Manza Family Farm a Gardener's Paradise

I learned the joy found in gardening early on in my life, planting marigolds in the front of our house in Jeffersonville Indiana, carefully putting them in the holes my Mom had pre-dug for them, her following behind me righting whatever I did not get quite right. I remember with fondness going out with the hose to water her flower beds, feeling so grown up when she praised her little gardening man. All these decades later, looking back, gardening has been one of those constants in my life, a touchstone that has kept me grounded even when my life seemed scattered and in disarray. There is something magical about digging one's hands into the soil, a purity found in the simple pleasure of digging holes and planting seedlings that will grow up into beautiful plants with beautiful blooms that could have only been designed in the heavens above.

It is the life long love affair with gardening that has me serving as this year's Committee Chair for the "Mountaindale Community Development Project's" beautification project for Sullivan Renaissance, and that responsibility comes with certain rewards that one cannot put a value on. One of those rewards occurred this past Saturday when Barb Schmitt and I loaded into her mini van and headed East on Route 17 as we made our way to the Manza Family Farm in Montgomery, NY.

If you are into gardening, landscaping, if you love trees, bushes, shrubs and a rainbow of beautiful flowers, you have GOT TO PLAN A VISIT to this spectacular gardening center. The staff is there to serve you. They are friendly, knowledgeable, helpful, and PATIENT...trust me, me in a gardening center of this quality is like letting a kid loose in a candy store, and patience is an important attribute to possess, as I was jumping from pillar to post as this flower and that would capture my attention, my mind whirling at the possibilities, while another part of my brain was trying to get everything I wanted, while at the same time staying WITHIN MY BUDGET!

The employees took my enthusiasm in stride, traveled with me on my journey of joy through their stock, one of them making of list of everything I choose, while another one pulled out the plants, tagging each and every one, all the while, giving me the time I needed to see everything they had, answering my questions when they popped into my head. Imagine Barb and I in "Alice's Wonderland," each of us asking the other almost simultaneously, "Did you see this" or "Oh look at the colors of these Delphiniums" as we wrestled with important decisions, trying to find the perfect plants to give us that winning WOW FACTOR for our little project in Mountaindale.

We left the Manza Farm tired, happy, knowing our choices will be cared for until Friday when we can pick them up. As a man who has done professional landscaping, I left impressed for several reasons. First, I was impressed with the staff, appreciated them letting me think as I strode about their beautiful kingdom being dazzled at one of the best inventories of planting stock I have seen in years...not since I worked for Scarff's Nursery in New Carlisle, Ohio some three plus decades ago have I seen such a wide variety. Secondly, their stock is healthy, vibrant, lush, ready to make a statement in your garden this year, and for years to come.

If you and your family are planning a garden, or just looking for a few statement pieces to enhance what you already have, encourage you to take a drive over to Manza's Family Farm. You will be happy you did!

MANZA FARMS
730 Route 211
Montgomery, NY 12549
Phone: (845)692-4364
Fax: (845)692-4109

Mountaindale Odds and Ends

May 5th...first, today would have been my Mom's birthday, "So Happy Birthday Mom".

Being a busy week here in Mountaindale on several fronts. This evening, we have some Girl Scouts coming in to do some Community Service work on one of our gardens. Will have pictures of this later on. Speaking of Girl Scouts, today is pretty much YOUR LAST CHANCE to get Girl Scout cookies until they come back around again next year! So, if you haven't gotten them, or you want a few more boxes to put into the freezer, better make your move...I am thinking I need at least a couple more boxes myself...SO BAD I know!

Last night there was a Spring Workshop run by the folks over at Sullivan Renaissance, and a few great pointers were picked up. For instance, did you know that Apple Cider vinegar in a spray bottle makes a fabulous weed killer...and its ALL NATURAL. Another tip...92 percent rubbing alcohol (again in a spray bottle) is great to take out to the garden with you. Realize you grabbed some poison ivy...spray it with rubbing alcohol! So, great workshop, and of course I enjoyed the cookies.

This year's Renaissance project is taking shape...we have a commitment to get water to the new gardens, so a REALLY BIG THANKS to the town government over in Fallsburg. Plans are moving ahead to do some much needed Pre-Installation site clean up, and our Rails to Trails sign is going to get some repair work done to it. So, very excited to see that moving forward in a big way.

If you have news or events to share, give Barb (434-4747) or Sherwood (693-4513) a call and we will be happy to get a small article up on your news of the moment...you can email photographs or send press releases to news@mountaindaleproject.org

Sullivan Renaissance Hosting Seminar, "Gardens Start to Finish"

This is a rescheduled event from February 2nd, 2011

From this writer's perspective, there is no better time to plan your garden than right now, "in the dead of winter" as the snow buries us into our warm cozy homes. So finding out that the Sullivan Renaissance is hosting a seminar on Wednesday, February 16th at 7:00 p.m. at the CVI Building in Ferndale titled, "Gardens Start to Finish!" has me excited, and would encourage every one involved with their grant programs to attend.

This seminar is being presented by Mary Lewis, founder and principle of Barncroft, a garden design firm. She is was also chair of Zone III 2008 Annual Meeting of the Garden Clubs of America, and past president of Orange and Dutchess Garden Club and a graduate of Cornell University, and she studies botanical art and illustration at New York Botanical Gardens. She has also been a Sullivan Renaissance judge for the past nine years.

The core concepts of this seminar will help both individuals and groups begin gardening projects in their own communities by providing a check list of the necessary elements to consider when designing and planning a garden, such as garden location, soil testing, soil improvements, garden layout and design, as well as plant choices and arrangement.

For anyone who loves gardening, this is a MUST ATTEND event, and for those considering applying for a Sullivan Renaissance grant, keep in mind that they place a strong emphasis on good design, and in 2011, all grant recipients must, for garden and landscaping projects, summit a garden design plan and plant list to receive said grant.

Everyone is welcome to attend, so grab your favorite gardening friend and plan to attend. Refreshments will be served (oh GOODY!).

Those who signed up for the original February 2 date have been re-registered for February 16. If you would still like to register, please do so by February 15 by visiting Sullivan Renaissance or calling 845-295-2445.

Also...in Breaking News of sorts:

Individuals wishing to attend the Sullivan Renaissance Winter Conference and Expo on Saturday, February 26 can register and sign up for workshops directly on-line.  Go to www.sullivanrenaissance.org and click on the Sullivan Renaissance Rooster at the top of the page.