Garden Club: October 2023

This month’s meeting will be on Monday, October 16, at 11:00 a.m. in the Clubhouse. Our meeting will be all about Pumpkins, which are a symbol of abundance, prosperity, and good fortune. Their association with the harvest season has made them an important part of autumn.

Scientists believe that pumpkins originated in North America about 9,000 years ago. The oldest pumpkin seeds have been found in Mexico, dating back to somewhere between 7000-5550 B.C. Pumpkins, along with other forms of squash, were an important food staple among indigenous populations.

The use of pumpkins for jack-o’-lanterns came about with the arrival of the Irish immigrants. In Ireland, they used potatoes or turnips, but once in America, found that the pumpkin was a better choice!

Our guest speaker is Garden Club Vice President, Suzanne Enis. She will provide a demonstration on how to create a Succulent Pumpkin for the Fall. The completed pumpkin will then be raffled off. She will also offer some various sizes of completed succulent pumpkins for sale with all the proceeds being applied to club expenses. So … be pre- pared to bring your checkbook or cash!

We always welcome new members to the Garden Club. Membership is open to all residents of Niguel Shores. You do not need to be a gardening expert to join. Our meetings are varied and may comprise a speaker, workshop, garden- related projects or a field trip. Refreshments are served at each meeting. Dues are $20 per person per year, and $5 per guest visit. To join, sign-up forms are in the Niguel Shores office. Please contact Sandi Stauffer at sandistauffer@comcast.net with any questions. We hope that you will join us.

—Judi Palladino