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Learn about companion planting and roses

Sacramento Rose Society returns to evening meetings

Sacramento Digs Gardening
BY Debbie Arrington PUBLISHED JUN 9, 2021

Charlotte Owendyk holds some of her award-

winning roses at a pre-COVID show. She's the
speaker at Thursday's meeting. (Photo

courtesy Charlotte Owendyk)

June is officially National Rose Month. And the Sacramento Rose Society is celebrating by returning to evening meetings – and the public is invited.

At 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 10, the club will host its annual ice cream social (with pre-wrapped ice cream sandwiches) and a special presentation by master rosarian Charlotte Owendyk: Companion planting for roses.

For most of its 70-plus years, the rose society has held evening meetings, usually at 7:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at the Shepard Garden and Arts Center. But that schedule, like all life, was seriously interrupted by COVID-19. Although its hosted some daytime and outdoor activities, the club has not held an evening meeting in 15 months.

Thursday’s meeting will be held in the center’s big room, which is well ventilated. Following the center’s rules, the group will still observe social distancing and non-vaccinated attendees should wear face masks.

A popular garden club speaker, Owendyk will share her updated presentation on companion planting. What you plant with roses can make a difference, not only in the way your garden looks, but it’s overall health. Some plants grow better with roses than others, and vice versa. Companions can have benefits, too; some plants naturally deter pests!

As always, the public is invited to attend. Bring a friend! Admission and parking are free.

As for Rose Month, here’s a little history:

First decreed in 1959, National Rose Month was part of an effort to declare the rose as the official flower of the United States. Although it had a lot of momentum from that campaign and nationwide support, the rose didn’t become America’s official flower until 1986. Then-President Ronald Reagan signed it into law.

June’s rosy ties go back much, much farther than Rose Month. The rose has long been the birth flower of June, making it an ideal gift to anyone celebrating a birthday this month. Rose Month also coincides with a favorite time for weddings.

Of course, it does! Roses have been a symbol of love and passion for centuries. The ancient Greeks and Romans have several myths attached to roses (most involving their goddesses of love).

Learn more with the Sacramento Rose Society. New members and guests are always welcome.

Shepard Center is located at 3330 McKinley Blvd., Sacramento, in McKinley Park.

Details and directions: www.sgaac.org .

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gardening Sacramento coronavirus Sacramento Rose Society Shepard Garden & Arts Center garden clubs roses talks garden information meetings

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Garden Checklist for week of April 21

This week there’s plenty to keep gardeners busy. With no rain in the immediate forecast, remember to irrigate any new transplants.

* Weed, weed, weed! Get them before they flower and go to seed.

* April is the last chance to plant citrus trees such as dwarf orange, lemon and kumquat. These trees also look good in landscaping and provide fresh fruit in winter.

* Smell orange blossoms? Feed citrus trees with a low dose of balanced fertilizer (such as 10-10-10) during bloom to help set fruit. Keep an eye out for ants.

* Apply slow-release fertilizer to the lawn.

* Thoroughly clean debris from the bottom of outdoor ponds or fountains.

* Spring brings a flush of rapid growth, and that means your garden is really hungry. Feed shrubs and trees with a slow-release fertilizer. Or mulch with a 1-inch layer of compost.

* Azaleas and camellias looking a little yellow? If leaves are turning yellow between the veins, give them a boost with chelated iron.

* Trim dead flowers but not leaves from spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils and tulips. Those leaves gather energy to create next year's flowers. Also, give the bulbs a fertilizer boost after bloom.

* Pinch chrysanthemums back to 12 inches for fall flowers. Cut old stems to the ground.

* Mulch around plants to conserve moisture and control weeds.

* From seed, plant beans, beets, cantaloupes, carrots, corn, cucumbers, melons, radishes and squash.

* Plant onion sets.

* In the flower garden, plant seeds for asters, cosmos, celosia, marigolds, salvia, sunflowers and zinnias.

* Transplant petunias, zinnias, geraniums and other summer bloomers.

* Plant perennials and dahlia tubers for summer bloom.

* Mid to late April is about the last chance to plant summer bulbs, such as gladiolus and tuberous begonias.

* Transplant lettuce seedlings. Choose varieties that mature quickly such as loose leaf.

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