Submitted

Dorothy Taul gave a short informational program on zinnias and hollyhocks Monday, Sept. 15, at the Grand River Garden Club meeting held at Dino’s restaurant.

Ms. Taul said hollyhocks need plenty of direct sun at least 6-8 hours a day. Hollyhocks perform well under a wide range of conditions. However, temperatures that are especially cool or hot may show their growth and affect their overall performance. The plants should be watered from below, making sure to avoid water on the leaves.

Hollyhocks are heavy feeders and need routine fertilization every 6-8 weeks with a well-balanced, slow-release fertilizer. Hollyhock seeds germinate readily and are usually planted in spring or summer. Soaking the seeds can speed germination but isn’t required. Hollyhocks are biennial, which means they will produce foliage in their first season and bloom their second. One member reported she has planted seeds in the fall and they bloomed the following spring.

Members mentioned hollyhocks, which can grow 3-6 ft. tall, were usually planted against cellars and outhouses to help hide them from view. Everyone remembered making ladies skirts from the hollyhock blooms. Hollyhocks are still a garden favorite and Ms. Taul shared hollyhock seeds from the garden of Roger and Gloria Hansen, Trenton, and Diana Hoppe shared hollyhock seeds, too. Mrs. Hoppe also shared coneflower seeds.

Another old-time flower is zinnias, Mrs. Taul said. Considered a foolproof choice for your garden, zinnias are colorful, low-maintenance, heat and drought tolerant. Even though zinnias can tolerate short periods of drought, they’ll do best with watering about 3 times a week when dry weather is prevalent. They can flourish with very little fertilization. However, a light fertilizer side dressing will produce numerous and bigger blossoms. Zinnias are members of the Asteraceae family, which also includes daisies and

asters. The flowers bloom in a range of shapes, including quilled, dahlia-type, single semi-double and double flowers, says Venelin Dimitrov of Burpee.

Zinnias seeds should be planted a depth of ¼ inch into soil, about 6 inches apart and rows should be spaced 12 inches apart for good airflow. Zinnias do best in full sunlight.

Roll call was members telling of a calming place they enjoy. Marilyn Booth made a motion to pay for ordering 50 tulip bulbs, which will be planted around the Civil War Statute on the courthouse lawn. Linda Lamp second and motioned carried. Karalyn Thompson read the minutes and Laura Ewing gave the treasurer’s report. Both were approved. Members paid their yearly dues.

Ms. Taul created “flower pot ladies” and gave away four to members whose names were drawn. She also provided decorations so members could make their own.

Mrs. Lamp, chairperson of the Yard of the Month committee announced September’s award was given to Christianne and Richard Jacobsen, 401 W. Crowder Rd. and the business beautification was awarded to U Be Nails, 1712 E. 9th St., both in Trenton.

The next meeting will be at Ginny Johns home in Leisure Lake at noon Oct. 20. Members are asked to bring a side dish to go with the meat Mr. and Mrs. Johns will furnish. Members can meet at the Leisure Lake Shelter house to carpool to Mrs. Johns’ home at 11:50 a.m.

Those in attendance included Mrs. Johns, Mrs. Booth, Ms. Taul, Mrs. Hoppe, Mrs. Thompson, Mrs. Lamp, Mrs. Ewing, Bonnie Dittberner, Doris Provorse, Carolyn Rasmussen and new member Connie Metzgar.