Thankful for Gardening Blessings great and small

Transcription

1 Thankful for Gardening Blessings great and small by Rose Lee There are many things that automatically come to mind when I consider all for which I have to be thankful. As always, I am grateful for the blessings of good health, strong family bonds, financial stability, positive interpersonal relationships, and other notso-small aspects of life. However, as a passionate gardener, in addition to my gratitude for the larger blessings of life, I cannot help giving thanks for the little things in gardening that also bring me joy. While there are so many things that I love about my hobby, I must admit that there are times when things just do not turn out the way I have planned, no matter how attentive and diligent I am in my efforts. Consequently, when things do happen to go well, it is both gratifying and validating to see my efforts being rewarded. Here are just a few of the small things in gardening that I am most thankful for, from my experiences in just this year alone. As frustrating as gardening can sometimes be, I am sure you, too, can find things for which to be grateful. Now is a good time for reflection upon those blessings, both great and small. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! (continued on page 2) Inside the Gardener s Scoop 1-2 Garden Blessings 3 Hospitality Notes 3 Election Results 4 Sowing Fun with Seeds 5 Boo at the Zoo 6 Master Gardener Garden 7 Seminar Poster 8 Stroll through Kiroli 9 Calendar & Hours Gardener s Scoop November 2018 Page 1

2 1. Only minimal damage occurred in the yard this year from armadillos and other critters and pests. HINT: The damage from one pest, slugs, was extremely minimized by my use of stale beer poured in shallow containers and placed around the garden beds. However, one drawback to this method, particularly when used in multiple garden beds, is that the containers must be emptied and refreshed periodically. 2. The consistently hot summer days we experienced this year were often interspersed with intermittent daily showers, which reduced not only the number of days I had to manually water the flower beds, but also my risk of being attacked by stinging, and even worse, diseasetransmitting insects. 3. The gardenias, camellias and crape myrtles thrived this year with only minimal evidence of scale and powdery mildew. HINT: Periodic trimming to improve air circulation and spraying plants such as camellias, hollies, gardenias and magnolias with oil sprays (ex. Volck or Neem Oil) to control scale and white flies, can help promote healthy growth. 4. The gaura and coreopsis that I planted last year bloomed beautifully again this year from spring thru fall. 5. The wild sage bush I purchased as a small, leggy stem in the spring survived. In fact, for such an initially fraillooking plant, not only did it survive, it thrived far beyond my expectations, just as my favorite nursery owner, Mr. Hill, from Hill s Nursery in Archibald, LA, assured me it would. 6. Most of the gerbera daisies, mums and lantana, as well as some of the dianthus, survived the cold winter season last year and thrived from early spring until now. HINT: When cutting back spent annuals in the fall, such as periwinkles, coleus and mums; I leave the root balls intact because, depending on the harshness of winter and spring weather conditions, a number of these roots will produce new blooms in the next year. 7. The buds on the encore azaleas that are blooming in the fall are full and plentiful, in comparison to smaller and fewer blooms in previous years. This is due in part to my attentiveness to instructions from the LSU AgCenter and other reputable experts for trimming and fertilizing the shrubs: basically, fertilize before blooming and trim afterwards. 8. The one ageratum cluster I accident sprayed with wasp and hornet insecticidal spray actually recuperated and now has healthy leaves and beautiful small clusters of blue blooms, making it a standout in the garden bed. 9. The aesthetic appeal of my landscape is pleasing to my family, visitors, neighbors, passers-by and others who express appreciation for my efforts and whose comments motivate me to keep working. 10. I am still physically able and mentally motivated to tend the garden beds to keep an attractive landscape for my community of neighbors, as well as myself, to enjoy each season. Gardener s Scoop November 2018 Page 2

3 Hospitality Notes by Debbie Beauvais NOVEMBER MEETING - The November MG meeting will be hosted by Team 2. Those members are Judy and Ken Grant, Warren Daniel, Steve Walker, Steve Thompson, Rebekah Fuller, Lamar and Lisa Cranston, Ron Hammett, Bill and Rita Albritton, Ken Kelley. DECEMBER MEETING - For December's MG meeting, the schedule calls for Team 3 to decorate and provide food. However, this year Teams 3 and 4 will jointly be decorating and setting up the food service. Anyone that likes to decorate or has Christmas decorations that they would not mind sharing is welcome to participate. Dawn and Mitch did a wonderful job last year with their own collection of decorations. A meeting will be set soon to discuss ideas. keep the rotation of Hospitality Teams shifting so that each team is not scheduled for the same months each year. HOSPITALITY TEAM SCHEDULE 2019 TEAM 1 January May September TEAM 2 February June October TEAM 3 March July November TEAM 4 April August December w/ Team 1* *Everyone is asked to bring a food or beverage for the December meeting and party; ice is also needed. Ideally, some members from each team will work together to set up for the December meeting/party and clean up afterward. This has worked out well on a volunteer basis in the past. MASTER GARDENER ASSN. HOSPITALITY TEAM MEMBERS (rvsd ) All in attendance are asked to bring something for refreshments, either a covered dish or non-food item. Non-food items that could be offered are Holiday dinner and dessert plates and napkins. Other nonfood items that would be needed are ice--two bags at least as well as drinks--soda, tea, punch. Please contact me if you plan to provide any of these items so I can let everyone know. (dwbeauv@yahoo.com or beauvais1953@gmail.com) Also, December's meeting is this time for our silent auction. If you can bring a new, gently used, or antique item or a plant for the auction, it will add to the fun of the evening. Proceeds from the auction go into the MG funds, so this is a fund-raising event, also. TEAM 1 Christy Francis, Leader Lora Fix Mary Lou McFarland Glenda Guice Lisa Richardson Andrea Griggs Joyce Marlette TEAM 2 Judy Grant, Leader Steve Thomas Warren Daniel Ken and Wanda Grant Steve Walker Theresa Cotton Helen Hotard Therese Nagem Pam Wood Connie McNeil Cindy Jolly Gail Hamby Rebekah Fuller Lamar and Lisa Cranston Ron Hammett Bill and Rita Albritton Ken Kelley HOSPITALITY TEAM PARTICIPATION - We need more master gardeners to sign up for a Hospitality Team. There are four teams and each team provides refreshments for a monthly MG meeting according to the schedule. Team 4 and Team 2 have the least number of participants. If you are attending the monthly meetings, please contact Debbie Beauvais (Team 4) or Judy Grant (Team 2) to volunteer for one of these teams. These three ladies recently volunteered to join Team 1- -Connie McNeil, Gail Hamby, and Cindy Jolly. A SLIGHT CHANGE IN THE SCHEDULE FOR HOSPITALITY TEAMS - The problem with having 4 teams and 12 months in a year is that the teams end up scheduled for the same months year after year. To change this up, I discussed an idea with Dawn Jordan and she agreed to the change. For December's meeting/party, Team 3, lead by Dawn Jordan and Team 4, lead by me, will combine forces. That will put Team 1 on the 2019 schedule for January. This should TEAM 3 Dawn Jordan, Leader Mitch Jordan Janet White Laura Hardin Patti Wilder Elaine Johnson TEAM 4 Debbie Beauvais, Leader Elizabeth Warford Linda Tubbs Linda Williams Buck Bounds Jerry & Joyce Hunter Mary Barnidge Lynn Morris Pattie Fincher Cindy Hatten Virginia Lee Lanell Armstrong Ginny Chin Christina Hawkins Election Results The following were elected at the October, 2018 meeting: President: Lisa Richardson Vice President: Bryan Babb Treasurer: Helen Hotard Secretary: Dawn Jordan Recorder: Christina Hawkins Historian: Cindy Jolly Gardener s Scoop November 2018 Page 3

4 Sowing Fun with Seeds by Dawn Jordan Stay-at-home moms need fun things to do with their preschoolers! Activities that have materials which are readily accessible, not costly, use few ingredients, and create interest in their children. On September 24th, I presented Sowing Fun with Seeds to the Mom2Mom group at First West. We explored the characteristics of seeds and seed growth, observed an array of seeds that can be gathered at this time of year, and participated in activities dissecting seeds, seed art, seed germination in baggies, and of course- planting lettuce seeds. With hands-on, we discussed the concept of organic matter in soil and how strange it is that something has to die, in order for another to live. The gift of a tiny mustard seed was mounted on a cut tree cookie and given to each lady. We discussed how faith, no matter how small, has the power to impact any situation, and the scriptures from Matthew 17 and Hebrews 11 inspired these young mothers. Finally, the physical features that allow seeds to move by wind, water, or animals was discussed and each mom built a seed suet bird feeder. Handouts with teaching and learning ideas were also given to each lady. A full, fun day with seeds was had by all. Gardener s Scoop November 2018 Page 4

5 Boo at the Zoo by Steven Walker Master Gardener Officers President Lisa Richardson Vice-President Bryan Babb Secretary Virginia Lee Treasurer Helen Hotard Historian (none) Recorder Linda Tubbs Members-At-Large Ken Grant, Ken Kelley, Joyce Marlette Gardener s Scoop November 2018 Page 5

6 Master Gardener Gardens by Nanette Crawford I took these pics today which show some of my fall plantings at my garden in Mangham. The tall purple grass, in the first photo, is pennisetum 'Princess Caroline.' It is a perennial which I bought recently in Crystal Springs. I think it makes a great addition to the fall garden. I was told to cut it back this winter and mulch heavily. The plants, which I'm growing in four inch pots, include calendulas, redbor kale, Swiss chard, and red giant mustard greens. These are some of my favorites to grow along with snapdragons, pansies, and violas. Gardener s Scoop November 2018 Page 6

7 THE NORTHEAST LOUISIANA MASTER GARDENERS PROUDLY PRESENT featuring John Coykendall 9th Annual JANUARY GARDENING SEMINAR AND SEED SWAP January 19, :30AM-1:30PM West Monroe Convention Center Registration fee $20 (pre-registration or at the door) LARRY STEPHENSON JOHN COYKENDALL The Apple Hunters! KEYNOTE SPEAKER Heirloom Seeds and Stories from South Louisiana DR. ALLEN OWINGS Easy Seeding: Ornamentals to Greaux! The LSU AgCenter and LSU provide equal opportunities in programs and employment. Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the AgCenter will make reasonable accommodations to enable persons with disabilities to perform essential duties of their positions and to make program services available to all. For more information call the LSU AgCenter AM - 4:30PM Gardener s Scoop November 2018 Page 7

8 Taking a Stroll Through Kiroli Park by Lisa Richardson I was taking a stroll through Kiroli Park and heard something rustle in the leaves. The noise startled me because I was sure it was a grizzly bear after me. However, the more I looked, I finally noticed a small brown rabbit that camouflaged itself perfectly in the landscape. It is there I promise. "If it is true that one of the greatest pleasures of gardening lies in looking forward, then the planning of next year's beds and borders must be one of the most agreeable occupations in the gardener's calendar. This should make October and November particularly pleasant months, for then we may begin to clear our borders, to cut down those sodden and untidy stalks, to dig up and increase our plants, and to move them to other positions where they will show up to greater effect. People who are not gardeners always say that the bare beds of winter are uninteresting; gardeners know better, and take even a certain pleasure in the neatness of the newly dug, bare, brown earth." Vita Sackville-West Gardener s Scoop November 2018 Page 8

9 Upcoming Activities Delta Veteran s Expo & Celebration Chennault Avation 10-2 MG Meeting 6:30PM Super Saturday Children s Coalition 3PM-6PM Thanksgiving Full Moon Campfire Black Bayou Newsletter submission deadline For lots of other events going on in our area, go to REMINDERS Volunteer Service Hours As ofnovember 2, ,244 Volunteer Service Hours 388 Continuing Education Hours 4,051 Facebook Page Likes and 4,098 Following This time last year: 2051 Volunteer Service Hours 303 Continuing Education Hours Do not forget to record your hours! The next Master Gardener meeting is Tuesday, November 13, 2018 at the LSU AgCenter. An educational program of the LSU AgCenter The Louisiana Master Gardener Program is a service and educational activity offered by the LSU AgCenter. The program is designed to recruit and train volunteers to help meet educational needs of home gardeners while providing an enjoyable and worthwhile service experience for volunteers. Contact: LSU AgCenter 704 Cypress Street, West Monroe, LA (318) Gardener s Scoop November 2018 Page 9