Welcome to Dawn Arnold from Master Gardeners of Hamilton County. Dawn has always had home perennial gardens, as well as growing vegetables and fruits. Full-time work and caring for a spouse battling cancer never allowed time to complete MG certification. At the end of 2019 her husband passed away and she retired from VUMS after 30 years. She moved to Chattanooga to care for her mother-in-law. A MG course was available in Hamilton Conty using Zoom meetings.She completed volunteer hours at Crabtree Farms - a local city donated farm providing small garden plots for low income residents, as well as plant propagation for sales and provision of fresh food for local restaurants. Her community developed a Signal Mountain Victory Garden Facebook group as people started growing food during COVID.They swapped seeds and plants, and helped each other with growing tips.

She moved back home to Middle TN this year. She is most interested in teaching others to grow their own food, protect pollinators and wildlife, make good ecological choices and share her love of nature in all forms with kids and adults. Dawn states, "Being a MG is a perfect scenario for helping others while continuing my own lifelong learning. I look forward to working with more experienced MGs in the Maury group."

Congratulations to Roger Clark on his recognition by UT/TSU Extension for receiving the George S. Foster Outstanding 4-H Agent award.

One of my favorite gardening books in print is Southern Gardener's Handbook by Troy B. Marden. You probably know Troy from his hosting on Nashville Public Television's "Volunteer Gardener." He also writes books, magazine articles and more. (See http://www.troybmarden.com).

Southern Gardener's Handbook is a treasure trove of information about gardening in Tennessee and nearby states. It's well organized and well indexed - two essentials for me. Although just reading the chapter "Garden Like a Pro" will make you a better gardener, you'll want to read it all! And Troy's reference sections for annuals, bulbs, ornamental grasses, perennials, shrubs, and on and on are wonderful. Headings for each plant, which is beautifully photographed, include the usual data such as how to plant, hardiness, and water needs; along with other points you want to know but don't see in all handbooks like foliage color, bloom season and texture. The opening paragraph for each specimen is "Why It's Special" and captures in about two sentences the very best of the plant. Based on his descriptions, he could have said "Why You Want It!"

I've had my copy since 2014, and I use it a lot. It's available on Amazon, but the price is up $10 from the new price at that time: now $34.99 with free shipping (you decide if it's free). But then, all books are more expensive, and I still love them. If you do, I recommend Southern Gardener's Handbook. The subtitle says it all: SELECT, PLAN, PLANT, MAINTAIN, PROBLEM-SOLVE.

Kathie Wilson 

2022
August 30 - Fall Gardener's Festival field trip, RSVP required
August 31 - Fair horticulture take in and judging
August 31 - Ask Roger Anything question submission deadline

September 2-4 - MCMG fair booth
September 6 - MCMG Meeting, Senior Citizen Center, 6:00 pm
September 10 - Rutherford Bounty Grape Harvest Day field trip, RSVP required
September 12 - Newsletter submission deadline
September 17 - Step Back in Time - Fall Festival, RSVP required
September 20 - Tennessee Governor's Mansion & Gardens Tour field trip, FULL

October 4 - MCMG Meeting, Senior Citizen Center, 6:00 pm
October 6-7 - UT Jackson Fall Plant Sale field trip, RSVP required
October 12 - Newsletter submission deadline
October 16 - The Gentle Barn field trip

November 1 - MCMG Meeting, Senior Citizen Center, 6:00 pm
November 12 - Newsletter submission deadline

December 6 - MCMG Meeting, Senior Citizen Center, 6:00 pm
December 12 - Newsletter submission deadline