The Seed Swap is coming soon

February may be the best month of the year as far as gardening goes. The hard work of planting in the fall is so worthwhile when those bulbs transition into their glory. The daintiness of purple, pink and white crocuses, and the showiness of daffodils truly support the theory “February is the border between winter and spring.” (Terri Guillemets)

The Seed Swap is back. Bring seeds, exchange seeds, buy a gardening book, and share ideas at the library on Feb. 15 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Any seed and seed saver is welcome! Invasive plants that take over the natural habitat are discouraged, but one person’s weed is another’s treasure. Seeds should be portioned in bags or envelopes with the common name listed. Adding the Latin name provides a solid identification; one person’s buttercup may be a daffodil to another. A photo of what the seed should be when it grows up is helpful but not necessary. Sunlight, water, or soil pH requirements could also be listed.

National Invasive Species Awareness Week is February 24-28. Kudzu, privet, honey bush shrub, Arum Italicum, and Boston ivy have invaded Mentone. The RGC invites, encourages, begs one and all to don base layers, gloves, and woolies and go forth to battle these interlopers! The RGC Facebook page will have more info on specific battleground sites and dates and times for attack. One way to help on the invasive front is to go native.

Also, if boating, be sure to clean the boat before moving to a different body of water. If hiking, clean boots before trekking to a new site. Check pets for tag-a-long seeds and don’t release aquarium fish, exotics, or plants into the wild.

Mellanie Tuttle sneaked in a botanical artistic crafts project as a program, briefly demonstrating how to apply alcohol dye inks to gourds. The porous gourds were pre-treated with a coat of Formula 99, which kept the inks from being absorbed. Tablecloths down, gloves donned, gourds chosen, and the fun began. A drop or two straight from the alcohol ink dye bottle was the easiest application, but adding ink to a cotton swab or cotton pad allows a more subtle effect when rubbed onto the gourd. After putting on the ink, a spray with rubbing alcohol allows the colors to flow and blend. Twenty-four color choices and six metallic options allowed for unique combinations.

Members sped the drying process with the use of hair dryers. Applying a coat of clear finish completed the project. Krylon UV-Resistant Clear Acrylic Coating was recommended by those in the know, but a clear spray from DG worked just fine. Another blast of the hair dryer, and voila! Folks were pretty pleased with themselves.

Alcohol dyes would make lovely Valentine’s Day cards. Drop the dyes on cardstock. Cut out a valentine shape or two, glue on a card, and add a heartfelt note like,  “I know loving me isn’t always easy, but I’m so worth it!”

So are you! Happy Valentine’s Day!

RGC’s next meeting is set for 10 a.m. on February 11 at Moon Lake Library. Alice Marrin, owner of Lookout Lavender Farm, will be our guest speaker.