September Gardening Activities

Watch for red Spider Lilies to appear like magic this month. You will see them in yards, along roads, in pastures, at old house places and in other surprising places. They seem to shrive on neglect!

  • Fruits and Nuts–New catalogs will be arriving soon. Start plans for future selection and planting.Red Spider Lily
    Take soil test for new planting areas. Fertilize established strawberry plantings.
  • Shrubs–Study landscape to determine plant needs. check early varieties of camellias. You may want to replace those damaged in spring by late freezes. After fall growth is completed, spray all shrubs with a fungicide.
  • Lawns–Plant seed of winter grasses where situation prevents planting permanent grasses. Winter seeds will appear soon. Stop fertilization three weeks before first frost.
  • Roses–Protect fall crops of blossoms from aphids and thrips. Keep plants health.
  • Annuals and Perennials–Last chance for planting perennials and biennials. Old clumps of perennials may be divided. Plant peonies.
  • Bulbs–Spring flowering bulbs may be planted late this month in North Alabama. Delay planting in South Alabama.
  • Miscellaneous–Clean up infestations of insects on azaleas, camellias, boxwoods, gardenias, hollies, etc. If oil spray is needed, don’t use in freezing weather. Build compost bin or box; leaves will be falling soon. Move houseplants indoors.
  • Vegetable Seed–Plant hardy vegetables and root crops.
  • Vegetable Plants–Plant cabbage, collards, cauliflower, celery, Brussels sprouts, and onion sets.

Source: Alabama Cooperative Extension System
Alabama Gardening Calendar

Square Foot Gardening

Our July speaker was Henry Lucas from Capitol City Master Gardeners who presented a program on ‘Square Foot Gardening’.  Gardening using this technique saves space and results in less weeding, less watering and less less work. He recommended the book ‘All New Square Foot Gardening, 3rd Edition by Mel Bartholomew and an online course at: http://www.SquareFootGardening.com These resources will provide information on building  beds, how to plant and what to do and not do in a Square Foot garden.  Thank you, Mr. Lucas for a great program on how to plant in a small footprint!


CCMGA will hold plant sales at the Chilton Research and Extension Center on the days the CREC is selling fruit or vegetables.

Happy July Birthday to Gail Brooks, Clem Clapp, Jimmy Knowles, Claire Sluyterman van Loo and Lyn Webb.

March, April Volunteer Opps

March 17 Chilton County Waterfest at Jefferson County Community College and
Arts Center 8-2. Contact: Pat Farmer 205-955-3090

April 22 Plant Sale at Goosepond Park Details TBA. Members grow seedlings, divide perennials and propagate plants for the sale. Label plants with common name, sun or shade, color and other details. Volunteers needed. Contact Pat Farmer 205-955-3090

January Meeting

Leslie Durham, CCMGA Vice President, presided over our meeting in the place of the President,Jerry Farmer. Sherry Carter, Chilton and Bibb County SNAP-ED Agent, talked with us about her program that promotes nutrition education for children and adults. She told us about volunteer opportunities helping assemble notebooks and prepping food for her classes. She also works with “The Gathering” food pantry and asked for help with that also.

The CCMGA gave our Outgoing President, Pat Farmer a gift certificate to Petals from the Past. Our outgoing V. President, Gail Brooks presented it to her today.

OUR 2023 TEAM LEADERS:

ADVISORY COUNCIL: Harriett Jackson and Audrey Giles, Alternate
HELPLINE: Hugh Nichols
EXTENSION OFFICE: Gail Brooks and Alan Reed
DEMO GARDEN: Trisha Williams and Lynne May
CLANTON REC CENTER: Amy Baker and Amelia Bloomfield
HOSPITALITY: Judy Cobb, Jane Rabey, Cheryl Herbster, Joan Barber
2023 INTERN CLASS: Trisha Williams and Pat Farmer
FACEBOOK and WEBSITE: Audrey Giles and Trisha Williams
SCRAPBOOK: Lynne May
PHOTOGRAPHERS: Audrey Giles

Congratulations to Nelson Wynn our Regional Extension Agent, on his upcoming retirement on January 31. He has worked with us on Chilton County Master Gardener training classes and supported CCMGA for many years.

V.P. Leslie Durham, says ”Its about tine to get started”.
Sherry Carr, Chilton Snap-Ed
Past V.P. Gail Brooks, presenting past President Pat Farmer with her outgoing gift.
Nelson Wynn retires from Auburn

When and Where

Volunteer opportunities are sent to members by email and posted on “Chilton County MGA Members” Facebook page. The Extension Office often request volunteers for events, 4H and SNAP-ED. The following activities are ongoing.

DEMONSTRATION GARDEN

DATE: 1st and 3rd Monday, March through November
(5th Monday TBA) Rain date and Monday holidays move to
Tuesday
TIME: 8 AM-10 AM
LOCATION: Chilton Research and Extension Center
120 Co Rd 756 Clanton, AL 35045
CONTACTS: Trisha Williams 205-410-5074;
Lynne May 334-430-1474

CHILTON COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE BEDS

DATE: 2nd and 4th Mondays, March through November
(5th Mondays TBA) Rain date and Monday holidays move to
Tuesday
TIME: 8am-10am
LOCATION: Chilton County Extension Office
504 1st Ave. N. Clanton, AL 35045
CONTACTS: Gail Brooks 256-366-1536 or
Alan Reed 205-299-2956

CLANTON RECREATION CENTER

Volunteers will be requested to help prep second phase, install plants, and water through the summer. Contacts: Amy Baker 205-913-4862;
Amelia Bloomfield 205-602-5494

MASTER GARDENER HELPLINE

2023 DATES: Jan 9-13; Feb 13-17; March 20-24; April 24-28;
May 29-June 2; July 3 -7; August 7-11; Sept 11-15,
Oct 16-20; Nov 27-Dec 1
TIME: 9am-12pm and 12:30pm- 4pm
LOCATION: Chilton County Extension Office (home option)
CONTACT: Hugh Nichols 256-506-7953

Below are the GUIDELINES, PROCEDURES, &
FINDING ANSWERS to guide you in working the
HELPLINE. They may also be printed out.

___________________________________________________________________________

Find Volunteer Opportunities

Chilton County Master Gardeners can find volunteer activities in a variety of ways.

  1. Click on the Event Calendar on the left navigation bar. For details click on the event title.
  2. Watch for email messages.
  3. Watch Facebook for posts from our Chilton County MGA Members closed group.
  4. Attend monthly meetings.
  5. Let the Chilton County Extension office know that you are available to volunteer for Extension activities.

 

Color in the Garden Year Round

Congratulations to Margariette Hoomes for earning her Master Gardener certification and receiving her MG badge and certificate. The CCMGA Board of Directors provide an Appreciation Lunch of soup and chili for our great members and interns. We had great attendance and enjoyed sharing a meal and socializing with our members.

Terese Goodson from the Capitol City Master Gardeners Association spoke about “Year Round Color in the Garden.” Her goal is to have something blooming every month of the year so that she can have a vase of fresh flowers everyday of the year. A variety of reseeding annuals and perennials can meet this goal. She shared a bloom time chart for central Alabama which serves as a guide for plant selection for each month.

Nominations for 2023 Officers were brought before the members and voted on. The new officers were introduced to the membership and photos taken. 2023 CCMGA Officers are Jerry Farmer, President; Leslie Durham, Vice President; Kerry Rush, Secretary; and Lynn Webb, Treasurer.

Plans were discussed for a booth at the December 4th Maplesville Old Fashion Christmas to promote Master Gardeners. A request was made for small flower seeds to make flower bombs as a give away for children. Several volunteered to provide seeds and help put them together. Volunteers to work the booth in Maplesville were discussed.
After no more business, the meeting was adjourned.

Margariette Hoomes gets her Certificate and MG badge presented by Trisha Williams.
Ron Herbster, Jim Rabey, and Lyn May at the table, Lee Walters and Clem Clapp behind them. And on the left, Judy Cobb (facing front) talking to Cheryl Herbster.
L-R, Hugh Nichols, Chip and Leslie Durham, and Alan Reed
Alan Reed, Chip and Leslie Durham, Lyn May, and sitting at right table, R-L Robin Cagle, Lee and Wally Walters
Terese Goodson, setting up her demonstration items
Smile, you’re on Candid Camera!
Terese Goodson receiving her speakers gift from V.P. Gail Brooks
The awesome graduation cake Trisha Williams makes the graduating interns every year.
L-R Treasurer Lyn Webb, Sec. Kerry Rush, V.P. Leslie Durham, and Pres. Jerry Farmer
Now what was that you said, Leslie😮⁉️
Just trying to get a good photo of everyone, ladies!

Perennials, Beds, Borders and Beyond

Congratulations to our newly certified Master Gardeners! Rene Day, Chip Durham, Leslie Durham, Susan Parkerson and Abby Messer have completed requirements to become certified. Certificates and badges were presented to those present: Susan, Leslie, and Chip.

Rick Cybulsky, Jefferson County Advanced MG presented an informative program on how to use and care for perennials. He told us that most perennials give 4 to 6 weeks of color but this can be extended by deadheading. He reminded us to cut back in fall and prune at appropriate times for the plant. Dividing when growth slows is important to plant heath.

Pat Farmer reminded us that our Intern class will need help with their project, asked for helpline volunteers, announced nominations for Officers and mentioned needing helpers for the bee meeting set up. Our November meeting will be at another location, TBA. Photos by Diane Clapp

Master Gardeners receive certification certificates
L-R: Susan Parkerson, Leslie and Chip Durham receiving their MG certificates
MG speaker at meeting
Speaker Advanced MG from Jefferson County presents our program.
Topic of September meeting
Slide from September meeting program
VP giving speaker a gift.
VP Gail Brooks presents speaker Rick Cybulsky with gift
2022 Interns
L-R 2022 Intern Amy Baker and Amelia Bloomfield
Nominating committee members
L-R Nominating Committee members Lyn Webb and Harriett Jackson presenting the nominations of officers

The Herb Garden

photos by Audrey Giles


The Herb Garden was our September featured garden for our “Talks in the Garden” series. Sharon Hosch and Betsy Smith discussed the herbs we grow in the Demo Garden and the way herbs are used for seasoning, teas and sometimes for medicines. Sharon and Betsy also presented the certificate and plaque for our Garden Bridges certification through the Herb Society of American. Garden Bridges gardens create a safe passing for plants and pollinators to thrive and migrate by incorporating native plants in harmony with nearby natural areas. For a special treat they served tea cookies with rosemary sugar and iced tea with herbed ice cubes!

Sharon Hosch (left) and Betsy Smith (right) with the certificates from the Green Bridges certifications

Gardening in Small Spaces

This month we presented a certificate and badge to another intern; congratulations to Lynne May for meeting the requirements for Master Gardener certification!

Glenn Huovinen, Autauga County Advanced Master Gardener, presented a very informative program on Gardening in Small Spaces and Alternative Gardening Methods. He shared information on grow bags, root pruning buckets and raised beds. He also discussed how to espalier fruit trees and ornamentals. The use of drip irrigation and rain barrels was included in his talk. We especially enjoyed seeing photos of his garden in a small space and all he grows there.

Projects that were discussed were: the watering schedule of the rec building flowers and possible projects for the future which include Landowner Tour, Water Fest, Classroom in the Forest and Fairy Tales to be held in Jemison. Other discussions included the AMGA Fall Seminar being held at Auburn University on October 6 and the LMGA Fall Seminar to be held in Athens, AL on August 27, 2022. Several members plan to carpool to the AMGA fall Seminar. Also the Fall Intern class started August 11 and is being held every Thursday at the Extension office through November 18th. We had 23 members, 1 guest, and 4 interns present.

L-R Lynne May receives certification and badge, presented by
Membership chairman Trisha Williams
L-R Glenn Huovinen, Autauga County Advanced MG & program speaker,
receives speakers gift from VP Gail Brooks