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 Florence County Master Gardeners
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 continuu | | | |
