Chilton County Master Gardens enjoyed the June program presented by Central Alabama MG and horticulturist Jane McCarthy on efforts to create a historically correct garden at the Governor’s Mansion in Montgomery. The first step was to educate the inmate workers that help with the gardening. Cleaning the garden and a lot of renewal pruning was done. Her group is trying to ID existing plants, create a plan and plant with emphasis on plants that would be historically correct. Jane is also involved in the Old Alabama Town Herb Society and the creation of Montgomery Botanical Gardens at Oak Park. All the projects are in progress. She invited us to set up a tour of the Governor’s Mansion garden and she would even welcome us to her personal garden.

The highlight of our meeting was the presentation of badges and certificates to three interns that have met the requirements to become certified Master Gardeners. Congratulations to Joyce Lawson, Susan Cleckler, and Donna Babin!

Article and photos by Trisha Williams

Chilton Master Gardeners planted 60 baskets for the City of Jemison.  Pictured left to right is: Alan Reed, Lee Walters, Wally Walters, Margaret Goolsby-Chair,  Pat Farmer, Susan Cleckler and Sondra Henley.  Those that helped but not pictured were: Lanell Baker, Linda Hays, Rick Miller and Harriett Jackson.  Baskets were hung throughout the City of Jemison.
Photo and article by Sondra Henley

On May 1-3 several Chilton County Master Gardeners attended the Alabama Master Gardener Association Conference at the Huntsville Botanical Garden and the Jackson Center in Huntsville. Classes included Ferns, Orchids, Roses, Hummingbirds, Landscape Design and Miniature Landscapes. We especially enjoyed Traditional Folk Herbalism, Seeds of the South (Heirloom Seeds) and Protecting our Pollinators. Some of our group also made  a Papercrete planter. This year the conference included a Seed Swap for the first time and we were able to select some seeds that were new to us. Of course no conference is complete without great vendors with lots of plants and unusual crafts.
Article and photos by Trisha Williams

Nineteen Master Gardener Interns completed the 2017 class today with “Small Fruits” taught by Edgar Vinson, and a tour of the Chilton Research and Experiment Center. They celebrated with a salad bar furnished by class members and a fantastic “garden” cake made and decorated by class facilitator Trisha Williams! They will receive their certificates as soon as they complete the required hours to become a member.