May Plant Swap

Posted on June 1, 2018 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.

Intern Classes Tour Demo Garden

Posted on May 3, 2018May 4, 2018 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

Our Newest Member!

Posted on October 16, 2017October 17, 2017 by audrey

Somebody’s been busy in the Demo Garden! Meet our newest member, Polly Pumpkin, created by two of our artistic members, Kimberly Lyn and Harriett Jackson. Just don’t work her too hard, she probably couldn’t keep up with you two!

Photo Credit: Kimberly Lyn and Harriett Jackson

Awards for 2017

Posted on February 26, 2017 by audrey

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.

Demo Garden Grand Opening

Posted on July 14, 2016August 31, 2016 by audrey

The Chilton County Master Gardeners Association’s newly designed Demonstration Garden will have its Grand Opening on August 6, 2016 at 11:30 at the Chilton Research and Extension Center off of Highway 29.

Afterwards the Farm, Home and Wildlife EXPO will start with free tastes of fruit, ice creams, peach salsa and other culinary delights. Many presentations are offered for home and farm, along with exhibits for all ages.
Everyone is invited to attend!

(Photos by Sondra Henley)

garden with rocks and low growing green plants

Knot Garden in Demo Garden green shrubs and white flowers

Demo Garden Phase I, II, and III almost complete!

Posted on June 13, 2016August 31, 2016 by audrey

The Demo Garden redesign continues to be a work in progress, but is right on schedule as far as Phase I, II, and III are concerned. The Grand Opening is scheduled for August 6, 2016, the day of the EXPO at Chilton Research and Extension Center. The public is invited to attend.Watch for upcoming information.

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 progress display — Progress display board for AMGA conf.

wrought iron gate leading into garden — Wrought Iron gate into Garden

one of a kind garden tool arbor into garden — One of a Kind Arbor

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.