It was a rainy day today (1" soaking rain) with overcast skies, intermittent drizzle and occasionally some heavier stuff. The gardens and all of our landscapes desperately needed the rain but it sure doesn't help the Fall Plant Sale. We had steady traffic but nothing overwhelming and competing with a Green Bay Packer game made it additionally challenging. We did see lots of Packers attire at the end of the sale with our last wave of customers. We did get another four loads of mums after selling out yesterday and had some to offer today (seen above). We will extend the sale tomorrow (Monday) from 9 am to 4 pm with a 15% discount on everything. This will only be a one day clearance. I'm proud to say that we didn't have to send any volunteers home early despite some lulls in the action. We kept them busy with a multitude of indoor tasks including testing lights for the Holiday Lights Show (see further below). Sue (directly below) toughed it out along with Cindy all day and the ladies kept everything organized and helped with customer service and loading. Again, there were so many volunteers helping today that it's hard to list them all but we had fun and the teamwork was extraordinary as we've come to expect with our volunteers. Janice also did another superb job. With the inclement weather, there was also a nice assortment of footware exhibited by our volunteers (see below)!
Jackie's funky (not smell) boots
Rose's fun boots
Mirjam's boots (she also had on a full rain suit)
Cindy's boot preference exhibited with an "end of catwalk" flourish
Renee felt left out and just bagged up her foot (she has a cast and we wish her a speedy recovery!)
Roy (left) and Bob hauling in lights for testing
Sandy (left) and Pat testing
Kay (left), Eva and Sue (right) testing away
just some of 300,000 lights that have to be tested and repaired
our efficient packing/storage system for the lights
Above are some peanuts (Arachis hypogaea 'Tennessee Red Valencia') that we've been growing near the Horticulture Center. We've never tried these before and Janice picked out a quick maturing variety that we wanted to experiment with over the growing season. One sample was dug up (above) yesterday and while we didn't see much for peanuts yet, it was fun to check. I think a hotter summer would have helped with maturation. Below is Pete R. posing with the sample and he was the one who planted these way back at the Spring Plant Sale in May. He's taken this project full circle and we'll see what we have at the end of the month.
The Garden Art Auction was held today at the Parker Education Center and Ryan (above in stripes) was an excellent auctioneer. A big thanks to Polly, Bev D. and Deb G. for orchestrating this event which requires some major organization. Denise was also very helpful with organization of the art projects as well. I believe they did quite well overall with all proceeds benefiting the gardens. I was able to be the high bidder for my daughter's sun and wont reveal the amount. It looks like I'll need a second job now... Above is just some of the action today and below are a few of the wonderful art projects that were enjoyed out in the gardens and now at the homes of the highest bidders!
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