The new yearbook is also being compiled, so it’s once again time to ensure that we have your current information.  If you have had any changes to your address, email, phone/cell phone that we may not have, please get it to Tanya or Bill as soon as possible! ____________________________________________________________________________________ Annual Reports – attached to original newsletter Hillbilly Fair Children’s Booth Hillbilly Fair Parade Laurie Knolls Garden National/State/District Happenings We are supporting our National President, Renee Blaschke’s Golden Day’s project. The focus of the project is to honor those who have spent many years in gardening and now it is time to add some color to their lives. The project promotes the planting of daffodils at retirement centers, Blue Star Memorials or any other appropriate site. However, plantings may be done in any location.  You are encouraged to plant daffodils in your yards or any other spot to brighten a little corner!  As spring arrives this year Missouri will make a statement with the grand entrance of daffodils shouting throughout the state! 135 bulbs have been planted by club members at the Laurie Care Center new garden and 40 bulbs have been planted at the Hurricane Deck School by the Blooming Lakers Jr Garden Club.  Lee and I planted 50 daffodil bulbs, and I know many of you have also planted daffodil bulbs this year.  Please notify me of the number of bulbs you have planted.  Then I can notify the State Chair how many daffodil bulbs our members have planted this fall.  Go Lake Bloomers!  I think we should have a spring daffodil tour! Also, those of you who ordered bulbs earlier at the September meeting, I called them and they should be here very soon.  There was a problem with their supply, but there is a still plenty of time to plant.  Email your total number of daffodil bulbs or let me know at our November meeting.  I can hardly wait until Spring to see all the beautiful daffodils blooming! Tanya "The tints of autumn - a mighty flower garden blossoming under the spell of the enchanter, Frost." ~ John Greenleaf Whittier "A few days ago I walked along the edge of the lake and was treated to the crunch and rustle of leaves with each step I made. The acoustics of this season are different and all sounds, no matter how hushed, are as crisp as autumn air." Eric Sloane   Tidbits & Tips from All Over Soil Rejuvenation... Fall is the time to prepare garden soil for next springs vegetable garden.  The spring season is often wet making it difficult to work soil without forming clods that remain the rest of the season.  By contrast, fall is usually drier allowing you more time to work the soil when it is at the correct soil moisture content.  Even if you work soil wet in the fall and form clods, the freezing and thawing that takes place in the winter will break them down, leaving a mellow soil the following spring. More benefits Insects often hide in garden debris.   If that debris is worked into the soil, insects will be less likely to survive the winter. Diseases are also less likely to overwinter if old plants are worked under. Garden debris will increase the organic matter content of the soil.  Working the debris into the soil is often easier if you mow the old vegetable plants several times to reduce the size of the debris. Organic matter (leaves, rotten hay or silage, grass clippings) can be more effectively added now than in the spring because there is more time for it to break down before planting. As a general rule, add two inches of organic material to the surface of the soil and till it in.   Be careful not to over-till.  You should end up with particles like grape nuts or larger.  If you work your garden into the consistency of dust, you have destroyed the soil structure. Don't Leave Those Leaves... Those leaves that are falling all over the region are pretty but leaving lots of them on your lawn can mean trouble.  When they are dry they shade your grass from much needed fall sun.  When wet they can smother grass turning it yellow and possibly killing it.  Just keep the leaves raked up a few times per week and you should be fine.  Better yet, mow and bag them in your lawn mower and use the shredded leaves in your garden or compost pile. Excerpts from www.SavvyGardener.com         Preparing for Winter: Mid to late November is usually the best time for all winterizing activities.  - When mulching to protect special plants for the winter, wait for the ground to cool down before applying thick layers of mulch. Roses (not Knockouts or other "own-root" roses), new plantings, crape myrtle, and marginally hardy plants are examples of plants that are mulched heavily for winter. - Apply Wilt-Pruf to broadleaf evergreens (Azalea, Rhododendron, Holly, and Boxwood) to prevent winter damage. Even needle evergreens benefit if exposed to strong winds or late afternoon sun during the winter. - Cut off the dead foliage of perennials for a cleaner look to the garden. - Wrap trunks of fruit trees, maple trees, and newly planted trees to protect the trunk from sun scald and freeze cracking. - Spray shrubs with animal repellent, such as Bobbex, to discourage critters from chewing on your favorite plants all winter. - Should our weather pattern change and the rains quit, a good thorough soaking of new plantings (trees, shrubs, perennials, and bulbs) is a must.  From Longfellow’s Garden Center          Friendship Corner I ran across this website www.eHow.com and it has all kids of neat things on it, like this site on Bottle Gourds, how to grow & how to make into bird houses, canteens, etc..  I am new to growing gourds & others might be also. Linda Smith-SPCA Q&A – Bring your questions, and answers, to every meeting so we can share and learn from each other. Labels for education, Best Choice, Campbell’s - Save labels for our Hurricane Deck School kids. Jan Beshoner will accept old cell phones and accessories for our servicemen, or drop at Elks. Other websites to be familiar with: National Garden Clubs:  www.gardenclub.org Federated Garden Clubs of Missouri, Inc.:  www.gardenclubsofmissouri.org To view The Garden Forum, now on line, go to above website.  Central Region:      ngccentralregion.org. Lake Ozark Watershed Alliance:  www.soslowa.org   Have something for the newsletter? Contact me! - “Editor” Nancy Carpenter