FogHorn March 9, 2017  GARDENING with JACK MC KINNON 

 

Bacopia (?) comes in white or purple, it is the best selling plant at HMB nursery, it will trail over the pot. He also used begonias, marigolds... and a color scheme emerges. Sweet Alyssum is good for borders as is lobelia. A beautiful planter emerged. Whoohoo, Warren auctioned it off for $35.

 

The best garden book is Sunset Western Garden Book, it's the first go-to book. Steps, common name, look up in SWGB, then Google.

 

Micro climates on the Coastside can definitely be out of the range of normal for the area. The  valleys in El Granada are tropical. Any maps of micro climates?  Berkeley extension might have some. We are in the 15-16 climate zones; zone 17 is the water's edge.  UC Santa Cruz grows Australian plants, that's their micro-climate.  Can we create a climate zone?  Absolutely, just control lighting, oxygen levels and temperature. You can manipulate those in a green house. Can also create one by putting up a wall, adding a shade, etc.

 

How about raised beds?  Can teach homeowner how to build. The advantages are less bending and clean soil. Other innovative ways to grow things are aquaponics and vertical gardens. With vertical gardens,  maintenance needs to be addressed, you need to do your homework and ensure the safety of the building. Succulents are popular for this application.

 

CA natives make up one tenth of Sunset's list of plants. It is a limited palate and not always drought tolerant; also not always easy. It's always a good idea to sample your soil, send to UC Extension.  Soaker hose under sod a good idea?  A sprinkler system above ground would be better.

 

 

 

Honorary Rotarians with us today were Heather Bodmann, and Robert Rathborne (who generously donated 3 photos for our magic auction).  Ayn Johnston and Caroline Gossart were part of the regular visiting crowd.

 

 

Guests Susan Kealey brought her partner in crime and in the garden, Dennis Fisher

 

Remembering.

 

Our dear departed Greg Miller was remembered with fond reminisces from Rose Serdy who reminded us he made the initital introduction to get us into IDES after we decided to leave the Ritz, and John Evans recalled that he and Larkin had taken childbirth classes with Greg, Dave Cresson said Greg made everyone feel like they were his close friend.  Ginger Minoletti  told about the time he gave her a photo frame with a beautiful bible verse about “Mom” right after she came back from her Mother’s passing.

 

 

         

 

Rosi Fontana gave a check for her birthday to the Club Foundation.

John Evans attended the Sports Hall of Fame dinner

Kevin O'Brien got 2 auction items from Pescadero and bought 8 tickets

Dave D explained how easy it is to register online to buy Magic tickets and bid on the auction, and  you can even give him checks/cash for paper tickets

Dave Andrews was in the SJMerc News for his work in the flooded areas there.

Caroline Gossart did a cheer at the girls BB game playoffs.

Mitone Griffiths announced that Ayla and  Johnston’s granddaughter, Catalina, worked on a Science project together on PH levels. Mia is swimming as a freshman for the HMBHS Varsity swim team.

Warren Barmor is just back from PETS  and announced that he discovered that we do have the best Rotary Club in the world.  And he spoke to the Keynote speaker – Cliff Dochterman – who sent his regards

He also announced that they still needed chaperones for the Interact Dance/Fundraiser and it is the ast chance to sign up for the District Assembly 3/18.

 

Announcements  All things Magic

Catherine Yaque passed out the sign-up sheet for Kitchen and Bar help the for the event

Mary Rogren had won Raffle tickets that she, in turn, gave out to Rotarians who had contributed great auction items that day: Eric Shapira – who is bringing in things all the time; Kevin O'Brien who scored the farm dinner for 20 at Harley Farms. Ginger Minoletti for a special chocolate tour at Sweet 55 and a travel bag – plus Hulli Cat fishing; Dave Cresson giving a night at the Zaballah house; Kathy Monozon giving her prized Giants’ tickets;

 

Dianne Bobko thanked Mary Corcoran for her excellent PR work and pointed the excellent article in this week's HMB Review.

Don’t forget we meet next week at Cameron’s