The Deer Creek Daisies traveled to the Rhoads Farm Market in Circleville for their May meeting. Members brought along their favorite pot from home for a “Daisy Potting Party.”
The Rhoads family is celebrating their 54th year in the gardening business. They specialize in providing premium nursery stock, landscape design and build services, fresh homegrown produce, and expertise in the growing of plant material.
As the group arrived, they were guided to a table in the greenhouse, where they were served coffee and assorted muffins provided by hostesses Emily King and Billie Lanman. The Daisies remarked that it was a lovely setting among the beautiful flowers, and it would be so nice to be able to start every day that way!
Following the breakfast, one of the Rhoads’ expert associates, Carley Neff, introduced us to some of the more popular plants for the 2017 growing season. Some of the plants she mentioned were Night Sky Petunias, Prince Tut, Bronze Venus Fern, Caladeums, Coleus, Creeping Jenny, and Pink Hypoestes. Foliage plants are gaining popularity this year.
Neff demonstrated how to pot a planter, giving us valuable tips and information as she worked. She advised us to add a touch of gold to our pots, and to be careful to not overcrowd the planter with too many plants. She recommended using potting mix and adding a product such as Osmocote to aid in keeping the soil moist. If growing succulents, she recommended allowing the soil to completely dry out before watering. She noted that many gardeners make the mistake of over-watering succulents. She suggested placing ice cubes on top of the soil to prevent over-watering.
Following the demonstration, Daisy members proceeded to design their pots and search for plants to add to their pots to complete the design. It was interesting to see the different designs and plants everyone came up with. All were lovely! Julie Schwartz was the lucky winner of the drawing of the gift certificate to Rhoad’s Garden Center.
Following the meeting, the Daisies enjoyed a delicious lunch at the Tuscan Table in Circleville.
The next meeting of the Deer Creek Daisies will be held on June 10. Marty Cook and Barbara Vance will be hostesses.
