Whitehall Garden Club News: March

Top of the mornin' to ya! 'Twas a lovely sight, the breakfast buffet set forth by Glenna Waltee and Joan Myhre. The green deviled eggs, the soda bread, the shamrock sandwiches, a green fruit salad, and, of course, the "Blarney Stones" delighted members and guests alike. The motto, "Eat, Drink (fruit juice of course) and Be Irish was the theme of the brunch!

Glenna Waltee did a FAST TEN presentation on the shamrock. Interestingly, Shamrocks are not native to Ireland but are used as good luck symbols, especially around St. Patrick's Day. With over 500 varieties of the Shamrock plant, the purple shamrock is dubbed the "Love Plant" for its heart-shaped leaves. People grow shamrocks not just for good luck but also for medicinal uses. Part of the shamrock "luck" for gardeners is deer or rabbits do not favor them (just leprechauns...wink-wink). Great and timely presentation, Glenna!

The guest presenter was member Diane Ward, and the topic was "Planting By The Moon," a fascinating topic that most have not heard about. Gardeners who rely on "Planting By The Moon Phases" are convinced that this ancient tradition produces healthier, more vigorous plants and bigger crops. As you already know, the moon has a cycle, and each cycle is named.

The waxing moon is when the moon changes from a dark moon (new moon) to a full moon, increasing in illumination. The waning moon is where the moon returns to a "new" (dark) moon, decreasing in illumination. As with the tides in our oceans and lakes, these lunar phases affect the movement of sap/fluid in plants, and studies are beginning to show a connection between the rise of fluid through a plant and the moon's gravitational pull affecting how a plant grows.

Many gardeners agree that planting by the moon truly works. Others think moon phase gardening is pure myth and malarkey. The only way to know for sure is to give moon-phase gardening a try. The best news is that gardening with the moon doesn't appear to have any adverse effects. When it comes down to it, we really need more data to determine whether gardening in harmony with the moon is a viable method for increasing the harvest and quality of the crop. But in the meantime: "May flowers always line your path and sunshine light your day." Hmm.....maybe moonshine??