As the gardening season comes to a close, the Garden Club of Lake Placid recently honored several local residents with Green Thumb Awards. This recognition, aimed at celebrating the beauty and effort behind vibrant flower displays, was presented to four homeowners who have significantly enhanced their neighborhoods.
The award recipients included Jenifer Briggs of Church Street, Deborah Pelkey of Acorn Street, and Dorine and Ed Peregrim from Liberty Hill Lane, as well as Carol and Karl Scott on Grandview Avenue. Each awardee received handcrafted copper garden markers and tulip bulbs to prepare for their spring gardens. Their dedication to gardening has not only beautified their front yards but has also extended into their back and side gardens.
The Garden Club of Lake Placid has a long-standing tradition of contributing to the community’s greenery. Historically, the club played a significant role in enhancing public spaces before transitioning many of its projects to professional landscapers. Currently, the club continues to maintain the courtyard garden at Elderwood of Uihlein Assisted Living and Rehab and the Triangle Garden, located across from the North Elba Show Grounds. Local restaurants, such as The Cottage and Lisa G’s, support work sessions, fostering community involvement in gardening efforts.
This fall, club members undertook a project at the Triangle Garden, incorporating ornamental plants like chrysanthemums, asters, millet, and kale to add color alongside existing black-eyed Susans, tall grasses, and hydrangeas. The changing seasons have led to early frost conditions this year, prompting discussions among gardeners about the best cleanup practices for their flower beds.
As temperatures drop, Garden Club members are considering various cleanup strategies. Some suggest leaving standing stems with seed heads to provide food for birds, while others recommend minimal foliage cutting and mulching to protect plant crowns and offer winter habitats for pollinators. Many gardeners also appreciate the benefits of allowing fallen leaves to decompose, enriching the soil naturally and reducing the need for additional compost.
For seasonal residents, thorough fall cleanup is particularly important. Without timely attention, heavy, wet plant matter can promote rot and disease as soil temperatures rise in spring. Cleanup strategies vary based on the types of plants and the size of the garden beds involved.
In addition to their gardening activities, club members enjoyed a scenic outing to Whiteface Mountain to witness the peak foliage. This excursion marked the conclusion of a busy year filled with educational events and community engagement. Looking ahead, the club plans to gather for a special project to create 100 winter holiday swags that will adorn various locations throughout the village, allowing residents and visitors alike to enjoy the festive decorations.
Through these efforts, the Garden Club of Lake Placid continues to foster a sense of community and environmental stewardship, ensuring that the beauty of gardening remains a cherished aspect of local life.
