Vice president Marlow Madeoy presided over the meeting this evening because our president, Nancy was a little bit under the weather.
Marlow started the meeting by asking members What's growing in your garden? Members answered with many heat and sun loving perennials such as daisies, black-eyed Susans, Japanese anemones, sunflowers, yarrow, echinacea, cannas, dahlias and roses.
We talked about the spotted lanternfly that club members have been seeing around their homes and businesses within Pittsburgh and surrounding area. Although we've seen more spotted lanternflies this year, they're not expected to do long-term damage to our plants. Research has shown that grapevines are not surviving the damage and growers are worried about commercial vineyards. A member heard about a homemade concoction to kill the pests which consists of water, dish soap and pine sol which is supposed to attract the pests and drown them. Our speaker, Pat Morgan said that plain water will have the same effect. If you are concerned about breeding mosquitoes in standing water then, you could put a mosquito dunk in the container.
Marlow (and Nancy) thanked all the committee chairs for the work that they do for LAGC. Also, a big welcome to all our new members.
We're still looking for a member or two to assume the position of Community Service Coordinator whose main responsibility is to organize the volunteers to maintain the garden at Passavant Hospital. Please contact Evan Fingal if you have any questions about what the role entails. If you know that you are interested then, email Nancy to let her know.
Marlow is researching ideas for tours and restaurants for our holiday luncheon. A vote was taken and it was decided to have the luncheon on Saturday, November 18, 2023. If you have any suggestions for a tour or restaurant, please email Marlow.
Linda Brown announced that the $15 annual dues will be collected in September. Cash or check will be accepted.
Mary Ann Kurtz, Program Coordinator reminded club members to look at your plants as autumn approaches and decide what plants can be divided to bring to the plant sale in 2024. It's a great idea to write a list to refer to next spring.
We will not meet at the church in September. We will tour a dahlia garden in West View. We won't have a carpool. The address will be emailed in the September meeting reminder.
Our October program will be at the church and the North Park Rangers will return to talk about the historical landmarks in North Park.
Thank you to Jeanne S and Debbie S for the delicious desserts and arrangement.
If you're looking for some great plants at good prices then, Andrea recommended that you visit Bartsch Gardens located in the Shaler area at 155 Hahn Road, Pittsburgh 15209.
LAGC Treasurer, Denny, talked briefly about whether we want to donate the same amount to the same organizations that we donated to last year. Club members decided to vote at the next meeting. If you have suggestions for another organization for LAGC to donate to then, please bring your suggestions to the meeting.
Program - Edible Landscaping
This month's speaker, Pat Morgan received her training at the Bidwell Training Center in 2006 and has been a Penn State Master Gardener since 2010. She lives and gardens in an urban area of downtown Braddock. She said that she has a small space for gardening and grows native perennials, especially for pollinators, along with fig trees, herbs and vegetables.
Pat gave credit to PSMG Nancy Knauss who developed this evening's program. The idea of edible landscaping was started in 1982 by Rosalyn Creasy who wrote the landmark book entitled "Edible Landscaping".
Pat described the process of edible Landscaping as a mixture of beauty and utility. A garden can be both beautiful and provide delicious food from the same space. Edible plants come in many different shapes, colors and textures which will provide interest in the landscape. For example, consider the vibrant stems of chard and rhubarb for color or the many varieties of kale and cabbage for their ruffled leafy texture. Herbs come in a variety of colors and flavors. Try to locate them in an area near the kitchen so you can easily pick them for cooking.
When planning to add edibles to your yard it's important to follow the same landscaping principles that are used when planting flowers, trees and shrubs. Pat explained the importance of having a focal point in the landscape such as a tall plant or garden art to draw your eye to the space in the landscape or planting pot. Peas growing on a wooden teepee structure will provide a beautiful focal point amongst low growing plants.
Think about scale and consider that short radish plants probably won't look nice planted around the base of a 40-foot tree. The principle of repetition is used by planting the same type of lettuce in straight rows. This can give a very formal look to your landscape.
We were reminded that most edibles need 6 hours of sun. Good soil with adequate nutrients is critical for healthy plants. Make sure to fertilize green leafy vegetables with potassium and vegetables that fruit, such as tomatoes, need phosphorus.
Besides growing vegetables and herbs in your edible landscape, Pat talked about adding trees and shrubs. Apple trees can be trained into a decorative focal point by using the espalier method. Fruit trees such as Elderberry and Paw Paw are beautiful trees in the landscape and also provide delicious fruits to eat.
Edible shrubs such as blueberries, currants, serviceberry and kiwi berries can be grown in a landscape to provide not only fruit to eat, but also great color in fall.
Pat Morgan's talk about edible landscaping was very interesting and gave members some insight on how to grow veggies and herbs amongst their beautiful perennial flowers and why it makes sense to do so.
 |
| Several types of lettuce in a chain formation. |
 |
| Various heights with hard and soft scape. Mainly herbs here, but other edibles work. |
