In attendance: Gail Barsky, Victor Barsky, Jan Ewing, Linda Grimwade, Sandy Grimwade, Marshall Hatfield, Craig Snyder
 
We discussed incorporating a rain water harvesting feature into the patio. Decision was to go with floor level Belgard permeable pavers with no retention basin or active water recycling, to have a “milk crate” for demonstrating to visitors, to have slides or video about rain water harvesting on the TV screen. (Marshall will talk to Alden Zove at Cedar Run about this).
 
Sandy talked to Belgard. They will provide blocks of many different types and will assist with materials selection and quantity estimation based on plans we provide. They deliver the blocks to the exhibit area. See Flower Show section of their web site at http://www.belgard.com/philadelphiaflowershow. Sandy and Chris will discuss retaining wall height and patio size then contact Belgard for their recommendations (Mike Baldasare 732-754-2118 Michael.Baldasare@oldcastle.com). Belgard block colors will depend on pond rock colors and exhibit color theme. Final design and elevation need to be provided to PHS by the end of September. (Sandy and Chris)
 
Marshall will communicate plans to Paul Pezzotti and ask for his assistance in designing the pond, waterfall and the rock surround. Hopefully we can set up a teleconference or meeting within the next 2 weeks. We’ll ask Paul to provide design, rock (and muscle). (It would be good if we could hook up Paul and Chris in this conversation.)
 
PHS need sod and mulch requisition before October 15. Sandy will talk to Chris to work out requirements and fill out PHS form before the end of September. We’ll try to keep mulch requirements to a minimum (it costs $37.50 per cubic yd).
 
PHS needs labor requisition form by October 15. Sandy will clarify with PHS (1) whether we have to use union labor to help to build the pond or any other part of the exhibit (2) our need for one 25 Amp electrical outlet (3) convention center lighting levels and type provided by the show. Marshall will oversee additional lighting design and installation. Also need to find out PHS rules for acknowledging all the commercial organizations that are contributing to our exhibit.
 
Craig will use dimensions provided by Chris to design and estimate wood requirements for pergola. Pergola will be constructed off site with pine, primed and painted. (Color TBD based on lighting and color palette of our exhibit). It will be built in modules for re-assembly at the show. Craig suggested extending the main beams horizontally so that plants can be hung in wire-mesh baskets above the visitors’ heads (no white plastic baskets!). Craig will contact Sharon to discuss sourcing wood.
 
PHS also needs Exhibit Sign text (agreed at previous meeting) and live animal permit for koi or goldfish by October 15. Sandy will complete these forms by end of September.
 
Victor has organized with Garden Accents to loan us garden ornaments and statuary for the exhibit – to be chosen in January(?)
 
Lilypons (Margaret Koogle) have agreed to provide a 20’x20’ liner, and water and marginal plants. Sandy will communicate to Lilypons that the floral color scheme for the exhibit will be primarily white and blue, and discuss plant selection.
 
Other plants: Sandy will talk to Chris about plants from Clear View – varieties available, cost, timeline for ordering, etc. Sandy will communicate about the color scheme, timeline, etc. with all DVWGS members who offered to grow plants and bulbs. We will need bulbs, perennials and annuals. We will need extra plants for swapping out during the show, and to allow for failures and mistimed blooming. Victor and Gail will communicate with Miller Greenhouses and Ott’s about providing plants and hanging baskets. Ed has contacted Center Point. They are interested in helping and could provide plants (lotus?). Victor and Ed to coordinate approach to Center Point.
 
Exhibit wall: Our exhibit backs up to a wall of the convention center. Ideas for a backdrop – Connie-painted stave fence (see pics on web site); Craig suggests wrapping it round the rear-right corner of the exhibit to soften the corner. Perhaps a city-scape backdrop photo visible over the fence. TV screen on the wall under the pergola.

Thanks to all who contributed to last night’s meeting with ideas and energy – we made a lot of progress. Below are my notes on decisions and action items, with names of those who are responsible for follow up. Please get back to me if anything should be corrected, or is missing.
 

• Chris’s sketch plan and Sandy’s exhibit description were approved for submission to PHS. Sandy will submit them ASAP. The exhibit plan is subject to refinement and modification. Final scale drawing in plan and elevation to be submitted to PHS by September 30.
• Sandy will create a page on the web site with links to relevant documents and images (seeing no one wants to use Dropbox L)
• Design, materials, and construction of exhibit elements
  • Pond – Form will be created with double stacked cinder block. Sharon Reed as located a donor of a pallet of 105 cinder blocks (Fizzano Bros). Standard cinder block is 7.625-in x 7.625-in x 15.625-in, so double course is 15¼ ” high. Water depth would be a couple of inches less. I think we were talking about something a bit deeper, so we may need to rethink.
  • Pond – We’ll need 20’ x 20’ of liner in one piece. Sandy will talk to Marge Koogle of Lilypons about acquiring this. (It would cost $240 retail online).
  • Pond – rock surround and waterfall. We’d like to get Paul Pezzotti involved in design and landscaping the pond and waterfall.
  • Waterfall – approximately 24 inches high above water surface. Water will spill out of a weir box attached to a plywood vertical (against the wall). Water will run onto a flat piece of ?bluestone with a rough edge. Will need stone to camouflage the liner, plywood and waterfall box. Waterfall will be fed by submersible pump, 2” tubing, bulkhead thru to liner. Waterfall will be disguised with parrot feather in a box above the weir.
  • Patio – 6’ x 6’ plus S-curved edge = approx. 45 sq ft. 2 options for construction.
    1. “Real” rainwater harvesting permeable paver patio set on milk crate-type water collection system. Marshall will talk to Alden Zove of Cedar Run Landscapes about getting him involved in constructing a demonstration rainwater harvesting system.
    2. “Fake” rainwater harvesting patio – pavers set at floor level with pea gravel between pavers. We can add a rain barrel with circulating water from the top of the pergola. This is the fall-back option.
  • Pergola – 6’ x 10’ x 8’ above the surface of the patio. Craig will research designs and estimate wood requirements. Pergola will be built in sections in advance, and designed to be bolted together at construction.
  • Retaining wall – We need a retaining wall round the outside of some of the exhibit to keep the mulch and plantings in place. There are a couple of options.
    1. 12” x 2” lumber construction (I estimate 28 linear feet + corner posts)
    2. Belgard blocks. (They do make retaining wall blocks with corner pieces e.g. http://www.belgard.com/products/retaining_walls/anchor_diamond_9d). We need to research whether we can get these via PHS’ relationship with Belgard. Sandy will talk to Anne Vallery.
• Plants
  • Sandy to share design with Marge Koogle and discuss water and marginal plants for pond (also liner – see above)
  • Chris is talking with Clear View Nursery about available perennials and other plants
  • Gail will get involved at next meeting. Several members are interested in forcing bulbs for the exhibit.
  • Plant list to be submitted to PHS by January 6.
• Fish
  • Fish will need to be kept indoors prior to the show. Victor will ask the Stouffers if they would be willing to lend fish and/or take boarders.
  • Chris has a contact who can provide 10-12 6”-8” acclimated koi at $10 each.
  • Pond will not have filtration. Fish will need to be fed. We need to stop coins being thrown in the pond.
• Other Items
  • Victor and Gail will work with Garden Accents on garden ornaments.
  • We’ll also need furniture for the pergola.
  • The plan is to have a TV set on the back wall of the pergola with slide show and/or videos of ponds, educational material, etc. We’ll need at least a 55” TV. No one assigned to this.
  • Backdrop: The Convention Center wall is dull green. We need to look at options and materials -- decorated fence, custom backdrop, off-the-self backdrop or a combination.
  • Ed will talk to Center Point to see if they are interested in contributing.
• Next meeting: Monday, September 18 at 7:00 PM at 706 Cambridge Rd, Bala-Cynwyd.

 
FYI: Quick calculation on pond: if pond is roughly 9 ft in diameter, it will require 22+ cinder blocks per course, so a double course -> 45 blocks. If pond is 15 inches deep it will be roughly 600 gallons (= about 5000 lbs in weight).