Demonstration Garden

Posted on April 14, 2016August 15, 2016 by audrey

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!

new sod for Demo Garden — New sod in Demo Garden

garden bed filled with rocks and sedum and succulents — Rick Miller’s rock garden

demo garden volunteers — Early morning crew

Crafting for Antiques in the Garden

Posted on April 11, 2016August 31, 2016 by audrey

Antiques in the Garden

group putting hod baskets together for craft sale — Craft Days for Antiques in the Garden

Many of the Master Gardener members have been busy on Wednesday’s at Sondra Henley’s Craft Day. She has been hosting this in her garage for several weeks in preparation for the first fundraiser for 2016. Antiques in the Garden will be held at Petals from the Past in Jemison April 22 and 23, 2016.

Making grapevines into wreath — Pat Farmer and Sondra Henley making wreath baskets

collection of crafts for sale — Crafts for Antiques in the Garden

crating hypertufa posts for sale — Making Hypertufa pots

What’s a Chick Chain?

Posted on April 6, 2016August 31, 2016 by audrey

Chilton-Coosa 4-H Chick Chain

By Pat Farmer

Chilton and Coosa counties in conjunction with the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service and Alabama 4-H sponsor a program each spring for 4-H members between the ages of 9 – 18 years called Chick Chain.

Participates receives 10 baby chicks (5 each of two breeds), and they have to take care of them for about 21 weeks. They are taught how to house and feed the baby chicks. Two of our members, Jerry and Pat Farmer assist Josine Walter, the ACES 4-H Regional Agent and other ACES staff members in handing out the 2 day old chicks (500+). They also go on many farm visits during the summer to check on the progress of the chicks.

The 4-H participants learn several things during the time of raising their chicks: how to produce healthy chickens, recordkeeping skills, poultry management skills, business management and they also achieved a sense of pride and accomplishment in a job well done.

Jr. Master Gardener Day

Posted on April 5, 2016August 31, 2016 by audrey

Junior MG group of children leaning about gardening

On March 29th, several Chilton County Master Gardener members participated in a Jr. MG’s in Training Day held at Chilton Research & Extension Center. Josine Walter, ACES 4-H Regional Extension Agent held the workshop/training day in preparation for our organization starting a Jr. Master Gardener program in Chilton County. We really hope we can get this program up and running in the near future.