plant a row for the hungry - georgia master gardener association

Quarterly Newsletter of the Georgia Master Gardener Association, Inc.

Fall 2010

GMGA MISSION STATEMENT: To stimulate the interest in and

increase the knowledge of gardening, and to voluntarily, enthusiastically,

and responsibly share this knowledge with others.

Georgia Master Gardener Association 2010 Fall Conference

Garden Stewards: In Tune With Nature

Friday, October 1, 2010 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Hills and Dales Estate

Saturday, October 2, 2010

8: a.m. - 3:30 p.m

Callaway Business Conference Center

Hosted by

The Troup Master Gardener Association

And

Master Gardener Volunteers from Carroll, Coweta,

Meriwether, Muscogee, and Troup Counties

Conference information and registration form inside

-- The Georgia Scoop-- 2 --Fall 2010--

President’s Corner * Fall 2010

“In the summertime when all the trees and leaves are green…”

Isn’t amazing what spring rains and summer

heat accomplish. Plants that I have spoken to

seriously about their continued existence over

the past years with little result, are glorious in

their green colors, burgeoning blossoms, and

size. My hydrangeas are stunning. They are

covered with blossoms whether in sun or shade.

The azaleas were better then they have been

in years. My roses are bursting with color. The

gardenia bushes are covered with blossoms. Ferns and hostas are

larger and lovelier than ever. Some of the garden areas that seemed

a tad puny are practically jungles with pruning becoming an essential

part of my garden activities. Those plants I viewed as shrubs or

dwarfs are nearly trees. My lorepetalum have gone bananas. They are

gorgeous but unfortunately they have almost totally covered over one

walkway and are growing into other plants. It’s wild and wonderful and

will require me getting myself in gear to get on with the taming job I

have ahead of me.

Of course when the planned gardens are doing this well, the weeds

are doing very well also (Some of my weeds almost require pruning). I

have no excuse for not picking them as I sure can see them. I have

been known to lack knowledge about the identity of the plant which

gives me a little more time before I have to bend down and pull the

sucker.

Spring rains and gentle breezes have given way to summer heat and

humidity and those sometimes nasty afternoon “showers.” While

gardening is almost always a joy, it is less so when you are pruning

and pulling weeds while drowning in your own sweat. While the garden

tends to look a tad wilty in the heat of the afternoon, it perks back

up as the air drops to a mere 85 or I finally water. I am still into

drought mode when it comes to watering so I water very sparingly. I

need to rethink some of my habits. With the heat and humidity, the

spring plants have declined but the summer plants have burst forth

bringing new colors and textures to the scene. While the garden

seems to readily adjust, I who remain drowning in my own sweat am

“… in a continual state of inelegance” (Jane Austen). But that is the

state of gardeners who enjoy digging in the dirt and other related

activities.

It is my hope that you all are enjoying your garden as much as I am enjoying mine.

Judy

GEORGIA MASTER GARDENER ASSOCIATION, INC.

2010 BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

President …. Judy Mitchell .. Cobb

[email protected] . 770 928-1529

President-Elect .. W. H. Smith ... Carroll

[email protected] .. 770 834-4266

Vice President … Jim Spivey ... Lee

[email protected] .. 229-439-9369

Vice President-Elect .. Mike Sikes…. Barrow

[email protected] . 706-224-3680

Treasurer ……. Regina Lorenz … Fulton

[email protected]… 770-642-0909

Secretary .. Diane Stephens ... Houston

[email protected] ... 478-988-8344

Past President …. Brenda Beckham .. Clarke

[email protected] .... 706 549-0981

DISTRICT DIRECTORS:

NW (EVEN) …… Rita Fullick …. Cobb

[email protected].... 770-423-7269

NW (ODD)… Jack Driskell ... Cobb

[email protected] ..... 770 428-1317

NE (EVEN) ….. Alice Tenold…. Baldwin

[email protected].. 478-968-7513

NE (ODD) .... Alvin Rothe ... Pickens


SE (EVEN) … Susan Thurman … Irwin

[email protected]... 912-383-2769

SE (ODD) ……. Louise Grotheer.. Chatham

[email protected] . 912 925-2623

SW (EVEN) .. Sandra Lee .. Houston

[email protected] .. 478 987-9805

SW (ODD) …. Ron Wolfe .. Dougherty

[email protected] .. 229-883-2349

AT-LARGE DIRECTORS:

EVEN: Joan Benz ....... Troup

[email protected]..... 706-645-1999

EVEN: Russell Brannon … Cherokee

[email protected] .... 678-493-7229

ODD: Dick Chenoweth .... Rockdale


ODD: Pat Farmer ……… Rockdale


GMGA COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS – 2010 Bylaws & Nominating ... W. H. Smith .. 770 834-4266... [email protected] History .......................... Mike Doyle .. 404-248-1027 ... [email protected]

Membership …………. Carole Teja 404-643-2354 [email protected]

Merchandise ............…. Dick Chenoweth … 770 483-0760 … [email protected]

Newsletter ….……….… Fred Dyer …. 706-867-7647 ... [email protected]

Programs ..………..…... Jim Spivey .. 229-439-9369... [email protected]

Project Funding …...….. José Tallet … 478 335-8684 … [email protected]

Public Relations ............ Pam Keene ... 770 965-3340 .... [email protected]

Photos ........................... Charlie Miller . 770-934-3607 [email protected]

Web Site ........................ Sandi Cantel .. 770 965-4947 .. [email protected]

State MG Coordinator Marco Fonseca... 770-228-7243 [email protected]

State MG Program Asst Krissy Slagle .....770-228-7243 [email protected]

If you want to be involved with one of these committees, give the chairperson a call.

* Parliamentarian ……. Gerry Slaughter... 770-345-2540 . [email protected]

UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

College of AGRICULTURAL &

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES Cooperative Extension Service

http://www.caes.uga.edu/extension

http://www.bugwood.org/index.cfm

-- The Georgia Scoop-- 3 Fall 2010

Some of you may know, I recently had major surgery (open heart) and

am just getting back up to speed. I do appreciate the thoughts and

prayers that I have received from so many. On another note, since this

is the first issue of the SCOOP to be distributed only electronically,

any feedback you might care to offer would be appreciated. Hopefully

you have checked out the new website by now. Judy has also called for

you to provide material (stories, photos, etc.) for the new website.

Remember the Fall Conference is coming. Registration and other

information on the Conference can be found again in this issue.

Conferences are an opportunity for you to gather with your friends

and other gardener associates. You also support GMGA and the ideals

of the Master Gardener Program when you participate in the

conferences and other activities of your group.

My goal for the SCOOP is to provide you with a means to tell your

stories to others across Georgia. Keep sending your stories to me and I

will try to do justice in reporting your hard work. Thank You!!

DISTRICT DIRECTORS – AN IMPORTANT RESOURCE Our district directors are one of GMGA’s most valuable resources.

They are the conduit of information, ideas, problems from the local

chapters to GMGA. Please contact your district director for assistance

and ideas in the ongoing development of your local organizations.

Below are the current counties assigned to our district directors;

however, they are subject to change. Please note that not all counties

currently have resident Master Gardeners.

GMGA County Assignments – 2010 SOUTHEAST DISTRICT – 39 Counties, Two Directors

Louise Grotheer Susan Thurman

Bryan Johnson Appling Jeff Davis

Bulloch Laurens Atkinson Montgomery

Burke Liberty Bacon Pierce

Chandler Long Bleckley Tattnell

Chatham McIntoch Brantley Telfair

Effingham Sceven Camden Toombs

Emanual Treutlen Charlton Ware

Evans Twiggs Coffee Wayne

Jefferson Washington Dodge Wheeler

Jenkins Wilkinson Glynn

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT – 41 Counties, Two Directors

Sandra Lee Ron Wolfe

Ben Hill Quitman Baker Early

Crisp Randolph Berrien Echols

Dooly Schley Brooks Grady

Houston Stewart Calhoun Lanier

Irwin Sumter Clay Lowndes

Lee Taylor Clinch Miller

Macon Terrell Colquitt Mitchell

Marion Turner Cook Seminole

Peach Webster Decatur Thomas

Pulaski Wilcox Dougherty Tift

Worth

NORTHEAST DISTRICT 40 Counties, Two Directors

Alvin Rothe

Alice Tenold

Banks Jackson Baldwin McDuffie

Barrow Lumpkin Butts Monroe

Dawson Madison Clarke Morgan

Elbert Pickens Columbia Oconee

Fannin Rabun Glascock Oglethorpe

Franklin Stephens Greene Putnam

Gilmer Towns Hancock Richmond

Habersham Union Jasper Taliaferro

Hall Walton Jones Warren

Hart White Lincoln Wilkes

NORTHWEST DISTRICT – 39 Counties, Two Directors

Jack Driskell Rita Fullick

Bartow Forsyth Bibb Meriwether

Carroll Fulton Chattahoochee Muscogee

Catoosa Gordon Clayton Newton

Chatooga Gwinnett Coweta Pike

Cherokee Haralson Crawford Rockdale

Cobb Murray Fayette Spalding

Dade Paulding Harris Talbot

Dekalb Polk Heard Troup

Douglas Walker Henry Upson

Floyd Whitfield Lamar

NOTES FROM THE MOUNTAINS Editor's comments Fred Dyer

This is the REFUND POLICY as adopted by the

Board of Directors:

If a cancellation is made to a conference: A. FULL REFUND shall be made up to 60 days before the

conference.

B. FIFTY PERCENT (50%) REFUND shall be made

after 60 days and up to 30 days before the conference.

C. NO REFUNDS shall be made after 30 days before the

conference.

Jim Wilson Jim Wilson, author and former host of the Victory Garden on

PBS, passed away August 1st. Jim Wilson was a good friend of

gardening and was known by many of our older Master

Gardeners. Jim had spoken at more than one GMGA

conference. He passed away in Columbia, Missouri. He was 85

years old. Jim was the spokesperson for Fafard for many years

and continued that job after he moved from Aiken, South

Carolina to Columbia, Missouri. Memorial Services were held

at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, August 16, 2010, at Broadway

Christian Church, Columbia, Missouri. Gardening friends were

especially invited to bring their own garden favorites to the

Memorial Services in lieu of traditional displays.

The family suggests donations to Plant-A-Row for the Hungry,

Garden Writers Foundation, 10210 Leatherleaf Court,

Manassas, VA 20111 (or www.gardenwriters.org); or the

Rothenberger/Wilson Missouri Master Gardener Endowment

Fund, c/o Darcy Wells, 2-4 Agriculture Bldg, Univ. of MO,

Columbia MO 65211, (573) 882-9003.

-- The Georgia Scoop-- 4 --Fall 2010 --

PLANTING ROWS BY CHILDREN, CITIZENS

AND PRISONERS

By Peg Arey, Floyd County Master Gardener

Floyd County Master Gardeners have been too small a group to

participate meaningfully in ‘Plant A Row for the Hungry.’ The past

January class, however, brought us lots of enthusiastic interns and

one, Barbara Earle, took on the program. She never sleeps; Barbara

is the Director for the Rome Free Clinic, volunteers at the

Community Kitchen which feeds the hungry, maintains a multi-acre

garden, and cans and preserves.

Her Plant A Row project is a bit different. She began with seeds

donated by her garden club in Rome, GA. Then, Barbara delivered

the seeds to Floyd County College and Career Academy and Rome

Middle School’s horticulture programs where the students planted

them. When they grew out, she picked up the flats of tomatoes and

peppers and chauffeured them to the Library where Barbara and

another MG intern gave them away to the public. Each person was

given information about ‘Plant A Row’ with directions on where to

take their donations.

More flats went to the Floyd County prison where Warden Jeff

Chandler has begun a gardening program with the prisoners. The

prison donates to Plant A Row.

Additionally, the Boys and Girls Club which is one of the Master

Gardeners projects, has been working on raised beds for vegetables.

The children donate a portion of their bounty.

Not satisfied, Barbara sets up at the local farmers market held

twice a week. She arrives around 7:00 in the morning and canvases

the shoppers for some of their produce then wheedles the vendors

into donating what they don’t want to take back home. I told you,

she never sleeps.

The produce from all those efforts is delivered to the Community

Kitchen and Action Ministries Food Pantry which together totaled

over 66,000 meals last year.

Governor Perdue Again Honors Georgia Master

Gardeners With A Proclamation

Governor Perdue signing proclamation. Left to Right: Mrs. Marco

Fonseca representing GMGA as part of GMGA's Continuing

Education, Marco Fonseca, State MG Coordinator, Governor

Perdue signing Master Gardener Day proclamation, Lynwood

Blackmon, DeKalb County Extension Agent representing the

Community Gardening programs, Judy Mitchell, GMGA

President.

Governor Perdue presents the Proclamation to Marco Fonseca.

Editor’s Note: Governor Perdue declared March 20, 2010 as

Master Gardener Day in Georgia to honor the contributions and

volunteer service performed by Master Gardeners for Georgia.

The Proclamation was signed on May 25, 2010 due to the

Governor’s schedule.


GMGA BOARD MEETS

Wednesday July 21, 2010 President Judy Mitchell called the GMGA

board to order at 10:00 AM for it’s regular quarterly business

meeting.

The board met at the UGA Research Center and Gardens in Griffin,

Georgia.

The principal discussions were ways to improve, GMGA’S

conferences, funding, communications, broadening membership and

GMGA’S service to its members and all Master Gardener Groups

throughout the State.

Believe me there are many challenges that face the GMGA

organization and it’s membership daily, and, on an on-going basis. It

is a never ending challenge. Thanks to these GMGA members who

are willing to serve our organization for their extra work and

commitment.

Serving on the GMGA Board requires major commitments from the

individuals that are involved. These dedicated Master Gardeners are

outstanding in their own communities but also, step forward and

commit their additional time, financial resources and personal effort

to serve each member of GMGA, the general public and gardening

communities through out the State. They are community and

educational leaders working closely with their local and state-wide

Extension Service Offices. Through their local communities and

GMGA they are committed to improving education and knowledge

of gardening to all levels of society including our youth, the elderly,

handicapped, and even those incarcerated.

The ultimate life blood of most volunteer organizations is found

through an effective and committed leadership.

I urge each GMGA member to get to know your GMGA Board

Member, if you do not already, and let them know how much you

appreciate all they do for you and your gardening communities.

Submitted by Charlie Miller, GMGA photographer and

Lifetime Master Gardner, DeKalb County

SELECTED MASTER GARDENER SNIPPETS

CARROLLTON: SHADE GARDENING SYMPOSIUM on Sept. 25,

with featured speaker Erica Glasener. Sponsored by Carroll

County Master Gardeners. Six break-out sessions will also be

offered. Vendors will be selling shade plants throughout the day.

Cost is $10, payable by mail or in person at the Carroll County

Extension Office at the Agricultural Center at 900 Newnan Rd.

Carrollton, GA 30117. Registration forms at the Ag Center or e-

mail [email protected]. Space is limited.

ATHENS: STATE BOTANICAL GARDEN PERENNIAL

SYMPOSIUM Wednesday, October 13 8:45 am – 3:00 pm. Cost

members $55; non-members $60 (includes lunch buffet) Callaway

Building Auditorium Perennials are at the heart of every flower

garden. They bring beauty and wildlife to our gardens year after

year and are essential in our memories of home. Perennials connect

us to nature and place and contribute to the spirit of our gardens

as places of comfort. In this information-packed program,

perennial experts will discuss a variety of topics from specific

plants to maintaining a sustainable landscape to designs that make

our gardens our own. This program serves as an Elective for the

Certificate in Native Plants. AGENDA:

• Dr. A’s Perennials for Everyone – Allan M. Armitage,

Professor of Horticulture, UGA

• Easy Fruits and Berries in the Garden – Steve Brady,

Cobb County Extension Agent

• “Hot" Plants & New Trends for the Georgia Gardener –

Matthew Chappell, Extension Specialist & Assistant

Professor Horticulture Department.

• An Almanac for Garden Management – Mary Attaway,

Attaway Gardening, Athens, Georgia

• Strategies for Sustainable Gardening – Kevin Kirsche,

Director of Sustainability, UGA

For more information on this and other events (the fall class

schedule is now set) visit http://www.uga.edu/botgarden.

Georgia Center for Urban Agriculture has added a new site

http://www.ugaurbanag.com/. You can access the Center’s

Factsheets and Landscape Alerts more easily from this site.

For other events around the state: http://www.exploregeorgia.org/.

By Krissy Slagle, UGA~CAES~Cooperative Extension,

Georgia Master Gardener Program


Rita Fullick District Director, Georgia Master Gardener Association.

By Lya Sorano

Rita Fullick was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, and was

introduced to gardening, at the age of 3, by her dad who shared a

neighborhood community garden. Growing up close to the ocean and

in a place where nature, great weather and outdoor activities

surround you, Rita fell in

love with, gardening and

many other outdoor

activities early in life.

Becoming a Master

Gardener and sharing her

love of gardening while

juggling career and raising

a family seemed to be the

ultimate personal luxury. So

in 1993, she approached

IBM with the request for

time to complete the Master

Gardener training and

volunteer time needed to

become a Master Gardener.

In 1994, she completed her training and 10 years later, in 2004

became a Life Time Master Gardener.

She has worked on many projects over the years and is currently

working with Eagle Scouts on elementary school gardening projects,

is a Docent and provides specific support for Daffodils at Smith

Gilbert Garden, assisting with designing a community garden for

Cobb County and is a GMGA Director. Her latest projects are a

Sensory Garden and a raised bed garden at Russell Elementary

which focused on the 30 vision impaired students as well as children

of all ages. Both of these projects give each student a chance to

participate; younger children planting seed, learning about stages of

growth and various plant parts, older children performing soil tests,

developing plans for the garden space, and composting from the

cafeteria. The highlight is seeing eyes light as kids plant, harvest and

eat their own vegetables. The Sensory Garden enables visually

impaired students to experience a garden filled with art, activities

and plants the students can touch, taste, smell, and listen to.

“Children and gardening” … it combines all the senses and continues

to delight and surprise. There is always something new to explore,

things to look forward to and learn.

While in college, studying sociology, Rita was introduced to yoga and

throughout her schooling and career always ventured into yoga

classes. Yoga became a lifelong love, and helping others with this

healing art became a dream. Days after retirement she started

investigating the path to become a certified yoga teacher. Just 6

months into retirement life Rita took her yoga teacher training and

began teaching yoga just last year, 2009 at Smith Gilbert Garden and

the West Cobb Senior Center. The shared passion for gardening and

Yoga go hand and hand with her continued Master Gardener and

Yoga volunteer activities.

Rita has called Kennesaw home for 23 years and raised two

daughters in Georgia. She lives with her husband, Darrell and three

cats named: Scruffy, Felix and Shadow. Her daughters, Dara and

Devyn both live within 10 miles. An invitation for a home cooked

meal brings them running for home, food and family, a wonderful

way to spend time together.

Rita retired from IBM after a 30 year career in sales and

marketing and immediately adapted to retirement life. She jumped

into new activities, she enjoys racing sailboats, anything to do with

water, travel, cooking, teaching yoga, volunteering for the

performing arts and of course gardening.

Atlanta Yacht Club on Lake Allatoona is Rita’s little piece of

heaven. A cabin, sailboat racing, kayaking, fishing, friends and

family all are a special treats for summer days.

Her next venture is to work with Cobb County on a Community

Garden where folks come together and garden on individual plots

of land. Providing a place where people can enjoy the outdoors,

improve quality of life and produce food together is the ultimate

goal of this garden. The hope is that this garden will provide access

to fresh produce and plants as well as getting exercise, fresh air,

sense of community and connection to the environment. Just

perfect for a Master Gardener Project!

Rita may be reached at 770-423-7269 or [email protected].

Lya Sorano is a Georgia Master Gardener (Gwinnett 2005) and a writer

whose topics have most often covered international business, the role of

women in the international arena and information technology. More recently

a garden writer and member of the national Garden Writers Association, her

gardening posts can be read on http://georgiagardener.blogspot.com/ and

Karen Platt’s “Gardens of the World” (http://karenplatt.co.uk/blog/).

Editor’s Note: This is a continuation in a series on your Officers and

Committee Chairs. Others will be highlighted in future newsletters.

Louise Armstrong Grotheer Southeast District Director, Georgia Master Gardener Association

Louise Armstrong Grotheer is the Southeast District Director

for the Georgia Master Gardener Association and is a native o f

Savannah, GA.

Shortly after retiring in 2004, Louise took the Master Gardener class in 2005. She is very

active in the local

association having served the Coastal Master

Gardener’s as President,

Vice President, Secretary, and Membership Chair.

She is currently serving as

the Association’s Treasurer. Louise joined

the Georgia Master

Gardener Association (GMGA) board in 2007

as the SW District

Director and currently serves on the Grant

Committee.

Louise is a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Savannah

and has served as the Church Council President, Secretary and

Pre-school Chair. She is active on The Chatham County Resource Protection Commission and has served as a board

member on the Savannah Tree Foundation.

She has 2 children and 2 extended family children. As a

grandmother of 4 and great-grandmother of 1, she stays very involved with her family, attending school functions, soccer

games, and all other duties that arise.


BUSY TIME FOR ATHENS AREA

MASTER GARDENER ASSOCIATION

This has been a busy start to 2010 for Athens Area Master

Gardeners. Judy Hawks, new president, says that she hopes this year

will be remembered as one of expansion of service and expertise to

new counties in our area as well as a continuation of ongoing projects

in the Athens area.

NEW PROJECTS

1. Butterfly Dreams Farm, Farmington, GA. (Oconee County)

This is a non-profit therapeutic equestrian program for special

needs children. It is recognized as a North America Riding for

the Handicapped Association Center where horses are used as

natural therapy assistants. The garden was made possible by a

grant from Home Depot providing plants and landscaping

materials. AAMGA was asked to plant a butterfly garden for

the children's enjoyment and education. The project was

completed this May.

2. Oconee County Senior Citizens' Center, Watkinsville, GA

A grant was approved for a raised bed garden in the pergola

outside the Senior Center. The project began last year and the

garden was dedicated May 21.

3. Oconee Plant-A-Row for the Hungry, Thomas Orchard,

Watkinsville, GA

The project started this year on land provided by Thomas

Orchard in Watkinsville. Jerry and Paula Thomas, good friends

of AAMGA, plowed the land and provided vegetable plants,

seeds, fertilizer, and irrigation. The vegetables will be

distributed by the Northeast Georgia Food Bank.

4. 4-H Club Reward Day, Oconee County

AAMGA has been helping the Oconee fifth grade 4-Hers by

judging projects on the local level to compete in District

competition at Rock Eagle. AAMGA volunteers assist the 4-

Hers with their projects and help them practice in front of

others to prepare for District meet. For 2 years, the Oconee

Extension Service has had a Reward Day for students who

competed in county and district competitions. May 13 this year,

137 students participated. AAMGA volunteers guided students

through interactive materials from the Garden Earth Naturalist

curriculum.

CONTINUING PROJECTS

1. Athens Plant-A-Row for the Hungry, Athens Middle School campus,

Athens, GA

This garden continues to reap a wonderful harvest. Last year

1057.5 pounds of vegetables were donated to the Athens-Clarke

County Food Bank.

2. Rain Barrel Project, Athens-Clarke and surrounding counties

This project was reported in the SCOOP previously. We

continue to convert donated materials into rain barrels. This

year we are partnering with local nursery, Thyme After Thyme,

for sales. This has been the most successful monetary project of

our group, and we have given several scholarships to UGA

Horticulture students from the proceeds.

AAMGA has a large membership for such a small area, and this

year, we are contributing to local food banks from two AAMGA

Plant-A-Row gardens. We continue to work with large organizations

such as UGA as well as small non-profits to fulfill our goals.

Judy Hawks, President, Athens Area Master Gardener Association

Judy Hawks, John Quackenbush and Becki Peters work in Oconee Plant-A-

Row.

Shirley Baker helps with 4-H Club Reward Day.

Volunteers work at Clarke Middle School Plant-A-Row. Shown are Cheryl

Autry, Jemmie Vanderlip, Cheryl LaValley, Bob Wolf, Jack Vanderlip, Betty

Justice, Elizabeth Thurman and Carol Wolf.

Volunteers work in the Butterfly Dreams Garden. Those in the picture are Bill

and Anne Walker, Judy Hawks, Heather Jordan and her daughters.


The Story behind Fall Leaf Colors

The brilliant fall colors of deciduous trees are one of nature’s most

fascinating shows. The mountains of North Georgia and other states

are popular destinations for people who travel to see spectacular

displays of the leaf colors. Many people wonder what causes the

leaves to change colors. Basically, they

undergo a biochemical process, which

induces the color changes, in response

to shorter days and cooler

temperatures.

All leaves have essentially three main

pigments: chlorophyll, carotenoids, and

anthocyanins. Chlorophyll is one giving

the leaves a green color and is found in

specialized cell structures called

chloroplasts. During the growing

season, the green color of the

chlorophyll dominates and masks out

the colors of other pigments that are

present in the leaf. The molecule traps light

energy and absorbs the blue and red parts of the

spectrum, converting the energy into food

substances through photosynthesis.

The carotenoids are yellow and orange pigments that help channel

light energy to the chlorophyll. They are found both in the

chloroplasts and other similar cell structures called the chromoplasts.

Chlorophyll is a short lived molecule and rapidly degrades as new

chlorophyll is synthesized. The carotenoids help replenish chlorophyll

and increase its life. They help make more of the light spectrum

available, besides than just red and blue light, for photosynthesis.

Also, they protect the chlorophyll molecules from being harmed by

intense sun light.

The anthocyanins are potent anti-

oxidants. They are water soluble

molecules found throughout the

plant cells and are red, pink, and

purple colors. These pigments

absorb the ultraviolet rays to protect

plant cells and act as sort of a

natural sunscreen. Some species of

plants have a red tinged color in

their new growth, which are full of

anthocyanins, to protect juvenile

plant tissue from the sunlight. Plants

growing under high light levels

usually will have a greater

concentration of the pigment than

those growing in the shade. This

phenomenon can be observed in trees where the

inner leaves of the canopy are lighter in color

than the outer ones. A period of night time temperatures below 45

degrees but above freezing promotes the development of more

anthocyanins in the leaves increasing the intensity of the colors.

Exposure to light causes chlorophyll break down over time. The

leaves must produce new chlorophyll molecules to replace what has

been lost. As the days become shorter, production of it decreases. The

other pigments become visible since the level of chlorophyll is no

longer present in the quantities to cover them up.

An abscission layer, in which a band of cells become dry and corky,

begins to form at the base where the leaf petiole joins the branch. As

this layer develops, the level of water and mineral intake into the leaf

is reduced. The cell connections in the abscission layer weaken and

eventually break causing the leaf to fall off.

The different species of trees vary in their levels of the pigments.

Hickories have more of the carotenoids thus giving their leaves the

brilliant yellow to brown colors. Some other species, such as

dogwood and sweetgum, anthocyanin

pigments are more prevalent causing

colors ranging from red through maroon

to purple. Sometimes there are

intermediate colors, such as orange,

which is the result of mixture of two or

more of the pigments.

What about evergreen trees and shrubs?

Their leaves stay green and do not fall off.

How do they manage to survive the

winter cold? The foliage of these plants is

covered with a thick wax coating and

their cells contain substances resistant to

freezing. The leaves and needles are thus

able to stay on the tree during the winter. The

foliage can persist for some years but eventually

does fall off the plant in time and is replaced by new growth.

The window of peak colors differs every year due to the

temperatures and rainfall patterns. Some years they are more

spectacular than others. The intensity of fall leaf color and times

vary each year. Usually the peak time in North Georgia is in the

middle to later part of October. The type of weather in the fall has

the greatest impact on the intensity of colors. Clear, dry days help

bring out the full color of the leaves. Dry weather increases the

sugar levels in the leaves, which enhances the production of the

pigments. Prolonged drought conditions can delay the arrival of

fall colors. Warm, wet periods

during fall decrease the intensity of

autumn colors. A severe frost will

kill the leaves, causing them to turn

brown and to drop early. The ideal

weather conditions for attractive

fall colors are dry summers are

followed by crisp, cool, but not

freezing cold, fall nights.

You can plant trees in your yard

that produce brilliant fall colors.

Red maples, especially the hybrid

varieties ‘October Glory’ and

'Autumn Flame,' have bright red

colored leaves. Trident maples have

yellow to red foliage. Sourwood

trees turn a red to maroon color in the fall,

and the Gingko tree is famous for its brilliant

yellow to gold colors.

The leaves change colors during the fall as part of the plant’s

survival mechanism.

The beautiful displays of color are more than just that: it is the

process that helps the plant get through the winter months and be

ready to put out new growth in the following spring.

Timothy Daly is the Agricultural and Natural Resources Extension

Agent with Gwinnett County Extension office. He can be contacted at

678-377-4010 or [email protected].

Two Acer Rubrum ‘October Glory’

Several Acer Rubrum ‘October Glory’


Sponsored by the Augusta Council of Garden Clubs, Inc.

Sessions on basic horticulture will be offered at the Aldersgate Methodist Church, 3185Wheeler Road, Augusta, Georgia. The topics are

listed below. Speakers will be master gardeners and other qualified locals. The morning session will be a classroom setting; the afternoon

will be a tour of a private garden or greenhouse.

The cost of each session is $25.00 which includes all fees and lunch and treats for both days. Make checks payable to the Augusta Council of

Garden Clubs, Inc. Please contact Judy Kirkland, course chairman, at 706-556-3417 or [email protected], for additional information.

The course is open to any interested person. Registration is limited to approximately 30 persons. Deadline is 10 days prior to each session.

Registrar for sessions July – January is Ginny Allen, [email protected] 706-736-6793; 2916 Westchester Drive, Augusta, GA 30909

BASIC HORTICULTURE SESSION REGISTRATION

____ August 21 – Perennials, Bulbs, Annuals ____ September 25 – New Cultivars ____ October 16 – Native Plants

____ November 13 – Indoor Plants ____ January 15 – Trees and Shrubs

PLEASE CHECK ABOVE THE COURSE(S) FOR WHICH YOU ARE REGISTERING NOW. PLEASE PRINT BELOW.

Name

Address

City State Zip (9 digit)

Phone E-Mail

Special meal needs YES/NO ______________________________________________________

Dates & Presenters

August 21-VirginiaAllen is a Master Gardener, 2nd VP of Cherokee Rose

Garden Club, and Garden Therapy Chairman of the Augusta Council of Garden

Clubs. She began gardening when she was three, worked in a florist shop when in

high school, and has attended many garden workshops. She has won awards for

horticulture and flower arrangements in both Cleveland, Ohio, and Augusta, Georgia,

presented garden programs at the Augusta Home and Garden Show and for area

garden clubs, and contributes to garden articles for the Columbia County News

Times.

September 25-Jenny Addie has been immersed in horticulture all of her life.

Her father, a horticulturalist, ran a Bonsai nursery in her native country of Australia.

jenny's grandmother was a pioneer in hybridization. Jenny majored in horticulture at

Burnley College in Melbourne, and she has been employed at the Green Thumb

Garden Centers for the last 30 years. - Ted Stephens is the founder of Nurseries

Caroliniana, a retail garden center focusing on offering rare and unusual plant

material to the gardening public. He travels to Japan and other countries regularly to

collect new plant selections for introduction into the American market. He has served

as past president of the South Carolina Nursery and Landscape Association and

currently serves on the advisory board of the South Carolina Botanical Garden.

October 16 - J. Scott Smith earned a BS in Horticulture and a Masters from

UGA. He is a GGIA Certified Professional who has worked at Groves Nursery and

taught at Aiken High as Agriculture Instructor, and he is now teaching Environ-

mental Horticulture at Augusta Tech where he has been for 28 years. He has been a

frequent guest with demonstrations and programs for the Master Gardener Program,

Sacred Heart Garden Festival, Augusta Home and Garden Show, and many others. In

the last 20 years he has especially shown interest in native species that could serve in

practical landscape applications.

November 13 - Sharyn Altman has been surrounded by plants her whole life.

She was raised on an ornamental, evergreen nursery south of Atlanta. Her dad was

the horticulturist at Emory University, and one of her uncles owned a commercial

orchid greenhouse and florist shop where she frequently visited. She enjoys

sharing her garden on tours which emphasize native plants and wildlife. Sharyn

maintains her registered Wildlife Habitat garden and grows orchids on the side.

She is a lifetime Master Gardener, past president of Georgia Master Gardener

Association, a member of the Greenbrier Garden Club as well as a member of the

Rose, Hydrangea, and Orchid Societies. She is also a consultant for the Georgia

Garden Club in both Landscape and Garden Design and an accredited Flower

Show Judge.- Sharon Miles has been growing African violets since childhood.

She is a "self-taught, trial and error, fire and miss-fire, experimenting gardener"

whose knowledge is "very down to earth and simple to guarantee success with a

plant that has the reputation of being difficult." She is a member of the African

Violet Society of America, an African violet judge and have grown many prize

winning exhibition violets. -Milledge and Joanne Peterson took over

Bedford Greenhouses eight years ago and began the transformation of Augusta's

oldest nursery. Both come from backgrounds outside of the horticultural industry,

but have had gardening in their blood from the time they bought their first home.

January I5 - Suzanne Thomas is a Master Gardener whose major interest

are trees and organic gardening. She is a life long gardener and writes a monthly

article, Gardening in Montclair, for her neighborhood newsletter She was project

leader at the Martinez Post Office planning and planting trees for shade and

beauty. -Laura Sheets has been gardening in Aiken County for over 20 years.

Her education in horticulture was informal-a combination of advice from

Nurseries Caroliniana, information from Southern Living, and a lot of trial and

error. In addition to working in her own yards, she has led a landscape club at her

church. She enjoys all kinds of plants, but trees are her favorite.-Cathy Black is

a Senior Forester with the Georgia Forestry Commission for the last 24 years. She

is currently the educator and manager of Spirit Creek Educational Forest and has

served on the PKP Foundation Board for more than 15 years.


Hall County Fall EXPO

Two-day Event Slated for September 24-25

By Pamela A. Keene, Hall County Master Gardener

Because fall is the best planting season, the Hall

County Master Gardeners are once again

offering the Fall Garden EXPO for two days –

September 24-25 – at Chicopee Woods

Agricultural Center in Gainesville off I-985 at

exit 20.

“Things are shaping up nicely for the fall two-day event with many

vendors already committed,” said Tammy Dellinger, chair of the

event. “Vendors have been signing up earlier than usual and promise

to provide a wide assortment of plants, trees, shrubs, perennials,

annuals, garden art and gardening products.”

The EXPO fills the arena at Chicopee Woods. In addition, there will

be free gardening workshops presented by Master Gardeners, an

“Ask a Master Gardener” information booth, children’s hands-on

gardening experience booth, Artists’ Row with creative garden arts

and crafts, plus a snack bar with sandwiches and refreshments.

For directions and more information, visit www.hcmgs.com.

Hall Confers Lifetime Memberships

Three Hall County Master Gardeners have achieved Lifetime

Membership status for 2010. They are Ron Brechter, Hugo Kollmer

and Susan Gannaway. Congratulations to these dedicated Master

Gardeners.

Junior Master Gardeners’ Program Grows in Hall

This next school year, 14 schools will be involved in the Hall County

Junior Master Gardener program. The program continues to add

schools each year.

“Our master gardeners have been excellent volunteers and trainers,”

said Mindy Wade, chairman of this ongoing project. “We realize that

a love of gardening begins at a young age and these students are

proving us right. Their enthusiasm is contagious.”

Existing school programs are Centennial Elementary, Chestnut

Mountain Elementary, Myers Elementary, Wauka Mountain

Elementary, Sardis Elementary, Lakeview Academy, Mount Vernon

Elementary, Lula Elementary, Gainesville Elementary, Spouts

Springs Elementary, Friendship Elementary, Flowery Branch

Elementary, Sugar Hill Elementary and Martin Elementary.

Additionally, JMG will be partnering with West Hall Middle, Lanier

Career Academy and South Hall Middle School, as they add

horticulture programs to their curriculum. HCMG members will

serve as mentors for these programs.

Gardens Selected for 2011 Garden Walk

“In Our Own Back Yards,” the HCMG’s garden walk brought more

than 500 people into five private gardens in South Hall County in

June 2009. The committee for the biennial event has already selected

five private gardens throughout Hall County. Gardens on Green at

the Hall County School Board on Green Street will be showcased as

well.

The private gardens that will be included on the 2011 tour belong

to: Kimberly Riggan, 6542 Vista View Ct., Flowery Branch; Lynn

Kempler, 4700 Martin Rd., Flowery Branch; Diane Korzeniewski,

1831 Watuga Dr., Gainesville; Becky Mensinger, 2061 Riverwood

Dr., Gainesville; and Mary Beth Tharp, 3427 Talking Leaves Trail,

Gainesville.

“The gardens we’ve selected for next year are already beautiful,”

said Leslie Johnson, chair of the event. “With our volunteers

working on them for the next nine months and the additional

growth during this time, we will certainly have excellent examples

of gardens for the public to enjoy.”

The event takes place every other year and features gardens by

Hall County Master Gardeners. It is billed as an educational event,

with information about gardening, wise water usage, habitats and

horticulture.

Eleventh Annual

PLANT EXCHANGE AND SALE

Saturday, September 18th 2010

9:00-12:00

Savannah Rapids Pavilion, Martinez

Parking Lot (rain or shine)

Admission free

Bring plants and gardening items to

trade or sell

Participants provide their own tables

For information call -

Helene Hondrum 706-854-8215

Betty Crowther 706-825-8613

Jan Nelson 706-955-7775

[email protected]

Betsy Ristroph 706-738-4684

[email protected]

For directions, please visit:

http://www.columbiacountyga.gov/Ind

ex.aspx?page=2423

Organized by the Cherokee Rose

Garden Club, with the cooperation of

the Richmond and Columbia County

extension offices,

and area Master Gardeners


New Lifetime Master Gardeners

Congratulations to six North Georgia Master Gardeners who were

awarded lifetime badges. Standing from left, Eddie Ayers, County

Extension Coordinator, Fannin County, and Lifetime Master

Gardeners Suzanne Richterkessing, Susan Burkett, David

Richterkessing, Judy Spencer, Nancy Goodson. And Jo Anne Allen in

front.

Submitted by Jo Anne Allen, Union County Lifetime Master

Gardener

• 8:00 Registration

• 8:30 Welcome

• 8:45 "Native Hollies of the Southeast" - Gil Nelson

• 9:45 "Climate Change and Plant Phenology in the Southern

United States" - George Kish

• 10:45 Break

• 11:15 "Trilliums: An Appreciation" - Tom Patrick

• 12:15 Lunch or Optional Workshop (extra fee, 20 people per

session, lunch delivered to room)

• A. "Propagating Native Plants" - Jan Midgley

• B. "Basic Pruning" - Barbara Dorfman

• C. "The Basics of Digital Photography" - Georgia Nature

Photographers Association

• 1:45 "Plant Communities of the Coastal Plain" - Gil Nelson

• 2:45 Break

• 3:00 "Native Vines for Your Garden" - Dan Long

• 4:00 End of Program

Visit http://gnps.org/shortterm/Symposium_Announcement.php

for more information and to register for the Symposium

(fill out form online and print receipt to mail )

“FALL FOR THE GARDEN”

Clayton County Master Gardener’s

5th Annual Symposium

Saturday, November 6, 2010, 9:00 A.M.—4:00 P.M.,

Eula Ponds Perry Learning Center,

137 Spring Street,

Jonesboro, GA 30236

The “dog days” of summer are behind us and the blossoms have

faded. Some people see Fall as a time to close down the garden

and wait for spring. Not so! Conditions are just right for

refreshing your garden and getting a head start on — yes, next

Spring. As one growing season ends, next years can be taking

shape. Fall is the perfect time to plan, plant and dream for a

glorious new beginning in your garden.

The Presenters:

Michael Francis, Jim Harrington, Jason Magistro and Shannon

Pable

Cost: $35.00 until November 1st, after November 1st - $40.00

Registration Form, Schedule & Additional information:

www.claytoncountymastergardeners.org/ or

www.ugaextension.com/clayton/ (News & Events)

770-473-5434 (Tom Bonnell, Horticulture Program Assistant)

Atlanta History Center 130 West Paces Ferry Road NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30305-1366

Telephone: (404) 814-4000 Fax: (404) 814-2041 E-mail: [email protected]

Web: www.atlantahistorycenter.org

The Georgia Botanical Society is a group of folks who get

together to…

• Promote the understanding and appreciation of plants

and their relationship to the environment, as well as the

study of botanical sciences.

• Undertake or support the setting apart of appropriate

areas in Georgia for the preservation of native and

cultivated flora for the enjoyment of the public.

• Encourage the protection of rare and endangered plant

species and significant botanical habitats.

• Promote the conservation of botanical resources and

encourage the practice of a conservation ethic.

For more information visit: http://www.gabotsoc.org/


Dunwoody Nature Center Grant Garden

Submitted by Kendra Boyer, DeKalb County Master Gardener

The Dunwoody Nature Center’s Master Gardeners worked this

winter and spring installing a ’Grant Garden,’ made possible by the

generosity of the GMGA. This garden area, comprised of a sloping

bank that extends between two drainage conduits, contains a set of

wooden steps with handrails and is located at the base of a giant

sweet gum tree. The area transitions from the parking lot down to an

open area that is used for family picnics, outdoor classroom activities

and as an event area for festivals. The proposed area was a very

visible, but unsightly, spot full of invasive, undesirable shrubs and

neglected non-native plants.

The site before beginning the “Grant Garden.”

In late fall the Master Gardeners, with the help of volunteers from

the National Charity League, removed all the existing plant

materials. A planting design was created by the Master Gardeners

after conferring with Gary Peiffer, DeKalb County Extension Agent

and Certified Arborist, as to the feasibility of planting so near the

large tree. Crossties were ordered to define and terrace the space.

With the help of some strong young men from the Greater Atlanta

Christian School, the ties were set in place and loads of topsoil and

composted soil were added where necessary. In keeping with the

Nature Center’s philosophy of only adding native plants to areas,

viburnums, native deciduous azaleas, oakleaf hydrangeas, iteas,

anise, foam flowers, and celandine poppies were added in stages.

Four season interest was one prime criterion for this area as was

drought tolerance and low maintenance.

Beginning the work!

The planting took place in several installments depending on plant

availability and with the help of many interested community service

volunteers. A few of the removed plants that were of value were

transplanted to other spots in the Park.

Preparing the soil.

Almost finished.

The finished garden.

Thanks to the GMGA grant, we were able to purchase most of

these plants, with the remaining being donated from woodland

gardens or from other spots in the Park. We also purchased the

crossties, rebar, soil additives, and pine straw for mulch. A

descriptive plaque is being devised to show the public how the area

has benefited in terms of erosion and safety concerns, why the


invasive plants were so undesirable, and why native plants are so

beneficial to wildlife and the environment.

Dunwoody Nature Center Recognizes Master

Gardeners

Dunwoody Nature Center has named its Georgia Master Gardeners

in DeKalb as the 2009 Dave Adams Award recipients. Especially

recognized are five Master Gardeners who have given time and talent

for the past several years to the benefit of the gardens and grounds of

Dunwoody Nature Center

Each year the Dave Adams Award recognizes an individual, group of

individuals, or organization that has made the greatest contribution

to the Center for the year. The award honors the memory of Dave

Adams, whose commitment to the Dunwoody Nature Center was

given with the greatest of love and dedication.

Kendra Boyer, Jeff Coghill, Rita Johnston, Nancy Baldwin and Alice

Moore are the five Master Gardeners who volunteer at Dunwoody

Nature Center and work far and above the program’s minimum

requirements for continuing service. Joining them in 2010 as interns

are Su Ellis and Cathy Jones

Executive Director Claire Hayes (MG ’03) notes that a “key part of

our mission is ‘to preserve and manage the natural environment’ of

Dunwoody Park. The Georgia Master Gardeners in DeKalb are

tireless in the hard work of removing invasives, installing native

plants, caring for new growth, and training future generations of

Master Gardeners. They love this green space, and we are so much

the better for their passion”.

Receiving the Dave Adams Award.

Dunwoody Nature Center is located at 5343 Roberts Drive, in the

new city’s Dunwoody Park. The park is free and open to the public

sun-up to sun-down. seven days a week. For more information, check

the website www.dunwoodynature.org.

Submitted by Kendra Boyer, DeKalb County Master Gardener

New Organization Serves the North Georgia

Mountains

As Georgia’s Master Gardener program celebrated its 30th year, a

new local organization to support new master gardeners was in the

making. In the spring of 2009, Mickey Cummings and Robert

Brewer, Union and Towns County Cooperative Extension Agents,

facilitated a master gardener class with twenty-eight enrolled. The

efforts of these agents laid the foundation for the newly-formed

Towns-Union Master Gardener Association (TUMGA).

In March, Jo Anne Allen, President of the North Georgia Master

Gardener’s Association, brought master gardeners together to form

TUMGA. The association was organized to meet gardening-related

needs of the communities of Hiawassee, Young Harris, Blairsville,

and Suches in the beautiful North Georgia mountains. Nowhere in

Georgia can gardeners share a greater gardening experience than

the four seasons of these Appalachian Mountains.

Association leaders are Co-Presidents, Jo Anne Allen and Judy

Caines; Vice President, Patti Bransford; Treasurer, Marcia Little;

and Secretary, Lynn Mosley. Meetings will be held the first

Thursday of each month on the campus of Young Harris College.

TUMGA is already involved in several projects: 1) the design and

planting of containers around Blairsville’s town square; 2) re-

planting of flower beds at Towns County jail in Hiawassee; 3)

Towns County Demonstration Garden; 4) the Union County

Farmer’s Market flower show in August; and 5) assist with new

Master Gardener training to be offered Feb – April, 2011. Our

website, Perennial Pals, is being developed and should be up and

running in July. Additionally, TUMGA donated funds to purchase a

Master Gardener handbook to a U.S. Army Chaplain in

Afghanistan who works with an agricultural team there helping

Afghan farmers.

A major “down in the dirt” project currently involves the planting

and maintenance of the Union County Community Garden. In

cooperation with Union County Government, Rotary, UGA

Cooperative Extension Service, and Nelson Ace Hardware of

Blairsville, TUMGA members planted 300 tomato plants. The

plants, fertilizer, and canning jars were provided by Rotary.

Maintenance by TUMGA members has involved staking, weeding,

and fertilizing the plants. Georgia’s 9th District Economic

Opportunity will identify families in need of assistance to pick and

can the tomatoes for home use. Canning will be done at the Union

County cannery, one of few remaining in Georgia. The garden is

located next to the newly constructed Union County farmer’s

market. The land and facility for the market was funded with local

SPLOST funds. A new Union County cannery will open in the

summer of 2011.

Watch for upcoming TUMGA news as the organization grows and

blossoms in the north Georgia mountains!

By Annette Hopgood, Union County Master Gardener

Atlanta Botanical Garden 1345 Piedmont Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30309 Telephone: 404-876-5859 Fax: 404-876-7472

E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org.

The State Botanical Garden The State Botanical Garden of Georgia is a not-for-profit 313-

acre preserve set aside by the University of Georgia in 1968 for the study and enjoyment of plants and nature. The Garden is located at 2450 S. Milledge Avenue in Athens and online at

http://www.uga.edu/botgarden. REMEMBER,

Issues of the SCOOP are available

IN COLOR (PDF format) at www.georgiamastergardeners.com


Gardening is Like a Box of Chocolates

But Don’t Let it Get You Down

Wasn’t it Mama Gump that told her world famous Master Gardener

son, Forest, (He mastered everything else, probably gardening too),

“Gardening is like a box of chocolates---“, you know the rest.

Silly isn’t it? -- I don’t think so. Stop

and think about it yourself. When

were you ever able to predict what

your garden harvest and the many

things that might affect it were going

to be like in any gardening season? It

is always a toss up whether you will

have a sweet Bon Bon season, on the

edge Peanut Brittle weather or a Sour Ball summer. An early freeze,

late frost, too hot, too cold, a drought or a monsoon, clay, rocks, roots,

damaging wind, ice, hale, early blight, late blight, fungi for all seasons

and bugs, bugs, bugs always saying “ Plant that Garden--Make my

day!” just waiting to weigh in and lay waste to all of your hard work.

I’ve been gardening for years, just hoping, waiting for an average

(normal) year, but one never comes. I have long thought there is no

place for the word “normal” in our language. It is a useless word that

never comes to pass.

That said, one might think “What’s the use? Why garden at all?” Now

that is a bad thought! Get it out of your head! Gardening is too good

for your body and mind. I hope I’m not depressing you, though,

because my intent is just the opposite. Just ask yourself “What would

Forest Gump do?” I saw the movie. I know what he would do. He

would look at the bright side, not complain or feel put upon. He would

knuckle down and forge ahead, ever understanding and always

smiling. Later at the country market Forest would still be smiling

whether or not he had much to sell—even happy that the little bugs

had something to eat too. Although I think I know what Forest would

do, believe me, I’m no Forest Gump!! I’ve been there, done that--

frequently frustrated, hurt, complaining why me? Always willing to

share some of my plants with the pests, but these “Garden Terrorists”

are without conscience, holding me hostage in my own space, always

wanting more than I am willing to give. So where does that leave me?

What should I do about it? I love gardening. It has so many benefits

that I have to stick with it,- garden till I drop, I guess.,---try to be like

Forest.

Anticipation is a great word. Isn’t half of the fun of an event often the

anticipation of its occurrence? Thinking about a vacation, an upcoming

ball game, a party, a wedding and more are times when anticipation

plays a major role. So it is with gardening. The excitement of spring (or

fall) planting, the anticipation of sprouting seeds, creating something

beautiful from something as small as the head of a pin, the thought of

the taste of that first tomato sandwich or that first salad containing all

of your own home grown ingredients are times worthy of great

anticipation. Am I making a case for gardening till you drop?

Commitment and Challenge are good words too. Believe me there is

plenty of both needed in gardening. Delight is what we like to feel in

all things.

It boils down to this: If we could talk to Forest today I think he would

tell us--“ Put all those bad thoughts aside, and enjoy the Anticipation of

a new growing season. Accept the challenge, make a Commitment to

use your knowledge and energy wisely, Deal with what comes along,

and Enjoy the delight you will feel when you bite into that first favorite

fruit of your efforts.” Garden till you drop!

These things are easy for home gardeners to say, but what about our

farmers and commercial growers? Whenever I see pictures of perfect

rows of farm fields, all gorgeous and healthy looking, I ask, “How

can they do that? There is so much of it, and it is all perfect!”

Farmers can pretty well control most bugs and pests, but the

weather and other factors are beyond even their control. I have

friends, a wife, who grew up on a farm, and their stories of owning a

horse, pets everywhere, the harvest and aunt Lulu’s cooking, all

sound wonderful to me. Many times, though, I have thought

“Gardening is great, but I wouldn’t want to be a farmer and have to

put my assets on the line every day.” So lets praise and give thanks

for all of those farmers who provide our nourishing needs and are

willing to put it on the line, come what may. They are more like

Forest Gump than I will ever be. How does your garden grow?

Fred Wilhelm, Cobb County Master Gardener

Georgia Master Gardener Association

2011 Spring Conference

Hosted by

The Floyd County Master Gardener

Association

When In Rome… Eco Friendly Gardening

April 29 and 30, 2011 at

The Forum

2 Government Plaza, Rome, Georgia, 30162

Join us at the

Meet and Greet on Friday, April 29, 2011

5:30 to 7:30 at the

ECO Center at Ridge Ferry Park

Tour the Gardens of Oakhill, Take a River Boat Tour and

Enjoy Where the Rivers Meet the Mountains in Rome

Speakers at the Conference:

Terry Kay – Subsistence Gardening

Tara Dillard - Gardens of Italy

Joe Cook – Watershed Management

Dr. William Welch - Heirloom Gardens

Paula Refi – Designing with Native Plants

Dr. Martin Cipillini – Chestnut Restoration and Longleaf Pine

Malcolm Hodges – Nature Conservancy Sites in NW Georgia

Visit Floyd County Master Gardeners on Facebook for further details

Check upcoming issues of The Scoop for more

conference information


DISTRICT BIOLOGIST SPEAKS TO MASTER

GARDENERS

Jeff Brooks, District Biologist with the U. S. Corps of Engineers, was

guest speaker for the March 16 meeting of the Northeast Georgia

Master Gardeners at the Hart County Learning Center on Benson

Street. He was introduced by Rita Harper of Elberton, a former

district director with Georgia Master Gardeners.

Brooks‚ topic was Birds and Birding on Corps land, which includes

Lake Hartwell, Lake Russell and Lake Thurmond (Clark’s Hill).

Brooks stressed the importance of protecting the wildlife around the

three lakes that make up the Upper Savannah River basin.

He seemed pleased to announce that there is a pair of Bald Eagles

nesting in the top of a pine tree below the dam on the Georgia side of

Lake Hartwell. There are others nesting on Russell and Thurmond

lakes but this is the first time the National Birds have been spotted on

Hartwell, he said.

Other birds that are making their nests on the three lakes include the

Osprey which also nests in the tops of trees. Blue Herons are plentiful

and can be seen around all three lakes. White and brown pelicans are

spotted often. Many migratory birds, such as Canadian Geese stop to

rest and feed here.

During the question-and-answer period, Brooks explained that sea

gulls seen often around the lakes are also seen everywhere there are

bodies of water. In answer to a question about furnishing food and

water to birds, he said that in this area it is not necessary as there is

plenty to eat and anywhere there is a leaf to catch water, birds can

get a drink. The reason for having food and water available near a

window is so we can enjoy watching them, he said.

In response to the question about how the weather affects the wild

turkey population, Brooks explained that very wet weather like we

have had this past year, decreases the number of wild turkeys as they

nest on the ground and lots of rainfall destroys the eggs.

He explained that the Corps did not agree with the plan of inviting

coyotes into this area, and that among the small animals that coyotes

are eating are young deer.

Faye Ward, who lives on Hartwell Lake said that she had observed

an anhinga, or snake bird, which swims beneath the water with only

the head showing. This bird spears fish with its beak and tosses it in

his mouth. She has built a nesting place for wood ducks and hopes to

have a pair nesting soon, she said.

More information is available from the Georgia Wildlife website, <mhtml:{6FD85670-EBE3-4235-8CB5-628D90A89D48}mid://00000108/!x-

usc:http://www.georgiawildlife.com/>www.georgiawildlife.com

About 50 members and guests attended the March 16 meeting. The

Northeast Georgia Master Gardeners met again at 5:30 p.m. on April

20 at the Hart County Learning Center. At the business of the April

20th

meeting the interns that have met their hours to become Master

Gardeners were introduced. Also honored were those that have

become “Lifetime Master Gardeners.” Club president, Gerald

Hardin of Elberton, officiated at the meetings.

Thomas Dixon, Northeast Georgia Master Gardeners

Rita Harper, left, introduced Jeff Brooks, right, at Master Gardeners‚

meeting, March 16, 2010.

The latest graduates of Master Gardeners who have their hours for 2010 and

were presented their certificates by Charles Rice, Hart County Extension

Agent. Pictured left to right: Steve Holder, Maureen Holder, Sandy Holt, Julie

Ann Deeds, Doris "Dee" Wiser and Charles Rice, Hart County Extension

Agent. (20 April 2010.)

These Master Gardeners have earned their "Lifetime Member Status:

(pictured left to right) Sheryl Cantwell, Rita Harper, Minnie Crider, Peggy

Matthews, Joanne Stanfill and Thomas Dixon were presented Lifetime

Georgia Master Gardener certificates by Charles Rice, Hart County Extension

Agent, Not pictured: Faye Ward, Beverly Verdery and Ila Rae Feltman.

(20 April 2010.)


An Area Designed for our Feathered Friends

Submitted by Patty Mallicote and Kathy Molnar

Wildlife abounds in Tallulah Gorge State Park with a gorge that

drops 1000 feet surrounded by rugged terrain and a fragile

ecosystem. Some effort had previously been given to attracting birds

to a viewing area just outside the window of the visitor center. Other

activities and reduced staff caused the emphasis to shift. In the spring

of 2009 two Master Gardeners new to the area saw the bird area as a

project beckoning their attention. Contact was made with the Park

administration and with the Friends group. With the wholehearted

support of both, a plan was developed to create an area attractive to

birds with plants, a moving water source, and shelter/nest sites. A

grant application was submitted to the Georgia Master Gardeners

Association and happily, funds were awarded to purchase plants for

the bird garden.

Al Rothe of GMGA presents the grant check to Master Gardeners,

Friends of the Park, and the Park Superintendent.

The project began in the summer of 2009. A plan was developed that

included adding a variety of native shrubs, perennials, vines, and

ferns. Native plants were selected to provide berries, seeds, and

nectar and eventually shelter as the plants mature. A soil test was

conducted by UGA via the extension office. An arbor was designed to

provide the birds with shelter and a pond with a bubbler was added

to supply moving water. In addition to the funds granted by the

GMGA to purchase plant material, the Friends of Tallulah Gorge

State Park agreed to provide funds to purchase the building

materials for the arbor and the pond. Friends also assisted with labor

during the preparation, planting, and building phases.

In the beginning – before any work was done.

In the fall, the grass in the area to be developed was removed. The

arbor was constructed and the pond installed. The plants that could

be purchased in the fall, such as rhododendron, mountain laurel,

winterberry holly, anise, beautyberry, and a variety of ferns were

added. A rain barrel was installed so water would be conveniently

available for the new plants. There was a concern with the

frequency that water had to be added to the pond, so a solution was

found using an automatic filler valve. The manufacturer provided

the valve at no cost to the project.

Planting in process. Work being done on the rain barrels.

Additional native shrubs and perennials were added in the spring. A

display in the Visitor’s Center identifies plants, birds, and their

interaction. A second rain barrel was added and the automatic float

valve was connected to the rain barrels. (The barrels were connected

to provide optimum access to water.) Recent rainfall has ensured

full rain barrels due to the large roof area and has resulted in a

constant water level in the pond.

Plants going in around the pond.

The bird garden now attracts a variety of birds and butterflies in

addition to other creatures, such as foxes, squirrels, and a bear.

Visitors to the Interpretive Center window enjoy watching the birds

and using the accompanying display to identify birds and plants.


The garden is ready to attract our feathered friends. Photo

taken from same point as the “In the beginning…” photo.

The project came together with the assistance of many people in

addition to Master Gardeners. People were eager to assist when

presented with a request. The nurseries happily gave discounts on the

plant materials, Boy Scouts built birdhouses, the Park Friends and

Staff gave a hand whenever needed.

To inform visitors about the project and show the progress, a display

board was created and placed by the observation window in the

Visitor’s Center. The board includes information about the rain

barrels, soil testing, and plant selection. This board is updated

periodically to reflect additions and changes and serves as an ongoing

educational tool. A sign noting the Georgia Master Gardener

Association grant is being manufactured and will be installed at the

garden. Tallulah Gorge State Park is visited by more than 250,000

people annually. There is tremendous potential for educating visitors

about native plants, birds, and their habitat. The bird garden

provides visitors a new opportunity for learning about nature and the

interaction between plants and animals.

A view to the pond and arbor surrounded by flowering

perennials and shrubs sprouting berries.

Editor’s Note: Originally plans and funding for this project were

reported in the Win09 Scoop, page 31.

It’s Great to be Ten Again!

While growing up Ten was a very good year. Life was simple, and I

was unaware that we didn’t have much, didn’t own a house, and my

father discovered a job difficult to find.

At Ten things started to turn around.

My Dad found a good job. We no longer

had to live with my grandparents, and

we bought a brand new Ford for $600.

By the time I was ten I already knew

about the value of having a garden. Ours

was located just beyond a big grape

arbor and some hollyhocks. Not many

cokes to drink, but we always had grape juice. Times were difficult

and everyone in our neighborhood needed a garden just to get by.

At Ten I discovered fishing with my Dad. At Ten I learned to pick

nightcrawlers for fish bait from the lawn. I began to yearn for a big

garden and my own pond where I could fish every day. At Ten I

went to YMCA camp. There I learned to swim and play ball. At Ten

I started to read and became interested in many other things. Little

did I realize that life was soon to become more complicated. Girls

and other distractions were lurking behind every tree waiting to

steal my thoughts from simple things like gardening and fishing.

Immediately after graduation from high school my friends and I

were on our way to the Army. The next time I turned around I was

graduating from college and found a job. Soon a wife, a house, kids

and grand kids came into the picture. I hope Ten was a good year

for them too. I’ll have to ask sometime. All the while there was still

little time for gardening or fishing.

The next thing I knew I was thinking about retirement. Luckily, my

wife had similar thoughts, and had not lost her love for the simple

things she learned on the farm. After one of our numerous vacation

trips in the South, we found ourselves owning a house in a great

community on one of the South’s pristine reservoirs. I knew it was a

good sign soon after retirement when the radio (I swear this is true)

was playing “Stars fell on Alabama” as our two cars, boat and all of

our possessions crossed the Tennessee-- Alabama border. When our

new neighbor, good o’le Bob, whom we had not previously met,

greeted me with “You look like a tired man who could use a cold

drink” after we had just completed our hard two day trip arriving

during a rain storm, we knew life in the South would be good too.

Fortunately I never lost my desire to have a garden, and the thought

of having one in a warm climate was exciting. Our new yard had the

remains of a vegetable garden, and I turned to the task of changing

my dirt into soil and planting my dream garden. At the other end of

the yard was the lake with big crappies fighting to jump into my

boat. Wow! I thought, It was great to be Sixty- Five going on Ten

Again! Bob showed me how to raise catfish in a cage in the lake, and

he introduced me to his purple pole beans which we still plant and

enjoy every year in my ever expanding garden. Oh, I had a lot to

learn about how to clean a thousand catfish, and learned that a

warm climate didn’t guarantee gardening success. Undaunted, I

forged ahead in the face of heat, red clay, rocks, roots, fungi, and

bugs. It was not so easy, but after all I was Ten Again and it was

good! I’m sure my wonderful and supportive wife didn’t feel Ten

Again, but I know she thought life was pretty good too. I’ve been

blessed to have been able to remain Ten Again for quite a few years

with the end not yet in sight. Life really is good! So, think about it.

Ask yourself what was your good year?—what made it so? If you

happen to be lucky like me, and you have been hoping to some day

have your own dream garden, think ahead and plan for it, just

maybe you can be Sixty-Five going on Ten Again too.

Fred Wilhelm, Cobb County Master Gardener


GARDENING WITH THE MASTERS 2010 SEMINARS CHEROKEE COUNTY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION & CHEROKEE COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS

100 North Street, Suite G21, Canton, Georgia 30114

WINTER COLOR WITH PANSIES/ HELLEBORES /WINTER BULBS---------------------------------------------------------- Sept 11 (BG) How to brighten your yard and garden all through the winter and early spring. (D. Smith/VanBrink)

CREATING A BACKYARD WILDLIFE HABITAT--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sept 18 (SC) Come learn with your favorite little person ways to attract wildlife and take home a nature craft. (Garland)

BE CREATIVE WITH CONCRETE----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oct 2 (SC) Make & take home a concrete planter or stepping stone. $5.00 supply fee necessary. Class limited (16) (Meadows/Winchester/Slatton)

INDOOR GARDENING WITH HOUSEPLANTS & AFRICAN VIOLETS--------------------------------------------------------- Oct 16 (WL) Learn to successful grow & care for houseplants, including African violets. (Walton)

MAKE A FRESH CHRISTMAS WREATH --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Dec 4 (SC) Create your own. *ASK ABOUT SUPPLIES NEEDED. Class size limited (20) (Franklin)

Seminar Sponsors: The Cherokee County Cooperative Extension - Agency of The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension & Cherokee County Board of Commissioners, Cherokee County Master Gardeners, The Sequoyah Regional Library System, Senior

Services of Cherokee County

An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Institution

UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND WILL PROVIDE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS IF NOTIFIED.

Another educational tool compiled by CCMG is GARDENING WITH THE MASTERS. A compilation of UGA information specific for Zone 7. Get your copy, $15.00 each.

Programs are held at the following locations: Hickory Flat Library (HF) 2740 East Cherokee Drive, Canton; Senior Center (SC) 1001 Univeter

Road, Canton; Ball Ground Library (BG) 435 Old Canton Road, Ball Ground; or Woodstock Library (WL) 7735 Main Street, Woodstock. All programs start at 10:00 a.m. and are free of charge, unless otherwise noted and supplies are necessary. Pay close attention to location. Limited seating, registration is encouraged. To register call the Extension office, (770)479-0418, email: [email protected] , fax information to

(770)479-0565 or visit www.ugaextension.com/cherokee.

Master Gardener Hour Master Gardeners have a Radio Show

North Fulton Master Gardeners are hosts of the "Master

Gardener Hour" on Radio Sandy Springs. They invite you to

listen and join in the discussion at AM 1620 each Saturday

morning from 10 – 11 a.m. Even if you don't live in the

immediate area, broadcasts are streamed live and also

archived at: http://www.radiosandysprings.com

Walter's Web Site Walter Reeves, Horticulture Educator, Speaker, Author

http://www.walterreeves.com/

http://www.gardeningingeorgia.com/

Eddie Rhoades

www.bittersweetgardens.com “Nursery, Garden Art, Articles, Original Music, etc.”

UGA Offers Free Gardening Publications Online If you’re looking for reliable, up-to-date, free information about

how to landscape your lawn this spring, which ornamentals,

vegetables, native species or herbs to plant or how to compost

and mulch, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension likely

has a publication that will answer your questions. For

information visit:

http://georgiafaces.caes.uga.edu/?public=viewStory&pk_id=373

7

GA Hwy 18/354

Pine Mountain, Georgia 31822

1-800-CALLAWAY (225-5292)

http://www.callawaygardens.com/

Susan Thornhill; 770-233-6107;

[email protected]

http://www.caes.uga.edu/campus/griffin/garden/index.cfm

Georgia DNR 2070 U.S. Highway 278 S.E.

Social Circle, Ga. 30025

770.918.6787;

http://www.georgiawildlife.co

m

Fall 2010 - Sept., Oct., Nov. Calendar of Classes, Symposia and Events Available Now:

The State Botanical Garden of Georgia 2450 South Milledge Avenue, Athens, Georgia 30605

ALL CLASSES REQUIRE PRE-REGISTRATION UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

For more information call 706-542-6156 or register online at

www.uga.edu/botgarden.

Connie Cottingham

The State Botanical Garden of Georgia

(706) 542-6014


Master Gardeners Create Garden at Pinvale Learning

Center (Area Businesses Contribute to Project)

Ms. Annie Barbas, long time plant enthusiast and 2007 graduate of the Grand

Bay Master Gardener Program sponsored by the Lowndes County Extension

Service, contributed many more than the required 50 hours of community

service to fulfill her Master Gardener obligation.

Annie spearheaded and recently completed a large gardening project at the

Pinvale Learning Center which involved many of the school’s students,

extension agents, businesses, and fellow Master Gardeners. One such Master

Gardener is Annie’s partner in crime and Pinvale graduate, Ms. Bessie Evans.

Bessie graduated from the 2009 Master Gardener class. Other Master

Gardeners who helped complete the project are Ms. Marion Durree, Mr. John

Bennett, Mr. Seab Miller, Dr. Leon Meeks, and Mrs. Jean Arambula.

Annie learned of the possibility of creating the Pinvale garden after talking

with community volunteer, Joan Lawson, who also helped with the garden.

After initial funding from the school, and the blessing of principal, Mr.

Ronnie Dunn, the project was begun. In the second year of the project,

additional funding was also obtained by Annie and Marion from the Lowe’s

Toolbox Grant. A few weeks ago, Annie secured more funding from the

Georgia Master Gardener Association grant.

Many other area businesses contributed to the project such as:

• Superb Lawn Care Hahira Nursery

• United Irrigation of Quitman Scruggs Concrete

• Espizito’s Garden Center Cervantes Pine Straw

• Exotic Fish Native Nursery of Tallahassee

• Season’s Garden Center Crepe Myrtle Nursery.

Pinvale students were involved from the beginning and learned about planting

and caring for plants. Many of the planting at the school are edible. Fruits

such as pomegranates, figs, blueberries, citrus, muscadines, and even Kiwi are

producing or near production.

A water garden and arbor have been installed to make the area a much more

pleasing space. The entire space has been transformed from a place with a few

random shrubs to a place where everyone at the school wants to visit.

Annie involved students in moving and planting shrubs, weeding, watering,

and fertilizing plants. Students were taught by Annie and extension agents

about the importance of soil testing, plant nutrition, fertilizing, and installing

drip irrigation. Annie’s work was showcased at the End of the Year Partners

in Education Brunch held at the Pinvale Learning Center.

Master Gardeners like Annie are involved in many projects around the

community. The Lowndes County Master Gardener class is available to

residents of Lowndes, Lanier, Brooks, Echols, and Berrien counties. If you are

interested in becoming a Master Gardener and want to know more call the

Lowndes County Extension office at 229-333-5185.

Submitted by Jake Price, County Extension Agent, Lowndes County

“Before.”

“Finished Garden.”

“The Water Garden.”

Annie Barbas

Students

learning

about soil

test results.

Students

planting.


Project Funding Report Fall 2010

GMGA received 11 grant applications during the January to July

2010 period. Of these 10 were judged to meet the criteria set forth in

the GMGA Project Guidelines. A total of $5139.85 was approved for

these projects.

1) Pinevale Learning Center Lowndes County

Annie Barbas $453.00 The Pinevale School project was initiated after a fire at the previous school

destroyed the facility and a new garden area was commissioned by the

outgoing Superintendent of schools. Subsequently Master Gardeners Annie

Barbas, and Marion Durre received a Lowe's Toolbox for Education grant for

$2000.00 to renew the small pond and install drip irrigation at the new site.

GMGA grant money will be used for maintenance materials to include

fertilizers, and sprays for maintaining ornamentals and fruit trees, weed

preventers/killers, some mulch replacement, or cover, for the new arbor area

and plants for an herb garden.

2) Rome ECO-Center Floyd County

Patricia York $700.00 The ECO-Center is a joint project by the city of Rome and Floyd County to

convert a 1900’s water in-take station on the Oostanaula River into a river

ecology education center for children and adults. “ECO” suggests the mission

of ecology awareness, but it is also an acronym for the three rivers that flow

through Rome: Etowah, Coosa, and Oostanaula.

Floyd County Master Gardeners have been asked to design and install a

landscape using only plants that are native to Northwest Georgia counties.

The area is a large triangle roughly 90ft on each side on a steep hill. Because

of the water runoff from the building and the adjacent parking area, our

design calls for a dry creek bed emptying into a large rain garden. Two local

landscape architects guided our planning, a Scout troop installed a butterfly

garden, and City crews will do the earth moving.

GMGA grant money will be used for compost, mulch, ID stakes/labels and

native plants.

3) Funk Heritage Center Cherokee County

Martha Hout $700.00 In 2007, the Funk Heritage Center was awarded grants to address storm

water and erosion issues and develop drought tolerant demonstration gardens

using plants native to Georgia. The facility now has a water-efficient xeriscape

landscape which includes three rain gardens in the rear of the building and a

dry stream bed in the front. Water now enters the system as nature intended,

capturing sediment and reducing runoff velocity to protect nearby stream

channels.

The Center has been designated “Georgia’s Official Frontier and

Southeastern Indian Interpretive Center.” The Upper Etowah River Alliance

and the Georgia Conservancy partner with the Center staff to provide

environmental educational programs for the community. Programs are

designed to advance conservation and protect endangered species. Garden

clubs, community groups, area scouts, and schools tour the Center. Visitors

have been very interested in the landscape project.

Funds from this grant will be used to purchase signage for native plantings.

Each sign will list the common name, scientific name, family name and the

origin of the plant. Labels will be installed by Master Gardeners. Signs will

allow visitors to identify plants they may want to use in their home or business

landscape.

4) Native Plant Garden Labels Bibb County

Carol Salami-Goswick $400.00 In the Fall of 2009 the Native Plant Garden (NPG) was moved from Wesleyan

College to the Museum of Arts and Sciences (MUSA). MUSA has higher foot

traffic and extensive youth educational programs that provide the garden with

higher visibility and more public educational opportunities on the use of

native plants in the home landscape. Interpretive and plant identification

signs are integral to our educational efforts.

MUSA and the Bibb County Master Gardeners are partnering on the

development and purchase of interpretive signs and plant identification

markers for the NPG and surrounding areas. We have about 100 plants

and 10 trees in the NPG. MUSA will purchase the large interpretive sign

and 50 plant ID markers. This grant from GMGA will purchase the

additional plant and tree ID markers.

5) Dunwoody Nature Center Master Gardeners DeKalb

Rita Johnston $700.00 The Dunwoody Nature Center (DNC) is a 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated

to develop and preserve the 22 acres of Dunwoody Park as a natural

classroom for environmental education. Over 33,000 people visit and

participate in classes yearly at the Center.

A new entrance sign was recently donated by a local service organization.

The entrance fronts about 300 feet along a busy road. The plants in this

area have become very overgrown, have too much diversity, and lack eye

appeal.

This grant money will be used to buy the foundation plants needed for the

entrance. Seven Master Gardeners volunteer on a regular basis and work

closely with community volunteers and organizations to help maintain and

create native plant gardens as well as remove invasive plants in the park.

Over 25 volunteers along with the Master Gardeners have already donated

and installed plants, trimmed overgrowth, weeded and mulched the area.

Master Gardeners and volunteers will complete all plantings and

maintenance of the entrance gardens.

6) Oconee River Greenway Baldwin County

Alice Tenold $504.00

The Oconee River Greenway is located along the banks of the Oconee River

in Milledgeville (Baldwin County), Georgia. The Greenway opened in May,

2008, with a community-wide festival attended by hundreds of area

residents. The Greenway includes a paved trail used for

walking/biking/skating, as well as picnic tables and space along the river for

fishing and relaxing.

Master Gardeners in Baldwin and Putnam Counties, along with other

interested residents, planted more than 50 donated trees at the Greenway in

February, 2009. The native plant garden is widely used by community

members for picnicking, relaxing, reading, contemplation, and as a

gathering place for families and community groups to meet. The garden

has increased community awareness of native plants, and residents have

learned of the plants' hardiness and ability to withstand occasional flooding

and some hot and dry periods as well.

This grant will enable us to finish the project with the additions of an

understory tree, a few more needed shrubs, and some native perennials to

complete the garden. The native plant garden has helped in the

development of the year-old Oconee Master Gardeners Association, giving

the group a focus and a local project, something we had not been able to do

in Milledgeville before.

7) Pickens Sharptop Arts Association Pickens County

Nancy Hammer $674.00 The Pickens County Sharptop Arts Association, an all volunteer non-profit

organization, has begun a project by which the existing landscape at the

community arts center will be transformed into a Visionary Arts Garden.

The area around the arts center has been divided into 22 "vistas" which

have been adopted by various community groups.

The Pickens County Master Gardeners have adopted vista #14 and

developed a plan for a "Plants with a Purpose Garden." Besides being

attractive to view, our vista will be a teaching garden, instructing visitors

about the purposes of various plants included in our garden.

The plan includes hardscape such as split-rail fencing, stone walkway, a

rock wall raised bed, and a decorative trellis. This grant money will be used

to purchase plants, soil amendments, and mulch.


The Visionary Arts Garden will benefit the entire community by offering a

garden setting where classes can be held, events can take place, and visitors

can relax for quiet contemplation or children can observe the wonders of

nature. Hemlocks Landscaping will maintain the entire Visionary Arts

Garden.

8) Cherokee County Senior Center Cherokee County

Marcia Winchester $168.85 In May 2010 the Cherokee County Senior Center received a grant from the

Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) to assist in implementing a community

garden with emphasis on Seniors 60 years and older using the garden. The

purpose of the garden is to provide seniors an opportunity for exercise,

recreation and therapy, provide fresh and nutritious foods, network for social

interaction and education in food preparation.

The Cherokee County Master Gardeners accepted to assist with this project

and 2 local garden clubs have also been approached to assist.

The first phase of the garden will have 23 4X16 foot raised beds. Part of the

ARC grant will be used to poison the Bermuda grass, and purchase lumber

and brackets to build the plots. The labor will be done by Cherokee Master

Gardeners, members of other garden clubs and other volunteers from the

county. Volunteers will also be used to place mulch on the 5 foot path between

the beds. A picnic table will be solicited to be put in the shade to encourage

interaction between the gardeners. Once the beds are erected the Master

Gardener's responsibilities will be to assist in monitoring the gardens and to

continue to educate the gardeners on proper UGA gardening procedures.

This grant money will be used to obtain parts such as PVC pipes, and fittings

for the irrigation system in the garden.

9) Butterfly/Hummingbird garden-Wilshire Park Hall

Lori Carson $700.00 Collaboration between Hall County Master Gardeners, City of Gainesville

Parks Department, and Fockele Garden Company of Gainesville will enrich

the Gainesville community with an educational butterfly and hummingbird

garden at Wilshire Trails Park.

The garden will be transformed into a haven for butterflies and

hummingbirds, and an interesting and enjoyable educational experience for

all visitors. It will contain host and nectar plants for butterflies and

hummingbirds. Colorful educational signage about all aspects of the garden

will be displayed, along with detailed labels for all plants. Large, brightly

colored butterfly sculptures will “fly” over the garden to engage passersby.

This new project will increase the knowledge and inspire the imagination of

visitors, who will then go on to create their own habitat gardens.

Many community events are held in this lovely park including a yearly

“Butterfly Release”. Hundreds of community members attend this event and

the new garden will enhance their overall experience.

10) Martinez Post Office Columbia Co.

Suzanne D Thomas $140.00 This application is to request support for the ongoing development of an

urban garden at the USPS facility at Martinez, GA. The USPS is having

financial strain due to the advent of internet communications that supplanted

US mail. Landscaping services at this Post Office were discontinued

approximately five years ago, leaving a large untended landscape. Five

members of the Master Gardener Class of 2009 took on this Post Office as a

project and have continued to serve as gardeners since January 2009 with our

efforts, our time, and our funds, planting and maintaining trees, shrubs, bulbs

and flowers.

Suzanne Thomas will provide two educational presentations about trees and

their value for shade, beauty, and carbon sequestration. Group members will

continue to meet the community members who are patrons of the Martinez

Post Office and tell what Master Gardeners do for our community and state.

Our group, the Friends of the Martinez Post Office, has worked closely

together for 18 months and we will continue this work on at least a weekly

basis through 2010-2011.

Submitted by Jose Tallet, Project Funding Chair

YOUR GMGA WEBSITE

Remember, please visit www.georgiamastergardeners.com and

click on GMGA Web newsletter to subscribe to your GMGA Web

newsletter. This page has been created to assist local Associations

to communicate, exchange ideas and to

serve as a forum. Also see all the other

information that is available for your

service.

The Scoop is now available on line, as well

as many past issues of the newsletter. “You

can read your favorite publication on line

and in color.“

GMGA can now accept payments on line through a credit card.

You can renew your membership and pay for your conferences

directly from the web page.

Please contact our new Web Master at [email protected] to

share your thoughts and items that may be of interest to our

members and to report corrections, changes, or updates.

Forsyth County Master Gardeners Speakers Bureau

Remember that Forsyth County Master Gardeners have a

Speakers Bureau. Master Gardeners are available to deliver

or participate in presentations on a variety of environmental,

gardening and plant specific topics for local garden clubs,

civic groups, homeowner associations and other interested

organizations throughout the Forsyth County community for

no charge.

Speakers will come to your venue and can cover a wide range

of topics with such favorites as: Perennials, Georgia Native

Plants, Water Wise Gardening, Photographing Your Garden,

and Attracting Wildlife.

Please contact FCMG Speakers Bureau program manager

Joan Harbin for the complete list of available topics; or the

FCMG Speakers Bureau will be happy to put together a

gardening presentation to fit your requirements. Send your

name, email address and phone number, event date and any

relevant information to [email protected].

Krissy BLOGs Master Gardeners - I will continue to send messages about

events and other items of interest to Master Gardeners via the

listserv; however, I will also be posting them on a new blog.

Using the blog allows for easier access for readers to view

archives and I can include some pictures and links. If you're

already a blog reader, you can also subscribe to the blog or

add it to your dashboard.

• You also can bookmark this address for future reference

http://georgiamgevents.blogspot.com/

• I also have another blog that may be of interest, Life in the

Garden, which is about our activities on Wednesdays in the

UGA Research and Education Garden with volunteers and

friends. That blog is http://gardenfriend.blogspot.com/.

• Also remember to visit: http://www.gamastergardener.org.

Krissy Slagle, UGA CAES Cooperative Extension, Georgia

Master Gardener Program..

-- The Georgia Scoop--- 22 --Fall 2010 --

CRITERIA FOR AWARDING GRANT MONEY

GMGA MISSION STATEMENT: To stimulate the interest in and increase the knowledge of gardening, and to voluntarily,

enthusiastically, and responsibly share this knowledge with others.

1. The Georgia Master Gardener Association allocates monies each year to help support a variety of horticultural projects in the state of

Georgia. The number of requests that will be funded depends on the amount of money available each year. As a general guideline, grants

usually are in the $100-$700 range.

2. Any person or organization requesting funding for their project must complete a written application (form provided) and provide

detailed information regarding the project. If selected for funding, an agreement with the GMGA must be signed stating that the group

will give a presentation about the project to the GMGA membership and/or provide an article in The SCOOP. The recipient of the

GMGA funding must agree to provide additional information, including financial accountings on request and be open to visits by the

GMGA Board of Directors or its representatives.

3. Organizations submitting applications must be non-profit and must not have political affiliations. They also should have at least one

county-registered Master Gardener among their members. It is strongly encouraged that the requesting Master Gardener be a member

of the GMGA.

4. The purpose of the project should be educational and should promote and involve the community in gardening.

6. The project should utilize as many Master Gardeners as possible.

7. The project should have realistic goals and objectives, and the funds granted should make a significant contribution to the project.

8. The project should make a difference, even in a small way, to the community it serves.

9. Once completed, the project should have a regular maintenance schedule to ensure its continued operation.

10. Any group that receives a grant will be required to submit a scrapbook including a brief report, receipts showing how the money was

spent, and photos to the committee. In addition, they will be required to do an oral report, submit an article for the SCOOP, or do a

poster display at one of the conferences. All reports are due within one calendar year. Applicants should indicate how they plan to

present their project on the application form.

APPLICATION FOR Spring 2011

GEORGIA MASTER GARDENER ASSOCIATION GRANT

APPLICATIONS DUE BY November 15, 2010

Name Date

Address

Telephone number(s) (area code 1st)

Email address

Year & county of Master Gardener coursework _____________________________ County in which project will be created___________________

Name of organization

Provide on a separate sheet a 100 to 200 word description of the project, which must include how much community is/will be involved.

Amount requested (in general between $100 - $700) ______________________________

Describe in a detailed budget on a separate sheet your planned use of grant funds. Be as specific as possible.

Estimated project completion date __________________. Please include complete design for project, and state how project will be maintained.

Number of persons expected to work on this project

Number of persons working on project who are Master Gardeners

How do you expect to document the project for GMGA members & your community? (Attach a separate sheet if you need more space)

PROJECT FUNDING CHAIR: Jose Tallet, 119 Enchanted Oaks, Bonaire, GA 31005-4269. [email protected] or 478 335-8684


GEORGIA MASTER GARDENERS ASSOCIATION, INC!

INCOME AND EXPENSE REPORT!JANUARY 1, 2010 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2010

Balance Forward as of January 1, 2010 $ 28, 073.64

INCOME

MEMBERSHIP DUES 14,720.00

WINTER CONFERENCE, 2010 11,498.00

WINTER CONFERENCE REFUND 500

FALL CONFERENCE, 2011 430

SALE OF INVENTORY 1,174.48

GRANT FUNDS RETURNED 612.46

TOTAL INCOME: $28,934.94

EXPENSE

ADMINISTRATION

License 30

* On-line credit card gateway, monthly 134

**Bank Charges (line item limit) 64

***Merchant transaction fees 214.65

Supplies 74.89

Education/Travel 976.46

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES: CPA 500

MEMBERSHIP 0

Directory 0

PROJECT FUNDING GRANTS

Spring 2010 3,375.00

Fall 2010 SPECIAL EVENTS: MASTER GARDENER DAY 37.1

Public Relations 0

Website 3,755.00

DONATIONS BY GMGA 600

PROGRAMS

Winter Conference, 2010 12,471.93

Hall County's 50% 2,338.00

Fall Conference, 2009 75

Spring 2011 1,217.32

INVENTORY 765.12

PUBLICATIONS 3,025.85

TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS: -29,654.32

CASH ON HAND AS OF JUNE 30, 2010 $27,354.26

Respectfully Submitted,

Regina Lorenz, Treasurer

* fee that allows merchant to process on-line credit card payments securely

** Bank Charge, months more than 200 items are deposited

*** Standard fee charged per credit-card transaction submitted for authorization

REMEMBER:

DONATIONS TO GMGA MAY BE

TAX DEDUCIBLE

GMGA is approved by the Internal Revenue

Service as a tax deductible organization

under section 501(c)(3) of the Code, which

means that contributions and donations are

now tax deductible for the donor. Please

make your donations out to “Georgia Master

Gardener Association, Inc.”

See your Tax Consultant for specifics.

Please mail your donations:

Regina Lorenz

Georgia Master Gardener Association, Inc.

1420 Northcliff Trace

Roswell, GA 30076-3275

Listserv Information

Hello Master Gardeners:

Spring is a time for lots of events, etc. My mailbox is filled

up with a lot of requests to send information out to the

Master Gardener listserv. It's wonderful being able to do

this service for our volunteers and groups, but here are a

few reminders about the listserv.

If you are sending something to go out, the listserv doesn't

accept attachments. We can't use any information that

can't be cut and pasted into e-mail body text. Please include

complete information including event address, contacts,

costs, etc.

Please don't ask us to resend info that you accidentally

deleted from your e-mail box. As much as I love being

helpful, we do have well over two thousand people on this

list...

You can find the exact information in the listserv archive

at: http://listserv.uga.edu/archives/gamgardener-l.html

You can also register a password at this listserv site and

that will allow you to manage your preferences like starting

or stopping e-mails when you travel, or you can change

how the listserv messages are delivered to you: daily as one

big digest or individually. You can also receive them as a

list of messages titles with links to read them at the online

archives.

Remember, you can also use the MG Events Blog and

Calendar to help you keep track of the things you are

interested in. http://georgiamgevents.blogspot.com/

Krissy Slagle, UGA CAES Cooperative Extension, Georgia

Master Gardener Program..


MERCHANDISE FOR SALE All proceeds support GMGA projects

Item Price Size Quantity

License Plates metal $5 Bucket Hat s/m l/xl $15 T Shirts $12 s,m,l,xl,2x T Shirts Long/Sleeve $15 s,m,l,xl,2x Nylon Jacket Green $25 Quantity limited s,l.xl Denim Shirt Long sleeve $26 s,m,l,xl,2x Denim Shirt Short sleeve $26 s,m,l,xl,2x Golf Shirt $25 s,m,l,xl,2x Apron Green 2 pocket $12

Shipping $6.50 (UPS). T-shirt and golf shirt colors, call for available colors. All shirts embroidered with Left

Chest GMGA logo. Please include your name address and phone number on all orders.

email: [email protected] (preferred); phone: 770 483-0760

mail: Dick Chenoweth, 5290 E Shore Dr SW, Conyers, GA, 30094-4716

IMPORTANT NOTE FROM THE MERCHANDISE COMMITTEE CHAIR:

• First, some GMGA members seem to think I am an independent vendor, selling GMGA shirts for my own profit.

Nothing could be further from the truth. I am a GMGA board member who volunteered to chair the Merchandise

Committee because there was a need. I pay all my own expenses to bring the merchandise to the conferences and

receive no repayment. All proceeds from sales go to the GMGA to help fund conferences and grants.

• Second, due to genes and 30 years of working around jet engines, I have a severe hearing deficiency, especially when

communicating by telephone.

I would appreciate if you would send your orders by e-mail ([email protected]) or fax to 770-483-3607 or send by

USPS to GMGA, 5290 E. Shore Drive, Conyers, GA. 30094.

You can still call ( 770-483-0760) for availability or colors but with names and addresses I need printed help.

Thanks, Dick Chenoweth


2011 GMGA MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL Calendar year : 1st January through 31st December, 2011

GEORGIA MASTER GARDENER ASSOCIATION, INC. www.georgiamastergardeners.com

online payment with a credit card is now available

Name: ______________________________________________ Phone: _______________

Address: ___________________________________________________________________

City: ___________________________________, Georgia Zip + 4 __________ -- ______

E-mail: _____________________________________________________________________

Types of Membership (Check one !):

" Georgia Master Gardener who completed

my training in ________ with ____________________ county $15 _$________

" .----------------------------------------------- Couples get a price break: $25 _$________

" Friend of Master Gardener $15 _$________

" Additional Tax Deductible Donation _$________

Mail Check, made payable to: GMGA Inc. to Total: _$________ Carole Teja, GMGA Membership P O Box 920490, Norcross, GA 30010-0490

Questions? E-mail: [email protected] or Phone: 404-643-2354

If you change your address during the year, PLEASE let us know ASAP so we can keep your records up to date.

Georgia FACES News to use about Georgia Family, Agricultural,

Consumer & Environmental Sciences The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and

Environmental Sciences http://georgiafaces.caes.uga.edu/

GNPS meetings are held at the Atlanta Botanical Garden

at 1345 Piedmont Avenue, NE, Atlanta, GA.

GNPS, PO Box 422085, Atlanta, GA 30342-2085

770-343-6000 or http://www.gnps.org/

Georgia Wildlife Federation 11600 Hazelbrand Road, Covington, GA 30014

Ph: 770-787-7887, Fax: 770-787-9229 http://www.gwf.org/

Georgia Perennial Plant Association Meets Atlanta History Center, McElreath Hall

Open to the public, speaker begins at 7:30 p.m.

770-955-1303 or http://www.georgiaperennial.org/

At the time of membership renewal, if a member so requests, GMGA will withhold any/all individual information from

the next MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY.


Garden Stewards:

In Tune With Nature

Conference Contacts

Chairman: Jon Christenson Vendors and Advertising

706-883-7716 or [email protected]

Co-Chairman: Gary Carter Financial and Registration


Program Coordinator: Susan Thomas Speakers and Program Manager


Hospitality Coordinator: Marilyn Mayer Lodging and Caterers


Logistics Coordinator: Fern Bergeron Dining Room Plans, Vendor Floor Plans, and Secretary


Georgia Master

Gardener Association

2010 Fall Conference

Friday, October 1, 2010 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Hills and Dales Estate 1916 Hills and Dales Dr, LaGrange, GA

SEMINARS Jo Phillips & Hills and Dales Staff

Signature Plants and Garden Tours

Helen Phillips Herb Gardening

Kenny Manis Hybridizing and Growing Daylilies

MEET & GREET EVENT 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Entertainment - Felder Rushing

BOOK SIGNINGS Dr. Allan Armitage and Felder Rushing

Saturday, October 2, 2010 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Callaway Conference Center 220 Fort Drive, LaGrange, GA 30240

SPEAKERS Hank Bruno

Stewardship In The Garden

Dr. Allan Armitage Annuals and Perennials in the Garden

Felder Rushing True Winners In Tune With Nature

Mike Sikes The Garden Steward: New Plants


FRIDAY CONFERENCE EVENTS

Hills and Dales Estate

Seminars and Meet & Greet Event

Friday, October 1

1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

1916 Hills & Dales Drive

LaGrange, GA 30240

SEMINARS

Jo Phillips & Hills and Dales Staff Signature Plants and Garden Tours

Helen Phillips Herb Gardening

Kenny Manis Hybridizing and Growing Daylilies

MEET & GREET EVENT

5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

ENTERTAINMENT:

Felder Rushing

BOOK SIGNINGS:

Dr. Allan Armitage and Felder Rushing

Seminars and Garden Tours are featured from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. The Meet & Greet begins at 5:30 P.M. Transportation will be provided from the Hills and Dales Visitors Center Parking Area to The Meet &

Greet event. Heavy hors d'oeuvres, wine, other beverages and sweets will be available. Felder Rushing will provide the entertainment. Book signings by Felder Rushing and Dr. Allan Armitage. Transportation will be provided throughout the evening to the Visitor’s Center parking lot.

Friday Speakers Bios

Jo Phillips: (Signature Plants & Garden Tours)

Jo Phillips is the Horticulture

Manager at Hills & Dales Estate, the

historic home of the Fuller E.

Callaway Family. She has been

employed at the estate since 1994

when she was hired as a

horticulturist by Mrs. Alice

Callaway, and was promoted to her

current position in 2007. She had the

privilege of working with Mrs.

Callaway for four years until Alice’s

death in 1998, after which work began on the project of opening

the home and garden to the public, which became official in

October 2004. Jo earned a BSA degree in Horticulture from the

University of Georgia in 1980. Her work experience prior to Hills

& Dales includes Callaway Gardens as well as retail garden

center management, which is where she met Alice. She attributes

her love of plants and gardening to growing up on a small farm

inhabited by generations of “green thumbs.”

Helen Phillips: (Herb Gardening)

Helen has a degree in elementary

Education and a Masters of

Agriculture, Auburn University.

Helen is an Instructor in Horticulture

at Columbus Technical College and

National Herb Society of America and

is a certified professional in Georgia

Soil and Erosion Control. She is a

member of the Southeast Horticulture

Society and Herb Society of America.

She currently works at Garden

Solutions Nursery in LaGrange,

Georgia, specializing in landscape design, plant selection, and

garden art.

Kenny Manis: (Hybridizing and Growing Daylilies)

Kenny began gardening at an early age, helping his mother with

her flower and vegetable gardens on

their Tennessee valley family farm.

He later graduated from Tennessee

Tech University with a degree in

Chemical Engineering, moving to

Georgia to work as an engineer for

Milliken & Company 14 years ago.

Manis completed his Georgia Master

Gardener education and certification

in 2005. He is a masterful practitioner

whose in-depth study of plants is

evident. An expert in growing and

hybridizing registered daylilies, Kenny Manis’ daylilies have won

a myriad of American Hemerocallis Society best in show awards.

He currently has 512 registered daylilies, as well as many Iris,

Camellias, Orchids, and African Violets. He is a member of the

American Hemerocallis Society, past president of the Troup

Master Gardener Association, and the Chattahoochee Valley

Daylily Society. He has become a sought after teacher of Master

Gardener classes.


SATURDAY CONFERENCE EVENTS October 2

Callaway Conference Center

East Campus of the West Georgia Technical College

220 Fort Drive, LaGrange GA 30240

8:00 a.m. Registration, Continental Breakfast,

and Vendor Shopping

8:45 a.m. Welcome and door prizes.

9:00 a.m. Conference Opening Ceremonies

9:15 a.m. Hank Bruno: “Stewardship In The

Garden.”

10:15 a.m. Break, Book signing, Vendor Shopping

10:45 a.m. Gift Drawing

11:00 a.m. Dr. Allan Armitage: “Annuals and

Perennials In The Garden.”

12:00 noon Lunch Break, Book signing, Vendor

Shopping

1:00 p.m. Felder Rushing: “True Winners In Tune

With Nature.”

2:00 p.m. Break, Book signing, Vendor Shopping

2:45 p.m. Gift Drawing

3:00 p.m. Mike Sikes: “The Garden Steward: New

Plants.”

4:00 p.m. Final gift drawing and announcements

Saturday Speakers Bios: Dr. Allan Armitage is well known as a

writer, speaker and researcher throughout

the world. He has evaluated garden plants

in Montreal, Canada; East Lansing,

Michigan and Athens, Georgia, gaining an

appreciation of plant development in the

North and South. He holds his B. Sc from

MacDonald College, Quebec, M.Sc. from

University of Guelph, Ontario and his

Ph.D. from Michigan State University. At

the University of Georgia, he runs the

research gardens where new plant

material from most of the flower breeders

in the world is evaluated. The Gardens at UGA are among the finest

trial gardens in the nation. They are open to the public throughout

the year. Armitage's work with heat- and humidity-tolerant crops

resulted in the national marketing program called “Athens Select.”

Approximately 30 plants have been introduced under the “Athens

Select” label, including Pennisetum 'Princess', Iochroma 'Purple

Queen’, Ruellia ‘Ragin Cajun’ and Begonia ‘Bonita Shea.’

Felder Rushing is a 10th-generation American gardener whose

pioneer ancestors settled across the Southeast, bringing many plants

with them. Rushing's overstuffed, quirky cottage garden has been

featured in many TV programs and magazines (including a cover of

Southern Living), and includes a huge

variety of weather-hardy plants along

with a collection of folk art. There is no

turf grass, just plants, yard art, and

"people places." The author and co-

author of 15 gardening books

(including several national award

winners) and former Extension Service

urban horticulture specialist has

written thousands of gardening

columns in syndicated newspapers, and

has had hundreds of articles and

photographs published in regional and national garden magazines,

including Garden Design, Horticulture, Landscape Architecture,

Better Homes and Gardens, Fine Gardening, Organic Gardening,

and the National Geographic. Felder has been featured three times

in full-length articles in the New York Times. He has hosted a

television program that was shown across the South, and appeared

many times on other TV garden programs. Felder currently co-

hosts a call-in garden program called “The Gestalt Gardener.”

Hank Bruno was raised on a farm and worked in the landscape

nursery business of his parents. After earning undergraduate

degrees in Botany and

Anthropology from Duke

University in 1976 he entered the

Peace Corps, serving in

Guatemala. With two years of

archeological fieldwork in the

southeast he entered graduate

school at Texas A&M

University. Working full-time as

a landscape maintenance

supervisor and conducting

research in archeobotany he received his M.A. in 1988. He arrived

at Callaway Gardens in October 1991 where he served as the

Director of Horticulture. Mr. Bruno is currently Director of

Horticulture at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens, in Belmont,

N.C. In addition to horticulture, he has worked in plant

conservation with the Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance and

serves on the steering committee of the Cullowhee Native Plant

Conference. His interests include plant ecology, ethno botany,

collections management and landscaping with native plants.

Mike Sikes is the horticulturist for the Gardener’s Confidence

Collection. He has spent more than 25 years in the horticulture

industry. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia’s School of

Horticulture, is a certified Master

Gardener, and has served as president

of the Georgia Nursery Association and

Friends of the State Botanical Garden of

Georgia. Sikes also has been recognized

as the Georgia Green Industry

Association’s Distinguished Professional

of the Year. His expertise is readily

shared with other gardeners who strive

to have the utmost confidence in their

own garden whether that includes acres

of plants or patio containers because he knows each and every

garden is special to its owner. Mike is a Horticulturist & Marketing

Coordinator for McCorkle Nurseries, Inc. He is frequently on the

road in search of new plants to bring to the market. With over 25

years in the horticulture business, he has a keen eye for new and

unusual varieties. He is an admitted “plantaholic” whose passion

for plants is contagious.


Georgia Master Gardener Association

2010 Fall Conference October 1 & 2


LAGRANGE LODGING

Wingate by Wyndham

103 Wingate Drive, LaGrange Georgia (706)-298-5270

GMGA has 50 room reserved

Baymont Inn & Suites

107 Hoffman Drive, LaGrange, GA ! (706) 885-9002

GMGA has 10 rooms reserved

Holiday Inn Express 111 Hoffman Drive, LaGrange, GA

(706) 812-8000

GMGA has 10 rooms reserved

Days Inn

2606 Whitesville Road, LaGrange, GA

(706) 882-8881

Hampton Inn

100 Willis Circle, LaGrange, GA

(706) 845-1115!

Jameson Inn

1511 Lafayette Parkway, LaGrange, GA

(706) 882-8700

Comfort Inn & Suites

1512 Lafayette Parkway, LaGrange, GA

(706) 882-7700

Super 8 Motel 29 Patillo Road, LaGrange, GA

(706) 845-9093!

Quality Inn & Suites 1601 Lafayette Parkway, LaGrange, GA

(706) 882-9540

Country Inn & Suites

205 Cotton Road, LaGrange, GA ! (706) 298-4571

For The Outdoor Folks Camp sites are available at West Point Lake.

PLACES TO SEE

LaGrange Area

Bellevue: 204 Ben Hill Street, antebellum home, opens for tours. Admission: Tues-Sat. 10-12 & 2-5. 706/884-1832 Troup County Archives & Legacy Museum: 136 Main Street. Free. M-F 9-5, Tues 9-8, Sat 9-1. 706/884-1828 [email protected] West Point Lake: west of downtown on Ga. 109 & US 29 - fishing, swimming, boating, picnicking, camping, dam, museum. 706/645-2937 [email protected] Highland Marina Resort is at 1000 Seminole Road, off Whitaker Road, west of downtown LaGrange. 706/882-3437 [email protected] Explorations in Antiquity Center 130 Gordon Commercial Drive, LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 885-0363. www.explorationsinantiquity.net

Pine Mountain Area

Highway 27, 20 miles south of LaGrange

Pine Mountain Tourism Association PO Box 177 - 101 East Broad Street Pine Mountain, GA 31822 706/663-4000. Butts Mill Farm: 2280 Butts Mill Rd (physical), Pine Mountain, GA 31822. Call (706) 663-7400 for group rates or e-mail [email protected]. Wild Animal Safari: 1300 Oak Grove Road. Admission. Daily 10 a.m. to dusk. 706/663-8744 [email protected]. Callaway Gardens: Highway 27. Gardens, beach, restaurants, butterfly center, horticultural center, chapel, Victory Garden, bike trails, golf. Admission. Daily 7 to 7. 706/663-2281, ext. 5317 [email protected].

Warm Springs Area GA 109 east to Greenville, south Alt. 27, 30 miles from LaGrange

Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park - on top of the mountain, hiking, horseback riding, cabins, lakes, camping. Open 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. 706/663-4358. Little White House: GA. 85, south of city. Retreat of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Daily 9-5. Admission. 706/655-5870. Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation: Alt. 27. Call 706/655-5000 to arrange a tour.


Directions to Hills & Dales Estate 1916 Hills & Dales Drive

FROM ATLANTA Hills & Dales Estate is located 66 miles southwest of Atlanta’s

Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Take I-85S to LaGrange and

take Exit 18. Turn right off the exit ramp onto Hwy 109 (LaFayette

Parkway) and go 3 miles to Hwy 219 (Morgan St.). Turn right at

Morgan St. then turn left at the next block onto Greenville St. (Turns

into Broad St. after the town square.) Go 1 mile on Broad St. and Hills

& Dales Dr. is on the right.

FROM PINE MOUNTAIN Hills & Dales Estate is located 20 miles northwest of Pine Mountain.

Take Hwy 27 North (Hamilton Rd.). Turn right on I-185N and

continue North until you reach the I-85 South exit. Go approximately 1

mile on I-85 South and exit at LaGrange exit 18. Turn right off the exit

ramp onto Hwy 109 (LaFayette Parkway) and go 3 miles to Hwy 219

(Morgan St.). Turn right at Morgan St. then turn left at the next block

onto Greenville St. (Turns into Broad St. after the town square.) Go 1

mile on Broad St. and Hills & Dales Dr. is on the right.

FROM COLUMBUS Hills & Dales Estate is located 44 miles north of Columbus. Take I-

185N to the I-85South exit. Go approximately 1 mile on I-85 South and

exit at LaGrange exit 18. Turn right off the exit ramp onto Hwy 109

(LaFayette Parkway) and go 3 miles to Hwy 219 (Morgan St.). Turn

right at Morgan St. then turn left at the next block onto Greenville St.

(Turns into Broad St. after the town square.) Go 1 mile on Broad St.

and Hills & Dales Dr. is on the right.

FROM MONTGOMERY, AL Hills & Dales Estate is located 95 miles northeast of Montgomery. Take

I-85N to LaGrange and exit at LaGrange exit 18. Turn left off the exit

ramp onto Hwy 109 (LaFayette Parkway) and go 3 miles to Hwy 219

(Morgan St.). Turn right at Morgan St. then turn left at the next block

onto Greenville St. (Turns into Broad St. after the town square). Go 1

mile on Broad St. and Hills & Dales Dr. is on the right.

FROM MACON Hills & Dales Estate is located 93 miles northwest of Macon. Take Hwy

74W to Hwy 109W into LaGrange. Continue on Hwy 109 (LaFayette

Pkwy) to Hwy 219 (Morgan St.). Turn right at Morgan St. then turn

left at the next block onto Greenville St. (Turns into Broad St. after the

town square). Go 1 mile on Broad St. and Hills & Dales Dr. is on the

right. Hills & Dales Estate is located at 1916 Hills & Dales Drive in

LaGrange, GA. Hills & Dales Drive is located off of Broad Street

adjacent to LaGrange College, 1 mile west of downtown LaGrange.

Directions to The Callaway Conference Center

East Campus - West Georgia Technical College

220 Fort Drive

SOUTHBOUND ON I-85: Take Exit 13, turn right onto Highway 219 and proceed

approximately one mile to Fort Drive. Turn left on Fort Drive and

proceed to the 3-way stop. Proceed forward. The Callaway

Conference Center is the first building on the right. The WGTC

administration building is located on the left by taking the second

driveway. Guest parking is available by the flagpole.

NORTHBOUND ON I-85: Take Exit 13, turn left onto Highway 219 and proceed

approximately one mile to Fort Drive. Turn left on Fort Drive and

proceed to the 3-way stop. Proceed forward. Callaway Conference

Center is the first building on the right. The WGTC administration

building is located on the left by taking the second driveway. Guest

parking is available by the flagpole.

FROM COLUMBUS ON I-185: Take I-185 N to exit 30 Hopewell Church Road/Whitesville, turn

left on Hopewell Church Road and bear right on GA- Hwy 219.

Drive approx. 14.17 miles to Fort Drive. Turn left on Fort Drive

and proceed to the 3-way stop. Proceed forward. The Callaway

Conference Center is the first building on the right. The WGTC

administration building is located on the left by taking the second

driveway. Guest parking is available by the flagpole.

FROM CARROLLTON: Take US-27 S drive approx. 35.92 miles. Bear right on New

Franklin Road (US-27) go 2.81 miles. Continue to follow US-27 go

1.33 miles and continue on Whitesville Road (GA-219) and drive

2.57 miles. Turn right on Fort Drive and proceed to the 3-way stop.

Proceed forward. The Callaway Conference Center is the first

building on the right. The WGTC administration building is

located on the left by taking the second driveway. Guest parking is

available by the flagpole.


Georgia Master Gardener Association 2010 Fall Conference October 1 & 2


Conference Registration Form

Name

Address

City State Zip

County Telephone

Email

I plan to attend as a:

! GMGA Member ! Spouse or Guest of a Master Gardener ! General Public

Conference Fees:

! GMGA Member (postmarked by September 1) Conference on Saturday ……………..…. $65.00

Includes morning & afternoon refreshments, lunch and conference presentations.

! GMGA Member (postmarked after September 1) Conference on Saturday …………..….. $75.00

! Guests& General Public Conference on Saturday………………….…………………...…. $75.00

Includes morning & afternoon refreshments, lunch and conference presentations.

! Your paid Saturday Conference Registration entitles you to attend the Friday Events

at Hills & Dales (garden tour, seminars, & reception) for a fee of…….……………....… $6.00 Amount Enclosed……………......................…...................................................... $

NOTE: If you are planning to bring your spouse or a guest, please complete a separate registration form for that individual. Mail your form(s) and a check made payable to GMGA to:

GMGA 2010 Fall Conference 1425 Market Blvd Suite 330-204 Roswell, GA 30076

If you have registration inquires, dietary restrictions or are in need of special services or assistance, please contact the Conference Coordinator, Gary Carter at [email protected] or 706-616-4153.

GMGA Refund Policy: Full refund shall be made 60 days prior to the conference. Fifty percent (50%) will be refunded between 59 days and 30 days prior to the conference. No refund will be made less than 30 days prior to the conference.

THE GeorgiaScoop Newsletter of the Georgia Master Gardener Association

1420 Northcliff Trace

Roswell, GA 30076-3275

Georgia Master Gardener Association 2010 Fall Conference


Callaway Business Conference Center

220 Fort Drive, LaGrange, GA 30240

Saturday, October 2, 2010

8: a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Hosted by

The Troup Master Gardener Association

And

Master Gardener Volunteers from Carroll, Coweta,

Meriwether, Muscogee, and Troup Counties

Conference information and registration form inside

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE

This newsletter is for the enjoyment and benefit of Georgia

Master Gardeners. Your input is welcome and needed! Send

articles, pictures, fun facts, helpful gardening hints, book

reviews, program dates, poems, etc. to the editor:

Fred Dyer

448 Talmer Grizzle Rd

Dahlonega, GA 30533

Email: [email protected]

Issue Deadline for Publishing Date

Submissions

Spring: February 15 March 15

Summer: April 15 May 15

Fall: July 15 August 15

Winter: October 15 November 15

These deadline dates are important!

PLEASE NOTE

If you move remember to let us know – just use the membership

form. (It is not your county agent’s job.) We do not want to lose contact with you.

Renew Your GMGA Membership

Carole Teja is the new Membership Chair for GMGA. Thank you

for your support as it helps to make all of the exciting things coming

up possible. Also, GMGA membership reduces your conference

registration cost. Carole can be reached at:

[email protected] or 404-643-2354.

You may register on line: www.georgiamastergardeners.com

A GMGA membership form for 2011 is included herein.

GMGA has a Web Site:

http://www.georgiamastergardeners.com

Also for other important information go to:

http://www.caes.uga.edu/extension/

Beginning with this issue the SCOOP will be distributed electronically via the web site. See page 25 for more information on membership and renewal matters.

plant a row for the hungry - georgia master gardener association

Documents

american hemerocallis

jo anne allen

master gardener

georgia cooperative

lifetime master

union county

wgtc administration

master gardener