Dannette Hunnel It’s March. It’s springtime, and that means planting to all who enjoy gardening. Unfortunately, many people think, “Why plant now? I’ll soon be leaving for the summer.” Others will think that planting annuals now is labor intensive and expensive, only to lose the plants in the extreme summer heat. Don’t despair. There are…
Dannette Hunnel Ornamental cabbages are unique, healthy-looking, and a surprisingly pleasant sight to see in the middle of winter. Ornamental cabbages are also known as kale, wild cabbages, or brassica and are plant-able in October and November and again after the last frost. This perky, uprising flower, growing tall and tiered, looks similar to a…
The speaker at the Jan. 16 Sun Lakes Garden Club meeting will be Steve Sheard, Master Rosarian. He attended the world-famous Chelsea Flower Show in London in the spring. It’s been held each year since 1913. He’ll take the members on a photographic tour and share his insights into this international show. Steve is a…
Dannette Hunnel A “newbie” to Arizona is typically not accustomed to planting flowers outside in January. However, if you moved here for better weather, you might like the idea of gardening throughout the year. The very pretty and popular pansy is the best flower to plant during the desert’s winter months. Being non-toxic to pets,…
Dannette Hunnel Petunias are the standard winter flower here in metro Phoenix. Petunias are a cheerful, colorful plant with a light, pleasant scent. They are great in the ground, in pots, or as a hanging plant. Petunias are a vigorous, low-growing plant that spreads. Plant them from late October through mid-February. It takes no soil…
Starla Kramer The Garden Club’s annual Holiday Party for members only is scheduled for Dec. 5. This year, it’s a catered Hawaiian Holiday Party. Members will enjoy a patio party overlooking the beautiful Ironwood golf course at Grill on the Green. The event includes a buffet, games, and professional entertainment. The holiday festivities replace the…
On Sept. 19 members and guests will welcome Chris Stinchcomb to answer all of their tree and plant questions. Chris resides in Chandler, Ariz., with his wife. Chris has a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental science from Linfield University and, upon graduating, has always worked in either landscaping or the field of arboriculture. He…
On Tuesday, Aug. 15, Sun Lakes resident Linda McCabe, who has been a Master Gardener in both California and Maricopa County, will be speaking about the benefits of straw bale gardening. The bales provide a nice alternative to growing in poor soil and help control weeds. The bales also provide a higher gardening bed to…
On July 18 the featured presenter will be Jody Crago. He’ll be sharing the early days of Chandler, as Dr. A.J. Chandler (veterinarian) facilitated the area’s irrigation for farming and residential use, creating the canals in the East Valley. Jody Crago is the director of the Chandler Museum. He is the co-founder of the East…
Barbara Kiley and Starla Kramer Come and learn from Gail Morris, the featured speaker on June 20. Morris is the coordinator of the Southwest Monarch Study, a nonprofit dedicated to monarch research and preservation. Meetings are held every month (including summer) on the third Tuesday. Attendees gather at 9:30 a.m. to socialize and enjoy refreshments…