Brunswick County Master Gardener Volunteer Association...
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“THE OPTOMISTIC GARDENER” Maryann Horgan, President BCMGVA “The best way to garden is to put on a wide brimmed straw hat and some old clothes. And with a hoe in one hand and a drink in the other, tell somebody else where to dig.” Texas Bix Bender, ‘Don’t Throw in the Towel’ Summer heat and humidity is here. So perhaps it is time to seek the shade of an old Live Oak or sit on the porch with a gin & tonic and reflect upon our efforts. Let us start with the true definition of gardening: Gar * den * ing (ga rd’ ning) n. The art of killing weeds and bugs to grow flowers and crops for animals and birds to eat. After years of experimenting with success and failure in your own garden, you probably already know the real meaning of plant terminology in the literature: “a favorite of birds” – avoid planting near your car or the clothesline “grows more beautiful each year” – looks like road kill for the foreseeable future “zone 9 with protection” – variation on the phrase ‘Russian roulette’ “vigorous” – code for Napoleonic compulsion to take over the world “Grandma’s favorite” – until she discovered disease resistant hybrids By the way, you probably don’t need to tell your friends that you are a Master Gardener. The telltale signs are obvious: Is there a decorative compost container on your kitchen counter? Would you rather go to a nursery than go shoe shopping? Do you prefer to garden more than watching television? Do you plan your vacation trips around public parks and arboretums? Is that dirt under your fingernails a matter of pride? “The only way to guarantee year round color in the yard is to buy a garden gnome!” Maryann "All your renown is like the summer flower that blooms and dies; because the sunny glow which brings it forth, soon slays with parching power." - Alighieri Dante Meeting Minutes For the complete minutes of the membership meetings, go http://www.bcmastergardenerva.org/ under the About Us tab Scheduled Speakers July 23 – NO Meeting August 27 – Webinar – Pruning – Barbara Fair September 24 – Webinar – Bugs/pests – Matt Bertone, Entomologist for Plant Disease & Insect Clinic October 22 – Organic Farming, Henry Burkert, Greenlands Farm November 19 – Poinsettias, Susan Brown, New Hanover Extension Agent. Certified Master Gardeners Check the NCSU Website for opportunities to fulfill your 40 hours are required to remain qualified. Click here Gardening by the Month Book Update June 4, 2015 submitted by Ron Wedekind The Gardening by the Month book Task Force has reviewed the revisions for all twelve months that were submitted by the Brunswick County Master Gardeners. These revisions have now been incorporated into a 2015 version and is being proof read by the Task Force and Tom Woods. Our goal is have final changes completed by the June 25, 2015 meeting. While that has been going on, the Task Force has had an initial conversation with Gina Britton, staff member, on a number of ways that the printed version could be presented. We are thinking of a revised 3 Ring Binder and a spiral book. The Task Force has also been discussing with Amanda Kiel on how we might produce a digital version and how that could be sold. A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken. ~James Dent Regular meetings on 4 th Thursday each month at 9:00 am Brunswick County Master Gardener Volunteer Association Newsletter Summer 2015 Volume VIII Issue 4
Transcript of Brunswick County Master Gardener Volunteer Association...
“THE OPTOMISTIC GARDENER”Maryann Horgan, President BCMGVA
“The best way to garden is to put on a wide brimmed straw hat and some old clothes. And with a hoe in one hand and a drink in the other, tell somebody else where to dig.” Texas Bix Bender, ‘Don’t Throw in the Towel’
Summer heat and humidity is here. So perhaps it is timeto seek the shade of an old Live Oak or sit on the porchwith a gin & tonic and reflect upon our efforts. Let usstart with the true definition of gardening:
Gar * den * ing (ga rd’ ning) n. The art ofkilling weeds and bugs to grow flowers andcrops for animals and birds to eat.
After years of experimenting with success and failure inyour own garden, you probably already know the realmeaning of plant terminology in the literature:
“a favorite of birds” – avoid planting nearyour car or the clothesline
“grows more beautiful each year” – looks like road kill for the foreseeablefuture
“zone 9 with protection” – variation on the phrase ‘Russian roulette’
“vigorous” – code for Napoleonic compulsion to take over the world
“Grandma’s favorite” – until she discovered disease resistant hybrids
By the way, you probably don’t need to tell your friends that you are a Master Gardener. The telltale signs are obvious:
Is there a decorative compost container on your kitchen counter?
Would you rather go to a nursery than go shoe shopping?
Do you prefer to garden more than watching television?
Do you plan your vacation trips around public parks and arboretums?
Is that dirt under your fingernails a matter of pride?
“The only way to guarantee year round color in the yard is to buy a garden gnome!”
Maryann
"All your renown is like the summer flower that blooms and dies;because the sunny glow which brings it forth,
soon slays with parching power." - Alighieri Dante
Meeting Minutes For the complete minutes of the membership meetings, go
http://www.bcmastergardenerva.org/under the About Us tab
Scheduled Speakers
July 23 – NO MeetingAugust 27 – Webinar – Pruning – Barbara FairSeptember 24 – Webinar – Bugs/pests – Matt Bertone, Entomologist for Plant Disease & Insect ClinicOctober 22 – Organic Farming, Henry Burkert, Greenlands FarmNovember 19 – Poinsettias, Susan Brown, New Hanover Extension Agent.
Certified Master GardenersCheck the NCSU Website for opportunities to fulfill your 40 hours are required to remain qualified. Click here
Gardening by the Month Book UpdateJune 4, 2015 submitted by Ron Wedekind
The Gardening by the Month book Task Force has reviewed the revisions for all twelve months that were submitted by the Brunswick County Master Gardeners. These revisions have now been incorporated into a 2015 version and is being proof read by the Task Force and Tom Woods. Our goal is have final changes completed bythe June 25, 2015 meeting.
While that has been going on, the Task Force has had an initial conversation with Gina Britton, staff member, on a number of ways that the printed version could be presented. We are thinking of a revised 3 Ring Binder and a spiral book. The Task Force has also been discussing with Amanda Kiel on how we might produce a digital version and how that could be sold.
A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining,
the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken. ~James Dent
Regular meetings on 4th Thursday each month at 9:00 am
Brunswick County Master GardenerVolunteer Association Newsletter
Summer 2015 Volume VIII Issue 4
Brunswick County Master Gardener Volunteer Association Newsletter Summer 2015
Sam Marshall Extension Horticulture Agent
Horticulture Program Updates
You all continue to do great things even in the hottesttemperatures! I want to start out my program updates byfirst thanking all of you for your hard work and efforts so farthis year. I see excellent leadership coming from volunteerswho have been here longer, as well as more mentorship forthe newer volunteers. For the newer folks, I see adoption of new ideas and more input from you all into the Master Gardener Volunteer program. Your efforts are paying off in full, and it’s getting noticed in the county.
I have begun the interviewing potential candidates for the 2015 Master Gardener Volunteer training. So far we have a full class of candidates, with more applications coming in every day. Along with this, I am planning on bringing back the mentor program for new volunteers. Based on the last two years’ input from you all, I am developing a new mentor program that I hope will enhance the experience for new trainees, as well as give you all an opportunity to take someone under your wing and help integrate them a little better into the program. The classes will begin Sept 14th, and will last through the first of November. If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please let me know and I will work to pair you with a new trainee.
The House Calls Program is officially underway and even with little advertising, we are already getting noticed. I am very much looking forward to the fall, when we will fully begin implementation of this program. If you are interested in the program and would like to begin training, there are still volunteer slots available. Please send Tom Woods an e-mail to let him know that you are interested.
Advanced Training for Landscape Design will not be held this year. Due to schedule conflicts and general lack of extra hours in the day, I have decided that it will be offered in the spring of 2016. I hear the grumbles already, however, I want this to be the best-possible experience for you, and in order for you to gain the most from the training, I will need time to plan (or scheme) and gather together the best-possible speakers for the class. If you want me to go ahead andsign you up, I will gladly do so. Please send me an e-mail or let me know the nexttime you catch me in the hallway.
Of course I could ramble on, but for your sake I’ll stop here. Thank you again for all that you do and for your continued efforts in making this one of the top programs in the state!
– Sam
Vendor DiscountsIf you've paid your association dues for 2015 and didn't get your vendor discount card, be sure to stop in Tom's office to pick it up. Tom will have a list of participating vendors available.
Master Gardeners BoardElected Officers:
PresidentMaryann [email protected]
910-454-0481Vice president Jeanne Pavero
TreasurerMerry MacBarb
Recording SecretaryVicki Fuhrmann
Corresponding SecretaryAnn Gallman
Volunteer Chairs:Banquets/Parties
Sonia [email protected]
203-249-5911HardscapeFred Mina
Library/SpeakersGrace Wrigley
Joanne [email protected]
910-575-0071NCMGVA Liaison
Shirley [email protected]
910-754-4148Newsletter Editor
Hank [email protected]
910-253-4071History/Publicity
Mary [email protected]
910-755-6873Donna Coulson
Trip PlanningEllen Pecina
Amanda [email protected]
216-375-6511
Staff:Sam Marshall
[email protected] Handler
[email protected] Spencer
[email protected] Woods
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Brunswick County Master Gardener Volunteer Association Newsletter Summer 2015
Brown Bag Lunch in the Botanical Garden
How To Make Armatures fromBranches
Our second Brown Bag Lunch in the Gardenhosted a demonstration and workshop by
Robin Weir AIFD.
Robin is one of only 1300 certified floral designers in the U.S. Besides passing a rigorous written test, Robin was locked in a room full of flowers and had four hours to create a bridal bouquet, boutonnière table arrangements and a casket spray! We learned how to use curly willow to make
armatures to be used in floral displays.The curly willow can be easily rootedand grown in your yard.
Please stop in and see Robin's shop"Wild By Nature" 411 N. Howe St. Shecarries wonderful vases,gifts, and silkflowers besides making creative floralarrangements. And don't forget she can make your casket spray! [email protected])
How Green is YOUR Garden?
Ron Wedekind must be following the suggestions he found while revising the Gardening by the Month book. He submitted these photos on the beansand cucumbers that appear to be successfully growing in his garden. Do you have any photos of yours?
A Real Treasure Hunt– submitted by Anne Coleman
The 2014 Propagation Class experienced a real treat recently. Through the efforts of Melanie Kelley and the guidance of Sam Marshall the class was invited to attend a propagation workshop atthe JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh. There we spent an afternoon with Mr. Chris Glenn as he gave us a quick review of the process for propagating softwood cuttings followed by a tour of the Arboretum. He pointed out many options for us to consider, because the next morning we were allowed to take cuttings of our chosen treasures.
To help locate the plants we were hoping to propagate we turned to the Arboretum’s website. Under the ‘Horticulture’ tab, ‘Our Plants’ is a searchable database listing of every plant in the entire garden, with a brief description and in most cases a color photo.The treasure hunt begins when you click on a number locator
associated with the plant. It takes you to an interactive map that shows the bed in which the search begins for the specific plant. Tryit the next time you are at the Arboretum: http://jcra.ncsu.edu. We spent nearly three hours the next morning gathering our selections, bagging them and securing them in ice coolers for the ride home. Salvias,Sedums, Abelias,Buddlejas, Baptisias,Eucomis, Daphne,Hibiscus, Hydrangea,Callicarpa, and the listgoes on. Whatever wewanted – with fewexceptions - wasavailable. We even tookcuttings of Chris Glenn’s‘Chris’s Pass-alongDianthus,’ a stunning burgundy that fools the camera’s lens. Once home we each ‘stuck’ our cuttings and began the long wait. Hopefully in a couple of months we will be able see the fruits of ourlabor, or more accurately our treasure hunt bounty.
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Brunswick County Master Gardener Volunteer Association Newsletter Summer 2015
PLANT A MOSQUITO-REPELLANT CONTAINER GARDEN submitted by Maryann Horgan
Mosquitoes may be an important part of the food chain for birds and bats, but they are awful.Besides getting rid of standing waterand using harsh chemicals, how canyou really keep them away?
It has long been known thatmosquitoes are attracted to humanbody odor and secretions. Therefore,you are going to need a strong smellto hide your scent and keepmosquitoes at a distance. There are several plants with strong scents that could help fill the air around you with an aroma to repel the pests. Maximum protection would be helped if you crush the herbs in your hands to release their perfume and rub that all over your exposed skin.Here are eight herbs that work great and can be kept in potson your porch near seating area or by the door.
1. Lemon Balm2. Catnip3. Basil4. Lavender5. Peppermint6. Citrosum “mosquito plant”7. Sage*8. Rosemary*
*throw in campfire and the smoke becomes a smoky repellant
Hobcaw Barony Georgetown, SC MG Tour May 27th
Hobcaw Barony is a private estate located about 5 miles north of Georgetown on US 17."Hobcaw" is a Waccamawterm meaning 'betweenthe waters' and "Barony"is a reference to anadministrative division ofa country, usually of lowerrank and importance thana county that wasestablished back in thedays when the Englishking awarded land grants.In the early 1900s in thedays before income tax,Bernard Baruch purchased much of the original "barony" that had over time been disbanded into separate properties. His primary use of this land appeared to be for the purpose of duck hunting.
Mr. Baruch had a very independent daughter, Belle, residing in Europe in the '30s and, to entice her to return to America, he 'sold' her about 5000 acres for her to use in pursuit of her equestrian endeavors. She eventually purchased all of the barony over a period of several years and at her death a foundation was created to use the land for the "purposes of teaching and/or research in forestry, marine biology, and the care and propagation of wildlife, flora and fauna in connection with colleges and/or universities in the state of South Carolina." Today it is an ecological and conservation center as well as a research center for Clemson University that encompasses over 16,000 acres.
Our tour started at 10AM and lasted for about 2 hours. Actually, formost of us the adventure began in Bolivia at 7:30am when our van,piloted by the most capable hands of Tom Woods, left for
Georgetown. A total of 16 MGs made the trip. After arrival and registration, we boarded two small buses and traveled along the unpaved roadways to the remains of Friendfield Village, the last 19th century slave village on the Waccamaw Neck, where our guides gave us an explanation of
how the several structures were used in the past. The buses continued to Hobcaw House, the 1930 home where Mr. Baruch hosted politicians, generals and newspapermen as well as Winston Churchill and PresidentFranklin Roosevelt. We weregreeted at the door by our guideand given an extensive tour ofthe various rooms in the home.In addition to Hobcaw House,we drove by BellefieldPlantation and stables, thehome of Belle Baruch.
After the tour we ate our lunch at the Discovery Center on the premises and then departed for the return trip.While there were some comments regarding the long leaf pine preserve, there was no emphasis on gardens or plants. For the most part, the tours of
the premises are used to supplement the operation of the research facilities and are essentially historical rather than botanical in nature, although the views were still spectacular.We returned safely to Bolivia, thanks to our intrepid driver, Tom Woods.
Thanks again Tom.
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Brunswick County Master Gardener Volunteer Association Newsletter Summer 2015
Barkley ReturnsOn June 10th about a dozen MGs were rewarded by a visit from our former Hort Agent David Barkley.
David had retired in 2009 after a successful career doing what he most obviously enjoyed. He not only trained many of our active Master Gardeners but he also made asignificant contribution in establishing our Botanical Garden. As many know, the project to identify the plants in our garden has been struggling because many of the labels have faded, become lost or just plain missing.David was asked togive us a hand withidentifying theplants, many ofthem obtained byhim or under hisdirection. Eventhough we knew hewas very good withplant identification(some of us took thePlant ID class underhis tutoring), it wasfacinating to watchas he moved through the several areas, rattling off the names like a human botanical encyclopedia. While we had no permanent labels, Amanda Kiel had devised a method to temporarily mark each plant with the names sothat a more lasting system can be employed at another time.
Happy Little Blue Birds
Patty Schliegdonated 2bluebirdhouses to theBotanicalGarden. Her husbandJohn built thehouses andPatty paintedthem.
Many thanksfor sprucing up the Botanical Garden.
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Brunswick County Master Gardener Volunteer Association Newsletter Summer 2015
Hobcaw Barony
Brunswick County Master Gardener Volunteer AssociationP.O. Box 109Bolivia, NC 28422 Office: 910-253-2610
First Class Mail
Useful links for online access:http://www.bcmastergardenerva.org/http://brunswick.ces.ncsu.edu/http:// www.ncmastergardeners.orghttp://pendergardener.blogspot.com/
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