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