DECORATED … Club members show off their decorated flowerpots.
(PRESS RELEASE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
PATRIOTIC … Connie McGrew is shown with her Arrangement of the Month, called “Celebrate” using a decorated red truck and a mass floral design.
PRESS RELEASE – President Cam Miller opened the meeting of the Pulaski Garden Club on July 1, 2025, with the Garden Prayer, after which the roll call included showing the red, white, and blue flowers members brought from their gardens.
Seventeen members responded to roll call. Four guests were welcomed. The Secretary’s Report and Treasurer’s Report were given.
The floral arrangement, entitled “Celebrate” was presented by Connie McGrew. Her design included an antique child’s red pickup truck decorated with bunting and an American flag.
The truck was ready to drive in a parade with floral arrangement including baby’s breath, white daisies, delphinium, blue thistle, scabiosa, red gerbera daisies, alstroemeria, and hypericum berries in a traditional mass design. The overall effect said Happy July 4th.
The Pest of the Month report on Mildew and Black Spot was given by Cathy Sharp. Black Spot is a fungus which infects rose leaves and first appears during periods of wet weather.
Fungicides are effective in dealing with black spot as well as neem oil. Treat every seven days alternating treatments.
Be sure to disinfect tools when pruning, pruning only in dry weather. Water roses only at the base. Some roses are black spot resistant such as shrub roses in the rugosa varieties.
Powdery Mildew, which arrives in humid weather, affects the upper and lower surfaces of leaves, looking like powdered sugar. These fungi are host specific. A fungus that infects one type of plant is not the same powdery mildew that infects another.
For many, plants the mildew is cosmetic only, but a combination of baking soda (1 ½ tablespoons)], and a lightweight horticultural oil (3 tablespoons) in 1 gallon of water has shown to be effective.
Downy Mildews are problems for grapes and cucumbers. It looks like a white or purple fuzz on leaves and stems. Downy mildews can be contained using fungicides.
Avoid watering overhead and remove infected plant debris. Consider buying plant varieties that are mildew resistant.
Old Business
The fairground garden beds clean up went well. Nine members were present. The dusty miller around the bell tower is blooming. Next month’s cleanup will be July 28 at 9 a.m.
Six members from the club attended E and J School on June 6-7. Each gave a short report about the classes and speakers that they especially enjoyed.
New Business
A garden walk was held in Archbold at Ruihley Park in the community gardens on July 10. Wood County and Allen County have local fairs coming up in July and August.
Creation Basement was held on July 11 at Cam Miller’s. Floral designs for the Williams County Fair were practiced.
If you want to see the newest varieties in plants and shrubs, consider going to Rakers Nurseries in Litchfield, Michigan, during the 2nd week in August. The 1st Thursday in May of 2026 we will be hosting the Spring Regional meeting. Be thinking about ideas for the event. Remember in August to bring $17 for dues for the coming year.
Committee Reports
The Centennial Committee has chosen a logo for our 100th anniversary and is beginning to set up dates for events throughout 2026.
The Program Committee is meeting to prepare our yearbook for next year. If you have any ideas or questions, please contact Rozetta. The door prize was brought by Tina Lopez and won by Cam Miller.
The program was given by Rozetta Luke and Carol Wheeler. They gave flowers pots to members who then decorated them to look like Rosie the Riveter complete with googly eyes and colorful headscarves. The project was met with creativity and laughs. The meeting adjourned.
Hostesses for the meeting were Joyce Paepke, Regina Partee, and Connie Simmons.
The next meeting of the Pulaski Garden Club will be August 5, 2025, at 6 pm at Cam Miller’s home. It will include a potluck.