Ramble Community Association

What is Happening Along Dingle Creek?

You may notice construction activity on Dingle Creek below Croton Court very soon.  This is very exciting news for wildlife preservation as a section of Dingle Creek will be enhanced to create a 1-acre riparian wetland.

The City of Asheville has been awarded a grant from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund to address storm water runoff in urban watersheds, as well as receiving funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  The combination of these funds is providing a unique opportunity in the Ramble to preserve wildlife and provide habitat in an urban area.

The completed project will reduce contaminants reaching the French Broad River, repair eroded banks along Dingle Creek to reduce sedimentation, and work on flood prevention in the area.  These measures will enhance the overall water quality of the French Broad River Basin.

The enhanced area will be on the Ramble trail system and, when complete, will be a wonderful place to stop for a moment to enjoy a unique habitat and the wildlife that resides there.

The Saints Take It!

It was a nail-biter last night as a group of Ramble residents gathered at the Living Well Center to watch the battle between the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints.  Although most were going for the Colts, it was great to see the Saints win their first Super Bowl!

If you missed out on this year's festivities, be sure to join us for Super Bowl 2011...guaranteed a fun time with lots of food!  Here are a few photos of the event:

 

Start Your Garden Now!

It was just the other day my wife set out rows of small containers with packed dirt and topped with cellophane on every south-facing windowsill in the house. This has been an annual tradition of hers for as long as we've been married and is one of my favorites as it reminds me spring is around the corner.  The kitchen contains beans and tomatoes, office has squash, bedroom has carrots and lettuce, and the corner tub windows in the bathroom have more types of seeds than I can remember.  In a few weeks, the sprouts will begin to pop up and will be transplanted to other containers and taken care of until the unofficial garden start date: Mother's Day. 

I ran across an article I thought you may enjoy...starting plants from seeds now (and cultivating next year's seeds from the plants upon harvest time) is not only satisfying, but also beats the winter blues and gives promise to warmer days ahead...which is something we all are looking forward to!

Starting Seeds Indoors - by Gardenguides.com

What You'll Need

A Sunny Window:
Plants like a southern exposure. If you don't have a window that will do, consider investing in some cool-white florescent bulbs.

Containers:
Try all kinds to see what works for you. Make sure they are clean and have good drainage. If you are using a fiber or peat pot, soak it well before adding soil. Dry fiber pots draw moisture away from the soil.

Seeds:
You'll get the best results if you purchase fresh seeds, packaged for the upcoming growing season. If you have saved seeds that you purchased last year, test the germination rate before planting.

Growing Medium:
Nothing beats a good commercial medium because it is sterile and free of unwanted weed seeds. If you want to make your own, here are a couple of good recipes:

Cornell Mix 4 quarts of shredded peat moss or sphagnum, 2 teaspoons ground limestone, 4 tablespoons 5-10-10 fertilizer.

Simple Mix 1 part loam, 1 part clean sand or perlite, 1 part leaf mold or moist peat.

Sowing Seeds
Fill pots or flats to within 1/4 inch of the top with your potting mixture and level the surface. It's a good idea to water the soil and allow it to drain thoroughly before sowing the seeds. Make a hole for each seed with your finger or a pencil. Keep in mind that most seeds need to be planted four times as deep as the seed is wide. If your seeds are very fine, cover them with a fine layer of soil.

Moisture and Humidity
Germinating medium should be kept evenly moist but not soaking wet. Too much moisture will cause the seeds to rot. Use a fine sprayer to water newly planted seeds and tiny seedlings or, if possible, water from the bottom. If you can, slip your pots and flats into plastic bags to keep the humidity and moisture even and reduce the frequency of watering.

Light
Some seeds require light to germinate while others prefer total darkness. Your seed packet should tell you what your seed's requirements are. Once germinated, all seedlings need light to develop into strong, healthy plants. Supplement the natural light with florescent bulbs if necessary.

Seedling Care
The care you give your seedlings in the weeks following germination is critical. Keep it moist, but not dripping. Small pots and flats dry out quickly, so check it often. If your seedlings are growing in a windowsill, turn often to encourage straight stems.

The first two leaves you will see on the plant are not true leaves but food storage cells called cotyledons. Once the first true leaves have developed, it's time to start fertilizing. Choose a good liquid organic fertilizer and use a weak solution once a week.

Hardening Off
One week before transplanting your seedlings outdoors, start to harden them off. This process acclimates the soft and tender plants, which have been protected from wind, cool temperatures, and strong sun, to their new environment. Move the plants to a shady outdoor area at first, and bring them indoors for the night if night temperatures are cold. Each day, move them out into the sun for a few hours, increasing the time spent in the sun each day. Keep them well watered during this period, and don't place them directly on the ground if slugs are a problem. Monitor them closely for insect damage since tender young seedlings are a delicacy for insects.

Transplanting
Don't be in a rush to set your plants in the garden. If they won't withstand frost, be sure all danger of frost has passed before setting them out. Plan the garden in advance. Consider companion planting and plant sizes. Make sure your tall plants won't shade low growing neighbors.

Water the ground outside and the seedlings thoroughly before transplanting. This helps prevent transplant shock. It's preferable to transplant on a cloudy day so strong sun won't wilt your seedlings. Dig a hole about twice the size of the root ball and set the transplant into the hole so the root ball will be covered by 1/4 inch of soil. Press the soil firmly around the roots. A small depression around the plant stem will help trap moisture. Water immediately after transplanting and every day for the first week. Be sure to water deeply so you plants won't develop shallow roots.

 

Super Bowl Party at the Living Well Center!

Join your neighbors as we gather at the Living Well Center for the clash between the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints.  We'll have the large flat screen and great sound system set up so you won't miss a bit of the action!  We'll supply chips/salsa and some sodas...you only have to bring your choice of football food and other tailgating supplies.

We'll see you on Super Bowl Sunday at 5:30pm!

BodyPump Classes a Success!

Now that your New Year's resolution is officially in question, why not make a permanent change?  Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at either 6am or 9am the BodyPump class is in full form!  Taught by Andy Stenberg, every participant can't say enough about the class..."it's awesome!" or "you gotta try it!".  It's open to anyone who can stand and walk - so that's you!

Stop by for a sample class, you'll be glad you did...plus gain bragging rights as one of the rare few who actually keep their New Year's resolution!

Welcome New Board Members!

The Ramble Community Association is pleased to announce the addition of two resident members to the 2010 Board of Directors elected at the RCA Annual Meeting on December 14, 2009.

Leon Escude and Tom Robertson were elected by the membership and will provide an important community interface.  They are well qualified for their role on the Board and are looking forward enhancing the Ramble community.

Leon Escude recently shared his thoughts on his role as a Board member.  “My interest in being a Board Member centers on providing thoughtful, meaningful and effective dialogue between Ramble residents and the Board of Directors. I wish to encourage a keen sense of ownership of this unique property so that our stewardship will allow generations to come the joy of residing in The Ramble.”  He is interested in hearing from you and can be reached at escudel@bellsouth.net.

When asked about the opportunity to serve on the Board, Tom Robertson replied, “I appreciate the confidence of my fellow homeowners and will work to keep our community at its present high standards.”  Tom can be contacted at JTRwine@aol.com.

Please welcome Leon and Tom in their new roles of service to the Ramble Community Association and in appreciation of their willingness to serve.

 

Cindy Hall

Property Administrator

Ramble Community Association, Inc.

 

The Ramble Community Archive

We are beginning something new this year...The Ramble Community Archive.  The intention behind this is to record fun or interesting stories, photographs, or other musings about the Ramble's community or natural beauty directly from you: the Residents!  For instance, if you have any great photos from the last snow fall or kid's sledding and funny or interesting stories to go along with them, send it in and we'll post (and archive) for everyone to see right here in the blog/newsletter.  This is a way we can begin to record the Ramble community's 'history' for future generations to enjoy.  The only limitation is the photos and/or stories must have occurred within the Ramble property.

So look back into your photo collection and send in the choice ones along with a description, story etc. and we can begin the Archive!  For those of you who have been here for years, feel free to send in anything from year past as well...

Thanks,

Corey Black

*By sending in the photos, stories, etc. you are allowing us to post on the blog which is open to general public viewing.  If you'd rather not have it posted for public viewing, but want it saved within the Archive, just let us know and  we will not post.

The Garden in January

The Garden in January

            I tried to push a metal plant label back into the ground yesterday and it wouldn't go even an inch into the ground. Despite the cold, a walk through your garden in this weather is worthwhile, simply to see first hand how your plants are responding to the low temperatures. Plants that we've grown accustomed to seeing in an evergreen or semi-evergreen state have gone completely dormant. One plant, the beautiful Euphorbia x martini 'Waleuprhud', has been evergreen in my garden for 4 years and is at its most gorgeous through the winter months. Now the leaves are dessicated and the whole plant has flopped to the ground.  Fortunately this plant is hardy to zone 6, so I'll cut it back when the weather warms to above freezing. I'll cover it with a light layer of dry leaves, and wait for  it to rebound in the spring. A hardiness zone refers to the average annual minimum temperature that a plant can withstand. Each zone gives a range of 10 degrees. Plants in zone 6 can survive zero to minus ten. Plants in zone 7 can survive ten to zero degrees.  Hardiness zones are also divided into "a" and "b" categories which narrows the window further. Zone 7a plants are hardy from five to zero degrees. Zone 7b plants are hardy from 10 to five degrees. One of the most interesting discussions of hardiness zones I've found is available in the back of the Plant Delights Nursery catalog (www.plantdelights.com). It notes that in areas with lots of snow cover, plants can withstand colder temperatures due the insulating effect of the snow. It also points out that cold temperatures for one night are not the same as cold temperatures that last for weeks. A plant's cells may be damaged only slightly by one night of deep cold and begin to heal as the temperature warms up, whereas cell damage may become permanent if the cold temperatures stick around for several days. To further complicate matters, the time of year can affect a plants response to cold temperatures. If a cold snap hits one night in early fall while the weather is still fairly warm, plants may die from temperatures they normally would withstand because they are not yet acclimated to the cold weather.  

            The heavy snow from the Christmas storm broke many plants and bent others over. Some plants can recovers from bending better than others. I have seen 20' tall  Hollies stand up again after being bent with the tops touching the ground. It took several weeks for the plants to move back to upright. At this time of year, prune only the minimum necessary on damaged plants. Removed jagged or ripped branches and where possible, prune back to the main trunk just outside the collar to improve healing. If you have a tree that has lost its main leader, do a little research before grabbing the chain saw. It may be able to produce a new leader. A light layer of leaves over perennials adds protection for plants that might have been planted late last fall. Otherwise, perennials and grasses will fend for themselves until spring.

            Now for some good winter news. This is a good time of year to look at buds on trees. Buds are one of the best methods of identifying trees, and observing them closely in their winter state reveals much about how the trees grow, how the leaves form, and where the flowers are produced. Many trees have exquisite buds. Check out the buds of the American Beech tree – long, shiny copper colored, or the buds of the deciduous Magnolias covered with silky grey fuzz. Getting out to look at buds is a good way to knock back the cabin fever and  more fun than salting the walks, or hauling brush. Spring begins in February, so next month's news will include a list of plants in full bloom and where to go see them. Meanwhile, stay warm!

~Amy Fahmy

Time to Hit the Slopes!

With all of the snow pounding we have received recently, it's that time of hear to hit the slopes.  Although not quite the grandeur of our western states, the slopes of western North Carolina have a beauty and challenge all of their own.  Not only are their many skiing slopes available, but tubing for the kids, and a quickly growing snowboarding culture (recently western North Carolina was named as one of the premier areas in the US for snowboarding parks due to our wetter snow make-up).

If you enjoy cross-country skiing, the Blue Ridge Parkway is a fine choice...especially right now.  Taking US 276 from Brevard toward Waynesville will put you at a high altitude with immediate access to the Parkway.  Multiple trails can be accessed from that point.

Below is a list of the slopes within driving range of Asheville (click on the each title for the website).  If you are looking for the higher elevations, you may want to head up to Sugar or Beech Mountain....but bring your 4-wheel drive!

Within 45 minutes of Asheville
Cataloochee Ski Area Maggie Valley, NC Phone: 828-926-0285 or 800-768-0285	16 slopes, 3 lifts, 1 rope tow, 1 magic carpet lift. Skiing and snowboarding
Tube World Maggie Valley, NC Phone: 800-768-0285	6 slopes and 1 children's tube area. Snowtubing only
Wolf Ridge Ski Resort Mars Hill, NC Phone: 828-689-4111 or 800-817-4111	15 slopes, 4 lifts, tubing off site. Skiing, snowboarding and snowtubing
Within 2 hours of Asheville
Appalachian Ski Mountain Blowing Rock, NC Phone: 800 -322-2373	9 slopes, 5 lifts. Skiing, snowboarding and ice skating
Hawksnest Winter Resort Seven Devils, NC Phone: 828-963-6563 or 800-822-4295	12 slopes, 9 tubing lanes, 4 lifts, 1 magic carpet Snowtubing
Sapphire Valley Ski Resort Sapphire, NC Phone: 828-743-7663	2 slopes, 1 lift, 1 tube lane Skiing and snowboarding and tubing
Scaly Mountain Snowtubing Area Scaly Mountain, NC Phone: 828-526-3737	2 slopes, 1 lift. Snowtubing
Ski Beech Beech Mountain, NC Phone: 800-438-2093	14 slopes, 9 lifts. Skiing, snowboarding, snowtubing and ice skating
Sugar Mountain Resort Banner Elk, NC Phone: 828-898-4521 or 800-784-2768	20 slopes, 5 lifts. Skiing, snowboarding and snowtubing

Biltmore Village Dickens Festival

Here's another event that is sure to be fun, especially with the kids!  This weekend (December 4-6), head down to Biltmore Village where there will be singers, storytellers, musicians, and other various entertainment all period dressed during Charles Dickens' time. 

Shops will stay open later and even the shop keepers will be dressed in the Victorian-era garb!  For more information, visit the website here.

Friday, 5:00 to 7:00 pm

Saturday, 11:00 am to 7:00 pm

Sunday, 1:00 to 5:00 pm