January 2020

Volume XXVIII Issue I

www.baldwinmastergardeners.com

President’s Notes by Julian Walthall

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Hope this Christmas and holiday season has been good for you, and wishes for all that we have a saner and healthier new year! We meet again January 9 at 104. Deborah Marriott has already shown us her great skill with the variety of raffle items that she has made over the past several months. She will be presenting an interesting and informative program on “Floral Arrangements.” Hope to see you there. Later in the month we will be welcoming an expected new intern class of 19 participants. Pam Tucker and her crew do such a fine job in helping new folks move towards becoming MGs. We will get to know some more people and learn from them about their skills and knowledge that they will bring. How delightful this will be for BCMG. Hoping we all grow greener thumbs, Julian

Program Notes……………………………………………...2 Note to Master Gardeners.………….......…. 2 Caring for Poinsettias All Year………..……... 2-4 Workshop—Garden Suncatcher Totems….…...4 Wayne de la Rua Award……………………………... 5 Christmas Awards Luncheon Pictures………. 6-7 Mike McQueen’s Retirement……………………..… 8 January Birthdays…………………………………..…… 8 Help Line Re-Landscaping Project……….… 9-10 Service and CEU Hours Reporting………...10-11 Meeting Minutes…………………………...……… 12-13 Your 2020 Board………..…….……………………….. 13 Mark Your Calendar…………………….…….………. 14

2019 BCMG Elected Board President: Julian Walthall Vice-President: Gerry Lester Treasurer: Jim Whitson Recording Secretary: Mary Calvin Corresponding Secretary: Freya Sonenstein Caterina Kenworthy Members at Large: Deborah Marriott Eileen Huisman Past President: Paula Pritchett 2019 Appointed Board Members: Monthly Program Chair: Zetty Bauer Intern Class Coordinator: Pam Tucker Projects Chairperson: Frank Rubino Outreach Coordinator: Tanys Waldron Finance Committee Chair: Joni Euler

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Program Notes by Zetty Bauer Our speaker at the January 9 monthly meeting is Deborah Marriott. Deborah was born and raised in Chilton County, Alabama and attended Jemison High School and the University of Montevallo. She received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Masters in Early Childhood Education, Masters Certificate in Educational Administration, Educational Specialist in Early Childhood Education, and AA Certificate in Educational Administration. Deborah taught kindergarten for nine years, was Assistant Principal for six years, Principal for 13 years and has been retired for 12 years. She served as a Vista for Communities of Transformation through Brewton First United Methodist Church for two years. Deborah worked at Herrington's The Florist for two years doing part-time delivery, general shop and floral assistance and as a floral designer. She was raised in a family of six children with parents who enjoyed having a beautiful yard and flowers. Therefore, she enjoys working with flowers and on yard improvement projects. She has a genuine interest in having access to plants, shrubs, greenery, and yard foliage that allows her to create beautiful floral designs. Deborah will speak to us on Floral Arrangements.

Note to Master Gardeners from Maureen Nation

I want to thank everyone for the overwhelming tribute you gave me in recognition of my retirement from Weeks Bay Reserve. I cannot find words adequate to express how surprised I was and how much it meant to me. From the bottom of my heart, I love the Master Gardener program because of all the wonderful people in it. I am grateful and humbled to be in your company and look forward to many happy years of service as a Baldwin County Master Gardener. Thank you!

Caring for Poinsettias All Year

Posted by: Rudy Pacumbaba, December 18, 2019 ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY, Ala.—Poinsettias are an iconic indoor winter plant. The vibrant red, white and green colors, make this plant a popular choice around the holidays. However, with proper care, poinsettias can add beauty and color to homes for more than just the holiday season. Allyson Shabel, an Alabama Extension urban home grounds, gardens and home pests regional agent, offers the following tips on caring for poinsettias. During the Holidays These care tips can keep poinsettias healthy during the holidays.

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Place the plant in an area with plenty of natural light, away from vents and drafts that can dry out the pot. Water the plant only when dry. If the pot is covered in a holiday foil or decorative wrap, allow excess water to

drain. Poinsettias are susceptible to stem and root diseases, so draining the excess water is important. Utilize an all-purpose fertilizer (20-20-20) at once-a-month intervals. After the Holidays The cost to keep a poinsettia growing for next year is marginal compared to purchasing a new plant every year. Remove decorative wraps from the planter after the holiday season and place a saucer underneath it. This

allows for better air circulation for the roots during the rest of the growing season. Keep water and fertilizer at regular intervals. Move the plant to a larger container, with new potting mix, as the plant grows. Cut back to 5 to 6 inches if the plant becomes long and leggy. Periodically, cut the tips of the branches to encourage more side branching and to maintain a fuller appearance. Care Throughout the Year In the summer, growers should move the plant outside in an area with indirect sunlight. Summer is also the time to increase fertilizer to at least twice the frequency. In mid-summer, trim the plant as needed to keep a manageable size and fullness and move to a location with full sunlight. “After Labor Day, bring the plant inside to a location that gets a minimum of six hours of sunlight, preferably more,” Shabel said. “This will start preparing the plant for their flowers and their colorful foliage. Growers should also start reducing the frequency of fertilizer.”

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Caring for Poinsettias All Year (continued)

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Caring for Poinsettias All Year (continued)

Long periods of darkness are vital to the iconic colors of the poinsettia. Toward the end of September, they must have at least 13 hours of uninterrupted darkness and 11 hours of bright light each day. Placing the plant in a closet, basement, or under a box can give it the required hours of darkness. During the periods of bright light, make sure to rotate the pot to ensure the plant receives even light from all sides. Just before Thanksgiving, stop the dark period treatments, reduce the amount of water and fertilizer and place the plant in a sunny area that receives at least six hours of direct light. More Information These tips are sure to keep your poinsettias healthy and happy during and after the holidays. For more information about home gardening, visit www.aces.edu or contact your county Extension office.

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2019 Wayne de la Rua Award

Sam Andrews presents the Wayne de la Rua Award for 2019 to

Paula Pritchett.

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Christmas Awards Luncheon Pictures Silver Star—300 Hours Sherry Cook at left and Kay Heinrich pictured at right. Not pictured: Henry Postma

Gold Star—500 Hours Luanne Matson at left; Freya Sonenstein in center, and Fran Ables at right. Not pictured: Elmer Vick. Fran Ables also received the Golden Phone Award for her work on the Help Line.

Gold Badge—1,000 Hours — Shirley Ryals Diamond Pin—6,000 Hours—Frieda Romanchuk (pictured at right) Bronze Star—100 Hours (not pictured) Katherine (Trinka) Brabston and Marilyn Sides

Alexandrite Pin—7,000 Hours Jimmie Van Valkenburgh

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Christmas Awards Luncheon Pictures (continued)

Award for Most Hours Volunteered by a Master Gardener Association presented to Baldwin County Master Gardeners.

200 Hour Certificates of Appreciation

Fran Ables, Lynn Andrews, Sam Andrews, Linda Bizzell, Mary Calvin, Barbara Comstock, Patsy Conner, Pam Ewell, Loree Hadley, Charlotte Hamm, Kay Heinrich, Eileen Huisman, Myra Lassere, Gerry Lester, Marilyn Mannhard, Deborah Marriott, Luanne Matson, Paula Pritchett, Elsie Reed, Frieda Romanchuk, Frank Rubino, Kazuko Russell, Shirley Ryals, Gene Sellier, Judi Smith, Kay Smith, Sharon Smith, Pam Tucker, Jimmie Van Valkenburgh, Tanys Waldron, Julian Walthall, Karen White, James Whitson and Joy Zeanah.

Light Blue Pin—13,000 Hours Myra Lassere

2019 Top Hours Myra Lassere

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January Birthdays by Verna Thwaits and Caterina Kenworthy

1-3 Jim Greer

1-3 Peggy Loefstedt

1-6 Luanne Matson

1-7 Paula Pritchett

1-10 Gary Wallace

1-13 Fran Posey

1-17 Juanita Dodd

1-19 Hilda O’Clair

1-19 Janet Boullemet Ukangsin

1-22 Michele Doyle

1-23 Frank Rubino

1-26 Donna Aplin

1-27 Barbara Comstock

1-27 Margaret Griffin

1-29 Sharon Smith

1-30 Deborah Marriott

It isn’t where you come from…it’s where you are going that counts—Ella Fitzgerald

Mike McQueen’s Retirement Reception in Monroe County

Attending Mike McQueen’s Retirement Party on December 20 pictured left to right: Harry Hopkins, Pam Tucker, Mike, Elmer Vick, and Steve Urbanek

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Help Line Re-Landscaping Project

Introduction — Sam Andrews As I drove up to our B.C.M.G. Help Line Office in early December, I was amazed at the progress and clean look of the building’s landscaping. While there I snapped a couple of pictures, one of which appears nearby as does a

before photo that Charlotte provided. I knew of the Renovation Project, but Charlotte and her team composed of last year’s Intern class have really accomplished great things. However, as she says below, there is much more planned.

Please visit the Office when you get the chance and say “thank you” to Charlotte and the 2019 class for the incredible hard work and vision that are going into making our B.C.M.G. Office a positive reflection on our organization and its gardening skills. The Project: A Mid-term Update — Charlotte Hamm, Project Chair As we neared the end of our intern class, we received an email listing all the project areas that BCMG serve, and were asked to choose where we wished to be involved. This project started there, as my undertaking; I was convinced that it was not a good reflection on Baldwin Master Gardeners when guests came to the Help Line for assistance! But, knowing what an undertaking it would be, I posted to our 2019 class social media board that I was doing this, and any were welcome to join me. All members of the class committed to help on the project. A plan was submitted to the Board. We plan for this to be an ongoing project, not just for rehabilitation, but continued maintenance. The Progress and Plan: On November 7, we removed ginger and daylilies, relocated some aspidistra, repositioned some hydrangeas, potted up some plants that have yet to return to the beds. We pulled lots of weeds! And we finished by spraying for torpedo grass that has overrun the area. December 3, we met again. More ginger and daylily roots had sprouted. Those were removed, the bed lines were reshaped at the brick landing to improve ease of mowing. A mower tire path was cleared around bed lines, hopefully to enable closer mowing and less grass encroachment. Loropetalum (Chinese fringe-flower) and blueberries were transplanted to their new locations. A spring bulb color display was planted at the entrance to the office. Finished with pine straw.

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Before Landscaping Project Began—September 2019

Help Line Office in Midst of Re-Landscaping— December 2019

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Next step is a major pruning effort in late January or early February, depending on weather outlook. We will drastically reduce the size of most shrubs, so this will be timed to take advantage of the spring flush of growth for easier plant recovery. The class is on notice that this will be an “all hands-on deck” day! In early Spring, after danger of frost, some plants we potted up will return and some new ones will be added. It is my vision that the Help Line bed have seasonal interest, include natives and pollinator plants, and serve a teaching role as well. The building itself is in need of work, but that is something that is beyond our scope. There is also a pile of piping etc. on the back side of the building from the rainwater and IPM projects that need removing. There is a busy spring planned!

Help Line Re-Landscaping Project (continued)

Help Line Office in Midst of Re-Landscaping Project—December 2019

Service and CEU Hours Reporting by Sam Andrews

The next page contains a Master Gardener (not Intern) Fact Sheet that I heavily rebuilt regarding Service and CEU Hours. It was approved just before Mike McQueen officially retired in December. I suggest that you print the page out for consultation as 2020 progresses. For the last two years, Baldwin County has led the State in Reported Hours. This fact has occurred because our organization has a lot of activities, you volunteer or attend meetings and seminars enthusiastically, and you record your hours on the Extension web site. Many of you are “between” badges, stars or pins in terms of hours, but could earn them in 2020. Please plan on volunteering early and often. Note that this year the Mobile Master Gardeners are hosting the Alabama Master Gardener Association Conference in the spring. It will be held at a downtown hotel, but is only a short trip over each day for seminars, meetings and the Saturday night Banquet. This is a great opportunity to go to a State Conference on “the cheap” and to meet the many wonderful Master Gardeners from around Alabama. Further, you can earn a number of hours! By the way, it is an opportunity for all of us in the BCMG to support our very own Myra Lassere, current AMGA Vice President and next year’s President, with a great turn-out. Oh, there is a Mississippi State Conference in Biloxi, and we have a new Fall Plant Sale that you will hear a lot about as the year progresses. You can make it a very busy year if you choose. I look forward to ordering your new badge, star or pin in 2020.

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Meeting Minutes by Mary Calvin Julian Walthall called the Baldwin County Master Gardeners Christmas Awards Banquet meeting to order at 11:12 a.m. The meeting was held at the Fairhope Civic Center. Eighty-two members attended. Ed Pickle started the program leading us in singing Jingle Bells, Silent Night, Away in a Manger and Joy to the World. Julian welcomed ACES staff Sandra Walton, Mike McQueen and his wife Debbie and Jack Lecroy, Regional Extension Agent from Mobile. He presented gift cards to Mike and Sandra. Half a dozen additional guests were also welcomed. Julian reminded us that all should sign in. Finance Chair Joni Euler announced to committee chairs that the budget request for next year will be in their email this evening. Please respond by Monday. Treasurer Jim Whitson is taking dues payments today. Myra Lassere announced that the AMGA state conference will be held in Mobile March 30-April 1, 2020. The Renaissance Hotel will offer a reduced rate starting Sunday night if you are also going to the Festival of Flowers (March 26-29). The 2021 state conference will be April 20-22 in Calhoun County, and Montgomery will host May 2-4 in 2022. There are brochures available at the back. A representative to the Advisory Council is needed. The job entails going to quarterly meetings starting in February, usually held at Petals from the Past in Chilton County. Each representative functions as a liaison between their county Master Gardeners and the state. Please see Julian if you are interested in the position. The WDLR presentation was given by Sam Andrews. Named for Wayne de la Rua, a founding member in the 1990’s, the honor is given to a Master Gardener who has shown exceptional service and has been peer nominated and peer elected. This year’s winner showed grace, hard work, rapid learning, and growth. Paula Pritchett is this year’s winner. Paula praised the Master Gardener program. She has made many friends and likes making new friends with each year’s intern class. She has enjoyed working on many projects. A video montage produced by Loree Hadley and Tanys Waldron showed the incredible number of activities Baldwin County Master Gardeners participated in throughout the year. Joy Zeanah added that Caterina Kenworthy turned 98 years young this year. The minutes from the November meeting as published in Grass Roots were accepted and approved. Margaret Griffin asked people to go in one of two lines for their food according to the table color. Julian offered the blessing and called a break for eating at 11:44 a.m. The meeting resumed at 12:12 p.m. Julian thanked Margaret Griffin, Linda Bender, Sallie Grass, Deborah Marriott, Judi Smith and Gayle, Carl and Deidre Floyd for helping with today’s setup. Ken Cooper thanked Pam Tucker and Sandra Walton for helping with his family emergency last year. His wife is recovering well from a major stroke suffered in the spring. He will take the three remaining intern class sessions in 2020. He also thanked his 2019 intern class for help with his garden and many meals. Mike McQueen and Sam Andrews presented the service awards as follows. Thirty-four people had over 200 hours this year: Fran Ables, Lynn Andrews, Sam Andrews, Linda Bizzell, Mary Calvin, Barbara Comstock, Patsy Conner, Pam Ewell, Loree Hadley, Charlotte Hamm, Kay Heinrich, Eileen Huisman, Myra Lassere, Gerry Lester, Marilyn Mannhard, Deborah Marriott, Luanne Matson, Paula Pritchett, Elsie Reed, Frieda Romanchuk, Frank Rubino, Kazuko Russell, Shirley Ryals, Gene Sellier, Judi Smith, Kay Smith, Sharon Smith, Pam Tucker, Jimmie Van Valkenburgh, Tanys Waldron, Julian Walthall, Karen White, James Whitson and Joy Zeanah. Mike also presented the Golden Phone award to Fran Ables for her dedication to the Help Line. The Most Hours by an Individual award went to Myra Lassere. The Most Hours by County went to Baldwin County with nearly

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Meeting Minutes by Mary Calvin (continued) 20,000 hours as a group. Mike presented a certificate to Julian. The volunteer hours reporting system is open until December 31. 100 Hours Bronze Star: Katherine (Trinka) Brabston, Marilyn Sides 300 Hours Silver Star: Sherry Cook, Kay Heinrich, Henry Postma 500 hours Gold Star: Fran Ables, Luanne Matson, Freya Sonenstein, Elmer Vick 1000 Hours Gold Badge: Shirley Ryals 6000 Hours Diamond Pin: Frieda Romanchuk 7000 Hours Alexandrite Pin: Jimmie Van Valkenburgh 13,0000 Hours Light Blue Pin: Myra Lassere Mike concluded with comments on his upcoming retirement. He officially retires at the end of December but has been hired back part-time to work with the intern class in 2020. He thanked the Master Gardeners for all they have done to support his work and to support the community. Paula Pritchett installed the officers for 2020: President Julian Walthall, VP Gerry Lester, Recording Secretary Mary Calvin, Corresponding Secretary Freya Sonenstein, Treasurer Jim Whitson, Past President Paula Pritchett, Members at Large Deborah Marriott and Eileen Huisman. Deborah Marriott conducted the raffle drawings. Sharon Thoele won the white violets given by Jere Trigg. Purple violets went to Julian Walthall, Elsie Reed won the lanterns, and the sleigh went to Brenda Montgomery. The large mystery gift went to Margaret Griffin. The wreath was won by Mary Calvin, and Deborah Marriott won the burgundy violets. The small mystery gift also went to Margaret Griffin, who asked for a redraw. Wanda Martin won that. The raffle money raised will go to the scholarship fund. Julian asked for help with the clean-up. The meeting adjourned at 12:54 p.m.

Your 2020 BCMG Board

Our 2020 Officers and Directors

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Baldwin

Baldwin County Master Gardeners % Baldwin County Extension Office 302-A Byrne Street Bay Minette, AL 36506 Attn: Sandra Walton

January 2, 2020 BCMG Board Meeting, Research Station, Hwy. 104 January 9, 2020 BCMG Monthly Meeting, Research Station, Hwy. 104, Deborah Marriott, Floral Arrangements January 15, 2020 Intern/Mentor Luncheon, Research Station, Hwy. 104 January 22, 2020 Intern Class Starts—Class in Bay Minette, at ACES Building, 9:00 a.m. January 31, 2020 Deadline for AMGA Awards Nominations for awards presented at 2020 Annual Conference February 5, 2020 Gulf Shores Garden Club Seminar, 9:30 a.m. February 6, 2020 BCMG Board Meeting, Research Station, Hwy. 104 February 7, 2020 Fairhope Arbor Day Tree Bagging, Fairhope City Greenhouses, Pecan St., 10:00 am-Noon February 8, 2020 Fairhope Arbor Day, Coastal Alabama Community College, 9:30 a.m. February 10, 2020 Help Line Office opens February 13, 2020 BCMG Monthly Meeting, Research Station, Hwy. 104, Ed Tunnell, Preparing for Spring Planting February 22, 2020 Arbor Day, Magnolia Springs, Bay Minette and Gulf Shores February 28, 2020 Silverhill Arbor Day, Community Center, 8:30 a.m. February 29, 2020 Foley Arbor Day, Coastal Alabama Farmers Market, Mifflin Rd./Co. Rd. 20, 12:30 p.m. March 3, 2020 Spring Workshop, Growing “John Kitch” Tomatoes, Elmer Vick, 6:00 p.m., Trees, Problems & Solutions, Chris Francis, 6:15 p.m., Growing Camellias, Brenda Litchfield, 7:15 p.m. March 5, 2020 BCMG Board Meeting, Research Station, Hwy. 104 March 12, 2020 BCMG Monthly Meeting, Research Station, Hwy. 104, Chad Watkins, Landscape Architect, Landscape Design March 26-29, 2020 Festival of Flowers, Providence Hospital, Mobile Mar. 30-Apr. 1, 2020 AMGA State Conference, Renaissance Riverview Hotel, Mobile, Gardening with 2020 Vision April 2-4, 2020 BCMG Spring Plant Sale, Weeks Bay Reserve April 28-30, 2020 Mississippi Master Gardener Association 2020 Conference, Golden Nugget, Biloxi, MS

Mark Your Calendar

Next meeting: January 9, 2020 9:30 a.m. Social 10:00 a.m. Meeting Location: Research Station, Hwy. 104 Speaker: Deborah Marriott Topic: “Floral Arrangements” If your contact information changes, please contact: baldwincountymastergardeners@gmail.com

Grass Roots is compiled and edited by Lynn Andrews, assisted by Sam Andrews. Pictures courtesy of John McCarty, Sam Andrews, Loree Hadley, and Charlotte Hamm. The newsletter is available before the monthly general meeting on our website: www.baldwinmastergardeners.com Submission of articles, items of interest, photos of BCMG events, garden tips, garden jokes, etc. are greatly encouraged and appreciated. Send to grassrootsnews@gmail.com. © 2020 Baldwin County Master Gardeners, Inc. All rights reserved.