Garden Activities: January 27,2026

Tuesday was a perfect day — cool, sunny and dry. We introduced a new volunteer to the Tuesday Crew: Hannah Nicole Lovett. On hand to welcome Hannah to the garden were: Steve Davis, Bill Dobner, Dale Harshberger, Beverly Kemmerling, Julie Moffat, Katie Shank, Daryl Stutley, Nancy Taylor Walker, Anna Wiktor-Becker, Ann Wright, and myself. It was kind of a disjointed day as in addition to orienting Hannah to the garden, a few of the volunteers needed to peal off and attend a workshop to support a new educational activity for kids at 10:15 in the KAG. However we accomplished 2 important jobs. In addition, of course, Bill worked with the compost.

Job one was to plant the golden torch cacti we had prepared last week. While I went back to my car to get my leather gloves with gauntlets for use with roses and cacti, the rest of the crew dug the holes where indicated and planted the cacti. The trip up and down the hill wasn’t a total waste as I also returned with a bucket and hose bib key so that we could water in the newly planted cacti. There were 7 pieces in all, four of which were planted in the most southerly patch and 3 in the more westerly patch.

Dale and Hannah digging the holes in the westerly patch.

Julie, Daryl, Dale and Ann digging the 4 holes in the southerly patch.

Anna finishing planting one of the cacti.

The “after” picture of the westerly patch.

After some of the volunteers left, the remainder worked on general weeding,

Beverly, Dale and Daryl weeding along the gravel path leading from the service area to Lillian’s Meadow.

and others, toward the end of the morning tackled job two, responded to a concern that the sprouts of the African sumac (Rhus lancea) were impeding the ability to open the service gate fully. In particular, Daryl and Hannah cut out the sprouts around the tree on the east side of the gate with Beverly’s help. They cut the sprouts back further than they have been cut in years allowing the gate to open fully.

Daryl and Hannah.

The “after” picture.

Finally, Beverly spotted a charming geranium blooming along the edge of the shade house. If my internet search is correct I think it is a horseshoe geranium (Pelargonium zonale). If anyone has a better handle on this plant, please let us know.  

Many thanks to Beverly and Nancy for their images.

Attached is a list of what’s blooming in the garden currently, provided by Steve.

Enjoy the garden!   KMM

WHAT IS BLOOMING THIS WEEK.pdf

Download PDF • 34KB