October’s meeting was a celebration of all things German; food, decorations, stories, all depicting the life of Germany. CCMGA member Wally Walters presented an excellent description of what it’s like to visit Germany, and she should know, she was born in Germany! The food the many members brought was fabulous, with many of the items labeled with the English name and also the German name.
Our program was presented by CCMGA member Margie Robertson, who is a Master Beekeeper and a member of the Shelby County Beekeeper’s Association. She did an excellent job of describing the bee’s life cycle, and how they go about gathering nectar for the honey. Margie did this without the aid of a PowerPoint, which wasn’t really missed, as she did such a wonderful job of describing everything in vivid color!
Members that brought food for Octoberfest meeting
Wally Walters and Margaret Goolsby sharing German decorations
Bread with English and German name displayed
Grapes and Cheese with English and German names
Fruit with German names
Wally Walters talking about what it’s like to visit Germany
Chilton County Master Gardener members Audrey Giles, Harriett Jackson, and Sarah Saunders attended and helped with the Fall Landowner Forestry Tour on October 10th. This event is hosted by the Chilton Natural Resources Council and covers various topics including land maintenance and rules and regulations. The tour was held on the property of Wade Connell in Clanton and included stops throughout the property. A representative from Plantation Pipeline spoke about the petroleum pipeline that runs through the property and the caution that must be taken before digging around them or starting a project close by. Other subjects discussed were wildlife food plots, a fungi pest that affects roots of trees, boundary lines and firebreak maintenance. The tour was concluded with lunch which was barbecue provided by Hickory Chip and served by the master gardeners and door prizes that were provided by local businesses that helped sponsor the tour.
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.
Chilton County Master Gardeners have a standing date with the Shelby County Fair to help judge the exhibits. This year several members helped out, as well as Jefferson County Master Gardeners, St. Clair County Master Gardeners, and Kiwanis members. Photos by Harriett Jackson.
Tia Miller (Jefferson Co.), Harriett Jackson & Sarah Saunders (Chilton Co.) judging Horticulture
Sarah Saunders, Tia Miller, & Kiwanis member Vicky Letlow judging canned goods
Margaret Ennis, Martha Gothard, & Trisha Williams judging quilts
Harriett Jackson & Sarah Saunders judging canned goods at Fair
Martha Gothard, Trisha Williams, & Margaret Ennis judging Ceramics
Shelby County MG booth at Shelby County Fair
Margaret Goolsby, Carolyn Mills and Deborah Adams (St. Clair Co. M.G.) and intern Donna Beavers judge photography
Several members attended the 2016 AMGA Fall Seminar on September 29th, held at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Some of the programs included “Japanese Maples: Aristocrat of Trees” by David Doggett, JCMG; “Beauty in Her Own Backyard” by Sally Price, JCMG; “The Aging Gardener” by Fletcher Harvey, JCMG; and “Tree I.D.” by Mallory Kelley, ACES just to name a few. The weather was absolutely gorgeous at the gardens and lunch and breaks was enjoyed on the outdoor patio just outside the Hodges Room. Pictured left to right: Sondra Henley, Trisha Williams, Audrey Giles, Pat Farmer, & Margaret Goolsby.
September’s Lunch and Learn was presented by Chilton County Master Gardener Lanell Baker. Lanell demonstrated how to start and grow plants from seeds. She told what type of potting mix to use, what kind of heat they need, how long it takes them to germinate, and how to repot them and harden them off for the outdoor garden. Participants were able to plant seeds in provided pots to take home for their own use.
Sept. Lunch & Learn @ Extension Office
Lanell Baker showing how to start plants from seeds
Our meeting for September was very interesting. The theme presented by our hospitality hostess, Anita McGee, was Africa, with decorations provided by Rose Utendahl and others. The refreshments were provided by many members and included breads, homemade biscuits, honey butter, and lots of jams, jellies, and preserves, and a fruit tray.
Our program was provided by Renee Thompson, Harvest for Health Outreach coordinator with Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Harvest for Health is a program for breast cancer survivors to encourage healthy lifestyle practices by planting a garden and growing their own food. This is a program started in 2010 between the Comprehensive Cancer Center of UAB and the Jefferson County Master Gardeners. It now also includes the Community Fund of Greater Birmingham, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, and various groups of Master Gardeners around the state. The Master Gardener volunteers are needed to participate as mentors, while the Extension provides supplemental training and coordinates the seasonal supplies needed for a garden. Master Gardeners are required to contact their participant twice a month; once as a home visit and once by phone or email. But many spend much more time cultivating a friendship while gardening. Mrs. Thompson said that some of the survivors have come full circle, and are enrolling in the Master Gardener program to become Master Gardener themselves. The program has shown that gardening at home is beneficial because it allows participants to take ownership over producing fresh vegetables right outside their door. They are more likely to spend time outside and are more inclined to eat what they have grown. Dr. Sue Webb, Chilton County Master Gardener, shared highlights from a native plant conference she recently attended.
Treasia Bennett and Anita McGee in their African attire.
Home for the Holidays can also be called Fun for the Holidays!
Tickets for the Home for the Holidays Fundraiser event go on sale September 15. Plan now to go and enjoy all the food, shopping, and drawings planned for the day! The tickets must be purchased prior to the event and are limited. They may be purchased at the Chilton County Extension Office at 504 1st Avenue N., Clanton. The tickets are $10 each. There will be door prizes, a tasting table, recipe booklet, and items available to purchase from various vendors and crafters. There will also be a Second Chance room.
The Grand Opening of the Demo Garden was held August 6, 2016, just before the Farm, Home, and Wildlife Expo. On hand for the ceremony was Eagle Scout Clay Vinson, and Girl Scout Hannah Childress. Clay’s project for Eagle Scout was the Demo Garden’s Pergola and surrounding Butterfly Flowerbed. Hannah’s project for her Gold Badge was the Keyhole Garden. The Expo is always a big event that the Master Gardeners look forward to each year. Master Gardeners are in charge of the ice cream tasting, fruit tasting, corn on the cob hut, plant sale, and of course, the Demonstration Garden. Go to Smilebox to see a slideshow of photos from the Expo and Demo Garden.
This unusual salsa was recently served at the Chilton Research and Extension Center’s annual Farm, Home and Wildlife Expo where it was well received. The recipe was adapted from the National Center for Food Preservation’s Peach Apple Salsa recipe.
6 c. chopped Roma tomatoes
2 1/2 c. diced yellow onions
2 c. chopped green bell peppers
10 c. chopped hard, unripe peaches
2 c. chopped Granny Smith apples
4 T. mixed pickling spice*
1 T. canning salt*
2 t. crushed red pepper flakes*
3 3/4 c packed light brown sugar
2 1/4 c. cider vinegar(5%)
* May substitute 2 T. Mrs Wages Spicy Pickle Mix
and 3 T. Mrs Wages Salsa Mix for the * ingredients.
Procedure:
Wash and rinse pint canning jars; keep hot until ready to use. Prepare lids according to manufacturer’s directions.
Place pickling spice on a clean, double-layered 6 inch square piece of cheesecloth. Bring corners together and tie with a clean string. (Or use a purchased muslin spice bag.)
Wash and peel tomatoes (place washed tomatoes in boiling water for 1 minute, immediately place in cold water, and slip off skins). Chop into 1/2 inch pieces. Peel, wash and dice onions into 1/4 inch pieces. Wash, core, and seed bell peppers; chop into 1/4 inch pieces. Combine chopped tomatoes, onions, and peppers in an 8 or 10 quart Dutch oven or saucepan.
Wash, peel and pit peaches; cut into halves and soak for 10 minutes in ascorbic acid solution. Wash, peel and core apples; cut into halves and soak 10 minutes in ascorbic acid solution. Quickly chop peaches and apples into 1/2 inch cubes to prevent browning. Add chopped peaches and apples to saucepan with the vegetables.
Add the pickling spice bag to the sauce pan; stir in the salt, red pepper flakes, brown sugar and vinegar. Bring to boiling, stirring gently to mix ingredients. Reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove spice bag from pan and discard.
With a slotted spoon, dip salsa solids into hot, clean pint jars, leaving 1/1/4 inch headspace. Cover with cooking liquid, leaving 1/2 inch headspace.
Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace if needed. Wipe rims of jars with a dampened, clean paper towel; apply two piece metal canning lids.
Process in a boiling water canner according to the recommendations below. Let cool, undisturbed, 12 to 24 hours and check for seals.
Process time for hot pack pint jars by altitude: 0-1000 ft.– 15 minutes; 1001-6000 ft.-20 minutes; above 6000 ft.–25 minutes.
Source: National Center for Home Food Preservation, University of Georgia, Athens. Thanks to Christy Mendoza, Alabama Cooperative Extension Service, Regional Extension Agent for the spice substitutions.
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