LAGC Meeting Notes - March 24, 2026

President Nancy Madeoy welcomed LACG members to the March meeting with the question of what’s blooming in our gardens. Members answered with spring flowers of daffodils, hellebores, hyacinths and forsythia.

Nancy reminded members that LAGC will need all new officers for next year. Please consider becoming the president, vice-president, treasurer or recording secretary. We thank Dianne Machesney for agreeing to fill the position of Publicity Chair which Claudia is vacating.

Our president, Nancy Madeoy, speaking at March meeting

We continue to have issues with the projector that Northmont provides for our programs. A suggestion was made that LAGC should purchase our own projector. Dianne researched some options for us to purchase within the $300 to 600 price range. After a discussion of the issues and options, the club took a vote and agreed that a new projector should be purchased. Evan will order a new projector within the researched amount. All agreed that the projector should be brought to each meeting and taken home after the meeting. It will not be stored at the church.

Dianne Machesney posing for a photo while members arrive

The Penn State 30th Annual Garden and Landscape Symposium and Garden Marketplace will be held on Saturday, April 25th at the Hampton Community Center. LAGC member and PSMG Bill Goff will be the 1st speaker at the event. This year it’s free to attend the speaker presentations. As usual there will be plenty of vendors selling a variety of plants and gardening supplies. Please see your e-mail from Claudia for the flyer with all the details.

Mary Anne Kurtz talked about the upcoming tour of Waste Management and lunch at Carmody’s Grille. She is collecting RSVP’s. Let her know if you want to attend the tour. She will send an e-mail with all the details once the date and time have been confirmed.

The 2026 LAGC Perennial Plant Sale is scheduled for May 16th. Our Plant Sale Coordinator, Mary Anne Kurtz talked about the plant sale.

• Plant sale tags were available for members to take. Please be sure to mark the top of the tag with the symbol of the light requirements for your plants and follow the handout which was compiled by Mary Anne and Andrea. We identified a few changes to the handout. Mary Anne will e-mail a revised copy with those changes.
• Asian Jumping Worms are still a concern, so it’s suggested that plants be potted in potting soil instead of garden soil.
• Publicity is important for a successful sale. Paper reminders were distributed to all members to hand to family and friends. When you see the post on Facebook, please share it with your friends.
• The signup sheet was circulated for members to volunteer for specific jobs at the plant sale. Please sign up at the April meeting if you didn’t already get the chance.
• Please bring as many plants as you can. The more plants we have then the more we have available to sell.
• Wear your blue T-shirt.
• Bring your gently used plant and garden items for the FREE table.
• You may bring your plants to Northmont on Friday night before the sale at 7:30pm.
• We will have specialty bearded irises available for sale. Larry Grundler offered them to LAGC at $1.00 per rhizome. Denny and Linda purchased about 100 plants and potted them up with the help of Claudia. We’re going to place these specialty irises in a special section with a sign to identify them as being unique.
• New for 2026 is that at 11:30am we’re going to have a Buy One, Get One free sale instead of everything is half off.
• Members discussed giving customers an annual plant (red, white or blue) in celebration of McCandless Township’s 175th anniversary. Diana Berendowski is going to reach out to a couple of garden centers to find out what flowers would potentially be available on the day of the plant sale and if we can get a discount on the plants. Members will decide next month if we want to give out the annuals.
• We’ve identified a few organizations that are willing to take any plants that don’t sell: Northmont Church, Bradford Woods Conservancy and Memorial Park Church

Diana Berendowski invited members to attend the Bradford Woods Conservancy Earth Day event on Saturday, April 25th. There will be many activities, speakers and free lunch.

A warm LAGC welcome to our 3 new members who joined this month: Greg and Lori Wilson and Cathy Rose. We’re glad you joined the garden club!

Hostesses

We enjoyed eating delicious Lemon Crinkle Cookies and Banana Cake with Malted Chocolate Icing from Karen Barczak. Rose Mary Highman reminded us that Spring has arrived with her arrangement of purple hyacinths, daffodils and hellebores. Thank you!

Beautiful arrangement provided by Rose Mary Highman

Lemon Crinkle Cookies by Karen Barczak

Banana Cake with Malted Chocolate Icing by Karen Barczak

Rose Mary performing Hostess duties for March with a beautiful smile!

Program -  Gardening Thyme: Avoid Aches and Pains While Gardening presented by Taylor Docherty, UPMC Rehab Institute Physical Therapist

This month’s program couldn’t have come at a better time as we are all eagerly waiting to get back outside to begin another gardening season after we were snuggled inside for a long, cold winter. Our speaker, Taylor Docherty talked about the correct techniques and the best tools to use for garden and outdoor chores. She demonstrated ways to lessen the stress and pain on our joints and muscles so that we can enjoy gardening for a lifetime.

Our speaker said that “prehab is better than rehab”. Which means that it’s better to be proactive and prepare the body for activity and strengthen the areas that are prone to injury rather than doing rehab after the damage is done. She suggests keeping fit during the winter by walking, doing cardio, and balance and core strengthening exercises.

Before you start your garden or outdoor chores remember to warm up the muscles and joints by doing arm circles, wrist stretches, squats for the hip flexors and back stretches.

It’s important to keep the body in a comfortable state rather than stresses so remember to dress for the weather, wear a visor, apply sunscreen and stay hydrated.

Here are a few reminders while you are in the middle of garden work:

• Set goals – break up the project into smaller jobs
• Work for short periods of time and take breaks
• Make sure to change body positions frequently
• Garden in the morning when it’s cooler
• Use good body mechanics - remember to carry the weight of heavy items close to your body and avoid twisting your spine or knees when lifting
• Use slower gentle movements rather than quick movements
• Listen to your body – If you have an ache then, take a break

Use the right tool for the job. Long handles make jobs easier so you don’t have to bend in awkward positions or reach up high over your head. Look for ergonomic tools which are specifically engineered to make tasks easier. Consider ratchet pruners for arthritic hands. Use a garden or wheelbarrow to avoid carrying heavy pots or bags of soil. Use knee pads. Plant in elevated containers

July 25, 2023, Garden Tour of Sandy Csikari's Garden

LAGC had great weather and a great turnout for the tour of Sandy Csikari’s garden. Sandy has had a busy month of garden tours because this year her garden was one of the gardens featured in the Shaler Great Gardens tour and the Wexford Garden and Pond tour for 2023. Sharing her beautiful garden is nothing new for Sandy as she has been showing her garden for many years.  She proudly displays a plaque of her participation as a garden site of the Passavant Hospital Foundation Enchanted Garden Tour in 2000.

 Sandy and her family have lived in their home for 50 years and she created her garden 15 years ago at the site of her former swimming pool. She has applied the knowledge that she gained as a Penn State Master Gardener to create a lovely garden that gives her a lot of joy to share with other people.  She is now a retired master gardener and is referred to as a PSMG Emeritus.

 

It was a very pleasant evening as we strolled through the grass amongst the mix of perennial and annual borders under a canopy of mature 50 foot Oak trees. We were happy to see many perennial favorites In bloom such as daylilies, hosta, echinacea, blackberry lilies, arum, daisies, Russian sage, coral bells, and phlox to name a few. Popular annuals such as cannas, zinnias, impatiens, and gladiolus acentuated the pretty garden beds.  Some of these plants, in addition to her shrubs have created a Certified Pollinator Friendly Garden.

 

In addition to the colorful perennials and annuals, Sandy states that she has 20 to 30 clematis vines. Most were past their bloom time but we admired their lush green foliage winding up trellis supports around the garden.

 

Sandy’s garden features hostas in abundance — she has approximately 400 hosta plants!  She has some fun with them by displaying the hostas in about a dozen different groups around the garden and she gives the hosta groupings whimsical names. One name that made me smile is carnival with plants named grape soda, curly fries, cotton candy, ice cream, roller coaster and merry go round.  SciFi, Beach Party, Tea Time and Hollywood are just a few of the other categories where she has given the hosa groupings a fun name.

 

The garden also features a small water garden with water lettuce, papyrus and a few fish.  The circular ball fountain and bird bath are enjoyed by the birds and butterflies.

 

Just like many of our members, Sandy has issues with deer in her garden.  She uses Liquid Fence and is very happy with it.  She tried the motion detector system and says that it doesn't work for her. (She has a perimeter fence for the back garden.)

 

After members finished walking thru the garden, we took a break to relax and enjoy the beautiful setting which gave us the perfect opportunity to indulge in the delicious treats of fresh fruit, cookies and blueberry bread.  Thank you to Diana, Cindy and Linda for bringing the treats, water and arrangement.  The beautiful vase arrangement was thoughtfully given to Sandy.

 

As if allowing us to tour her lovely garden wasn’t enough, Sandy let us each choose a potted perennial which are divisions from her own garden.  A huge thank you to Sandy for her generosity.  It was a very enjoyable evening where we were able to talk and learn about plants from fellow gardeners. Thank you to Mary Ann who made the arrangements for LAGC to tour this special garden.

(Pictures by RoseMary except for mourning dove by Evan.)

Sandy greets the fellow gardeners.

(This picture of the water feature does not show how truly lovely it is. )

One of the hosta groupings, in this case the miniature ones with mouse in their name.

Passavant Chapel Garden mourning dove nest in Viburnum.
(Picture by Evan Fingal who spotted the next and its occupant.)

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April 2015 Meeting Notes

Business Meeting

April 28, 2015

Mary Anne welcomed 31 members to our April meeting. She followed up on unfinished business from the March meeting before moving on to new business:

·        Northmont U.P. Church room rental fee and contract—no answer yet. Bill and Sharon continue to investigate.

·        LAGC’s 65^th Anniversary Party—club photo with new LAGC anniversary banner was taken by Claudia’s daughter outside on the church steps and ramp right before the meeting. The anniversary committee will meet May 28th 7 p.m. at the church. This includes all sub-committees.

·        Colleen asked for a date preference for the rescheduled tour of Pittsburgh Botanic Gardens in Oakdale; members chose Saturday, May 30.  The 90-minute tour starts at 10 a.m. and costs $10 each. An email with details will be sent one week prior to the tour. Your RSVP to Colleen is required so she can arrange the number of tour guides needed.  If you want to car pool, meet at the church at 9:00 a.m.

·        Plant Sale May 16th —bring your perennials and herbs to the church parking lot between 7:30-7:45 a.m. Remember to label plant with name, height, and light requirements. When potting plants, aim for a value of at least $2 per pot. Don’t forget to wear your green tee shirt. 

·        Garden-themed raffle will be held during the plant sale in honor of our 65^th anniversary. More than a dozen members volunteered to donate a garden related item worth $10-15.  Please package gift, place in clear plastic bag to protect from the elements, and deliver to plant sale with your plants.

·        Mary Ann thanked Ellen Dvorsky and Rose Mary Highman for the desserts and arrangement respectively.

Program

Colleen introduced “Pruning 101” by Sandy Csikari who is a Penn State Master Gardener. Sandy listed some of the reasons for pruning such as to ensure “good frame and structure,” rejuvenate, encourage more fruit and blossoms, increase airflow, discourage diseases, remove dead wood, and promote new growth.

Take home points:

·        November through March dormancy is the best time to prune. Exception—plants that bleed or have heavy sap flow such as maple trees and bushes that have flower buds such as lilacs.

·        Know what to want to accomplish before you begin.

·        Pinching out tips and spent flowers encourages bushier plants.

·        If rejuvenating, it’s better to cut out 1/3 of the older wood at the base over a few years than cutting off all wood at once.

·        If constantly cutting back, consider making a topiary.

·        Use the three cut method for removing larger branches that might tear down the tree bark. Avoid cutting into the branch collar. Leave no stubs behind.

·        Trees should have one leader (remove a second leader or shape a new leader from a side branch).

·        Remove waterspout growth.

·        Best pruning techniques leave healthy wood (no broken, rubbing or crossing branches) and U-shaped crotches. Cut just above the nodes (preferably outward facing).

·        Use sharp tools. Disinfect tools with 10% bleach solution or alcohol swabs. If cutting out diseased wood, disinfect after every cut.

Next Meetings:

May 16 - LAGC Plant Sale 9:00 am-Noon. Deliver plants between 7:30-7:45a.m.

May 26 - “Herbs in Containers” by Nancy Heraud

May 28 – 65^th Anniversary Committee Meeting 7 p.m. at church.

May 30 - Pittsburgh Botanic Gardens Tour at 10 a.m.

Car poolers meet at 9:00 a.m. at the church parking lot.

June 23 – Annual LAGC Picnic - Grant Grove in North park at 6:30 p.m.

February 2014 Meeting Notes

Business Meeting

February 25, 2014

Welcome: Mary Ann Kurtz welcomed all members and introduced guests, Janie Robertson, a recent arrival from Indiana (IN not PA), and Bill Walston, husband of Sharon Walston.  A few members noted plants coming up; everyone is eager for spring.

Plant Sale May 17: This is our only fund raiser and all members are encouraged to contribute in some way to ensure our success.

Budget: Anita Wagner, treasurer, presented a summary of last year’s budget and the 2014 budget.  Donations to Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, North Area Environmental Council, and Pittsburgh Botanic Garden were approved for 2014.  Since not all 2013 donations had been paid, members approved these 2013 donations be combined with 2014 donations.  End result: $100 to WPC; $200 NAEC; $200 PBG.  Budget 2014: income $1,450; expenses $1,901.  Year end 2013 actuals: income $2,008; expenses $1,635

Announcements: Thanks to Sharon Walston for dessert and Lynn Betts & Janie Robertson for the arrangement. 

Mary Ann invited members and their families to view model trains at her home on Sunday, March 9, from 1-5 p.m. Mary Ann & her husband have a terrific train display says Rose Mary.

Program

Cool Tools and Other Stuff:  Bill Goff introduced speaker Steve Piskor, Penn State Master Gardener, retired chemist in the nuclear field, and avid gardener. Steve neither sells nor receives discounts for any tools purchased or featured in his presentations.  His handout included all essential information: the tool; source (he buys online); description & special features. Many tools were moderately priced. See pictures of the cool tools, and yes, that is a battery-powered lawnmower.

Take home points:

·        Cutting tools—likes the ratchet and carbon steel type because less strength required; do not rust.  Likes bypass trimmers better than anvil type.   Telescoping light weight trimmers have a big reach, but buy shorter blade.

·        Digging tools—prefers the D-shape handle for leverage.

·        Short handle rakes—likes light weight tines which won’t rip the plants.

·        Miscellaneous—gloves, knee pads, leaf scoops, hollow leg tote, watering can with several spouts, Lava soap, EZ-Cut pruner treatment (lubricates and disinfects all cutting-type garden tools), Yum Yum Mix for fertilizer, Greenworks G-MAX mower.

·        Sprayer—label your sprayer (glyphosate only in one sprayer). Use a different sprayer container for each compound used (fertilizers, fungicides, insecticides).

·        Sharpener—All in 1 tool sharpener, use sharp tools.

Next meeting: March 25, “The Digital Camera in the Garden”

Submitted by:  Rosemary Highman