Joining Club Can Make Gardening Less Lonely
If gardening is turning out to be a lonely proposition, consider joining one of the garden clubs in your area.
In Spokane, there are a number of specialty clubs for those interested in particular plants, but for a gathering of general-interest gardeners, check out the Inland Empire Gardeners.
The group sponsors tours, guest speakers, plant sales and produces a newsletter monthly. Dues are $25 ($10 for the newsletter only). For info: Chris Sheppard, 535-5903.
Area workshops
“Pruning and Repairing Storm-Damaged Trees” by Ray Maleike, a WSU Extension horticulturist, Saturday, 9:30-11 a.m. or 1-2:30 p.m. at the Spokane County Ag Building, 222 N. Havana. Call 533-2048 for information.
“Backyard Urban Forest,” sponsored by the Washington Department of Natural Resources, April 12, all day, at the Washington Water Power Auditorium. The workshop starts at 9 a.m., it’s $5 and preregistration is required; call Theresa Lewis, 684-7474.
“Feng Shui - In Harmony With Nature,” sponsored by the Friends of Manito, April 19, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute Commons Room, 4000 W. Randolph Road. Cost is $50; preregister by calling 456-8038.
The Native Plants as Minor Crops International Symposium will be May 5-7 at the Washington State University Tri-Cities campus in Richland. The conference is open to the public and registration deadline is April 11. Cost is $100 for the three days; one-day registration is available and cost varies. For information, contact Chris Eder, (509) 335-2954 or e-mail your name and phone number to eder@wsu.edu and ask for registration information.
Which day is it?
Something we weren’t aware of: Tree folks play fast and loose with the Arbor Day celebration. There is no strictly designated day to celebrate trees and around the United States, it’s observed just about any time in the spring.
In Washington state, the official day is the second Wednesday in April but even here the activities are scattered throughout the month.
In Idaho, the official state Arbor Day is the last Friday in April.
Post-ice storm, it’s pretty much apropos to replant trees throughout the spring and call it your own personal Arbor Day.
And, just because you asked
The Washington state tree is the western hemlock; the Idaho state tree is the western white pine.
The wave has crested
Many of you are cooling on microwave ovens. “At one time, the microwave promised easier meals. That promise was not completely fulfilled, and usage has started to decline,” says Arnie Schwartz of the NPD Group market research firm.
How the other half lives
Forget the media room and the gift-wrapping room: Commoners already have them. According to the Wall Street Journal, home features now in demand by the rich and famous include a car wash in the garage, dry-cleaner racks in the closet, heated sidewalks, and see-through refrigerators.
And already almost as dead as the gramophone are blenders and mixers. A survey by the NPD Group research firm found they’re the least depended-on kitchen appliances these days. Crock pots and popcorn poppers aren’t far behind.
, DataTimes