DAFFODILS IN MY FRIGID GARDEN

A few daffodils to enjoy from my frigid garden!

DON'T PULL THOSE PLANTS UP!

Lots of calls and questions have been coming in due to the extreme weather we have been having here in Ms. We have experienced record breaking cold and some sleet and snow and ice. The main concern has been in the prolonged temperatures in the teens and twenties-and some cases single digits. A lot of plants and trees look bad-or even dead. I think the best thing to do is just leave them alone and wait for spring-some things will put out again even if they look like goners. As long as the roots don't freeze, things should be o.k. If a severe cold is predicted make sure evergreens are thoroughly watered. Of course at the moment at my house water is standing everywhere from the recent heavy rains! I know m ost of us don't want to lose plants and trees that we have grown and come to love, but that just means we can buy more and maybe better varieties-have to look for the positive!

GET YOUR SEED ORDERS READY

Hope everyone is staying warm in all of this cold weather. The seed catalogues are arriving, so just stay inside and dream and plan your seed/plant order for spring. I have been getting lots of inquiries about planting English peas. A lot of people plant in January, but please wait till this terrible cold front passes. Soak your peas overnight for quicker germination when you do plant. I have picked my first "mess" of broccoli and am looking forward to the Brussels sprouts. Of course I have been eating kale and spinach mustard all winter. I do not know how my lettuce will do in this extreme cold, but it has been delicious too. Stay warm and enjoy your seed catalogues-spring is coming!

SANTA'S WORKSHOP

The Master Gardeners sponsored a Santa's workshop for the public last week We made burlap stockings.

Everyone said they had a wonderful  and relaxing afternoon. We all helped each other and had snacks and  did not rush.

Selecting trims for our stockings.

Pretty good for a first attempt at sewing.

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 .