Lake California Garden Club
May Garden News
By Genevieve Leigh

Much was discussed at our last meeting and it appears that we will be working on Phase 1 of our wonderful front entrance around the end of April or the beginning of May - before the real heat begins.

On a different subject, driving around lake California I have noticed the many beautiful wildflowers amongst us.  Yes, many are weeds though some are bona fide wildflowers.  Regardless, they all attract bees, butterfiles, birds and other important pollinators that also help provide us with fruit, vegetables and flowers from our garden plants and fruit trees.  So before you douse that pesky weed with Round-Up, you might take a look and see if it is something that you can live with rather than poison.  if so, perhaps wait until the flower expires, pinch the body to save the seeds, and then scatter them at a further but viewable distance from your home.  You will thus contribute to a more picturesque view as well as encourage the birds, bees and butterfilies to be attracted to our beautiful community.

I'd like to thank everyone who attended the tri-tip dinner for their support and contributions to beautify our entrance.  Let's continue to work together to make Lake California a wonderful place to live, a sanctuary of peace and beauty.

The Garden Club will be hosting the Cascade District Garden Clubs Spring Meeting on Thursday May 22nd at 9:00 a.m. at the Lake Club.  If you would like to meet a roomful of master gardeners and true greenies and find out what is happening in the surrounding areas to preserve and beautify our north state, please contact Barbara Turner at 347-2279 to reserve a spot.  Admission is $12.

We will also be needing funds for Phase 2 of the front entrance beautification project.  If you would like to donate, please send your donations to Lake California Garden Club, c/o POA Office, 19999 Lake California Drive, Cottonwood, CA  96022.  Volunteers are also welcome.

Lastly, please mark your calendars for the following dates:

May 3rd   - Anderson-Cottonwood Flower Show at Locust Street in Cottonwood
May 3rd   - Shasta Iris Society Flower Show - Mt. Shasta Mall
May 5th   - Redding Garden Club Flower Show
May 10th - Anderson Garden Club Plant Sale at the Outlet Mall
May 14th - Lake California Garden Club meeting - Turtle Bay Field Trip
May 22nd- Cascade District Garden Clubs Spring Meeting at Lake Club
May 24th - Lake California Plant Sale at Home Pride Day.

Happy Gardening & Come Grow With Us!

Spring Gardening Tips
By Lynda Bare

If you are planning a spring garden, here are a few tips to help ensure that it will be a blooming success!

Recipe for Perfect Soil
For a 4'x 4' area, 12 inches deep, you will need the following:
6 cu ft peat moss
4 cu ft coarse vermiculite
3 cu ft sand (10x2½ gallon pails)
2 pails of wood ashes and charcoal
3 cu ft compost
1 qt lime
1 qt organic fertilizer

Remember, never walk on your soil as it compacts it and eliminates room for air and water.