With garden beds fertilized and put to rest for the winter, only care of tender perennial bulbs remains.  Once these are either mulched or removed and bagged, we turn our attention to what may be long-neglected friends — our house plants!  For the November meeting, we focused on indoor plants and bulb preparation.

It’s easy to forget bulbs in the garden:  when their blooms and greens have withered and dropped, it can be difficult to remember their location — if remembered at all!  Yet many of our bulbs are too tender for New England winters, and the extra effort of removing and protecting them during cold weather can guarantee their return year after year.  Horticulture Chair Joyce Fedorko discussed the importance of differentiating between bulbs that must be removed in our zone versus the ones that can weather freezing temperatures.  Hearty perennial bulbs should be covered with mulch (and marked) to help prevent freezing or heaving.  Bulbs that cannot tolerate the cold temperatures should be carefully removed.  Gardeners should exercise caution to not strike or split the bulbs while digging.  Also, it’s important that the outer surfaces are gently cleaned before placing in paper bags.  Overwintering bulbs should be stored in cool temperatures:  if the room is too warm, the bulb can begin to grow, and if too cold, the bulb could freeze.

For gardeners and non-gardeners alike, house plants carry the garden spirit through the cold months.  Guest speaker Marie Lipski, Certified Master Gardener, joined us for a discussion on house plant care.  She gave us tips on soil, proper lighting, and pest prevention.  In addition, Marie spoke about garden specimens that can be brought indoors for the winter, either as whole plants or cuttings, and discussed how to propagate them.  Marie also brought a selection of plants, which we auctioned to members.

Table centerpieces were provided by Carolyn Monachelli and Dot Hitchcock.  In keeping with the seasonal theme, each included harvest-colored, autumn flowers in a small pumpkin.  These are easy centerpieces for fall entertaining — once the pumpkin is hollowed out, a soaked oasis holds the flower stems, the same as in standard arrangements in ceramic, glass, and metal containers.

The Horticulture arrangements were assembled from the last fall cuttings from members’ gardens.  We were treated to a clipping of fragrant Kamchatka Bugbane (Cimicifuga simplex) from Nancy Whiteley, and Holly Secskas brought an adorable little eggplant shaped like a little gnome (with little orange cherry tomato eyes).

The November meeting marks the conclusion of our regular programs for the year.  Next month is our annual wreath-making workshop, at which members design and create wreaths for community locations.  Please check our Meetings list for more information!