Chilton County Master Gardeners

Plant Swap Fun

Posted on by trisha

Lake Mitchell Pavilion was the site for our annual May Plant Swap. Although it was overcast it was a nice day to be at the lake. It is always a treat to see what plants our members have propagated or purchased to swap. We had dipladenia, roses, hosta, begonias, geraniums, hydrangeas, hosta, Solomon’s seal and more. There was also a fig tree and a plum tree plus tomato seedlings that were shared.

Kathy Giles, the park manager’s wife, spoke to us about the Higgins Ferry park and some of the things they do on a daily basis. A new playground was finished this Spring and she explained how it was built with donations. She told us about the activities at the park and that it is free except for camping.

Badges and certificates were presented to our newest certified Master Gardeners: Peggy McGraw, Ruby Moberg and Patty Frye. Congratulations for completing volunteer requirements during a trying year.

Photos by Diane Clapp

Master Gardeners gives minutes

Rain boots and April Flowers

Posted on by audrey

Bright rain boots filled with spring flowers welcomed us to our April Chilton County Master Gardener meeting, thanks to Hospitality leader, Lyn Webb.

Congratulations to Intern Joan Crocker, who was awarded her Master Gardener badge and certificate.

 Mollie Smith, Auburn School of Fisheries manager, presented a program on Aquaponics. She described the system used at AU and also showed how a smaller scale home version could be set up. Fish are grown in tanks and the water is used to water and fertilize plants. The fish, usually Tilapia, are also harvested. AU has had great success growing vine crops with their system. 

 Photos by Diane Clapp.

Charla with program speaker
V.P. Charla Giles and speaker Mollie Smith
Joan Crocker received certificate
Joan Crocker
speaker Mollie Smith
Speaker Mollie Smith, A U Fisheries Manager
Hospitality lead Lyn Webb
Hospitality Lead Lyn Webb
Members enjoy the meeting
Members at meeting 4-21

Best Plant Sale EVER!

Posted on by audrey

We want to thank all the people that came out to our plant sale today at Goose Pond Park. Thanks to all of you, it was a huge success, more than we could ever imagine! We also want to thank all of our Master Gardener volunteers, there were many, so I won’t try to name all of them, but Thank You, you all did a great job! Also the weather cooperated so we won’t need our rain date of April 24. Here are some photos taken today by Diane Clapp and Gay West.

Volunteers at plant sale
  • Volunteers at a plant Sale
  • Volunteers at plant sale
  • Volunteers at plant sale
  • Volunteers at plant sale
  • Volunteers at plant sale
  • Volunteers at plant sale
  • Volunteers at plant sale
  • Volunteers at plant sale
  • Volunteers at plant sale
  • Volunteers at plant sale
  • Volunteers at plant sale
  • Volunteers at plant sale
  • Plants for sale at plant sale
  • Plants fir sake at plant sale
  • Volunteers at plant sale
  • Volunteers at plant sale

Peach Outdoor Ask a MG

Posted on by audrey

Peach Automotive and Outdoor held a “Spring Garden Event” at their Clanton 205 location on March 12. This was a live event to kick off the spring gardening season. The day was all about gardening, tractors, seeds, free food and drawings. Master Gardeners Jerry Farmer and Alan Reed were there manning the “Ask A Master Gardener” table to answer any gardening questions. Photo by Jerry Farmer.

Ask a MG at Spring event

Awards Day!

Posted on by trisha

Awards Day, March 9, 2021, was a special meeting day for Chilton County Master Gardeners!

We awarded Reach for the Stars bronze pins to Benita Cahalane, Charla Doucet and Kaylee Doucet. A silver pin was awarded to Larry Jones and a gold pin to Debbie Housner. Lyn Webb received her gold badge and Lanelle Baker got her platinum badge. For earning more than 4000 hours, Harriett earned her ruby star.

Our top hours volunteers were recognized and presented certificates.
1st Place: Lynn Webb, 600.5
2nd Place: Harriett Jackson 447.5
3rd Place: Sondra Henley, 425.5

Top Intern hours was awarded to Gail Brooks, 83.45 and top Continuing Education hours was awarded to Lyn Webb, 171.5.

Our Master Gardener of the year is Susan Cleckler. She has served as President for two years and lead us through this challenging year. Susan has been involved with all aspects of MG and is a great example of what a MG should be.

Congratulations to our 2020 award winning volunteers!

David Doggett, Jefferson County Advanced MG, Aldridge Gardens Docent and a member of the Alabama Hydrangea Society, taught us about winter pruning of panicle and smooth hydrangeas. He gave us detailed instructions for first, second and third year cuts. He also discussed propagation using the winter cuttings and suggested books on propagation. It is always a real treat for David to share his knowledge with us.

Awarding stars
Awards program
Awards program
Awards program
Nominations fir MG if the tear

Ask A Master Gardener

Posted on by audrey

Chilton County Master Gardeners have “Ask A Master Gardener” tables set up at Garrison’s Farm & Home Center in Thorsby February 27 through April 10, and Holleywood Nurseries in Clanton April 3 through April 17. We are always glad to be able to answer any questions about planting and growing vegetables and flowers.

The Hype about Hemp

Posted on by trisha

Then first CCMGA meeting of 2021 was held on February 9 at the Clanton National Guard Armory. Thirty-four mask-wearing members met in the large bay which gave us room to be socially distanced. We did not meet in December or January so it was nice to see everyone, even though we were 6 feet apart!

Our speaker, Jessica Kelton, Alabama Cooperative Extension System REA for Farm and Agribusiness presented her program, “The Hype about Hemp”. Hemp was first grown in Alabama for CBD oil, fiber and grain in 2019. There are regulations and oversight for growing hemp. For CBD production growers use cloned plants as female plants are needed. Mixed seedlings are planted to grow hemp for fiber or grain. We learned that hemp does not like “wet feet” but needs irrigation. After harvest the plants must be hung to dry much like tobacco. This can be a challenge in

Alabama’s humid climate.

After the program, we had our usual business meeting where we approved the 2021 Budget, announced our Plant Sale for April 17 to be held at Goose Pond Park, announced Ask a Master Gardener being held at Garrison’s from Feb 29 through April 10, and heard a report of the February Advisory Cancel meeting by Council representative Harriett Jackson. L