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C.G.C.I. Blue Ribbon Garden Club

About Us

Welcome to the Poway Valley Garden Club located in the City of Poway,
The City in the Country

Member of...
National Garden Clubs, Inc., recognized as the largest volunteer gardening organization in the world.
California Garden Clubs, Inc. the statewide federation of California garden clubs & plant socieites representing more than 22,000 California gardeners.
Palomar District of CGCI

Affiliate Member of...
San Diego Botanical Foundations, Inc.
The Nature Conservancy
San Diego Floral Association

Our Objectives…
* to promote interest in gardening and related creative activities
* to encourage improvements, beautification of our community and personal property

Next Poway Valley Garden Club Program will be...

Wednesday, May 9, 2012, 9 a.m.
Member Appreciation Day
Garden Tour of the Balboa Park Rose Garden
Meet at Old Poway Park Farmer's Market Parking Lot to carpool.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012, 9 a.m.
Club Outing to Summer Past Farms
Tour Summer Past Farms
Meet at Old Poway Park Farmer's Market Parking Lot to carpool.

Next PVGC Board Meeting to be held
Wednesday, June 6, 2012, 10 a.m. at the Parlour, Old Poway Park

PVGC May Newsletter: click here
next newsletter: September 2012

What's New

We are celebrating 50 years as a Garden Club and you are invited to join us and help us celebrate a year of fun outings, informative programs, good food and unlimited socialization with other gardeners.

Our 2011-12 PVGC Yearbook is printed and ready for you to pick up at September's meeting.
A special thank you to Richard at Minuteman Press.

Thank You to: Rene van Rems, what a beautiful and FUN November event.

Tony Bowers for an informative October Program!

Tom Jesch for presenting a wonderful September Program!

for sharing your incredible garden with us.

Enjoy Huntington Manor's Garden

Share your garden: invitation available here

Mark you calendars: Our 1st Meeting of our Golden Year: September 14, 2011.
Come and Join the Fun!

Garden Clubs are made up of volunteers, so what makes a volunteer?
*Those who can, do. Those who can do more, volunteer
(and those who can do “most” join a garden club)
*Volunteers do not necessarily have the time…they just have the heart
*If you think you are too small to be effective,
have you never been in bed with a mosquito.
*Volunteers don't get paid…not because they're worthless,
but because they're priceless!
*Thank you Members for being part of Poway Valley Garden Club!

Check out the following links:

Light Brown Apple Moth in San Diego County

The Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM) has been found in San Diego County. This pest does not have any natural predators in Calfornia and is considered invasive. LBAM larvae feed on the leaves of fruit of more than 2000 plants including many fruit, vegetables, ornamentals and trees grown locally. The County is asking any commerical growers to take their survey (click here) to assist them in determininig priorities for the upcoming quarantine. For more information about LBAM go to: Light Brown Apple Moth Project.

County Quarantine for Diaprepes Root Weevil

Look at our Programs Section and check out the Calendar of Gardening Activities...

The City of San Diego Water Emergency Information, Mandatory Water Restriction Starts June 1, 2009

City of Poway Level 2 Water Shortage Alert & How It Affects You

2009-2010 Floral Design Membership Information

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MENTAL HEALTH AND GARDENING

Charities are calling for a nationwide campaign to help promote mental health after a survey suggested more
people are growing anxious. But what sort of advice might be offered?

Blame a long winter, blame media fixations with bad news, blame the credit crunch and the thought of looming global
depression - more people are suffering from anxiety, which can lead to depression. The foundation wants a "mental
health promotion campaign that shows individuals how to look after their own mental health".

Number 2 on the list was: Get out in the garden.

Gardening has often been cited as a hobby ripe for getting people out of depression. That's because it takes people out
of their own thoughts and helps them focus on something that needs their care and attention, claims Dr. David Harper,
a reader in clinical psychology at the University of East London.

"You're feeling close to nature by being outside and nurturing nature in some way. It connects you to a broader world out there. And if you're growing things, that's going to give you a feeling that you're sustaining things."

TIPS FOR A STAGE 1 & 2 EMERGENCY

(from the Environmental Services Department of The City of San Diego)

On June 4, 2008, Governor Schwarzenegger declared a statewide drought emergency, and on July 28, 2008 Mayor Sanders declared a water emergency for the City of San Diego, resulting in a Stage 1 Voluntary Compliance Water Emergency. The San Diego County Water Authority has issued a 20 Gallon Challenge for all County residents.
To join the challenge and take the pledge to conserve water, visit
www.20gallonchallenge.com/mypledge.html. Here are some tips to help you conserve water at home.

City of Poway Level 2 Water Shortage Alert & How It Affects You

The City of San Diego Water Emergency Information,

Outdoor Tips
• Add 2” to 3” of mulch around vegetation to retain moisture.
• Use compost as a soil amendment to increase the water holding capacity of your soil
• Water landscape before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m. to reduce evaporation.
• Reduce irrigation cycles by 1-3 minutes or eliminate one irrigation cycle per week.
• Water only after the top inch of soil is dry.
• Reset irrigation controls monthly.
• Adjust sprinklers to avoid over-spray and runoff.
• Keep sprinkler heads and irrigation systems in good repair.
• Install water-efficient drip irrigation.
• Install a weather based irrigation controller that adjusts watering times for the seasons.
• Landscape with native and drought tolerant plants.
• Use a broom to clean driveways and sidewalks.
• When home-washing vehicles (I.e., cars, trucks, and boats) use a bucket and use hose for quick-rinsing only.
• Cover swimming pool to reduce evaporation.
Indoor Tips
• Run dishwashers and clothes washers with full loads only.
• Turn off water when rinsing dishes.
• Turn off water when brushing teeth.
• Shorten showers.
• Fill the bathtub half full.
• Don’t use the toilet as a wastebasket.
• Fix leaky toilets and faucets.
• Install low-flow faucets in the kitchen and bathroom.

For more information, visit www.sandiego.gov/water/conservation/ or call 619/515-3500 or 619/533-7485.

For more information on Water Conservation in the City of Poway and their California-Friendly Landscape Classes visit their website.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

O, to take what we love inside,
to carry within us an orchard, to eat
not only the skin, but the shade,
not only the sugar, but the days, to hold
the fruit in our hands, adore it....

There are days we live...
from joy
to joy, to joy, from wing to wing,
from blossom to blossom to
impossible blossom, to sweet impossible blossom

- Li-Young Lee, from "From Blossoms"

ECO-FRIENDLY TIP

Spray for powdery mildew in early morning. Mix: 1 T baking soda, 1 T Hydrogen Peroxide
and a couple drops of liquid soap with 1 gallon of water
 

WHY USE NATIVE PLANTS?

Generally speaking, the term "native plants" refers to plants that are native to an area. Native" can encompass all kinds of plants from trees and shrubs to wildflowers and
grasses. It can be interpreted to be as narrow as plants that are only original to an immediate area or as broad as what is native to a state, country or continent. Anyway you spin the word, native plants provide powerful benefits to you and your environment.

THEY CREATE A HOME FOR WILDLIFE
All types of creatures will flock to native plants for food and shelter. Wildlife is a sign of a healthy garden, and native plants can provide a much-needed natural habitat for local
animals.

THEY SAVE YOU TIME AND MONEY
Native plants are well suited to the conditions of their original habitat, thus they remain healthy with little maintenance, while other plants need pampering.

THEY REDUCE THE NEED FOR WATER AND CHEMICALS
Because natives require less special treatment, you can spare the added fertilizers and pesticides, while also cutting back on expensive and potentially wasteful watering
practices.

(From an article in Fine Gardening)

Useful Information:

The Wildfire Zone creates awareness of wildfire risks and hazards and offers tips on how you can reduce them. By working together as individuals and communities, we can all reduce the risks of wildfire.

211 San Diego, working to bring the best resources available during emergency.

From the San Diego County Office of Emergency Services
Emergency Notification: Register your cell phones and email addresses
Residents who live in San Diegp County are encouraged to register their cell phones and email addresses for emergency notifications by clicking here. Once email address and cell phone numbers are registered, it will take up to 24 hours for that information to be updated into AlertSanDiego, the County of San Diego mass notification system that is commonly referred to Reverse 911.

Join Us

Do you have the interest to grow things and learn more about gardening in our area?

Are you interested in meeting and knowing people who like to garden?

Do you have problems in your yard and garden you would like to learn how to fix them?

You are welcomed to join Poway Valley Garden Club organized since 1961.

Membership dues are $25 July-June. Members joining after February 1 will pay $12.50 and their membership expires June 30th.

For more information and a contact telephone number please click on our Membership Brochure link below...

Poway Valley Garden Club Membership Brochure

This brochure requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to open.

President's Message

Welcome to the Poway Valley Garden Club.

What was going on 50 years ago?  The "Dick Van Dyke Show" debuted on TV.  Elvis Presley made his first movie "Blue Hawaii" after serving in the Army.  Barbie has a boyfriend--Ken.  President Kennedy announces the Apollo program to send a man to the moon.  And that was only 1961!
In 1962 things really heated up.  The first Walmart store opened in Bentonville Arkansas.  The Beverly Hillbillies began their ten year run along with Johnny Carson on  "The Tonight Show".  LEDs were invented.  Ken Kesey's book "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" was published and Gregory Peck won the best actor award for his work in "To Kill a Mockingbird".  On a more serious side, we survived the Cuban Missile Crises--which most of us only realized recently how close we came to war with the Soviets.  Things never change.

Happy Gardening,
                                    Sharon Tooley, PVGC President

Executive Board

PVGC Executive Board
2011-2012

History

by Judy Nemec and proofed by Betty Brandow

The Beginning
The Poway Valley Garden Club began in the fall of 1961 with the efforts of Gwen Stockes and 34 other charter members. The dues were $4.00 a year with a $1 initiation fee and the Club met twice a month at member homes.

There was much interest and involvement in the growing community. Contacts were made in regard to unsightly appearance of shopping centers, and awards were made to those who had made significant improvements at business sites.

Civic Activity

One has to be impressed with the activity of the early Club. There was a need to raise money, so many plant sales occurred, as-well-as pancake breakfasts. The money often went to beautification projects. In return for the use of school or Church facilities, plantings were made; trees were regularly planted on Arbor Day, and the grounds of the Poway Valley Riders Association was landscaped with the advice, help and donations from Club members. Plantings were also made at the San Pasqual Wild Animal Park. Several years of discussion about plantings at “Welcome to Poway” signs in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce led eventually to the installation of a water supply at the west entrance to town on Poway Road and a donation toward the planting. Click on arbor day photo to make larger.

Projects

Through the years many projects were supported by the Club. Besides beautification of Poway, garden therapy – which was directed toward a retirement home – was a civic activity. For a time there was support of Girl Scout troops and the world gardening project collected money for seeds and implements and scholarships to help Korea. During the whole history of the Club, money has been collected to plant trees in the Cleveland National Forest. As of September 2005, 50 one-acre plantations have been planted. A special community-wide effort to collect money for this was made in September 1970 because of a forest fire. In 2004 the Club took on responsibility for planting and maintaining three raised beds in a periodmotif at the Nelson House in Old Poway Park.

Traditions

For many years there was a Husband’s Night potluck dinner. Continuing to the present is the annual December holiday party with the gift exchange, silent auction and food collection. Another continuing activity since 1967 is the weekly donation of arrangements to the Library.

Activities

The early Club was very interested in birds and developed an extensive list of the birds in the area, as-well-as built feeding stations to sell. From the start through the 1990’s they participated in the Pow Wow Days activities, sometimes having a parade entry, exhibit or produce show and competition.

From the late 60’s through 1975 the Club was responsible for the Colorful Gardens feature in the PowayNewsChieftain. At various times there was involvement in tree recycling and clean-up campaigns – the Club even has its own 30 gallon garbage can!

Meetings

During the 1st two decades, the Club was so interested in flower design that there were often two meetings a month – one of which was a workshop. During the first years the meetings were held at a variety of member homes. The Community Church was used for large occasions and later for regular meetings. For many years the club met in a large room in the trailer home of Linnie Haley. The Haleys also stored Club properties and the Library materials. In 1986 the trailer park was sold and the Club began meeting at the Lake Poway Pavilion. Because of the rose garden maintenance done by the Club, the rental fee there was waived. Increasing membership was almost always a desire; but while the Club was meeting at the Haley’s there was a proposal to limit membership to 50 because of the space available. Teas were held, sometimes twice a year to attract people. Those who did join were given small plants during some of the years.

The Rose Garden

The Rose Garden at Lake Poway was started with 16 bare-root bushes being planted in 1973. Over the years many roses had to be replaced because of inadequate watering, being eaten by pests, being destroyed during re-landscaping and road construction. A drip system was finally installed by Club members in the late 90’s, and the Park overhauled the system and took responsibility for it in 1999. Various fences were put in place, one in 1975 as a result of large personal donations. In the earlier years the annual January rose pruning was a big activity that attracted lots of people. The North County Rose Society gave instructions and our Club either held a potluck luncheon for those involved or provided sandwiches, dessert and drinks to the attendees. The demonstrations terminated with the arrival in town of Anderson’s Nursery in 1999 and their demonstrations.Click on rose pruning photo to make larger.

1973 Rose Garden at Poway Lake	2005 Rose Garden at Poway Lake

Visit our Rose Garden Project...

Donations

The Club treasury never got anywhere near $1000 in the early years. Money was donated to many causes. A big one of the 70’s was the building of a sensory trail for the blind at the Cabrillo National Monument. They also donated for the placement of Blue Star Memorial markers and to the American Land Trust and several other organizations. Since before the new Library was built, the Club has donated money for a subscription to Sunset Magazine and/or California Gardens. The Club gave up its primary money maker – spring and fall plant sales – because they could not compete with the offerings in the grocery stores as of 1979. At the end of the 90’s the treasury balance was averaging just over $1000. Selling Visions of Beauty calendars was then a major source of money.

Flower Shows

Flower Shows began in l962. There were 15 annual shows, and then members began to vote against the effort in much of the 80’s and most of the 90’s. The sites have been Valley Elementary School, Poway High School, Meadowbrook Middle School, the Poway Community Center and finally Old Poway Park. To finance the early shows, ads were sold for the Schedule, and then in 1965 they listed donors. Few shows occurred in the 80’s and 90’s, but resumed when the City of Poway offered generous support in combination with the Earth/Arbor Day celebrations. There have been 28 shows in the 43 year history (2005). Click on photo to make larger.

Save the Eagles

A long-time project until recently was the collection of commemorative cancelled stamps. The stamps were sold to dealers and the money raised went to saving eagles.

We look forward to more years of interesting programs and tours, the increase of membership and the involvement of all in the activities of the Club.

To-date we have...

• Contributed to many Pennies Pines Plantings
• Held 33 Standard Flower Shows
• Contributed toward purchase of Pygmy Forests and Save the Torrey Pines
• Participated in many other projects pertaining to horticulture, for example check out Projects.
  

Contact Us

We would like hearing from you at powayvalleygardenclub at hotmail dot com
ATTENTION when emailing us, you will need to change "at" to @ and "dot" to a . and remove all spaces. This will help us to avoid spam email. Thank you!