MASTER GARDENERS VOLUNTEERING

Several of us Master Gardeners got together to decorate two trees at the county library.

Just needs a skirt under it.

One red tree and one green and red.

 Even though our thing is gardening, it is nice to volunteer for other things in the community. It puts the Master Gardener name out there and gives people a nice feeling about Master Gardeners. Besides it is a good thing to volunteer to help others.

MASTER GARDENERS AT WORK

The Scott County Master Gardeners had a table at Creative Christmas. This is a program hosted each year by the Extension Service. It is a place to Christmas shop or get information on business and services in Scott County. Our booth gave out free info on caring for Christmas poinsettias and planting bulbs as well as info on becoming an extension Master Gardener. We also were promoting our annual Christmas how to program. This year we will be demonstrating gift wrapping and making burlap stocking door hangers.

PLANNING FOR CHRISTMAS

Monthly Master Gardener meeting this week. We are making plans to participate in Creative Christmas and also planning our yearly Christmas program we do for the public. We have had a wreath making class for the last three or four years, this year we are doing something different. We plan to have a program on wrapping presents creatively  using things from nature. Also making and decorating a burlap stocking .

OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW

The temps have dropped-a little and fall is in the air-sometimes. That is the South! We finally got rain in most of Mississippi-we had not had any here in Scott County , or at least my part of it in over a month. A month of dragging hoses and just trying to keep things alive in mostly 98 degree heat. On the first cooler day I planted several kinds of lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, brussel sprouts  spinach and spinach mustard, and two kinds of kale. It is looking good after the rain. The peppers in every ones gardens have a second wind too.

These beauties were grown by one of our Master Gardeners out at Reyer Farms-check them out on Facebook.

These jalepenos were grown out at another Master Gardeners-in her herb garden.

WANTING TO START A FALL GARDEN?

Are you getting anxious to start a fall garden? I know I am. I cannot get out and garden in the summer due to medications I take, so my gardening is strictly spring and fall. I have got it in my head this year that I want to plant lots of different lettuces and greens-kale, swiss chard, mustard, etc. I always plant cabbage, broccoli and brussel sprouts-and of course spinach. Alas I will have to curb my enthusiasm for a couple of more weeks, it is still in the high 90's here and will be till at least late September-possibly October.

MORNING GLORIES

These morning glories were supposed to be solid blue-glad they turned out this way-love them. Parks seed sold these as tie dyed morning glories several years ago. I am hoping these make seeds and come back true.

Just beautiful!

This one looks like an old soft brushed denim. I love surprises-especially good ones!!!!

WHERE HAS SUMMER GONE?

Where has the summer gone? In about 3 and 1/2 weeks children will be going back to school! Everyone has been busy with their gardens. After a crazy spring where everyone had to plant two or three times and some a lot later than usual the gardens have taken off! I am hearing reports of record yields in the vegetable gardens and beautiful flowers in the flower gardens. I think the abundance of rain that we seemed to get at just the right times accounts for a lot of that. Of course the old timers say an abundant yield means a hard winter! If you don't grow a flower or vegetable garden, please visit a local farmers market-you will find delicious produce and beautiful cut flowers there-and meet some great people too.