It's that time again - planning for the Local meeting

[KissMeKate]

I need to start planning the meeting schedule for the upcoming season at Bristol. Last year, we did some flower gardening, had a general meeting, and a wench walk practice, while some of the Rogues, DHs, and sweeties helped sweep and air out Griffin Candles (our Hostel). All told, it took about a half a day, so I was hoping to plan a similar session this year.

I am looking for a good place to get good hardy heat and drought tolerant plants, but suggestions are always welcome.

Please choose a date that would fit best into your schedule for the meeting (yes, I know, there are a lot of other spring faires to go to right now, but I would really like to see most everyone at the general meeting).

[Wolves Lady]

Winding Creek nursery in Millbrook is an awesome source for hardened plants for the area, and the selection is amazing. I need to head out in that direction anyway - if you can compile a list of plants, I can take a peek and see what they have. Meiers is also pretty good, strangely enough, but when I was there the other day they were pretty well picked over. Are you trying to keep it "period"?

I've been wanting to head out to some of the off-season events, and haven't had a chance yet - once the meeting date is set (unless I have a conflict), I am willing to provide transport to site from the Plainfield/Aurora/Naperville area - my truck seats seven plus gear, and a landscape trailer is available as well.

[Sylvie-Rose]

A reminder for you dear Madame - we are planning an invasion of sorts to Jubilee on June 18 & 19 - with tomatoes???

[KissMeKate]

I know there are plenty of other faires, and I do want to go to Peoria for one day, but this is important too and we're running out of time. :? And if more people are available on a certain weekend, then I'll plan the meeting accordingly and skip a day at a faire. :(

Now, if you come up with a transporter, so we can all save time by not having to drive hither and yon, let me know, I could really use one! :D

[KissMeKate]

Thanks for the plant tip!

As olde England was much cooler and humid than our Bristol, WI summers, we're looking for plants that can take the heat, direct sun, and once a week watering schedule. Plus, we're having to use pots at Griffin Candles because of the location. I need to chat with some friends for more suggestions. We used geraniums last year and they did pretty well (but it was a cool and wet summer). I was also kind-of thinking about maybe a pot or two of nice-smelling herbs or mints, hoping in the end for a good mix of flowers and greens.

[Apropos]

Nothing before the 25 for me. Don't ask, lets just leave it at costume Nazi!!!!

[Jezebel]

I suppose the best way to get hearty plants that grow well in this climate would be to just dig them up. I'm sure I could find an empty field where I could "liberate" some wildflowers. Mint plants would grow well with very little effort on our part, as would tiger lilies, daisies, black-eyed susans, queen anne's lace, morning glories, and score of other "pretty weeds" I don't know the names of. As soon as I know when we're doing this, I'll see what I can scout out just in my own backyard, so to speak. I also know someone who might provide us with a free raspberry bush. Where exactly are we planting?

PS: I might be able to make an appearance at the meeting if it gets scheduled for a Sunday, but the chances of me being able to really participate are greater on a Saturday since I only have to take 2 BAPA classes as a grad and I get to choose when I go. [Street Cast (and most every other Guild or Troupe) rehearsals run pretty much all day on Sundays. I know that doesn't affect most people, but I thought I'd just put it out there just in case more cast members decide to join up. :wink: ]

[KissMeKate]

I suppose the best way to get hearty plants that grow well in this climate would be to just dig them up. I'm sure I could find an empty field where I could "liberate" some wildflowers.

Unless it's your own personal backyard, you can't. It's illegal, can't even pick blossoms. And if you do, please don't tell me. :tunes: La-la-la-la-la, I can't hear you! :wink:

We don't want anything that will get too tall and gangly (we have a couple of Rogues for that!). We'll be using the large ground planters and hanging baskets at Griffin Candles. It's not a lot of space, but it does make the shop look prettier. I'd like a mix of greens and flowers. Last year we had geraniums, which did rather well in the cooler summer we had, and we able to flower for most of the season. Something like that would be good.

I'm planning on calling management today and will hopefully talk to someone this weekend (although next is more likely). We'll figure out what's going on and see if there's still time for the meeting before opening day!

[Apropos]

Impatients would work. Low sun needed...low to the ground and like us...impatient when it comes to...well everything. I don't have a green thumb, but I can grow impatients thru a mutually agreed upon amount of neglect and water. It works well.

[Wolves Lady]

Columbines, Sweet William, Siberian Iris (not quite period, but easier to maintain and hardier then standard, plus they multiply quite nicely and bloom a lot during the summer) and violets are all easy to grow perennials that also have the advantage of being CHEAP! :D Columbines bloom once in the spring and sometimes fall, but the foliage is interesting and can contrast nicely with other items. I can supply some perennial bachelors butons, but they need to go somewhere where they can spread - they are a bit invasive at times Same goes for Wild Strawberry - pretty leaves, makes an good border/filler, and easily available. All are perennials that are relatively easy to find.

Has anyone thought about using grasses as well? David Austin has some shade loving roses that are hardy, but they require feeding and watering in order to do well, and can be expensive at first (unless you can get a cutting from someone)

You have to be really careful planting "natives" - some are considered weeds at this point (like Dandilions and Queen Annes Lace) and they can get REALLY out of control fast, and choke out about everything you have going.

[Jezebel]

Unless it's your own personal backyard, you can't. It's illegal, can't even pick blossoms... We don't want anything that will get too tall and gangly (we have a couple of Rogues for that!).

:oops: Since I don't really have a backyard of my own, I guess my original idea is out since I'm not real keen on going to jail over a handful of weeds. It sounds like we won't have enough space to transplant the kinds of plants I was thinking of "liberating" anyway. I do have a lot of leftover humus and a whole bag of topsoil (legally purchased I assure you :wink: ) from my tomato-planting extravaganza that we can use. In fact, it's already sitting in my trunk waiting for an opportunity to be turned into the existing soil. The raspberry bush offer still stands - and my friends, Rob and Freya, actually own the land it's planted in - so if we want it, it's all ours, completely free of charge. Hmm... raspberries and champagne, anyone? :lick:

[KissMeKate]

All donations will be accepted! Both flowers and border/filler plants will be great!

I have the two large planters that were out front of Griffin Candles last year, plus some extra soil from my garden. I think the other planters went into storage with Frisky.

Plants that can survive on neglect and still bloom throughout the summer are perfect. The front of Griffin Candles gets a lot of full sun and as everything is containerized, will likely be in drought conditions for the season.

I would also need volunteers to take the two big planters home to care for during the off-season if we use perenials (I have only managed to keep 2 ivy and 2 lady slippers alive for more than a couple of months).

On that note, I am thinking of being on site at Bristol on either June 11th or 12th. I'll clear it with Abby, but we could possibly get a head start on the planting that weekend. I know Jezebel will be there for classes, so hopefully she'd be able to drop off the soil and stuff. I'll take a look around here and see if I can't find some of the plants mentioned at a good price.

The raspberry bush sounds nice, and we might be able to put it between two shops to keep it out of the walkway, but it probably won't be happy in a planter.

[Jezebel]

Actually, I won't be there June 11th (I'm playing flute for a couple of weddings) but if you decide to have the meeting then, I can drop the humus and topsoil off at the Griffin Candle shop on Friday since I live close to site. You're right about the raspberry bush; I tried to grow one in a large planter a couple of times and both times the bush died. Good thing Freya has lots of them left. It will need to be planted in the ground as soon as I can get it dug up out of Freya's yard, so I may not have it ready to plant until June 25th (unless I can plant it during the week sometime). It's going to have some mighty long roots, so best be prepared to dig a really deep hole, 2.5' at least. If you don't think we'll have enough room for it, let me know so I don't uproot anything unecessarily.

My tomato plants, on the other hand, seem to love being in a planter and they're already starting to grow itty bitty tomatoes. YUM! :lick:

[KissMeKate]

The garden area at La Paloma would be a much better spot for the raspberry bush. She actually has an area we've been working on so the soil is better than the hard-packed stuff by Griffin Candles. However, we would need some muscle to dig a hole that far without a post-hole digger.

[H'venlee]

Kate...let me know when you will be up there. I can't do alot, but may be able to sit & plant in the planters. :)

[Apropos]

Kate is anyone going to be doing anything up there this weekend??? I got some free time and can volunteer.

[KissMeKate]

Long version:
I've contacted both Abbey and Cathie to find out if they need help opening their shops. Abbey will be available the weekend of June 25 & 26 (so our general meeting will be then). Cathie will likely be opening her shop on the 18th and 19th, but has obligations for the other weekends. I don't know if Pam needs assistance opening her shop, but I can ask. I'll be onsite this Sunday afternoon for a meeting and possibly to find out if any shop positions are open (I've had friends ask about working).

Short version:
Not that I know of. :wink:

[KissMeKate]

OK! The weekend of June 25 and 26 seems to be the best option for the Local Meeting. I'm thinking earlier in the morning would be better (to avoid the heat), starting at 10 for planting and 11 for the meeting.

Which day would be better? Saturday or Sunday?

[Sylvie-Rose]

Sunday would be better for me, I have to work on Saturday.

[Jezebel]

I'll be in rehearsal all day Sunday, but I don't have any classes scheduled for Saturday (that I know of - we get the BAPA Grad class schedule this weekend and I signed up for July 2nd classes with June 25th as an alternate date). Sarah Schwartz, also a cast member and new wench as of the end of last season, was planning on coming to the meeting as well, so that's two for Saturday over Sunday. We'll be around, however, so if the meeting is on Sunday, we could join you during our lunch hour from 1:00pm to 2:00pm for "business" even if we can't plant stuff in the morning. Sarah is very excited about finally getting to be involved - she's even trying to work out her Towne Criers' schedule so she can join us for Wench Walks! :D

[KissMeKate]

I know Sarah, she's a stitch! Glad to know she might be able to coordinate her schedule to join us!

--- Finds note paper so she can write all this down ---