June Meeting Fun

Posted on July 6, 2022July 6, 2022 by trisha

What fun we had at our June meeting! We played a game called ”Are You Smarter Than a Farmer?” hosted by Jesse Owen, a Regional Extension Agent with Calhoun County. After spinning a wheel to determine a category such as fruits/vegetables, livestock, row crops and more, a question was asked. Prizes were awarded for correct answers; sometimes the contestant had a little help from friends!

It was great to meet our new Chilton County Extension Coordinator, Lucy Edwards. Lucy has been with Extension for several years serving as a Regional Extension Agent for Home Horticulture in South Alabama and more recently in Northwest Alabama. We are excited to have Lucy in Chilton County and look forward to working with her.

Sharon Hosch presented a powerpoint with general information about Geocaching and our geocache located at the Demo Garden. We have had three Geocache visitors to the garden in the short time it has been listed.

Photo credits: Susan Cleckler

Sharon Hosch plays the game and wins a prize from REA Jesse Owen

And Alan Reed answers the question and wins!

2022 Interns present Trisha Williams, the facilitator, with a Thank You gift, a personalized apron!! Pictured L – R: Margariette Hoomes, Kerry Rush, Trisha Williams, Martha Rodgers, Cheryl Gritton, Lynne May

Regional Extension Agent Lucy Edwards greets her new MG members and Interns

Gardening for Pollinators

Posted on June 8, 2022June 8, 2022 by trisha

Pollinator Gardening was the topic for the June Chilton County Master Gardeners’ “Talks in the Garden.” Master Gardener Harriett Jackson taught us about the importance of pollinators for our gardens and discussed plants she has planted in the pollinator bed at the Demo Garden. Plants include perennials that bloom in early spring, summer, or fall and annuals that bloom all summer. The garden also has host plants for butterflies and the gulf fritillary caterpillars always enjoys the passionflower vine and devour it. Harriet suggests placing a “muddle” (mud-puddle) in your pollinator garden. A muddle is a shallow flat container with water, red clay soil and a rock for a resting spot. Butterflies love them!!

Photos by Audrey Giles

CCMGA Plant Sale

Posted on May 6, 2022January 15, 2023 by trisha

Chilton County Master Gardeners held their Annual Plant Sale at Goosepond Park on April 15 and had a rain date sale on April 30. Our members propagated lots of wonderful plants including ferns, hostas, phlox, iris, daylilies, black-eyed Susan’s, ground covers, vines, figs, houseplants, shrubs, trees and more. This year there were tomatoes, peppers and watermelon plants too. There are always great old fashioned favorites and pass-a-long plants that you don’t always find in nurseries. We also had an Ask a Master Gardener table and a Country Store with gently used garden and decorative items. Two customers won a Grow More Give More bucket to grow a vegetable!

Our members enjoy helping our customers find lots of great plants for their gardens and talking gardening.

Hype about Hemp

Posted on May 1, 2022May 1, 2022 by trisha

Our April meeting featured Jessica Kelton, Alabama Cooperative Extension System Regional Agent for Farm and Agribusness. Our group requested Jessica repeat her program due to difficulty with sound at a previous presentation. Jessica discussed the uses of hemp, the growing requirements and difficulties growing this crop in Alabama. For more details go to our February 2021 post on her presentation.

We acknowledged April birthdays: Bettye Glass, Joan Barber, Lamar Giles, Wally Walters and Larry Jones.

Much of our meeting was addressing the upcoming Plant Sale, the Demo Garden and ACES Office beds, “Ask a Master Gardener” and the Helpline.
Photos by Diane Clapp.

Interns at April meeting — Interns Maggie Thompson and Sally Moore at the April meeting

Start Plants from Seeds

Posted on April 5, 2022April 5, 2022 by trisha

March is a great time to start many plants from seed and Holly Wadleigh from the University of Montevallo Organic Community Garden shared seed starting tips with us at our March Master Gardener meeting. She showed us the trays she uses, discussed seed starting medium, told us how deep to plant seeds and how to harden the plants off. Holly graciously answered our many questions.

President Pat Farmer welcomed 5 interns to our monthly meeting. There was a lively discussion about our upcoming Plant Sale to be held at Goosepond Park in April. We talked about the Plant Swap and picnic to be held at our May meeting. Open Discussion touched on the Helpline, Ask a Master Gardener, work at the Demo Garden, and the new Hospitality committee Jane Rabey, Judy Cobb, Cheryl Herbster, and Joan Barber.

**Holly Wadleigh and VP Gail Brooks giving her the speakers gift, A custom wooden pen handcrafted by MG**
**Ron Herbster.**

**Speaker Holly Wadleigh with Montevallo Organic Community Gardens**

**Introducing Intern Marguerite Hoomes**

CCMGA Awards Day

Posted on February 13, 2022February 13, 2022 by trisha

Chilton County Master Gardeners presented awards at our February 2022 meeting. Bronze stars for 100-299 volunteer hours were awarded to Patricia Agee, Gail Brooks Linda Church, Sharon Hosch, Peggy McGraw, Ruby Moberg, Jim Rabey and Jane Rabey. For 300-499 volunteer hours Clem Clapp and Judy Cobb were awarded silver stars. Top intern hours was awarded to Victoria Brady (79) and top CEUs to Lynn Webb.

Certificates were presented to our top hours volunteers: 1st Lyn Webb (476.5), 2nd Harriett Jackson (346) and 3rd Sondra Henley (317.5). Helpline pins were awarded to several members who worked the helpline.

Our Master Gardener of the Year award went to Harriett Jackson. She is our AMGA Advisory Council Representative, serves on the ACES Master Gardener Steering Committee, our Demo Garden Pollinator Bed chair and always steps up to volunteer her time for Master Gardener activities.

Five of our new interns attended the meeting and we were so excited to have them there for their first CCMGA meeting.

In addition to our awards presentations we had a great program, “Edibles in the Landscape”, presented by Autauga County Master Gardener Debbie Boutelier. Debbie showed us how vegetables, herbs and fruits can be incorporated in our landscape in an attractive way. Sometimes these can be hidden behind a border of evergreen shrubs or a fence but sometimes are in plain sight. It is necessary to pay attention to the hard scapes and as with any landscape, care should be taken to use design elements of size, form and color when choosing plants.

Photos by Audrey Giles and Diane Clapp

Antique Roses

Posted on January 17, 2022January 17, 2022 by trisha

Antique Roses presented by Jason Powell of Petals from the Past was the program for our January meeting. What a treat to have our area expert on antique roses to talk with us about climbing roses! Antique roses are those introduced before 1867, after that year hybrid teas were introduced. Many antique climbers bloom once in the spring but there are repeat bloomers. Jason also talked about fertilizer requirements and pruning techniques for climbers. One of our door prizes was a potted antique rose won by Joan Barber. Photos by Audrey Giles

**Larry Jones about to lead Pledge of Allegiance**

Jason Powell talks on antique roses. — **Jason Powell presents the program on Antique Roses**

**V. President Gail Brooks presents Jason Powell with speakers gift**

**Joan Barber wins door prize of potted antique rose.**

Christmas Party Fun

Posted on January 9, 2022January 9, 2022 by trisha

Chilton County Master Gardeners celebrated Christmas with a covered dish dinner held at the Clanton Recreation Center. After time for fellowship, a short meeting, a wonderful lunch and great desserts, we played a rousing round of Dirty Santa. Stealing was definitely the name of the game this year! We appreciated being able to enjoy the company of our Master Garden friends. Photos by Diane Clapp and Audrey Giles.

Members serving Christmas luncheon — **Lanell Baker and Patty Frye serving salads for Christmas luncheon.**

**Clem Clapp & Rick Miller leading Pledge of Allegiance**

Member receiving certification — **Pat Farmer & Trisha Williams presenting Intern Victoria Brady with MG certification.**

**Trisha Williams presenting President Pat Farmer with gift.**

**Members having fun before the meeting.**

Members enjoying Christmas luncheon — **Intern Victoria Brady and husband.**

Retired ACES Gay West visiting meeting — **Retired ACES Coordinator Gay West(left) visiting meeting.**

**We were glad to see ACES Office manager Elaine Densmore at the Christmas luncheon!**

Member playing Dirty Santa — **Clem Clapp admiring a Dirty Santa gift.**

All About Hostas

Posted on November 10, 2021November 10, 2021 by trisha

The program topic for our Chilton County November meeting was “Let’s Learn About Hostas”presented by Autauga County Advanced Master Gardener Bionca Lindsay. Bionca was such an entertaining speaker and so down to earth. She gave us the basics of purchasing, planting, dividing, fertilizing and watering hosta and shared tips to help us be successful! She suggests letting the plants bloom as pollinators will definitely benefit. Who knew that hostas come in sizes from mini to extra large?

CCMGA voted on our officers for 2022 and they are:
President: Pat Farmer
Vice President: Gail Brooks
Secretary: Treasia Bennett
Treasurer: Lyn Webb
Congratulations to our new officers and a big Thank You for stepping up!

Article by Trisha Williams and Audrey Giles; photos by Diane Clapp and Audrey Giles

Candid shots of Nov. meeting — **Top photo, speaker, Bionca Lindsey; Bottom left, Joyce Lawson, Susan Cleckler, and Judy Cobb; Right photo- Lee Walters, Jerry Farmer, Alan Reed, and Larry Jones**

Candid shots from Nov. meeting — **Top-Pat Farmer-Pres., Gail Brooks**–**V. Pres., Treasia Bennett-Sec., Lyn Webb-Treas**. **Bottom, Left photo, Speaker, Bianca Lindsey and Par Farmer, Pres.** **Right photo, Harriett Jackson giving Advisory Cancel report**

Master Gardener Classes

Posted on November 10, 2021November 10, 2021 by trisha

If you have ever thought of becoming a Master Gardener volunteer, NOW is the time to register! Chilton County classes will be held at the Chilton County Extension Office February 3rd through May 5. SAVE $50 if you register and pay between Nov. 3 and Dec 19! Registration closes Jan 23. For more information see flyer or call (205)280-6268
Here’s the link to online registration Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom!
HTTPS://www.aces.edu/go/2022springMGclass