Gardens at the home of Dorine and Ed Peregrim on Liberty Hill Lane (Photo courtesy of Joan Barton) Acorn Street Garden in Lake Placid (Photo courtesy of Joan Barton) Grandview Avenue Garden in Lake Placid (Photo courtesy of Joan Barton)
Dorine and Ed Peregrim of Liberty Hill Lane present the Green Thumb Award presented by the Lake Placid Garden Club. (Photo courtesy of Joan Patton)
Dorine and Ed Peregrim of Liberty Hill Lane present the Green Thumb Award presented by the Lake Placid Garden Club. (Photo courtesy of Joan Patton)
As this garden season comes to a close, the Lake Placid Garden Club honored several residential gardeners with its Green Thumb Award for brightening up their neighborhoods with colorful floral displays.
In recognition of the effort and time that goes into gardening, four homeowners received handmade copper garden markers and some tulip bulbs for their spring gardens. The winners are delighted that their gardening skills are being noticed. In many cases, these gardens are not only visible from the front yard, but many extend into the backyard and side yards as well. The displays use a variety of plants, some of which are special because they were given as gifts by friends or people they once knew.
The award was presented to Jenifer Briggs on Church Street; Deborah Pelkey on Acorn Street; Dorine and Ed Peregrim on Liberty Hill Lane; and Carol and Carl Scott on Grandview Avenue.
Historically, the Lake Placid Garden Club has played an important role in planting around the community and offloading all volunteer efforts to professionals. As time goes on, our summer contribution continues to be caring for the Elderwood Courtyard Garden at Uihlein Assisted Living and Rehabilitation Center and the Triangle Garden across from the North Elba Showgrounds. Work sessions are always sponsored by local restaurants, the latest being The Cottage and Lisa G's.
Fall tasks for the Triangle Garden include adding ornamental plants such as chrysanthemums, asters, millet and kale to complement the remaining black-eyed Susans, tall grasses and hydrangeas. Unlike last season, which did not experience repeated freezing weather until early November, repeated frosts have already occurred in the open, unprotected areas outside the village.
The garden of Dorine and Ed Peregrim's home on Liberty Hill Lane (Photo courtesy of Joan Barton)
Eventually, the extended twenties or so signal that it's time to retreat and finish the garden clearing. There are different opinions on how much clearing a garden actually needs. Factors affecting your approach may include:
Provides birds with a food source on upright stems with seed heads;
¯ Cut off minimal foliage and add mulch to protect the plant’s canopy from weather extremes and create winter habitat for pollinators;
Encourage or prevent plant self-seeding from spreading in the soil around the main plant; and
Allowing the leaves to rot and return nutrients to the soil, limiting the need to purchase compost and fertilizer.
Acorn Street Gardens, Lake Placid (Photo courtesy of Joan Barton)
For snowbirds or vacation home owners who don't return in time to open their flower beds in spring, a thorough fall garden cleanup takes on a higher priority. As soil temperatures rise in the spring, heavy, wet plant matter or mulch can promote unwelcome rot and disease. Clearing decisions reflect plant variety, size and the number of beds to be cleared.
Like many residents, members of the Lake Placid Garden Club took the gondola to the top of Whiteface Mountain in time to enjoy the best of the foliage. This is the last of many tours, educational events and entertainment events this year. Our next gathering will be to work together to create 100 winter holiday gifts and hang them throughout the village for everyone to enjoy.
(Pat Hofbauer is a member of the Lake Placid Garden Club.)
Gardens on Grandview Avenue in Lake Placid (photo courtesy of Joan Barton)