The Village Garden Club of La Jolla
Thank you for visiting The Village Garden Club of La Jolla website, our online home to help keep members informed of current events of the club. Check back often to see what is happening each month, to learn of special garden tours and to see new photos.
DECEMBER PROGRAM
Floral Design--European Natural Home Decor for the Holidays
speaker: René van Rems, AFID
Where: Good Samaritan Episcopal Church, 4321 Eastgate Mall, La Jolla
When: Thursday, Drcember 11
9:30 a.m.--Check in and Hospitality Hour; 10:30 a.m.--General Meeting and Presentation
Registration: Members Only
For our festive meeting and holiday luncheon, who can outdo René--except René? So, he's back! René will prepare floral designs on stage, and he’ll share lots of hints, techniques and advice--from a lifetime of experience! Then Katie Pelisek will auction René’s holiday arrangements. You won’t want to miss out on this fabulous opportunity to instantly decorate your home. Join the bidding and fun before your favorite arrangement is going... going... gone!
René is a Dutch born, world-renowned, award-winning ambassador of the floral industry. Formally educated in horticulture and floriculture at the Aalsmeer Institute, he has led design shows, workshops, master classes and keynote presentations around the globe.
Locally, René has been involved with the San Diego Museum of Art through their "Art Alive" exhibits and has designed the entry rotunda decor seven times. His previous work as creative director for the San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas has him involved with countless horticultural exhibits and fundraisers.
Chris Andrews and Nancy Cunningham
Club News and Updates
VGCLJ Committee Updates
Meet the Masters with Lewis Miller of Lewis Miller Design
Thursday, March 12, 2026
at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar
A master of floral artistry and design, Lewis Miller of New York will amaze luncheon guests at this exciting afternoon event. With a client list that includes Tiffany, Chanel, HBO and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Miller crafts signature floral events that inspire and thrill his audiences.
Before the luncheon, guests will watch Miller create masterpieces to be auctioned off to lucky bidders. Tickets are $200 and will go on sale in early 2026.
All proceeds from Meet the Masters fund service projects including school gardens, community tree planting and holiday events for veterans.
Holiday Luncheon
Our Holiday Luncheon is one of the most popular events of the year, and we hope you can come.
Date/Time: Thursday, December 11
Place: Good Samaritan Episcopal Church
Cost: $50; Members Only
Room capacity is limited to 120, so it's first-come/first-served. You can reserve your seat by mailing a check for $50 to Sue Kalish. Checks must be received by December 5.
Holiday Pantry Sale
It's time to think about the Holiday Pantry Sale at our December meeting. Here, for your creative inspiration, is what we have heard people are looking for:
Homemade holiday gifts for friends and neighbors. They are, in fact, "homemade," but who's telling whose home?? Some ideas: a bottle of olive oil infused with herbs; roasted and spiced nuts; your favorite holiday cookies or brownies.
Hostess gifts for parties or casual get-togethers. Think about homemade sauces, salsa or chutney; some gourmet tea bags in a holiday mug; or hand-crafted ornaments from pine cones.
Something that is the quintessential "You!" What specialties do your friends and family always ask for? How about a gift made fresh from your garden? Doesn't everyone like strawberry or fig jam; a selection of dried herbs; or lemon curd?
Something that makes entertaining easy and stress-free! Always a big hit: peppermint bark, holiday cookies, gourmet popcorn or a selection of crackers and dried meats or dried fruits for a charcuterie board. Or just package some ingredients for an appetizer, along with a recipe card.
Small gifts that take the stress out of the holidays. Some simple ideas--baked goods that can be served to your family, a loaf of challah bread, spice blends (Italian, barbecue, etc.), mini jars of local honey or homemade hot cocoa mix.
Thanks so much for being part of our Holiday Pantry Sale.
Robin Vandever
Commemorative Tree Program
The Commemorative Tree Committee is evaluating tree planting projects to which VGCLJ can contribute. One possibility is the recently renovated Memorial Senior Center in Logan Heights. The Senior Center will feature outdoor gardens and spaces for intergenerational activities. There are currently no shade trees in their planned outdoor areas. Shade trees would greatly improve the enjoyment of the outdoor spaces.
Your donations make these projects possible! Please contact us if you would like to recommend another project.
Susan Alleshouse and Ana Canto; Co-Chairs
Master Gardeners
End of the Year Wrap Up
Must Do’s
Finish planting whatever Spring bulbs you bought but haven’t gotten into the ground.
All bulbs need regular watering, especially those you potted.
Winter annuals--kale, cinerarias, cyclamen, pansies have been blooming since October. Plant them now. If you already planted, feed now with a well-balanced fertilizer for growth and bloom.
Leave your rose bushes alone as they are going dormant. No food, no water, no pruning.
Pinching time has passed. Prune perennials still trying to bloom (except for our winter show-offs.)
Care for your natives with judicious pruning.
Continue feeding your cymbidiums until the buds open.
Winter veggies need a side dressing of food. And remain on pest lookout.
If November’s rains have stopped, remember to water your winter blooming plants.
Keep track of your irrigation system to make sure it is not over- or under-watering your garden.
Spray peach and nectarine trees to control curl if you missed doing this last month.
Snail patrol and collection continues.
Bring in sensitive plants if night temperatures are falling into the low 50’s. This includes tropicals and “houseplants” that have been vacationing outside.
Lift dahlias, dry and store them.
Can Do’s
Bare rooted plants are available for planting.
Natives are in bloom. Go visit the San Diego Botanic Garden and native nurseries.
Winter veggies can still be planted.
Prune your grapes.
Have a go at your wisteria cutting back unwanted vines including those that didn’t flower.
Aphids may need a spray of insecticidal soap. Be sure they do not colonize.
Prepare plants for winter winds and rains. They may need staking or protection.
Harvest your winter vegetables and enjoy your reward.
Might Do’s
If it is on your wish list, plant sasanqua camellias.
Consider for holiday gifts: gardening tools, bulbs, houseplants, a bonsai dish with special tools, a fairy garden for grandchildren. And if you can buy local, you’ve doubled your gift.
Prune deciduous fruit trees.
Don’t Do's
Prune tropicals.
Fertilize your potted poinsettias. They have what they need to flower through the season.
Water ground planted succulents. Our winter rains are enough.
We wish you the healthiest and happiest of New Years. We look forward to your questions and visits to our January Ask-A-Master Gardener Table.
And a very special thank you to Karen for always having our table stocked with goodies from the
Master Gardener compound.
BJ Boland
Wreaths Across America
We're Well On Our Way--With One Big Change!
This December, we’ll once again join thousands of volunteers across the country in honoring our veterans through Wreaths Across America. Your generosity during our January campaign and membership renewals was amazing. To make things smoother for the national Wreaths Across America team (a small but mighty staff who manage sponsorships for over 2,500 locations nationwide!) we’re tweaking our process this year:
Sponsorship checks ($17 per wreath) will only be accepted at the September meeting or by mail to Kate Engler, postmarked by September 30. This change ensures your donations are credited properly and avoids some of the delays we experienced last year.
Online sponsorships will remain open until November 28. This is the easiest option — and donations are processed/posted almost instantly! You can make a donation through our WAA/VGCLJ website by clicking here.
We will have a table at our September, October, and November meetings to answer questions or help walk you through the online form. Our goal is to make it simple and stress-free for everyone who wants to support this meaningful tradition. For every wreath sponsored through our Club, we receive $5 back to support our ongoing efforts, so your donation makes double the impact!
Important Dates:
Sponsorship Deadline: November 28
Wreath Placement: December 13
Thank you again for your incredible support — together, we can help ensure every hero is honored. Have questions or need a hand navigating the website? Contact Kate Engler. Donations are tax-deductible.