President's Message
President's Message from the Current Newsletter - October 2024
Expressions from Ella!
Another hosta gardening year winding down and what a great growing year it was until this hot dry fall. I’ve hesitated to transplant some plants till cooler temperatures and rain came. My knee replacement surgery in early July kept me out of the garden. Luckily, I have a “gardening” spouse. I’m so glad that David and I share a love for hosta and gardening together. Now I am back in the garden for fall clean-up.
Weed control is so important in fall. Eliminating weeds and their seeds now will reduce weed pressure in the spring. In the past I have not used pre-emergent herbicides, but I bought some Preen on sale to use for next spring. This should prevent a lot of hand weeding. I also plan to remove the large hosta leaves after the frost collapses them. I know many of you cut your hosta back before then. I do like the falling leaves to mulch and protect the winter garden. This year I’m to be diligent on vole control with traps or poison. These rodents can feed all winter on the crowns of hosta reducing the size of your plants that come back in the spring. I have also had problems with moles and raccoons. The bigger the animal the more I shy away from killing it. Can’t we just all get along? I am also checking my plant labels to make sure they will be there in the spring. A gardener’s work is never done.
I enjoyed our fall potluck and want to thank all who have helped keep our club active and vibrant. I look forward to seeing you all again next spring.
Ella Maxwell. CIHS President