MEETING SPEAKERS & TREATS...Aug 09, 2020 · CVGC Newsletter August 2020 2 CVCG co-Presidents’ Message August 2020 In July, CVGC had our first membership meeting since the COVID-19

“Life begins the day you start your garden” - Club Motto

GARDEN CLUB OFFICERS 2020

President - Gloria Utley and Linda

Cruz

Vice President - Diane Selmer

Secretary - Judy Disbrow

Treasurer - Paul Jordan

Membership - Stacey DeGuzman

Programs - Ruby Wagstaff

Parliamentarian - Gloria Utley

The current Covid-19 restrictions

don’t allow clubs to hold in-person

meetings. Since the rules keep

changing, we will send information to

our members each month about how,

where, and when we will meet.

www.claytonvalleygardenclub.org/

(925) 276-2299

CVGC AUGUST 12, 2020

MEETING

The August membership meeting will

be held online. Instructions on how to

join in will

be sent a

few days

before the

meeting. At

this time,

our speaker

has yet to

be

determined.

VOLUME 23 ISSUE 7

IN THIS ISSUE PAGE

Presidents’ Message 2

July CVGC Meeting 3

Diablo Foothills District Awards 3

Penny Pines Honoree 4

New Members 4

Museum Garden Update 4

Hoop House 5

Past July 4th Parades 6

Invasive Plant Species 7

Calendar of Events August/September 9

Covid-19 Waiver 10

CVGC Officer & Chair Contact Info. 10

Nancy Niemeyer, Editor

CVGC Newsletter August 2020 1

MEETING SPEAKERS & TREATS

August 12: Virtual meeting.

September 9: TBA. Treats: TBA. Drinks: TBA.

Due to the increased number of Covid-19 cases

in the county, the shelter in place requirements

have gotten more restrictive. Until they are

relaxed, CVGC will have virtual membership

meetings.

https://www.claytonvalleygardenclub.org/


CVCG co-Presidents’ Message August 2020

In July, CVGC had our first membership meeting since

the COVID-19 quarantine began. Ted Meriam and

Elizabeth Fischer generously let us use their lovely back

yard and members could either attend the meeting

virtually or in-person wearing masks and observing social

distancing. Our hosts also provided the technology that made it possible for members to see

and hear the presentation and meeting. It was so nice to see each other again after so many

months of sheltering in place. Our speaker was Jan Pinkerton Speith who gave a great

presentation on honeybees. We are also happy to welcome four new CVGC members; Diane

Sbranti, Ron Schwab, Karen Halleybone, and Dane Horton.

The July meeting allowed us to give out some overdue awards and recognition for great work.

Mona Dunlop, the Diablo Foothills District Director, joined our meeting to present the

Propagator of the Year award to Toni Hegemier and the Container Gardener of the Year to

Lynda Smith. We presented our first CVGC Scholarship to Clayton Valley Charter High

School student, Dominic Devendenzo (photo below). Both Carin Kaplan and Linda Cruz were

presented with gift certificates in appreciation of their hard work. Carin received hers for

clearing weeds from the Clayton community medians and downtown planters. Linda Cruz was

recognized for her leadership in making the CVGC online plant sale such a success.

Since our July membership meeting, the resurgence of the coronavirus pandemic has led to

another shutdown. As a result, the August CVGC meeting will be held online only. You can

participate in the meeting by using your computer, tablet, laptop, or smart phone (as long as it

has a camera). If you have not had experience with virtual meetings and need help, please let

us know so we can set up a tutorial video or give you one-on-one coaching. More information

on how to join in the meeting will follow via email. Please do join in because we need at least

26 members to have enough votes to pass amendments and approve the minutes. Voting will

be scheduled to take place near the beginning of the meeting.

August in the garden is a prime time for tomatoes, zucchini, and other veggies. If you have a

lawn, this is a good time to rake dead spots, aerate, reseed, and apply a thin layer of mulch or

Pay Dirt (available at R&M Pool, Patio & Gardens).

Keep deadheading flowers to encourage more blooms

and clean up fallen fruit and other debris to help

prevent pests and plant diseases. August is a good

time to start planning for fall and spring. Plant cool

season veggies such as lettuce, arugula, swiss chard,

spinach, and peas later this month for fall harvest. The

bulb catalogs will be coming out soon so you can

preorder your spring bulbs.

Please continue to follow the Health Department’s

recommendations and requirements to control the

COVID-19 pandemic. They will help protect you and

your families. Take care and stay safe.


JULY CVGC MEETING - submitted by Linda Cruz

CVGC had to cancel the April, May, and June membership meetings due to the COVID-19

shelter in place restrictions. However, as the restrictions eased, the CVGC Board found a

way to hold the July meeting. Ted Meriam and Elizabeth Fischer let use their back yard and

everyone who attended was careful to wear masks and keep at least six feet apart.

Ted’s technical skills made it possible for all of us to attend the meeting and see the

speaker’s presentation. He put our speaker’s slide show on his laptop computer and made it

easily viewable online for virtual attendees and on the big TV he set up in his back yard for

those who came in-person. Judy Disbrow let us borrow the Clayton Valley Women's Club

sound system so everyone could hear. The meeting was a success!

Currently, as the number of COVID-19 cases has surged, the county has had to return to the

more restricted shelter in place rules. As a result, the Board decided to hold our August

meeting online only. At this

time we are still working out

the technical details so we will

email instructions and a

practice session time to

members a few days before

the August 12th meeting. We

hope to return to the

combination virtual and in-

person outside meetings

again as the restrictions relax

in the future.

DIABLO FOOTHILLS DISTRICT AWARDS - submitted by Linda Cruz

At the July meeting, CVGC members received two Diablo Foothills District (DFD) awards.

Toni Hegemier won Propagator of the Year and Lynda Smith won Container Gardener of the

Year. The only DFD award that

a CVGC member didn’t win this

year is Floral Design/Arranger

of the Year.

DFD members include: Antioch

Riverview Garden Club,

Blackhawk Bloomers, CVGC,

Discovery Bay Garden Club,

Livermore-Amador Valley

Garden Club, Walnut Creek

Garden Club, the Gardens at

Heather Farm, and the Ruth

Bancroft Gardens.


NEW MEMBERS - submitted by Membership Officer Stacy DeGuzman

During this difficult time of coronavirus restrictions, CVGC just keeps

right on growing! We have four new members to welcome: Diane

Sbranti, Ron Schwab, Karen Halleybone, and Dane Horton. That

brings our total membership to 73.

MUSEUM GARDEN UPDATE - submitted by Chair Steve Lane

Normally, CVGC holds work parties four or five times a year to spruce up the Museum

Garden before major Clayton and Museum events. However, the Covid-19 shelter in place

restrictions have only allowed us to hold two work parties so far in 2020. This has caused

serious delays in completing many of our Museum Garden projects. To help initiate and

complete projects more quickly, I proposed that we form a new Clayton Historical Society

Museum Garden Committee.

The new Committee intends to meet regularly and organize work parties with plenty of

advance notice. Our work party members will practice social distancing, wear masks, and

follow all required safety protocols during the pandemic. The members of the new Museum

Garden Committee include: Ingela Nielsen, Carin Kaplan, Shannon Seven, and myself, Steve

Lane, Chairman. If you would like to help improve the

Museum Garden, please consider volunteering.

Despite some very hot weather in July, the Museum

Garden continues to thrive and bloom, thanks to

supplemental care and watering by Carin Kaplan, Ingela

Nielsen, and myself. Other Museum Garden keepers and

recent visitors (with wings) have included: hummingbirds,

ladybugs, carpenter bees, and honeybees.

PENNY PINES HONOREE

At the July membership meeting, Carolyn Whitmore received

a Penny Pines Plantation certificate from co-Chair Patty

Remoy in appreciation of her contributions to CVGC. These

include serving as a Membership Chair, being a non-stop

propagator for the CVGC plant sale, regularly working at the

Hoop House, and hosting rock painting work parties at her

home. Carolyn received last year's Diablo Foothills District

Propagator of the Year award. Although she has only been

part of CVGC since 2017, Carolyn has been one of our most

active members.


HOOP HOUSE - submitted by co-Chairs Linda Cruz and Toni Hegemier

We have been getting ready to hold a Fall Plant Sale to help make more space in the Hoop

House. We’ll need the extra space because of all the plants we have been propagating for

next year’s sale. Our new CVGC members Dane Horton and Ron Schwab have joined us

dependable regulars (Carolyn Whitmore, Lynda Smith, Ruby Wagstaff, Patty Remoy, Judy

Disbrow, Will Jordan, Rory Richmond, and Carla and Lew Thompson). Gloria Utley, Toni

Hegemier, and Linda Cruz would like to thank everyone for their support and help. We would

also like to thank Diane Selmer for donating some wonderful plant racks. We can always use

more racks for plants up at the Hoop House.

This is the second year that the doves have raised their

babies in the succulent shade house. Toni gently moved

this year’s somewhat haphazard dove nest to an empty

pot and placed it near the original nest area. She even

added more nesting material to it. Soon, the nest had

two baby doves which grew up and flew away as we

watched. Last year Diane Selmer helped mama dove

with her nest and the dove also raised her two babies

successfully.

One Tuesday, our Hoop House workers smelled smoke

and saw flames on the hillside next to Gloria's property.

They called the Clayton Fire Department, but they were

off fighting another fire on Marsh Creek Road. Luckily,

the Concord Fire Department came and put out the

flames. No damage was done to Gloria's property or to

the Hoop House although our cars were blocked from

leaving the property until the fire was out.

The Kaleidoscope Cancer Connection in Byron is putting

in a Meditation Garden and we would like to donate some plants with purple flowers to them.

Please let Linda or Toni know if you have something we can use. The Kaleidoscope Cancer

Connection is a charity that helps people living with cancer in East Contra Costa County.


PAST JULY 4TH PARADES

Even though Covid-19 was the big Grinch who stole our 2020 July 4th parade, we can still

look back and enjoy photos of past parades. CVGC’s first time in the Clayton parade was in

2005. The two photos below are from 2006.

CVGC always passes out seed packets to the crowds at the parade. Below left is the group at

the 2010 poppy seed packing party. Below right shows the 2011 parade participants.

Below are photos from the 2017 parade showing our banner and the decorated truck.


INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES - submitted by Nancy Niemeyer

Hundreds of varieties of invasive, non-native plants got their start as

ornamental plants sold in garden centers and nurseries. When planted,

these plants escape our gardens and invade California’s wild lands. Once

established, they crowd out native plants and make the ecosystem unable

to support native birds, mammals, and other animals. The worst invasive

plant species have a few things in common. They adapt well to a variety of

conditions, seed prolifically, grow rapidly, and can’t be controlled by native

insects and diseases. Many also increase fire danger.

While the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has programs to control

invasive, non-native plants, it is up to all of us to help prevent their introduction and spread.

The best way is not to plant species that are known to be invasive in the wild. Here’s a list of

fifteen commonly sold invasive plants that you should never plant in your garden. For more

information and a complete list of invasive, non-native plants, go to the California Invasive

Plant Council’s inventory list at: www.cal-ipc.org/plants/inventory/

Groundcovers and grasses:

Capeweed (Arctotheca calendula): spreads by seeds and rooted stems; grows in a wide

variety of conditions.

Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum): seeds prodigiously; seeds can disperse by wind,

water, and possibly birds; increases fire danger.

Iceplant (Carpobrotus edulis, C. chilensis): produces hundreds of seeds per fruit; many

animals eat the fruit and spread the seeds; new plants can sprout from any shoot segment;

individual plants can grow more than 3 feet in diameter per year. Photo below left.

Ivy (Hedera helix and H. canariensis): seeds spread by birds; vines climb over other plants

and up trees, smothering and killing them. Photo below center.

Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana): one seed head can produce 100,000 seeds; seeds can

blow up to 20 miles in the wind; spreads rapidly and aggressively colonizes new areas; forms

tall, dense stands which block out other plant species. Photo below right.

(continued on next page)

https://www.cal-ipc.org/plants/inventory/


(continued from previous page)

Periwinkle (Vinca major): spreads by roots from stem nodes; any

stem pieces with nodes can grow new plants; quickly forms dense

mats of growth. Photo right.

Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare): reproduces by seed and a creeping

root system; produces dense colonies; grows in a wide variety of

conditions.

Water Hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes): seeds are spread by water

and animals; seeds remain viable for up to twenty years; stem and

root pieces will sprout new plants; grows in thick mats that suffocate

underwater animals; produces up to 200 tons of plant material per

acre. Photo below left.

Shrubs and trees:

Broom (Cytisus scoparius, C. striatus, Genista monspessulana, Spartium junceum): produces

thousands of seeds per plant; seeds remain viable for decades; forms dense stands;

increases fire danger. Photo below center.

Chinese tallow tree (Triadica sebifera): produces a large number of seeds that are viable for

up to five years; seeds spread by water and birds; invades wetland areas.

Mexican fan palm (Washingtonia robusta): produces large numbers of seeds; forms dense

stands in wetland areas, dried fronds are a fire danger.

Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia): animals eat the fruit and spread the seeds; grows in a

wide variety of conditions. Photo below right.

Saltcedar (Tamarix chinensis, T. parviflora): each plants produces hundreds of thousands of

seeds dispersed by wind and water; invades wetlands; increases flooding and fire danger.

Silver Wattle (Acacia dealbata): spreads by seeds and root sprouts; grows in a wide variety of

conditions; forms dense stands.

Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima): a single plant can produce hundreds of thousands of

seeds per year; can re-sprout from root fragments; grows in a wide variety of conditions;

produces thick, tall stands that shade out other plants.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS - AUGUST/SEPTEMBER

Note: Before planning to go to any event, please check with the sponsoring organization to

make sure that the event will still take place.

*** Tuesdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 12 noon CVGC Hoop House Project work

parties at Gloria Utley’s property in Clayton.

Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at North Wiget Lane and Mitchell Drive in Walnut

Creek: Diablo Valley Farmers’ Market. For more information, go to:

www.cafarmersmkts.com/diablo-valley-farmers-market

***August 12, Wednesday, in Clayton: CVGC virtual meeting. See page 1.

August 15 from 10 to 11 a.m., Saturday: Brian Kemble from Ruth Bancroft Garden will

offer a live webinar workshop via Zoom about Agave. The workshop will cost $10 for

members and $15 for non-members. For more information and to register, go to:

www.ruthbancroftgarden.org/event/curators-highlight-agave-subgenus-littaea/

August 29 from 10 to 11 a.m., Saturday: Deepa Natarajan from the U.C. Botanical Garden

will offer a live webinar workshop via Zoom about how native peoples use succulents.

The workshop will cost $10 for members and $15 for non-members. For more

information and to register, go to: www.ruthbancroftgarden.org/event/webinar-

ethnobotany-of-succulents/

***September 9, Wednesday, in Clayton: CVGC meeting. See page 1.

September 26 at 11 a.m., Saturday, at Annie’s Annuals in Richmond: Ellyn Shea will

give a free talk on pruning perennials and shrubs. For more information, go to:

blog.anniesannuals.com/2020-talks/

September 27 at 11 a.m., Saturday, at Annie’s Annuals in Richmond: Annie will give a

free talk on the newest and neatest plants at the nursery. For more information, go

to: blog.anniesannuals.com/2020-talks/


Topiary: the art of clipping shrubs or trees into ornamental shapes.

http://www.cafarmersmkts.com/diablo-valley-farmers-market

https://www.ruthbancroftgarden.org/event/curators-highlight-agave-subgenus-littaea/

https://www.ruthbancroftgarden.org/event/webinar-ethnobotany-of-succulents/

https://www.ruthbancroftgarden.org/event/webinar-ethnobotany-of-succulents/

https://blog.anniesannuals.com/2020-talks/

https://blog.anniesannuals.com/2020-talks/


CVGC OFFICER AND CHAIR CONTACT INFORMATION

Callaghan, Chris (Mt. Diablo Elementary School co-Chair): [email protected]

Carvalho, Debra (Clayton Community Library co-Chair): [email protected]

Cline King, Laney (Mt. Diablo Elementary School co-Chair): [email protected]

Cruz, Linda (co-President, Hoop House co-Chair, Plant Sale co-Chair):

[email protected]), (925) 672-0503

DeGuzman, Stacey (Membership): [email protected]

Disbrow, Judy (Secretary): [email protected]

Hackett, Nicole (Fourth of July Parade Chair): [email protected]

Hart, Barry (Photographer): [email protected]

Hart, Marcia (Scholarship co-Chair): [email protected]

Hegemier, Toni (Plant Sale co-Chair, Hoop House co-Chair, Olympic High School co-Chair):

[email protected]

Jordan, Paul (Treasurer, Diablo View Middle School): [email protected]

Jordan, Will (Publicity): [email protected]

Kaplan, Carin (City of Clayton Liaison): [email protected]

Karp, Linda (Blossoms for Barbara Chair): [email protected]

Lane, Steve (Clayton Historical Society Museum Educational Garden Chair):

[email protected]

Meriam, Ted (Clayton Valley Charter High School Chair): [email protected]

Niemeyer, Nancy (Newsletter Editor): [email protected]

Remoy, Patty (Penny Pines co-Chair, Sunshine Liaison): [email protected]

Richmond, Rory (CBCA Liaison, Plant Sale co-Chair): [email protected]

Selmer, Diane (Vice President, Clayton Community Library co-Chair, Advertising, Blue Star

and Veterans Memorial): [email protected]

Thompson, Carla (Hospitality, Scholarship co-Chair): [email protected]

Utley, Gloria (co-President, Parliamentarian): [email protected]

Veal, Fran (Webmaster): [email protected]

Wagstaff, Ruby (Programs, Diablo Foothills District Rep., Olympic High School co-Chair):

[email protected]

Whitmore, Carolyn (Penny Pines co-Chair): [email protected]

Historian: Open

COVID-19 WAIVER - submitted by co-President Gloria Utley and the CVGC Board

Whenever CVGC holds in-person gatherings, there is always a risk

of catching Covid-19 no matter how careful we are. In order to

protect CVGC from liability, all members will be asked to sign an

agreement that waives their right to sue CVGC if they get sick from

Covid-19. The agreement and instructions on how to complete it and

where to send it will be sent to each member soon.

mailto:[email protected]











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MEETING SPEAKERS & TREATS...Aug 09, 2020 · CVGC Newsletter August 2020 2 CVCG co-Presidents’ Message August 2020 In July, CVGC had our first membership meeting since the COVID-19

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