Lake Placid Garden Club Celebrates Local Gardeners with Awards

As the gardening season concludes, the Garden Club of Lake Placid has recognized the efforts of local gardeners by presenting the Green Thumb Awards. The awards celebrate homeowners who have enhanced their neighborhoods with vibrant and colorful flower displays. Four recipients were honored with handcrafted copper garden markers and tulip bulbs to encourage their spring gardening efforts.

The recipients of this year’s awards included Jenifer Briggs of Church Street, Deborah Pelkey of Acorn Street, and Dorine and Ed Peregrim of Liberty Hill Lane, alongside Carol and Karl Scott of Grandview Avenue. The gardeners expressed joy and appreciation for the recognition of their hard work and dedication, as many of the gardens offer stunning views not just from the front but also extend into back and side yards.

Community Involvement and Gardening Legacy

The Garden Club of Lake Placid has a rich history of contributing to the community’s beautification. Over the years, the club has transitioned from relying on volunteer efforts to engaging professional assistance. Currently, the club maintains several community gardens, including the courtyard garden at Elderwood of Uihlein Assisted Living and Rehab and the Triangle Garden, which is situated across from the North Elba Show Grounds.

This year, work sessions at these gardens were generously supported by local restaurants, with The Cottage and Lisa G’s sponsoring recent events. In a notable fall task, volunteers added ornamental plants such as chrysanthemums, asters, millet, and kale to the Triangle Garden, enhancing the aesthetic alongside existing plants like black-eyed Susans and hydrangeas.

Preparing for Winter Months

As the temperature drops, gardeners are faced with decisions on how to prepare their gardens for winter. Unlike last season, this year has brought repeated frosts to the area, prompting many to complete their garden cleanup early. There are varying opinions on how much cleanup is necessary, as factors such as providing food for birds from standing stems, protecting plant crowns with mulch, and allowing leaves to decay for nutrient replenishment all influence individual approaches.

For those with vacation homes or snowbirds, thorough fall cleanup is crucial, particularly if they will not return to tend to their gardens in spring. Heavy, wet plant matter can lead to rot and disease as temperatures warm. Cleanup strategies often depend on the variety of plants and the size of the garden beds.

Members of the Garden Club of Lake Placid recently enjoyed the autumn foliage with an outing to the top of Whiteface Mountain. This trip marked the conclusion of a busy season filled with educational events and community activities. Looking ahead, the club plans to gather for a festive project to create 100 winter holiday swags, which will be displayed throughout the village for residents and visitors to enjoy.

Through their ongoing commitment, the Garden Club of Lake Placid not only enhances the natural beauty of the area but also fosters community spirit and engagement among residents.