A monthly publication of Cullman County Master Gardener Association, Inc.

Issue 17, Volume 9 Editor: Ellen Hall September 2013

The Germinator

Current Month: ALABAMA GARDENING CALENDAR

Sept. 11 Crop Registration Fairgrounds, 12:30-6 p.m. p.8 Sept. 12 Horticulture Registration Fairgrounds, 8-10 a.m. p. 8 Sept. 12-23 Cullman County Fair p. 7 From ACES publication ANR-47

Sept. 19 10:00 MG Mtg.

Looking Ahead:
Oct. 3 Field Trip To Atlanta Historical Museum & Gardens p. 3 Oct. 17 MG Mtg. 10:00

future selection and plantings. Take soil test for new planting areas. Fertilize established strawberry plantings. SHRUBS Study landscape to determine plant needs. Check early varieties of camellias. You may want to replace those damaged in spring by late freezes. After fall growth is completed, spray all shrubs with a fungicide. LAWNS Plant seed of winter grasses where situation prevents planting permanent grasses. Winter seeds will appear soon. Stop fertilization three weeks before frost. ROSES Protect fall crops of blossoms from aphids and thrips. Keep plants healthy. ANNUALS AND PERENNIALS Last chance for planting perennials and biennials. Old clumps of perennials may be divided. Plant peonies. BULBS Spring-flowering bulbs may be planted late this month in North Alabama. Delay planting in South Alabama. MISCELLANEOUS Clean up infestations of insects on azaleas, camellias, boxwoods, gardenias, hollies, etc. If oil spray is needed, dont use in freezing weather. Build compost bin or box; leaves will be falling soon. Move houseplants indoors. VEGETABLE SEED Plant hardy vegetables and root crops. VEGETABLE PLANTS Plant cabbage, collards, cauliflower, celery, Brussels sprouts, and onion sets.
Holly Hirsbrunner with the display for the MG Booth at the Fair. Great job, Holly!

FRUITS AND NUTS New catalogs will be arriving soon. Start plans for

Inside this issue:

MG Calendar Alabama Gardening Cal Minutes Treasurers Report MG Trip to Atlanta - update Officers Photos Farm Yall Wrap-Up Fair Booth Work Schedule Fair Volunteer Opportunities

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September 2013

General Membership Minutes Cullman County Master Gardeners Association August 15, 2013
Changing the usual format of the meeting, Tony Glover began by presenting a program on The Power of Pollinators or Why Pollinators Matter. The educational presentation was full of information about our major pollinators. Ben Johnson, Southernness Design, explained he had surplus T shirts and caps for sale. The shirts are $10 with $5.00 going to CCMG and caps are $5 with $2.50 going to the club. President Teresa Goodwin called for a short social break where snacks and Jennifer Underwoods Cullman Cooler drink were offered. The Cooler is made of white grape juice, club soda and a basil syrup. The meeting restarted at 11:00 a.m. with 43 in attendance. Everett Wier gave the Sunshine report and read the Master Gardeners prayer. Teresa reported that thyme, parsley, and 20 pounds of eggplant were needed for the Friday, August 23, Farm to Fork dinner. Flowers, nice looking fruits, and vegetables are needed for decoration and centerpieces and can be dropped off at the Rotunda early Friday morning. Volunteer workers are needed to work in the Farm Yall CCMG booth Saturday, August 24, between 8:00 am and 3:00 pm. They will sell tea and water and slice tomatoes. Ten large coolers are also needed to hold ice and to keep the tea and water cool. Proceeds from the booth will go to the club. Phil Gatlin gave the treasurers report that had a balance of $10,218.70. Jackie Thrasher moved and Belinda Kilgore seconded a motion that we accept the report which then passed. Good cookbook sales caused us to exceed the amount set aside for tax purposes so the club voted to cover the cost of the increased tax. Imogene Hamilton announced that she had brochures available that described the Atlanta Gardens. The Thursday, October 3, bus trip is $20 per person with an $11 admission charge. Members and their guests need to sign up now to keep the cost for the bus down. Errors have been found in the cookbook. If you find one, please let Maggie know so she can notify the publisher and prepare an insert to give those who have already purchased a cookbook. Mary Reid reported fewer soil samples have occurred at Farmers Market but cookbook and bag sales have been great. A workday in the Demonstration Garden is scheduled for Friday, August 16, at 8:30. Volunteers are also needed to clean up after the Farm Yall dinner and to help with crop registration at the fair booth Wednesday, September 11, from 1:00 until 6:00 pm. Joan Williams volunteered to donate a basket for the fair booth drawing. Officers and committee chairman are needed for next year. If you are willing to help, see Charles Wunderlich. Cynthia Tubbs needs volunteers to teach Junior Master Gardeners. Respectfully submitted, Barbra Fields, Secretary

September 2013

Treasurers Report for August

CCMGAI Checkbook Balance as of 7/31/2013 Receipts from Aug. 1,2013 Aug. 31, 2013 Merchandise Sales (26 cookbooks, 5 IDG bags) Other Income (plant sale) Other Income (Farm Yall tea/water) Donation (Southernness) Total Receipts Disbursements from Aug. 1, 2013 Aug. 31, 2013 Merchandise (cookbooks expense) Postage Junior Master Gardeners - Plants Demo Garden Supplies- MG Display Board Fair Booth Bloomin Fest Plant Stakes Veterans Memorial In-Out Account Rain Garden Total Disbursements CCMGAI Checkbook Balance as of 8/31/2013 $ 310.00 $ 245.00 $228.00 $100.00 $ 8.90 $ 11.97 $ 210.99 $ 27.35 $ 644.00 $ 71.98 $ 11.96 $ 9.88 $ 49.50 $10,218.70

$883.00

$1,046.53 $10,055.17

Field Trip to Atlanta History Center

The Atlanta History Center is located on 33 acres in the heart of Buckhead and houses the Atlanta History Museum, Centennial Olympic Games Museum, Swan House, Smith Family Farm, six historic gardens, and the Kenan Research Center. See more at: http://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/ UPDATE: The trip is Thursday, October 3 and will cost $20 per person for the bus and $11.00 per person for admission to the History Center. 34 people are signed up for the bus trip that leaves room for 21 additional people. The trip is open to MGs, MG spouses and guests. Morgan County MGs have been invited, but to date, no one has taken us up on the offer. Please bring your payments to the September meeting, where we will finalize the details for everyone. To sign up, contact Imogene Hamilton at imoh1gfbc@gmail.com or call her at 205-647-1323. (NO WORK required this is for FUN).

September 2013

2013 Officers/Committees
Officers: President: Immediate Past President: First Vice-President: Second Vice-President: Treasurer: Secretary: Board Members: Teresa Goodwin Charles Wunderlich Maggie Walsh Don Nelson Phil Gatlin Barbra Fields Margaret Schwaiger Jackie Thrasher Imogene Hamilton Charles Pinkston Charles Wunderlich 256-352-6591 256-734-7521 256-841-4937 256-784-5234 256-747-3385 256-784-5045 256-734-1272 256-352-4203 205-647-1323 256-737-9386 256-734-7521 256-739-7100 256-739-5356 256-784-5234 256-347-4580 256-734-5479 256-734-5396 256-590-3115 205-529-2189 256-775-7407 256-590-3115 256-734-5396 256-352-6591 256-347-4580 256-739-5356 228-860-6773 256-734-7521 256-747-3385 256-841-4937 256-841-4937 256-636-6058 256-586-8445 256-841-4937 256-841-4937 256-747-3385 256-747-1812 256-734-7083 256-747-2057 256-352-6591 256-352-6591 256-739-8679 256-734-5479 plowgirl37@yahoo.com charles.wunderlich@yahoo.com mw230058@gmail.com dgnelson@centurytel.net philgatlin@bellsouth.net thru 2013 thru 2014 jackiethrasher@att.net imoh1@bellsouth.net thru 2015 cpinksto@auburn.edu charles.wunderlich@yahoo.com stevecartee@gmail.com mocarrell@yahoo.com dgnelson@centurytel.net ddouthit@localnet.com hghirsbrunner@gmail.com ellenhall55@aol.com jenka72@gmail.com jraley2@aol.com ellenhall55@aol..com hghirsbrunner@gmail.com plowgirl37@yahoo.com ddouthit@localnet.com mocarrell@yahoo.com cdonreid@yahoo.com charles.wunderlich@yahoo.com philgatlin@bellsouth.net mw230058@gmail.com mw230058@gmail.com lulutubbs@yahoo.com mw230058@gmail.com mw230058@gmail.com philgatlin@bellsouth.net ekbissot@gmail.com plowgirl37@yahoo.com plowgirl37@yahoo.com ewier@bellsouth.net

Extension Advisor: AMGA Advisory Council: Committee Chairs: Auditing

Steve Cartee Marion Carrell nd Don Nelson Awards (2 VP) BloominFest Pete & Donnie Douthit Class Refreshments Vanda Antaillia Club Gear Holly Hirsbrunner Communications: Germinator Ellen Hall Garden Pathways Jennifer Underwood Publicity Lora Raley Cookbook Revision Ellen Hall County Fair Booth Holly Hirsbrunner Crop Registration Teresa Goodwin Demonstration Garden Pete & Donnie Douthit Marion & Janice Carrell Festhalle Soil Testing Don & Mary Reid Charles Wunderlich Finance (Treasurer) Phil Gatlin Grant Maggie Walsh Intern Mentor Program Maggie Walsh Jr. Master Gardener Cynthia Tubbs Membership David Waddell Nominating Maggie Walsh Programs (1st VP) Maggie Walsh Rain Garden Phil Gatlin Scrapbook/Historian Betty Bissot Social: Picnic/XMAS Party April Kimbrell Alena Cook Awards Banquet Teresa Goodwin Strawberry Festival Teresa Goodwin Sunshine Everett Wier Volunteer Hours Vanda Antaillia

Demonstration Garden Workday Holly Hirsbrunner submitted this picture from the workday on August 16. Everyone appears to be very busy (or trying to hide).

Betty Bissot and Maggie Walsh prepare to help campers make rainbow fruit salad. Theme for the day: Art in the Garden.

Submitted by Rachel Peinhardt Dawsey

Garden Camp at Agriplex

September 2013

Wrapping it up: Farm Yall

Submitted by Jennifer Underwood On August 23, 112 guests gathered at the Rotunda building for Cullmans first Farm to Fork dinner, which kicked off the Farm Yall festival. A collaboration effort between the Farm City Committee, the Cullman Chamber of Commerce, and the CCMGAI, the Farm to Fork dinner consisted of 14 tables, each featuring a local farmer, allowing locals to literally shake the hands of those that feed them. The scrumptious meal consisted of ingredients provided by local farmers, and was prepared by Little Savannah restaurants Clif Holt. Stellar service was provided by Wallace States culinary department, headed by Chris Villa, and famed storyteller Dolores Hydock delivered a phenomenal performance at the event. The Master Gardeners did a fantastic job with the decorations, especially with the table centerpieces, which were likened to miniature cornucopias of colorful vegetables and flowers. A huge success, Farm to Fork was relished by all in attendance. Cullman rang in its first agricultural festival (Farm Yall) on August 24. A feast for the senses, Farm Yall had something to offer for everyone. Eager crowds gathered at the Festhalle Market Platz to partake in celebrity chef food demonstrations, enjoy enchanting live music, eat homemade bicycle-cranked ice cream and fried pies, and watch an almost 900 lb pumpkin splatter across the sizzling summer pavement after being dropped from a 175 ft crane. Attendees could also participate in sack races, 3-legged races, horse shoe pitching, watermelon seed spitting, or a petting zooeven ride a mechanical bull. In addition to hosting food preparation classes, the Master Gardeners sold tea, water, I Dig Gardening bags and Harvest to Table cookbooks at the event. Overall, Farm Yall proved to be a smashing success.

September 2013 Left: Jennifer Underwood (and Alyssa) demonstrate making healthy homemade baby food.

Right: Lorettas refreshment bar on the sidewalk outside The Rotunda welcomed guest as they arrived at the Farm-toFork dinner. For this very warm evening, she had prepared ice-cold lemonade, strawberry punch, blueberry tea and citrus water to accompany the appetizer course of sweet potato chips with citrus dip.

Words of Appreciation from Tony Glover:

On behalf of my office, The Farm City Committee and the Cullman Chamber of Commerce, I want to say a big thank you to everyone involved in the Farm to Fork Dinner and the Farm Yall Festival. Both events were a huge success. The dinner was beautiful in large part due to the MGs and their efforts. We met this morning to discuss the entire event and I heard many compliments on how well the dinner looked and was coordinated. Maggie did a great job with the coordination and everyone stepped up when called upon to help. Jennifer developed a wonderful Cullman Cooler Mocktail and helped coordinate the communications with the chefs, etc. not to mention the pre-event entertainment. We will start thinking soon about a larger venue due to the success and how quickly the event sold out. The festival the next day exceeded our expectations in terms of numbers attending and how smoothly everything went. We talked about the bad location we had for selling tea, etc. and that is certainly something easily fixed. Overall everyone involved gave the event high praise and are already thinking of how to make this event bigger and better next year. Loretta went above and beyond the call of duty in so many areas that I dont have time to list them all. The media exposure and farmer features were tremendous. Please pass the thanks along to the entire MG association. Tony A. Glover

September 2013

PLEASE HELP FILL IN THE NUMBERED BLANKS. (EXCELLENT WAY TO GET IN SOME VOLUNTEER HOURS)

September 2013

Volunteer Opportunities at the County Fair

For those of you who will get this in your email, Crop Registration is Wednesday September 11 from 1-6 p.m. with a brief training session from 12:30 1:00. Even if you didnt sign up to work, show up if you can and we will find you something to do. Some folks who come early may not be able to stay until 6:00, so relief workers are welcome throughout the afternoon. On Thursday morning, September 12, from 8-10:00 a.m., horticultural entries (house plants) will be received and registered by Master Gardeners, so there is another opportunity for you. Check the schedule printed on page 7 for open slots in the MG Booth the fair has extra days this year, so we need lots of volunteers. Call Holly as directed on that page to sign up.

Thanks and have fun at the Fair!

Cullman County Master Gardeners Association, Inc. P.O. Box 1483 Cullman, Alabama 35056