North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina Master Gardener Master Gardener Master Gardener Volunteer Association Volunteer Association Volunteer Association January 18 - Executive Committee meeting, Wake County Office Park, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm. February 15 - NCMGVA Board Meeting, Marriott City Center Hotel, Raleigh, 10:00 pm - 1:00 pm April 1 - Deadline for entries for the 5th annual Madeline Collier Landscape Garden Design Competition to be held at the 2011 Conference. (See details later in this issue.) April 1 - Deadline for nominations for Outstanding Volunteer and Cooperative Extension agent/staff awards. (See details later in this issue.) April 16 - 6 th Annual Spring Herb & Plant Festival, sponsored by the Cabarrus County Master Gardeners. For more information contact Peggy King [email protected]or call 704-920-3310. May 8-11 - 2011 North Carolina Master Gardener Conference, Raleigh, NC. Raleigh Convention Center and Marriott City Center Hotel. More information: www.ncmastergardeners.org or contact Bob Kellam ([email protected]) 919- 231-2827. UPCOMING EVENTS UPCOMING EVENTS In this Issue: Western Regional Draws Record Attendance - Page 1 Odd Christmas Traditions -Page 2 President’s Report - Page 3 Outstanding Volunteer and Coop- erative Extension Awards - Page 3 Landscape Garden Design Com- petition - Page 3 Membership Reminder - Page 4 District Reports - Pages 4-11 Winter 2010 Winter 2010 Winter Sunset, Currituck Sound Winter Sunset, Currituck Sound Western Symposium Draws Western Symposium Draws Record Attendance Record Attendance By Betty Lockwood, Henderson County By Betty Lockwood, Henderson County The 2010 Western Region Master Gardener Symposium was held October 20 at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville. The organizing committee consisted of Master Gardeners and Extension Agents from Henderson and Bun- combe Counties. The North Carolina Arboretum is ideally situated for this event, being close to two major interstate highways, and having ample parking that is provided free to symposium attendees. It also provides the opportunity for people to visit the beautiful gardens following the program. The committee strives to keep costs down, so as to make this event afford- able to as many as possible and yet provide interesting and informative talks and a chance to meet with fellow Master Gardeners from around the area. For the past few years this has been done by relying primarily on local Extension Agents and Master Gardeners whom the committee feels are knowledgeable in their subject and good speakers. This year we were fortunate to have two people join us from Raleigh. Lucy Bradley, the State Master Gardener Coordinator up- dated us on the North Carolina Master Gardener pro- gram, then moderated a panel discussion on Commu- nity Gardening (also featuring Fred Bahnson, a writer and gardener from Brevard; Janet Gardner, Master Gardener from Henderson County; and Tim Mathews, Extension Agent from Haywood County). Lucy also made two presentations on the Intranet program. Bob Kellam, the current NCMGVA president was there to promote the Association and to tell us about the 2011 State Conference. Other topics covered were: Hummingbird and But- terfly Gardens by Clay County MG Carolyn Kreuger; Firewise Landscaping by Buncombe County MG Glenn Palmer; Horticultural Therapy Gardens by Bullington Center Director John Murphy; Native Alternatives to Exotic Invasives by Buncombe County MG Deb- bie Green; and Cooking with Herbs – Planting, Harvesting and Enjoying the Rewards by Buncombe County MG Donna McCrain. Major expenses for the Symposium included catering and the printing of registration fliers, programs and speaker handouts. This year, for the first time we were delighted to be sponsored by the NCMGVA. This sponsorship allowed us to make an effort to get word of the Symposium out to each and every one of the 750+ Master Gardeners in our region. Our total attendance, counting Extension Agents and speakers, was 117. We charged $30 per person, with a $5 discount for NCMGVA members. The regis- tration form also gave an opportunity to join the NCMGVA when registering, Helping North Carolina Grow Helping North Carolina Grow Helping North Carolina Grow Lucy Bradley, NCSU, State MG Coordinator and featured speaker.
Transcript
North CarolinaNorth CarolinaNorth Carolina Master Gardener Master Gardener Master Gardener Volunteer Association Volunteer Association Volunteer Association
Western Symposium Draws Western Symposium Draws Record AttendanceRecord Attendance By Betty Lockwood, Henderson County By Betty Lockwood, Henderson County
The 2010 Western Region Master Gardener Symposium was held October
20 at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville. The organizing committee
consisted of Master Gardeners and Extension Agents from Henderson and Bun-
combe Counties.
The North Carolina Arboretum is ideally situated for this event, being close
to two major interstate highways, and having ample parking that is provided
free to symposium attendees. It also provides the opportunity for people to visit
the beautiful gardens following the program.
The committee strives to keep costs down, so as to make this event afford-
able to as many as possible and yet provide interesting and informative talks
and a chance to meet with fellow Master Gardeners from around the area. For
the past few years this has been done by relying primarily on local Extension
Agents and Master Gardeners whom the committee feels are knowledgeable in
their subject and good speakers.
This year we were fortunate to have two people join us from Raleigh. Lucy
Bradley, the State Master Gardener Coordinator up-
dated us on the North Carolina Master Gardener pro-
gram, then moderated a panel discussion on Commu-
nity Gardening (also featuring Fred Bahnson, a writer
and gardener from Brevard; Janet Gardner, Master
Gardener from Henderson County; and Tim Mathews,
Extension Agent from Haywood County). Lucy also
made two presentations on the Intranet program. Bob
Kellam, the current NCMGVA president was there to
promote the Association and to tell us about the 2011
State Conference.
Other topics covered were: Hummingbird and But-
terfly Gardens by Clay County MG Carolyn Kreuger;
Firewise Landscaping by Buncombe County MG Glenn
Palmer; Horticultural Therapy Gardens by Bullington Center Director John
Murphy; Native Alternatives to Exotic Invasives by Buncombe County MG Deb-
bie Green; and Cooking with Herbs – Planting, Harvesting and Enjoying the
Rewards by Buncombe County MG Donna McCrain.
Major expenses for the Symposium included catering and the printing of
registration fliers, programs and speaker handouts. This year, for the first time
we were delighted to be sponsored by the NCMGVA. This sponsorship allowed
us to make an effort to get word of the Symposium out to each and every one of
the 750+ Master Gardeners in our region.
Our total attendance, counting Extension Agents and speakers, was 117. We
charged $30 per person, with a $5 discount for NCMGVA members. The regis-
tration form also gave an opportunity to join the NCMGVA when registering,
Helping North Carolina GrowHelping North Carolina GrowHelping North Carolina Grow
Lucy Bradley, NCSU,
State MG Coordinator
and featured speaker.
Newsletter Staff Editor: Bob Kellam Wake County MG Ph: 919-231-2827 [email protected]
Brunswick, Carteret, Craven, Duplin, Greene, Johnston, Jones, Lenoir, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pender, Sampson, Wayne, Wilson
PAGE 2 THE NORTH CAROLINA MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEER ASSOCIATION
Odd Traditions of ChristmasOdd Traditions of Christmas By Hughen Nourse, Wake CountyBy Hughen Nourse, Wake County
The recent rains have brought forth a flush of mushrooms and toadstools provid-
ing their unique reminder to me to write about some of the strange legends associated
with Christmas. Do you know why Santa Claus comes down the chimney? Do you
know why reindeer fly? Draw up your comfy chairs to the fireplace, dear readers, and
I shall astonish you with my stories.
Let us begin with that colorful fungus or
toadstool named Fly Agaric, whose botanic name
is Amanita muscaria. The Amanita muscaria is
very handsomely dressed in scarlet trimmed with
white. Does that remind you of anyone? The
common name derives from its use as a fly poi-
son. During the nineteenth century, pieces of the
toadstool were floated in shallow saucers of milk,
so the milk would extract some of the alkaloids.
When flies gathered on the saucer to sip the
milk, they became so intoxicated that they suc-
cumbed to the alkaloids.
The indigenous people of Lapland, the Sami,
are herders of reindeer, or caribou as we call
them in America. While reindeer normally graze
on grass and lichens, they have a fondness for
eating the Amanita muscaria, because of its intoxicating and euphoric effects. Inter-
estingly the reindeer successfully metabolize the poisonous alkaloids in their digestive
systems but excrete the hallucinatory components undigested in their urine. Drinking
the urine gives effects similar to taking LSD. When the Sami imbibe a drink contain-
ing the reindeer urine, they hallucinate and see extraordinary sights. It appears to
them that their reindeer are flying above them. The effects don’t stop there. The rein-
deer will in turn feed on the snow containing the urine from the intoxicated humans
and experience another bout of euphoria. And, yes, the cycle can repeat endlessly. It
gives a whole new meaning to the warning never to eat yellow snow.
The Amanita muscaria is also used extensively in Asian countries, such as Sibe-
ria, where the Shamans collect the toadstools for their rituals. First the toadstools are
dried, a process which de-activates the poison, and then they are prepared for con-
sumption. One to three small mushrooms is considered sufficient to induce a coma in
the Shaman. The Shamans found on awakening that their muscular systems had
been so activated that they could perform mighty physical feats with apparently little
effort. At the annual midwinter festivals, the Shamans attempt to share this power
with their fellow countrymen. The men gather in one of the yurts or tents with a cen-
ter smoke-hole and supported by a birch pole, to await the arrival of the Shaman who
descends into the yurt through the smoke-hole and down the birch pole. After the rit-
ual where he administers the potion to the occupants, the Shaman departs by climb-
ing up the birch pole and through the smoke-hole.
An interesting side note is that when the Shaman harvests the Amanita muscaria
in the woods, he wears a special uniform – can you guess? His garb consists of long
black boots and a red coat trimmed with white fur.
One has to wonder how these became part of the traditions of Christmas. Was it
all the work of Major Henry Livingstone, author of the poem “Twas the Night before
Christmas”, who described Santa as coming down the chimney, while dressed in scar-
let and white? Or had some of these ideas been incorporated into Christmas tradi-
tions before the poem was first published in 1823?
Author’s Note: The source of this material was “The Influence of Fly Agaric on the
Iconography of Father Christmas” published by the BBC in December, 2005.
The holiday season is always a special time for Master Gardeners. The plant clin-
ics are winding down for the year, hotline calls have tapered off, and the demonstra-
tion gardens are showing their fall colors. This is the season when we give thanks
for the bounty of our efforts, get together for potlucks, recognize our accomplish-
ments, and start thinking about next year.
From my perspective as an officer of this Association, I’m proud of what we’ve
accomplished this year. We have reached an all time high in our membership with
more than 600 members statewide, up from less than 300 just two years ago. We
have also seen the membership on our Board of Directors grow to more than 60 with
38 counties represented. Our budgets have also grown with 5 years of financially successful state con-
ferences, allowing us to develop new initiatives including our competitive grants program and sup-
port to the regional symposia. And we are continuing to work on issues like the Master Gardener Li-
cense Plate project that will provide funds to help the Master Gardener Endowment, maintained by
the Agricultural Foundation at NC State, reach the level at which funds can be distributed to serve
the Master Gardener program statewide.
Finally, I’m excited about the Association’s principal role in the sponsorship of the 2011 Master
Gardener Conference in Raleigh next May, along with Durham, Johnston, Orange, and Wake Counties
and Cooperative Extension. It’s shaping up to be a great conference with a new venue (downtown Ra-
leigh), great keynote speakers (including Bryce Lane and Rosalind Creasy), and some new features
(online registration, more hands on workshops, and six concurrent session tracks). We hope to open
registration in mid-January, but put it on your calendar now so you won’t forget.
In the meantime, have a great holiday season, enjoy the time with family and friends, browse those
seed catalogs, and dream of next year’s gardens. - Bob
WWW.NCMASTERGARDENERS.ORG PAGE 3
April 1 is the Deadline for Outstanding Volunteer and Extension Staff AwardsApril 1 is the Deadline for Outstanding Volunteer and Extension Staff Awards
Each year at the annual conference, NCMGVA recognizes Master Gardeners who have been nominated by their
peers as Outstanding Volunteers. The Outstanding Volunteer award is intended to recognize those volunteers who have
shown extraordinary involvement in support of the Extension Master Gardener program and Cooperative Extension.
Nominations may be made for a single accomplishment or for a number of years of outstanding contributions.
For 2011 we will also be inviting nominations for a Cooperative Extension Staff Lifetime Achievement Award. The
purpose of the latter award is to recognize those County Directors or Horticultural or Agricultural Agents or Cooperative
Extension staff who have significantly contributed to the success of the Extension Master Gardener program. This
award will generally be given at the end of an individual’s career or as the result of a major change in their situation.
The nomination forms for both awards are posted to the NCMGVA website (www.ncmastergardeners.org) under Organi-
zation/Programs/Awards. Nominations must be received by April 1, 2011 in order to eligible for the 2011 awards. For
more information, contact George Quigley, Chair, Awards Committee, 616 Blawell Circle, Stedman, NC 28391 910-485-
The newsletter staff wishes to thank Alexis Pohlmeyer for her tour as District Reporter for the South Central District. With her departure after this issue, however, we will be short Reporters for both the South Central and Northeast Districts. If you like to write (or edit) and you hail from one of these districts, please consider volunteering, so we don’t lose the news from these counties. If you’re interested, contact the editor ([email protected]) 919-231-2827.
The County Line: West Central District The County Line: West Central District Debbie Moore Clark, District ReporterDebbie Moore Clark, District Reporter
Burke County Burke County - Submitted by Joan Taylor
The Master Gardeners of Burke County continue to be a busy group with efforts to aid the county and their commu-
nities in beautification efforts.
At our July general meeting, Randy James, a 2007 EMG graduate, shared some of his experiences as a beekeeper. A
certified NC beekeeper, Randy discussed various types of bees, habits, and types of honey we have in our area. Two of
our members, Roy Garrett and Dean Wilson, were presented with thank you gifts for their research, supervision and
hard work in getting our new cistern installed to serve the Community Gardens our group built a few years ago. One of
the 25 Community Gardens was not rented this year, so members planted it with vegetables that are being donated to
the soup kitchen at Burke United Christian Ministries. Members also helped with 4-H Gardening Day on July 30, pro-
viding gardening tips and helping with making stepping stones.
On August 17, 2010, the Burke Chapter hosted the board meeting of the NCMGVA with a luncheon of local and gour-
met foods and a tour of our Community Gardens, which reflected positively on our county.
At our August meeting, member Randy Lane, our Web site developer, gave a tour of our site and led a discussion
about it. At the same meeting, it was agreed we would start funding a scholarship for a student studying horticulture at
nearby Western Piedmont Community College.
September started with a covered dish meal and pool party at one member’s home. Advanced Master Gardener
training also began and includes workshops on Integrated Pest Management, plus other topics via computer and hands-
on activities. Members also volunteered to staff the Extension Master Gardener booth at the Historic Morganton Festi-
val on September 11 where we sold our cookbooks and donated magazines and books. Our regular September meeting, a
tour of a nearby nursery, was postponed due to heavy rain.
Catawba CountyCatawba County - Submitted by Peggy Wesp
July 8 the Catawba Valley Master Gardeners met at the home of a member for a summer covered dish party. The
lunch was proceeded by an interesting presentation by David Miller, a horticulturist from Greensboro, on Growing Tropi-
cals in North Carolina. Since the day was exceedingly hot, the topic was most appropriate! We were amazed to learn of
we added a “Potting Shed Sale”, selling used tools, planters, books and other garden-related items. This proved to be a
great success, and brought in welcome additional funds for the Center’s programs.
In early October we held our annual Master Gardener Plant Sale, chaired by Becky Armstrong, at Farm City Day in
Jackson Park. The weather was beautiful and a good time was had by all.
Our Master Your Garden series of talks took place in September and Octo-
ber. Subjects and speakers for this series were: Extending the Growing Season
(Pierre Hart), Fall Lawn Care (Dave Zorich), Houseplant Success (Betty Lock-
wood), Plants for Winter Interest (Cricket Crigler) and Turning Beds in for Win-
ter (Kathy Connors). We are all lucky to have Dave Zorich to coordinate these
presentations, and guide us all through the intricacies of PowerPoint.
On October 20, together with Master Gardeners from Buncombe County, we
hosted the Western Regional Symposium at the North Carolina Arboretum in
Asheville. This is always a popular event for the Master Gardeners in this part
of the state and it was once again a sell-out crowd.
As I write this newsletter, I have just returned from the final event of the
season for the Bountiful Harvest Community Garden – a delicious potluck sup-
per in one of the picnic shelters in Jackson Park. Many thanks to Janet Gardner
for organizing this. It was a chilly evening, but the company was great and we roasted marshmallows around a roaring
fire. The entertainment was provided by a young man from Maine – Aaron Lee – who is riding his bicycle around the
country, quite literally playing his ukulele and singing for his supper. Some of us joined in, though I fear we are better
gardeners than we are singers!
Henderson County Master Gardeners
Janet Gardner, Elaine Monahan, Marion
Donovan and Celeste Mayes enjoy a break
at the Western Regional Symposium"
PAGE 6 THE NORTH CAROLINA MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEER ASSOCIATION
varieties of tropical plants that will survive in protected locations in our Zone 7B climate.
All summer work at Healthy House was carried on by Master Gardeners, which included planting, weeding, and
demonstrating good gardening techniques to the children and their parents who are enrolled in the nutrition program
sponsored by Catawba Regional Hospital. At the end of the summer, fruit trees were added to the garden.
September 9 was the first meeting of the new fiscal year. Peggy Wesp moved up to become President of the Associa-
tion and Dr. Gene Brown become Vice-president. The meeting started off with a surprise birthday celebration honoring
the Extension Services' long time secretary, Nancy Miller, who handles many Master Gardener duties as part of her re-
sponsibilities. The program was presented by a well-known local nurseryman, who showed many slides of new trees and
plants and varieties of old favorites. With the advent of cooler weather, everyone was ready to get their shovels and go
plant something.
Lincoln CountyLincoln County - Submitted by Beverly Phelps
Summer heat did not slow down the membership of the Lincoln County Master Gardener Volunteer Association
(LCMGVA). Even through the intense heat of summer, several LCMGVA members faithfully worked twice-monthly in
the Shanklin Memorial Library Garden in Denver on maintenance and beautification projects. Thanks to these faithful
volunteers, visitors of all ages to the Library Garden have a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a beautifully landscaped
walking path that is inspiring, educational, and offers a cool retreat from the summer’s heat.
Rain Gardens were the hot topic of discussion at our July Meeting, and speaker Robert Carson of the Lincoln County
Planning Department explained the benefits of rain gardens, both institutional-sized and homeowner-sized. Carson
shared how rain gardens reduce pollutants that run off with rain water into our streams and lakes. He followed his pres-
entation with home visits to several members intending to implement rain gardens, and offered site evaluation and
building plans. Several LCMGVA members will be working with Carson as he develops plans for a community demon-
stration rain garden that will educate the public about the importance of such gardens.
In August, Extension Agent Kevin Starr and the LCMGVA leadership team toured
the Lincolnton Library Garden, and formulated a plan for renovating the gar-
den. A work day will be scheduled in November to implement the plan that will
make the garden more accessible to the public and enhance its natural beauty.
September provided two separate opportunities for our members to volunteer. On
September 11, 2010, the LCMGVA staffed an informational booth at the Denver
Farmers Market. We answered general gardening questions and gave out informa-
tion on the Master Gardener training course, the LCMGVA, as well as soil test kits
and Foothills Fresh information. The booth was well received by Farmers Market
customers, and plans are underway for expanding this service to several times a
year.
At the Apple Festival on September 18,
2010, LCMGA volunteers helped in the information booth for the Lincoln County
Extension Office, and with parking for the event. The festival is "THE" event of
the year for Lincoln County, and attendance is upwards of ten thousand visitors,
so our LCMGVA members provided much-needed assistance for this event.
September's program for the LCMGVA was on the Hmong Farmers in Lin-
coln, Catawba and Burke Counties. Extension agent Kevin Starr gave a very
interesting talk about the flowers, edible gourds, yard long beans, rice, and many
other interesting varieties of ethnic produce grown by these farmers. Many of
the farmers sell their produce at local Farmers Markets. We plan to tour one of
the farms next year.
Mecklenburg CountyMecklenburg County - Submitted by Debbie Moore Clark
Work on our two Demonstration Gardens, the first near the Mahlon Adams Pavilion in Freedom Park and the second
at the Armory at Independence Park, continues. Standing work dates have been established for these gardens, as well as
for our continuing work at the Elizabeth Lawrence Garden, now part of Charlotte’s Wing Haven Gardens & Bird Sanctu-
ary.
For the first time, EMGs from Mecklenburg County used use the Freedom Park Demonstration Garden location as
our platform for teaching and answering questions during the 46th Annual Festival in the Park in September 23-26, 2010.
Like any excellent teaching garden, the Freedom Park Demonstration Garden is now fully labeled and plant lists are
The LCMGVA Booth at Denver Farm-
ers Market was a hit on September 11.
A shopper at the Denver Farmers Market
receives useful gardening information.
WWW.NCMASTERGARDENERS.ORG PAGE 7
Davidson County Davidson County - Submitted by Julie Dayvault
Our Master Gardeners were busy this fall with:
• Workshops on Trimmings to Trellis (using cedar) conducted by Master Gardeners Kathy Sill and Paul Sill on
September 2 and Plant Propagation by MG Beth Leonard on October 7.
• MG sponsored booth at the Davidson County Fair, September 20 through September 26, “Be a Locavore.”
• Fall Plant Sale on October 9 in Thomasville.
• Composting & Winterizing the Garden presentation for October Farmer’s Markets in Lexington and Thomas-
ville.
• MG Safaris to the UNCC Botanical Gardens in October and to Mitchell Nursery in November.
• Yard maintenance at the Path of Hope gardens on “Make a Difference Day,” a community based service pro-
ject, on October 23.
Our upcoming scheduled events include:
• Christmas social in December for MGs.
• 2011 MG Class, beginning January 20 through April 28.
• Agriculture by the Slice, April 5 through April 7.
• 2011 Annual Garden Tour, May 21 and May 22.
Durham County Durham County – Submitted by Kit Flynn
The Durham EMGVs have increased dramatically the number of outreach programs offered this year, reaching more
people than ever before. This year, we not only offered six Extension Gardener Seminars at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens
in the Successful Gardening Seminars, we also offered Extension Gardener classes at The Southwest Regional Library in
Durham. We provided a plant information booth at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens on seven different Wednesdays during
The County Line: North Central District The County Line: North Central District Julie Dayvault, District ReporterJulie Dayvault, District Reporter
The Chowan-Perquimans-Gates Master Gardeners began fall with a successful plant sale, the kickoff of this year’s
Junior Master Gardener program, and a field trip to Greenleaf Nursery, a huge wholesale operation in Tarboro. Volun-
teers also represented the group at two new farmer’s markets, in Edenton and Hertford.
The plant sale attracted early birds and steady traffic, raising almost $900. Members potted plants from their own
gardens, solicited donated plants from local retailers, and made cooling neckbands to sell to overheated nature lovers.
Proceeds of the sale support the Junior Master Gardener program, which is in its second year. This year, the par-
ticipants are fourth graders at Hertford Grammar School in Perquimans County. Meeting once or twice a month until
May, the students will enjoy activities to help them learn about soil, water, plant growth, fruits, nuts, vegetables, herbs,
insects, diseases, environmental horticulture and landscape horticulture.
ferent ways they were used by country and city people before modern retail lured us away from using the products of our
own gardens. Enjoy the unfolding details as the Herb Garden volunteers begin to dig and plant!
Moore CountyMoore County - Submitted by Arlene Hantjis (excerpts from the October MGV newsletter)
The garden development phase of The Xeriscape Project has recently been com-
pleted. The first Xeriscape Demonstration Garden was installed in May 2007 at the
Weymouth Center for the Arts and Humanities in Southern Pines, followed by addi-
tional gardens at the Moore County Senior Enrichment Center, the Historic Courthouse
in Carthage, and the Aberdeen Elementary School. All plants are drought tolerant and
low maintenance once established.
Each garden meets the project criteria of being educational
and easily accessible to the public at all times. At the
Weymouth Center, the Senior Enrichment Center, and the
Aberdeen Elementary School, numbered plant lists with
both botanical and common names are attached to signposts, with the numbers correspond-
ing to small numbered signs in the ground near each type of plant. Literature boxes at-
tached to the signposts contain handouts that describe various features of each type of
plant.
The Aberdeen Elementary School garden is also a Certified Wildlife Habitat. A sign
recognizing this certification is posted in the garden.
In September 2009 the MGVs were honored by the Moore County Commissioners for
our work at the Historic Courthouse, and each person received a certificate of recognition.
Additional publicity about the Project has appeared in
The Pilot, in the newsletter of the Senior Enrichment
Center, and on the Aberdeen Elementary School marquee
on Route 1.
In addition to the garden installations, the project coordinator has made 24 presentations
to various groups: garden clubs and other civic groups,
MGV classes, the Greenway Wildlife Habitat Committee
of the Pinehurst Conservation Commission, the Turf and
Ornamental Conference, a class at Sandhills Community
College, and the Tri-County Master Gardener Conference.
We also had a display of photos and live plants at the 2010 Sandhills Community College
Green Summit. In each case, interested persons have requested and received email at-
tachments of lists of drought-tolerant plants and other information about xeriscape gar-
dening.
The County Line: Southeast DistrictThe County Line: Southeast District Carol Wilson, District ReporterCarol Wilson, District Reporter
Brunswick, Carteret, Craven, Duplin, Greene, Johnston, Jones, Lenoir, New Hanover,
Onslow, Pamlico, Pender, Sampson, Wayne, Wilson
PAGE 10 THE NORTH CAROLINA MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEER ASSOCIATION
Brunswick County Brunswick County - Submitted by Carol Wilson
Longtime Volunteer Coordinator, Charlie Spencer, is leaving Brunswick County and moving to Houston, Texas to be
near his family. Taking his place is Tom Woods, a retired Business/Engineering consultant from General Motors. Tom is
a graduate of Central Michigan University and the General Motors Institute. We welcome him and look forward to his
guidance. A replacement for longtime Extension Agent, David Barkley, who retired last Spring is Susan Brown who has
been working in the horticulture industry for fourteen years. Susan is an NCSU graduate and has done interior plant
care, landscaping, estimating, design, sales and production. She also has extensive experience growing roses, perennials
and poinsettias. She is a Raleigh native and has transplanted herself to Brunswick County. Welcome, Susan. Let's grow
together.
Carteret County Carteret County Carteret County - Submitted by Carolyn Hoss
We Carteret County Master Gardeners are working on a project to create plant labels for our plant sales. We want
them to be permanent, legible, inexpensive and include botanical and common names and cultural information. That’s a
tall order and we thought maybe other County MGs have come up with their own solutions to the labeling problem. If so,
let us know! Our idea, this time, is to use slats from old window blinds ( purchased at yard and flea market sales) and
have gummed labels to affix to the blinds. We will start with a data base on the computer that includes some of the com-
mon plants that we almost always have for sale ( such as hydrangeas, hibiscus and salvias) and will add plant names as
we progress. Janie Taylor has been heading up this label project and she emphasizes that its a work in progress. Previ-
ously we used paper labels that we put in Ziploc bags and stapled to wooden sticks. The problem with these was that
eventually water leaked in from rains and watering and the labels soon became illegible. Since we have our plant sales
from April through May and keep any extra plants through the year, we need something that will last.
Our demonstration gardens made it through this very hot and dry summer with little permanent damage, but look-
ing a bit ragged. September brought slightly cooler temperatures and plenty of rain, so things have perked up a bit. The
wetland and bog garden at the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores held a native plant sale and information table jointly
with the staff at the Aquarium. The MGs discussed the characteristics of the insectivorous plants in the new bog garden
display; these plants derive additional nutrients from catching insects since they generally live in the nutrient poor soils
of the pocosin. The wetland garden at the Aquarium is thriving under the leadership of MGs Jeannie Kraus and Robert
Moore with many others helping to maintain the garden.
At the other end of Carteret County, the Core Sound Heritage and Waterfowl Museum gardens on Harkers Island,
led by Carolyn Hoss and Jane Wolff, came through the heat of summer relatively unscathed. The MGs held a composting
workshop in September at the Museum. Featured was a discussion about the nutritional value of the composted materi-
als by Dianne Farrer, Agronomist for the NC Dept. of Agriculture, and a demonstration of how to build a 3 bin system by
MG Frank Roberts. The wonderful bins that he constructed on the grounds for the use of the Museum are pictured be-
low. Also on hand, were 2 worm composting bins and a discussion of how to maintain these bins and the use of the very
rich materials resulting from the work of the worms. The Master Gardeners also manned an information table at the
Museum’s Community Day which took place at the end of October.
Meanwhile, the 4 Master Gardener projects on the Beaufort Historical
Grounds in Beaufort are making plans for the future. The Herb Garden, led
by Celine Lauer, and the Propagation tables, led by Carol Zmirak, will be re-
searching and working toward featuring plants that are historically accurate
for the periods represented on the Historical Grounds. The Colonial Garden,
led by Linda Holleman and Chris Heaton, have been featuring plants from the
Colonial times and have put in seeds for the fall and winter gardens. The
compost bins on the grounds, again led by Frank Roberts, have been supply-
ing all of our demonstration gardens with rich materials to feed our soils. The
propagation team, have created an area in which to store and propagate our
plants for our sales in April and May and have planted various kinds of hy-
drangeas on the grounds to supply cuttings for future sales.
Carol reports that these hydrangeas and the Turk’s Cap Mallows have been The compost bin team: Dick Knowles (right), Frank Roberts (center) and Don Hoss (left)
PAGE 11 THE NORTH CAROLINA MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEER ASSOCIATION
among the biggest sellers and quite a few fig trees, propagated from the old fig tree on the grounds, have been popular
too.
Pender County Pender County Pender County - Submitted by Gerry Mihoulides
The end of the year is the time to wind down with gardening chores and give thanks for the successful harvest. I've
been thinking about the accomplishments of our Pender gardeners. What a dynamic and diversified group!
Volunteer recognition will be the celebration at our November meeting that includes a catered luncheon, a nice way
to thank the Master Gardeners who have contributed so much to our ever-expanding organization. After the October
12th meeting, held at the New Hanover Arboretum, Al Hight led us on a tour of the facility. It is obvious that a lot of
hard work is being done by the staff and volunteers to improve the appearance of the gardens. There are plans for major
overhaul of the Japanese gardens and the stream bed as well.
The Fourth Annual "home-grown" plant sale was finally held on October 13, chaired by Cheryll Shuford. Originally,
we were rained out by that continuous downpour that seemed to go on forever in southeast North Carolina in late Sep-
tember. The sun shone brightly and it was a successful and satisfying event.
The School Outreach program continues to flourish under the capable hands of Jan Kinney and Cheryll Shuford.
This program is becoming so successful thanks to the hard work and dedication of these two ladies and their assistants.
The demand for the classes is now exceeding our capabilities. Some of the teachers are now on a wait-list. New Hanover
Master Gardeners have approached Pender for guidance in setting up their own School Outreach Program.
Cookbooks are on the way! Diligent work by LeAnn Baker and Debby Shackelford has made this happen. Books will
be available at the Spring Plant Sale and the Blueberry Festival next year. Other proposed sales locations include the
monthly Farmer's Market Poplar Grove MG booth.
The current Master Gardener training is finished as of October 28, 2010. 21 new graduates will be joining our ranks
thanks to Charlotte Glen.
The annual "Making of the Greens", followed by a covered-dish luncheon will take place in December. Distribution is
to area meals-on-wheels participants, local hospitals and nursing homes. Close to 300 people are the recipients of these
little arrangements that brighten up their food trays.
Last but not least, think Spring. Our annual Spring Plant Sale will be April 15-16, 2011.
Wayne County Wayne County Wayne County - Submitted by Joan Brindley
2010 has been a busy year for the WCMGVs. With all the hard work from our great group of volunteers we saw the
installation of several gardens and the certification of 14 children in the Jr. Master Gardener Program. Way to go kids! II
Also, preparations are underway for Wayne County Fair being held Sept. 30 - Oct. 09, and the gardens there this year
will include a fall vegetable garden, herb garden, Japanese garden, perennial
flower garden and a tropical garden. Come by and visit the wonderful gardens
during our fair. There will be a little something for everyone!
Our new gardens this year include a wonderful vegetable garden planted and
maintained along with the Goldsboro Public library and the Center for Environ-
mental Farming Systems. This garden also provided hands-on training for the Jr.
Master Gardeners (ages 8-11) who completed the 9-wk. program. Another garden
installed in a once-desolate unused park
that is seeing great revitalization is the
Stoney Creek Park Butterfly Garden. This
garden was planted in collaboration with
Goldsboro Parks and Recreation and main-
tained by them as well as our Master Gar-
dener Volunteers. This beautiful garden
boasts numerous perennials and annual nectar plants as well as butterfly host
plants. It adds a great splash of color to the park! Come by and check it out!! The
Wayne School of Engineering saw the addition of plants and herbs to their vegeta-
ble garden beds donated by the WCMGA and the Plum Tree Market Place Pollina-
tor Garden was planted in two 8 x 10 beds at the site of a new farmer's market in
downtown Goldsboro in order to provide the public with information on the bene-
fits of using native plants for pollinator conservation.
All in all, a busy year for our knowledgeable and hard-working group of vol-
unteers. The next time in you're in our neck of the woods, come by and visit one
or all of the wonderful gardens!
Wayne County’s Jr. Master Gardeners
The butterfly garden crew: front, from left: Joan Brindley, Vanessa Woodlock, Karen Blaedow; back: Heather Tavares, Brenda Wilkens, Tim Martin, Ken Dunn
WWW.NCMASTERGARDENERS.ORG PAGE 12
the NCMGVA Newsletter c/o 731 N. Rogers Lane Raleigh, NC 27610
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