MBGC: First meeting

The first meeting for the 2019 gardening year is March 21, 7 p.m. at the  East Moriches Methodist Church, 370 Montauk Highway. We are pleased to have Diane Schwindt as our first guest speaker.  Schwindt is the resident historic cook at the Ketcham Inn. Culinary and medicinal foods and herbs that were used between 1600 and 1800 are Schwindt’s specialty. We are all looking forward to the presentation and maybe some sample culinary tidbits. We welcome everyone.   

I am in Florida this month and so had to poll my fellow members to find out what they were doing in their gardens. Happily for me, some members responded. On nice days, Lily Brown is finishing up the dead-heading that didn't get done in the fall.  Eileen DiRicco said that between thaws she is moving hellebores and baby rhododendrons!  Now, that is a perfect example of the way a seat-of-the-pants gardener operates. Do it when you have time. Diane Tuttle rescued a robin that had become trapped under the netting of her pond. Other members are re-potting houseplants and some are planting vegetable seeds. I shared with members that I was having trouble growing amaryllis in Florida.  I have planted them in the ground because that's what they do in Florida; so far, no sprouts.  Several members sent me photos of their spring blooming bulbs so I can see for sure spring is coming to Long Island. Take a minute to look around and see the signs of spring in your neighborhood.