APL Gardeners' Club

The Atglen Public Library Gardeners' Club meets on the fourth Saturday of each month. Meetings range from a free-form discussion of gardening problems (or joys!), to a pruning demonstration at a local gardener's home, to a trough-making workshop.

If you are interested in joining us, please contact the group's coordinator at gardentour@epix.net.

Our plans for Spring 2009 include the following:

February 28, 2009 at 9:30am at Atglen Public Library

Rupert Rossetti, a board member of the Octoraro Watershed Association, will be talking to us about what we can do in our own backyards to improve the health of the Octoraro, the Lower Susquehanna and the Chesapeake Bay . He'll begin his talk with a brief explanation of watersheds and factors that affect water quantity and quality and end with some suggestions for some simple and some not so simple projects that will help us conserve and use water. Topics include: What is a watershed? Impact of urbanization (on run-off and infiltration); Options to consider during the development process; What you can do in your own backyard (including a little about rain gardens).


March 28, 2009 at 9:30am off-site 

One of the group's members will lead a workshop on making a concrete trough for use as a trough garden. This program will be off-site and limited to 10 participants. A materials fee will be required to cover costs. Please let the coordinator know ASAP at  gardentour@epix.net if you are interested in participating.


April 25 at 9:30am at Atglen Public Library

Catherine M. Renzi, Landscape Designer from Yellow Springs Farm, LLC

What are native plants? Why are native plants important? You have likely seen many native species, but perhaps not realized which ones are native plants. Learn to recognize which plants are natives, invasives, and naturalized species. Find out how European settlers were introduced to American native plants and which plants from Colonial times you still can find today. See examples of the birds, butterflies and insects unique to our area that depend on native plants for food and shelter. The presentation will also offer practical suggestions for adding native species to gardens at your home or school. Suggestions will include special plants for sunny areas, shade gardens, and stream side areas or wetlands.


May Meeting off-site

The Garden Tour is on May 30, the 5th Saturday. We’re hoping to do a field trip to a local beekeeper’s place; please return to this site later for more details.