2007 NCMGV Conference Fall 2007 October 8-10, 2007 Raleigh, North Carolina

Master Gardeners and new trainees will gather in Raleigh from across the state for three days of networking, dynamic training, nationally known speakers, seminars, garden tours and fun.

Monday, October 8th – Optional bus trips to public/private gar- dens in Wake County, Orange/Durham County or half day NC State University campus tours to visit the Horticultural Science Green houses, Soil Testing Lab, NC Wildlife Commission, etc. Space is limited and filling very fast. An evening Reception/Pig Pickin’ will be held at the JC Raulston Arboretum.

Tuesday, October 9th – Bryce Lane, Pam Beck, Tony Avent and other plant professionals will share their views on everything from “British Gardens” to “Tough Plants for Tough Times”. Learn the truth about home garden remedies. During breaks, browse the book sales and signings, trade show vendors and silent auction items.

Wednesday, October 10th – Sign up for five of your favorite sessions given by popular professors and professionals. Topics range from rain gardens, vermicomposting, turfgrass, making good soil, plant names, groundcovers, wildlife management and more. After the conference you are invited to an Open House at Plant Delights Nursery and Juniper Level Botanical Garden.

Registration: The reduced rate of $115 for the entire conference is in effect until September 1. One & two day options are available as well.

Additional information and the registration form for the Master Gar- dener conference can be found online at www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/ consumer/masgar/conference.html

Ten More Reasons to Attend Free, daily Continental breakfast available in NCMGVA Hospitality Suite in Holiday Inn Brownstone Hotel Free copies of garden magazines: Fine Gardening, American Horticulture, Success- ful Gardener and free catalogues form numerous companies. Optional bus tours take you into gardens and venues not always open to the Public. Networking with fellow Master Gardeners from all over the State is priceless Free plants from Proven Winners, garden planter from Classy Groundcovers and discounts on future purchases from several companies. Win door prizes and purchase silent auction items Buy 2008 garden calendars and books signed by their authors for holiday gifts Opportunity to talk directly to professors and professionals about specific gardening concerns you and your county are experiencing. NC Master Gardener Association Newsletter NC Master Gardener J.C. Raulston Arboretum. Tour it in early October and view its long-range landscape design plan. Searching for an unusual plant? It’s probably at Plant Delights

the Nursery. Stop by and take a few of them home. Visit our website at www.ncmastergardeners.org Page 2 In this issue… A Note from the NCMGVA President Page 2… Shirley Waggoner-Eisenman

President’s Message, How is your garden this summer? In my area of the Name that Face state it has been so dry my garden has not done very Page 3… well this year. Board Members, Delegates Items to be voted on by Association members during Page 4... the NCMGV Conference will be mailed to you shortly. Newsletter Staff & Deadline, Please take the time and read them prior to the business Success to Share meeting being held on Tuesday night at the banquet. Page 5… If you have changed your address let our membership West District Report chair, Barbara Walters, know so you will continue to re- Page 6… ceive the newsletter and other information from the As- sociation. If you have an e-mail address we would appre- Southwest District Report ciate having it as it makes getting information to you Page 7… quicker. Advisory Council Goes to DC Does your county have a delegate to the NCMGVA Page 8… Board of Directors? Each county with a MG program is South Central District Report, entitled to one delegate and one alternate delegate (who Gulf Coast Project votes in the absence of the delegate). The only NCMGVA Page 9… requirement is that you be a dues paying member of the Good Times at the IMGC Association. A delegate position description is printed on Page 10… page3. For more information contact me (see contact in- North East District Report formation on next page). Our next Board of Directors Meeting will be held in Lee County on November the 5th. Page 11… Have you made your conference reservations yet? The Gardener’s Glossary conference is packed with good information of interest to The Back Page… all Master Gardeners. I look forward to seeing you there. Membership/Subscription Info ~Shirley Do Your Recognize These Faces? Look Below to check your answer.

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The North Carolina Master Gardener Volunteer Association Newsletter Page 3 The NCMGVA Board of Directors Does your County send a Delegate is comprised of the Association’s to the NCMGVA Board of Directors meetings? Officers and a delegate from each MG program in the state. Meetings Be in the Know * Have a Say are open to all MGVs & Agents. Share in the Fun Your participation is welcome. Contact your County Delegate or an NCMGVA Delegate Position Description Officer for more information. Each Master Gardener Program representing a single 2006-2007 NCMGVA Officers county or multi-counties is entitled to one Delegate and one President Alternate. The Delegate or Alternate is elected or appointed Shirley Waggoner-Eisenman by the respective county/counties in which they serve. Dele- Brunswick County gates and Alternates are members of the NCMGVA Board of PO Box 312 Directors. Shallotte, NC 28549-0312 Notification of Delegates/Alternate election or appointment Ph. 910-754-4148 [email protected] should be provided to the President of NCMGVA so they may receive appropriate information of NCMGVA functions. President Elect NCMGVA requirements for county delegates and alternates Bob Kellam are as follows: Wake County 731 North Rogers Lane 1. Be a NCMGVA dues paying member. Raleigh, NC 27610 2. Be elected or appointed by their Master Gardener Pro- Ph: 919-231-2827 gram (single county or multi-county) in which they serve. [email protected]

3. The alternate delegate may only vote in the absence of Vice President the delegate. George Quigley 4. Be able to attend Board Meetings. Cumberland County 5. Be liaison between NCMGVA and county/counties. Ph: 910-485-2980 [email protected] 6. Promote continuing membership in NCMGVA and recruit new NCMGVA members. Past President Linda McLendon Approved at the April 23, 2007 Wayne County Executive Board Meeting held in NCMGVA County Delegates 115 Cedar Street

Iredell County. John Graham - Bladen Dudley, NC 28333-9205 [email protected] Upcoming Events Carol Wilson - Brunswick Alt. Does your group have an Rose Gambill - Carteret Recording Secretary event they’d like to publi- Cathy Hunter - Cumberland Brenda Bernhardt cize? Send it in to your Dis- Sheilah Lombardo - Forsyth Iredell County trict Reporter today! 222 Wildwood Cove Dr. Aloma Lemasters - Iredell September 2007: Bill Adams - Johnston Mooresville, NC 28117 [email protected] « Deadline for on-time registration Phil Griffin - Lee for the NCMGV Conference. Sondra Fox - Lenoir Corresponding Secretary « September 29th, Buncombe Dr. Gloria Polakof - Moore Madeline Collier County Fall Garden School. See James (Jim) Haywood - Nash Onslow County the West District Report or call Lorraine Carter - New Hanover 635 Independence Dr. Jacksonville, NC 28546 the Extension office at 828-255- Polly Kopka - Onslow Ph. 910-346-6235 5522 for more information. Maureen Bryant - Pitt Frank Boyette - Robeson Treasurer October 2007: Peggy Polak - Vance Barbara Walters « NCMGV Conference, 8-10. Onslow County Susan Wyatt - Wake November 2007: Connie Kammier - Wayne 1649 Halltown Rd. Jacksonville, NC 28546 « 5th: NCMGVA Board Mtg. Brenda Carter - Wayne Alt. [email protected] Visit our website at www.ncmastergardeners.org Page 4 The Newsletter Staff Success to Share Success to Share is a new column that will run Editor: Beth Nelson, Cumberland County in each edition of our newsletter. Has your Ph: 910-429-2740 [email protected] group recently completed a successful program?

Have an idea for a great fundraiser? This is the place to share it! Send the Who, What, Where, When, and Why to the District Reporters: Newsletter Editor, Beth Nelson, using the contact informa- West District tion at left. (Cherokee, Graham, Clay, Swain, Macon, Jackson, Haywood, Transylvania, Henderson, Buncombe, Madison, What: Yancey, Mitchell, Avery, and Watauga Counties.) Buncombe County Master Gardeners Garden Tour Betty Lockwood, Henderson County When: [email protected]

Saturday, June 30, 10 am to 4 pm Northwest District Contact person for more information: (Ashe, Alleghany, Surry, Stokes, Forsyth, Yadkin, Wilkes, Ernie Henshaw, [email protected] Davie, Davidson, Rowan, Rockingham, Guilford, Alamance and Randolph Counties.) By all accounts, the first Extension Master Garden- Peggy Lyle, Forsyth County ers Garden Tour was a smashing success! 336-924-9687 [email protected] A planning committee selected the gardens and Southwest District over 90% of the county’s EMGs participated in this in- (Rutherford, Lincoln, Cleveland, Gaston, Mecklenburg, augural event. Master Gardeners worked to market Cabarrus, Union, and Iredell, Catawba, Alexander, the event, secure sponsors, arrange logistics, prepare Caldwell, Burke, McDowell, and Polk Counties.) the gardens, prepare educational materials, create and Lynn Lawton, Iredell County print the brochure, print and sell tickets, transport [email protected] attendees to hard to reach gardens, direct traffic and served as docents on the day of the tour. North Central District The Committee decided to hold the ticket sales to (Caswell, Person, Granville, Warren, Vance, Franklin, Orange, Durham, Wake, Johnston, Halifax, Nash, Wilson, 500, ensuring a smooth and pleasant experience for and Edgecombe Counties.) each participant. An almost ‘sell-out’ crowd pur- Bill Adams, Johnston County chased the inexpensive $15 ticket providing access to 919-934-1254 [email protected] the nine different gardens: Demonstration Garden at the Manna Food Bank, Heirloom Garden at the West- South Central District ern North Carolina Nature Center and five other pri- (Cumberland, Robeson, Bladen, Columbus, Hoke, vate gardens designed and planted by EMGs: a Butter- Scotland, Harnett, Moore, Lee, Chatham, Richmond, Montgomery, Anson, and Stanly Counties.) fly Garden, a Woodland Ridge Garden, a Cottage Cot- Sandy Ritter, Cumberland County tage, a Private Park and a Birdland. Ph: 910-875-2706 [email protected] Local community businesses provided financial sup- port to the event and to print the brochure containing Northeast District detailed information on each garden, plants lists and (Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Pasquotank, Hert- ford, Northampton, Tyrell, Dare, Pitt, Beaufort, Gates, educational features on attracting butterflies and Hyde, Martin, Perquimans, and Washington Counties.) birds, growing roses, selecting the right plant, grow- Ruth Uecker, Pasquotank County ing ornamental grasses, propagating with cuttings, 252-331-1495 [email protected] gardening in shade and bogs and growing fruit trees.

Southeast District Since the tour was an educational and public rela- (Craven, Greene, Lenoir, Jones, Onslow, Pamlico, Duplin, tions success, as well as a financial one, the group Sampson, Carteret, Wayne, Pender, New Hanover, and plans to hold the event every two years, allowing all Brunswick Counties.) to enjoy the feeling of success for a short while be- Linda McLendon, Wayne County fore the hard work begins again. [email protected] The next NCMGVA Newsletter submission deadline is November 5th. Page 5 The County Line: West District Report (Cherokee, Graham, Clay, Swain, Macon, Jackson, Haywood, Transylvania, Hender- son, Buncombe, Madison, Yancey, Mitchell, Avery, and Watauga Counties.) Welcome, Betty Lockwood, our new West District Reporter! Betty is a MG in Henderson County

Buncombe County Submitted by Janice Kennedy, Buncombe County MGV (Editor’s Note: Buncombe County is the first county to submit something for the new column: Success to Share! Does your county have a success they’d like to share? Send it in to the Editor using the contact information on page 4.) Even a little bit of precipitation could not dampen the spirits of Buncombe County Extension Master Gardeners at their annual summer social held at the WNC Nature Center Wednesday, July 25. A local restaurant provided the main course for the potluck and attendees contributed a passing dish. EMG Sarah Rubin and Mike Reeves provided the night’s entertainment leading a sing-a-long. The inclement weather curtailed some of the planned outdoor games, but was the catalyst for good conversation and camaraderie under a sheltering pavilion. However, all did appreciate the rain! People who missed the Annual Gardening Symposium, “Gardening with Native Plants,” co-sponsored by The North Carolina Arboretum and the Buncombe County Extension Master Gardeners on July 14, missed a fabulous opportunity to expand their knowledge of native plants in the sustainable landscape. They also missed out on the opportunity to learn more about mosses and ferns, to propagate native plants, to grow and use herbs and to make wildflowers a part of your garden. However, they can attend the September 29th Buncombe County Fall Garden School: Morning sessions will cover basic fall and winter activities, mountain challenges to gardening and extension of the fall growing season. Afternoon sessions will include pizzazz in the winter landscape, garden renovation and native options to exotic invasives. Attendance is limited and free, but participants must register in advance by calling the Extension office, 828-255-5522. This year’s program will be held at the Folk Art Center, on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Henderson County Submitted by Betty Lockwood, Henderson County MGV This year saw a great class of new Master Gardeners here in Henderson County, which enabled us to not only staff the hot- line for more hours, but to embark on several new projects out at the Bullington Center. This educational garden near Hen- dersonville is partially funded by the Cooperative Extension Service and with only one paid employee, is heavily dependent on volunteers. The garden provides our Master Gardeners with wonderful opportunities to fulfill their volunteer hours, planting, planning, teaching both adults and children and – need I say it – weeding. I encourage all of you to check out the garden’s web site at www.bullingtoncenter.org. Weeks of above normal temperatures this spring brought trees and shrubs into leaf and bloom well ahead of normal. This was followed by temperatures in the teens for a couple of nights over Easter weekend, then several days of gale-force north winds. While gardeners throughout the county lamented the loss of much loved plants - Japanese maples seemed to be among the worst hit - the effect on commercial nurseries and fruit growers was truly devastating, with losses in the millions. Brainstorming by our Master Gardeners brought us to the conclusion that how to avoid such losses in the future could be summed up in two words – plant natives! This year saw our group turn their fingers to raising another variety of green – cold hard cash! Each year Main Street is host to many decorated bears. This year the Bullington Center sponsored one of them, which was beautifully painted by our own Master Gardener and talented artist, Joanie Covell. At the end of the season, the bears are auctioned off and the money raised for each one is donated to the charity of the buyer’s choice. We are currently busy raising enough money to buy back our dear “Bullington Bear” so that he (it was voted that our bear seemed to be a he!) may come and live permanently in the lovely gardens that we tend, and the money be used to improve the gardens. In addition to our various projects we continue to be a very sociable group, and twice a month from April through Septem- ber we gather at each other’s homes for an informal garden tour and potluck supper, where much fun is had by all. This fall we will again be presenting a series of lectures entitled “Master Your Garden.” These lectures will run from Au- gust through October at the Bullington Center and will resume in the spring. This fall’s subjects will cover Success with Lawns, Selecting Ornamental Grasses, Garden Preparation and Compost, Beauty from Bulbs, and Winter Interest. Full de- tails may be found at http://henderson.ces.ncsu.edu. October 6th will once again see many of us manning a booth at Hen- dersonville’s Farm City Day in Jackson Park. In addition to answering questions from the public, we will be selling plants, garden gloves, and various other items to raise funds for our future programs.

Visit our website at www.ncmastergardeners.org Page 6 Southwest forestry project, i-Tree. Volunteers will train for 6 hours, and then conduct either a street tree inventory District of Marshville or an environmental analysis of Indian Report Trail. I-Tree is run by David Grant, our urban forester, (Rutherford, Lincoln, through a grant. 3. With a new president, Sandy Yakob, we are shaking out Cleveland, Gaston, the rule book and old routines. Who knows what we Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Union, and Iredell, Catawba, will come up with next quarter? I’ll keep you posted. Alexander, Caldwell, Burke, McDowell, and Polk Counties.) Mecklenburg County Lynn Lawton, District Reporter Submitted by: Deborah Moore Clark, EMG Newsletter Editor

Union County Mecklenburg County Extension Mas- Submitted by: Mary Anne Ferrigan –Reporter, UCMGVA ter Gardeners are happy to report the Greetings from Union County, fastest growing county in hiring of a new Consumer Horticulture North Carolina! Agent, Scott Ewers, who began his Our biggest news is the retirement of President Mike work on April 30, 2007. Scott came to Hafey. After seven years at the helm, Mike has turned Mecklenburg County with 11 years ex- over the charge to former VP Sandy Yakob. Mike logged perience as an agent in Virginia where thousands of hours as a volunteer and donated freely of he worked with and trained two groups of EMGs. Scott appreciates his time, talent, and plants. We will miss his leadership Scott Ewers, and threw him a great party to let him know. EMGs. Many of the EMGs from photo by Deborah Moore Clark Seventeen MGV trainees graduated May 17th after a 2 Mecklenburg County, along with year hiatus in the MGV program. Horticulture agent Jeff their invited guests, got to spend Rieves has a waiting list of “volunteer opportunities.” the day with Scott on the EMG Annual Field Trip on Our annual Spring Plant Sale was a huge success. We May 16, 2007, which included coach transportation to had record-breaking sales, gorgeous plants, and tremen- three Winston-Salem gardens: Reynolda Gardens, the dous community support. private Garden of Nancy Spencer and the Historic Gar- We have begun a new tradition of monthly, covered- dens of Old Salem. dish garden parties at various member’s homes. We enjoy fellowship, a garden tour, amazing food, and an educa- Iredell County tional hour. So far we have learned about propagating Submitted by: Martha Hazelton geraniums and organic gardening. July was popping for MGVs in Iredell. The 2007 Show- We continue to support several ongoing projects: place Vegetable Garden Contest and Tour sponsored by 1. Maintaining the raised beds at Turning Point, a bat- the Iredell County Cooperative Extension Service and tered Women’s Shelter in Monroe Master Gardener Association was Saturday, July 7 from 9 2. Staffing the Gardener Growline which responds to AM to noon. Three MGVs served as judges and visited phone calls on gardening concerns. Call 704 283 3822 the six contest gardens on Friday along with Don with your question! Breedlove, Horticulture Agent. We had 96 home vegeta- 3. Enhancing and maintaining the “Serenity Garden” at ble garden tours in this program which was revised from a South Providence High School, an alternative school in 1980’s format. Six MGVs served as tour hosts along Waxhaw. The project has produced gardens, a pond, with the garden owners. These gardens feature dozens of sitting areas, and a habitat for birds, frogs, turtles, and vegetable varieties from unique greasy beans and New teenagers. This garden was the 2005 MGV class pro- Zealand spinach to more common garden perennials in- ject and is spearheaded now by Sandi Vinton. cluding asparagus, horseradish, rhubarb and strawber- 4. Once a month we visit the Waxhaw Farmer’s Market to ries. Visitors compared many staking and trellising sys- answer questions and sell a few leftovers from our tree tems for tomatoes and vine crops. From huge cabbages to sale. Again, we are noting a large community response. stone mulched beds, there were lessons and ideas to pon- Our new projects are diverse and fun: der from these showplace gardens. Winning gardeners 1. We will teach a Junior Master Gardener class in one were awarded certificates and prizes donated by local week this summer at 4-H camp. We have 4 eager farm and garden shops. teachers lined up and a busy, hands-on schedule. We Monday, July 9 was jam-packed. In the morning our hope to give out Junior Master Gardener certificates on 2007 class of 26 Master Gardeners were graduated and the last day of class. feted (see photo next page). Congratulations to Don and 2. Many MGV’s are volunteering with a 2 month urban his very large class! At our noon membership meeting, (Continued on page 7) The North Carolina Master Gardener Volunteer Association Newsletter Page 7 (Southwest District Report Continued from page 6) NC Cooperative Extension State Advisory Council Goes to Washington

On April 22nd six North Carolina Cooperative Extension State Advisory Council members; Noland Ramsey, George Quigley, B.A. Smith, Charles Moseley, Reid Pollard and Pete Miller, accompanied by Dr. Marshall Stewart, Assoc. Director, Department Head and State Program Leader for 4- H and Family and Con- The 2007 class of Iredell County Master sumer Sci- Gardeners with Extension Horticulture Agent, Don Breedlove (lower left). ences at North Caro- President Paulette Kenley announced that lina State Uni- our volunteer association had completed all versity, Dr. Ed requirements and was officially designated a Jones, Associ- 501c3 tax-exempt nonprofit corporation, ate Director thus allowing us to apply directly for and State Pro- grants. An exciting public program on vege- gram Leader, ANR and CRD – North Carolina State University table gardening to complement the tour fol- and Joy Staton, NC Cooperative Extension State Advisory lowed on Monday afternoon. After a virtual Leader, Larree Cherry, Strategic Planning Council - A & T tour of our contest gardens and getting ques- tions answered, all were invited to visit Co- State University and Sheilda Sutton - A & T State University operative Extension’s BackYard Demonstra- left for Washington, D.C. to attend the annual Public Issues tion Garden to see further examples of Leadership Development Conference. sound management practices. Further infor- This year’s theme was Connectivity: Community to the mation about the tour and workshop can be Capitol. This three-day conference provides the opportunity found under Lawn and Garden events at for interaction with federal decision makers and local volun- http://iredell.ces.ncsu.edu. teers. The Joint Council of Extension Professionals sponsors Our BackYard Demo Garden has been this annual conference to keep Extension Professionals and very productive this summer. We are busy State Advisory Members, abreast of changing public issues tending and harvesting the vegetables and that impact our communities and affect Extension program- fruits. ming. The next public program was held August The third day of the conference was a trip by the SAC 13 and presented by Master Gardener members to capital hill where they visited all members of Wanda Isenhour entitled, "The Green, the North Carolina Congressional Delegation. The SAC teams Green Grass of Home." This was a guide to insuring that the grass stays greener on lobbied for full funding for the Farm Bill which includes Co- your side of the fence. Topics included were operative Extension, faculty and programs. George Quigley, next summer's lawn begin this fall; ten most from Cumberland, and BA Smith, from Stanly, with Dr. Ed important things you can do for next year's Jones visited Elizabeth Dole, Bob Etheridge, Mike McIntire lawn and lawn pests (diseases, insects and and Robin Hayes. Specifically the lobbying was asking for weeds), followed by a question and answer full funding, at the 2007 Continuing Resolution level, for the session. Hatch Act which funds research and for the Smith-Lever Act We are also planning and potting up plants which authorizes ongoing support for extension services. for our September Plant Sale. We are look- BA has had a hip replacement with a titanium fitting. He ing forward to meeting you at the 2007 Con- set of the metal detector at every door way and he had to be ference and personally inviting you to join us physically checked by guards which provided opportunity for the 2009 Conference hosted in the for some interesting comments by Dr. Jones and George. So Southwest District. far the results of the trip are positive. Visit our website at www.ncmastergardeners.org Page 8 South Central District Gulf Coast Project (Cumberland, Robeson, Bladen, Columbus, Update Hoke, Scotland, Harnett, Moore, Lee, Chatham, Richmond, Montgomery, Anson, and Stanly By: Ruth Uecker Counties.) Sandy Ritter, Reporter On 26 May we held our last How To Do It Gardening Cumberland County fund raiser at The Plant Cumberland County Master Gardeners are happy to welcome Shauna Haslem as Park in Elizabeth City. We the new Consumer Horticulture Agent and MGV Liaison. She recently graduated received a $250 donation from NC State University with a BS in Agriculture Extension Education, Extension from Suzanne Stallings concentration. She received a minor in Horticultural Science. (owner of The Plant Park). Her main interests include propagation and floriculture. She did various experi- This money has put us over ments with soil and assisted with a nutrient deficiency study involving hibiscus and the $3,500 mark and will be rudbeckia which taught her a lot about signs of stress related to nutrient deficiencies. Shauna is an Army wife whose husband is currently serving his second Iraq tour. used to fund transportation Cumberland MGVs have had exciting programs this quarter, including an orchid and expenses for the next workshop and greenhouse tour in May conducted by Keith Clayton. In June, Liz MGV group headed to Mis- Driscoll, Horticulture Specialist from NCSU 4-H spoke on “Garden Grazing.” In sissippi in November 2007. July, continuing on this year’s theme of Master Gardeners Training Master Garden- Presently we have ten vol- ers, Lorette Hollinshed presented “Flower Arranging from Your Garden.” unteers ready to make the Many Master Gardeners worked at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden Plant Sale this trip. Recent communication year. It was the most successful sale ever for the Garden. The MGVs were able to with the Hancock County donate a nice monetary sum to the garden due to the sale of gloves. Many assisted Extension Service indicates with answering gardening questions from the public or selling the plants. that several projects are waiting for us. This will be Moore County the last trip and conclude Millie Boyd and Gloria Polakof, both Master Gardeners in Moore County, went to our efforts to assist the Washington DC a few months back people of southern Missis- lobbying congress on Global Warming sippi to restore their green Issues. Before they went they had talked about Global Warming to the spaces. 5th grade class at Sandhills Farmlife Look for a summary of School and how it effects all of us the Project accomplish- right here in North Carolina. The chil- ments in the spring 2008 dren were very excited to write their Newsletter. A special letters and have them taken to Wash- “thank you” to everyone ington DC. who has made this Project Each senator and congress- possible -- and a real suc- man received at least 8 to 10 letters and Craven Hudson, Helen Munro, Congress- cess! were impressed that the children were man Coble, Marisa Back, Gloria Polakof so knowledgeable about the subject of (Photographer) global warming and how it effects We Want to Know, farmers and gardeners all over the world, especially its effects here in North Carolina. “What does your group Millie and Gloria invited Congressman Coble to learn more about gardening and have planned from visit the children who sent the letters. December to February?” June 1st Congressman Coble came to Farmlife School and expressed his delight that the children took time to write. Helen Munro, Marisa Back, and Gloria Polakof Send information about your presented Congressman Coble a certificate for a "Master Gardener Designed Back upcoming events to your Yard Habitat" along with drought tolerant plants that would give him a good start in District Reporter before his garden. The Congressman is very excited about working with the Master Garden- November 5th and we’ll include ers of Moore County and looks forward to this new experience with drought toler- it in the next newsletter. ant plants. The children were thrilled and have expressed an interest to have a garden What better way to get connected at their school. to MGs across the state?

The North Carolina Master Gardener Volunteer Association Newsletter Page 9 Good Times at the International Master tend the last event, dessert at the Old State House. Imagine us turning down Gardener Conference food and wine? We did. By: Sandy Ritter, Cumberland County MG Friday was more tours and seminars. Friday evening we went with Lisa eager for Lemza, a former Cumberland County Only the excitement of attending the the main event. We were not disap- Master Gardener who now lives in Ten- IMGC could have Helga Cardenas and pointed! Ark. Governor Mike Beebe nessee, out for dinner. For those of you me wide awake at 4:00AM ready to fly welcomed us graciously. Turns out that who knew Lisa, she hasn’t changed a bit! out to Little Rock, Ark. Bless Helga’s his wife is a longtime Master Gardener Being from Fayetteville, NC, many husband, Al’s, heart— he had to rise so he was honorary chairperson of the people we met knew all about our fair early to take us to meet the plane. Dur- conference. He put the squeeze on a lot city because of Fort Bragg but the nicest ing the flight, I asked Helga about reset- of companies in Arkansas for big contri- surprise was Saturday morning when a ting her watch for Arkansas time. It was butions, including Wal-Mart. lady said, “Oh I went to Fayetteville then that she discovered that her watch At 10:05, P. Allen Smith spoke to us. once. Your Cape Fear Botanical Garden had died at 10:05. He wandered around in the audience is one of the loveliest gardens I have After a nice flight, we arrived in Little and gave a fantastic presentation. Turns ever seen. It is such a beautiful setting Rock to be greeted at the airport by lots out his family has been in the nursery by the river. And you had the most of “blue shirts”- the hosts. We knew we business in Little Rock for years and beautiful medians between there and the were in for fun when we admired a huge years. All of his shows are taped at his airport filled with Margarete and Blackie planter of flowers by their table and we home or new retreat which we toured. Sweet Potato Vines and begonias!” were able to identify the Fiber Optic He was very instrumental in making the Helga and I were stunned. She was here plant for them. While waiting for the conference so great by bringing in his in 2004 when the US Open was going hotel shuttle the first people we met sponsors as vendors and being present on. She even told us that she researched were from Canada, Montana, and Flor- for the tours. He even got on each bus them when she returned home to Mis- ida. The Peabody hotel was fantastic, the to greet everyone and walked around souri and discovered that the plants service matched, and our room was with us to answer questions. Be sure to were developed at the JC Raulston Ar- great. We checked in at 10:05 and pro- sign up for his newsletter at boretum by NC State. ceeded to register for the conference. www.pallensmith.com so that you can By then it was 10:05 and time for us to One of the first people we saw was Kay follow the progress of his Gardening head home. We couldn’t take our plants who attended our 2006 NCMGV con- Retreat. that Allen had given us on the plane so ference to invite us to Little Rock. She At 10:05 we began tours and seminars, we gave them away. Well, we could have recognized us! all of which were outstanding— except taken the plants but not the soil. We watched the parade of the famous one. There has to be one, of course. Of course, something had to happen. Peabody Ducks from the fountain into We enjoyed the vendors who were We sat in the plane in Charlotte longer the elevator. Quite a show. By then it very generous with such gifts as two pair than it would have taken to drive home. was 10:05, so we attended the opening of Fiskars pruners and many, many Poor Helga had the largest man on the event and dinner. All of the food was seeds. plane as her seatmate and I had the cut- outstanding and there was always lots of The main event in the evening was by est little Soldier you ever saw! it. The keynote speaker was Dr. David the Arkansas River for Taste of Arkansas We arrived home safely at 10:05 PM A. Lipschitz, MD, PhD, author of Break- at the River Market. All I can say is that full of wonderful memories. We still ing the Rules of Aging. His “wife’s” garden Arkansas tastes good! There were ap- laugh at the man who said “What the was on one of the group tours. He at- proximately 50 restaurants and wineries heck is a Nandina?” They don’t grow tributes gardening as a great way to age giving out large samples of their most them up North! We met a lady whose well. We thought that might be a boring famous goodies. We were oinking in sister attended a bridal shower with speech but it was far, far from it. short order. Then off to the Clinton Martha and Doris, fellow Cumberland Each table, and there were many due Library for wine and a tour. Please go County MGs, the previous weekend and to there being 1300 attendees, had plant- on line and look this building up. There I met a lady from Texas who is spending ers of fabulous foliage plants grown by are no plants in the landscape except her vacation this year at Holden Beach the inmates at the state prison for green loriope--millions of green loriope and promises to look me up. women in Ark. I must say, there are plants. The most boring landscape I The next conference in March, 2009 is some gardeners in that distinguished ever saw in my life. No one would go in Vegas! Anybody want to bet on who group! By then it was 10:05 and time for there for any reason other than the Clin- will probably be ready to go? And us tired old ladies to turn in. ton Library. there’s always 2011 in Charleston, West At 10:05 Thursday morning, we were We were too pooped by 10:05 to at- Virginia in October. We can carpool!!!

Visit our website at www.ncmastergardeners.org Page 10 Northeast District are finding the time spent is well worth it. The annual Spring and Fall sales provide us with opportunities to educate the (Bertie, Camden, Chowan, general public on the growth and care of the large variety of Currituck, Pasquotank, shrubs, trees, and flowers we will have available for sale. Hertford, Northampton, Another “new” project our Pasquotank MGVs are develop- Tyrell, Dare, Pitt, Beaufort, ing is a Horticultural Lending Library. Fortunately, one of Gates, Hyde, Martin, Perquimans, and Washington our members, Holly Cook-Wood, has a degree in Library Counties.) Science so as head of the Library Project; she is a “natural.” Ruth Uecker, Reporter The Library will be set up in the Extension Center and books, magazines, periodicals, etc., will be available to other MGVs, Pasquotank County earth science professionals, and the general public – in fact, Submitted by: Ruth Uecker, Historian anyone who is interested in horticultural/gardening subjects. The Pasquotank County To date we’ve had contributions of over 30 books and hope MGVs are pleased to an- to add many more as the project is developed. nounce the 2007 recipient of our $500 annual scholarship Bertie County award to Simeon Bray Wil- Submitted by: Mary Tibbs, Secretary liams. Simeon is a 2007 Bertie County Master Gardeners are enjoying an active year. graduate of Camden County We started in the winter months planning our first annual High School. He will attend Plant Sale which was held on April 20th. We were very suc- NC State University in the fall cessful and raised over $650. We followed this with our an- where he will major in the nual Reunion dinner at the home of Becky Bowling. Our field of Agriculture. County has welcomed a new NC Extension Agent, Jacob Mrs. Judylynn Hooser, one of our newly certified MGVs, Searcy, and we are so pleased to have him working with and has initiated a number of service activities aimed at getting assisting the MG Volunteers in their endeavors. Our group area teenagers involved. She has organized and is spearhead- of 20 members currently maintains ten community projects as ing a 4-H Junior Master Gardener group to maintain the gar- well as a telephone “Hotline” every Monday. We enjoyed a dens around the Elizabeth City Wesley House (home-away- recent trip to Sandra’s Garden Nursery in Hobbsville, NC from-home for those who have family members being treated (near Edenton), and several more trips are planned. Our goal for long-term illnesses at the Albemarle Hospital). At their is to conduct another MGV training class this fall in order to first in-service session in June, Judylynn was joined by Brian increase our membership. Gervais (another newly certified MGV). Brian taught the Reporter Note: Sandra Parks, owner of Sandra’s Garden Nursery, teens how to prune evergreens and crepe myrtles and how to was one of the contributors to The Gulf Coast Project. She donated over sprig St. Augustine grass. This will be an on-going project led 100 beautiful day lilies and a variety of other plants – all of which were by Judylynn where MGVs will join the teenagers to provide taken to Mississippi in November 2006. education and on-going maintenance of the flower beds, trees, shrubs, and grassy areas around Wesley House. Pitt County Tom Campbell, our Extension Service MGV sponsor, is Submitted by: Pam Mastin leading another 4-H Junior MGV group centered around a Happy gardening and greetings from the Pitt County local girl scout troop who will be learning how to landscape. MGVs. Kathy Whitehead is moving full steam ahead using The troop will design and install a landscape at a local Habitat the new Children’s Garden as a learning tool for the commu- for Humanity home being constructed in Elizabeth City. nity. She’s working with Susan Reese, Agent for Family and Pasquotank County MGVs Bette Lou Campbell and Ruth Consumer Science, on a program entitled “Gardening with Uecker have joined with Tom to help guide the young girls as Children.” They presented a PowerPoint and activity pro- they learn about plant identification, pruning techniques, gram for twenty-one daycare workers in June. The work- proper placement of plants in the landscape, integrated pest shops will better enable them to use the Children’s Garden management, as well as a variety of horticulture methods. for teaching. The same program was repeated for Smart Start Ultimately, the Girl Scout troop will meet with the recipients workers the week of July 16 and will be given to Susan of the Habitat Home and work with the family to landscape Reese’s NC State group in September. Kathy will be working their new home. with 4-H summer campers on July 27th doing a program The Pasquotank MGVs continue to build their inventory of called “Secrets of the Garden.” plants now geared toward our Fall Plant Sale. Our past plant Our garden groups continue to maintain the display gar- sales have received such rave reviews that we are fast becom- dens. Vegetables are harvested weekly from the garden and ing a standard here in the Elizabeth City area. While a great the produce is donated to the local Food Bank. deal of effort goes into keeping the plants in good shape, we (Continued on page 11) The North Carolina Master Gardener Volunteer Association Newsletter Page 11 (Continued from page 10) Gardener’s Glossary Chowan, Gates, and Perquimans County By: Leslie Yarbrough, Cumberland County Submitted by: Joy Caron Our volunteers have nicely balanced garden work and pleas- Can you define these garden terms? ure during the last few months. We learned about “Impatience 1. Lath in the Garden” and “Native Plants” as well as attended a re- 2. Layering gional advanced Master Gardener’s training seminar which in- 3. Leader cluded “Rain Gardens” presented by Marjorie Rayburn (Gates 4. Insitu County), Area Commercial Horticulture & Water Quality 5. Leaf Roller Agent, “Landscaping Septic Systems and General Landscaping 6. Legume Techniques” by Tom Campbell (Pasquotank County), Horticul- ture Agent, and “Invasive Plants – What You Need To Know” by Jan Perry-Weber, (Currituck County) Agriculture Technician. Look below to check your answers: After the program attendees were treated to a tour of the Arbo-

retum led by Katy Shook (Chowan, Gates, Perquimans Coun- soybeans. are

ties), Area Consumer Horticulture Agent. these of example good A nitrogen. mospheric

On-going projects include assisting with the tomato research at- capture can that bacteria borne soil with tion

- A plant whose roots form an associa- an form roots whose plant A -

plot, maintaining the Cupola House and Newbold-White House LEGUME

historic display gardens, and the American Legion organic dem- rollers. leaf onstration garden. We’ve assisted with numerous garden semi- of lot a get often Cannas larvae. when leaves

nars for both adults and youth in the area. One favorite was

- Different moths that will roll roll will that moths Different -

helping school children explore the world of butterflies during a ROLLER LEAF

six-week science program. MGVs also donated plants for the tree. the of trunk the become will eventually it

- The main growing shoot of a sapling, sapling, a of shoot growing main The - butterfly garden. LEADER For the third year, we sent MGVs to judge State-wide 4-H

presentations on horticulture. It was exciting to see the knowl- plant. another creating

edgeable effort and results the young people exhibited. thus appear, Roots plant. parent the to attached

“Fun” projects included a plant swap among our members still is it and ground the to anchored is branch A

- A way to propagate plant material. material. plant propagate to way A - and our annual “Garden Party” complete with crazy hats, tasty LAYERING food, and a tour of the hostess’ garden.

light. the

Dare County of some in let to spaced evenly material, any of

- A structure used to create shade. Made Made shade. create to used structure A - Submitted by: Julie Hamilton LATH Our coastal Gardening Festival held on May 20th was a big success! The visitors who attended enjoyed tours through our Arboretum, purchased items from the vendors, attended a lec- Have you moved? ture, and stayed to enjoy breakfast and lunch from the Lion’s Club food wagon. Our Arboretum benefits from the profits of We want to be sure you don’t miss an edition of the this festival. newsletter or other Association mailings. The week of July 23rd will see many of our volunteers going Send address or other changes to one or more of the five school 4-H summer camps to work with the children doing gardening-related projects. The theme to the Membership Chair. for this week is, The Living Sea. Master Gardeners will talk with the kids about seaweed and its uses in our daily lives, espe- cially in foods. Students will learn to identify some of the local Barbara Walters North Carolina seaweeds and will do some arts and crafts pro- jects that will utilize what they’ve learned. 1649 Halltown Road Work continues in the Arboretum with a team of “hot Jacksonville, NC 28546 weather die-hards” who meet in the Arboretum on Wednesday mornings. The Aesthetics Committee has recently submitted a [email protected] proposal for a grant to a local Trust to purchase a new sculpture for the Arboretum. As well, work continues with those prepar- ing presentations for our Speakers Bureau. These presentations should be ready for fall to local groups seeking speakers.

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