Alabama Master Gardeners Celebrate 40 Years!
On Monday, August 30th, we celebrated 40 Years of the Alabama Master Gardeners Program! It was a day spent honoring all of the hard work and dedication that Master Gardeners across the state have put into the program, Extension and local communities around Alabama. We were overjoyed to have in attendance- many Master Gardeners from numerous counties (some watched via Zoom), College of Agriculture faculty, staff, and retirees. Several great speakers including- Jay Gogue (President of Auburn University), Paul Patterson (Dean of the College of Agriculture at Auburn University), Kerry Smith (Home Grounds Team Co-Coordinator & State MG Program Coordinator), Mary Lou McNabb (Cornell Master Gardener who brought the program to Alabama), Elouisa Stokes (MG), Gary Murray (retired Extension Agent), Tony Glover (retired Extension Agent), Dave Williams (Professor Emeritus), Jimmy Parnell (President, and CEO of ALFA), Hunter McBrayer (Commodity Director at Alabama Farmers Federation), Dr. Des Layne ( Department Head and Professor of Horticulture at Auburn University), and Dr. Mike Phillips (Director of Alabama Cooperative Extension). Dean Patterson announced and read a Resolution, signed into effect on May 6, 2021 by the Alabama Legislature, recognizing the Alabama Master Gardeners Program and all its participants.
It was a lovely occasion that we will not forget and as always, thank you Master Gardeners for all that you do! 💚
( Masks were worn at all times, except during the refreshment time and briefly for photos.) 😷
Story by: Kerry Smith, State Master Gardener Program Coordinator - and - Emily Bryce, Extension Home Grounds Student Worker
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Photo 1: A bouquet of the loveliest summer florals. Created by: Dr. Carolyn Robinson Photo 2: Celebratory 40 Year Cupcakes!
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Photo 3: Kerry Smith, Home Grounds Team Co-Coordinator & State MG Program Coordinator, sending gratitude to Alabama Master Gardeners and Extension.
Photo 4: Two lovely MGs enjoying the festivities!
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Photo 5: Jay Gogue, President of Auburn University, conversing with a crowd of Master Gardeners. Photo 6: Refreshment hour of the celebration!
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Photos 7 & 8: Master Gardeners (photo 7) and Amelia Mitchell (photo 8), Assistant Director for County Office Operations, arriving for the celebration!
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Photo 9: The mastermind behind the Master Gardeners Program starting in Alabama, MG, Ms. Mary Lou McNabb, with her current Extension Agent, Rhonda Britton.
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Grace Klein Hosts Breakfast For Jefferson County Master Gardener Interns
A huge shout out to Grace Klein Community for hosting the 2021 Jefferson County Master Gardener interns. They provided a delicious breakfast as a thank you for all of the work that this great group of MG Interns (not every MG intern pictured) did on creating/ installing/maintaining a fruit, vegetable, and herb demonstration garden at the House on the Hill. Also, the numerous herb and vegetable transplants that were grown by the MG Interns are to be given away to Grace Klein Community food box recipients!! The breakfast was wonderful, but the time spent in fellowship together was even better!! We are so grateful for everything.
Story by Jefferson County Extension
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Master Gardeners Landscape at Habitat House
Members of the Coffee County Master Gardeners Association (CCMGA) are working with new homeowners of Habitat Houses to provide landscaping. CCMGA members recently assisted in landscaping the front of a Habitat Home in Elba, AL. Master Gardeners are teaching homeowners how to prepare a plot for planting, proper procedures to maximize establishment and success, mulching around the plants, and the procedure for maintenance. Shown in the photo (from left to right): Jacque Hawkins- CCMGA Project Chair, Brenda Evans- workday scheduler, Maggie Sickler, Rodney Peneul, Anne Edwards, Janine Coles, and the CCMGA President Ed Speigner.
Story by: Jacque Hawkins, Coffee County MG
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Alabama Smart Yards: Pervious Surfaces
Have you seen this new Home Grounds series yet? One August episode describes different kinds of hardscapes you might use in your garden. Knowing the difference between pervious and impervious surfaces can help conserve water resources.
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Mobile County Master Gardeners Volunteer at Local Youth Detention Center
Mobile County Master Gardener, Carol Dorsey ('16), leads the local effort to encourage ACES Grow More, Give More program. As part of her gardening outreach, Dorsey, a certified horticulture therapist, has been leading an educational gardening effort at the local youth detention center. WKRG, the local CBS affiliate, visited Dorsey and some of her students at the center. Click this link if you would like to view this story->
https://www.mobilecountymastergardeners.org/post/gardening-program-helping-rehabilitate-juvenile-offenders
Story by Carol Dorsey, Mobile County MG
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Blount County Workshop In Collaboration With Grow More, Give More
I met this group of young women when I was working with Grow More, Give More. They live at a donation site and asked how to can vegetables so they could make sure that they were able to utilize all that had been donated to them. Billy Hallman and I went back with supplies and taught them how to can tomatoes. (Pictured from left to right are Betty Giles, Master Gardener-Billy Hallman, Polly McAnnally, Constance Curtis, and Brittany King.)
Story by Sherlyn Osborne, Blount County MG
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Dedication Ceremony Given in Mobile to Celebrate Historic Marker
Mobile County Master Gardeners, Don Fry ('19) and Marianna Parker ('19), recently planted azaleas to complete a new marker. This addition expands the Dora Franklin Finley African-American Heritage Trail of Mobile to include Sand Town. This settlement began before 1845 by free men and former slaves on Spring Hill in west Mobile. Their descendants continue to live and work in the area and joined in the dedication of this marker among over forty other markers that designate significant contributions made by the African-American community in Mobile.
Story By Carol Dorsey, Mobile County MG
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Master Gardener- Peggie Lazenby
"Our challenge isn't so much to teach children about the natural world, but to find ways to sustain the instinctive connections they already carry." Terry Krautwurst
This quote seems to fit Master Gardener, Peggie Lazenby, very well. She grew up surrounded by gardens wherever she went. Because of this emersion, she discovered within herself a profound love for the art of gardening. Throughout her life, plants and gardens have always been with her wherever she lived. Peggie has shared some wise advice on how to maintain a garden and some magical photos of the space she has created!
How did you get into gardening/favorite kind of gardening?
When I was growing up, everyone had a garden. Every time that we went to visit a friend or a relative there was a garden there. My parents had one too. It was just what you did and I loved it. When I went off to college, I even had house plants so I could keep my hands in the soil. I love all types of gardening and have had a garden everywhere that I have lived.
What made you decide to become a Master Gardener?
I wanted to get around other like-minded people and learn things. When I retired, the first thing I did was sign up for the Master Gardener course!
Important things/lessons you've learned from gardening?
Research your plants and read plant labels-right plant for the right place. Location, location, location!
I have also learned that native plants and pass-along plants from gardeners in your area work best. That is where God put them.
Another thing is to do no harm. I do not use any pesticide of any kind. Our pollinators have suffered enough over the years from pesticide abuse.
Advice to other gardeners?
Get your soil right. Do a soil test and only add what you need. Natural compost and mulch work great for me. I just let the leaves fall in my bed and then I add grass clippings where I need them. No-till works great also because tilling will break down many natural beneficial microbes.
For my veggie-raised beds, I use wheat straw to mulch. I use only rainwater to water with.
I would also advise people to take the MG classes. You will learn a wealth of knowledge and meet lifelong friends.
Favorite varieties of vegetables and flowers to grow?
I love all types of tomatoes.
Some of my favorite varieties of various vegetables to plant would be straight neck squash, dwarf zucchini, Clemson spineless okra, and burpless cucumbers. There is nothing better than a tomato, cucumber, and bacon sandwich!
Some of my favorite flowers are Mexican sunflowers, zinnias, black and blue salvias, and butterfly weed. All kinds of birds, butterflies, and bees enjoy those!
Favorite quote that inspires you about life/gardening?
"And yet what I enjoy is not the fruit alone, but I also enjoy the soil itself." Cicero
Story by Emily Bryce, Extension Home Grounds Student Worker
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Marshall County Master Gardeners Collaborate With CASA
Master Gardeners of Marshall County were very busy harvesting produce for distribution by CASA. A multitude of vegetables was picked including green beans, potatoes, tomatoes, squash, and yellow/green zucchini. As of August 13, 2021, 5,200 pounds of produce have been picked this year. What a bountiful harvest!
Story by Jo Drueen, Marshall County MG
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Grow More, Give More Volunteers At The Huntsville Botanical Garden
Look who is Growing More and Giving More in North Alabama. MGNA's Demonstration Garden at the Huntsville Botanical Garden and its team of MG volunteers (some not pictured) have had a great season this year despite all of the challenges that gardeners have faced!!
Story by Rhonda Britton, Extension Agent
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Extension-Master Gardener Monthly Update
A monthly Extension-MG Update webinar is the last Monday of every month,
at 1:00 p.m., https://auburn.zoom.us/j/93566762516
Meeting ID: 935.6676.2516.
All Master Gardeners are invited to attend!
August Update, 8/30/2021:
Panopto recording from our August webinar, the 40th Anniversary of Alabama Master Gardeners! At last count, over 350 people logged in or attended a group watch party.
https://aub.ie/MG40th
September 27:
Dr. Edgar Vinson - Peaches, Strawberries, and Flies - Oh My!
Dr. Jim Jacobi - Seasonal Trends from the Plant Diagnostic Lab
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Social Media Update
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to catch all of the latest gardening tips and tricks. Have something new or interesting to share? We'd love to have you on our team! Be sure to message or tag us on social media. Help promote your Extension Home Grounds team by sharing our posts with your family and friends.
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News
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Looking for Something to Do on a Rainy Day?
Remember our weekly Extension webinars, Garden Chat, Get Outside with Alabama Smart Yards, and others. We'd also like to have you join us as a speaker or to suggest an interesting topic. Support your team!
Please promote these to ANYONE interested to learn about gardening and the natural world around us. Extension programs are for everyone. As a Master Gardener, these earn you CEUs, one CEU per hour of the program. Tip: Facebook has a convenient search box from the Video library. Use it when visiting any of our pages.
The web pages:
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