Master Gardeners of Tompkins County

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Gardeners - Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County

The Auracan, Nov. 2012

The opening article from The Auracan  - A newsletter by, for and about the Members of Auraca Herbarists

Vo. XVIII, No.1, November 2012

 

FROM OUR PRESIDENT

Melanie J.

The fall foliage color is beautiful, with the white birch trees in full sight now, and the sedum has bright shades of red to grace our eyes. As the season’s change we are blessed with many new things and the passing of another season creates memories for us to have for years to come, the delicate balance of life as it unfolds before us in and out of the garden. As the “year of the rose” comes to an end, another herb will be chosen, and new things embraced. There is one thing that I hold dear – the healing power of roses to make things clear, refreshed, and a renewed open heart. 

In August we visited Heart Stone Herb School and enjoyed a tour of the medicine wheel garden by Tammy Sweet. Tammy told us about the medicinal qualities of the plants grown there and Kris Miller told us about how the garden is used for their herb apprenticeship, advanced herb educational classes, and other classes that are offered through the year. The herb of the month was “Hops” presented by Suzanne H. Our September visit to the cutting gardens at Cornell was very interesting to see. We learned a lot about what characteristics are needed in a flower to be used commercially and then the research that goes along with the process of growing them in a greenhouse and/or outside to produce the correct characteristics. In October we saw a movie on bees, how we need them, what they are battling, and how we need to learn more about the chemicals used that affect them.

We will be working on updating the Auraca by-laws, so anyone who would like to take part please let me know. We will be starting in December. A web page is being worked on, along with Facebook, a new brochure has been created, and Lili M. needs everyone’s help with ideas for programs for the year September 2013–September 2014. There are many new things to look forward to, some changes, and many things to be remembered.

 This has been a year to remember that Thomas Jefferson would say “some things that fail leave allow for others to survive”. Gardening was a passion of his until he was 83 years old, a collector of seeds, and recording the details gave us the history of plants he grew along with his love of cucumbers. So for now, putting the gardens to sleep, think about what winter will be like and some new plants for next year. Have a great holiday season and give thanks for all our blessings.