Update on the Library Patio Project

Posted on June 3, 2018 by audrey

In the spring of 2015, one of the Master Gardeners was approached by some of the library personnel about redoing the landscape of the library patio. The request was voted on by the Board and the work was done. Several members helped with the work. Also one member donated flowers she had started from seed, and another bought and donated a wall water fountain for the patio. Recently I went by and checked on the outdoor reading room (that’s what they call it). I’m happy to say all was alive and well! The fountain was working with water flowing through it. There were 2 hanging baskets of blooming red geraniums and pots of red begonias on the tables. I found out there is a volunteer from Maplesville who donates her time one day a week. She has added a raised bed for vegetables and pots of tomatoes and cucumbers. My hat’s off to all the ones who have made good use of the outdoor reading room. It looks great! Below are NOW (top photos) and THEN photos.

A collage of library project before photos

May Plant Swap

Posted on June 1, 2018 by audrey

Our May Meeting and Plant Swap was held at Chilton Research and Extension Center at 120 County Road 756, Clanton, 35045. Autauga and Shelby County members were invited to attend. Michael Thomason, who is the Vice President of AMGA this year, was our speaker. Mr. Thomason spoke about the planning and organizing of the 2019 AMGA Conference, which is being hosted by Chilton County Master Gardener Association. He compared it to putting a puzzle together, the progress, the completion of the puzzle, and enjoying the fruits of your labor when your done. He commended CCMGA for the progress and efficiency of the planning done so far.

Our guest included our speaker Michael Thomason from Shoals MGA and Extension Regional Agent II Nelson Wynn. Other guests included Kate Vogel, Merle Schukoske, Myra Healy, and Heidee Vansant from Shelby County and Ofie McCoy, Tim McCoy, Lanell Tatum, Patti Teel, Cheri Cook, and Lee Thomas from Autauga County. Everyone enjoyed the food and fellowship. We had a total of 44 present.

Planting Downtown Jemison

Posted on May 15, 2018 by audrey

Master Gardeners planted 55 baskets and 22 planters for the City of Jemison on Thursday, May 10. Over the course of 2 days, baskets were lined and plant material was divided along with the planting of the flowers.

Master Gardeners Diane Clapp, Alice Brooms, Robin Cagle, Debbie Housner, Rick Miller, Alan Reed, Lee and Wally Walters, Harriett Jackson, Linda Hays and Sondra Henley were the worker bees for this spring project. Photo by Robin Cagle.

Cement planter in Jemison with pink and white flowers

Hummingbird Cake

Posted on May 12, 2018December 11, 2021 by audrey

Here’s another cake recipe that was requested at the 2018 May Plant Swap.

Hummingbird Cake

* 3 c. all-purpose flour
* 2 c. sugar
* 1 tsp. cinnamon
* 1 tsp. salt
* 1 tsp. baking soda
* 3 eggs, beaten
* 1 1/4 c. vegetable oil
* 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
* 2 c. mashed bananas
* 1-8 oz. can crushed pineapple, undrained
* 2 c. toasted, chopped pecans, divided

Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour 3 – 9” cake pans. Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl, add beaten eggs and oil; stir just until dry ingredients are thoroughly moistened. Do not beat. Stir in vanilla, pineapple, 1 cup of chopped pecans, and bananas. Spoon batter equally into prepared cake pans. Bake at 350* for 25-30 minutes or until done (toothpick stuck in middle comes out clean). Cool in pans for 10 minutes. Turn out onto paper towels spread on counter, cool completely before icing. Spread cream cheese Continue reading “Hummingbird Cake” →

Members Attend the 2018 AMGA Conference

Posted on May 6, 2018 by audrey

The ALabama Master Gardener Association Annual Conference was held May 3,4, and 5th at the Sheraton in Birmingham. Several Chilton County Master Gardeners attended. They got the word out about the 2019 AMGA Conference which their Association is hosting at the Clanton Performing Arts Center. They had a display table set up with pamphlets for the conference and a rolling banner displaying the conference logo and activities that will be going on. They expect to have a great turnout of Master Gardeners from all over the state for the 2019 AMGA Conference, which will be held May 8, 9, and 10th, 2019 in the heart of Alabama, 🍑🍑 country, Chilton County❗

Photos by Susan Cleckler and Trisha Williams

Intern Classes Tour Demo Garden

Posted on May 3, 2018May 4, 2018 by audrey

On Thursday, April 26, the Chilton County Master Gardeners welcomed Mallory Kelly and her intern class from Lee and Montgomery counties as they visited the CREC and CCMGA demo garden. Despite the rain and chilly breeze, the interns toured the CREC by wagon and then visited our demo garden. Harriett Jackson, Susan Cleckler, and Alice Broome enjoyed meeting the group, telling them the history of the garden and showing them the various plant beds. The interns were very complimentary of the garden and showed much interest in the designing of the beds, and plant identifications. As usual, the mutual enthusiasm of gardening led to many sharing new tidbits related to their own experiences. We look forward to a return visit from this great group!

Article by Alice Broome

Photos by Susan Cleckler

2018 Yard, Plant, and Craft Sale

Posted on May 2, 2018 by audrey

The Chilton County Master Gardeners had their first yard sale/plant sale on April 21 at the Chilton County Extension Office parking lot. We had been cleaning out and collecting items for months. Thank you to all who donated items for this event, it was a huge success! We sold clothing, books, tools, glassware, furniture, garden items, Hypertufa planters made by the Master Gardeners and filled with succulents, and of course, plants! After the sale, we donated all the items that were left to the Chilton County Emergency Assistance Center.

Article by Susan Cleckler

Photos by Susan Cleckler, Sondra Henley and Audrey Giles

Prattville Tours

Posted on April 22, 2018May 4, 2018 by audrey

On April 11th, several of the Chilton County and Autauga County Master Gardeners made a trip to Prattville for a fun-filled touring day. Our first stop was the Bamboo Forest, which is located in Wilderness Park, 800 Upper Kingston Road and is owned by the City of Prattville. This is an amazing park, open from dawn to dusk everyday. Next on the list was the Demonstration Garden owned by the City of Prattville and located next to the library. This garden is maintained by the Autauga County Master Gardeners. Many pounds of vegetables are grown and donated to area families each year. Our next stop was the Prattville Gardens in Old Prattvillage. There we saw beautiful sun and shade-loving plants, which are also maintained by the Autauga County Master Gardeners. There is also a lovely old chapel on the site. The Gardens can be reserved for special events. Last but not least was the beautiful home of Autauga County Master Gardeners Don and Glenda Armstrong, which sits on 12 acres about 6 miles out of Prattville. Don’s main hobby is landscaping around his house. He also loves to propagate plants for his own use and Autauga County M.G.’s annual plant sale. They also provided a wonderful salad lunch complete with homemade yeast rolls and dessert they prepared themselves. Our tour day was a huge success! HERE is a slideshow of photos from all our tours. Be patient as the music pauses, there’s MORE!

April Meeting

Posted on April 17, 2018April 19, 2018 by audrey

Our speaker for our April 10th meeting was Holly Wadleigh of the Montevallo Community Garden at the University of Montevallo. Many students work the gardens as part of class requirements. Last year about 1800 pounds of vegetables were grown in the garden and donated to the Shelby Assistance Center. The garden is supported in part by the sale of herbs and vegetables started from seed in their greenhouse.

Craft Day at Sondra’s

Posted on April 13, 2018April 13, 2018 by audrey

Several members of CCMGA met at President Sondra Henley’s garage this week to finish up the hyper tufa planters and tree faces they started last month. These items will be for sale at the upcoming yard and plant sale to be held April 21st at the Chilton County Extension Office. Pictured are Pat Farmer, Alice Broome, Debbie Housner, Jackie Hickman, Treasia Bennett, Wally Walters, Susan Cleckler, and Robin Cagle.