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Windham Garden Club March Meeting – “Jumping Worms, Ugh!”

The Windham Garden Club’s March meeting will be Thursday, March 21, 7:00pm at the Windham Town Hall. This is an open meeting and all are invited to attend! Join us as our speaker Marti Warren presents “Jumping Worms, Ugh!”

As gardeners, we’re already well trained to look for signs of disease, weeds, root health, and pests when buying, selling, or swapping plants. This diligence gives us confidence that as we bring new plants and soil into our gardens, we’re not bringing problems too. Today, a new threat to our soil health and successful gardening has emerged on the scene: the Asian jumping worm (Amynthas spp.), also commonly known as the crazy worm and snake worm. These worms are invasive and cause harm to the soil, unlike other common earthworm species. Unfortunately, the worms are here in New England and super widespread and likely you will encounter them in your garden, so we need to look at the best way to minimize their spread and maybe contain them. Marti Warren will share the facts about these invasive worms and there will be time for questions and discussion.

Marti is a member of the Amherst Garden Club and has spoken to his club as well as other clubs about Asian Jumping Worms. In fact, Marti has been following the conversation about jumping worms for the last three years.

For more information or questions contact info@windhamgardenclub.com. We hope you can join us for this informative presentation!

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February 15th, 2024 meeting

Windham Garden Club February Meeting – “Invasive Plants in New Hampshire”

The Windham Garden Club’s February meeting will be Thursday, February 15th, 7:00pm at the Windham Town Hall. This is an open meeting and all are invited to attend! Burning Bush, Japanese Knotweed, Oriental Bittersweet are only a few of the invasive plant species we have to contend with in our backyards. Join us as speaker Donna Lussier talks about New Hampshire’s invasive plant species, why invasive plants are a problem, and best practices for helping to control/avoid invasive plants.

Many familiar plants in our fields, along roadsides, and in our yards are not native to New Hampshire. While the majority cause no harm, some do and are considered invasive plants. An invasive is a plant or animal that is not native to a particular ecosystem and is capable of moving aggressively into an area, monopolizing light, nutrients, water, and space to the detriment of native species. Invasive plants can reduce biodiversity, imperil rare species, reduce wildlife habitat, degrade water quality, reduce forest production and cause human health problems.

Donna Lussier has been a UNH Extension Master Gardener since 2017 and a Master Gardener Speakers Bureau presenter since 2018. Through the Master Gardeners Speakers Bureau Donna periodically presents gardening topics to libraries, garden clubs, and community organizations. In addition, Donna is a member of the Pelham Garden Group and New Hampshire Federation of Garden Clubs. Her goal is to share her gardening knowledge with the community so others may reap the benefits of enjoyment, bonding, and fulfillment, and connect with their own gardens and nature.

For more information or questions contact info@windhamgardenclub.com. We hope you can join us for this interesting presentation!

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Meeting: January 18, 2024

Windham Garden Club January Meeting – “Windham Biodiversity Surveys”

Moosewood Ecological presented information gathered in Windham during the BioBlitzes. To see the data that was collected, go to the following link:

https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/windham-nh-biodiversity-project

https://naturegroupie.org/

Interested in adding to the data, you can download the iNaturalist app on your phone. Here is a link to learn more about how to start.

https://www.inaturalist.org/pages/getting+started

To find out more about Moosewood Ecological, visit their site at:
https://www.moosewoodecological.com

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“Holiday Cacti and Winter Needs for House Plants” by Nichole Keyes

presented by Windham Garden Club

Nichole Keyes, Greenhouse Manager at Lake Street Garden Center, is returning once again to share her vast expertise with Windham Garden Club members and guests. Nichole’s visit and presentation last year on indoor house plants was a club member’s favorite. She specializes in house plants and is especially enthusiastic about holiday cacti and will talk about the differences between Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas cactus. She will also discuss what special care our houseplants need during the winter months.


Nichole has worked at the Garden Center for the past two decades working her way from the cash register up to managing the entire retail greenhouse department, discovering her passion for plants in the process. She is certified in ornamental landscape through UMass Extensions Green School program, has attended multiple classes offered by UNH cooperative extension on integrated pest management and insect identification, has been featured in New Hampshire Home Magazine teaching the how to’s of terrarium building, and has over 10 years of hands-on experience selecting and caring for hundreds of species of indoor foliage, tropical shrubs, orchids, flowering annuals, and vegetables. As well as caring for her prized collection of 80+ houseplants as home. She works one on one, every day, with the public to teach the best practices for growing healthy and happy plants. Nichole is a local plant expert, with accessible knowledge to help you grow that green thumb!


The Windham Garden Club’s meeting and presentation will be Thursday, October 19th, 7:00pm at the Windham Town Hall. This is an open meeting and all are invited to attend. Come and join us! There will be refreshments, a short business meeting, followed by Nichole’s presentation. For more information or questions contact info@windhamgardenclub.org. Hope to see you there!

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WGC Annual Hike/Walk October 22nd at 10AM

The Windham Garden Club will meet at the Windham High School Cross Country Trail on October 22nd at 10 AM.  The trail is located in front of High School and circles around to exit behind the school. 

To get to the trailhead, take London Bridge Road, which is right across Rt 111 from the Windham Transfer Station and clearly marked with an electronic sign.  Follow London Bridge Road until you come to the road/driveway (first left) up to the High School.  When you reach the top of the hill, drive right past the front of the High School.  The athletic fields will come into view on your left.  Just before you would take a right turn to go around to the back of the school, a small equipment building will be seen at the edge of the field.  There will be a Port-a-Potty directly ahead of you.  You can park anywhere in that area.  Gary will be there to lead us to the trailhead.

We hope to see you there!

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Meeting Sept 21, 2023 – Putting the Garden to Bed

The Windham Garden Club’s first meeting of the 2023 – 2024 membership year will be Thursday, September 21st, 7:00pm at the Windham Town Hall. This is an open meeting and all are invited to attend. Following a short business meeting the featured speaker will be Ron Trexler, Advanced Master Gardener, who will present “Putting the Garden to Bed”

During this presentation attendees will learn the steps necessary to properly prepare their gardens for winter, including: finishing off annuals and vegetable beds, preparing perennial beds to reduce pests and disease, overwintering non-hardy plants, readying ornamental shrubs and evergreens to survive various winter conditions, and tending to tools and supplies.

Ron Trexler has been a UNH Cooperative Extension Master Gardener since 2016 and has achieved the level of Advanced Master Gardener. He is extensively involved in the training and mentoring of new Master Gardeners, trains Master Gardeners who wish to participate in the Master Gardeners Speakers Bureau, and regularly presents to libraries, garden clubs and community organizations. In addition, Ron serves in a leadership role with the Hooksett Garden Club and serves on the Executive Board of the New Hampshire Federation of Garden Clubs. He especially enjoys growing vegetables in raised beds that benefit from his home composting system.

Come and join us! Bring a spouse, family, or friends. For more information or questions contact info@windhamgardenclub.org. Hope to see you there!

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WGC Raffle Winners!

Thank you to everyone who purchases tickets to support the our Baker Grant and Nancy Surette Scholarships.

A Touch of Garden Magic!
Pauline R.
A Very Berry Strawberry Hanging Basket
Linda A.
American Songbirds
Jerry J.
Begonia
Barbara C.
For the Birds!
Annelise P
Gardeners Delight!
Jill W.
Gardener’s Tools
Lisa S.
Grace and Elegance
Elizabeth B.
Hanging Fuchsia Plant
Tracey L.
Hanging Geranium Plant
Bonnie C.
Heavenly Blue Eyes Daylily
Lisa S.
Herbalicious!
Cheri M.
Kids Gardening!
Angela T.
Lavender Love!
Robin H.
Let’s Dance Rhythmic Blues Hydrangea
Cassandra M.
Pink Suede Hues Daylily
Charlene A.
Plants and Wine Make Everything Fine!
Jessica S.
Relax and UnWine’d!
Cheryl H.
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Windham Garden Club John and Joan Szoke

By R. Rodgers

Joan and John Szoke

“I’ve always had a fondness for snow,” said John Szoke with that secret glance at Joan that all couples know.  He touched her with his eyes and, of course, got the response he was looking for.  You see, the two met during the historic Blizzard of ‘78!  Both had lived in an apartment complex in Worcester at that time but were unknown to each other.  After the days of snow finally stopped, Joan went out to her car, only to find it buried in literally eight feet of snow!  Standing there deciding what to do, John appeared with his shovel, and the rest as they say is history.  The two have been digging together ever since!  Only now they dig in the rich soil of their beautiful three and a quarter acre yard here in Windham. 

Let’s take a walk through the Szoke garden, shall we?!  We begin with a row of giant lilac.  “We put them in because they are so fragrant and because they are the state flower,” said Joan.  The lilacs combine with a  shady-mixed border that includes monks hood, ligularia, clematis, and roses.  Moving on, we find a circular sundial garden.  This boasts blue mist spirea, Persian coneflower, iris, penstemon, and various colored daylilies which surround grass that John hates to mow!  Also, there is variegated dogwood, turtlehead, and a large mock orange tree that smells delicious! 

Sun-Drops – John’s favorite!

Landing then at the patio garden surrounded by roses, azaleas, and queen of the prairie, a North American native, you can sit and enjoy the afternoon with the birds taking their bath.  Tall Rose of Sharon in white, rose, and blue fill in the corner, and potted citrus trees take up residence on the steps.  Down those steps to the pool area, where the Szokes were aiming for a peaceful look, we find red leaf plum, Japanese holly, astilbe, and Japanese painted ferns.  The above ground pool is surrounded by a built-in deck with seating and a beautiful rock wall to show off the plantings.  Then, the edible garden takes form with yummy “woodchuck-proof” veggies.  In addition, there are many herbs and berry bushes, along with hazelnut, crabapple, pear and pluot trees.

Variegated Weigela

Speaking of digging, the couple has been working on the final frontier by putting in a pond and woodland garden.  “We dug the pond to solve a water problem, and we have been working on in for two years,” John explained.  Around the pond are planted soft perennials, such as iris, boxwood, mallow, and rhododendrons.   Daffodils bloom there in the spring.  Beyond the pond, we finish out the walk with a natural setting of woodlands.  All of this is on one acre of their property with the remainder left to the wildlife.  There are countless other plants too numerous to name.  They need to be seen to be appreciated.

Drift Rose

Joan is a founding member of the Windham Garden Club, having answered an advertisement in the local paper placed by Claire Todisco, back in 1990.  She jumped in with both feet!  John found himself too busy with work for the group, he was always there to help out though.  Joan stuck to the group, becoming president from 1995-1997 and holding pretty much all the jobs throughout the years.  “We love this group.  Gardeners tend to be active people, and we’ve had so many programs.  We did lots of planting around town.  It’s a great group of people.  If you want to meet people and get involved, this is the group for you!  We have made so many good friends over the years.”    Joan remarked.  For 32 years the Windham Garden Club has been meeting and growing friendships along with flowers all over town.

With so many plants to choose from, Joan refused to choose a favorite.   “I can’t choose, I wouldn’t want to offend any of them,” she said with a smile.  John, on the other hand was quick to share his favorite.  “I like the Missouri Sun Drops.  They are such a happy little plant!  When the lavender blooms next to it, I just love the contrast of yellow and purple!” explained John.  This pair of gardeners do most everything together, including enjoying a drive around town “to see people involved in things and what the volunteers are doing.  It’s nice to know we are a part of that.”

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Windham Garden Club Allison Sjolund

By R. Rodgers

It all started with a tiny cactus and a girl who loves to shop!  Allison Sjolund has always loved and cared for indoor plants, beginning with cacti at a young age and continuing on from there.  Her home is filled with trees and plants all thriving in their surroundings and nestled in just the right places.  “I love to shop,” said Allison.  “We went to Lake Street Gardens for a couple of things and stumbled onto their outside plants!”  A perennial gardener was born!  “I have always been a house plant person until we moved here.  I was amazed at the variety of outside plants available!”

Allison and her husband John moved to a new development in Windham 7 years ago.  After their experience at Lake Street, all the contractor shrubs came out, and Allison designed her own landscape for their new home.  She joined the Windham Garden Club just before Covid hit and met a few members.  When she was able to return to the group, she was overwhelmed by the greeting she got, thinking that she would have been forgotten.  Robin Heider, long time member, welcomed her with a smile and a hardy hello.  She continues to attend meetings and helps out with the Plant Sale.  Allison also writes press releases for the Club and keeps the community informed of the Garden Club happenings. 

The Windham Garden Club offers a variety of education through monthly meetings with timely topics, member mentoring, and various “digs” that give members hands on learning.  Allison has been able to expand her perennial knowledge and her garden by joining this club.  “I love the plant sale for inexpensive plants.   It’s so fun and you learn stuff!” said Allison.

Allison leans towards trees and shrubs outside as she does inside.  One of her favorites is Rose Mallow Hibiscus, which comes up late.  It always worries her and everyone else!  Clematis is on her list of fav’s and so is Spiderwort.  A word to the wise had her corralling that super spreader in!  Touring the garden found many special treasures, – a sunken firepit surrounded with flowering shrubs, a built-in herb shelf right off the deck, and wide open space with soft color sculpting the lawn.  Truly a perennial landscape to behold. 

At the seven-year mark, some of her bushes are getting to the overgrown stage.  Ever the hands-on learner, Allison has hired an arborist to come teach her how to properly prune them.  Her “Magic Wand” wish would be for “Good Soil.”  Allison shared that her soil is a little rocky and sandy.  Every gardener has been there at some point, and she will overcome this problem along with the next. 

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2022 Plant Sale Raffle Winners

Thank you to everyone for supporting the Windham Garden Club by purchasing raffle tickets. Here are our winners!

A Touch of Garden Magic

Order 2177 Pauline R.

Grace and Elegance

Order 2093 Kristi D

A Very Berry Strawberry Planter

Order 2122 Mary M.

Herb Your Enthusiasm!

Order 2290 Janet S.

Beautiful Hanging Plant and Plant Stand

Order 2083 Betsy C.

Beautiful Herbalicious!

Order 2181 Maureen V.

Berry Delicious

Order 2241 Carolyn H

Home Sweet Home

Order 2105 Lisa S.

Brilliant Bartzella Itoh Peony Plant

Order 2011 Siri W

Hosta Amour

Order 2011 Siri W.

Cocktails in the Garden

Order 2145 Julia S.

Husker Red Cherry Tomato

Order 2095 Danielle A

Colorful Hanging Plant Basket

Order 2095 Danielle A

Pure of Heart

Order 2007 Deborah D

Garden Gazing Ball

Order 2288 Katherine Q

Sedum Turtle

Order 2242 Jerry J.

Gardeners Delight! Basket

Order 2017 patty m