Master Gardener Area Meeting

Recently attended an area Master Gardener meeting in Rankin County. Paula won this door arrangement. It was made of elm branches and covered with fresh flowers-of course you could put silk on it.

This was another arrangement that was demonstrated and given away. This one was on a piece of driftwood.

There was a lovely demo on fairy gardens-as they seem to be the big trend now.

RANDOM MG HAPPENINGS

Our newest Master Gardener (in the middle of the photo) is already hard at work on those volunteer hours. He even talked the County Director and the Nutritionist into helping.!

The snowball tree in  my front yard is spectacular this year!

A beautiful vignette in MG Judy's garden. We are putting the finishing touches on our yearly Green Thumbs in the Park program, more on that later.

THINGS ARE POPPIN AROUND HERE

Things are beginning to pop around here. We have had such a terrible month for working in the yard/gardens. Our part of the state has had lots of rain and it never seems to dry out before the next one comes. A lot of yard work this month has been done sloshing around in rain boots.

I love these old azaleas, they get huge! I think this is Pride of Mobile.

One small branch is a bouquet.

The snowball tree is getting ready to put on a show.

And the strawberries this year are wonderful. These are from one of our Master Gardeners farm.

EVER TRIED SWISS CHARD?

Been eating lots of this good stuff! If you have never grown swiss chard, I think you will love the taste. I plant in the fall and it grows all winter and well into summer. I have grown if for years to use in floral arrangements but never had eaten any until this year.I joined The Southern Gardener group on Facebook and several people mentioned how delicious and good for you it was. They were right -I love it and am planning a larger crop this fall!

MORE RAIN PREDICTED

I hope it has dried out enough for everyone to get in their gardens.I have lots of seedlings up in the greenhouse, though they need a little more size on them before planting out. Some people have their vegetables gardens planted already.I have been spending time getting all the grass out of my flower beds. I have never had such a crop of grass before! Getting lots of fresh lettuce and swiss chard to eat-it has been delicious. Well more rain predicted for Wednesday and Thursday, so it will be another several days before it is dry again! Some gardens will be late this year.

NOT SURE IT IS SPRING YET

Is it really spring? Just because the calendar says it is, does not make it so. It is going to be in the 30's tonight-probably patchy frost in the morning. I know a lot of people are already planting and putting out tomatoes-I think the soil is still too cold for a lot of stuff. Content yourselves with painting pots like the one above -or repainting patio furniture , etc. There is a lot to do in the yard/garden till time to plant most things. Of course you can plant perennials, they will be o.k. Hold off on most annuals though.

 Paint those gourds  you grew last year and make some bird houses. Visit some of the spring garden shows and plant sales for inspiration. And don't act surprised when we get that cold snap around Easter-it happens every year!

GARDEN TOUR

It is hard to beleive that this time next week we will officially be in Spring! I thought it never would get here!This is the entrance to Biedenharn Gardens in West Monroe, Louisiana. The hubs and I spent a lovely time there last weekend.

 This is not somthing you could do without some help!

 Sigh, but it sure is beautiful.A14 foot tall cast iron statue-one of four. There is a fountain at the top. If you are ever near here it is certainly worth the tour.