Patrick Thompson, the Curator of the Davis Arboretum at Auburn University and Coordinator of the Alabama Plant Conservation Alliance was our September speaker. He spoke to us about the importance of conserving our native species and establishing more sites where these plants can thrive. Alabama and Chilton County have many plants that are specific to us and are worthy of saving. One plant, the Alabama Canebreak Pitcher Plant, has only been found in Chilton and Autauga counties and only at eight sites. Our local CCMGA Conservation Group will be working to propagate some of the threatened plants and to provide educational programs to the public.
Patrick Thompson presenting September’s programV. P. Leslie Durham presenting the handmade wooden pen to the speaker, Patrick ThompsonMGs AmyBaker and Skip CoulterPres. Jerry Farmer and MG Betsy Smith
The 2022 Chilton County Fall Master Gardener Intern Class and Chilton County Master Gardeners have installed the plants for Phase 1 of the class project. They created a plan to replace the shrubs along the front of the Clanton Community Center and to make the entrance more inviting. City of Clanton workers removed the overgrown shrubs and added top soil. Earlier in October the class and Master Gardener volunteers tilled in soil amendments. The next step was to plant the bed with Arborvitae ‘Emerald Green,’ Gardenia ‘Autumn Beauty,’ Illicium ‘Florida Sunshine,’ Hosta ‘Glad Rags,’ Amaryllis and Iris. A large pot, donated by Mayor Jeff Mims, was planted with a monochromatic group of plants which included Illicium ‘Florida Sunshine,’ Creeping Jenny and Carex ‘Everillo.’ They also placed a bright turquoise bench near the entrance.
Many thanks to the City of Clanton, Mayor Jeff Mims, Petals From The Past, ACES Chilton County Coordinator Lucy Edwards and CAWACO RC&D.
This project was made possible in part by a grant from CAWACO RC&D https://cawaco.org
Congratulations to Margariette Hoomes for earning her Master Gardener certification and receiving her MG badge and certificate. The CCMGA Board of Directors provide an Appreciation Lunch of soup and chili for our great members and interns. We had great attendance and enjoyed sharing a meal and socializing with our members.
Terese Goodson from the Capitol City Master Gardeners Association spoke about “Year Round Color in the Garden.” Her goal is to have something blooming every month of the year so that she can have a vase of fresh flowers everyday of the year. A variety of reseeding annuals and perennials can meet this goal. She shared a bloom time chart for central Alabama which serves as a guide for plant selection for each month.
Nominations for 2023 Officers were brought before the members and voted on. The new officers were introduced to the membership and photos taken. 2023 CCMGA Officers are Jerry Farmer, President; Leslie Durham, Vice President; Kerry Rush, Secretary; and Lynn Webb, Treasurer.
Plans were discussed for a booth at the December 4th Maplesville Old Fashion Christmas to promote Master Gardeners. A request was made for small flower seeds to make flower bombs as a give away for children. Several volunteered to provide seeds and help put them together. Volunteers to work the booth in Maplesville were discussed. After no more business, the meeting was adjourned.
Margariette Hoomes gets her Certificate and MG badge presented by Trisha Williams.Ron Herbster, Jim Rabey, and Lyn May at the table, Lee Walters and Clem Clapp behind them. And on the left, Judy Cobb (facing front) talking to Cheryl Herbster.L-R, Hugh Nichols, Chip and Leslie Durham, and Alan ReedAlan Reed, Chip and Leslie Durham, Lyn May, and sitting at right table, R-L Robin Cagle, Lee and Wally Walters Terese Goodson, setting up her demonstration itemsSmile, you’re on Candid Camera!Terese Goodson receiving her speakers gift from V.P. Gail BrooksThe awesome graduation cake Trisha Williams makes the graduating interns every year.L-R Treasurer Lyn Webb, Sec. Kerry Rush, V.P. Leslie Durham, and Pres. Jerry FarmerNow what was that you said, Leslie😮⁉️Just trying to get a good photo of everyone, ladies!
At our October meeting, Trisha Williams introduced Brandy Childress as the new Administrative Assistant at the Chilton County Extension Office Everyone gave her a warm welcome with a big round of applause.
Our Vice President, Gail Brooks, introduced Don Armstrong as this month’s speaker. Don and his wife, Glenda, gave a very informative slide presentation and handouts on Landscape Design/Yard Design. Then as a nice surprise, Mr. Armstrong brought potted plants for every member!
Photos by Audrey Giles and Diane Clapp
Secretary Treasia Bennett introduces new ACES Chilton Office Administrative Assistant Brandy ChildressSpeaker Mr. Don Armstrong V.P. Gail Brooks presents Don Armstrong with his speakers giftFront L – R Lanell Baker and Audrey Giles Back L-R Amy Baker, Lyn May, Peggy McGraw, and Kerry RushFront L-R Chip and Leslie Durham Middle L-R Wally Walters and Jimmy Knowles Standing Back Judy Cobb
Congratulations to our newly certified Master Gardeners! Rene Day, Chip Durham, Leslie Durham, Susan Parkerson and Abby Messer have completed requirements to become certified. Certificates and badges were presented to those present: Susan, Leslie, and Chip.
Rick Cybulsky, Jefferson County Advanced MG presented an informative program on how to use and care for perennials. He told us that most perennials give 4 to 6 weeks of color but this can be extended by deadheading. He reminded us to cut back in fall and prune at appropriate times for the plant. Dividing when growth slows is important to plant heath.
Pat Farmer reminded us that our Intern class will need help with their project, asked for helpline volunteers, announced nominations for Officers and mentioned needing helpers for the bee meeting set up. Our November meeting will be at another location, TBA. Photos by Diane Clapp
L-R: Susan Parkerson, Leslie and Chip Durham receiving their MG certificatesSpeaker Advanced MG from Jefferson County presents our program.VP Gail Brooks presents speaker Rick Cybulsky with giftL-R 2022 Intern Amy Baker and Amelia BloomfieldL-R Nominating Committee members Lyn Webb and Harriett Jackson presenting the nominations of officers
The Herb Garden was our September featured garden for our “Talks in the Garden” series. Sharon Hosch and Betsy Smith discussed the herbs we grow in the Demo Garden and the way herbs are used for seasoning, teas and sometimes for medicines. Sharon and Betsy also presented the certificate and plaque for our Garden Bridges certification through the Herb Society of American. Garden Bridges gardens create a safe passing for plants and pollinators to thrive and migrate by incorporating native plants in harmony with nearby natural areas. For a special treat they served tea cookies with rosemary sugar and iced tea with herbed ice cubes!
Sharon Hosch (left) and Betsy Smith (right) with the certificates from the Green Bridges certifications
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 OwenChip Durham plays to win!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 MayRegional Extension Agent Lucy Edwards greets her new MG members and Interns
Thursday May 5 was a beautiful day for a tour of the Chilton County Master Gardeners Demonstration Garden. We were host to Regional Extension agents Mallory Kelley, Dani Carroll and Bethany O’Rear and interns of Lee, Elmore, and Montgomery County associations. Everyone met at 10 am for a tour of the different beds of the garden. CCMGA member Harriett Jackson gave a short bio of the Gardens and how the new one came about. Matthew Price, director of Chilton Research and Extension Center, told them a little about the center, what their purpose is, how they are funded, and all the fruits they grow. Everyone enjoyed delicious doughnuts from Lickin Good Doughnuts, coffee from Jack’s, and ice cold bottled water. Then they all climbed aboard the 2 tour wagons from the Chilton Research and Extension Center to see the kiwi, strawberries, peaches, and figs, to name a few, that they are growing for research. After that, they all drove up the road to Petals From the Past for lunch and a welcome speech from Jason Powell of Petals. After their lunch catered by Panera Bread, they all had a tour of Petals by Jason and then went SHOPPING🤩🪴🎍🌳🌾🌹🌼💵💵❗️
Photos by Audrey Giles
CCMGA intern Tammy Gentry on left with guests from Montgomery, Lee, and Elmore County associations.CCMGA member Harriett Jackson, gives a short bio of the Demo Garden and how the new one came about..CCMGA Pres. Pat Farmer and member Audrey GilesCCMGA Intern Hugh Nichols and one of the guests.Native Columbine in the Native bed.CREC Manager Matthew Price and CCMGA Pres. Pat FarmerCCMGA intern Kerry Rush talking to one of the guests.Getting ready for the tour of the Center.R.E.A. Mallory Kelly really tickled about something!
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.
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 AllegianceAlan Reed and Sondra HenleyJason Powell presents the program on Antique RosesV. President Gail Brooks presents Jason Powell with speakers gift Joan Barber wins door prize of potted antique rose.
Cookie Acceptance Needed
This website would like to use cookies to collect information to improve your browsing experience. Please review our Privacy Statement for more information. Do you accept?
Share
Menu
Search
