October 2018
NEXT MEETING: Saturday, October 6 – Meeting at 6:30 p.m. at home of Swede and Betty Ann Gustafson, 3128 Eldora Lane in Linda Vista area. Call 406-251-3526 for directions. Pot luck supper. Program on iris culture and hybridizing.
TREASURER'S REPORT: as of Sept 17, 2018
SAVINGS ACCOUNT: June 19 reported balance: $ 15,386.19
which is incorrect due to my typing error: actual is 14,386.19
Deposit made Rhizome sale proceeds 3906.25
Additional sale proceeds 69.00
Donations received 50.00
Fort Shed rhizome sale 192.00
Interest income for 3 months 0.83
Sub-Total $ 18,604.54
Expenses Paid from Savings:
Transfer to checking 500.00
Transfer to checking 10,000.00
Sub-Total $ 10,500.00
Savings Account Balance $18,604.54 minus $10,500.00 = $ 8104.54
CHECKING ACCOUNT: June 19 reported Balance $ 1139.09
Deposits made on: 5 Valley Dahlia Society 10.00
Miscellaneous Sale Receipts 97.00
5 new memberships 50.00
Grab bags Sales receipts 117.00
Iris Sales receipts 16.00
2 memberships 20.00
Iris Sale receipts 11.00
Plant Marker sales 20.00
Sale of redwood plank 27.65
Transfer from Savings 500.00
Transfer from Savings 10,000.00
Total $ 10,868.65
Expenses Paid:
Mid America Garden – PREZ rhizomes $ 225.00
Carol Addeo – Rhizome sale expenses 100.23
Elizabeth Gustafson – Rhizome sale expenses 109.82
The Missoulian – Sale Ads 149.34
Swede Gustafson – Redwood board 27.65
Eliz. Gustafson – Wheelbarrow tire repairs 23.99
Paul Ronaldo Sprinkler – System renovations 513.00
Ronda Leno – garden weeding 348.00
Marchie's Nursery – New garden bed installation 8846.88
Total $ 10,343.91
Balance June 19 $ 1,139.09
Deposits 10,868.65
Total 12,007.74
Expenses 10,343.91
Balance $ 1,663.83
COMMENTARY:
As most of you know, the Fort Iris Garden has undergone a major renovation this summer with the deletion of a major portion of the 6 radial beds and the installation of a large triangular garden with 4 planting beds and a circular walkway which has two entrances. The work was contracted out to Marchie's Nursery and began on August 6 and was completed on August 21. Prior to the contract work beginning several members of the Iris Society gathered on Thursday August 2 and 140 irises were dug from the radial beds, placed in paper sacks and stored in the Iris Society shed. Gary Clark and I went through these stored irises and selected varieties to plant into the new garden and those varieties we felt should be discarded. Those selected for planting were basically those 2004 and newer with nice rhizomes plus a few good oldies. The remaining irises we felt should be sold to our membership. Surprisingly, the number of varieties selected for each category were about 50-50. An e-mail message or phone call message was sent out to all the membership of a special rhizome sale to be held on Tuesday afternoon August 14 for those varieties we selected not to plant back into the garden. A nice selection of iris varieties were available and most all the rhizomes were sold. Gary made up a few grab bags and delivered these to Billie Gray for her to sell at the Farmer's Market. The Tuesday pm sale netted $192.00 and we had lots of customers. Thanks to all who participated.
The saved irises have been replanted into the new garden and basically segregated by year of introduction. The upper tier has the newest introductions beginning with 2012 and forward to 2018.
All the irises are beginning to respond to the new soil and sprout up new growth. Almost every day, however, I have stopped by and replanted some rhizomes as birds and deer have pulled rhizomes from their planted place. Luckily, the rhizomes are usually laying in their planted area so it easy to put them into their designated place. Will be really sure when the plants begin to bloom.
The remaining portions of the radial bed have been renovated also by digging up the soil, pulling out the weeds and trash, then replanting the varieties. Marie and Morris Nyquist did bed 1 and I did beds 2, 3, 4, and 5. There were some perennials in the radial beds which Gary Clark saved before the renovations began and these have been replanted into the new garden. There are still some in the radials also. All these plants are responding to the renovated soil.
I have received many compliments regarding the new garden and how it improves the look of the entire space. These compliments have come from the Museum Staff, people who usually visit the area often, and those from out of town. One afternoon while I was taking a break from planting in a radial bed, two ladies stopped by and chatted with me about the garden as a whole and how nice the new garden will improve the area. They said they usually visit at least 3 times a week when the garden is in bloom. They wished somehow they could support the garden. I gave them my address and a few day later , I got a check for $25.00 from each of these ladies. I have put the checks in savings and will use these funds to purchase new irises in their honor next season.
I personally am very anxious for Spring to arrive and to view how the new garden will look with all the irises growing in it. There won't be much bloom but should be lots of new growth. The irises planted are beginning to show new leaves and roots so they are responding to the new soil. And of course, there are some weeds showing up already but this also is just a sign of a good life in the soil. The soil is easy to work and pull the weeds. I weeded and cultivated the north section in just a half hour the other day. So, if you are visiting the garden, take time to pull a weed or two. But PLEASE DO NOT USE A FORK OR SHOVEL as these will penetrate the weed barrier which is only 7 inches below the surface of the soil. Use a hand trowel carefully. I used a 2 inch wide triangular hoe which worked wonderfully for my weeding. I have also used only my hands and this works good also as the soil moves easily. Also do not push the name stakes down as these will also penetrate the barrier.
We do need to compliment the two gentleman who built the new garden on doing their work under some duress as the daily temperatures were in the mid to high 90's most of the days they worked. Also the Museum does not want trucks driving on the lawn so these men used wheelbarrows to make uncounted trips to move all the trash collected, the soil, the garden wall blocks, and other items to and from the roads. Will and Roger, we thank you.
On another subject, in late August, I was contacted by Matt, the Historical Museum Director, regarding painting of the Fort Shed. At that time I told him the painter had contacted me and we agreed the shed would be scheduled for painting on September 10. Matt said the Historical Museum would pay for the paint required for this project. Work began on the shed as scheduled and should be completed by September 17 at a cost of $1100. The painter told me the painted surfaces were in very serious condition and it was a good thing we got the project done this season. We would have begun to see some structural damage soon due to lack of proper maintenance.
So, as you probably noted in the Treasurer's Report above, I have spent a bunch of the Society's money this summer. But these are two projects we have talked about almost every meeting for the past three years and now they are behind us. So, now we can begin talking about some of the other renovations or what ever at our meetings. At the meeting in October, I will try to answer any questions or comments you have about these two projects and perhaps your future thoughts about the iris garden.
Respectfully,
Swede Gustafson, Treasurer
Since there have been no formal meetings since May, there are no minutes to report. Instead, a message from the President:
THANK YOU MISSOULA IRIS SOCIETY MEMBERS
The Missoula Iris Society has been really busy for the last few months.
May 19th, we had a small but excellent Median Show held at the home of Judy Blunt.
June 2nd, we had a very successful iris show at the Southgate Mall thanks to our show chairperson, Judy Blunt, the judges and exhibitors. Thanks also to our favorite iris for being beautiful and at their best.
On June 6th, our ice cream social was held at the Fort Missoula Iris Garden, with Judy Blunt making her yummy homemade ice cream. After the social, Roger Muir conducted a garden judging class.
July 7th, we had our regular meeting at the home of Judy Blunt. Nice to see her garden in bloom.
July 24th, began the preparation for the iris sale on July 28th, Carol Addeo once again was excellent in organizing the event. Many thanks go to everyone that volunteered their time digging, cleaning, labeling and selling iris. After the sale, we enjoyed lunch at the home and garden of Billie Gray.
Presidential rhizomes arrived after our sale and were distributed to the winners of the drawings at each of our meetings.
Renovation of the Fort Missoula Iris Garden, by Marchies Nursery and Landscape, began in August, sooner than expected. August 2nd and 3rd, we began to prepare the space by digging iris in the renovation area, cleaning, labeling and storing them in our iris shed until plant back. Thanks to all who volunteered for the task. We also offered purchase of some of the rhizomes to members for a dollar each.
The renovated iris bed was ready for replanting on August 26th, by our members.
On September 10th, painting of the iris shed began by Haywood Brown. The fort is paying for the paint, the society for the painting. September 19th, painting is complete!
WOW! BUSY SUMMER MISSOULA IRIS SOCIETY! THANKS!
Betty Ann Gustafson, President
MIS MEETING/EVENT SCHEDULE 2018
Saturday, October 6 – Meeting at 6:30 p.m. at home of Swede and Betty Ann Gustafson, 3128 Eldora Lane in Linda Vista area. See details above.
Saturday, November 3 – Meeting at home of Carol Addeo and Al Ledford in Linda Vista at 5805 Helena Dr. Board meeting & next year planning starts at 5:00 p.m.; all members welcome. Pot luck supper at 6:30 p.m. followed by the regular membership meeting. Call 406- 251-5833 for directions.
Sunday, December 2 – 4:30 p.m. (Date tentative) Christmas turkey dinner and potluck goodies, followed by gift exchange at the home of Billie Gray, 1558 S. 6th St West. Call 406-543-3480 for directions.
Check out our website: www.sites.google.com/site/irismissoula.