June Update

The summer season has begun and the Put-in-Bay Garden Club is in full swing again.  The lamppost baskets in DeRivera Park were planted on May 15th with the help of many wonderful volunteers who endured cold, wind, and rain to get the job done. So many people came out to help that we had to create a new link on the garden Club’s web page to thank each one by name! We are especially grateful to Mike McCabe (Bayside Construction), Richard Gump (Gump Construction), and the Market family (Miller Boat Line) who provided lifts and bucket trucks to assist in the task. In addition, we would like to acknowledge volunteers from the Ashley House, The Bakery, The Boardwalk, the Crew’s Nest, The Forge, The Goat, Island Hardware, De Rivera Park, the Round House, and the Garden Club, all of whom pitched in to make the planting go quickly and smoothly. It takes a village to plant a park, and it is always heartwarming to know that the entire community is there to lend their support. Thanks to Susan Market for organizing the planting and rounding up the troops again this year. The flowers will be enjoyed by our thousands of visitors throughout the season!

Check out the Garden Club’s new storage shed located near the water tower on Catawba Avenue.  The shed provides a beautiful new home for our golf cart and garden supplies. If anyone has extra garden tools or a wheelbarrow no longer needed, we would happily accept your donated cast-offs. Just place them by the shed and we will store them for use in future projects. 

Jason and Chris Cooper presented a hands-on workshop in May, instructing participants in how to build a “Flower Tower”.  The marigold Flower Towers now grace many island yards and porches.  Thanks to the Cooper clan again this year for helping to educate gardeners and beautify our island.

Please join us for the next Garden Club meeting on Thursday, June 12th when Master Gardener Susan Hildebrandt will share her knowledge of “Low Maintenance Gardening”.  With the emphasis on sustainability in our climate-changing world, this topic should be of importance to all gardeners. The presentation will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the Yacht Club.

Mark your calendars for July 16th for our Jet Express Trip to visit Kelley’s island and its special gardens.  Bring your friends and make a day of it! The Jet will leave Put-in-Bay at 12:15 and participants may return at either 6:10 or 8:25 p.m.  The cost of the ticket will be $30.00 and will include garden visits and golf cart rental.  Tickets may be purchased online at the Garden Club website or by contacting Susan Hildebrandt at 285-3908 or Peggy Leopold at 285-0160.

Raffle tickets are also available for a free garden consultation by a team of experts. The two winners of this raffle will be announced at the August Garden Club meeting, and their gardens will be visited that evening by those in attendance. During the consultation, experts will address any problem areas or questions the garden owner has. They will also make recommendations on design and plant choice to make the gardens more hassle-free and even more beautiful. Tickets may be purchased at club meetings. 

Please visit our website at www.putinbaygardenclub.com for news updates, new photos, complete program listings, and informative gardening links. As you attend to your garden this year, remember that the Garden Club “Pride Award” judges are on the prowl for new gardens to acknowledge with this prestigious award. Looking forward to seeing you on June 12th.

Susan Hildebrandt, Co-President, Put-in-Bay Garden Club