Year of the Squash

Today was a busy day and although I didn't get to order much seed as I had planned, the varieties I did order included names like 'Black Futsu', 'Galeux d'Eysines', 'Guatamalan Blue Banana', 'Noob Taub' and 'Orange Hakkaido'. These are just some of the exciting varieties of squash that Janice picked for this year. We'll be displaying these squash over at the Horticulture Center with some climbing up the old bean towers and other scrambling along the ground. The shot above is of a pumpkin blossom (edible) in my yard that I think is beautiful. Many of Janice's selections are heirlooms and are wacky in appearance (but ranked highly on taste)! We'll be selling seed packets of all squash varieties at our spring plant sale as well (May 14 and 15 with a presale on the 13th for Friends members). See below for more details on the spring plant sale:

Spring Plant Sale (2011)
May 14th and 15th (9am-5pm)

Presale for RBG Members (Friday, May 13th, 9am-5pm, 10%off)

Held at the Horticulture Center (follow signs off of Palmer Drive)

Featuring:

* Heirloom & hybrid tomato plants

* Sweet pepper plants

* Hot pepper plants

* Compact vegetable selection

* Basil selection

* 100 Herb varieties


* Mixed perennials (#1 gallon pots)

* Pre-planted containers with herbs & veggies

* "Plant Your Own Container" option

* Bagged mushroom compost

* Worm castings

* Compost tea

* Mixed garden tools

* Fun for all

We had lots of great volunteer support today. Ashley came in to volunteer all day and helped with removing/storing lights from displays as they were brought back to the Horticulture Center. She also helped compile some addresses for a special project. We appreciate her help today. Vern, Bob A. and Jim worked on putting together eight Adirondack chairs (will go out to the "North Point Garden"). Dick W., Larry, Marv and Terry brought back lights and displays all morning while Rollie and Dick H. helped haul around some items at the Horticulture Center (culvert pipes, etc.). Urban and Rose did some more painting and Del helped here and there too. We also saw Big John, Gary, Dick P., Chuck S., Mary, Polly, Maury, Lori, Bill, Dr. Gredler, Rod and many others. I worked on the spring symposium (download the registration brochure from our website at http://www.rotarybotanicalgardens.org/) and many other projects. I also had a productive first meeting of our Horticultural Therapy Committee with Mike M., Darcie, Joan, Victoria, Janice, Karen and myself. As we develop horticultural therapy initiatives, programs and eventually a new garden space here at RBG, this committee will be quite vital to the success of these developments.