Garden Conferences: A Fun Way to Learn

Posted on October 9, 2015October 9, 2015 by ampil2010

Originally printed in Druid City Living

by Judith Rives

Ok, I admit it. I am a garden conference junkie. It’s really hard for me to pass one up!

I just returned from a one-day conference in Clanton, sponsored by the Alabama Master Gardeners Association. There were programs on permaculture, seed saving, pollination in the garden, and bulbs. In the next 6 weeks, there are more events I’m already registered for, including an herb cooking class, a local one-day conference, and a 3-day native plants conference.

Don’t get me wrong; there is no substitute for just getting out in your own garden with your hands in the soil. However, garden classes provide you with great information and inspiration, and you sometimes need the basics to springboard into your grand garden experiment.

If you are interested in gardening, learning opportunities abound! Events range from short classes to a three-day conference. Some may even be hands-on workshops, which are especially fun to attend with a friend. For several years, my mom and I chose one workshop to attend together each fall. That was years ago and that nursery is now closed, but there are others that offer similar classes. Petals from the Past, in Jemison, Alabama, has an ongoing list of classes that can be found on their website.

Groups such as Master Gardeners or Birmingham Botanical Gardens (BBG) sponsor many educational opportunities, and you don’t have to be a member to attend the workshops. Educational outreach is actually the mission of the Master Gardener program, in support of the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service.

If you are interested in native plants, there is an entire course of study offered through BBG, and you can take one class or the entire series. The South Central Native Plant Conference will be held Oct. 30-31 at BBG and is only scheduled every other year. Information about this conference can be found on the BBG website, www.bbgardens.org.

Locally, the Tuscaloosa County Master Gardeners will host a fall seminar on Saturday, October 17, at the Tuscaloosa County Extension Auditorium. The keynote speaker is Roald Hazelhoff, Director of the Southern Environmental Center at Birmingham-Southern College, who will speak on urban forests. There are also programs on native trees, honeybees, and bulbs, tubers and corms. Cost is $25, which includes lunch. Deadline for registration is Oct. 12, so check out our website, https://mg.aces.edu/tuscaloosa/ for information/registration and announcements of other conferences and workshops

In less that ten days our 2015 TCMG Fall Conference will take place. So, if you have not sent in your registration, please do so by October 12 so that the correct number of boxed lunches can be ordered and the correct number of registration bags can be prepared! Maybe you’ll be the lucky winner of one of the GRAND DOOR PRIZES! Click here to get a registration form.

Octavia Miles, president of TCMG, recently attended Auburn University’s College of Agriculture’s Annual Scholarship Recognition for recipients and donors. The winner of The Tuscaloosa County Master Gardener’s Scholarship for 2015-16 is Ms. Hannah Kittrell from Chatom, Alabama. Hannah is an Auburn University senior majoring in Horticulture.

Succulents Thrive in the Deep South

Posted on October 1, 2015 by ampil2010

by Anita Smelley

Anita Smelley Tuscaloosa, Alabama — Anita Smelley
Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Summers are hot and dry in Alabama and keeping potted plants from wilting is always a challenge. Have you ever walked out onto your porch or patio to find your petunias drooping or your ferns turning brown? Succulents, on the other hand, love this climate!

Succulents have thick, fleshy leaves and stems that help them to retain water. Even in the hottest months of the year you can get away with less watering than most other plants. Even if you go on vacation for a week, when you return your succulents will still look great. Succulents have the ability to thrive on limited water sources such as mist and dew.

There are many different types of succulents. Some are spiky, chubby, flat leafed, rosette forming and some form “babies” on the edges of their leaves. Two of the spiky plants are Aloe and Agave. These two look a lot alike, but agave will form a spike on the end of each leaf.

Aloe Vera can be used to treat burns by breaking the leaf in two and spreading the gel-like substance inside on the affected area. It is very soothing and helps the burn heal. Agave is the plant from which tequila is made… enough said. It grows much larger than the Aloe and even comes in shades of blue.

The Jade plant is a deep emerald green and Purslane blooms in bright magenta, lemon yellow and creamy peach. These two are in the chubby category with thick, puffy leaves. Purslane is in the portulaca family and is even edible. The Christmas Cactus is a flat leafed succulent and blooms in late fall to early spring. It is a native of Brasil and prefers less sun and more humidity than other succulents.

Examples of the rosette forming plant are Echeveria and Sempervivum (commonly known as Hens and Chicks). The leaves look like the petals of a rose. Some are edged with red or purple. They multiply easily when smaller versions of the mature plant grow next to it. They also come in many colors and textures. They look great in groups too.

Some my favorites are the succulents with reproductive leaves. They actually have “babies” growing on the edges of the leaves and are one of the Kalanchoe species. I have one called Million Babies from Central America. From a single leaf I’ve planted babies and now have dozens to share. I pot them in small seed trays and up-pot as they grow. Before long, they too are producing little ones. I have found that they produce babies more when the plant is a little stressed, not over-watered and have plenty of direct sun.

Some succulents bloom and some do not, but all have interesting leaves and come in an array of colors. When planting them be sure to use a light-weight soil rich in nutrients like Happy Frog (available from the Plant Lady Nursery) that drains readily. Place in bright light facing east or south with twelve to fourteen hours of sunlight daily. Use tepid or luke-warm water and never let the pot sit in a saucer of water. Allow the plant to dry out almost completely between waterings. I have a birdbath that leaked, so I re-purposed it into a sedum bowl for my succulents. I like to plant several together in a round, shallow bowl and the old birdbath was perfect. Succulents are very happy living and growing in southern gardens.

Thank You to our Sponsors!

Posted on September 28, 2015September 29, 2015 by ampil2010

The Tuscaloosa County Master Gardeners would like to thank the following organizations for partnering with us to enhance your experience at our Fall Conference planned for October 17, 2015. To learn more about our conference and how to attend, click here.

Plant Development Services, Inc. Loxley, Alabama

Important Fall Conference Information and Herb Recipes

Posted on September 25, 2015September 25, 2015 by ampil2010

UPDATE! The Tuscaloosa County Master Gardener Fall Conference WILL be held at the Tuscaloosa County Extension Auditorium! Please register quickly and don’t miss this GREAT GARDENING INFORMATION! Our speakers are OUTSTANDING!

Pre-registration for our Fall Conference on Sat., Oct.17, is required. Deadline is Oct. 12, to allow for us to order the correct number of catered lunches. If you know you want to attend, click here and print off the registration form and mail in today!

Registration Form

Have you been thinking about those delicious recipes that Judith Rives shared in her presentation, “Tricks with Herbs?” Click here to get a preview before they are posted to our recipes page!

Judith’s Recipes

Other recipes mentioned at the meeting included:

Herb pastes: http://herbalacademyofne.com/2015/03/making-herb-paste-an-easy-way-to-preserve-fresh-herbs/

Compoundbutter: http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20150512/NEWS/150519950/0/search?p=1&tc=pg

Herb infused simple syrups: http://toriavey.com/toris-kitchen/2013/02/infused-simple-syrups/

Herbed sugar: http://www.marthastewart.com/907438/herb-sugar

Other herbs besides the ones named are good to use, such as scented geraniums & lavender

Herbal salt: http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2015/07/homemade-herb-salt-recipe.html

Herbal vinegars: http://www.frontiercoop.com/learn/features/herbalvinegars.php#

This is close to the way I infuse vinegar. I do let it sit 4 – 6 weeks to infuse, and store it for up to a a year.

Thanksgiving Recipes

Cream Cheese Mashers with Kale Pesto: http://www.bhg.com/recipe/cream-cheese-mashers-with-kale-pesto/

Cranberry-Rosemary Spritz: http://abc.go.com/shows/the-chew/recipes/cranberry-rosemary-spritz-clinton-kelly

Fig Jam and Goat Cheese Crostini: http://www.chowhound.com/recipes/fig-jam-and-goat-cheese-crostini-13518

(For people who don’t like goat cheese, use cream cheese. I like a cream cheese/Greek yogurt blend that I found in the cream cheese section in Wal-Mart.

Heard the News?

Signaling yet another victory for the clean food movement, the largest spice company in the world has announced it will be almost entirely organic and non-GMO by the year 2016.

Because of the organic and non-GMO food boom, other companies such as Simply Organic have been able to grow thanks to the support of customers looking for cleaner options.

The McCormick spice company has maintained its spot as the world’s largest, however, and is now making a move that comes as a surprise to many in order to keep other companies from stealing its market share.

McCormick to Officially Go Organic, GMO-Free Soon

According to this article from the website Food Dive, the compay has

announced that a huge majority of its spices and herbs will be

organic and non-GMO by the year 2016.

In total, about 80% of its products will meet the new standard. New labels will also adorn the familiar McCormick packages, with over 70% expected to sport new “non-GMO” labels according to the article.

As noted by Food Dive, many of the company’s herbs and spices are already non-GMO, but the increased transparency is expected to be a selling point for many consumers as it has been for products that have become Non-GMO Project Verified.

Also announced by McCormick, a new non-GMO vanilla extract will be introduced along with numerous other organic spices and flavorings to compete with its rivals for the growing organic dollar in the United States (and elsewhere).

“The announcement comes ahead of the peak fall cooking and holiday season where consumer usage of herbs, spices & extracts as key ingredients in recipe favorites increase,” according to the news release.

McCormick a Healthier Option?

Believe it or not, numerous companies use irradiation in order to make spices “more safe” for the consumer.

If you’re buying from any old spice company there’s a high risk that you could be getting irradiated spices.

Luckily for people who wish to avoid irradiated spices there are options. Simply Organic, Frontier and other organic brands are good bets according to a report from FoodBabe.com, and McCormick, while not organic just yet, is another company that does not use irradiation.

According to this article from Food Safety News, McCormick opts instead for steam treatments, preserving more of the health benefits of their spices (although some say it harms the taste more than radiation treatments).

– See more at: http://althealthworks.com/7696/victory-worlds-largest-spice-company-to-go-organic-and-non-gmo-by-2016/#sthash.JQrSkIsb.pb1bQ0nX.dpuf

TCMG September Meeting-Tricks with Herbs

Posted on September 3, 2015 by ampil2010

This “ugly” heirloom Brandywine would most likely never make it to a store. In addition to being irregular in shape, it has major creasing on the underside.

If we are lucky it would make it to a food pantry or the ketchup factory. But it just as likely would be composted or sent to the landfill.

Of course when you cut into it and taste it, you get to experience amazing flavor. You really can’t compare a garden tomato to one of those red tomatoes from the store.
It’s not just how we grow and distribute our food that is a problem but also how we as consumers affect the market.#FoodMatters

TCMG’ regular monthly meeting will be TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 at 5:30 pm in the auditorium of The Tuscaloosa County Extension Service Building.

Our CEU speaker will be Judith Rives, herb specialist, who will present “New Tricks with Herbs”. The public is welcome to attend.

These opportunities will be available at this meeting:

1. TCMG’ Fall Conference Registration for October 17, 2015 ($25 per person)

(Bring family and/or friend)

2. TCMG’ Membership Renewal for 2016 ($25)

3. Accepting nominations for TCMG’ officers & committee chairs. (Give the names to Brenda Lynch)

We are still seeking donations to fill Fall Conference registration packets. Items might include (about 50) pencils, cups, notepads, community information flyers, hand sanitizer, keychains, etc.

Looking forward to seeing you Tuesday, September 8 @ 5:30. Have a FUN WEEK ahead, including the long Labor Day weekend that follows!!!

Invasive plant species are an increasing issue across the country–pushing out native flora and changing ecosystems. Dr. Nancy Loewenstein, an Alabama Extension invasive plant specialist a, says invasive plant species’ should be taken seriously and can be battled with the proper information and techniques.

“An invasive species is one that has become weedy and is displacing native plant species and changing the way ecosystems function,” Loewenstein said. “For example, some burn more easily, or hotter, while others prevent fires in areas that need to burn and some change wildlife habitats.”

An invasive plant is a non-native species that has been introduced to an area by mankind that causes, or is likely to cause, environmental or economic harm.

In Alabama, the most commonly seen invasive plant species include kudzu, Japanese honeysuckle, Chinese tallowtree and Chinese privet. These species were introduced to the area as ornamental plants that then escaped cultivation into the wild.

“Many of the invasive species in Alabama are escaped ornamentals,” said Loewenstein, who is an Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences research fellow. “They produce a lot of seeds and take up a lot of room, crowding and outcompeting native plants.”

This competition with native plant species presents a danger to animals that live in invaded areas. Next to habitat loss, invasive plants have one of the largest impacts on endangered species and biodiversity. This impact also comes from a lack of contribution to the food chain.

“Non-native plants don’t have insects on them like native plants do,” Loewenstein said. “In a lot of ways, they are biological deserts.”

For these reasons, it is important to understand the difference between native and non-native plant species and to know how to respond to them.

“Many invasive plant species are spread by birds, so if you find that you are harboring a species, such as Chinese tallowtree, with seeds that are being eaten by a lot of birds, you might consider removing it from your yard,” Loewenstein added.

Removal methods for invasive plants depend on the different kinds of species. When cut down, most invasive plants will grow right back. In order to target the root of the species, careful and selective use of herbicides work best.

“The earlier you catch something, the better,” Loewenstein said. “The longer you wait, the more time and money it’s going to take to remove the infestation.”

Although there are removal options for invasive plants species, the best way to stop the spread of invasive species is to avoid planting them altogether.

“What we plant in our yard has an impact beyond our yard,” Loewenstein said. “Think about what you’re planting… think about the impact.”

Learn more about invasive plants and their impact at Alabama Extension’s Invasive Species website.

I’m a B, I think…sometimes I get very lucky and create something beautiful. What are you? Leave a reply!

Southeast Gardener’s August Checklist

Posted on August 21, 2015 by ampil2010

From Houzz.com

August air is thick. Walking through the garden in the early morning is like stepping into a sauna. While morning is the coolest part of the day, it’s still sultry. August gardening in the Southeast is not for the faint at heart. Some even give up and pray that September comes early.

Effectively, gardening during August requires a schedule change, unless you relish punishment. I happen to tolerate an August garden because the wildlife keeps me interested, but admittedly, the anticipation of the meteorological fall, which often happens towards the end of the month, is one of my favorite times in the gardening season. I press on in August and enjoy the South in all its sultry glory.

Harvest vegetable gardens as needed. Most of what you have growing in your vegetable garden are annuals. By August, they are looking a little wrung out. As plants end their production cycle, remove them from the garden; otherwise, they may attract insects and disease to the plants that are still productive.

Deadhead flowers. Keep your flowers blooming longer by removing faded blossoms from your cannas,roses, daisies and more.

Fertilizer dos and don’ts. As August arrives, some plants will benefit from an application of fertilizer. For other plants, it could do more harm than good.

Do fertilize:

Summer veggies such as tomatoes, peppers and eggplant continue to produce when fertilized regularly. Use a product that contains 5 percent nitrogen.
Fall vegetable crops
Fall-blooming perennial and annual flowers
Chrysanthemums and dahlias
Cannas
Reblooming iris would benefit from a light application
Warm season lawns (Bermuda and Zoysia) can be fertilized

Remember to water any application of fertilizer well into the soil to provide nutrients for the roots of the plants.

Don’t fertilize:

Azaleas and camellias, because the fertilizer will disturb bud formation.
Summer-flowering shrubs shouldn’t need fertilizing for the same reason.

Water your container plants well. From hanging baskets to veggies on the deck, most of us have some kind of container planting. August can be hot, so be sure to keep your container plantings well hydrated.

Propagate roses. Roses can be propagated by layering as late as mid-August. Long, flexible canes are the easiest to propagate because they are easiest to bend into place. Use a clean knife to remove two thorns near the top of the stem and bend it toward the ground. Make a couple of small cuts into the bark between where the thorns were. This is called “wounding the cane.” Hold the wounded area in good contact with the soil with landscape pins and cover with soil, leaving the growing tip of the stem uncovered. It’s also a good idea to put a brick or stone over the covered and wounded cane to give it extra hold.

Next spring, you should see new growth emerge. Once you see new leaves on the rooted stem, carefully remove the entire stem from the parent plant, and recut the stem just beneath the new root mass. Now you are ready to plant your new rose bush.

Pests. See these on your pines? They’re the Pine Sawfly larvae. Pick them off and drop them in a bucket of soapy water.

Bulbs. Select and preorder your spring-blooming bulbs now while supplies are plentiful. Don’t put off today what will be gone tomorrow. The most unusual bulbs sell out fast. I can say this now because I’ve already put in my order. Try something fun such as the species tulip Tulipa clusiana.

Cut flowers. Remember those zinnias you seeded in July? Seed more in August, and be sure to cut some to enjoy inside!

TCMG August Meeting-Garden Journals

Posted on August 6, 2015August 12, 2015 by ampil2010

Our next TCMG meeting will be on TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, at 5:30 in the auditorium of the Extension Service Building.

Our speaker for the month of August is Bethany O’Rear, Regional Extension Agent II for Jefferson County. The topic will be Garden Journals. Bethany has written about this for AL.com; Garden Talk, click here to read her article.

The public is welcome to attend this meeting!

At this meeting, you will have the opportunity to register and pay for the fall conference, the registration form is located TCMG Fall Conference 2015 . You may also pay or renew your TCMG membership.

Our organization is looking for small item donations to fill registration welcome bags for our Fall Conference scheduled for October 17, 2015. If you are a vendor, we would welcome your sponsorship. Please contact us, ampil2010@gmail.com for more information or to offer assistance. To learn more about our annual fall conference, click TCMG Fall Conference 2015 . Thank you!

Friday, August 14, 2015.10:00am, Canning Workshop

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System is offering a Canning Workshop on August 14, 2015 10:00am-1:00pm at Petals from the Past. Attendees will learn about food safety in canning high-acid foods (water-bath canning), canning low-acid foods (pressure canning), jam and jelly making. Information will be available on pickling, freezing, and drying foods. Food safety will be an important part of this workshop, so canning equipment will be demonstrated. There will also be a live demonstration on water bath canning methods. Samples will be given!

If you are interested in attending this workshop or learning more about food preservation, please call the retail shop at 205-646-0069 to register. The registration fee for this workshop is $5.00 which will include a FOOD PRESERVATION COOKBOOK!!! The registration deadline is August 11, 2015 so hurry and sign up!

Latest website statistics for July: 2,884 unique visitors this month, amazing!

DIY Garden Trellis plus Fall Conference Registration Form

Posted on July 31, 2015August 12, 2015 by ampil2010

Click here for information and to register for the TCMG Fall Conference 2015 . This link is also located on our HOME page and will remain there until registration is closed.

“Make your Own” Backyard Trellis

by Melissa Weatherly

Do you have any gardening DIYs that you’d like to share with us? We would love to feature your projects here, too. Send your ideas, specifications and pictures to us at ampil2010@gmail.com.

Any questions or comments? Click on Leave a Reply.

Euonymus growing…

Cut wire four inches wider than width of T Post spacing.

Wrap two inches of each edge of wire around standing T Post.

Growing…

Cut desired length of wire with wire cutters then secure

the “wrapped wire” to the T Post.

Honeysuckle grown!

TCMG Fall Conference Announced

Posted on July 24, 2015July 24, 2015 by ampil2010

Coming October 17, 2015, Tuscaloosa County Master Gardeners will host their annual Fall Conference with programs on shade trees for home landscaping, honey and honeybees, and bulbs Fall IS the time for planting spring flowering bulbs. The keynote speaker is Roald Hazelhoff, Director of the Southern Environmental Center on the campus of Birmingham Southern College. His topic is “Urban Forest Gardens”, which will explore using vacant urban lots as outdoor laboratories and sanctuaries. The conference is from 8:30 am to 2:30pm. The cost is $25, which includes lunch. Location is the McAbee Activity Center, at 3801 Loop Rd. For more information and to register, visit mg.aces.edu/Tuscaloosa or call 205-759-2175. This event is open to the public.

Garden Conferences: A Fun Way to Learn

Succulents Thrive in the Deep South

Thank You to our Sponsors!

Important Fall Conference Information and Herb Recipes

TCMG September Meeting-Tricks with Herbs

Southeast Gardener’s August Checklist

TCMG August Meeting-Garden Journals

DIY Garden Trellis plus Fall Conference Registration Form

TCMG Fall Conference Announced

Top Farm Stories and TCMG reminders

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