1

D id You Know? This mushroom may be

the inspiration for Santa Claus and many

Christmas traditions. In the dark, cold win-

ter, Siberian shamans would make the rounds of

tents of tribespeople healing the sick and giving out

bags of Amanita Muscaria, fly agaric fungi, as Winter

Solstice presents. The fungi were strung on strings

and placed in tree branches or placed in wet stock-

ings or bags hung before the fire to dry the mush-

room. Growing under evergreens and birch trees

they look like mysterious presents placed in the for-

est. The red and white fungi are eaten for their hallucinogenic and

intoxicant properties. At low doses they produce a sensation of

warmth and increased energy similar to a moderate dose of alcohol,

but more stimulating. They can also cause a lot of vomiting and tox-

icity. The fungi are a familiar image in popular culture, showing up as

candies, cookies, and ornaments. In Germany they’re known as

“Gluckspitz” or lucky mushroom. Source: entheology.com/research/

President’s Message by Nancy Baldwin

H appy Holidays! With al the busy-ness of the sea-

son, and despite the weather and fading flowers,

I find sitting on my patio contemplating the gar-

den is a way for me to rest and regenerate. And to those of

you originally from colder climates, we DO have seasons

here in California - pruning season, weeding season, pick-

ing season and contemplating season!

For me, pruning season starts January 2, when I begin the

annual process in my yard. Once it’s done, my front garden

has a zen-like feel - round clumps of grasses, the linear

shapes of dormant roses, the bare spaces where sage will

grow, the exposed landscape rocks that are prominent

without summer’s growth. The garden is low and horizontal

rather than bushy and vertical. It’s beautiful in its own way.

Weeding season begins in earnest when the soil begins to

warm and the rains (we hope there will be rain!) lighten up.

By early April weeding season has seriously begun. Pick-

ing season, especially for my vegetables, is in full bore by

early July. I always hope for “salad” (lettuce, radishes, early to-

matoes) in May and June. Some years cooperate. Picking sea-

son for flowers, of course, depends on the variety of plants you

have. I will have flowers on the sage until it freezes, and new

flowers from the narcissus perhaps in January (they have

emerged, so I’m hopeful). That’s California picking season -

nearly 12 months a year!

I hope you enjoy the holidays with friends and family.

Nancy

The Elk Grove Garden Club Newsletter

Through the Garden Gate, December 2017

Vol. 9, Issue 14, Linda Rivera & Susan Maggy, Editors

Next Meeting, 2nd Thursday of Each

Month

Thursday, December 14, 2017

Elk Grove Congregational Church

9624 Melrose Ave, Elk Grove

10:00 Social

10:30 Meeting - Cookie Swap & Silent Auction

Inside This Issue

Minutes, Yearbook Addition, Dec. Birthdays, Garden

Check-List, Treasurer’s Report, Misnomer Award,

Trees We Love, Selma’s Stollen, Meet Susan Maggy,

It’s Not Too Late to Plant Tulips, Gardening Gift Ideas,

Members, Out & About, Cookie Swap, Lenten Rose,

Prescription Bottles, & Silent Auction

2

Minutes of the Elk Grove Garden Club

November 9, 2017

P resident Nancy Baldwin called the meeting to order at

10:30 am. After the pledge to the flag, the members

were instructed in pressed flower bookmark making by

Rinda Furtado and Maria Schiffler. Each member made

two bookmarks: one for themselves and one to donate.

The members introduced themselves and told of their fa-

vorite tiny flower.

The minutes were approved as printed.

The treasurer’s report was approved as printed. Bills

submitted included: a donation for $100, yearbooks for

$232.54, and rent for $60.

Correspondence received: A thank you note from the

E G Community Garden, and a letter of thanks from the

UC Agriculture & Natural Resources for our donation.

Sunshine: Nothing

Great Gardens: Susan Muckey told about the New York

Botanical Garden and the High-Line walk. Mary Adams-

Wiley told about the beautiful garden she visited in the

Netherlands.

Tips & Techniques: Joyce Johnson spoke about how

she uses hair in planting every year.

Old Business:

Committee reports: None

The December silent and blind auctions. Susan Maggy

told about the new ideas for this year.

President Nancy announced the yearbooks are here.

Please pick-up yours before leaving.

President Nancy thanked Jamie Ryan and her committee

for today’s luncheon.

Announcements:

Everyone was advised to read the newsletter for upcom-

ing events.

New Business:

Chris Duane agreed to be in charge of the December

cookie exchange.

A sign-up sheet was passed for the November 17th trip to

Duarte Poinsettia Nursery.

Nancy asked everyone to please start plants for the May

SRVD plant sale.

Respectfully Submitted Punky Dias, Secretary

December Birthdays

Many Happy Birthdays to: Eileen Pfister

12/3 & Pam Burns 12/27

December Program

W hat is your favorite

Christmas side dish?

Program: Silent Auction &

Cookie Exchange

Hostess: Rita Montez

Garden Check-List by Jan Felter

P lant seedlings of lettuce and kale.

Begin harvesting leeks.

Start pruning fruit trees in late December. Bare

branches allow a clear view of a tree’s framework.

Plan which bare root fruit trees to buy in January.

Protect citrus, tender perennials, succulents and tropi-

cal plants when forecast temperatures drop below

freezing.

Prune roses starting in late December.

Add mulch around ornamental plants, including roses.

Create garden inspired holiday decorations--harvest

berries and evergreen branches for use indoors and

outdoors.

Cover the compost pile with a plastic tarp during heavy

rains.

If the compost pile gets too wet before it is covered,

turn it a few times, and then cover it.

Clean up plant waste and fallen fruit to reduce disease and insects next year.

3

Trees We Love

We enjoyed these first-hand at

the Nov. Mtg., Cedar Rose

Pine Cones from the Deodar

Cedar brought in by a lucky

member. They are sought after

by crafters & sold by the dozen

Incense Cedar, Calocedrus

Decurrens. Slow-growing, tall,

narrow specimen tree often used

as a screen or hedge plant.

Does not like harsh wind. Pro-

duces fragrant, fan-like needles.

Full to partial sunlight with regu-

lar soil. Do not plant under wires

or near building foundations.

Bald Cypress, Taxodium

Distichum, majestic red-

orange fall color & loses it’s

needles. Otherwise pale green

semi-evergreen leaves. Great

urban tree. Adaptable to wet

or dry conditions. 50’ to 70’ tall

x 25’ wide. Medium growth,

pyramidal shape.

Dwarf Horstmann Blue Atlas

Cedar, This picture doesn’t do it

justice. This a stunning tree.

Graceful branches of silvery-

blue foilage, Wow! Deep roots

make it drought tolerant once

established. Likes rich, organic

well-drained soil.. Protect from

wind. Can reach 60’ tall..

The Misnomer Award Goes to: The Labeling of

All Trees As Either Deciduous Or Coniferous

S ometimes it’s not just one or the other...

You might be surprised, but what we learned in

school is not the whole story. Popular thought was

that there are only two main types of trees either ev-

ergreen or deciduous. Nope. There are exceptions. Decidu-

ous trees drop their leaves in the fall and go dormant. Most

deciduous trees are broadleaf trees, but there are also some

trees with needles that are deciduous. Coniferous trees are

referred to as evergreens. A conifer has needles and repro-

duces by cones. All conifers are evergreens, but not all ever-

greens are conifers, some tropical trees are evergreens. De-

ciduous coniferous trees, Some coniferous trees are also

deciduous, such as the American larch, bald cypress, and

tamarack trees which have needles and cones but lose their

leaves in the fall. The pond cypress is also a deciduous conif-

erous tree. Rhododendrons are neither coniferous or decidu-

ous. These trees or shrubs remain green all year. The moun-

tain laurel is another evergreen broadleaf tree without nee-

“It kills me when people talk about Cali-

fornia hedonism. Anybody who talks

about California hedonism has never

spent a Christmas in Sacramento.”

Joan Didion

Deodar Cedar, Cedrus De-

odar, evergreen conifer tree

favored for its weeping habit &

as a soft windscreen. Popular

landscape specimen that pro-

vides year round interest. Fast

growing, full sun, prefers moist

soil, but is drought tolerant.

Grows 40 to 70’ tall.

Every Blooming Thing: On The Lighter Side Of Roses

1. Roses will survive despite us! 2. Every time I enter the rose garden, I learn something new or change my mind about something I did before. 3. There are no bad roses; they just weren't planted in the proper place. 4. Gardens are dynamic; they change as do our tastes and interests. 5. Don't plant a $20 rose in a two-bit hole. 6. During the summer, it is all about water, water and water. 7. The best rose fertilizer is whatever is on sale; roses have no idea if the fertilizer is organic or not. Roses are pigs? They eat a lot, and whatever is available. 8. None of us are fortunate enough to live in an area totally devoid of rose diseases or pests. 9. Read the label! 10. Beginners can read all the references available to them, but it doesn't do any good unless they go out and try. 11. In talks or articles, keep it simple or you will lose your au-dience. 12. Novice exhibitors are not necessarily novice rose growers. 13. When you prune your roses, look at them as an artist. Hopefully you will prune like a Rembrandt and not a Picasso. But if you do make a mistake, see #1. To prune or not to prune; does it matter? #19. 14. Growing roses is not as difficult as people think. The prob-lem is too much unnecessary information on their care and buying roses that are wrong for our area. 15. It is okay to make errors — we all still do. 16. Rose crafts: Roses are not just for looking pretty on the bush. 17. Arrangements: creating a thing of beauty with roses. 18. Beware, not all rose information is accurate.

4

This is a beautiful photo, one of my

favorites. Relaxed, open, and smil-

ing, Mary Hill & Kay Scott.

Meet Susan Maggy

S usan developed

her love of the

country while

growing up in rural Colusa

County. That’s what at-

tracted her to Wilton

which has been her

hometown for 32 yrs. She

met the love of her life at

work, her husband John.

Twelve years ago she

retired from the Sacra-

mento/Yolo Mosquito &

Vector Control District as

their Public Education

Coord. But she is still

dedicated to the work and

three years ago she was

appointed to their Board

of Trustees by the Sac.

County Board of Supv.

When she’s not busy with

the Board, she, John, and

her two miniature schnau-

zers load up in their travel

trailer and see the coun-

try. They spent 9 weeks

traveling through Alaska

and 13 weeks trekking

across the U.S. They love

to go to Ft. Bragg. Cruis-

ing is another favorite

pastime. She’s been on a

cruise to the Caribbean

and the Panama Canal

and looks forward to their

next cruise to New Eng-

land and Canada. Follow-

ing retirement she be-

came acutely aware of

the morning sounds of

birds, that she never had

time to notice. Thus be-

gan her love affair with

birds. She enjoys watch-

ing and waiting for the

migratory birds that spend

winter here and then

leave for the hills in the

spring, but her favorite

birds are blue birds. She

has a nest box for them

that gets used at least

twice a year. She keeps a

journal of their activities

and loves taking pictures

of nesting progress. Blue

bird parents are very tol-

erant, even allowing her

to open the box and take

pictures of Mama on the

nest and later of her ba-

bies. Fledging is exciting,

yet sad, to watch as the

young ones fly away.

She enjoys cooking and

has a collection of well

over 500 cookbooks.

Wow!

Keeps busy with various

Wilton community activi-

ties and organizations.

Her biggest project is the

Wilton Memorial Rose

Garden. She is the gar-

den guardian to some 520

roses.

Selma’s Stollen

M y Mother-in-Law, Selma Maggy, used to make

the most wonderful stolen. I loved that bread. I

would occasionally ask for the recipe, which she

would give me, but I always asked if she could show me. I

did this for a number of years. And then she passed away,

and I realized I would probably never enjoy that Stollen, be-

cause I just didn’t make bread. After a few years I dug out

the recipe and dug in to baking. It was delicious. I would like

to share the recipe with all of you and hope that you will give

it a try. Selma, actually her name was Salme, but she

changed it when she came to America. She immigrated

here alone in her 20’s from Estonia.

Selma’s Stollen 1 egg

1 pkg. yeast 1/4 cup raisins

1/4 cup warm water 1/4 cup currants

1/2 cup milk 1/4 cup chopped candied citron

1/4 sugar 1/4 cup chopped candied cherries

1 tsp. salt 2 tbsp. melted butter

2 tbsp. shortening Confectioner’s sugar icing

2 1/2 cup flour 1/4 chopped nuts

Soften yeast in water. Scald milk. Add sugar, salt & shorten-

ing & cool to lukewarm. Add 1 cup flour & mix well. Add sof-

tened yeast & egg. Beat well. Stir in raisins, currants, citron

& cherries. Add enough flour to make a soft dough. Turn out

on a lightly floured board & knead until smooth & satiny.

Place in greased bowl. Cover & let rise until doubled (about

1 1/2 hours). When light, punch down and shape into 2

balls. Let rest 10 minutes. Flatten each ball into an oval

sheet, about 3/4” thick. Brush one half of sheet with melted

butter. Fold over, like a large Parkerhouse roll. Place on

greased baking sheet. Brush lightly with melted butter. Let

rise until doubled (about 45 min.). Bake at 350 degrees

about 25 minutes. When cool, brush with confectioner’s

sugar & sprinkle with chopped nuts. Makes 2 Stollen.

“What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.” John Steinbeck, Travels with Char-ley: In Search of America

Susan ’s Page

5

It’s Not Too Late to Plant Tulips

T he National Garden Bureau has proclaimed

2018 the “Year of the Tulip”.

Bulbs planted now will reliably sprout next

spring. There are more than 150 species with

3,000+ varieties available. Planting tulips, the big

showy Dutch hybrids, in Sacramento can be a pain.

They need to be chilled - 6 weeks in the frig. as Sacra-

mento is too warm, the ground doesn’t get cold

enough, and they have to be dug up every year and

replanted.

Love tulips prefer something more carefree? Say hello

to Turkish Tulips , the petite precursors to the big

Dutch hybrids. Turkish tulips or species or wildflower

tulips are closer to their Mediterranean roots. These

tulips originated in arid regions and can be planted in

spots that dry out in summer, meadows and other are-

as that don’t get hit by a sprinkler. They’re tough, tiny,

and elegant. They are shorter than their Dutch coun-

terparts with smaller, demure flowers, but they can go

straight in the ground with no refrigeration and they

can stay put instead of repeatedly dug up and replant-

ed. They are perfect for procrastinators. They are

quickly gaining popularity for a naturalistic look. They

bloom and naturalize for years if planted well. Prefers

full sun, but will tolerate partial shade. They need good

drainage, and aren’t fussy about fertilizer. Dig, drop,

and cover. In pots, plant 6 to 8” deep, pointy end up.

Cover with soil and top with mulch. Order yours now.

Submitted by: Margrethe Reed. Source: Wall Street Journal

& Home & Garden, & The Sacramento Bee, 11/18/2017

Four Gardening Gift Ideas:

Tulipa Humilis is a

sweet-scented early

flowering species

tulip.

Tulipa Clusiana ‘Lady Jane’ has

dark pink exterior petals &

white interior petals. It reseeds

at varying heights for a differ-

ent show every year.

Tulipa Humilia ‘Alba Coerulea

Oculata’ is prized for its col-

ors, the crocus-like bloom

shows a steel-blue center

under strong sun.

Tulipa Saxatilis ‘Lilac Wonder’ has

pastel lilac petals with deep yel-

low center, up to 8” tall, natural-

izes easily in rich, fertile, well-

drained soil. Plant in mass.

Flowers in mid-spring.

Hands-On Favorites - Garden-

ing Gloves

Goatskin gloves with pigskin gauntlet

resist abrasions and punctures, pro-

tects wrists from scratches & are

padded on the palms. Cons: can’t be

washed. $44.50; duluthtrading.com

Heirloom Seeds

Thomas Jefferson’s Monti-

cello Gardens in Char-

lottesville, VA, sells the most

unusual old-fashioned annu-

al flower seeds (packets

$3.95 each. Each seed

packet tells a mini history

lesson; monticello.org

Bendable, Dependable, Lightweight

& Strong. Tubtrugs

Don’t be fooled by the fun colors & light-

weight plastic. Tubtrugs get down & dirty

in the garden. Use them to mix soil, soak

bare-root roses, & bath your pooch. Avail-

able in eight sizes & 10 colors. $9.99-

$31.99; us.tubtrugs.com

In Praise of Plants/

Book

Botanical images & artwork

- 300 prints, photos, water-

colors & drawings from

throughout history & across

cultures celebrate the

beauty of plants. Plant:

Exploring the Botanical

World, $59.95; phai-

don.com

6

A Life in Bold. You would think she spent her life upon

the stage. Maybe that’s to come. But what she’s en-

joying now is delivering babies-full-time, & she’s

damn good at it. Julie Gaines. Born in Yorkshire England, the

northern county known for it’s medieval abbeys & bucolic

scenery. Our Julie traveled & made Elk Grove her hometown

in 1990. Ten years ago her life changed suddenly when her

husband was killed in a motorcycle accident on Highway 99.

The accident cut short their life together. Through it all, what

came through was her resiliency. She has a life bursting at

the seams with two daughters, 3 grandchildren, scrapbook-

ing, a beautiful garden, & plans to skydive. Her courage is an

inspiration, an example of always moving forward. She’s re-

laxed, a straight-shooter, & someone to linger with. We’re in

awe of you Julie Gaines.

We have the nicest

people in the Club &

here are two of the

kindest: Rosemary

Fowler & Linda Brett

working together.

UC Master Gardener, Carmen

Schindler, absolutely radiant in

beautiful fall colors & a win-

some smile. Carmen & the

Nov. centerpiece made by Ja-

mie Ryan are in perfect harmo-

ny.

Lovely Lela Hart-

ley & Sharon

Saint, gracious

collaboration. Any-

one would be wel-

come at their ta-

ble.

Donna Williams & Rhinda Furtado, the go-getters

doing the heavy lifting of organizing & putting the

bookmarks together for everyone. Extra kudos to

Rhinda for going the extra mile to do the job. Their

work paid off - look at all bookmarks that we made

for donation to nursing homes. Member’s

generosity

filled a table

with food

donations for

the EG Food

Bank for

hungry fami-

lies.

Harmonious understanding,

UC Master Gardener Maria

Schiffler & Judy Bukowski.

Creative Jeannie

Hertzler always lend-

ing a hand.

MEMBERS

Enter Mary

Gress, creating

& collaborating

on the Nov.

lunch with style

& panache.

7

Get Ready For Our Annual Silent Auction!

This Years Auction is Bigger & Better Than Ever.

Here are just a few of the Silent Auction Items:

Tahoe house (see below) - min. bid $100., one-hour massage in EG,

large santa doll, goodie basket from EG Vitamins, & a slow cooker.

Vacation Home in South Lake Tahoe

2 Night Get-Away!

We have a cozy 3 bdrm., 2-bath home that sleeps 8. Located 2 miles from Stateline, Heavenly Ski Resort & the lake. The home is in a quiet residential area just a block below the National Forest, where there are miles of trails for hiking & snow shoeing.

Fully furnished & equipped with a garage, fenced-back rear & deck.

Offered by Nancy and Paul Baldwin

Out & About In

December 2017

Sat., 12/2, 10 am to 5

pm, 3rd Annual Holi-

day Open House, The

Plant Foundry Nursery

& Store, Santa, a string

quartet from 2-3 pm,

free hot coco & cider,

hundreds of fresh-cut

Christmas trees,

wreaths, garlands, or-

naments & gifts. Angela

Pratt, 916-917-5787,

in-

fo@plantfoundry.com

Mon., 12/4, 6:00 pm to

7:30 pm, Plant Nite

Sacramento, Learn

how to build a tabletop

garden. Take home a

unique succulent ter-

rarium. $35-$55.

Taqueria Maya, 2700

Broadway, Sacramen-

to, contact

elyse.mcdonald@plant

nite.com

Beauty & the Beast:

Calif. Wildflowers &

Climate Change, Daily

except Mondays, 10

am to 5 pm, a display

of over 45 breathtak-

ing, landscape photos

taken by Rob Badger &

Nita Winter. Seniors

$7.50, Calif. Museum,

1020 O St., Sacramen-

to, 916-653-7524, cali-

forniamuseum.org/

beauty-beast

Tues., 12/5, all day,

Sacramento River Val-

ley District Dec. Car-

pool Trip to Alden Lane

Nursery. Sign-up was in

Nov.

Sat., 12/9, 10 am to

11:30, DIY Wreath Dec-

orating Class, Learn

how to make a mixed

greens wreath., $50,

Relles Florist, 2400 J

St., Sacramento,

rellesflorist.com

Monday, 12/25, Merry

Christmas

Thurs., 12/21/2017,

Winter Solstice, fewest

hours of sunlight in the

year.

Sunday,

December 31

New Year’s Eve

Happy New

Year!

Helleborus orientalis or Lenten Rose is an often overlooked star in the winter garden, it’s evergreen, low maintenance, & an early spring bloomer -blooming for as long as 4 months. The 2’ high perennial, deserves a mention as a great addition to a shady garden. Grows in moist organic, well-drained soils. Perfect for a woodland garden. They are a hardy & long-lived favorite..

Start The Countdown to Our Annual

Cookie Swap by Chris Duane

Our delicious cookie swap will take place at the De-

cember meeting. Those who wish to participate

should bring 30 homemade cookies or candies on a

tray or plate covered with plastic wrap. Members do

not have to bring cookies in order to enjoy them and

take some home. Please make some copies of the recipe to share with

members. The cookies will be on display and labeled with the baker’s

name and recipe title. Once dessert is finished members are encouraged

to take cookies home. Plastic bags will be provided.

Wanted, empty prescription

bottles to store beads & craft items. See

Carmen Schindler.