Plant Toxins (Meeting in Delaware Room)

On November 13, Master Gardener Gail Brandys will talk about dangerous toxins in the environment and lurking in plants such as Lantana to keep you and your pets out of the ER. (Note: November’s meeting will be held in the Delaware Room in Anthem Center. No refreshments can be served there, but you may bring your own bottled water. The meeting will start promptly at 9:30.) Elections for officers will also be held at this month’s meeting. Members have already received notice of the deadline of October 30 for nominations. Voting will be by a show of hands, so be sure and mark November 13 on your calendar to attend. In December, back in our regular rooms, Alec Pridgeon will discuss how to care for those prehistoric and underappreciated cycads (“sago palms”) in your yard. At least 5-10% of homes in SCA were originally landscaped with at least one. He will also illustrate different cycads around the world and describe their R-rated sex life. 

Next year’s programs are just as compelling. Norm Schilling of the Schilling Horticulture Group and Nevada Public Radio promises to discuss the basic principles of gardening. Following him in February will be our own Paul Simpkins showing us how to grow fruits and vegetables hydroponically, even in a garage under lights. Master Gardener, Vegas Voice columnist, and Chair of our House Call Committee, Howard Galin, will entertain us in March with a “penetrating” talk titled “I’m Stuck on Cactus, and Cactus is Stuck on Me.” In April, David Bilik of Twilight Designs will illustrate the DOs and DON’Ts of landscape lighting so that we can relax and entertain in our gardens at nighttime as well the daylight hours. All of this is planned before the tour of members’ gardens and our annual luncheon. After the summer break will be a Master Gardener talk on tree selection and care, one on hummingbirds and their garden plants, one yet to be assigned, and a fall field trip. Don’t miss out. Join the club or renew your membership today.

We meet in the Penn/Morris/Nelson Rooms of the Independence Center from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on the second Monday of each month except July and August. Free coffee, tea, and cookies are available from 9:00 a.m. Dues for 2024 are rising from $10 to $15 to cover inflationary increases for refreshments (especially coffee!) over the last few years; checks may be made payable exactly to: Sun City Anthem Community Association, Inc. with “Garden Club’ on the memo line. Anyone who joins at the November or December meeting will be asked for $15, which will cover dues through 2024 — 14 months for the price of 12! Enrollment forms are also available at the Anthem Center kiosk and on our new website (see above) and can be placed in the Garden Club mailbox located outside Anthem's Fitness Center along with your check payable as above. Feel free to email any questions about the Club to its president, Dr. Alec Pridgeon (apridg1@gmail.com).