Meeting Minutes, February 2018

Meeting called to order at 6:36 PM by Kris H.

Welcome to Maureen Wilson, new member, recent move to Johnson Lake, Danbury, WI

Secretary’s report: Posted to blog. Motion to approve by Pam D. --2nd by Wanda B. All were in favor.

Treasurer’s report by Charlene S. She provided us with an updated accounting of the checkbook. Current balance $2724.37

Wanda B. has agreed to make sure that the school doors are open on nights of garden club meeting.  If she is not working, she will make sure that someone else facilitates the “open door” policy.

Committee reports: 

• Fairground Planting—Village floral donate plants. Garden Club plants them. 4H weeds and waters Flagpole Planting—nothing new Library planting —Pam D. and Georgianne K. weed and plant. Library staff water as needed.
• Sign planting— Plan to continue same as last year. Plantings of same annuals as last year as they were very showy from the highway!
• Grantoberfest— Pam will take over leadership Holiday in the Park— Successful set up and take down. Thanks Becky T. and Sandy H.
• Plant sale—Some ideas about selling seed packets and eggshell halves for succulents—Charlene S. has great eggs and will save shells as needed.
• Tours— Discussed Mudhen lake area tours—Karla, Becky T and Terry Pearson are suggested possibilities.

Old business—March refreshments by Pam D. and Mary G, July tour of home—treats by Maureen W., Becky T.,  and Sandy H.

Rhonda J. will take some of the remaining cookbooks to 136 Vintage in SCF.

T-shirts —2 left —one small and one 3X

New business—30th anniversary—June 21 @ 6:00-9:00 PM @ Library Community room.  Mary C and Pam D. to chair committee. Charlene S. arranging music (Andrews’s $200.00) and cake.  Door prizes? Presentation? Invitations?Advertising? Please let Kris H. know of any changes in plans—thanks!

Next meeting: March 8—Presentation by Linnea Seume, on Homemade Healthies. 6:30 pm

Adjourned — 7:15 PM

Kris did a presentation on small space gardening.

Refreshments were tasty!!

Members present: Kris H., Linnea S. Mary G., Mary C., Rhonda J., Wanda B., Charlene S., Maureen W., Pam D., Georgianne K.

Submitted by Linnea S., Secretary

Fixing nitrogen in the soil

The question was asked at our February 8th meeting, what does it mean that growing beans fixes nitrogen in the soil. Here is a good explanation. Note the source of the quoted material below.**

How Legumes 'Fix' Nitrogen in Your Soil

Legumes (peas, vetches, clovers, beans and others) grow in a symbiotic relationship with soil-dwelling bacteria. The bacteria take gaseous nitrogen from the air in the soil* and feed this nitrogen to the legumes; in exchange the plant provides carbohydrates to the bacteria. This is why legume cover crops are said to "fix" or provide a certain amount of nitrogen when they are turned under for the next crop or used for compost.

Rhizobacteria are naturally present in the soil, but their populations are often too low to maximize nitrogen fixation. For the best nitrogen fixation, inoculate or coat the seed with purchased rhizobium. Specific strains of rhizobacteria work with different legumes. Read the packages carefully to ensure that you purchase the correct rhizobacteria for the legume cover crop you have chosen to sow.

To coat the seed, put it in a container and moisten it slightly with water or milk. The liquid will help the inoculant coat the seed. Sprinkle approximately 1 heaping tablespoon of inoculant per ½ pound of seed.

The rhizobia are living organisms, so you should sow the seed as soon as possible after coating it. Do not leave inoculated seed in the sun because the soil-dwelling creatures can’t live in UV light.
All legumes need adequate supplies of phosphorus, calcium and sulfur. Fall is a good time to test the soil for these major nutrients and adjust the soil content by adding lime, rock phosphate or gypsum as needed.

*this is one reason it is important to have well aerated soil in your gardens and lots of organic matter in your soil as well. 

**This explanation found on http://www.seattletilth.org/learn/resources-1/almanac/october/octobermngg

Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrogen_fixation

Rain brings nitrogen into the soil, as well, in a form that plants can use. Lightening facilitates this process which is why plants do so well after rain and especially after a thunderstorm.***

***http://www.biology-pages.info/N/NitrogenCycle.html

Meeting Reminder, Thursday February 8, 6:30 PM GHS

We will be meeting for our first regular meeting of 2018 on Thursday, February 8 at 6:30 PM, Grantsburg High School room 115.

Agenda: Discuss new venues for meetings!! Discuss 30th Anniversary of the club. Any old business from 2017.
Program: Butchart Gardens (Victoria, Canada) presentation by Tim and Becky Tessman. Check out these fabulous gardens http://www.butchartgardens.com/

The main door of the school will be locked. We should have someone posted at the door until about 6:35. If you will be arriving late, please call Kris or Mary C to let them know your ETA. Mary Charmoli 715-349-8388 Kris Henning 715-689-2333. Knock on the door, if people are around, they will let you in, if not a cell phone number will be provided to call to be let in.