The Rainbow Gardeners of Shelby County

The Rainbow Gardeners of Shelby County always welcome new members and guests to our monthly meetings. We get together at CJ Highmarks, 2599 Michigan St. in Sidney, on the second Tuesday of each month at 12:00 for lunch and programs. Feel free to call or e-mail for more information. The theme of this year’s programs is “Our Feathered Friends.” Join us as we learn more about the wild birds in our gardens and back yards. We mix it up with topics of interest to everyone.

Our line-up for upcoming meetings includes programs you won’t want to miss:

June 8 – Maxine Byler, known for her outstanding collection of daylilies, will discuss the colors, care, and beauty of these hardy perennials.

July 6 – Marcia Grigg and Jackie Thoma, co-chairs for the Shelby County Fair Flower Show, share tips and ideas for award-winning arrangements, specimens, potted plants, and hanging baskets.

August 10 – Ginny Shaw and her husband have traveled far and wide to collect and learn more about the gorgeous orchids that grace their home. Ginny will be our tour guide as we explore these exotic blooms.

In addition to our programs, please mark down the following dates for some very special events.

June 5 is the opening day of the Shelby County Farmer’s Market on the square in downtown Sidney. The annual Rainbow Gardeners Spring Plant Sale will take place from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon on the north side of the square. Here you’ll find hundreds of member-grown plants as well as those we’ve divided from the Hope Garden at Wilson Memorial Hospital. Our members take pride in offering healthy annuals and perennials that have proven to be ideal for our growing conditions. Best of all, our prices can’t be beat!

June 27 marks the 10th year of our Garden Boutique during the Art in the Garden Tour. The Boutique will be open from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Carruthers’ garden in Maplewood. In addition to plants, we’ll be showcasing ornaments, gifts from the garden, and our ever-popular hypertufas. Gateway Arts Council will be selling tickets to the Art in the Garden Tour, and at each of the fabulous gardens, you’ll also be able to see some of our area’s most talented artists at work.

Our Applefest Flower Show takes place on September 11 from 12:00 noon until 5:00 at the Sidney-Shelby County Health Department. The theme of this year’s event is “Flower Power,” and we’ll be offering great cash prizes for entries in arrangements, specimens, roses, potted plants, and hanging baskets. We also have 2 special categories for youth under the age of 18. After the judging at noon on Saturday, all entries will remain on display until 4:00 p.m. on Sunday.

The Eastern Bluebird’s warble “tru-al-ly, tru-al-ly,” is a welcome sound in spring. And Jackie Thoma’s program about the remarkable comeback of these threatened birds was a real eye-opener. Many of us didn’t realize that without the help of bluebird enthusiasts throughout Ohio and eastern U.S., these brightly-colored birds may not exist today. In Shelby County, members of the Ohio Bluebird Society have set up houses or “boxes” along trails which are monitored to protect nests from predators. Because of their efforts, the number of Eastern Bluebirds has increased significantly. Jackie’s program was enlightening, and you can view it here < Bluebird >

Andy’s Garden came to Sidney by way of Stephanie Dill’s presentation, “Gardens Galore.” Bringing with her a variety of annuals and perennials that perform superbly in Shelby County, Stephanie offered growing tips and strategies to keep our gardens looking good without a lot of maintenance. Here’s a sampling of what she shared:
< Andy >

In May, Ann Heeley brought in a collection of bird feeders and bird houses that she had at home and borrowed from friends. Most, however, were on loan from Ross Moore at the Brick Barn in Sidney. The Brick Barn has been a great supporter of Rainbow Gardeners. More importantly, Ross, Randy, and the Brick Barn staff have built a reputation in Shelby County for providing quality plants and landscaping materials. They are willing to share their extensive knowledge, back the products they sell, and are always on the look-out for new items to make our gardens more attractive and environmentally conscious. If you’d like to feed and house the wild birds in your back yard, check out the information that was shared in the “Bird Feeders and Bird Houses” program. < Feeder >

Finally, some gardening tips from Rainbow Gardener members:
From Sharon Allen: To prevent ants from invading hummingbird feeders, coat the hanger with ordinary chalk. Ants won’t cross this border. Chalk also works well along baseboard inside the home to keep out these unwelcomed pests.

From Peg Sparks: Nothing beats full strength vinegar as an organic weed killer. The acetic acid in vinegar is effective on thistle, dandelions, and a host of other undesirables. 5% acid in household vinegar probably won’t harm grass, but to be on the safe side, spray only the weed leaves or dig out most of the weed and pour it onto the root. It may take several applications, but it’s safe for the environment as well as for children and pets. It’s especially effective on paver or brick patios and walkways where weeds tend to sprout everywhere.

From the Ohio State Extension Office: Avoid the artificial rubber mulch being touted these days as safe, unattractive to insects, and environmentally friendly. Rubber mulch may be a good alternative for playgrounds or paths, but compost is a much better choice for the garden.

Thanks for viewing. Please check back again or contact us to see how you can become a member!