Florence County Master Gardeners
April 2008 Newsletter

Outdoor Education Trail:  http://agroecology.clemson.edu/education_trail/index.htm
 

http://groups.google.com/group/scemg  Welcome South Carolina Master Gardeners. This group is for you and will be  the primary means that Tim Davis will use as the State Master Gardener Coordinator to communicate with the MGs of South Carolina.
 
 http://www.clemson.edu/sandhill  visit the State MG website updated by Tim  Davis for information that is going on with MG's across the state: look on the left side of the page under the Partners and Collaborating Organizations look under: SC Master Gardener Volunteers.

Hello, Master Gardeners, This will be your last regular email MG Newsletter. Instead it will be available on the Website for you to view. George Radcliffe is working on a way for you to get a monthly notification through the web site or for you to be able to just click on a newsletter link.  George is now your Web Site Editor and Secretary for the coming year.
 It has been my pleasure to produce your newsletter each month for the last several years. With the abilities we have on the internet to produce a great newsletter like the ones we receive using a PDF format and those you can view on other MG websites, I felt we needed to upgrade our method as well. Our newsletter is not just local it goes out to many other Master Gardener Associations through the Clemson web site and other MG newsletters as well.  We have grown past the infant stage for our association and need to be seen in a more professional manner.  I look forward to reading our newsletters produced and edited by George. He is truly a master of the web as well as a fine Master Gardener.
 
I have offered to keep track of our membership for the coming year. Which will consist of keeping a master spreadsheet of member information and keeping up with volunteer hours. My hope is to produce a Member Directory that will be available to all members. This is something that has not been done before and has been requested several times. Thank you for your kind words through the last years. I look forward to working with you as we grow our Master Gardener program,  Linda Belcher

Next Meeting: May 19th, 6:30pm At the PDREC building. This will be Graduation for the newest class and will be a covered dish dinner. Fried Chicken will be provided and our members are asked to bring a dish. If your last name begins between letter A - M please bring a veggie or a salad. If you name begins between the letter N - Z please bring a dessert. Fun will be had.

Last Meeting: Gretchen opened our meeting this month with announcements about the trips to Moore Farms on April 24th and 26th and Kalmia Gardens on May 2nd where the Darlington MG's were having a plant sale. The Clemson Extension office will need help answering the phones on May 1st and 2nd, MGs were asked to volunteer. The South Carolina Master Gardenen Conference will be held on June 22-24, 2008 in Greenville. A registration form can be found on the website. Gretchen gave a big thank you to our volunteers that manned the booth at the PeeDee Farmers Market.
She still had some of the green aprons used during our workshop for sale.

New Officers for the 2008/2009 year:
President: Gretchen Baumann
1st Vice President: Janet Bugbee
2nd Vice President: Bob Orlowski
Secretary/Web Site: George Radcliffe
Treasurer: Sally Crowley
Programs: Annette Ward and Louise Dixon.
 
Thank you to these fine members for offering to give their time to our organization.

Gretchen discussed the need to have a master plan for developing the Spring Workshop/Plant sale. She is going to research and put together the steps and a time table for use in the future. This plan can be passed down from one year to the other. The workshop is the biggest project our Master Gardener program produces each year and it takes many hours to be able to host a great workshop. From procuring advertising in national magazines, booking a main speaker and our small group speakers, this is a large project. Thank you Gretchen for beginning this process.
 
The question was brought before the members of giving an annual donation to Clemson Extension as a thank you for the use of one of their greenhouses and the building for our workshop. It has also been proposed that we plan to host the state convention in the near future. This will take lots of planning and volunteers to bring about. The PDREC auditorium is large enough to hold convention goers. The donation was voted on and approved.
 
Janet Bugbee gave a report on the PDREC gardens. The schedule of once a month, the 2nd Tuesday at 9am will be ongoing.  A Saturday work day may be possible once a quarter. We would have to have someone open and lock the gates on that day. Janet is looking into that possibility.

Master Gardener Volunteer Hours: So far for the year 2008 these Master Gardeners have reported donating 233 hours. Tom and Marlene Pantos, Stasi Witt, Linda Belcher, Trudy Muench, Bev Epstein, Bob Orlowski. Do get your hours recorded by emailing them to Tony Melton   amelton@clemson.edu with a cc to Linda Belcher - dbelcher1@sc.rr.com.

Dues for the 2008/2009 year: Now is the time to renew your membership in the Florence County Master Gardener program.  Dues for receiving the newsletter by EMAIL are $5.00.  Dues for receiving the newsletter by  REGULAR MAIL are $10.00.  All NEW members with Email Addresses receive the newsletter free the first year, dues for NEW members receiving the newsletter by Regular Mail are $5.00 the first year.  Please give your payment to Sally Crowley at the next meeting or mail them to her at:  715 Joyce Lane, Florence, SC 29505  her phone number is 669-8229.

Treasurers Report:  The balance of our account is $4432.50

Logo Contest: Do we have a Winner?? He/She will be announced at the May meeting which will be Graduation/Dinner for the newest class members. Don't miss the fun for this night!

Master Gardener Cookbook project. You may send recipes to: Bev Epstein Bepstein@sc.rr.com  or by mail at: 1614 Jefferson Dr, Florence, SC 29501 or call recipes in to her at:  667-8179.  This cookbook has been our best fundraiser in the past. Ask your friends and family for favorites too.

Dates to remember: Mark your calendars now:  
Orangeburg Master Gardeners Symposium - Cost  $25.00, Thursday, May 29th, 6:00PM-8:30PM
Lonestar BBQ & Mercantile
(803)-854-2000
2212 State Park Rd.
Santee, SC
This is the first seminar they are hosting. The keynote speaker is Ned Raun who will be speaking on growing citrus plants. A buffet dinner is included in the price and will be from 6:00pm-7:00pm, Ned Raun will speak from 7:00pm-8:00pm and door prizes will be awarded from 8:00pm-8:30pm. They will also have plants available for purchase.
Maybe we can CARPOOL? Contact Gretchen at gretch35@yahoo.com or 395-9506 if you are interested!
 
State Master Gardener Conference will be held on -June 22-24 2008.  The Greater Greenville Master Gardener's will be the host - conference will be at the Hyatt Hotel on Main Street - registration will open in March - look for more details at the State Master Gardener Website http://www.clemson.edu/sandhill/page.htm?pageId=2303
 
2008 Southern Region Master Gardener Conference in Oklahoma City, OK.  June 18-21, 2008 To be held at the Clarion Meridian Hotel and Convention Center and sponsored by the Oklahoma County Master Gardeners.  You may access their web site at http://www.mastergardener2008.com/ for further information.

Gardens of the Brandywine Vall: A Tour for Master Gardeners and Friends http://www.greatergreenvillemastergardener.org/html/BVtour.htm
This tour is sponsored by the Greater Greenville Master Gardeners. See web site for information.

VOLUNTEER HOURS: A volunteer worksheet is now available on the website that you can download for your personal use and/or to mail them to: Clemson University Extension Service, Attn: Tony Melton, 2685 S. Irby St., Florence, SC 29505, or Fax to Tony at 843-661-4899 or e-mail amelton@clemson.edu. Please email a copy to Linda Belcher dbelcher1@sc.rr.com.

FLORENCE COUNTY MASTER GARDENER OFFICERS:

President: Gretchen Baumann 395-9506, gretch35@yahoo.com
 
lst Vice President: Janet Bugbee 346-9272,  jbug77@peoplepc.com
 
2nd Vice President: Bob Orlowski, 453-5290, rdorlowski@bellsouth.net
 
Treasurer: Sally Crowley   669-6477, Watsmom@sc.rr.com
 
Web Site/Secretary,
Newsletter: George Radcliffe, 667-0232, gmrad@aol.com
 
Newsletter Mailing: Carla Frantz, 664-9479, clfrannie@yahoo.com
 
Program Co-ordinators:Annette Ward, 383-8787,  annettehw@msn.com
and Louise Dixon - 857-3968
 
Anthony "Tony" Melton, Master Gardener Coordinator
Florence County Extension Agent
amelton@clemson.edu
 


March 2008 Newsletter

Outdoor Education Trail:  http://agroecology.clemson.edu/education_trail/index.htm
 

http://groups.google.com/group/scemg  Welcome South Carolina Master Gardeners. This group is for you and will be  the primary means that Tim Davis will use as the State Master Gardener Coordinator to communicate with the MGs of South Carolina.
 
 http://www.clemson.edu/sandhill  visit the State MG website updated by Tim  Davis for information that is going on with MG's across the state: look on the left side of the page under the Partners and Collaborating Organizations look under: SC Master Gardener Volunteers.

Next Meeting: April 21st, 6:30pm John Calvin Presbyterian Church, corner of Marsh Drive and Third Loop Road.  Refreshments will be available.

Last Meeting: The March meeting was filled with good news from the Spring Workshop and Plant Sale. Sally Crowley reported that we totaled $4433.00 from the workshop. Some $2000 was in plant sales and $2400 in registration fees. Our balance was $6801.95. Checks will be made out to all the different areas such as the food vendor, our guest speakers, all the printing that was done plus some miscellaneous amounts. It was a good workshop even though our attendance was down over last years workshop.
 
Nancy McDonald was our guest speaker this month. Nancy is a part of the Florence Garden Club Council. This council oversees Garden Club activities and the maintenance of various gardens around the area. There are 11 Garden Clubs that have been nationally federated. This council is planning to host a Spring Garden Tour in the spring of 2009. They would like our Master Gardeners to be involved in some way, perhaps to be in the different gardens to answer questions about plants found there. The tour is proposed to be in the area of Cherokee Road and the beauty trail that can be found around that area. There will be more information in future newsletters and on the website.

Logo Contest: We are having a contest to develop a Florence County Master Gardener Logo.The winner gets a Free T-shirt.
 
The rules:  The Logo must incorporate the name of our Association: Florence County Master Gardeners and Clemson University and a Gardening theme. It can be any shape, but think gardening colors. This logo will be used on many things from t-shirts, aprons, hats, clothing, bumper stickers etc.
 
Entries are due in by our April 21st meeting. You may mail them to Bev Epstein - 1614 Jefferson Dr, Florence, SC, 29501 or bring them to the regular meetings on March 17th or April 21st. If you use a format that can be emailed you can email them to Bev at Bepstein@sc.rr.com.

We will present the winner at the May meeting which will be Graduation for the newest class members. So go put on your most creative gardeners hat and give us your best shot at a Logo for our own Master Gardener Assn. Thank you from your Master Gardener Officers

Master Gardener Cookbook project. You may send recipes to: Bev Epstein Bepstein@sc.rr.com  or by mail at: 1614 Jefferson Dr, Florence, SC 29501 or call recipes in to her at:  667-8179.  This cookbook has been our best fundraiser in the past.   Ask your friends and family for favorites too.

Springtime Poems:
Shakespeare:
I know a bank where the wild thyme blows,
Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows
Quite overcanopied with luscious woodbine,
With sweet musk-roses and with eglantine.

Friendship's Garden (author unknown to me)
In friendship's fragrant garden,
There are flowers of every hue.
Each with its own fair beauty
And its gift of joy for you.

Garden Tips: How to Use Leaf Mold
Leaf mold is ready to use when it's soft and crumbly. Distribute it around your perennials, vegetable plants (shrubs, too if you have a lot of it), no more than about 3 inches thick. Because leaf mold retains so much moisture, be sure to keep it several inches back from the crown or base of the plant. This will help avoid pest and disease problems.
You can also incorporate leaf mold right into the soil. Unlike raw leaves, it will not steal nitrogen from the plants around it, so it's safe to use in vegetable gardens and around annual flowers. You can also add it to new garden beds, use it instead of peat moss to lighten the soil in containers, use it to enhance the soil in a shade garden, or to improve any soil thats too sandy or too heavy.

Someday, gardeners here in the States may catch on to the value of leaf mold. Leaves are certainly an abundant natural resource in most parts of the country. For now, they're still free for the taking, so don't delay. Grab a rake and start making your own super-premium, extra-fancy leaf mold mulch!

Dates to remember: Mark your calendars now: 

Moore Farms  Open House: Thursday April 24th from 8:30 until 3pm and again on Saturday April 26th
from 8:30 until 12  noon. http://www.mooreplants.com/open_invitation/
Registration (donation) is $10 per person.Email Gretchen at gretch35@yahoo.com, myself or Rachel Hyman at rhyman4@sc.rr.com as to which day you would like to go.  Each person will
receive their own confirmation either through Moore Farms or one of us.

Several of our members have toured this wonderful garden. Please do look up the website listed above for information on the Open House and the registration as well.

2008 Southern Region Master Gardener Conference in Oklahoma City, OK.  June 18-21, 2008 To be held at the Clarion Meridian Hotel and Convention Center and sponsored by the Oklahoma County Master Gardeners.  You may access their web site at http://www.mastergardener2008.com/ for further information.

State Master Gardener Conference will be held on -June 22-24 2008.  The Greater Greenville Master Gardener's will be the host - conference will be at the Hyatt Hotel on Main Street - registration will open in March - look for more details at the State Master Gardener Website http://www.clemson.edu/sandhill/page.htm?pageId=2303

Gardens of the Brandywine Vall: A Tour for Master Gardeners and Friends http://www.greatergreenvillemastergardener.org/html/BVtour.htm
This tour is sponsored by the Greater Greenville Master Gardeners. See web site for information.

VOLUNTEER HOURS: A volunteer worksheet is now available on the website that you can download for your personal use and/or to mail them to: Clemson University Extension Service, Attn: Tony Melton, 2685 S. Irby St., Florence, SC 29505, or Fax to Tony at 843-661-4899 or e-mail amelton@clemson.edu. Please email a copy to Linda Belcher dbelcher1@sc.rr.com.

FLORENCE COUNTY MASTER GARDENER OFFICERS:

President: Gretchen Baumann 395-9506, gretch35@yahoo.com

Vice President: Janet Bugbee 346-9272,  jbug77@peoplepc.com 

2nd Vice President: Kelly Jokisch 667-9455, KMJokisch@aol.com

Treasurer: Sally Crowley   669-6477, Watsmom@sc.rr.com

Secretary:  Linda Belcher 665-8347, Dbelcher1@sc.rr.com

Program Co-ordinators: Barbara Pace 662-7705, plantwoman2@aol.com and Rachell Hyman 669-1749, RHyman7575@aol.com

Master Gardener Website:  George Radcliffe  667-0232, gmrad@aol.com

Newsletter: Linda Belcher 665-8347, Dbelcher1@sc.rr.com

Carla Frantz 664-9479, clfrannie@yahoo.com 

Anthony "Tony" Melton, Master Gardener Coordinator

Florence County Extension Agent

amelton@clemson.edu







 



January/February 2008 Newsletter

Outdoor Education Trail:  http://agroecology.clemson.edu/education_trail/index.htm

http://groups.google.com/group/scemg  Welcome South Carolina Master Gardeners. This group is for you and will be  the primary means that Tim Davis will use as the State Master Gardener Coordinator to communicate with the MGs of South Carolina.
 
 http://www.clemson.edu/sandhill  visit the State MG website updated by Tim  Davis for information that is going on with MG's across the state: look on the left side of the page under the Partners and Collaborating Organizations look under: SC Master Gardener Volunteers.

Help Needed:  On April 30th, May 1st and May 2nd from 8 until 5pm, the employees will be out of the Extension office. Tony urgently needs someone to answer the telephone. Tony will be on hand on April 30th from 8 until 10:30 but he would welcome the help during this time as well. This would be a 4 hour span of time since the office is closed from 12 noon until 1pm for a lunch break. So please let Tony know if you can come during these times. amelton@CLEMSON.EDU  pager number 992-8412. Thank you.

Next Meeting: February 18th, 6:30pm at the church.  Please do make plans to be at this meeting. We are setting the final plans for the Spring Workshop. There are only 4 weeks left until March 14th - 15th.
 
A Nominating committee needs to be formed. Please let your president know if you are willing to be part of this process for our Master Gardener Org. This committee is needed in order to contact future leaders for our organization, hold our election and have our new officers in place before the next MG class graduates in May 2008. Someone from last years committee will assist you in how to go about this process.

Last Meeting: January saw our Master Gardeners in the greenhouse on two separate nights. There were so many plants potted up, that the greenhouse is overflowing. And that is a good thing. We are well under way for the spring plant sale.
 
There will be PDREC Saturday workdays coming up. Please contact Janet Bugbee if you can help 346-9272,  jbug77@peoplepc.com  You will be informed as those dates are confirmed. The second Tuesday of each month from 9am until 2pm has been designated as  Work Day for the PDREC Gardens. The bulbs have begun to spring up and some are blooming. There should be a good show on the grounds this year. Thanks to all who have worked with Janet to make this happen.
 
Catalogs are coming in from different companies for our Spring Workshop. If you can procure any articles from businesses around the area, please do so soon. These can be small items/catalogs/information sheets for the goodie bags or larger items to use for the ticket raffle.
Annette Ward annettehw@msn.com 383-8787, Louise Dixon and Minnie Pressley have offered to lead us as we secure items.
Please email Gretchen at gretch35@yahoo.com  all donations you have received so far along with the information as to what company or person gave the items. Gretchen is compiling a listing of the items and who gave them to put in the goodie bags. We will fill the Goodie Bags on Friday, March 14th before we set up for the workshop.
 
Invitations are being sent out to last years attendees. Flyers have been made available at the meetings or at Tony's office. These are for us to distribute to merchants, friends etc to advertise our Workshop. Our mini-sessions are being finalized. There will only be 6 afternoon sessions this year due to the Panel of Experts session during the final hour of the day. Margo Rochester will be our main speaker in the morning and will bring some of her books to sell. Once again Subway has agreed to provide the sandwiches for the workshop attendees. Thanks Janet Bugbee for taking care of this for our group.
 
The topic of T-Shirts has come up again. If anyone is interested in T-shirts with a printed MG logo let one of our officers know. Tim Davis is working on a new logo for Master Gardeners and it is possible we can have shirts done when that logo is confirmed for use.

Master Gardener Cookbook project. You may send recipes to: Bev Epstein Bepstein@sc.rr.com  or by mail at: 1614 Jefferson Dr, Florence, SC 29501 or call recipes in to her at:  667-8179.  This cookbook has been our best fundraiser in the past.   Ask your friends and family for favorites too.

Garden Tips: From Leaf to Leaf Mold - Unlike making regular compost, making leaf mold is a cold composting process. The decomposition is done primarily by fungi, rather than bacteria, and it is considerably slower. The rate of decomposition is largely determined by four key factors.
First is the type of leaves in your pile. Some leaves, such as oak and holly, are higher in lignin (cellulose) than others, and therefore take much longer to break down. Combining different types of leaves, like a mixed salad, is a good way to balance lignin content and also improve the quality of the finished product. Moisture is another factor to keep in mind. Remember that fungi are doing the work, and they need a moist environment. An unattended pile of dry leaves could take three years or more to break down. Keep the pile covered and moist (not wet), and you may have ready-to-use leaf mold in a year. Another consideration is nitrogen. Freshly fallen leaves have a carbon-to-nitrogen ratio in the range of 30 to 1, which is ideal for quick decomposition. Old leaves, including those that have been on the ground for just a few weeks, will have already lost most of their nitrogen content. If you can gather fresh leaves and get the process underway, there will still be a good amount of nitrogen to speed up the initial decomposition.

Some Tips from Lisa King at Forest Lake Greenhouses
http://forestlakegreenhouses.com/newsletter/feb08/febtips3.jpg

The Master Gardeners of York County "Gardening For Outdoor Living" Saturday, February 23, 2008 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Withers Hall,  Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC.  For more information please call 803-981-5303 or Yorkjoyofgardening@yahoo.com
 
2008 SC Midlands MG Symposium: March 17,2008  8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Columbia Conference Center
Symposium fee for nonmembers is $65. You may go to their web site at : http://scmmga.org/index.html for more information and a registration form.
 
2008 Southern Region Master Gardener Conference in Oklahoma City, OK.  June 18-21, 2008 To be held at the Clarion Meridian Hotel and Convention Center and sponsored by the Oklahoma County Master Gardeners.  You may access their web site at http://www.mastergardener2008.com/
for further information.

State Master Gardener Conference will be held on -June 22-24 2008.  The Greater Greenville Master Gardener's will be the host - conference will be at the Hyatt Hotel on Main Street - registration will open in March - look for more details at the State Master Gardener Website http://www.clemson.edu/sandhill/page.htm?pageId=2303

Gardens of the Brandywine Vall: A Tour for Master Gardeners and Friends http://www.greatergreenvillemastergardener.org/html/BVtour.htm
This tour is sponsored by the Greater Greenville Master Gardeners. See web site for information.

VOLUNTEER HOURS: A volunteer worksheet is now available on the website that you can download for your personal use and/or to mail them to: Clemson University Extension Service, Attn: Tony Melton, 2685 S. Irby St., Florence, SC 29505, or Fax to Tony at 843-661-4899 or e-mail amelton@clemson.edu. Please email a copy to Linda Belcher dbelcher1@sc.rr.com.

 

December 2007 Newsletter

http://groups.google.com/group/scemg  Welcome South Carolina Master Gardeners. This group is for you and will be  the primary means that Tim Davis will use as the State Master Gardener Coordinator to communicate with the MGs of South Carolina.
 
 http://www.clemson.edu/sandhill  visit the State MG website updated by Tim  Davis for information that is going on with MG's across the state: look on the left side of the page under the Partners and Collaborating Organizations look under: SC Master Gardener Volunteers.

Next Meeting: NOTE: change of date for next meeting. The 2nd Monday, January  14th, 6:30pm.  This is a week earlier than we usually meet. We will meet in the PDREC Greenhouse. Our plants have grown so well they need to be potted up very soon. See you there.
 A Nominating committee needs to be formed. Please let your president know if you are willing to be part of this process for our Master Gardner Org. This committee is needed in order to contact future leaders for our organization, hold our election and have our new officers in place before the next MG class graduates in May 2008. Someone from last years committee will assist you in how to go about this process.
 

Last Meeting: Everyone had a "Ho Ho Ho" cheery time at our Master Gardner Christmas Gathering. Just ask Mitzi Melton who had more fun this year. As soon as Sally Haynes ole "rooster" crowed and Tony gave the blessing the food was enjoyed by all. Speaking of the bird of note, someone needs to have a talk with Sally Crowley about hens and roosters. It is known that we had a few laughs at her expense that night. Love Ya Sally C.
   Janet Bugbee says volunteers began planting the 1200 different spring bulbs that were given by Brent Heath. There are still 1/3rd left to be put to bed. There will be some Saturday workdays coming up. You will be informed as those dates are confirmed. The second Tuesday of each month from 9am until 2pm has been designated as  Work Day for the PDREC Gardens. Please contact Janet Bugbee if you can help 346-9272,  jbug77@peoplepc.com   There is lots to be done throughout the year. There is also a winter garden area that needs to be cared for. So come out and give Janet a hand.
   Catalogs are coming in from different companies for our Spring Workshop. If you can procure any articles from businesses around the area, please do so soon. These can be small items/catalogs/information sheets for the goodie bags or larger items to use for the ticket raffle. Annette Ward, Louise Dixon and Minnie Pressley have offered to lead us as we secure items.
   The topic of T-Shirts has come up again. If anyone is interested in T-shirts with a printed MG logo let one of our officers know. Tim Davis is working on a new logo for Master Gardeners and it is possible we can have shirts done when that logo is confirmed for use.

SPECIAL MEETING:
On Monday, February 18th there will be an Appreciation Dinner for all Master Gardeners to be held at the Shrine Club. The Shrine Club building is behind the SC highway department.  This will be a sit down dinner and a time of recognition for people that have made achievements in the field of gardening.   Look for more information on the website soon or call Tony Melton if you have questions.

Master Gardener Cookbook project. You may send recipes to: Bev Epstein Bepstein@sc.rr.com  or by mail at: 1614 Jefferson Dr, Florence, SC 29501 or call recipes in to her at:  667-8179.  This cookbook has been our best fundraiser in the past.   Ask your friends and family for favorites too. See if you can beat Janet Bugbee with her 87 recipies so far. Just get out that cookbook and send your favorites from over the years.

Garden Tips: The Benefits of Leaf Mold, part 3: Leaf mold has several great attributes. The first is that it can hold up to 500 percent its own weight in water. Besides helping to retain moisture in the soil by reducing evaporation, leaf mold also absorbs rainwater to reduce runoff, and in hot weather, it helps cool roots and foliage. Most leaves are slightly acidic when they fall, with a pH below 6. However, as the leaves break down into leaf mold, the pH goes up into more a neutral range. Leaf mold will not correct pH problems, but will have a moderating effect. Over time, yearly applications of leaf mold mulch can significantly improve the quality of your soil. The result will be better water-holding capacity, a more friable texture, and an increase in beneficial soil life. Though leaves are not high in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, tree roots mine calcium, magnesium and many other trace minerals from the soil and your garden will also benefit from these nutrients.

Dates to remember: Mark you calendars now: 
The Master Gardeners of York County "Gardening For Outdoor Living" Saturday, February 23, 2008 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Withers Hall,  Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC.  For more information please call 803-981-5303 or Yorkjoyofgardening@yahoo.com
 
Gardens of the Brandywine Vall: A Tour for Master Gardeners and Friends http://www.greatergreenvillemastergardener.org/html/BVtour.htm
This tour is sponsored by the Greater Greenville Master Gardeners. See website for information.

VOLUNTEER HOURS: A volunteer worksheet is now available on the website that you can download for your personal use and/or to mail them to: Clemson University Extension Service, Attn: Tony Melton, 2685 S. Irby St., Florence, SC 29505, or Fax to Tony at 843-661-4899 or e-mail amelton@clemson.edu. Please email a copy to Linda Belcher dbelcher1@sc.rr.com.


Master Gardener Website:  http://www.florencecountymastergardeners.org/

 

FLORENCE COUNTY MASTER GARDENER OFFICERS:

President: Gretchen Baumann 395-9506, gretch35@yahoo.com

Vice President: Janet Bugbee 346-9272,  jbug77@peoplepc.com 

2nd Vice President: Kelly Jokisch 667-9455, KMJokisch@aol.com

Treasurer: Sally Crowley   669-6477, Watsmom@sc.rr.com

Secretary:  Linda Belcher 665-8347, Dbelcher1@sc.rr.com

Program Co-ordinators: Barbara Pace 662-7705, plantwoman2@aol.com and Rachell Hyman 669-1749, RHyman7575@aol.com

Master Gardener Website:  George Radcliffe  667-0232, gmrad@aol.com

Newsletter: Linda Belcher 665-8347, Dbelcher1@sc.rr.com

Carla Frantz 664-9479, clfrannie@yahoo.com 

Anthony "Tony" Melton, Master Gardener Coordinator

Florence County Extension Agent

amelton@clemson.edu





November 2007 Newsletter

www.florencecountymastergardeners.org 
 

Outdoor Education Trail:  http://agroecology.clemson.edu/education_trail/index.htm

http://groups.google.com/group/scemg  Welcome South Carolina Master Gardeners. This group is for you and will be  the primary means that Tim Davis will use as the State Master Gardener Coordinator to communicate with the MGs of South Carolina.

http://www.clemson.edu/sandhill  visit the State MG website updated by Tim  Davis for information that is going on with MG's across the state: look on the left side of the page under the Partners and Collaborating Organizations look under: SC Master Gardener Volunteers. Scroll down to find "MG Volunteer Logbook" for forms you can print and use to record your volunteer hours.  Both of these sites will have valuable information for you as a Master Gardener.

Next Meeting: Monday, December 17th, 6:30pm.  John Calvin Presbyterian Church, corner of Marsh Drive and Third Loop Road.  Merry Christmas to one and all: This month is our annual Christmas gathering. Please come and bring Hors D'oeuvres/finger foods to share. Drinks, plates and napkins will be supplied.

A Nominating committee will be voted on this coming meeting. This is needed in order to contact future leaders for our organization, hold election and have them in place before the next MG class graduates in May 2008.

Last Meeting:                   
Minutes from October submitted by Linda Belcher were approved as written in the newsletter. Jody Parker gave a brief devotional. Our guest Dr Richard Heavner from Active Health Chiropractic Center on Second Loop Road was introduced by Linda Belcher. Dr Heavner gave us a wonderful Power Point Presentation on Stress as it relates to our gardening experiences. He identified the three major types of stress as being Physical, Chemical, and Emotional. He reminded us that gardening is a great way to reduce stress. We were challenged to stand on one foot and close our eyes to see how long we could remain standing. Most of us dropped out in a second or two. Kelly Jokisch won a prize for being the one still standing until we finally told her to stop. The members also filled out a form that identified some of our individual stresses. Dr Heavner used those forms as a drawing. Bev Epsteins name was drawn for this prize. Thank you Dr Heavner for being our guest.

The second Tuesday of each month has been designated as a Work Day for the PDREC Gardens. Please contact Janet Bugbee if you can help.
346-9272,  jbug77@peoplepc.com   There is lots to be done throughout the year. Right now the perennial beds are being redone and repaired after the roofing trucks tore into them. There is also a winter garden area that needs to be cared for. So come out and give Janet a hand.

Brent Heath of Brent and Becky's Bulbs has sent 3 cartons of bulbs to be planted on the PDREC grounds. A work day will coming up to get these in the ground. Thanks Brent and Becky.

Sally Haynes gave a good rundown on the Spring Workshops which will be held on March 15, 2008. Margot Rochester who did two mini classes last year will be our main speaker. Carla Frantz has agreed to head up the Plant Sale. Suggestions were given to Sally for review with her co-leader Barb Matthews. Further information will be coming soon.
 
There was not enough interest in using our Web Site in lieu of receiving the Newsletter by email so Email will be the way you will receive your monthly news. If you desire to remind yourself of the web site you can either place it on your desktop or use our website as your homepage. Thanks for your participation in the poll.

DUES: Here is a list of the 33 people that have paid their dues so far this year. STASI WITT, RACHELL HYMAN, VICKIE TYNER, BARB MATTHEWS,JODY PARKER (PAID TWICE!), BEVERLY EPSTEIN, RHONDA BUYCK, JANET BUGBEE, GRETCHEN BAUMANN, SALLY HAYNES, BILLY MCBRIDE,LINDA BELCHER, LUETTA HARRIS, JOHNETTE MCCUTCHEN, LESLIE POWELL, L CARLA FRANTZ (PAID TWICE!), JEFF MILLER, BILL PEARSON(WILLIAM), SALLY SWEENEY, NAOMI WALTERS, NANCY BAILEY, JOYCE COUSAR, LOUISE DIXON (PAID TWICE), SHELBY MCCORMICK, BRUCE PIERSON, COYZETTA BAZEN, GINGER OWEN, PEGGY URQUHART, DEBI SLOAN AND MINNIE PRESSLEY

All new members with Email Addresses receive the newsletter free the first year, dues for new members receiving the newsletter by Regular Mail are $5.00.  Dues for current members receiving the newsletter by EMAIL are $5.00.  Dues for receiving the newsletter by REGULAR MAIL are $10.00.Please give your payment to Sally Crowley at the next meeting or mail them to her at:  715 Joyce Lane, Florence, SC 29505.  Her phone numberis 669-8229. Remember we need at least 70 paid members to beat last years record. Send or bring your dues soon.

Master Gardener Cookbook project. You may send recipes to: Bev Epstein Bepstein@sc.rr.com  or by mail at: 1614 Jefferson Dr, Florence, SC 29501 or call recipes in to her at:  667-8179. We are halfway to having a wonderful cookbook. This cookbook has been our best fundraiser in the past.  Get on the recipe bandwagon, donate your favorite recipes and set our mouths to watering. Ask your friends and family for favorites too.

Garden Tips:  Leaf Mold-part 2:  In Britain, leaf mold is the connoisseur's choice for mulching perennial gardens. It's easy to see why this cocoa brown, sweet-smelling, moisture-retentive mulch is so popular. The curious thing about leaf mold is that so few gardeners in the U.S. even know what it is. That's probably because here in the States there's only one way to get leaf mold,  you need to make it yourself!  Leaf mold is nothing more than partially decomposed leaves that are somewhere along the continuum between shredded leaves and humus. If you wonder what it looks like, next time you're in the woods, just kneel down and push away a small area of dry leaves. Underneath, you'll reveal a layer of leaf mold, a crumbly brown material with a pleasant, earthy scent.

Dates to remember: Mark you calendars now: 
The Master Gardeners of York County "Gardening For Outdoor Living" Saturday, February 23, 2008 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Withers Hall,  Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC.  For more information please call 803-981-5303 or Yorkjoyofgardening@yahoo.com
 
Gardens of the Brandywine Vall: A Tour for Master Gardeners and Friends http://www.greatergreenvillemastergardener.org/html/BVtour.htm
This tour is sponsored by the Greater Greenville Master Gardeners. See website for information.

VOLUNTEER HOURS: A volunteer worksheet is now available on the website that you can download for your personal use and/or to mail them to: Clemson University Extension Service, Attn: Tony Melton, 2685 S. Irby St., Florence, SC 29505, or Fax to Tony at 843-661-4899 or e-mail amelton@clemson.edu. Please email a copy to Linda Belcher dbelcher1@sc.rr.com.


Master Gardener Website:  http://www.florencecountymastergardeners.org/ 

FLORENCE COUNTY MASTER GARDENER OFFICERS:

President: Gretchen Baumann 395-9506, gretch35@yahoo.com

Vice President: Janet Bugbee 346-9272,  jbug77@peoplepc.com 

2nd Vice President: Kelly Jokisch 667-9455, KMJokisch@aol.com

Treasurer: Sally Crowley   669-6477, Watsmom@sc.rr.com

Secretary:  Linda Belcher 665-8347, Dbelcher1@sc.rr.com

Program Co-ordinators: Barbara Pace 662-7705, plantwoman2@aol.com

   and Rachell Hyman 669-1749, RHyman7575@aol.com

Master Gardener Website:  George Radcliffe  667-0232, gmrad@aol.com

Newsletter: Linda Belcher 665-8347, Dbelcher1@sc.rr.com

Carla Frantz 664-9479, clfrannie@yahoo.com 

Anthony "Tony" Melton, Master Gardener Coordinator

Florence County Extension Agent

amelton@clemson.edu



 
 

Florence County Master Gardeners

October 2007 Newsletter 

 http://groups.google.com/group/scemg  Welcome South Carolina Master Gardeners. This group is for you and will be  the primary means that Tim Davis will use as the State Master Gardener Coordinator to communicate with the MGs of South Carolina.
 http://www.clemson.edu/sandhill  visit the State MG website updated by Tim  Davis for information that is going on with MG's across the state: look on the left side of the page under the Partners and Collaborating Organizations look under: SC Master Gardener Volunteers. Scroll down to find "MG Volunteer Logbook" for forms you can print and use to record your volunteer hours.  Both of these sites will have valuable information for you as a Master Gardener.


Next Meeting: Monday, November 19th, 6:30pm.  John Calvin Presbyterian Church, corner of Marsh Drive and Third Loop Road.
This should be a fun meeting and a bit different. Our guest will be Dr. Richard Heavner a local Chiropractor. A couple of our members use his services and think he can be an asset to us as we toil in our gardens, lifting, pulling, bending and stretching. Hopefully he will be able to give us some tips on how to do the physical tasks from season to season without getting all 'bent out of shape'. He has said he will do a little 'hands on' demonstration and bring some goodies to share. Come and enjoy!  Refreshments will be available before and after the meeting.

There will be discussion at this meeting on the Perennial Gardens. A regular time for tending the beds is needed, perhaps twice a month.

Discussion of a Nominating Committee for the coming year. Since we go to the greenhouse again in January, we might need to select members this month. New officers election really needs to be at March meeting so that we can begin to sign up for committees in April.

We will also talk about what the members want to do for our December meeting. We usually have a potluck dinner. Sometimes the attendance is good other times it is not. Choices might be to book a room at a restaurant or not have a meeting for December. Put your thinking caps on and be ready for discussion.


Last Meeting:                   
Minutes from October 15th meeting submitted by Linda Belcher: Our meeting was held in the greenhouse on the property of Clemson PDREC. A good time was had as we clipped, cut and potted the plants from our gardens. The greenhouse was so clean and nice, the sprinklers were set and ready to do their job when we left. Thanks Janet Bugbee and Tony Melton.


Tuesday, October 30th, Carla Frantz, Shelby McCormick, Coyzetta Bazen, Gretchen Baumann, led by Janet Bugbee, really worked the perennial beds  at the PDREC in order to make it look like a garden again.  They were in bad condition due to the work on the roof of the main building not finished and the trucks and workers making a mess in that area. We need to do more to the beds such as fertilize and mulch. There may be more days to work before the beds are complete. Thank you Linda Belcher and Jody Parker for the new cuttings in the greenhouse, for they will help with the plant sale. The cuttings at the greenhouse look pretty good though there are some that might not make it. Good work everyone.


Since the last meeting the Eastern Carolina Fair has come and gone. The judging of the plants and flowers was a lot of fun for the ladies that came out. Tony's waterfall didn't leak and the plants looked great.  And we even got a wee bit of rain late in the month. It was nice but we need more and more wet weather.


Opportunities: 'Gardening With Kids' with the  Hannah Pamplico school district, Answering the Telephone at the Extension Office,
Working with the Perennial Gardens.


Dates to remember: Mark you calendars now: 
The Master Gardeners of York County "Gardening For Outdoor Living" Saturday, February 23, 2008 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Withers Hall,  Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC.  For more information please call 803-981-5303 or Yorkjoyofgardening@yahoo.com

Gardens of the Brandywine Vall: A Tour for Master Gardeners and Friends http://www.greatergreenvillemastergardener.org/html/BVtour.htm
This tour is sponsored by the Greater Greenville Master Gardeners. See website for information.


VOLUNTEER HOURS: A volunteer worksheet is now available on the website that you can download for your personal use and/or to mail them to: Clemson University Extension Service, Attn: Tony Melton, 2685 S. Irby St., Florence, SC 29505, or Fax to Tony at 843-661-4899 or e-mail amelton@clemson.edu. Please email a copy to Linda Belcher dbelcher1@sc.rr.com.


Garden Tips:  Leaf Mold-part 1:  In Britain, leaf mold is the connoisseur's choice for mulching perennial gardens. It's easy to see why this cocoa brown, sweet-smelling, moisture-retentive mulch is so popular. The curious thing about leaf mold is that so few gardeners in the U.S. even know what it is. That's probably because here in the States there's only one way to get leaf mold,  you need to make it yourself!  Leaf mold is nothing more than partially decomposed leaves that are somewhere along the continuum between shredded leaves and humus. If you wonder what it looks like, next time you're in the woods, just kneel down and push away a small area of dry leaves. Underneath, you'll reveal a layer of leaf mold, a crumbly brown material with a pleasant, earthy scent.


Master Gardener Cookbook project. You may send recipes to: Bev Epstein Bepstein@sc.rr.com  or by mail at: 1614 Jefferson Dr, Florence, SC 29501 or call recipes in to her at:  667-8179. Here are some of the people that have donated recipes to date: Christy Crochet, Boyd Hicks, Betty Dowling, Brigette Wernli, and Carla Frantz.  There are others, but many more recipes are needed to support a cookbook to use as a fund raiser.  In the past the cookbook has done well.  Other Master Gardener Organizations purchase our cookbooks to see what we are eating just as we purchase theirs when we go to events in other counties. So get on the recipe bandwagon, donate your favorite recipes and set our mouths to watering. Ask your friends and family for favorites too.


Master Gardener Website:  http://www.florencecountymastergardeners.org/ 

FLORENCE COUNTY MASTER GARDENER OFFICERS:

President: Gretchen Baumann 395-9506, gretch35@yahoo.com

Vice President: Janet Bugbee 346-9272,  jbug77@peoplepc.com 

2nd Vice President: Kelly Jokisch 667-9455, KMJokisch@aol.com

Treasurer: Sally Crowley   669-6477, Watsmom@sc.rr.com

Secretary:  Linda Belcher 665-8347, Dbelcher1@sc.rr.com

Program Co-ordinators: Barbara Pace 662-7705, plantwoman2@aol.com

   and Rachell Hyman 669-1749, RHyman7575@aol.com

Master Gardener Website:  George Radcliffe  667-0232, gmrad@aol.com

Newsletter: Linda Belcher 665-8347, Dbelcher1@sc.rr.com

Carla Frantz 664-9479, clfrannie@yahoo.com 

Anthony "Tony" Melton, Master Gardener Coordinator

Florence County Extension Agent

amelton@clemson.edu


September 2007 Newsletter

www.florencecountymastergardeners.org  

 


http://groups.google.com/group/scemg  Welcome South Carolina Master Gardeners. This group is for you and will be the primary means that Tim Davis will use as the State Master Gardener Coordinator to communicate with the MGs of South Carolina. 

 

 http://www.clemson.edu/sandhill  visit the State MG website updated by Tim  Davis for information that is going on with MG's across the state: look on the left side of the page under the Partners and Collaborating Organizations look under: SC Master Gardener Volunteers. Scroll down to find "MG Volunteer Logbook" for forms you can print and use to record your volunteer hours.  Both of these sites will have valuable information for you as a Master Gardener.           

 

Next Meeting: Monday, October 15th , 6:30pm.  Back to the Greenhouse!!
We will be going to PeeDee REC on Pocket Road to the greenhouse. Please bring cuttings from several plants that you have growing in your yard (or with permission your neighbors yard) We will take smaller cuttings from these plants and pot them up for placing in the greenhouse. Everyone gets down and dirty during this meeting. Wear shoes that can get wet and clothes that can be washed easily. And gloves if you need them. Light refreshments will be provided by Bob Orlowski.

 

Last Meeting: Minutes fromSeptember 17th meeting submitted by Linda Belcher: Our meeting was held at the John Calvin Presbyterian Church. Gretchen Baumann welcomed all members and Jody Parker gave a short devotional.  The minutes were approved as reported in the August newsletter. Discussion was held on the 2008 Spring Workshops. Louise Dixon and Arnett Bazen voluntered to help with publicity. All members are urged to solicit items for the goodie bags and items for the door prizes. Contacts for prizes need to be made now. Some companies need time for their forms to be submitted before they can offer items.
 

Kelly Jokisch gave a report and passed around pictures of the landscaping for the Habitat House on Sanborn Street. Eight people volunteered many hours on this project. They planted a 15 gallon Holly tree, Azealeas and border grass. Rachell Hyman donated Lantana. Bill Pickle was able to get plants from Lowe's for 50% off and Tom Pantos made a stepping stone walkway out of old brick that was found on the site. The dediction was on September 16th. Thanks Master Gardeners for a job well done.


A Big Thank You to all the Master Gardeners that manned the booth at the Farmers Market this past weekend. It was a good weekend and the market really shined with decorations, wagons were going in and out the entrance, and lots of people stopped to talk and get answers to their questions. Tony's rock pool was a big hit, especially with Linda Belcher who had just bought the same pool at Lowe's for a great markdown.


Don't forget to put your pre-emergent herbicide out “NOW” to prevent those weeds from taking over your lawn in the spring.  The old sayings “An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure” and “Timing is Everything” work when it comes to keeping weeds out of your yard.   Some pre-emergent herbicides you can find locally include Atrazine,  XL, Team, Balan, and Surflan.  Always follow all label directions because they are the law. This is from Tony's article printed on September 30 in the Florence Morning News.


Work Day:  October 15th (the day of our meeting)
Tony has set up October 15th as a workday at the Eastern Carolina Fairgrounds to spruce up the entrance and help with setting up the booth. We will need as many people as will come out. We began this project last year and the beds are now ready to be planted for the fall.  Plants are needed to decorate Tony's booth at the fair. If you have nice ferns or other plants you could loan out for the week let Tony or Gretchen know.  If you have garden houses that you know that would donate mums, pumpkins and/or fall flowering plants please contact them and then let Tony amelton@CLEMSON.EDU or Gretchen 395-9506, gretch35@yahoo.com know.
 

Tony also relayed that Hannah Pamplico school district wants to begin a program for children about gardening. 'Gardening With Kids' is a new program and can be held on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. This can be an hour or so per session or the classes can be held every two weeks for 2 hours at a time on any of these days. This is a 'hands on program' with the kids getting their hands into the projects. Sally Haynes and Barbara Matthews live in that general area and will be able to help some. More volunteers will be needed, so be sure to sign up this upcoming meeting.


Treasurers Report: Presently there is $4,211.87 dollars in our account. Checks were written to The Florence Little Theater and to McLeod Hospice for $50.00 each in memory of Boyd Hicks. Acknowledgement will be sent to Mrs. Hicks by these organizations.


 
DUES - DUES- DUES:  Now is the time to renew your membership in the Florence County Master Gardener program.  Dues for receiving the newsletter by EMAIL are $5.00.  Dues for receiving the newsletter by  REGULAR MAIL are $10.00.  All new members with Email Addresses receive the newsletter free the first year, dues for new members receiving the newsletter by Regular Mail are $5.00.  Please give your payment to Sally Crowley at the next meeting or mail them to her at:  715 Joyce Lane, Florence, SC 29505  her phone number is 669-8229.  So far this year we have  23 members having paid their dues. Remember we need at least 70 paid members to beat last years record. Send or bring your dues soon.


Dates to remember: Mark you calendars now:


October 15th meeting: at the Eastern Carolina Fairgrounds there will be a workday 8am until, to spruce up the entrance and set up the indoor booth. Call Tony for information, 661-4800.

http://www.ecafair.com/  and   http://www.ecafair.com/EntryForms.html  Eastern Carolina Fairgrounds October 15th to 21st. The Fair will be held beginning at 5:00 p.m. Monday, October 15, 2007 and closing at 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 21, 2007.  Gates will open to the public at 3:00 p.m. daily, except on Monday {5:00 p.m.}, Saturday {10:00 a.m.} and Sunday {1:00 p.m.}. The Master Gardeners will once again have the privilege of judging the plants during the fair. This is a fun opportunity and every participant gets a ribbon. However, there are money prizes available. Go to the website and look over the catalog for a category that interests you.


http://www.ecafair.com/ and http://www.ecafair.com/EntryForms.html  Eastern Carolina Fairgrounds October 15th to 21st. The Fair will be held beginning at 5:00 p.m. Monday, October 15, 2007 and closing at 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 21, 2007.  Gates will open to the public at 3:00 p.m. daily, except on Monday {5:00 p.m.}, Saturday {10:00 a.m.} and Sunday {1:00 p.m.}. The Master Gardeners will once again have the privilege of judging the plants during the fair. This is a fun opportunity and every participant gets a ribbon. However, there are money prizes available. Go to the website and look over the catalog for a category that interests you. 


Gardening Symposium in Bishopville:  Miles Beach, director of the American Camellia Society will be featured on  Saturday, November 3rd at 1 pm at the Cotton Museum followed by a high tea at  the James House.  This is a fund raiser for our Camellia garden.  Details to come later.


The Master Gardeners of York County "Gardening For Outdoor Living" Saturday, February 23, 2008 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Withers Hall,  Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC.  For more information please call 803-981-5303 or Yorkjoyofgardening@yahoo.com


Gardens of the Brandywine Vall: A Tour for Master Gardeners and Friends http://www.greatergreenvillemastergardener.org/html/BVtour.htm
This tour is sponsored by the Greater Greenville Master Gardeners. See website for information.
 


VOLUNTEER HOURS: A volunteer worksheet is now available on the website that you can download for your personal use and/or to mail them to: Clemson University Extension Service, Attn: Tony Melton, 2685 S. Irby St., Florence, SC 29505, or Fax to Tony at 843-661-4899 or e-mail amelton@clemson.edu. Please email a copy to Linda Belcher dbelcher1@sc.rr.com.


Garden Smiles: You might be a red neck gardener if-----you refuse to ride in your husband's beat up pickup truck, unless of course you're going to get mulch or compost.


Extention Office Helpers:  You can work anytime between 8am and 12noon. Office help can be scheduled for any length of time or any day of the week that you can commit to helping Tony in the office.  Help is especially needed on Mondays, since Mondays are the busiest time for the receptionist, Tamika. The personnel working in the office do not answer questions about horticulture; they just take messages for Tony.  If you can answer a question, that is a big bonus, just let Tony know the question and the answer that you gave. Contact  Linda Belcher 665-8347 dbelcher1@sc.rr.com for information about volunteering in the office.  

 

Master Gardener Cookbook Project: You may send recipes to: Bev Epstein Bepstein@sc.rr.com  or by mail at: 1614 Jefferson Dr, Florence, SC 29501 or call recipes in to her at:  667-8179. Here are some of the people that have donated recipes to date: Christy Crochet, Boyd Hicks, Betty Dowling, Brigette Wernli, and Carla Frantz.  There are others, but many more recipes are needed to support a cookbook to use as a fund raiser.  In the past the cookbook has done well.  Other Master Gardener Organizations purchase our cookbooks to see what we are eating just as we purchase theirs when we go to events in other counties. So get on the recipe bandwagon, donate your favorite recipes and set our mouths to watering. Ask your friends and family for favorites too.


Master Gardener Website:  http://www.florencecountymastergardeners.org/ 

FLORENCE COUNTY MASTER GARDENER OFFICERS:

President: Gretchen Baumann 395-9506, gretch35@yahoo.com

Vice President: Janet Bugbee 346-9272,  jbug77@peoplepc.com 

2nd Vice President: Kelly Jokisch 667-9455, KMJokisch@aol.com

Treasurer: Sally Crowley   669-6477, Watsmom@sc.rr.com

Secretary:  Linda Belcher 665-8347, Dbelcher1@sc.rr.com

Program Co-ordinators: Barbara Pace 662-7705, plantwoman2@aol.com

   and Rachell Hyman 669-1749, RHyman7575@aol.com

Master Gardener Website:  Gretchen Baumann 395-9506, gretch35@yahoo.com

Newsletter: Linda Belcher 665-8347, Dbelcher1@sc.rr.com

Carla Frantz 664-9479, clfrannie@yahoo.com 

Anthony "Tony" Melton, Master Gardener Coordinator

Florence County Extension Agent

amelton@clemson.edu

 


Florence County Master Gardeners Florence

July 2007 Newsletter

www.florencecountymastergardeners.org 

 http://groups.google.com/group/scemg  Welcome South Carolina Master Gardeners. This group is for you and will be the primary means that Tim Davis will use as the State Master Gardener Coordinator to communicate with the MGs of South Carolina. 

 

 http://www.clemson.edu/sandhill  visit the State MG website updated by Tim  Davis for information that is going on with MG's across the state: look on the left side of the page under the Partners and Collaborating Organizations look under: SC Master Gardener Volunteers. Scroll down to find "MG Volunteer Logbook" for forms you can print and use to record your volunteer hours.  Both of these sites will have valuable information for you as a Master Gardener.           

 

Next Meeting: Monday, August 20th, 6:30pm.  We will be meeting at the home of Larry and RuthAnn Rogers.

Directions: Approximately 4 miles from the National Cemetery. They are on the right side of the road; Brick house, with a white picket fence around it (3618). They are 150 yards past a little store; called Pat's Superette. 

You may park in the driveway, on the grass or across the street in the vacant field.  See you there.

We will not be having our normal refreshment time, maybe a pack of cookies/crackers to munch as we move around the Rogers property. Do bring your own water/drink for the evening. This will be an interesting evening. If you enjoy this time of gardening fellowship, let your officers know. This is an educational trip and we could do more of these trips during the year. Always wear Your Badges!!! Keep up with your hours and clock your miles as you go to different projects/programs.

                       

Minutes from July 16th meeting submitted by Linda Belcher: President Gretchen Baumann opened the meeting, Jody Parker gave a brief gardeners devotional.  Gretchen introduced  Master Gardeners that were to give reports on recent trips that were taken. Sally Haynes, Annette Ward and Louise Dixon reported on the trip to Park Seed for Master Gardeners Day. It seems that next year all of us want to go. Some photos were passed around of the grounds. All Park Seed plants, bulbs, seed packs, pots,were deeply discounted. Some as much as 70%. Mark your calendars in April so you won't forget to look for the dates of next years MG Day.

 

Gretchen Baumann, Bob Orlowski, Rachell Hyman and Linda Belcher gave a glowing report of their visit with Larry and RuthAnn Rogers in their gardens. They are extraordinary in their ability to create gardens of all kinds. RuthAnn even has a circular succulent bed filled with perennial succulents/cacti. One of their great loves is raising butterflies. They were even taking an indirect part in rearing some kittens that had been born inside a flower pot that had broken and been laid over in the ground with a plant inside. Those were some tiny little blooms and the momma cat did not like us peeking at her babies. She soon moved them to a safer spot.

 

Gretchen asked that we please look up the new sites from Tim Davis of Clemson Extension.  These sites are posted at the top of this newsletter. Do sign on to the google group and see what and who you can find there.

 

Bev Epstein reminded us again to turn in our recipes for the cookbook, she still needs about 200 or so recipes before it can be sent to a publisher. We want to have the cookbook in hand before our March Workshop. 

There being no more business the meeting adjourned and everyone shared in some mighty refreshing treats.

 

The Master Gardener Officers met on Tuesday, July 31, 5:30 at Redbone Alley.  

 

 DUES - DUES- DUES:  Now is the time to renew your membership in the Florence County Master Gardener program.  Dues for receiving the newsletter by EMAIL are $5.00.  Dues for receiving the newsletter by REGULAR MAIL are $10.00.  All new members with Email Addresses receive the newsletter free the first year, dues for new members receiving the newsletter by Regular Mail are $5.00.  Please give your payment to Sally Crowley at the next meeting or mail them to her at:  715 Joyce Lane, Florence, SC 29505. Her phone number is 669-8229.  Side Note: We have 54 members that paid dues in 2006, let’s break that record with 70 members this year.

 

Gardening tips: Summertime is getting long in the tooth. It is time to start thinking about those fall gardens, transplanting and dividing some of your perennials, perhaps buying something new and exciting for the coming season. Your local garden shops will be happy to see you.  http://forestlakegreenhouses.com and Taylors Garden Center at http://www.gardenforlife.com  Check out their websites then give them a visit. Look for other garden shops as you move around town, some are well known some are off the beaten path but all are worth a stop and a look see. Also check out the Riverbanks Zoo Gardens at http://www.riverbanks.org/ always something going on in the Zoo gardens.

 

VOLUNTEER HOURS: A volunteer worksheet is now available on the website that you can download for your personal use and/or to mail them to: Clemson University Extension Service, Attn: Tony Melton, 2685 S. Irby St., Florence, SC 29505, or Fax to Tony at 843-661-4899 or e-mail amelton@clemson.edu. Please email a copy to Linda Belcher dbelcher1@sc.rr.com.

 

Our History: The first Florence County Master Gardener class was in 1987. Fifteen graduated under the instruction of Mr. A. J. Kinder and Mr. Laval Oxendine. Mr. Oxendine left Florence County in 1990 leaving Mr. Kinder as the sole instructor. Mr. Kinder taught the class until his retirement in 1994. Mr. Tony Melton taught the class from 1995 until 1996 when he resigned from Clemson University. Mr. Joe Cely worked with the Master Gardeners but no class was taught until Mr. Melton returned in 1998. At present Mr. Melton is the instructor of both the morning and night classes which begin in January each year. Thanks Tony. (information taken from our website)

 

Trips:If you know someplace that would be interesting to visit let Rachel Hyman 669-1749, RHyman7575@aol.com or Barb Pace 662-7705 plantwoman2@aol.com  know.    They are looking for future trips for us to take either during the week or on the weekend. Also, Rachel and Barb Pace are lining up programs for the year.  If you have a topic you would like to have addressed or someone you think would be of interest to the group, again let them know. Don't forget to look over the Program Committee form that was given out at the last meeting. Rachel and Barb want to be able to present programs that you are interested in attending and educational in nature. Please bring your filled out form or at least write a word or to as to your preferences. Thank You.

 

Projects: Kelly Jokisch received an invitation to help rework a walled in courtyard at Moore Intermediate School on Cheraw Drive. This is called the "Diggin' Deeper" Outdoor Lab space. Several Master Gardeners met with Moore's Art Teacher Shari Duncan on Wednesday to help mix and spread the sand and compost in the beds to ready them for plants. Thursday they were able to put in some plantings and spread the pine straw. The area looks really good. Ms Duncan has plans for a pond, perhaps an arbor, and to mount wood on one wall for the students to paint a mural. Window boxes will be placed under windows on one side of the courtyard that will have a Monet theme of color. Ms Duncan applied for and received a $6000 grant from the Education Improvement Act (EIA) to improve creative and innovative projects to be used in the classroom! Good work Shari Duncan! The Master Gardeners will be happy to give you help again in the future as your project progresses.

We send our condolences to Sally Haynes in the death of her brother in July. You may send cards to her at:

179 N Country Club Lane, Lake City,SC 29560

 

Apologies for leaving out Sue Bell's address. You may send cards to Sue at: 732 Azalea Dr, Lamar SC 29569

 

Boyd Hicks passed away on August 6th after an extended illness. Please send his wife Betty and his family cards at: 1211 Jackson Avenue, Florence, SC 29501 Boyd will be mightily missed by many Master Gardeners.

 

Garden Tips: Plastic soft drink bottles can be cut into long strips 1/2-inch wide for inexpensive plant markers. I use them in my cold frame and when starting plants in the house. They can be moved to the garden, too. —Mrs. Harley Andrews, Nenzel, Nebraska

 

Planting Iris: The best planting time for Iris is in July, August, and September. If you're in an area with hot summers and mild winters, September or October planting may be better. Pick a site for your Iris where the plants will get at least a half day of full sun. Iris need good drainage; the rhizomes will rot if the soil stays too wet. Prepare a raised bed or mound with loose soil. If your soil is heavy clay, add sand or organic matter to loosen the soil. Iris prefer a soil that's slightly acidic (pH 6.8). Plant the Iris so that the top part of the rhizome is above the soil line. Press the soil around the rhizome firmly and water in. Once your Iris plants are established, they'll only need to be watered in very dry conditions.

.

 

Extention Office Helpers:  You can work anytime between 8am and 12noon. Office help can be scheduled for any length of time or any day of the week that you can commit to helping Tony in the office.  Help is especially needed on Mondays, since Mondays are the busiest time for the receptionist, Tamika. The personnel working in the office do not answer questions about horticulture; they just take messages for Tony.  If you can answer a question, that is a big bonus, just let Tony know the question and the answer that you gave. Contact  Linda Belcher 665-8347 dbelcher1@sc.rr.com for information about volunteering in the office.  

 

VOLUNTEER HOURS: A volunteer worksheet is now available on the website that you can download for your personal use and/or to mail them to: Clemson University Extension Service, Attn: Tony Melton, 2685 S. Irby St., Florence, SC 29505, or Fax to Tony at 843-661-4899 or e-mail amelton@clemson.edu. Please email a copy to Linda Belcher dbelcher1@sc.rr.com.


 

Master Gardener Cookbook Project: You may send recipes to: Bev Epstein Bepstein@sc.rr.com  or by mail at: 1614 Jefferson Dr, Florence, SC 29501 or call recipes in to her at:  667-8179. Here are some of the people that have donated recipes to date: Christy Crochet, Boyd Hicks, Betty Dowling, Brigette Wernli, and Carla Frantz.  There are others, but many more recipes are needed to support a cookbook to use as a fund raiser.  In the past the cookbook has done well.  Other Master Gardener Organizations purchase our cookbooks to see what we are eating just as we purchase theirs when we go to events in other counties. So get on the recipe bandwagon, donate your favorite recipes and set our mouths to watering. Ask your friends and family for favorites too.

 

 

Master Gardener Website:  http://www.florencecountymastergardeners.org/ 

FLORENCE COUNTY MASTER GARDENER OFFICERS:

President: Gretchen Baumann 395-9506, gretch35@yahoo.com

Vice President: Janet Bugbee 346-9272,  jbug77@peoplepc.com 

2nd Vice President: Kelly Jokisch 667-9455, KMJokisch@aol.com

Treasurer: Sally Crowley   669-6477, Watsmom@sc.rr.com

Secretary:  Linda Belcher 665-8347, Dbelcher1@sc.rr.com

Program Co-ordinators: Barbara Pace 662-7705, plantwoman2@aol.com

   and Rachell Hyman 669-1749, RHyman7575@aol.com

Master Gardener Website:  Gretchen Baumann 395-9506, gretch35@yahoo.com

Newsletter: Linda Belcher 665-8347, Dbelcher1@sc.rr.com

Carla Frantz 664-9479, clfrannie@yahoo.com 

Anthony "Tony" Melton, Master Gardener Coordinator

Florence County Extension Agent

amelton@clemson.edu

 

 

June 2007 Newsletter

www.florencecountymastergardeners.org  

 

Check out these websites!

http://groups.google.com/group/scemg  Welcome South Carolina Master Gardeners. This group is for you and will be the primary means that Tim Davis will use as the State Master Gardener Coordinator to communicate with the MGs of South Carolina

 

http://www.clemson.edu/sandhill  Visit the State MG website updated by Tim  Davis for information that is going on with MGs across the state: look on the left side of the page under the Partners and Collaborating Organizations look under: SC Master Gardener Volunteers. Scroll down to find "MG Volunteer Logbook" for forms you can print and use to record your volunteer hours.  Both of these sites will have valuable information for you as a Master Gardener.           

 

Next Meeting: Monday, July 16th, 6:30pm - Back to the John Calvin Presbyterian Church.

Always wear Your Badges!!!

                       

Program: Come prepared to be surprised and educated. Refreshments this meeting will be provided by Bob Orlowski and Linda Belcher. Be prepared to sign up to help in the next months.

 

Minutes from June 18th meeting submitted by Linda Belcher: This was a great meeting coupled with some mighty fine Tony Melton hand grilled hamburgers.  Everyone brought delicious sides and desserts.  This was also a plant exchange and did we ever exchange.  There was everything from Coleus to herbs, annuals to perennials.  Thanks Gretchen for hosting us for our June cookout meeting.

 

After dinner our regular meeting was held.  Gretchen introduced the new officers and gave some of the responsibilities each officer will hold.  Dividing the Master Gardener committees and giving each officer responsibility for several titles similiar in activity was one of the ways we hope will provide better utilization of our members. Sign Up sheets will be available at the meeting. Begin or continue to earn your volunteer hours by being a part of a committee.  In talking about the committees and the Spring Workshop, Sally Haynes and Barbara Matthews agreed to take leadership for the March 2008 workshops. Thanks ladies. Meeting adjourned and everyone went outside to share the plants.

 

DUES - DUES- DUES:  Now is the time to renew your membership in the Florence County Master Gardener program.  Dues for receiving the newsletter by EMAIL are $5.00.  Dues for receiving the newsletter by  REGULAR MAIL are $10.00.  All new members with Email Addresses receive the newsletter free the first year, dues for new members receiving the newsletter by Regular Mail are $5.00.  Please give your payment to Sally Crowley at the next meeting or mail them to her at:  715 Joyce Lane, Florence, SC 29505  her phone number is 669-8229.  Side Note: We have 54 members that paid dues in 2006, lets break that record with 70 members this year.

 

Treasurers Report: Sally Crowley gave the treasurers report: As of July 7, our current balance is $4,281.87 after paying out monies owed to several members and making the two Scholarship Awards.  As a big thank you to John Calvin Presbyterian Church for allowing us to use their choir room for our meetings, a check was presented to them in the amount of $100.

 

 

Plants to share: As those that were present for the June meeting know, sharing plants is an exciting thing.  If you have plants to share bring them to the meetings.  Our Pass Along Plants committee will be planning several certain times during the year for sharing.  But this can be done anytime you need to change your gardens or house plants.

 

VOLUNTEER HOURS: A volunteer worksheet is now available on the website that you can download for your personal use and/or to mail them to: Clemson University Extension Service, Attn: Tony Melton, 2685 S. Irby St., Florence, SC 29505,

or Fax to Tony at 843-661-4899 or e-mail amelton@clemson.edu. Please email a copy to Linda Belcher dbelcher1@sc.rr.com.

 

Master Gardeners are required to do 40 volunteer hours per year in order to keep their certification.  However, don't let this keep you from spending as many hours as you possibly can helping out the community. See the website for more information about how to get your hours. Thanks to those of you who have already submitted your hours: Gretchen Baumann, Bev Epstein, Trudy Muench, Stasi Witt, Linda Belcher. All together these ladies have presented with 227.5 hours of voluntering. How many of you would like to see us begin a recognition of those getting the most hours during the year?

 

Master Gardener Trip: Someone found our Website!!!  Larry and Ruth Ann Rogers of Florence contacted Gretchen Baumann to see if our Master Gardeners would be interested in visiting their home and property.  The answer was yes and several members visited them the week of July 3 through July 7.  We will have a report on this couple and their propagating and growing abilities.  We are hoping they will come to one of our meetings especially to tell us how they built and maintain their recyclable mulch bins.  They use a greenhouse during the winter to propagate plants and start seeds. Ruth Ann has begun to propagate cacti and succulents.  She may have as many as 15 different types and hopes to be able to sell them.  They do sell plants sometime in April and promise to let us know when the time comes.  They also maintain a fine garden and began this year to sell some of the vegetables.  So far they have sold around 400 pounds and were surprised by the abundance their garden produced. They decided to sell this year in order to "support their gardening" passion. Sounds familiar to many of our members.

On June 22nd, about 8 of our members attended the Park Seed Master Gardener Day in Greenwood, SC.  What a marvelous place and with the 20% to 50% off the plants what more could you want from a seminar? We encourage our members to go, take friends/family and spend the day just wandering the grounds.  As participants, we were given a tour of the formal gardens and the guide told about many of the different varieties of plants, how some of them came about and which ones were ready to be sold and which were still in the development stage. There was a slide program about their plants from annuals to cacti.  Of course you could not come away without a plant or two.  Find the members that attented and ask them about their perspective on this annual celebration at Park Seed. It is worth attending again just for the discount. Those Sumter County Master Gardeners meant business when they showed up.  They almost needed a second bus just to carry the plants.

 

If you know someplace that would be interesting to visit let Rachel Hyman 669-1749, RHyman7575@aol.com or Barb Pace 662-7705 plantwoman2@aol.com  know.    They are looking for future trips for us to take either during the week or on the weekend. Also, Rachel and Barb Pace are lining up programs for the year.  If you have a topic you would like to have addressed or someone you think would be of interest to the group, again let them know.   

 

A word from one of our members Sue Bell: Sue states she is in remission after undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer.  Sue thanks everyone for their prayers, cards and for thinking of her during this time.

 

Also a word about Boyd Hicks:  He is in Heritage Nursing Home and is not doing well.  Linda Belcher spoke with his wife Betty and she asks that we remember them with our thoughts and prayers. You can send cards to Boyd and Betty at this address: 1211 Jackson Ave, Florence, SC 29501 

 

Healing for Garden Woes:  Balm for broken blisters... To disinfect a broken blister, dab on a few drops of Listerine.  A powerful antiseptic.  -    Vinegar to heal bruises ... Soak a cotton ball in white vinegar and apply it to the bruise for 1 hour. The vinegar reduces the blueness  and speeds up the healing process.   -   Quaker Oats for fast pain relief... It's not for breakfast any more!  Mix 2 cups of Quaker Oats and 1 cup of water in a bowl and warm in the microwave for 1 minute, cool slightly, and apply the mixture to your  hands for soothing relief from arthritis pain. Smart splinter remover.  Just pour a drop of Elmer's Glue-All over the splinter, let dry, and peel the dried glue off the skin. The splinter sticks to the dried glue. 

 

From Lisa King and FLG:  Excerpts from Lisa's newsletter article entitled: Butterfly Magic - Do children today collect butterflies?  Have they seen a firefly?  There is something important about gardening. Create a butterfly garden and you will create a pocket of wonder.  Whether your garden is planted with flowers or fennel, attracting caterpillars as well as butterflies; it will teach your young assistant something worth learning; the seeds you plant in spring take patience, diligence and care.  That the beauty of the butterfly floating upon a summer breeze, or basking on a sun soaked stone, is in those seeds you planted months, or even years ago.  There is a reward to planning, patience and effort.  There is a connection between your garden, your unique creation, and the butterfly that finds a home there.  Slow down.  Enjoy your days in the garden. "Garden Center Retailer of the Year!" Forest Lake Greenhouses is greatly honored to have been chosen by the South Caroliina Nurseryman's Association as the 2007 Garden Center Retailer of the Year in the state of South Carolina!  Go see them 'in the garden'.

 

Extention Office Helpers:  You can work anytime between 8am and 12noon. Office help can be scheduled for any length of time or any day of the week that you can commit to helping Tony in the office.  Help is especially needed on Mondays, since Mondays are the busiest time for the receptionist, Tamika. The personnel working in the office do not answer questions about horticulture; they just take messages for Tony.  If you can answer a question, that is a big bonus, just let Tony know the question and the answer that you gave. Contact Betty Jean Thompson at 667-4111 or cell at 229-8278 for information about volunteering in the office.  And, Thanks Betty Jean for cleaning up the Master Gardener Office.

 

Master Gardener Cookbook Project: You may send recipes to: Bev Epstein Bepstein@sc.rr.com  or by mail at: 1614 Jefferson Dr, Florence, SC 29501 or call recipes in to her at:  667-8179. Here are some of the people that have donated recipes to date: Christy Crochet, Boyd Hicks, Betty Dowling, Brigette Wernli, and Carla Frantz.  There are others, but many more recipes are needed to support a cookbook to use as a fund raiser.  In the past the cookbook has done well.  Other Master Gardener Organizations purchase our cookbooks to see what we are eating just as we purchase theirs when we go to events in other counties. So get on the recipe bandwagon, donate your favorite recipes and set our mouths to watering. Ask your friends and family for favorites too.

 

Master Gardener Website:  http://www.florencecountymastergardeners.org/ 

 FLORENCE COUNTY MASTER GARDENER OFFICERS:

President: Gretchen Baumann 395-9506, gretch35@yahoo.com

Vice President: Janet Bugbee 346-9272,  bug77@bellsouth.net 

2nd Vice President: Kelly Jokisch 667-9455, KMJokisch@aol.com

Treasurer: Sally Crowley   669-6477, Watsmom@sc.rr.com

Secretary:  Linda Belcher 665-8347, Dbelcher1@sc.rr.com

Program Co-ordinators: Barbara Pace 662-7705, plantwoman2@aol.com

and Rachel Hyman 669-1749, RHyman7575@aol.com

Master Gardener Website:  Gretchen Baumann 395-9506, gretch35@yahoo.com

Newsletter: Linda Belcher 665-8347, Dbelcher1@sc.rr.com

Carla Frantz 664-9479, clfrannie@yahoo.com 

Anthony "Tony" Melton, Master Gardener Coordinator

Florence County Extension Agent

amelton@clemson.edu

 

____________________________________

Florence

May 2007 Newsletter

www.florencecountymastergardeners.org  

 

Next Meeting: Monday, June 18, 6:30pm - Gretchen Baumann's home. See directions at the end of the newsletter.

Always wear Your Badges!!!

                       

Program: This will be a cookout. All members are asked to bring a dish to share.  This will also be a time to Share Plants with one another.  You know we always want what someone brought to the greenhouse for the spring workshop.  Now is the time to share your favorite plant and be surprised how many others wanted just that one.

 

Minutes from May 21st meeting submitted by Linda Belcher: This was graduation for the latest two Master Gardening classes.  Thirty-four new certified MG's were given their plaques and congratulated by Tony Melton our extension agent and Barb Matthews and Sally Haynes our outgoing Presidents. Everyone enjoyed a fine dinner before the ceremony and lots of delicious desserts were on hand for our consumption. 

 

As Sally Crowley could not be at this meeting, Sally Haynes gave the treasurers report.  We have $6,159.37 in our bank account.  This is the first time the organization has had monies available to share with the community.  Thanks to all the Master Gardeners that worked on our Spring Workshop committee this past year.  Team work really does pay off.

 

The Master Gardener Organization was able to present two scholarship awards during the meeting.  A check for $1000 was given to Thomas Jones who is going to Clemson University and will be studying Horticulture.  Three scholarships, totaling $450, were awarded to the 4-H Club to help the children go to summer camp. We were glad to have been able to help these young people get a foot up into the world of gardening.

 

A monetary gift was given to Tony Melton to thank him for all the work he does for our Master Gardening Program. We would not be able to participate in all the activities that come to us during the year without his help and guidance.  Thank you Tony.

 

Following the graduation ceremony, new officers were presented and voted in for the new year 2007/2008.  They are as follows:

Gretchen Baumann, President; Janet Bugbee, Vice President; Kelly Jokisch, 2nd Vice President; Sally Crowley, Treasurer; Linda Belcher, Secretary/Newsletter.  Rachel Hyman and Barbara Pace will be our program coordinators.  These new officers will meet on June11th, 5:30pm at Chili's to get to know one another and begin the new year.  Please give them all your support as we continue to share our gardening knowledge with the public.

 

VOLUNTEER HOURS: A volunteer worksheet is now available on the website that you can download for your personal use and/or to mail them to: 

Clemson University Extension Service, Attn: Tony Melton, 2685 S. Irby St., Florence, SC 29505, or Fax to Tony at 843-661-4899 or e-mail amelton@clemson.edu. Please email a copy to Linda Belcher dbelcher1@sc.rr.com. Master Gardeners are required to do 40 volunteer hours per year in order to keep their certification.  However, don't let this keep you from spending as many hours as you possibly can helping out the community. See the website for more information about how to get your hours.

 

Fun Things for your garden: The Hummingbirds are back: Here is the recipe for artificial nectar (syrup): Use one part ordinary white cane sugar to four parts water. Boil the water if you wish, but it's not necessary. The microorganisms that cause fermentation don't come from the water; they are transported to the feeder on hummingbird bills. Store unused syrup in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. This mixture approximates the average sucrose content (about 21%) of the flowers favored by North American hummingbirds, without being so sweet it attracts too many insects. And of course plant perennials that attract these wonderful creatures: Top 10 Flowers for Attracting Hummingbirds: Bee Balm, Red Columbine, Delphinium, Hollyhock, Butterfly Bush, Rose of Sharon, Trumpet Vine, Trumpet Honeysuckle, Cardinal Vine, Lantana and Fuchsia.

  

Future Happenings:   

Master Gardener Day at Park Seed: Friday, June 22 from 9am until 1pm. Barb Matthews and Sally Haynes will be traveling up on Thursday in order to stay overnight with several other MG's.  Linda Belcher and her husband will be doing the same. Get together with a few friends and take advantage of this special day.

 

Tim Davis, State Master Gardener Coordinator and Tiffaney Murphy, Park Seed Public Relations Coordinator have put together a special event for South Carolina Master Gardeners. Master Gardeners are invited to travel to Park Seed in Greenwood, S.C. for a day of guided tours through the 9 acres of trial gardens, hear presentations from staff horticulturists as well as enjoy a BBQ lunch. Master Gardeners will also enjoy a 20% discount on their purchases in the Garden Center. For more information visit www.clemson.edu/sandhill , on the left side under Partners and Collaborating Organizations click on S.C. Master Gardener volunteers for this and other Master Gardener information. Admission to this event will be free of charge to Master Gardeners; attendees will be responsible for their own travel arrangements. Please plan to arrive by 9:00 am.


Pre-registration is required for those wishing to attend. Complete the information found on the website (http://www.clemson.edu/sandhill/page.htm?pageId=2303)  scroll down to Breaking News  and return either via US Mail to: Park Seed Tour, Clemson Extension, 605 West Main St. Ste. 109, Lexington, S.C. 29072 or if you provide all of the information requested you may email that information to: LKelly@clemson.edu


Special note: Park Seed will be hosting their annual Flower Day the following day, Saturday, June 23, 2007. For those wishing to stay overnight you can visit the following website for hotel information:  http://hotel-guides.us/south-carolina/greenwood-sc-hotels.html

 

Extention Office Helpers:  You can work anytime between 8am and 12noon. Office help can be scheduled for any length of time or any day of the week that you can commit to helping Tony in the office.  Help is especially needed on Mondays, since Mondays are the busiest time for the receptionist, Tamika. The personnel working in the office do not answer questions about horticulture; they just take messages for Tony.  If you can answer a question, that is a big bonus, just let Tony know the question and the answer that you gave. Contact Betty Jean Thompson at 667-4111 or cell at 229-8278 for information about volunteering in the office.  And, Thanks Betty Jean for cleaning up the Master Gardener Office.

 

Master Gardener Cookbook project. You may send recipes to: Bev Epstein Bepstein@sc.rr.com  or by mail at: 1614 Jefferson Dr, Florence, SC 29501 or call recipes in to her at:  667-8179. Here are some of the people that have donated recipes to date: Christy Crochet, Boyd Hicks, Betty Dowling, Brigette Wernli, and Carla Frantz.  There are others, but many more recipes are needed to support a cookbook to use as a fund raiser.  In the past the cookbook has done well.  Other Master Gardener Organizations purchase our cookbooks to see what we are eating just as we purchase theirs when we go to events in other counties. So get on the recipe bandwagon, donate your favorite recipes and set our mouths to watering. Ask your friends and family for favorites too.

 

DIRECTIONS TO GRETCHEN'S HOME: 868 Moonshadow Lane:

From PD Rec: turn right out of entrance on to Pocket Rd. Go to the 4-way stop sign and turn right on Mechanicsville Rd. Go to the stop sign and turn left on Cashua Ferry Rd. Go to the first road on the right and turn right on Mechanicsville Hwy. Follow @ 1-1 ½ mile and turn left on Lide Springs Rd. Moonshadow Ln. is @ 1-2 miles on the right.

 

From I-20 take Exit 137 (Darlington/Timmonsville/Hwy 340)Turn onto Hwy 340 towards Darlington. You will go thru 2 traffic lights, then a 4-way stop and finally come to a stop sign. (From the exit you will travel @ 6.8 miles till you reach the 2nd stop sign.)

Turn right at the stop sign. You will be on Pearl St. (Now you will travel @ 1.6 miles.) Go thru 4 lights. This will bring you to the Darlington Square. After you have gone through the 4th light you will go straight and then make a left (you are going around part of the square here), then take the 1st right. (Edward Jones is on the corner and there will be a sign saying Dillon/Latta SC 34.) You will be on Cashua St.

Follow Cashua to the bottom of a hill. Right before you reach the bottom of the hill you will pass an old apartment complex on the right. Then you will see a Citgo (The Markette) convenience store on your right. Take a left across from the Citgo. This is Society Hill Rd. It is not marked at your turn.

Follow Society Hill Rd. @ 2.5 miles. Turn right on Lide Springs Rd.

Follow Lide Springs Rd. @ 1.9 miles and turn left on Moonshadow Ln. You know you are getting there when you see white fencing on both sides of the road.

We are the last house on the left, @ 1/3 mile down. It is the white house with black shutters.

Mapquest www.mapquest.com destination 1957 Lide Springs Rd., Darlington, SC is directly across from Moonshadow Ln. Moonshadow Ln is a

 non-County maintained road and does not show up on Mapquest. 

If you need us, here are all of our numbers: 843-395-9506 Home day and evening, 843-398-0225 Home evening and 864-680-7159 Gretchen cell.

 

 Master Gardener Website:  http://www.florencecountymastergardeners.org/ 

 FLORENCE COUNTY MASTER GARDENER OFFICERS:

President: Gretchen Baumann 395-9506, gretch35@yahoo.com

 

Vice President: Janet Bugbee 346-9272,  bug77@bellsouth.net 

 

2nd Vice President: Kelly Jokisch 667-9455, KMJokisch@aol.com

 

Treasurer: Sally Crowley   669-6477, Watsmom@sc.rr.com

 

Secretary:  Linda Belcher 665-8347, Dbelcher1@sc.rr.com

 

Program Co-ordinators: Barbara Pace 662-7705, plantwoman2@aol.com

   and Rachel Hyman 669-1749, RHyman7575@aol.com

 

Master Gardener Website:  Gretchen Baumann 395-9506, gretch35@yahoo.com

 

Newsletter: Linda Belcher 665-8347, Dbelcher1@sc.rr.com

Carla Frantz 664-9479, clfrannie@yahoo.com 

 

Anthony "Tony" Melton, Master Gardener Coordinator

Florence County Extension Agent

amelton@clemson.edu


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