Don Armstrong Archives - Chilton County Master Gardeners | Alabama Cooperative Extension System

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 Childress

V.P. Gail Brooks presents Don Armstrong with his speakers gift

Front L – R Lanell Baker and Audrey Giles
Back L-R Amy Baker, Lyn May, Peggy McGraw, and Kerry Rush

Front L-R Chip and Leslie Durham
Middle L-R Wally Walters and Jimmy Knowles
Standing Back Judy Cobb

Sex in the Garden, Propagation of Course! was the topic for our September meeting. Don Armstrong, Autauga County Master Gardener, showed us propagation techniques for dividing plants and rooting cuttings. His choice of potting medium is 3 parts wood chips to 1 part Pro-Mix plus a little time-release fertilizer. Don usually takes six inch cuttings, removes most leaves. scrapes the stem, dips in rooting hormone and places 2 to 3 nodes into the potting mix. He suggests putting 10 to 12 six inch cuttings in gallon pots. These pots are placed in the shade until rooted and then separated into individual pots and moved to partial shade. As a special bonus Don shared dozens of plants he has propagated: airplane plants, amaryllis, ivy, English dogwood, forsythia. iris, blueberries and much more.

We congratulate Charla Doucet and Kaylee Doucet on completing their certification requirements and presented badges and certificates to this mother/daughter duo!