Master Gardener Program
Extension News
Thanks for a GREAT Spring Garden Expo!
This year’s Spring Garden Expo was outstanding! Despite challenging weather and the downturn in the economy, many enthusiastic gardeners visited this weekend and took home lots of great plants and other garden products. A big thank you to Kathleen Holdash, Dave Rusk, and the entire Expo planning committee for a job well-done! Events of this scale don’t happen without the help of many hands, so I’d also like to personally thank each one of you who volunteered at the Expo. You continue to prove what I’ve known for some time – Hall County has the best Master Gardeners in the state! All the best, Billy
Office volunteers needed – We have some half days open for the month of April. Please call Becky if you can fill in. 770-535-8293.
New Lunch and Learn Series - Pat Denote will present “HEALTHY HOUSEPLANTS”! April 15th, 12 – 1 p.m. at the Spouts Springs library. Pat will also present the same topic the following week on April 22 at the Gainesville Library 12-1 p.m.
Garden Walk Ticketsare now available at the Extension Office, The Potting Shed, McMahan's Nursery and Full Bloom Nursery. BUT, our best ticket sellers are YOU!!! We want to reward you for your hard work by announcing our Spring Incentive Sales Program! For every 5 tickets you purchase you will automatically be entered to win a $100.00 gift card from Lowe's. Sales are retroactive, so if you've already purchased 5 tickets you've been entered into the drawing. Tickets will be on sale at our April
21st meeting - just look for the ticket table and the MONEY!
For Sale - 'Bengal Tiger' Canna Lily, perennial; thin bandsof golden yellow & green leaves with orange flowers; blooms all summer;5-6'. $4 each or $10 for 3 plants. Call or email Penny at 770-967-9022, penny6576@bellsouth.net. I can bring them to Apr.21st Meeting for you.
Ron Brechter would like to share his Lavender Bee Balm (Monarda) and Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium) with anyone interested. Please call 281-728-8871 (cell).
The Housing Authority Curb Appeal Projectat the Gainesville Housing Authority is looking for a Master Gardener to design a planting bed (approx. 30’ x 40’). If you are interested, please contact Richard Goforth @ 678-617-0732 or email vgoforth2004@netzero.com.
Date Change!!
Attention – The Gainesville Senior Life Center Workday was changedfrom April 6th to April 18th. Please make a note of the change for their morning work session at 430 Prior Street beginning at 9 am. Cleaning, weeding and raking. Please bring gloves.
HCMG VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
“Gardens on Green”
1. Work Day – Thursday, April 16 10:00 to 1:00
2. Plein air artists will be painting in the Gardens on Friday and Saturday, the 17th and 18th. Please do not plan any work in the Gardens until 4:00 on those two days.
3. JMG Day in the Gardens is scheduled for some schools on April 29 and for others on May 6 from 9:30 to 1:30. JMG’s will rotate through five stations: vegetable gardening, birds and butterflies, nutrition, physical fun, and garden walk. There are leaders for each station, and JMG leaders will be there as well. Some additional assistance is needed. Please contact Mindy Wade at wademelinda@bellsouth.net if you’d like to help. We’ll then make specific assignments.
Garden Walk Volunteer opportunity
The Expo was great, now it is on to the next event. We are getting close to the garden walk and scheduling some work days. We need lots of help. Here are some upcoming work days.
Fran Henry 4014 Lyman Way, Gainesville W 4/15 9:30 am weeding and mulching Call Diane Korzeniewski 770-287-1689, or email korzendb@hotmail.com Directions: Oakwood exit from I0985, e on 53 to Atlanta Hwy/Rt 13. Turn L. Make an almost immediate R at the light onto Poplar Springs Road/Ft 332. Go about 3 miles to Lyman Chase subdivision entrance. (Watch for the entry sign for the Meadow Glen subdivision. Lyman Chase is the next one.) Turn R onto Lyman Way, 4th house on the R. Drive to the top of the driveway.
Refreshments, sweet dog Maggie will supervise work crew. Bring gloved, kneeling pad and rake. Copy Fran if you can make it.
Dave Rusk 5542 Union Church Road, Flowery Branch Sat 4/18 1pm. Contact Lisa Clement lclement@gainesville.org or 678 943-3550 Directions Oakwood exit from *-985, east on 53, Winder Highway 3 miles. Just past Ingles, take R at light onto Union Church Road. Four more miles to 5542 Union Church, on R. Inform attendate at gate you are there to attend the advanced level gardening workshop. Free parking, buggy ride from parking area to gardens 10 cents per ride. That Dave, always a jokester. Take home some iris, daylilies, horse compost. Tools available, bring gloves and kneeling pads. Will have water.
Marguerite Jones 3584 Ridgewood Point, Gainesville. Mon 5/4 Am or Pm, to be determined. Contact Patsy Kilmartin pkilmartin@charter.net, or 678-450-1735.
Bakers needed for Garden Walk! There will be 2 gardens in Garden Walk that will offer delicious homemade cookies (Helen Hyatt and Marguerite Jones). The refreshment committee is seeking bakers to help bake the necessary cookies, which could total as many as 1,000. There will be 2 recipes - Toll House Chocolate Chip and Southern Tea Cookies. Both of these recipes can be baked ahead and frozen until needed, so you can bake several batches if you'd like! More details will follow as we get closer to June, but if you are willing to help please email Connie Hill at
HCMG dues are now $15
You can send them to the extension office to the attention of Lee Lovett. 734 East Crescent Drive, Gainesville, Ga. 30501.
Look for upcoming Rain Barrel classes sponsored by the Gainesville Public Utilities and Hall County Cooperative Extension on Thursday, May 7th, 6:30 pm at the Gainesville Flat Creek Facility. Call the Extension office to register, 770-535-8293.
Seminars at Jaemor Farms
Saturday, April 18th from 12.30 - 3.00 will be a seminar on Vegetable growing.
PLEASE CALL Drew Echols at Jaemor Farms if interested. 770-532-8201.
TO JMG LEADERS…..FREE POTTING SOIL. Contact Lee Lovett if interested in picking up, 770-532-3136.
TUNE IN ON RADIO, newspaper and online with….
Home-Grown with Billy and Kellie
Saturday’s from 10am to 12noon
WDUN NewsTalk 550am
You can still view previous Charter TV episodes online at www.fullbloomnursery.com.
Home & Garden with Billy Skaggs
Friday edition of the Gainesville Times
EXCITING NEWS!!!
Winter, 2010, GMGA Conference:
The HCMG membership has agreed to host the January, 2010, Winter GMGA Conference in Gainesville. Because of this, we will not hold the 2009 Fall Gardening Symposium, but put our efforts towards the Conference.
INTERESTING TIDBITS…..
Colonial Farm
5305 Alexander Lake Road
Stockbridge, GA 30281
770-474-0117
PRIVATE OPEN SALE
OVER 500 VARIETIES OF HOSTAS
April 25th & 26th
May 2nd & 3rd
9:30 to 5:00
FREE HOT DOGS & DRINKS SATURDAY APRIL 26TH AROUND NOON
State inspected for your assurance of quality
Take I-20 East to Wesley Chapel Road, exit right, then left onto Snapfinger Road at first light. (Look for old white church). Around 7 miles you come to Panola Mountain State Park on your left. Pass park, go to next street on left – Alexander Lake Road. Go about ¼ mile to Summer Lane on your left. Summer Lane is a private entrance into Colonial Farm on the right – brick house with 6 white columns.
FOOD PRESERVATION CLASS
Mark your calendar for the upcoming “Food Preservation Update”
on June 17 at the Extension office conference room from 9:00-11:00 a.m. Debbie Wilburn with the Hall County Extension will be offering a free food preservation class on up-to-date resources for canning, freezing, drying, jelly making and pickling. This two hour class will provide you with basic resources as well as information on food preservation brochures, books, websites, online courses and DVD’s. Everyone attending will receive a packet of information. So whether you are a beginner or experience food preserver come join us. You must call the Extension office at 770-535-8290 and register by June 12. Again this class is for your personal use. You are not expected to answer questions on Food Preservation when you volunteer at the Extension office.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS-
April 18 Annual Spring Plant Sale Research & Education Garden UGA Griffin Campus
The Buford Lanier Woman’s Club will hold its 11th annual “TOUR OF HOMES” on Sunday April 26, 2009 from 12:30 until 5:30. This year the tour will feature four outstanding homes and one luxury houseboat, all on the shores of beautiful Lake Lanier.
The TOUR of HOMES allows the Buford Lanier Woman’s Club to raise funds for local, state, and national charities. Last year, the BLWC supported 47 charities, several scholarships, and local gardening and beautificationprojects with the funds they raised. Tickets are $15.00 in advance, $20.00 day of tour and can be purchased at Ticket Retail Locations or from any BLWC member. Visa and Master Card accepted.
