AMGA Fall Seminar

By Trisha Williams

“Your Sanctuary Garden” was the theme of the 2018 Fall AMGA Seminar that several  Chilton County Master Gardeners attended in Montgomery on September 27. Peggy Hill, writer for Alabama Gardener Magazine, shared ideas and inspiration for our gardens. Mary

Beth Shaddix , a marketing consultant, shared information about using color and edibles in our gardens. Mary Beth has written articles for  Cooking Light Magazine, HGTV Gardens, and Garden and Gun and she and her husband own a wholesale nursery. The afternoon sessions included Tyson Farmer discussing attracting birds and Brian Dahle showing us ways to use water features in our gardens. We came away with wonderful ideas for our own gardens.

Thanks to  Capital City Master Gardeners for planning this  fun and informative seminar!

Members at Fall Seminar

 

Awards for 2017

Members who worked on Demo Garden

Chilton County Master Gardeners held their Awards program this year at the February meeting.  Refreshments and decorations were provided by the members, with a Valentine theme.  The Helpline Top Hours were: 4+ Days – Pat Farmer(Chairman), Sarah Saunders, Lanell Baker, & Ann Moore; 3+ Days – Bonnie Hairrell.  The Top Hours Category was awarded to: Harriett Jackson, 905.50, Audrey Giles 581, and Alan Reed, 480.50. The Top CEU hours went to Jimmy and Mildred Knowles with 46.50.  The Service Project of the Year was the Demonstration Garden Redesign. The Master Gardener of the Year award went to Audrey Giles.
Silver Stars were awarded to Bob Bates, Paula Blevins-Russell, Lamar Giles, Kimberly Lynn, Anita McGee, and Ann Moore. Gold Stars were awarded to Treasia Bennett, Linda Hays, Lee Walters, and Wally Walters. A Gold Badge was awarded to Alice Broome (1000+ hours), and a Platinum Badge to Harriett Jackson (2000+ hours). The badges themselves will be presented at the AMGA conference.
The program was presented by MG Harriett Jackson on Butterfly gardening. Old and new business discussed was the upcoming Water Festival, items needed for Silent Auction basket for the AMGA conference, advisory council update, correctly reporting hours to service report site, fundraising ideas, upcoming tours, walking trail to be built at Minooka Park, propagation class at Petals, upcoming “Ask a Master Gardener” days at Garrison’s Farm and Home Supply, progress of 2017 intern class, update on registration for AMGA conference in Huntsville in May,  and CCMGA being FIRST association in Alabama to use the e-newsletter! Here’s a SMILEBOX slideshow of photos from the program that day.

Autumn in the Demo Garden

Autumn is a beautiful time to tour our Demonstration Garden. The garden is located on the grounds of the Chilton Research and Extension Center which is located on 120 County Road 756, Clanton, AL 35046. The butterfly garden is really doing it’s job, attracting butterflies! The herb bed is also a magnet to the butterflies. There’s a shade garden with a small table and chairs and a pergola with a comfortable swing. So bring a book and a sack lunch and enjoy the garden during this pleasant time of year.

 

Demonstration Garden

New sign
New sign for redesigned Demo Garden

 

The Demo Garden is open year round and is located at the Chilton Research and Extension Center on Highway 29 in Clanton.  The garden’s main event is the Farm, Home and Wildlife  Expo held the first Saturday in August.  Master Gardeners strive to maintain its beauty and variety of plants all year. Currently the Demonstration Garden is undergoing a major redesign, led by V.P. Sondra Henley. Check out the calendar for scheduled days for volunteer opportunities. Your help is always welcome!

 

 

Gathering Stones

By Sondra Henley

Several Chilton County Master Gardeners met at Rick Miller’s Lake Mitchell home to gather rocks for the rock garden that he is developing at the Demo Garden. Members that helped were left to right: Lee and Wally Walters, Don Burdette, Bill Hairrell, Jimmy and Mildred Knowles, Rick Miller, Sarah Saunders, Michelle Thomas, Linda Hays, Diane Clapp, Harriett Jackson, and not pictured, Sondra Henley. They toured Rick’s greenhouse and were given some of the Ponderosa lemons that he grows. He also shared his shop project; a full size electric boat. Members were treated to a Chili/Hot dog lunch with all the trimmings. Lee and Wally Walters gave members a boat ride and tour of their lakeside property. The relaxed setting gave all that attended a great time of fellowship. The delivery date and building of the rock terrace at the Demo Garden will be announced later.