Alabama Master Gardeners'
Vol Opps
October 2019
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(Get ready for flashback fun! Start humming here and picture Sunny and Cher, ~1965. Dum, dum, dum, da-dum, da-dum, dum, dum).....
And the beat goes on, the beat goes on,
Sun keeps pounding a rhythm to the ground,
La de da de de, la de da de da
Seeds break open toward the sun, uh huh, Reaching up to grab some rays, uh huh, Racing up to show their form, uh huh, Who will reach the top they say, uh huh
And the beat goes on, the beat goes on, Sun keeps pounding a rhythm to the ground, La de da de de, la de da de da
Breaking thru is so much fun, uh huh, So much more to show, to all, uh huh, Harvest time’ll be here before you know,
So much good and joy to share, uh huh
And the beat goes on, the beat goes on,
Sun keeps pounding rhythm to the ground, La de da de de, la de da de da
(by Ofie McCoy, Autuauga County MGA)
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Events |
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A Program for Rookies and Experts
Gardeners quickly learn that success is often cyclical—determined by rain, drought, bounty and disease. However, novice gardeners, and those just curious about gardening, have a lot to learn, and we can all help to bridge that knowledge gap.
A group of Alabama Extension Home Grounds agents and Master Gardener Extension Volunteers are promoting community-based gardening in 2020.
An Online Kit
Beginning in May, Extension agents will distribute teaching videos and kit plans for growing vegetables at home. For example, to grow tomatoes in a 5-gallon bucket, we'll suggest supplies needed, where to place it, when to plant it and how to maintain it. The same will be true for other crops such as beans, greens, cucumbers and peppers. Plans for large containers, raised beds and in-ground rows will also be addressed.
Information will be delivered via a variety of platforms.
- Brief on-line tutorials via videos on the Alabama Extension website
- Resources and information on the Extension website
- One-on-one assistance through the Master Gardener Helpline at (877)252-4769
- Social media posts
- and more!
Plans are still being finalized on the "Give More" aspect of this program, but it will work much like it sounds. People who grow more than they can use are encouraged to share with neighbors or donate to a local food assistance effort. We'll create an easy method to measure these donations.
So let’s get growing! Whether a backyard garden is a new interest, or you have experience, we have answers for your garden.
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News |
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Demonstration Gardens
Autauga County MGA finished 2019 with a record number of pounds donated to AICC, 1,500 pounds! The fall and winter garden harvest was thoroughly enjoyed by least one hungry squirrel. Planted were cabbage, broccoli, collard greens, onions, celery, mustard greens, turnips and garlic. The squirrels wiped out most of it out. The beds were replanted once more with the same results. A live trap was set and the squirrels have now moved on to easier groceries.
After receiving soil test results, the beds were amended and the spring garden is planted. There is a good crop of potatoes, celery and greens growing. The YTD donations are 108 pounds.
(submitted by By Glenn Huovinen)
2019 Statewide High-Five
Congratulations to all MGAs who grow produce for donation, whether your from a backyard or group garden project, or farmers market gleaning. Your total giving was 12 Tons of fresh produce to local food charities. Woah, that's amazing!
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RALSTONIA SOLANACEARUM race 3 biovar 2 has been detected in one greenhouse production nursery, growing annual geraniums, in Michigan. Federal and state regulatory officials are surveying these type facilities throughout the U.S. The Auburn University Plant Diagnostic Lab is providing surge capacity for this survey.
This bacterial wilt disease can infect solanaceous vegetables, a few ornamental crops, and annual geraniums (Pelargonium spp. and their hybrids). There is a possibility that some plants may have already been sold to the public. Symptomatic geraniums have upwardly curling leaves, often beginning with the lower leaves and progressing upward. Affected leaves become limp, wilted, and yellowed. Alabama Department of Ag and Industries is supporting nursery inspections.
(Auburn University Plant Diagnositc Lab)
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Many Alabama Master Gardeners love the thrill of bringing plants on the “distressed” sale cart back to their full glory, or that's seen when cleaning a bed overrun with weeds, or a plant that just needs selective pruning to make it beautiful again. Who knew they'd apply that same passion to cloth that many people just call scraps. From quilters' scraps to pillow cases and bed sheets, Master Gardener Extension Volunteers have been hard at work not only in their gardens during these stay-at-home times, but also at their sewing machines and kitchen tables cutting and piecing together masks for people in need all over Alabama.
Alabama Extension's Home Grounds agents know the value of Master Gardeners on a daily basis, we see the impacts they make in their communities with their volunteer efforts. They are in places, many people would never know, helping make their community a more beautiful place, but even now more than ever! To date, Master Gardeners have made and donated more than 6,000 masks, and more are being added each day. From family and friends, to local doctors, ER staff, post office workers, pharmacist, and numerous cancer centers, just to name a few.
Master Gardener Judy May, in Elmore county, is working with a group called “Mask’s NOW Alabama” and Charlotte Hall in Montgomery with a charity called “Women In Training” (WIT). Monica Wesson in Cullman is working with the Women’s Mission Union through her church, which is providing masks to local post office workers as well as Walmart employees.
The Home Grounds Agents could not be more proud of these Master Gardener Extension Volunteers, and we know this is just the beginning.
[A message to all Alabama Master Gardeners. Send us your story of helping someone in need this year. What have you done to contribute to the Covid19 relief effort?]
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What precious people are on the medical front lines. Having two sons who have served in the Army, one in Iraq and one in Afghanistan, who knew that Sondra's daughter would also fight on the front line. The front line of fighting Covid19.
Sondra's daughter, Ginny, is an ER nurse at Jackson Hospital in Montgomery. During this crisis, medical masks have been in short supply for all hospitals, and the staff at Jackson are issued one per day. Sondra starting making fabric masks to help keep their medical masks cleaner. No, they do not keep germs out, but the homemade cloth masks can be washed and used again.
Chilton County Master Gardeners Treasia Bennett and Cheryl Herbster have helped sew over 100 masks since March.
(submitted by Sondra Henley - Ginny is pictured, top right)
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