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.
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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
