Demo Garden

May Plant Swap

Posted on by audrey

Our May Meeting and Plant Swap was held at Chilton Research and Extension Center at 120 County Road 756, Clanton, 35045.  Autauga and Shelby County members were invited to attend. Michael Thomason, who is the Vice President of AMGA this year, was our speaker. Mr. Thomason spoke about the planning and organizing of the 2019 AMGA Conference, which is being hosted by Chilton County Master Gardener Association.  He compared it to putting a puzzle together, the progress, the completion of the puzzle, and enjoying the fruits of your labor when your done. He commended CCMGA for the progress and efficiency of the planning done so far.

Our guest included our speaker Michael Thomason from Shoals MGA and Extension Regional Agent II Nelson Wynn. Other guests included  Kate Vogel, Merle Schukoske, Myra Healy, and Heidee Vansant from Shelby County and  Ofie McCoy, Tim McCoy, Lanell Tatum, Patti Teel, Cheri Cook, and Lee Thomas from Autauga County.  Everyone enjoyed the food and fellowship.  We had a total of 44 present.

May Plant Swap

The speaker at May Plant Swap

Photo of Demo Garden

 

Intern Classes Tour Demo Garden

Posted on by audrey

 

On Thursday, April 26, the Chilton County Master Gardeners welcomed Mallory Kelly and her intern class from Lee and Montgomery counties as they visited the CREC and CCMGA demo garden. Despite the rain and chilly breeze, the interns toured the CREC by wagon and then visited our demo garden. Harriett Jackson, Susan Cleckler, and Alice Broome enjoyed meeting the group, telling them the history of the garden and showing them the various plant beds. The interns were very complimentary of the garden and showed much interest in the designing of the beds, and plant identifications. As usual, the mutual enthusiasm of gardening led to many sharing new tidbits related to their own experiences. We look forward to a return visit from this great group!

Article by Alice Broome

Photos by Susan Cleckler

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interns tour Demo Garden in rain

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lee and Montgomery County Interns Tour Garden

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rock Garden in rain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elmore County Interns Tour Demo Garden

Posted on by audrey

On October 19th the Central Alabama MG Intern Class toured the CCMGA Demo Garden. President Sondra Henley was the tour guide and told the history of the Demo Garden and how the new garden was created.  Mallory Kelley, ACES Regional Agent for Autauga County and facilitator of the class, accompanied the group.  Chilton County Master Gardener Sue Webb was there to tell about her Native Bed in the garden.  Treasia Bennett told about her Knot Garden and Susan Cleckler told about her bed “Don’t’ Bug Me” (repels insects) and a little about the Butterfly Garden.  For a slideshow of photos of the tour go to Smilebox.

The Demonstration Garden at the Chilton Research and Extension Center  (120 County Road 756, Clanton, 35045) is open year round. To schedule a tour for your group or organization call 280-6268 and the office will contact the appropriate person.

Photo Credit: Audrey Giles

Sue a Webb tells about Nativesgroup of master gardeners touring Demo Garden

 

Awards for 2017

Posted on by audrey

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

Posted on by audrey

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.

 

2016 Expo and Demo Garden Grand Opening

Posted on by audrey

group of master gardeners cutting large ribbon
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.

 

 

Girl Scout Demo Garden Gold Project

Posted on by trisha

girl scouts preparing keyhole garde to plant and team that helped

Hannah Grace Childress, Jemison High School ninth grader, chose the Keyhole Garden installation as her Gold Project.  Hannah, along with her team, installed the wall with the broken stones left over from the Demonstration Garden. A window constructed by MG, Lee Walters, was installed on the east side of the V cut out for education on root development.  Hannah’s team  constructed the wall, lined it with cardboard, shredded paper, pine cones, and soil.  Hannah and her mother, Terri,  planted the garden with Blue Lake Bush beans. Hannah will be on-hand August 6 at the EXPO to explain her project and how it works.girl scout and mother preparing garden bed

Pictured right: Hannah and her mother, Terri Childress, planting beans

Team pictured above, left to right: Colin Tillery, Andy Davison, Alex Davison, Hannah Grace Childress, Benji Childress and Kinsley Davison.

Last Minute Touches to the Demo Garden

Posted on by audrey
Putting out mulch
Putting out mulch

Sondra Henley, Dianne Clapp, Linda Hays, Wally Walters and Lee Walters spread mulch at the Demo Garden and the Little House at Chilton Research and Extension Center, getting everything ready and spiffed up for this Saturday’s Farm, Home, and Wildlife Expo. Allen Reed helped Jim Pitts’ crew put up tents and Treasia Bennett (not pictured) delivered watermelons donated by CREC to several different charities. One more work day on Friday will get the garden and surrounding area groomed and ready for the Grand Opening of the redesigned Demonstration Garden Saturday at 11:30. Also not pictured, Paula Blevins-Russell and Harriett Jackson. Photos by Harriett Jackson.