Welcome to the Nelson County Garden Club
August Tidbits
September Program
Michael Lachance, Nelson County Extension Agent
Trees: Their role in the survival of the Colonist, during the Industrial Revolution, and today.
Michael Lachance received a Bachelor's degree in horticulture and soils, plus a Master's degree in entomology, both at the University of Missouri. He has also taken doctoral level courses and has done research at Virginia Tech.
Michael Lachance serves as the Unit Coordinator and Agricultural Agent in Nelson County, Virginia, where he provides Extension programs in commercial fruit and vegetable production for the Central Virginia area. Integrated pest management, local market development, plus farm and rural community sustainability issues are key components of his Extension programming efforts. He has worked in Nelson County since November 1992.
Prior to the Nelson County appointment, Michael worked as an area Extension agent, doing integrated pest management work, with grain producers in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula counties of eastern Virginia.
Michael lives with his wife and two young sons in the Rockfish Depot area of Nelson County.
Allergy Advice
Submitted by Susan Gardner
Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac
You may not think you are allergic to poison ivy if you have only touched it once and did not break out in a rash. That is because your skin must first be sensitized to the oil. In 80% of people subsequent exposure will result in symptoms from mild to severe.
If you suspect your skin has touched poison ivy, oak, or sumac, rinse the area with water immediately (within 10 to 15 minutes) to help prevent a reaction. However, most people have up to 4 hours to wash the oil off before a reaction occurs. Clothing should also be thoroughly washed immediately. Contaminated surfaces should be cleaned with rubbing alcohol. The oil remains viable for extended periods of time, so don't think you can handle clothing or tools the next day, or even the next year!
All parts of poison ivy contain oil: roots, shoots, leaves, berries, and stems. Only dead leaves have very little. Burning wood with poison ivy stems and/or roots can cause extreme respiratory distress.
The following medications should not be used for poison ivy, oak, or sumac rash, because they can cause allergy problems of their own:
* Antihistamines applied to the skin (such as Benadryl cream, spray, or gel; Dermamycin)
* Anesthetics applied to the skin containing benzocaine (such as Americaine, Anacaine, Lanacane, Bicozene)
* Antibiotics applied to the skin containing neomycin sulfate (such as Neosporin, Neo-Rx, Mycifradin, Poly-Pred)
Stinging Insects
A bee leaves it stinger behind and then dies after stinging. Africanized honeybees, the so-called killer bees, are more aggressive than common honeybees and often attack together in great numbers. One bee tangled in a lamb's coat will call all his buddies to come help, resulting in the lamb being stung to death.
Wasps, including hornets, yellow jackets, and red velvet ants (a misnomer since they are really wasps), can sting over and over. Yellow jackets cause the greatest number of allergic reactions.
A fire ant attaches to a person by biting with its jaws, then, pivoting its head it stings from its abdomen in a circular pattern at multiple sites. It is interesting to note that ants are related to wasps, way back along the evolution timeline. A bunch of biting ants can be pretty painful, no matter what type they are.
If you come into contact with a puss caterpillar, remove the broken-off spines by using cellophane tape or a commercial facial peel, and call your health professional.
Just what is a puss caterpillar, you ask. I thought the same thing, so I went to my favorite wildlife site and found a picture. Sure enough, the next morning when I went out on my deck, there was a puss caterpillar on the bird feeder.
Unless you are severely allergic to insect stings (in which case seek medical attention immediately) a topical treatment such as baking soda works well.
Conservation Corner
By Gail Troy
Recycling reduces carbon emissions AND conserves natural resources AND reduces the amount of waste in landfillsAND saves energy when scrap metals are substituted for newly mined ones AND reduces pollution when scrap materials are substituted for new ones.
July 12 Board Meeting
Submitted by Susan Gardner
Attending: Diane Southard, Susan Gardner, Anne Currie, Joanne Camden, Doris Smith, Emma Hartmann, Burnley Harvey, Barbara Marshall, Shirley McGatha, Dorothy Lee Giles, and Bernice Thieblot
Diane Southard relayed Joan Habel's concern about the watering of the butterfly gardens at the senior homes in Lovingston and Roseland. Susan Gardner will contact the owner to discuss how the garden club can help, without obligating any members to accomplish the task.
Bernice Thieblot reported sending an application to Sally O'Neil, a guest at the July luncheon.
Burnley Harvey spoke with the mother of Marina Harkrader; she may not be able to speak at our August meeting, but will send a letter. Burnley also heard that Avery Bailey, granddaughter of Roberta Dunn and a camper we sponsored in the past, would like to be a counselor at Nature Camp in the future.
Emma Hartmann will have a meeting of the Ways and Means committee soon; she will also check with Peter Coy to see what is on schedule for a December performance at the Hamner Theater. Dates were discussed for a fall yard sale; Emma will check to see if there will be any special events that we can use to our advantage.
Doris Smith agreed to chair a committee to review our bylaws.
October 5 was discussed as a tentative date for a Memorial Service for Marjorie Hill, who passed away February 2006.
A vote will be taken at the August meeting concerning mailing Tidbits.
The next board meeting will be 2:00 p.m., Thursday, August 9 at the home of Emma Hartmann.
Excerpts from a Bird Watcher's Journal
By Joan Habel
The Purple Martins left the complex over a period of three weeks, the last on July 17th. All of the gourds were filled with nests and the resulting new generation was impressive. They arrived in clusters over a period of several weeks and departed when the fledglings were strong enough to fly a great distance. It was a marvel to watch the fledglings try out their wings, soar about and then alight with great trepidation. All carried out with great chattering and sodality. Their final leave-taking was blunted by my being away as well so the quiet of the yard was not as depressing as in years past.
Two more Bluebird nests were abandoned by the parents. One with four eggs and the other two. We have no idea the cause. From the large number of Bluebirds in the yard over the winter we looked forward to a great increase in numbers but it was not to be. The nests are usually not abandoned unless harm has come to the female.
The feeding areas in the yard are mostly empty. I do see a Dove now and again looking for seeds under the feeders. And a resident Mocking Bird creates a chorus of mimicry. One would think a great number of birds were about the yard. The Robins have nested in the pear trees and visit the bird bath often. A Mocking Bird baby fell from the nest and was hopping about the yard. The mother hovered overhead with loud calls of distress. I couldn't linger at the scene so don't know what the outcome might have been. Baby birds falling from the nest seems to be a common happening; the mothers always seem to rescue the errant babies.
While visiting my daughter in Boston I had an unexpected bit of bird watching. A row of old baskets hanging from a side porch of her Victorian home have enticed a pair of Doves to build a nest. Two baby Doves peeked over the edge of a basket when I first spotted them. My daughter Susan tells me it is their second successful attempt. Last summer two babies were hatched as well. The porch is well trafficked but does not seem to bother the Dove family. The day I left the two fledglings were out of the nest and walking about the porch.
My daughter Debra lives on Lake Boone in Stow, MA. and the lake is alive with all manner of water birds. A variety of ducks, and other waterfowl abound. "The yodeling cries of the loon lend mystery to the night" and touch my heart with sadness as I prepare to leave my daughter's home and return to my beloved mountains.
Haiku
By Anne Currie
Bees hum in the heat
Mowers hum in all the yards
Let us hum along
Good Bugs for Your Garden
A Book Review by Digna Gantt
Allison Mia Starcher is a professional illustrator who specializes in plants and insects and who defines good bugs as "tiny creatures that are a gardener's true best friends." When she started her garden, she was leery of using chemicals to get rid of pesky bugs that were eating her plants, and she didn't have the time to pick off bugs by hand. So she got interested in those bugs which prey on the bad guys, and in the process learned about insects which are beneficial to the garden in general.
She divides beneficial insects into four groups: predators, such as a praying mantis; parasitoids, such as some wasps; pollinators, like bees; and soil builders, such as earthworms. Her beautiful little book, which measures about 5 by 7 inches, is crammed with information. For example, ways in which to encourage beneficial bugs to come to your garden--to attract ground beetles, she recommends "laying down a stone path, planting white clover as a ground cover, or building a compost pile." She also lists plants which produce lots of nectar to attract the good bugs, such as lavender, lovage, and sweet alyssum.
Allison devotes one page to each beneficial bug, and her hand-drawn illustrations are charming. The book ends with a glossary, and a list of retail sources, such as where to buy earthworms or ladybugs. It is published by Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, and I found it used on Amazon.com for $4.08 (including shipping), and new for $2.95 plus $3.99 shipping.
Rosemary-Thyme Shortbread Cookies
From the Kitchen of Dorothy Lee Giles
Makes 2-3 doz. small cookies. They are a true shortbread cookie; bake them only until they are barely colored, there is little moisture in them.
1-½ cups flour
¼ cup powdered sugar
9 tbls. unsalted butter
2 tbls fresh rosemary, chopped very fine
2 tsp. fresh thyme, chopped very fine
1 tbl. granulated sugar to sprinkle on top.
Make dough: Work together the sugar and butter. Add the flour, rosemary and thyme. Knead together to make a soft dough.
Carefully roll out the dough to about 3/8" thick. Cut into squares, rounds or other small (1") shapes. A leaf shaped cookie cutter is wonderful for these cookies.
Bake: Bake on a greased cookie sheet in a moderate 350-degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes-or until the cookies are a very light golden color. Do not overcook.
From: Herbs and Cooking -- Brooklyn Botanic Garden Record
Strawberry Sauce
From the Kitchen of Doris Smith
1 1/3 cups of sliced strawberries
grated zest of 1 lime
1/4 c. of sugar
Pulse in food processor until smooth
Punchbowl Cake
From the Kitchen of Doris Smith
1 box chocolate cake mix baked in a 9 x 13 inch pan and cubed into 1 inch squares in the pan
6Skor bars-smashed and crumbled (they are made by Hershey and resemble Heath Bars)
3packages (small) instant pudding mix prepared (one at a time)
212 ounce containers Cool Whip, defrosted
3/4 cup Kalhua
In punch bowl put 1/3 of the cake and sprinkle with Kahlua. Pour on 1 batch of the pudding and sprinkle 2 smashed Skor bars over this. Cover with 1/3 of the Cool Whip. Repeat twice. Refrigerate overnight.
Crab Pie
From the Kitchen of Doris Smith
1 unbaked 9" deep dish pie shell
1/2c. mayonnaise
1/2c. milk
1/2c. chopped green onions
2eggs-beaten
2T. flour
1/2t. salt
1lb. crab meat picked and flaked
8slices Swiss cheese-torn into bite size pieces
Bake the pie shell at 350 degrees until it begins to brown. Combine the mayo, milk, green onions, eggs, flour and salt in a bowl and mix well. Fold in the crabmeat and cheese. Bake at 350 degrees forto 50or until brown. Yield 6 servings.
Place an Ad in Tidbits
Do you have a business or service you would like to advertise in Tidbits? A half-page ad on the back cover can be yours for $35. Ad copy or information must be submitted by the fifteenth of the month prior to insertion. Send us an e-mail at .
Copyright, © Nelson County Garden Club