“CRYSTAL CLEAR Volume 11REFLECTIONS” Issue 4 published ...€¦ · Happy Birthday Wishes to our...

Table of Contents:

Crystal Clear

Reflections….………………1

President’s Message…..…. .1

Allen’s

Corner…….....…………….2

Stump The Experts….,,, 2-3

Announcements……,…,,.4-5

Birthday Wishes…….……. 6

Committee News ……...7-14

Calendar of Events….,-15-16

The Master Gardener

program of the Arkansas

Cooperative Extension Service

is open to all eligible persons

regardless of race, color,

national origin, religion,

gender, age, disability, marital

or veteran status, or any other

legally protected status and is

an Equal Opportunity

Employer.

Volume 11 Issue 4

published first week

April 2013

Published 1st

week of Nov. - 2011

“CRYSTAL CLEAR REFLECTIONS”

Welcome to our 32 new Master Gardener interns. I had the

pleasure of meeting each of you as Allen and Lin conducted your initial

interviews. I found my zeal for gardening, and our MG group was renewed as I

listened to each of you. A common theme emerged, and that was your excitement

and enthusiasm to join and become one of us. I hope we meet your expectations.

I am so grateful, and I know Lin is too, for our 24 seasoned members who

volunteered to become your mentors. Please heed their sage advice as they help

guide you through your maiden year. I look forward to visiting with each of you

as we work with our various projects this coming year.

Ken

April Showers Bring May Flowers

“April showers bring May flowers.” We’ve all heard this rhyme at some point,

usually having been taught it at an early age by our parents or teachers. It’s a

popular thing to say and hear around the springtime, but one thing you might

not know is where the rhyme originated from. It can be traced back to the mid

1500s, although earlier use of “April showers bring May flowers” may have

existed.

In 1557 a gentleman by the name of Thomas Tusser compiled a collection of

writings he called A Hundred Good Points of Husbandry. In the April

Husbandry section he wrote:

Sweet April showers Do spring May flowers

As you can see, the rhyme was originally a short poem. There is meaning behind

the words, as well. “April showers bring May flowers” is a reminder that even

the most unpleasant of things, in this case the heavy rains of April, can bring

about very enjoyable things indeed – in this case, an abundance of flowers in

May. “April showers bring May flowers” is a lesson in patience, and one that

remains valid to this day. www.feelingsandflowers.com

NOTES FROM THE PRESIDENT

Newsletter of the Garland

County Master Gardeners

The Forsythia and Bradford pear are in full bloom letting us know spring has arrived, but don't put

your coat away yet. Remember our last average frost is around the 10th of April. Our first Intern spent last Monday

in the office and was a great help to me while I prepared a presentation I was giving the next day. Hope all our

Interns will get the opportunity to sign up and see all that is available through the Extension office. I would like to

recognize Lin Johnson for the great job she did as our President. She worked very hard and spent many hours

keeping us all informed and promoting our organization. Thank you Lin!! I am also looking forward to working with

our new President, Ken Johnson this next year. All of you be sure and get the word out about our plant sale scheduled

for April 27th, and also get out enjoy Spring.

Allen Bates

CEA Agriculture

236 Woodbine

Hot Springs, AR

71901

501/623-6841 – O

501/622-7486 – C

[email protected]

Question 1 – I am sure most of you know what this plant in my backyard is. But do you know how it has survived in all

of the cold, snowy and icy weather we have experienced here in HS? The plant is semi tropical and would seem to need

a warm climate to grow and live. Please advise. Mary Ann Schnipper

ALLEN’S CORNER

STUMP THE EXPERTS

STUMP THE EXPERTS - CONTINUED

Answer 1: I think this is a eucalyptus. One reason your plant is doing so well is the thick layer of mulch.

The mulch helps to keep our soil from freezing, which might cause death to this plant. Keep the mulch thick and

mound leaves around the base in the fall. If you have die back, prune lightly and the plant should send out new

growth. Richard and Judy Nelson have 3 or 4 eucalyptus that are over 10 feet tall and just as wide. I'll see if they

will send you a picture. Marilyn Parks

Answer 2: This Eucalyptus plant must be in a sheltered area. Looks well mulched. The snow probably kept it well

insulated. There are some that are a little more freeze tolerant then others, but I don’t think for a long period of time

Heidi Haskins

Answer 3: It looks like a privet seedling to me from the Ligustrum Family. At least that is what I pull in my yard

because I don't want them. Ruth

Answer 4: It could be a eucalyptus; if so, they can overwinter here. It helps if they are mulched & somewhat

protected. Yvonne

Answer 4: Looks like privet hedge a bit. If the leaves were bigger It might be eucalyptus, but I really don't know.

Chappy

SCORE CARD TO DATE

Experts Master Gardeners

3 1

DONT FORGET

We are always looking for photographs

and/or questions to be submitted for our

“Stump the Experts” column. If you

submit a photo, please give any available

info. Please send direct to

[email protected] – subject “STE”

mailto:[email protected]

SCHEDULE FOR LIBRARY CLASSES 2013

April 3 11:30 a.m. Wed Exterior Gardening Decorating

Apr 13 10-12am Sat Pioneer days/National

gardening month (children)

May 23 11:30-1:30pm Th Companion Planting

Aug 13 11:30-1:30pm T Good bugs/Bad bugs

Sept 26 11:30-1:30pm Th Decorative things in the

Garden

Nov 12 11:30-1:30pm T Hanging baskets

Contact the library for reservations 623-4161. Or

922/4483

“Hunt and Find”

MARCH NL WINNER

Charlotte Anthony

Runner Up “finders” Helen Mosley,

Valerie Nuckels

Our NEW object for April

As soon as you locate the item, send an

email to [email protected] identifying

the location. The first correct response

will be our winner!!

WISH LIST/TRADING CORNER

This is a new column in the newsletter for

what you need or do not need anymore!! It

is a way to share plants, seeds, items, or get

information regarding gardening needs.

FREE ITEM:

One wheel-barrow to GIVE away. It is a

one owner model, low miles, and runs great

with MAN power control. Contact Gaye

Harper @ (501) 262-5243

Wish List

Would like "starts" for a fast-growing,

evergreen, part shade, easy care shrub that will

be used to soften (literally to hide) a

neighboring shed. Contact : Linda Doherty

767-4720

Need Moneywort, lime green, to be used at

Garvan Woodland Gardens. Contact Linda

Doherty 767-4720

If you have an item to give away or need

information, send your information to

Carolyn Davis and mark subject line as

Wish List. If you have a photo you want to

include be sure to send as an attachment in

jpeg format.

Send to [email protected]

ANNOUNCEMENTS


ANNOUNCEMENTS

COUNTY FAIR

Spring planting time is near, so this is your

reminder to plant something for entry at the County

Fair in September. The Best of Show in potted

plants for the last few years has been mixed

plantings.

The categories for competition are:

Potted plants-single variety

Potted plants-mixed varieties

Hanging plants

Fresh floral arrangements

Dried floral arrangements

Individual cut flowers

Small vegetables (such as tomatoes, peas, peppers,

okra)

Medium vegetables (such as cucumbers, corn,

eggplant, squash)

Large vegetables (such as cantaloupe, pumpkin,

watermelon)

Dried seeds

Fresh herbs

Nuts

Eggs

Hope to see your successes at the Fair.

Hot Spring County Master Gardener

Plant Sale

8:30 am – 12:00 pm

April 20th, 2013

Hot Spring County Fairgrounds – Malvern, AR

Directions to the HSC Fairgrounds building: From I-30, take Exit 98A towards Malvern. Go about one mile

along MLK Boulevard and take a left at the second traffic light to the Fairgrounds (next to Cotija Mexican

Restaurant.)

From Hot Springs: Take Malvern Avenue, (270 East). After crossing I-30, go about one mile along MLK

Boulevard, take a left at the second traffic light to the Fairgrounds as above.

TRY IT - IT WORKS!!!!

I saw this on Pinterest and tried it. My

lettuce always gets old before I can use it.

BUT……this WORKS. One week later my

lettuce was as fresh as when I put in a

GLASS JAR (mason jar with lid). Thought

I would share. Carolyn

Happy Birthday Wishes to our April

GCMG – from “the gang”

Sue Bristow April 4th Sandy Adams April 23rd

Gene Lichliter April 6th Jean Fisher April 23rd

Jack Larsen April 7th Bob Draper April 24th

April Gill April 10th Ann Hooper April 27th

Sharron Bennett April 11th Barbara Krone April 27th

Sallye Waddell April 16th Joy Bennett April 28th

Denise Steinhaus April 18th Carolyn Sinderson April 29th

Susan Marinick April 21st

Committee News

EXTENSION OFFICE LANDSCAPING COMMITTEE

The Extension Office landscape committee is in the process of cleaning the beds and getting them ready for spring

planting.

Jim Moore Jr., Chair.

ENTERGY PARK

Considering we have entered the time of year when weather is highly unpredictable, we had a wonderful turnout for

the monthly visit to Entergy Park. Today we were able to slap a lick-and-a-promise on the large flower bed at the

round-about and devote much needed attention to the park entrance. Last fall and winter leaves were removed along

with cutting back winter damaged flowers and shrubs.

Much appreciation goes to these team members:

From the left we have Daryl Edwards, Tom Both, Don Turner, Mary Ann Schnipper, Caroline Suggs, John King,

Michael Carr, Sharon Seals, & James Moore, Jr. Not shown is our photographer Janie Turner

Wayne Patterson, Chair

COMO SQUARE – MOCA COMMITTEE

The COMO-MOCA committee met recently on a cold Tuesday to spruce up the areas. Four MGs: Karin

Grisham, Laura Young, Suzy Both and Mary Ann Schnipper pulled huge weeds, trimmed and generally

cleaned up the COMO area. Then we went to MOCA to trim and thin the lilies there. Later we went to

Mary Ann’s house to pot the lilies we had removed for the Spring Plant sale. We look forward to April

when we will pull up the pansies and replace them with Spring plants. We hope to have many more

workers on that day. Mary Ann Schnipper, Chair

COMMITTEE NEWS - continued

GEMS

(Garden Essential Maintenance Support)

GEMS had a tough February - Mother Nature 2 - GEMS 0. Cold and/or rain kept us away from the Garden and did

not do much for the plants either, many have been very slow to bloom. March 12 finally found us back at the Garden

on a cold, sunny morning doing the manicuring and detailing in the Celebration Garden and the Train Garden. They

sure needed the attention, and now are ready for the spring influx of visitors. The daffodils have been slow to bloom,

and quite possibly Daffodil Hill may need a major renovation due to overcrowding. Tulips should be at peak or

beyond by the time this newsletter is posted. Azaleas will be the next headline act for April - so stop in early and

often to see all the wonderful color. After finishing our work, we enjoyed a walk in the garden and seeing the flowers

and checking the progress on the Garden Club Garden. Many thanks to the dedicated crew who show up to work on

our GEMS days! Anybody who can not work our Tuesday work days can work wih the crew anytime - call or e-mail

Linda Doherty.

HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE XERISCAPE

Xeriscape Hot Springs Village continues to meet on the first Thursday and third Monday of each month. We have a

new assistant, Sharon Fickes, who sends out reminder e-mails for each work session, and is also our liason for POA

pick-up. We are hoping the new Village interns will be interested in helping at the Cortez Pavillion, which is located

just around the corner from Debra's Restaurant on Carmona Road. This is a" beautiful" 40 year old garden that

continues to need our TLC with trimming, clipping, pruning, and weeding. Mary Ann Jarvis, Chair

Recognize Anyone?????

Pictured L to R , Ann Salisbury, David Hayes, Elizabeth McAnally,

Tom Salisbury, James Moore Jr., Martha Dooley, Linda Doherty

McAnally, Tom Salisbury, James Moore Jr., Martha Dooley, Linda

Doherty


COMMUNITY EDUCATION

The Community Education Committee held its second Brown Bag Lunch Class on Tuesday March 12th. The

topic for this class was "Vertical Gardening - Growing UP". With over 8 different ideas, the committee members

built their favorite displays, with hands- on stations for those in attendance. They could then see how the projects

were made, and what tools and skills were required. Each committee member provided printed instructions

on "how to build" their demos. Several of the projects were raffled off to the 70+ guests in attendance.

The "Ask A Master Gardener Booth" will begin our year by setting up at the Garland County Master

Gardener Spring Plant Sale. Committee members will be on hand to distribute soil sample kits, and assist visitors

with information about all aspects of gardening. Stop in and see us on Saturday, April 27th, 8am to noon, at the Hot

Springs Farmer's Market.

Spring Plant Sale: Things are really moving along and the plants are growing like WEEDS at F.L. greenhouse !

We have annuals that are flowering, hanging baskets needing pruning, and herbs galore !!!! We are now starting the

fun part, putting together kitchen herb planters and window boxes filled with beautiful plants. Come by and show us

your creative gardening talents.

Over at the L.H. greenhouse, the basket crew is still working hard and making dozens of beautiful hanging

baskets and several other special items for the sale. A big thank you to all the interns that have come out and jumped

in with both feet, what a great group you are. Diane Daniel, Chair Photos by Nelson & Kay Ford

Committee News - continued

COURT HOUSE/POLICE MEMORIAL

The March meeting of the Court House/ Police Memorial Crew was under sunny skies. Weeding and some trimming

were done with the able and cheerful group of Linda Doherty, Sunshine Spielvogle, Charlotte Anthony, Shirley Williams,

Barbara Smith, Wayne Patterson, Michael Carr, Anne Fulbright, Chuck Lang, and Kay Skoog.

The pansies are looking really good and next month they will be replaced by lantana for the spring and summer color.

The Committee meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 8:30a.m. ALL are invited and welcomed to join us.

Happy Spring! Michael and Kay

CITY GREENHOUSE COMMITTEE

The Garland County Master Gardeners met at the City Greenhouse to start the preparations for the hanging baskets

that are downtown. Every year the baskets are planted with multicolored petunias. The Master Gardeners have been

helping plant the baskets for several years now. Over 120 baskets are planted in case replacements are needed. The

Gardeners helping today were Lin Johnson, Ross Sedler, Sunshine Spielvogle, Henryetta Martin, Janie and Don Turner,

Bev Merritt, Mary Ann Schnipper, Laurie Young, Claudette Cooper, Becky Pawelczak, Les Huston, Kay Caldwell, Rick

Channey, Denise Steinhaus, Helen Mosley, Katie Gibson, Kay Shearer, Daryl Edwards, Sue Bristow, Barbara Smith,

Jane Oliver, Sue Tanner, Kay Skoog, Michael Carr, Charlotte Anthony, and Karin Grisham.

Michael, Lin, and Gene

Photographer – Gaye Harper


YOUTH GARDENING COMMITTEES

FOUNTAIN LAKE SCHOOL

In March, Marilyn Parks talked to the Fountain Lake High School greenhouse management class about organic

gardening and then spent some time with the students in the greenhouse. Transplanting seedlings was one of

several topics covered.

Also, this month, five classes of Fountain Lake Elementary third graders walked over to the greenhouse to plant

marigold seeds in pots for upcoming Mother’s Day gifts. Marilyn Parks provided the instructions and

also informed them about what is growing in the greenhouse. She was assisted by eight Master Gardeners. The

students seemed to enjoy this, but the highlight for most of them was probably when the sprinklers were turned on

and they got to run through the water.

HOT SPRINGS INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL

No reports received for March.

Photos by Madalyn Harris

:

Cards were sent to the following members for recent reports of illness, surgery, and family deaths:

Josh Wright (death of father) Floy Montgomery (surgery) Judy Nelson (fall)

Dianne Hardin (surgery) Marilyn Olson (family illness) Jane Oliver (death of brother)

Helen Majestic (ruptured appendix) Peggy Johnson (husband had heart attack in AZ cannot be moved)

Please be sure to notify Ken Johnson and Julie Dickson if a member is sick, has undergone surgery or has had a death

in their family so that MG’s can send them a card.

Thanks for helping us with this.

CARDS SENT THIS MONTH


LAKE HAMILTON SCHOOL

The Lake Hamilton Youth Committee met at the Lake Hamilton High School Greenhouse to clean, divide,

and re-pot various plants. More work was done on the hanging baskets and other plants to ready them for

the plant sale. The greenhouse was cleaned and then plants were watered, fertilized, and sprayed for

insects as needed. Sue Finley & Barb Smith

(no photo provided)

Garden Therapy at The Caring Place

We had a great time assisting the seniors with decorative wreaths for Spring. We used grapevine wreaths and

dried botanicals such as eucalyptus, wheat tops, and raffia to brighten up their lives at home. The seniors always

take their projects with them as they leave at the end of the day's program. The staff of The Caring Place always

thanks us for our work with the seniors--a very rewarding experience each time! Rita Monsen, Chair


HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

In keeping with Habitat for Humanity's vision of "A world where everyone has a decent place to live", Master

Gardeners have, once again, helped make new homeowners' dreams come true. On Friday, March 1st, eighteen

Master Gardeners and friends completed the final touches by planting beautiful plants in flower beds for two

homes on Highland Street. This completed the landscape of the entire block of homes on this street built by

Habitat.The dedication was held Saturday, March 2nd.

Thanks to all the Master Gardeners and friends who have helped beautify another area of the city.We are grateful

for each one of you and we look forward to your continued support as we move on to other areas that need

beautification.

Gene Lichliter, Chairman & Evelyn M Worsham, Assistant Chairman

FALL PLANT SALE

The MG location at the fairgrounds Arts and Craft Fair has been paid for, and we are looking

forward to another fabulous sale. The Fair will be held the first full weekend in October.

Further information will be provided as the time gets closer.

Hilde Simmons, Chair

TRIANGLE/FARMERS MARKET/GREENHOUSE COMMITTEE

After missing two months, we had a lot of weeds to clean up. We had a great crew, including two new interns, and we

finished all the beds at Farmer's Market. We then went to the Triangle and cleaned all the beds there. If you get a

chance, go look at both projects and see the beautiful beds. Our great crew included: Chuck Lang, Lin Johnson,

Henryetta Martin, Mary Ann Schnipper, Michael Carr, Kay Skoog, Sunshine Spielvogle, Katie Gibson, Kay

Caldwell and Sallye Waddell.

We meet every 3rd Wed. and would love for anyone to come join our fun group.

Lin, Michael and Gene

Left to right: Mary Ann Schnipper, Chuck Lang, Michael Carr,

Sunshine Spielvogle, Henryetta Martin, Kay Caldwell, not shown, Kay Skoog,

Katie Gibson, Sallye Waddell. Lin Johnson photographer.

ATTENTION COMMITTEE CHAIRS/CO-CHAIRS

It has been brought to our attention that there is some confusion as to where information is to be sent. If

you are sending in a COMMITTEE ARTICLE AND PHOTO OF YOUR COMMITTEE – send to Rita

Monsen at [email protected]. Photos must be sent as a separate attachment in jpeg format for the

newspaper to accept. You will send announcements for NL information page to Rita. Information

regarding Stump the Experts and Hunt and Find are listed in the newsletter.

If anyone is sending a “special or feature article (not relating to our committees) and/or photos that do not

accompany committee reports, these are sent to Patty Stranahan @ [email protected].

If you have any questions regarding this, contact Carolyn Davis @ [email protected].

The Newsletter Committee




Day, Date &

Time

LOCATION OF EVENT

April 3 Wed.

11:30am

Brown Bag: Exterior Garden Decorating - Fun Things in the Garden with Aileen

Petsoldt Garland County Library call 623-4161 for reservations. April 6 Sat.

Saline plant sale. Saline County Plant Sale Benton Fairgrounds, be there by 7:30 to get a good place in

line, Doors open at 8. April 13 Sat. 10-

Apr. 13 Sat. The Hot Springs Daylily Society : Meeting 10a.m. at the 1st Methodist Christian Life

Center in Hot Springs, 218 Pratt Street, at Pratt and Grand Avenue

Apr. 13 Sat.

10-12 (children

Brown Bag: Pioneer Kids and their Gardens - Hands On for Ages: Celebrating

National gardening month Garland County Library call 623-4161 for reservations..

Apr. 16 Tues Deadline to register for MG Conference in Rogers, AR.

April 18 Thurs. -

GCMG meeting

GCMG meeting Elk’s Club-lunch served 11:15-12:30 (no lunch served after then)

Program 1:00 pm Awards and Plant Sale plans.

April 20 Sat

8:30-noon

Hot Springs County Master Gardener Plant Sale at the fairgrounds in Malvern., locally

grown shrubs, flowering plants, annuals, perennials, bulbs, rhizomes, vegetables, herbs,

etc. Prices starting at $.50 for more information call 501 332-5267

April 22 Mon

9:30 – 12:00

GWG Gardening 101 "Basic Elements and Keys to Garden Design" Bob Byers The

cost is free to GWG members; regular Gardens admission for non-members. Pre-

registration is required. Call 501.262.9300/800.366.4664 to register. Space is limited

April 26 Fri

Set-up

We will be moving plants from the FL & LH greenhouses and setting up for the plant

sale at the Hot Springs Farmer’s Market.

April 27 Sat

GCMG plant

sale

GCMG Spring Plant Sale at the Farmer’s Market. The Ouachita Hosta and Shade

Plant Society and The Hot Springs Daylily Society will be joining us.

April 30 Tues

9:30 – 12:00

GWG Gardening 101, "Irises" Karen Johnson Cost is free to GWG members; Regular Garden admission for non-members. Pre-registration is required. Call 501-262-9300/800-366-4664 to register. Space is limited.

May 11, Sat.

10-12

The Hot Springs Daylily Society will meet at the 1st Methodist Christian Life Center in

Hot Springs, 218 Pratt Street, at Pratt and Grand Avenue. Program

May 16-18, 2013

Thurs. – Sat.

State MG Conference, Rogers, AR

May 23, Thurs.

11:30 – 1:30pm

Brown Bag: Companion Garden Planting –the Buddy System at Garland County

Library call 623-4161 for reservations.

May 30, Thurs.

9:30- 3:00

Janet Carson/Bob Byers: "Perennials" The cost to participate in the workshop is $35

for GWG members and $45 for non-members. Advance reservations and pre-payment

are required. Please call the Gardens at 501.262.9300/800.366.4664 to register. Space is

limited

Aug. 13, Tues.

11:30-1:30 pm

Brown Bag: Good bugs/Bad bugs Knowing the Difference For Healthy Gardening

Garland County Library call 623-4161 for reservations

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Sept. 7-14

Sat.-Sat. International MG Conference, Alaska (Registration open).

Sept. 23-24

Mon.-Tues

Master Gardener Appreciation Day at GWG coupled with MG Leadership here in

Hot Springs.

Sept. 26 Thurs.

11:30-1:30 pm

Brown Bag (Decorative things in the garden) Garland County Library call 623-4161

for reservations.

Oct. 14, 2013

Master Gardener 25th

Anniversary Party (save the date)

Nov 12

11:30 – 1:30pm

Brown Bag (Hanging baskets) Garland County Library call 623-4161 for

reservations

GOLD STAR to Habitat– 1st article submitted for NL

SILVER STAR to Entergy Park – 2nd

article submitted for NL

BRONZE STAR to GEMS & Court House/Police Memorail– 3rd

article submitted

for NL

If you have additions for this list please

submit them to: [email protected]

CALENDAR OF EVENTS - continued

“CRYSTAL CLEAR Volume 11REFLECTIONS” Issue 4 published ...€¦ · Happy Birthday Wishes to our...

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Transcript of “CRYSTAL CLEAR Volume 11REFLECTIONS” Issue 4 published ...€¦ · Happy Birthday Wishes to our...