As the gardening season comes to a close, the Garden Club of Lake Placid celebrated local horticultural talent by presenting Green Thumb Awards to four residential gardeners. This initiative recognizes their contributions to the community through vibrant flower displays that enhance the neighborhood’s aesthetic. Awardees received handcrafted copper garden markers and tulip bulbs to encourage spring blooms.
The recipients of this year’s awards included Jenifer Briggs from Church Street, Deborah Pelkey from Acorn Street, Dorine and Ed Peregrim from Liberty Hill Lane, and Carol and Karl Scott from Grandview Avenue. Each gardener showcased a variety of plants, many of which held sentimental value, being gifts from friends or loved ones. Their efforts not only beautify front yards but also extend into back and side gardens, creating a lush tapestry of color throughout the area.
Community Contributions and Gardening Legacy
Historically, the Garden Club of Lake Placid has played a significant role in community beautification efforts. In recent years, the club has shifted from relying solely on volunteer efforts to employing professionals for larger projects. Nevertheless, volunteers continue to tend to important community spaces, such as the courtyard garden at Elderwood of Uihlein Assisted Living and Rehab and the Triangle Garden located opposite the North Elba Show Grounds.
Local businesses support the club’s initiatives by sponsoring work sessions. Recent contributors included The Cottage and Lisa G’s, which provided meals for volunteers. This fall, the Triangle Garden was enhanced with ornamental plants, including chrysanthemums, asters, millet, and kale, complementing the existing black-eyed Susans, tall grasses, and hydrangeas.
The gardening community faces challenges as the weather shifts. Unlike the previous season, which saw late frosts, this year has already brought repeated freezing temperatures to the unprotected areas outside the village. As temperatures drop, gardeners must consider the timing and extent of their garden cleanup.
Strategies for Fall Cleanup and Winter Preparation
Opinions vary on how to best approach garden cleanup in the fall. Several factors play a role in determining the most effective strategy. Gardeners may choose to leave standing stems with seed heads to provide food for birds, while others might opt to cut back foliage and apply mulch to protect plant crowns from severe weather. Some gardeners also consider the impact of self-seeding on plant spread and the benefits of decaying leaves, which can enrich the soil and reduce the need for purchased compost and fertilizers.
For those who may not return to their properties until spring, such as snowbirds or vacation homeowners, thorough fall cleanup becomes more pressing. Neglected heavy, wet plant matter can lead to rot and disease as temperatures rise in the spring. Cleanup decisions often depend on the types of plants and the number of garden beds involved.
The members of the Garden Club of Lake Placid also enjoyed a recent outing on the gondola to the top of Whiteface Mountain, relishing the peak foliage season. Looking ahead, the club plans to host an event to create 100 winter holiday swags, which will be displayed throughout the village for the enjoyment of residents and visitors alike.
As the gardening season wraps up, the efforts of local gardeners continue to enrich the community, demonstrating the power of nature to bring beauty and joy to the everyday landscape.
