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Fruits of Summer Labor

Emma Scott Garden Club holds September meeting

ELKINS – Gardens are being harvested and the gardener may be preparing the dinner table with the fruits from months of labor. A delicious garden salad stands ready to toss; the fragrant pasta sauce contains fresh herbs; freshly cut flowers are carefully arranged and strategically placed. There has been digging, planting, weeding, watering, bending, stretching and kneeling to get to this point. Could there be an easier way for a gardener who wishes to downsize a little and still enjoy the process? Why not try container gardening?

Following an introduction by vice-president Summer Kirk-Swanson, Emma Scott Garden Club (ESGC) member and Randolph-Tucker Master Gardener, Maria Bray, spoke to the her fellow garden club members about her experiences with container gardening. Bray explained that container gardening can be used for growing flowers and many types of vegetables using a multitude of containers, both decorative and utilitarian.

Bray displayed colorful containers that can be readily purchased from gardening sections of most stores. Yet, Bray related that functional growing containers may be as simple as commercial sized buckets, washtubs, plastic totes and grow bags. Others possibilities can be left to the gardeners' own imagination and creativity.

The most important elements of container gardening are: that the container be drilled for good drainage; that the gardener becomes knowledgeable of a plants root and growth space; that watering amounts and techniques are needed based on the containers composition. Bray related that tomatoes, carrots, lettuce, peas, green beans and squash all can be grown in containers along with some fruits. Tomatoes do well in bucket size containers and can be staked. Containers can give squash a "good foundation" but the container needs placed so the vines can spill over into the surrounding area. A container containing runner beans can be placed next to a porch or lattice to allow climbing. The gardener is encouraged to experiment with a variety of options.

The assets for using containers are many. Containers can be moved if more or less sun is required or, if a frost occurs, they are easily covered or moved inside. They do not require extensive weeding because the gardener can control the soil content. Containers can be elevated to require less bending and strain on the gardener. Grouping containers of naturally colored vegetables can result in a decorative display while containers of herbs be quite pleasing to the eye and functional at the same time.

Natural methods for pest control in containers can be easily implemented. Adding copper tape around the top of the container can discourage slugs. Cayenne pepper or cloves can be added to the soil discouraging ants. Planting marigolds in the soil around the vegetable plant attracts pollinators and deters some pests.

Every gardener knows that the right combination of light, water and soil is essential to growing any "garden." Bray encouraged everyone to have their soils tested if extracting soil from the ground. Commercially purchased soil is often a more balanced mix. (A future program for the ESGC will instruct members how soil testing can be achieved.)

Container gardening is not for commercial gardeners, of course, but as Bray says "gardening is not all about perfection (for the casual or recreational gardener) but for fun." Learning and experimentation are always part of the process.

Bray presented those in attendance a small bag for gardening along with gardening tips compliments of the Randolph County Extension Agency.

The business part of the meeting was conducted by the newly appointed president, Pat Mayes. She thanked all the other officers who chose to return to complete the calendar year. Each member had been presented with the traditional yearbook, also designed by Mayes, that covered future programs, activities and basic club information which Mayes reviewed with the group.

Mayes also presented a project to club members to consider for the future called "Art in Bloom" in which members would chose an art piece such as a picture, photo, sculpture and replicate the impression in a floral display. An appropriate site will be explored for the summer of 2027 for this activity.

Special guest, Faith Moore, District Director for the Tygart Valley District and Blue Star Chair for the West Virginia Garden Club (WVGC), Inc., invited club members to participate in many of the district and state events such as the Tygart Valley District Meeting at Rock Cave on Sept. 30; the WVGC, Inc. State Convention at on April 30-May 2 at Flatwoods; the Wildflower Pilgrimage on May 13-17, 2027 at Blackwater Falls.

The ESGC traditionally meets on the second Monday of the month at 6 p.m. at St. Brendan Catholic Church, US 250, Elkins. The next meeting will be Oct. 12, with Liz McVean, owner of Flowers by Liz, presenting the program. If interested in knowing more about this group, contact Pat Mayes at 614-530-4973.