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.
