ASHLAND — The gavel was passed from Art of Gardening Club’s Past President Cathy Siwek to Pat Edwards moving up from Vice President on Jan. 7.
Edwards started her 2026 presidential duties by opening the meeting at 9:30 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church. Claudia Dunn, secretary, and Rosemary Caster, treasurer, will remain in their current positions.
Edwards discovered that a volunteer buddy at Kingwood Center resides in Ashland. The club’s newest member, Wendy Schmidt, whose son, daughter-in-law and three grandchildren reside in Ashland, moved here 21⁄2 years ago. She retired from the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
Christmas brunch was held Dec. 3 at the Historical Society which was the last year for the club to do so. Dave Kowalka dressed for his part in a blue bathrobe for his expert storytelling of “The Polar Express.”
“We had the whole House, and we were allowed to use their china,” Edwards said.
She decorated a tree at the Historical Society. Members also decorated the dining room at the Freer Home.
To attract new members, Dunn sent Christmas cards and handwritten letters to past “Yard of the Month” winners to entice them to see the club in action with a written thank you response from Jaclyn Enderby, July 2023 winner.
Kathy Varner, member, introduced fellow Master Gardener Gracie (Grace) Graham whose topic was “Companion Plants.” Varner met Graham at the Secrest Plant Sale, Wooster, last spring.
A volunteer at the Wayne County Fairgrounds, Graham resides in Wooster.
“Companion Plants involve growing two or more crops near each other,” according to Graham, “and arranging plants in relation to one another.”
A Native American method is called “Three Sisters Planting” where corn, pole beans and winter squash are planted together.
Each plant is supportive of the others. Intercropping with basil may help to promote tomato growth.
Companion Plants reduce pests from squash and pumpkins. She explainted the difference between a Trap Crop and a Repellant Crop.
A plant sacrificed to lure pests away from a more valuable main crop describes a trap crop. A repellant crop is a type of companion plant to keep pests out.
“Overall, Companion Plants offer a variety of benefits for the garden – enhancing pest control, improving soil health, boosting pollination and even increasing overall yields,” Graham concluded.
Upcoming meetings will feature guest speakers, hands-on workshops, and field trips. The club will hold a Plant Sale Saturday, May 9 at Peace Lutheran Church where meetings are held at 9:30 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month.