiful native gardens and landscapes through plenty of rainfall and cooler temperatures through the summer. With fall colors just beginning to show, the best is yet to come! When preparing your gar- dens for winter, be sure to leave seeds and berries for the birds and other wildlife, as well as ornamen- tal grasses and other plants that will provide winter interest. Shred raked leaves and put back on gar- den beds to insulate plants over the winter, or place them in a pile to decompose and become valuable leaf mold for use in the spring.

Like Us on Facebook Wild Ones has a new Facebook page – now we need friends! Please go to Greater Cincinnati Wild Ones on Facebook and “like us” to receive notice of upcoming programs (all are free and open to the public), helpful information about native plants and great photos. If you are interested in joining the Greater Cincinnati Wild Ones Chapter to learn more about growing native plants, go to www.cincinnatibirds.com/wildones/ and click on “Join Us” at the left side of the home page.

Upcoming Programs Join us in November for a Wild Workshop where members will teach participants how to make a cop- per garden arbor, seed bombs and origami paper art. While the garden sleeps this winter, keep your hands busy with these fun crafts or make your own holiday gifts. This program will be held at the Civic Garden Center on Sunday, November 3 from 1-3pm. 2014 Programs will be published soon, so keep an eye out for some great topics, like How to Get Started with a Native Landscape, Medicinal Native Plants and, as always, several great garden tours!

Update on Hauck Botanic Garden Restoration Project This year we have continued to work hard to keep invasive plants out of the garden area and tend to those desirable native herbaceous plants, shrubs and trees that we are showcasing. We will come together once more this year to do a final clean up of the garden, and resume work in the spring. We need lots of help to bring this garden to its full potential and restore to it to Cornelius Hauck’s original vision, and new volunteers and Master Gardeners are welcome and wanted to join us. To get involved with this project, contact Chris McCullough, President of Greater Cincinnati Wild Ones Chapter via

VOLUNTEER IN THE SPOTLIGHT By Jan Simms, Volunteer Coordinator

Recently, I learned that our volunteer, Debbie Lutkenhoff, has been sharing her gardening skills with others—-in a BIG way! This past summer Debbie planted, weeded, dug, watered, and developed most of the gardens at the Academy of World Languages.

The Academy of World Languages, one of Cincinnati Public Schools, located in O’Bryon- ville, has a diverse population of cultures from around the World. Not only does the school offer four foreign languages to its’ students: Chinese, Japanese, Russian and Arabic but the school population speaks 41 different languages. Fifty-two percent of the school population is English as Second Language learners.

To showcase the diversity of cultures, the school has several gardens. One is located near the flagpole where the 4 foreign language signs appear. Planted next to each sign is a veg-

etable representing that language or culture (which the students planted). In the back of the

13 Orchids—Continued from p12

Temperature Phaels are easy to grow because they enjoy the same temperatures we do. Dendrobiums like it a little cooler. Keep in mind that temperatures close to the window on a windowsill will be colder in win- ter than your general house temperature & fluctu- ating temperatures can cause buds to drop. Humidity Use a shallow tray of pebbles filled with water to increase humidity around your plants. Be sure the pot does not sit in water as this will rot the roots. Fertilizer Any balanced fertilizer (20-20-20, etc.) can be used to fertilize your orchid. Feeding weakly (half strength) weekly works well. Once a month, use 2014 Tea Set for clear water to flush any accumulated salts from the potting mix. Another Sell-Out Cutting the spike When the blooms are finished on a Phalaenosis, The holidays will be here before you know it and then... you can cut the spike down to the level of the poof, it’s over and we wonder what happened! If you need leaves and the plant will bloom with larger flowers something to look forward to once the decorations are and a strong stem within a year. You can also cut down and the last of the fruitcake crumbs are swept away, off the stem under the first flower to open. One of we have just the ticket—-The MidWinter Quilt Tea and those little brown nodes on the stem below where Quilt Block Competion! Don’t wait to register we promise the flowers were may then initiate growth and gen- imagination overload and lots of good things to eat—no erally produce flowers within eight to 12 weeks. wonder this event is notorious for sell-out! On a Dendrobium you can cut the flowering stem at the point where it came out of the tall thin pseu- Raffle tickets for the three beautiful 2013 quilts are dobulbs. Do not cut off the tall thin stem because available NOW in the CGC’s lobby for $2 each and 3 for the new flower stem will grow from there. Continue $5—They make terrific stocking stuffers, just make sure watering and fertilizing and within a year a new the recipient knows to bring them to add to the hopper growth will spike to begin the blooming cycle before the drawing! again! Winners will be drawn at the 2013 Quilt Tea on February Be sure to visit the Greater Cincinnati Orchid Soci- 15, 2014. ety’s show at Krohn Conservatory in March!

Volunteer in the Spotlight—continued from page 13

school, foreign language summer campers planted a piles, one in a container with a lid and the other open. representation of flowers and shrubs from different coun- Students have conducted science experiments to deter- tries in the Peace Garden. Near the preschool play- mine which method works more efficiently. ground, there is a where students can The newest venture this summer was installing the Mon- smell, touch, feel, and taste various plants. The biggest arch Way Station. Various milkweeds were planted for hits so far are the raspberries, peppermint, stevia and host plants as well as native wildflowers for nectar. The lambs ears. school is an official, designated, certified Way Station! A lst grade teachers was awarded a grant to build a bird This has provided a wealth of educational opportunities sanctuary which is planted in the back playground. to students on where food comes from, growing local There are native trees and shrubs to provide food and produce, the need to care for the earth, the rationale for shelter for the birds. Along the building are raised beds using no chemicals or and understanding the with tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, cabbages, green significance of the food chain/web of life cycle. beans and mustard greens. There are two compost Great job, Debbie!

Visit our Corner Shop, in the lobby of the Civic Garden Center. We have gifts for the gardeners on your gift-giving list! Also... vintage Christmas items! 14 Donations - Continued from page 4

Additional Donors

Mr. and Mrs. James Adams Ms. Judi Graves Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Rahe Mr. and Mrs. Richard Allen Ms. Barbara Harper Mrs. Mary Raispis Mr. and Mrs. Compton Allyn Mr. Doug Hart Mr. Dennis Renck Ms. Ingrid Altavilla Margaret and George Henshaw Mrs. Patricia Rice Ms. Gabriele Alverson Ms. Judy Herd Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Rindsberg Mr. and Mrs. Robert Anderson Ms. Jane Rose Ms. Cathleen Arnold Mr. and Mrs. Ed Hermes Ms. Kelly Attiyah Mrs. Judy Herrmann Mrs. Rita Ross Ms. Marylou Aufmann Ms. Patricia Hinkley Mr. and Mrs. Paul Sittenfeld Mr. and Mrs. Fritz Bazeley Carolyn and Michael Hoyt Ms. Jackie Smith and Mr. Jim Moore Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Beck Indian Hill Garden Club Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Stephens Mrs. Emily Beckman Ms. Margaret Straub Betsy and John Betagole Barry Jones Mr. Gerald Summers Ms. Eliza Biederman Ms. Pearl Jordan Sandra Blanchard Ms. Joyce Kaufman Mrs. Delle Taylor Mr. and Mrs. John Bloomstrom Ms. Rian Keller Ms. Maryan Tebbutt Mr. and Mrs. Robert Booth Mr. and Mrs. Steve Kemme Mr. and Mrs. Mike Tener Mrs. Cindy Briggs Ms. Carol Kessler Mr. and Mrs. John Tensing Ms. Rhoda Brooks Mr. and Mrs. Fred Tritschler Mr. and Mrs. Albert Brown Ms. Diana Klein Mr. Peter Waldron and Ms. Alena Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Kocashis Ms. Fran Turner Chadwick Mr. Bennett Kottler Ms. Valerie Van Iden Ms. and Mr. Mary Sue Cheesman Ms. Patricia Van Voorhis Mr. David Woodburn and Mrs. Ann Mr. Dean Clevenger and Mr. Free- MacDonald Mr. Colin Vogt man Durham Kathy Wade Dr. Terence Cody Ms. Colleen Madewell Sue and Mark Cohen Mrs. Michele Mansfield Mr. and Mrs. Ed Warfel Mr. and Mrs. Marc Comisar Ms. Lyn Marsteller Ms. Marilyn Wehri Ms. Dianne Coors Mr. and Mrs. Tim McCarthy Linda Weston Dr. Robin Cotton Drs. Brian and Jan McConville Mrs. Bonnie White Ms. Terrie Cunningham Mr. Daniel Meyer Mr. and Mrs. Bob Woodiwiss Customer Customer Mr. and Mrs. Eric Yeiser Ms. Toni Daniels Mr. Mark Mitchell Ms. Pam Zelman Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Dierker Mrs. Cathy Moon Mr. and Mrs. Mike Dirr Ms. Maureen Morgan Patricia and Timothy Doyle Ms. Betty Moscove From the Staff Mr. and Mrs. Richard Druffel Ms. Eunice Murphy Ms. Anna D'Souza and Ms. Jean Durbin Ms. Sandy Niemiec Board of Directors Ms. Michelle Eckart Ms. Alena O'Donnell of the Mr. Herman Eckstein Mr. and Mrs. Robert Off Civic Garden Center Sandy and David Filbert Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ott Elizabeth Fisher-Smith Mr. and Mrs. David Parlin Mrs. Blair Fleischmann Thank you for being a part of Mr. and Mrs. William Friedlander Mr. and Mrs. Richard Paulsen our CGC family, Ms. Carolyn Garriott Ms. Karen Petrosky we wish you a warm Ms. Louise Gaudin Brenda Phillips holiday season and the best for Mr. Casey Gilmore Mr. and Mrs. Bill Polak Mr. Robert Girton a prosperous new year. Mrs. Sara Pritchard Ms. Louise Gomer-Bangel Liz and Tom Ragouzis Ms. Gerry Googins

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Civic Garden Center – OSU Extension 10% Discounts for 2013 Horticulture Helpline The following businesses provide a 10% discount to Civic Garden Center donors. A donation now will get you 513-221-TREE(8733) a discount card for next season. And thank you to these [email protected] businesses for their participation in this program.

Leave questions anytime. Talk to a volunteer M, W, F 10-2

Adopt-A-Plant Allison Landscape & Water Gardens Ammon Wholesale Nursery Aquatic & Garden Décor B.C. Nursery/Chris Daeger Burger Farm & Garden Center Bzak Landscaping, Inc. Cincinnati Pine, Inc. Delhi Flower & Garden Center Flower Framers of Cincinnati Florence Nursery & Landscaping Gears Florist & Garden Centers Greenfield Plant Farm H.J. Benken Floral Home & Garden Lakeview Garden Center Holscher Hackman Garden Center Farm Your Yard/Kreidler Design Marvin’s Organic Gardens Meyer Aquascapes Minges & Garden Center Natorp’s Garden Stores Natures Corner Greenhouses Park + Vine Raymond Landscape Nursery Renck’s Landscape & Garden Center Peters Nursery—Garden Store Renaissance Garden Ornament TLC Landscaping & Garden Center Martha Wassermann Landscape Design LLC White Oak Garden Center Worm’s Way

@civicgarden Bzak Landscaping 513-831-0907 www.bzak.com

Landscape Design & Installation facebook.com/civicgarden Garden Center Landscape Materials: mulch, topsoil, youtube.com/gardenerterry compost, gravel, more Wholesale & retail customers welcome. Open all year. 16