Garden club meeting focuses on impact of recent weather

By MICHELLE JONES

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 8, 2001

Members of the Land O'Lakes Garden Club met Tuesday at the Land O'Lakes Community Center on U.S. 41 for their monthly meeting. Michelle Radford from Hollie's Farm and Garden was the guest speaker. She talked about drought-hardy plants and how to tell if a plant is dead or just burned by the January freeze.

Twenty-two members attended the morning meeting that ended with lunch hosted by Barbara Messana, Nellie Lutz, Marguerite Nazarko and Sandy Cole.

Radford said that even with the recent harsh weather, the majority of plants are coming back. She said to scratch a plant until green appears under the bark and then cut off the dead above the green. However, she advised gardeners to wait until mid- or late March to do this. She said Chinese fringe is a good plant for drought conditions, but be sure to give it enough space. Four feet from the center of the plant to the center of the next plant should be room enough for growth.

"It may look sparse at first," she said. "It is a great plant for partial to full sun." Spirea, plumbago, cross vine and blanket flower are also great for dry conditions. She discussed good winter annuals such as pansies and snapdragons that can be planted in November. Rosemary and lavender are good herbs that grow well in a rock garden in full sun. Pennyroyal helps control fleas and ants, and hummingbirds love autumn sage. She also talked about butterfly gardens and answered questions from members.

Sharon Oliveri asked if it was likely her pine trees were causing problems with nearby plants.

"No, pine needles are a natural mulch," Radford said. "They help raise the acidity in the soil, and newspapers make a good foundation for the mulch." She answered Barbara Messana's question concerning citrus leaves turning yellow by telling her the trees need iron sulfate.

Marge Vanyur wanted to know if pine cones make a good mulch.

"Yes, because they also raise the acidity," said Radford.

For information about the club, call Marie Woody at (813) 961-2697.

Transportation Exploration set for Saturday

Transportation Exploration is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Land O'Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway. This free event is open to all ages and will feature a variety of vehicles to see and touch. Teachers are invited to bring their classes on a field trip to this event. The picnic area will be available for lunch. For information, call (813) 929-1220.

Land O'Lakes library hosting photo exhibit

Beginnings: Images of Occupied Japan is on exhibit at the Land O'Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, throughout March. Photographer Nicholas Orzio's images of post-World War II are on loan from the International Hall of Fame museum. Teens are invited to a special Teen Movie Night at 6 p.m. March 16, and the Teen Advisory Board meets at 4 p.m. each Friday. For information, call (813) 929-1214.

Artists win awards at state fair

The Masters of Fine Art Group of Tampa Bay Area Artists had eight members enter the Florida State Fair competition. This group consisting of Ann Avriett, Joyce P.Cristy and Marge Whaley of Land O'Lakes; Bob Hersh, Robert Jasper and Betty Ann Whitney of Wesley Chapel; and Nancy McLain and Elese Wollrabe of Lutz won 27 awards. The group meets each week at the Pasco Recreation Complex in Land O'Lakes to paint. For information, call Hersh at (813) 973-3133.

Parents, drop off the kids Saturday

Parents Day Off is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Land O'Lakes Recreation Complex, 3932 Collier Parkway. Parents are invited to drop their children off for a day of games, arts and crafts and sports. Breakfast and lunch are provided. For information, call (813) 929-1220.

Citizens for Sanity to meet Wednesday

Citizens for Sanity will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Pasco Professional Center, 4111 Land O'Lakes Blvd. The organization is a non-profit group made up of people whose common purpose is to improve the quality of life and government in Pasco County. For information, call (813) 996-5575.

Eye doctor to speak at Lions Club meeting

Members of the Wesley Chapel Lions Club will meet at 7 tonight at Brewmasters Steakhouse, 5335 Village Market, State Road 54 and Bruce B. Downs Blvd. They meet the second and fourth Thursdays of each month. Dr. Kenneth Andronico, an eye physician and surgeon, will be the guest speaker. For information call Carolyn Tinney at (813) 715-7125.

Lions Club hosting bingo night Friday

East and Play Bingo Night is scheduled from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday at the Lions Club of Lutz-Land O'Lakes. The den is located on U.S. 41 at Lutz-Lake Fern Road. A catered dinner with bingo afterward will help support the Very Special Arts program for handicapped children. Cost is $35, For reservations and tickets call (813) 996-6832 or (813) 949-5992.

- Michelle Jones covers central Pasco community news. She can be reached at (813) 226-3459. Her e-mail address is jones@sptimes.com.

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