Union County Green Magazine

Hall's Maples Don't Commit Crepe

Mu rd e r

No-Till GARDEN Browns and Greens

HOME& GARDEN Show

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e m o c l e W to the

2012 Spring Garden Magazine

Here we are again, with another outstanding publication all about gardening and landscape design. This year we hope that you will enjoy all the articles and hope you will be sure to thank and patronize all the sponsors who took advertisements. Without their support we could not produce this magazine showcasing all the talented garden writers who have contributed their time and knowledge. I hope you enjoy, keep, and tell others about our magazine. This magazine has grown to cover over four states here locally along with being mailed to several other states, to several readers overseas. I hope that this will be good for the sponsors that have an internet business. This year we are proud to hand out approximately 2000 magazines at the New Albany Home and Garden Show, as well as placing over 600 copies in the goody bags at the Southern Region Master Gardener Conference in Natchez, where gardeners from 14 states will be attending.

I want to shout my heartfelt personal thanks to everyone who sponsored or wrote an article for the “Internationally Acclaimed UNION COUNTY GREEN” magazine. I especially would like to thank Lynn West, Dennis Clayton, Lisa Bryant, Tracey Murphree, and all the folks at the Daily Journal for making this happen. The Union County Master Gardeners are proud to have the New Albany News-Exchange as Partner in the New Albany Home and Garden Show.

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Tim Burress, Union County Master Gardener

Thank you for reading the 2012 Spring edition of Union County Green Magazine.

Although this is only the second year and second edition for the New Albany News-Exchange’s gardening magazine, it has arguably become the most popular of our special- and general-interest publications produced in addition to our newspaper.

Thanks to the help of the Union County Master Gardeners, Union County Green is widely read and distributed over a four-state area, but also read by gardening groups and enthusiasts throughout the country. We even have some requests for the magazine from overseas and it is used as a model for gardening associations and at conventions as well.

Also contributing to this magazine’s success has been the partnership with the very successful home and garden show sponsored by the Union County Master Gardeners each March. To show appreciation, the News-Exchange donates a percentage of the advertising sales revenue to the group each year to help support the cost of the show.

As before, this issue includes stories on a variety of topics related to gardening, but the non-gardener should find plenty of interest as well.

We hope you enjoy Union County Green and will share it with your friends. If you need more copies, they will be available at various locations around New Albany and, of course, at the News-Exchange office at 400 E. Bankhead St. J. Lynn West Editor and General Manager 4

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What's Inside

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*COVER PHOTO: The photo on the cover of this issue of Union County Green is titled "Earth Beauty" and was made by photographer Lowrey Wilson. See his story on how to photograph garden nature on page 42.

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Thank You to our advertisers

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New Albany Home and Garden Show Presentations

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The New Albany Home and Garden Show Here we are again for the fourth year, running wild planning another Gardening Extravaganza. By the time this comes out in print we will only be a couple of weeks from the New Albany Home and Garden Show.

We have over twenty Master Gardeners putting their heads together with Mississippi State Extension Personnel and using all the creative resources that we can muster up. It is a lot of work, meeting after meeting making sure all the details are taken care of and all the I's are dotted and all the T's are crossed.

Speakers have all been contacted, decorations have been designed and made, advertising has been printed and mailed; posters have been made and put out in over four states, not to mention getting the grounds and buildings ready for your arrival. All this hard work is done so that we can invite you to come and see the vendors selling plants, yard art, garden tools, lawn and garden equipment, food, and don't forget we have twenty three educational seminars to help you with all your gardening needs. “The Doctors Are In” on Friday, March 30th, so bring your questions, plant cuttings for problem identification, bugs in a bag for answers to pest problems, and bring your soil samples to be took back and tested by our experts at Mississippi State University Labs. Soil samples do have a small fee of six dollars per sample. Soil sample results are mailed back directly to your home address and are easy to read.

So with that said, “Ya'll Come” and join us for two great days of education, fun, and food. Oh, by the way, did I tell you that we will be giving away prizes both days and it is free admission. We are accepting donations of non-perishable food items to give to the food pantry.

Now, here is the schedule and we will have a pocket version for you at the gate.

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Azaleas:

A Southern charm

BY DR. JEFF WILSON

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here are a number of plants that can make a regular garden become a 'Southern Garden.' Some of these are Gardenia, Boxwood, Camellia, Crepe Myrtle, and Sweet Olive, but the most popular is definitely the Azalea.

Azaleas are a beautiful sight that brighten landscapes with colorful flowers in the spring and dazzling leaves in the fall. When selecting azaleas consider things such as: bloom color, bloom period, mature plant size, installation and maintenance requirements.

A wide range of sizes and colors are available from white, yellow, orange, red, purple and mixed forms. These durable plants can bloom for many weeks, providing long-lasting color throughout the landscape. Varieties from the Indica, Kerume, and Gumpo groups are traditionally the most common, but the repeatblooming Encore varieties have become very popular.

Azaleas can grow anywhere from one foot to 10 feet high and wide. Knowing the mature size of the plant will help you place it in the proper landscape location.

While azaleas are best suited for informal gardens that receive partial shade, they can survive in most landscape settings. They must have adequate drainage and look their best when planted in groups.

When planting, it is best to incorporate organic matter into the soil to provide good drainage. Also be sure to not set the plant below the soil line. I like to even leave the rootball about one inch above the natural soil line.

In heavy soils, raised beds work very well to keep the roots out of wet soils where they will not survive. Azaleas prefer an acidic soil with a pH of 4.0 to 6.0. A soil test through your local Extension office is the best method for determining soil pH. In my landscape, I have two varieties of Encore, one of the Gumpo, three of the Indica, and two of the Kerume azaleas. I like

to fertilize on March 1, and June 1 with a slow-release controlled fertilizer. Just make sure and select a brand that you are familiar with.

I also treat all of my azaleas with a drench insecticide, fungicide, and fertilizer treatment on March 1 and June 1. There are numerous products available, but Bayer Advanced All-in-One Rose Care is one product I use that has worked well.

Wait until all blooms are finished before pruning, since this allows for summer growth and bud set for next year's blooms.

Remember to never prune back more than one-third of the total plant.

If you follow these few simple steps, you too can have beautiful azaleas in your landscape! For more information contact your local extension office and pick up a copy of Growing Azaleas, Information Sheet 656.

Dr. Jeff Wilson is a horticulturist serving Northeast Mississippi with Mississippi State University's Extension Service.

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Terrariums: Growing in popularity and easy to make

BY ANNA LOOPER

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vintage bunny and child's tea cup terrarium for your inspiration pieces today.

Terrariums are the in thing this season.

One of my customers requested one and only said to make it vintage. I found this antique bunny with a pastel colored rose necklace and knew this was going to steal the show.

How to make a terrarium: 1. Buy good porous clean soil. Clean means like sterilized. Heated to remove the bad stuff.

2. Activated charcoal such as aquarium type. Cheapest you can find and usually at a pet store. You'll need the bottom 1/4 to be filled. It filters the moisture droplets and removes bacteria that would cause mold and disease.

3. Small plants such as Polka Dot plant, moss, small tropicals, orchids (only use filtered water for orchids), ferns, pothos, peperomias, and small evergreens.

4. Items of interest. There are plenty of miniatures on the market now but I like to find things that have special meaning or have a vintage feel. Doesn't have to be old but it helps. Stay away from anything paper. Stick with hard and no porous. Glass, ceramic, china, metal, etc.... think things that will create a story.

5. Some type of soil cover such as the rocks you see here....glass stones...sea glass...sand...but stay away from colored commercial moss as it tends to mold and smell.

Add the activated charcoal first. Add the next layer of soil such as I've shown..does not have to be exact science. Add half the soil...fill with plants..then fill with more dirt. I use a soup ladle to add the dirt cause it allows more control. I have small ladles and large ones depending on container size.

Add your items making sure they aren't all the same height and size. Top off with soil cover.

Terrariums are some of the most favored gifts given for any age and occasion. I make and design theme terrariums for birthdays, holidays, baby gifts, Mother's Day, best friend tribute, little girl fairy dreams, cats and paws, puppy dogs, farm animals, woodland creatures, china patterns, tea sets, and my list is very long.

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Terrarium containers are not difficult to find. The above is my favorite cause it gives a large viewing area...provides a healthy place and space for the plants to grow, and can be found at places like Target, Walmart, and container stores.

What goes in them can be expensive.

The bunny terrarium retailed for $110.00 because of the antique vintage bunny and the bottom one for about $75. The customer provided some of the ingredients for the bottom one. I charge $20 an hour to assemble them. Normally that takes about 1 to 2 hours. If I have to locate the items for you then I add an additional $10 to $20 as in the bunny terrarium. Right now I'm collecting children's tea pots and china cats. Cats will be running ... sitting ... jumping ... hiding behind the plants ... irresistible.

Caring for your terrarium means watching the moisture level. Add water at the time you make the container but don't over do it. Soil should be slightly moist and not wet. Don't feed it right away while the plants are getting established. It really only needs a spritzing of very weak liquid fertilizer about once a year. I don't open my terrarium but about twice a year unless something is growing too quickly or a leaf has gone brown. When a terrarium is healthy, there is a small amount of moisture fog on the glass. Maybe one spot here or there. When you no longer see it for let's say about a week...then it needs water. Mine creates a fog up toward the top. There should not be water droplets on the glass all the time as this will cause the plants to rot. Leave the lid off for a few hours until the humidity adjusts.

Keep it out of direct light but it does need some filtered light unless you have added high light plants. Most house plants don't like a hot window. A hot window will also make your terrarium sweat a lot and can cause plants to rot.

Your terrarium will not grow bacteria at any time due to the filtering of the activated charcoal.

Some folks like it simple and some go elaborate. I like the size I've featured because most everyone has a spot for it.

Large aquarium terrariums are show stoppers and conversation pieces but difficult to maintain the right light and moisture conditions.

Make your terrarium a story. Add things that will encourage you and your children to imagine they are part of the journey. Talk with them monthly about

the changes. Perhaps one of the pieces needs to be moved or a plant trimmed. I like to hide things for the children to find little animals or shapes. Farm supply stores have miniature farm and wildlife animals as do craft stores. I found the little doe and fawn at the popular Tractor Supply.

Tractor Supply also has some dog and cat varieties but Ebay is a good source for these things too. Replacements.com has loads of salad plates, figurines, tea pots, and things like ceramic eggs, ornaments, and small coffee cups that range from very expensive to a few dollars.

Don't forget sayings and names. This can be achieved by pulling the keys off old keyboards picked up at Goodwill and second hand stores. Spell out fun words and things like aardvark. Make it a conversation piece.

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Crabapple

Trees!

BY SHERRA OWEN

What an integral part of our daily lives! Not only do they provide the oxygen we breathe, but from the beginning of time have provided landmarks, food shelter, and medicine. They have met our varied needs and given us some of our most memorable experiences.

From the earliest history of America, trees have been revered as valuable landmarks. Freedom meetings were held under large "liberty trees." Important papers were signed under "Charter" oaks to note the beginnings of institutions of faith and education. Under "proclamation" pines the patriots proclaimed their ideas for the new world. Trees became a tangible affirmation of our independence as evidenced by tree symbols on early flags and coins. Native Americans used trees to mark hundreds of miles of trails and early deeds used trees to mark corners.

The needs of this great nation have been met to a large extent by trees. 1765 to 1865 is known as the century of wood.

One used wood from "sunrise to sunset" and did so from the "cradle to the grave." Wood built houses, barns, wagons, barrels, plows, churns, bowls, and toys. Trees were used for heat, tools, medicine, food and fences. A man's tools were so treasured that they were included in his will. Boys inherited tools, while girls inherited baskets.

It was very important to know the hardness or softness of the wood, its durability and the

Redbud branch

Fall Forest

different properties so that it could be put to its best use. The large straight tall poplar was used as logs for houses and barns. The outer bark was used for baskets and the inner bark for making rope. The witch hazel was used to find water through water witching. The hickory was used for auto Lighter tree used to fight fires parts, handles, wagon wheels and oil for lamps. Hides were tanned with red oaks and white oaks were stripped for baskets. Black gum and dogwood provided tooth brushes. My dad told a story of riding to town in a wagon when the wheel became too loose to continue. It was tightened with the inner bark of the slippery elm found on the roadside. When a boy got in trouble, he was tanned with a hickory stick and when he died he was laid to rest in a pine box.

Early pioneers searched the woodland for seasonal food. Hickories, pecans, chestnuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, and beechnuts provided great taste and protein.

Vitamins and minerals were provided by apples, plums, peaches, pears, persimmons, cherries, blueberries, paw paws and mulberries. All were eaten fresh, dried, and preserved. Coffee was prepared from the seeds of beech, honey locust, and persimmon. Sweet syrup was found in the maple, box elder, and elderberry which

Over the fence to the pond and dogwood

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was, also used in wine making along with black cherry.

Regarding trees, Ezekiel 47:12 states "‌ and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine." Some common ones are black willow (aspirin), black cherry (cough syrup), devil's walking stick (earaches, toothaches) and tulip poplar (heart stimulant). The eastern red cedar had so many medicinal uses that Native Americans called it, "the tree of life." Today it is being studied as a treatment for cancer as well as the paw paw tree.

The sassafras tree was called the medicine tree by Native Americans and believed to have magical powers because it had three kinds of leaves. Sassafras was America's first import. In 1622, 30 tons were harvested and sent to England. It provided a very important tea and tonic used for headaches, earaches, and backaches.

Witch Hazel Woodlands have long provided fun for American youngsters. Hundreds of toys were made from wood. What American boy has not taken scraps of wood and with hammer and nails created a treasure? Most of those reading this article have climbed a tree or maybe even swung on a grapevine. Fishermen treasure the worm from the nearby catalpa tree. Older citizens remember chewing gum from the sweetgum tree and maybe adding a 'stretch berry' to make it blow bubbles.

Sweetheart initials can often be found carved in a beech tree. Dad remembers riding the trees. A perfect birch or hickory would be found to climb to the top at which time the tree would bend to the ground to deposit the climber. Robert Frost recounted this in his poem "Riding the Birches."

We must not forget the vital role that trees play in the sustainability of our environment by providing food and shelter for thousands of animals and insect species thus sustaining human life. Provide a home for the trees and they will provide a home for us.

As I stand looking across the rail fence down toward the pond, I see an ancient red cedar standing sentinel over a mature riparian forest. Within my view are some 60 species of trees and shrubs growing in the sandy red clay of the Pontotoc Ridge.

Missing from view is the American chestnut. Once the most valuable tree of Southern Appalachia, the chestnut provided fencing, furniture, food and medicine.

Lying nearby is a carcass which, like all others, succumbed to the chestnut blight of the 30's. Today blights are slowly taking away the elms and the sassafras.

The trees in sight are bare and have graceful beauty, but I can't forget the breathtaking fall color of just a few weeks a go and the gorgeous bloom soon to come on the dogwoods and the tasty redbuds. I'm so thankful for the bounty of trees in Union County and the summer shade they provide.

Witch Hazel

Dogwood blooming branch

Dogwood

Myrtle men riding trees

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Lady Estelle comes to town

BY BETTYE MCMILLEN

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he latest addition to the Spring Home and Garden Show is a new resident to New Albany. Lady Estelle will arrive a day or two before the event begins and will become a permanent resident of the city. Her exact place of residence is yet to be determined, but it will be a place of easy accessibility. She will welcome visitors, and attention is appreciated, even demanded. Lady Estelle will not be ignored.

Exactly who is Lady Estelle, and how did she choose New Albany, particularly Spring in Bloom, the Spring Home and Garden Show, for her debut? Lady Estelle is the brainchild of Judy and Ricky Henry, Union County Master Gardener and Mississippi Friend of Master Gardeners 2011 winner, respectively.

Ricky Henry, an engineer by trade employed by Piper Industries for almost twenty years, has worked tirelessly in many different areas to augment his wife's interest in the Master Gardener program. "Judy comes up with the ideas and then I just try to bring them to life for her," Ricky replied modestly.

Within the last year, Judy Henry accompanied a few friends to Atlanta Botanical Gardens, where they toured some gardens as part of their visit. At one such garden, Judy saw an interesting piece of yard art--a life-sized mannequin-type covered in fresh flowers--something on the order of things found on floats in the Rose Bowl Parade, except whole fresh flowers were used, not just the petals. Judy took a picture to bring home, showed it to her husband, and he ran with it.

Henry studied the picture; he and Judy designed and sketched a design of their own, made adjustments, sketched again, tweaked the whole thing, and sketched some more until they came up with what they wanted. Out came the tools, the rebar, the welding torch, saws, whatever he had. Rebar was cut, shaped, welded, etc. and slowly the figure took shape.

Lo and behold, the figure grew to a height of perhaps seven feet (Henry is tall, and it towers over him). The woman (flower man never seemed an option) will hold a basket/flower pot filled with blooming plants in one hand and perhaps a rake in the other.

If a rake is used, it will probably be the only thing not covered in flowers.

Constructing the flower woman was Henry's job; decorating her will fall to his wife and several other women from the Union County Master Gardeners Association. Pansies ("they've already located several flats for this"), camellias ("Judy's got a lot of those red camellias here in the yard"), verbena, other available flowering plants, moss, whatever they can find. "And we still have all that elaeagnus here; we can certainly use that," Henry added.

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Ricky Henry grew up in north Mis sissippi and learned to work at an ear ly age. He also learned the importance of a good work ethic and demonstrated that in all his years at Piper. He was a leader who encouraged and motivated his staff by example. When Piper went through a major restructuring a few years ago, he was released to utilize his talents in other places. And utilize those talents, he did.

"My father was a carpenter by trade, and I have always been interested in building things. I often work from a picture of something, then figure out the measurements and the type of material I will need, then draw the item and tweak it until I get it the way Judy wants it, and we go from there." Sounds simple, doesn't it?

Simple, until one begins to look at the things Henry has built.

Their home is an example of his work. The dining area was an old screened porch on the original home, and the den and garage area did not exist until Henry began to put his drafting skills together along with a saw, hammer, and nails. Hard work is no stranger to him.

As for the Master Gardener program, Henry built an Adirondack chair one year because his wife wanted one. She then asked if she could donate it to be used as a door prize for the Home and Garden Show. Two or three years later, he built two such chairs which he painted in vivid spring colors for the Show.

One was used for a door prize, and one was raffled. This year, he plans to build five Adirondack chairs, one or two for door prizes and the others to be sold if anyone is interested in buying one.

Also on display at Spring in Bloom will be several "people" constructed from clay flower pots of varying sizes. "We used those for Christmas with monkey grass and red bows. I'm not sure how Judy wants to use them for the Show, but she does intend to use them," Henry said.

Come to the Show; pay your respects to Lady Estelle, named for Judy Henry's grandmother who was a master gardener long before the term really came into use. Have your picture made with Lady Estelle; she is one of a kind.

Consider this: strong women usually have a man standing beside them; think Cleopatra and Marc Anthony, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, Hillary Clinton and Bill, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip--the idea being "you get two for the price of one". The Union County Master Gardeners Association has several such pairs, not the least of which is Judy and Ricky Henry.

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Branching off into Japanese maples

BY LES HALL

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n life and in business, one thing leads to another.

Hall's Wholesale Maples started as a part time operation around ten years ago when Les Hall was an employee at Action Industries in Belden, Miss.

Always a lover of the outdoors, he enjoyed planting trees and watching them grow. In 1999, he began selling River Birches, Cypress trees, Sawtooth Oaks, and various fruit trees; mainly to his co-workers.

As word spread about the "tree farmer," several people began to ask whether he sold Japanese Maples.

He studied the various varieties and started out with some of the most common; Bloodgood, Crimson Queen, and Viridis. As one thing led to another, and the love for and understanding of Japanese Maples grew, Hall's Wholesale Maples was born and is now a full time business. We offer approximately 135 varieties of Japanese Maples. Through trial and error, he has been able to discover which varieties perform well in our Zone 7 humidity and which ones don't. When you purchase a tree from Hall's, you can be assured that you are getting a tree that will perform well in this area.

Hall's Wholesale Maples is a simple operation with most of the trees being grown outside at the mercy of 18

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the weather, without the benefit of a greenhouse. This actually increases their tolerance level to a certain degree.

Hall has noticed that the trees he raises transplant better than ones he purchases from others which have been grown in the controlled atmosphere of greenhouses. Even now, in early 2012, he is concerned about our warm winter in Northeast Mississippi. He doesn't want any of his trees to break bud too early since there is the ever-present danger of a late freeze.

As one thing led to another, and his knowledge and interest level grew, Hall began doing some grafting, mostly as a hobby. He has been reluctant to try grafting in the past because it normally requires strict temperature control. He has been lucky to have a few friends who are experienced at grafting and have given him some great tips. As with most worthwhile projects, practice and hard work pay off and the art of grafting is starting to show significant results.

There are trying moments with the weather and the stubborn personality of some of the more particular varieties, but he is still of the opinion that Japanese Maples, especially in their fall glory, are some of the coolest trees in the world.

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Cucumber: the miracle fruit

BY TIM BURRESS Mississippi Master Gardener

Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day.

Imagine, eating just one average cucumber and all these vitamins are yours. Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

Do you feel tired in the afternoon? Don't reach for that caffeine boost, pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours. Hungry and need to fight off that midafternoon hunger, cucumbers have been used for centuries by trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation. Now that you have had that snack, you don't have to worry about bad breath because you can save that last slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath. The phytochemicals will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.

Are you stressed out and don't have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Grab a cucumber, slice it up and place it in a boiling pot of water.

The chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown to reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.

Do you want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache?

Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed, wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost.

Don't you just hate it when you get out of the shower and the mirror is fogged over? Grab a cucumber slice and try rubbing it along the mirror and it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance. Are you looking for a "Green Way" to clean your faucets, sinks, or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean and not only will it remove years of tarnish, but it will bring back the shine. It also won't leave streaks or harm you fingers and fingernails while you clean.

This one is for you girls who think you have a problem with cellulite. Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes.

The phytochemicals in the cucumber are said to cause the collagen in your skin to tighten and firm up the outer layer, thus reducing the visibility of cellulite. Hey say it works great on wrinkles too.

Have you got a problem with slugs, snails, and grubs ruining your planting beds?

Place a few slices of cucumbers in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy.

Do you have an important meeting or job interview and realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a fresh cut cucumber slice over the shoe, for a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.

Is that squeaky door or hinge driving you crazy, and you can't find the can of WD 40? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone.

It happens all the time, the ink pen made a mistake. Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it as an eraser. It is also said to works great on crayons and markers that the kids used to decorate the walls.

"Now you know the rest of the story" as our old friend Paul Harvey would say. Fact or fiction, I guess you will have to try these tidbits to see if they really work. I can tell you that they do shine a shoe pretty good and they will help with a squeaky hinge if you can get the juice in there.

So, everyone, grab a cucumber or two and keep them handy, one in your car, desk, briefcase, and a couple of other places.

Drop me an email at colorsbytim@hotmail.com and let me know what happens with your experiments in "Cucumber Science."

Happy eating, keep digging in the dirt, and plant some cucumbers.

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Do n' t c o mmi t

e p e Cr r e d Mu r

BY JUDY KELLY Adams County Mississippi Master Gardener

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hen summer arrives in Natchez, Mississippi and countless other cities, towns and country sides throughout the south, residents and visitors alike are treated to clouds of flowering blossoms in shades of pink, lavender, white, red and purple, as hundreds and thousands of crepe myrtle trees burst forth in a frenzy of color. These lovely trees are the belles of the southern summer.

But all is not sweetness and light with our beautiful belles. Each late winter and early spring finds the annual skirmishes between those who carefully prune the trees in order to coax out ideal floral displays, as well as enhance the health of the trees, and those who commit "Crepe Murder."

Most likely, murder of the trees is the end result of well intentioned, but ill informed wielders of tree pruners and saws. These folks, no doubt, are just repeating what Grandpa always did with his trees. Or they imitate the nice lady down the street who always has the best looking garden in the neighborhood, (so she must know what she is doing).

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In our city of Natchez, one woman has become the "General" in the war to save the trees from disfiguring cuts and unhealthy, weakened branches. "General" Joanne King and her small but growing army of like minded Master Gardeners and other caring citizens descends on the Natchez City Cemetery as well as various downtown streets to give the trees careful pruning on wintery mornings in January and February.

Joanne's new recruits are first educated in the art of carefully selecting and pruning only those tree limbs and smaller branches which will enhance the beauty and the health of the tree. They are then partnered with others who are experienced in trimming crepe myrtles. The new recruits learn to identify a tree's problem areas, which may include dead or broken branches, branches which are crossed and rubbing against each other or will grow to have that problem, and sucker growth. They also look for and correct, as much as possible, dense growth in the canopy of the tree which restricts proper airflow through the branches. Each cut and correction is made only to enhance the health and natural beauty of that crepe myrtle tree.

The crepe myrtle project is in its seventh year at the Natchez City Cemetery. The expansion to include trees on selected downtown streets; as part of the Natchez

Downtown Beautification project, is in its second year.

As you travel the city streets and country roads during the winter and early spring months, before the leaves appear, you have probably admired the crepe myrtles for their dramatic, sculptural forms and beautiful trunks.

Crepe myrtle trees have exfoliating (self shedding) bark. In winter as the bark falls away, trunks of smooth silver, tan and cinnamon brown, among other colors, are revealed. These trees give a beautiful show in every season.

When you find a tree with gnarled and knobby trunks or branches, you are viewing a tree which is the victim of "Crepe Murder." Sure, the tree has survived and has re-grown a thicket of smaller and weaker branches.

Sure, there is a dense floral display, since flowers bloom on new growth from the previous year. But what has been achieved is more of a "bush on a stick" look, than what Mother Nature intended. Growing out of the knobby cuts are dozens of weak sucker shoots.

With careful pruning over several years, the grace and beauty can be restored. But come autumn, when the leaves fall, there will always be that knobby, gnarled reminder of the past.

Along with Live Oaks, Spanish moss and Antebellum homes, the beautiful, in every season; crepe myrtle trees are a southern signature. If you have a crepe myrtle tree, treasure it. If you plan to plant one, find a safe and suitable location for it and vow never to commit "crepe murder."

Your tree will be your ambassador to future generations and you will leave mother earth a better and more beautiful place than you found it.

The Adams County Mississippi Master Gardeners will host the 2012 Southern Region Master Gardener Conference in Natchez, Mississippi on May 1-4.

For information contact your county Master Gardener organization or your local Extension Service.

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Victory contained At first glance it may appear too hard. Look again. Always look again.

- Mary Ann Rodmacher

BY HELEN WEIS All great gardeners have come into greatness through trial and error. If at first they did not succeed they tried and tried again.

We all have those few favorite plants we know to be tried and true, and often we sell ourselves short by sticking to what we know.

As spring approaches, the anticipation of what is yet to come slowly opens as the first buds on the branch appear. This is my favorite time of the gardening year.

Let us all agree, that you do not need to be an expert to plant a stunning container. A willingness to study a plant tag, paired with a few customary rules and a passion for beauty is all the expertise any novice needs. I have found that when it comes to creating beautiful containers, options are the key to success. Options are the backbone of any creative endeavor. This year, when you go out in search of plants available to you, try a new approach. Use your options to their fullest and take the unexplored path. Try applying creative alternatives to your tried and true plants and break free from your comfort zone. Do not worry with making a mistake, for they are the gifted lessons which bring us into greatness. Often, mistakes are what give us the discipline and ingenuity to avoid future pitfalls and triumph over setbacks.

Mistakes are often the greatest teacher any gardener could ever have.

There are three main elements I put into every container design, simplicity, symmetry and harmony.

Simplicity allows your container to make a statement without being drowned out by its surroundings. For example, if your container has a garden full of colorful plants for a background, 24

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then a striking solitary planting is the way to go. A solitary planting can make a grand statement if kept in symmetry with the container in which it is planted. A small plant set in a large container will never look astatically pleasing.

Symmetry is both seen and felt, and it can be used in many ways.

When planting containers at an entrance, use two containers placing one on either side. This type of symmetry creates character and makes a declaration at the entry you are passing through.

Anyone who has tried their hand at gardening already has the ability to appreciate and distinguish color. For the most part, we do this not with our eyes, but with our emotions. Creating harmony is all about the ability to coordinate colors and pair them with textures. If you want a bold container, use bold colors and pair them with bold textures. If you want a soft romantic container use pastel colors and soft textures.

Plant choices are all about evoking emotion. If you follow the customary rule of using shade plants for shady containers and sun tolerant plants for exposed containers, it becomes fairly difficult to fail.

My wish for you, in this coming year of gardening, is that you grow beyond your boundaries.

That if you feel that using plants you have never worked with before is far too hard‌ look again. Always look again. No one has ever achieved 'Victory' by limiting their options. Now, get out there and take the unexplored path. It's always worth the while.

Helen Weis has been creating beautiful containers and landscape designs in Oklahoma for over a decade. In addition to being the owner and principal designer of Unique by Design, located in Edmond, Okla., she is also a horticulture consultant, freelance garden writer and a member of the Oklahoma Horticultural Society and Central Oklahoma Hemerocallis Society.

Union Union County County GREEN GREEN

25 15

The

G N I Z AMA No-Till Mini-Garden

BY STANLEY WISE Union County Extension Agent Not long after I was old enough to hold up a garden hoe, I was taught how to plant a garden by the world's greatest teaching method: The Wise Family Farm required hands-on learning experience, taught by my Mother. Needless to say, I had to learn, but I didn't have to like it. And in my family, I always had the last word. However, it was always after my Mother was out of sight.

As the years have gone by, I still don't like to use a garden hoe, a shovel or a tiller to make a garden.

And now, in the latter half of my life, I like it even less.

However, I love fresh garden vegetables and have learned how to grow them without using the "old school" tools.

For 20 years, I have helped farmers implement notill farming practices on their farms 26

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to control erosion and conserve the soil. No-till farming has been successful. The principles also apply to gardening. Mother Nature has the best method of getting water and oxygen into the subsoil and breaking up hardpans formed by years of continuous cultivation. Roots of plants can penetrate deep into the soil through the annual cycle of growth and development. Root canals are formed when old roots die and decompose. This leaves natural channels for water, oxygenation of the soil structure and new roots to follow which penetrate even deeper.

I have developed a rotational gardening system that I call the Amazing No-Till MiniGarden.

This method consists of building a simple wooden 4 x 8 ft. frame from 2 x 4 lumber. If you use treated lumber, you can reuse the frame for many years.

Next, attach a piece of high quality heavy duty landscape

fabric to one side of the frame with staples. This frame with the landscape fabric attached will be your mini-garden.

Select a well-drained site to put your minigarden with at least 6 hours of full sun per day.

Preferably the site will have a gentle slope so that rain water will drain off quickly. Next, mow off the area to place your mini-garden. Fertilize the 4 x 8 ft. area with the following fertilizer combination: One half cup of 13-13-13, one cup of Calcium Nitrate, one fourth cup of 0-0-60 (potassium), and 4 cups of pelleted lime. Sprinkle the fertilizer and lime evenly within the area for the mini garden.

Water the fertilizer generously to dissolve it into the sod/soil. Natural and organic fertilizer can also be used as an alternative. Place the frame you created over the area with the landscape fabric on the bottom. Drive stakes into corners of the frame to keep it in place. This completes your minigarden and you are ready to plant.

To plant your mini garden, take a sharp knife or pair of scissors and make an X shaped incision.

Use a knife or garden-trowel to dig a hole through the incision into the sod/soil below for

transplanting tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, etc. Or you can plant seeds of your choice. Be sure to use the proper plant spacing for the vegetables you are planting. Flowers can also be planted into the minigarden.

The mini-garden frame will serve as a mulch to kill existing vegetation, prevent future weed emergence and conserve soil moisture. The minigarden is effective for preventing soil borne diseases. After your plants have grown above the frame, you may also want to put a shallow layer of wooden mulch for aesthetics and additional water conservation but is not necessary. Rain water will penetrate the landscape fabric mulch and you can also use a soaker hose or garden wand for irrigation during periods of dry weather. You can add additional water soluble fertilizer if needed.

Your mini-garden can be moved each year to rotate your garden or reuse on the site by adding more fertilizer to the garden the next year.

There is nothing that compares to the taste and health benefits of fresh vegetables. The Amazing No-Till Mini-Garden can provide these with less effort and time than tilling and weeding a conventional garden.

Happy Gardening in 2012!

Union County GREEN

27

Growing Garlic

in the Mid-South

"My final, considered judgment is that the hardy bulb [garlic] blesses and ennobles everything it touches - with the exception of ice cream and pie." ~ Angelo Pellegrini

BY CARL WAYNE HARDEMAN

L

ast year we experimented in the Victory Garden by planting 600 cloves of 31 varieties of garlic.

Encouraged by our successful harvest last July, and seeing which varieties thrive under our soil, weather, and amateur gardening conditions, we planted again this winter last November 1,000 cloves of 20 varieties.

The Georgian (as in Asia) Crystal seemed to produce best results. Oddly enough it is a hardneck variety more suited to more northerly climes where people never even heard of grits for breakfast.

We use this guidebook: Growing Great Garlic by Ron L. Engeland.

Our favorite online website: http://www.gourmetgarlicgardens.com/overview.htm Garlic is Allium sativum. The Allium family includes onions, leeks, chives, shallots, scallions, and those grown simply for their gorgeous flowers. There are two subspecies: hardneck ophioscoridon and softnecks. Ophio is snake in Greek. The hardnecks have a central stalk called a scape which curls around like, well a snake. My Asian friends trim and eat the tender scapes.

Most of the commercial garlic in the US is softneck, mostly grown in Gilroy CA. You may want to put their Garlic Festival in your life bucket. But we all could raise our own supply in our otherwise unused containers on our patios during the winter.

Softnecks are mature when like onions their leaves turn brown and fall over. Hardnecks are mature when two of their leaves have turned brown. For both leaving them in the ground can result in rot or deterioration of the bulb sheaths.

Garlic is an age old primary veggie. The Mongol Hordes and Attila's Huns carried them for sack lunches. Egyptian slaves ate them. Tomatoes, potatoes, corn, peppers, chocolate (my favorite veggie) came from the New World.

Garlic originated in central Asia in cold, dry, poor soil conditions, so our soil is a holiday resort to them.

While you can find hundreds of varieties online to buy, scientists say there are only ten distinctive varieties: five hardnecks Porcelain, Purple Stripe, Marbled Purple Stripe, and Rocambole, and softnecks Creole, Asiatic, Turban, Artichoke, and Silverskin. Interestingly elephant garlic is a leek. Most of what you see in stores in America are simply called southern softneck.

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The varieties we have planted are: Inchelium Red, Italian Late, Red Tochliarvi, Tochliarvi, Chamiskuri, New York White, German White, Polish Hardneck, Hnat Theradrone, Montana Carlos, Russian Giant, Simonetti, Red Janice, Metechi, Brown Tempest, Lotus, Lorz Italian, Bavarian Purple, Chinese Purple, German Extra Hardy Hatali, Transylvania, Shang Dong, Belarus, Leningrad, and some southern softnecks from local grocery stores. They vary in pungency and days to maturity.

Garlic serves many purposes. You can eat both scapes and bulbs, probably a clove or two at a time. It is good for what ails you. My doctor recommends it. Momma wore an asafoetida bag to repel bad airs as a child. It can be useful in your integrated pest management plan, and you won't have vampires.

Garlic comes nicely packaged by Mother Nature as a bulb: a packet of cloves surrounded by as many sheaths as there were leaves. Seeds will form on the bubils on the end of the scapes should you not choose to cut and eat them.

The easiest propagation is to plant individual cloves two inches deep, pointy end up, in rich well-drained soil before the first hard freeze. Soil needs to be slightly acidic as for onions. Pine straw mulch will do that. They do not abide weeds well. You can use bulbs from the grocer, and plant in containers with light mulch in your backyard as I do. They like blood meal which is natural nitrogen, but most any veggie fertilizer works too. Feed them lightly once a month when you are going outside to empty your kitty litter box.

Good luck and let me know how it turns out for you.

Be sure to say

k n a Th You

to the advertisers who helped make this publication possible!

New Albany

News-Exchange Union County GREEN

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BY DENISE PUGH

M

artha has them, P. Allen has them, and soon I, too, will have them. Chickens. Is it the new fad in urban landscaping, a protest of foods transported coast to coast, or just getting back to nature? I'm not sure, but for me, it was a combination of reasons. My grandparents had chickens.

As a child, I remember their clucking and pecking and squawking, and the fear that they would peck me as I gathered the eggs, but that was more than 40 years ago, and now I'm ready for the challenge. I am ready to gather brown eggs from my own nests every morning.

Now, thanks to a tolerant husband and contractors, John and Chris Bullock, I am the proud owner of a great chicken coop. This coop has indoor and outdoor lighting, plumbing, secure doors, a ramp to the roosting area, nest boxes and a water warmer. All 30

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I need now are the chickens.

Just when I was in a quandary as to what type of chicken breed to purchase, my neighbor, Terry Hill, stopped by to introduce me to the chickens he raises: Jersey Giants and Delawares. I had been pondering the

purchase of Rhode Island Reds, but after meeting Terry's chickens, I was sold. (Although I do wonder why all chickens seem to be from the New England States.) I met Terry's chickens on a warm, winter afternoon, happy, clucking, content, laying brown eggs.

Terry was very gracious to share his knowledge about feeding (use Prime Quality Laying Pellets), safety (use a double strand of electric wire around the base of the coop) and protection from hawks, fox and other predators.

So, once Spring arrives, I'll hold the "ribboncutting" for the chicken coop (my husband jokes), and we will welcome a cadre of Jersey Giants and Delawares to their new home. I can't wait for breakfast.

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31

Gourds are fun and easy to grow

BY TIM BURRESS Mississippi Master Gardener

G

ourds are a fun vegetable to grow and are a member of the Cucurbita family, which include pumpkins and squash. Gourds are also easy to grow and are grouped into three major categories; ornamental, hard shell, and luffa. Ornamentals, as the name implies, is for decorations and ornaments. These bright and colorful gourds will spruce up your Halloween, Thanksgiving and other fall displays. Hard shelled are the larger and longer gourds that are used to create bird houses and other craft projects. Luffa is also know as the sponge squash. It is actually grown for use as a sponge.

Gourds grow in all kinds of shapes, colors and designs.

The challenge in growing a variety of gourds is cross pollination. Cross pollination is a trait of the cucurbita family, so if you want a variety of gourds, plant lots of seeds and let the birds, bees, and butterflies do their job.

The most popular is the hard shell or birdhouse gourd.

People grow and dry these hard shelled gourds mainly for use as birdhouses. Hard shell varieties require 110 - 130 days to grow to maturity. Gourds take a long time to dry.

The small ones take at least a month and the long gourds that are used for crafts and birdhouses, can take six months or more. Here are the basics for drying them: Clean your gourds with a solution of water and a disinfectant or bleach to kill any bacteria. Place gourds on a screen or a board, making sure that they do not touch each other. Store them in a cool, well-ventilated area.

Gently move them each day or two and wipe off any moisture that is on them. Moisture is natural, as they are perspiring off the water content, which is about 90% of their weight. Fungus on them is not abnormal. They are okay unless they develop a soft spot. If a soft spot is found, discard it. Gourds are dry when the seeds inside rattle. At this point the gourd will be very lightweight and fragile. Once they are dry, you can make a wide range of crafts and they can be painted, shellacked, or left unfinished. Birdhouse gourds can be made into just about anything, including vases, flower pots, bowls, dishes, ladles.

Ornamental gourds are usually smaller and will come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Ornamentals grow to maturity in 90-100 days and are most commonly used as decorations in fall displays.

The luffa gourd is used as a sponge, just as its name implies. It also grows to maturity in approximately 100 days.

When planting, sow four or five seeds in hills, with the hills spaced four to five feet apart. Space rows five to ten feet apart, depending upon how much space you have.

The more space you provide, the less overcrowding, and the more and larger the gourds. Thin to two to three seedling per hill.

When planting in rows, space seeds five to six inches apart.

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Gourds are grown like pumpkins and squash. They like warm weather and lots of fertilizer. The soil should drain well, contain lots of compost, and be kept moist. Gourds are a vining plant and grow well on fences or a garden trellis. Fencing is great for the smaller, ornamental gourds or try growing them in a large container, and hanging them off your deck. The main advantage of fencing, is the gourd grows with less blemishes, because there is no contact with the ground. The larger hard shelled variety will do better sprawled on the ground, as the larger fruit can break off the vine if suspended.

Cucumber beetles, aphids, slugs and snails and squash vine borers are pests that like to attack gourds, so you will need to keep an eye out for them.

Gourds are affected by a range of fungi, with the most notable being downy and powdery mildews. Begin a fungicide treatment as soon as signs occur or better yet, apply fungicides before the fungus hits. Start treatments when the hot and humid summer weather begins in your area.

Gourd plants do not like frost and a late spring frost will kill tender seedlings. Make sure to cover them if the threat of frost exists. The gourds themselves however, are not harmed by frost or freezes.

Harvest in the fall after the first frost as a heavy frost will not harm a mature crop. Some people say to harvest them before the frost. I have read of growers and crafters who actually leave them outdoors all winter long, letting nature do the drying. They believe the gourds dry more naturally, with far fewer problems with mold. When harvesting, leave as much stem as possible because you can always trim the stem to the desired length and look when finishing them.

Have you got a story about growing gourds? Send me an email at colorsbytim@hotmail.com and share your thoughts or comments.

Happy Gardening and keep digging in the dirt.

Ground Covers

for the shaded garden

Ajuga, Pachysandra, Mondo Grass and Creeping Jenny

BY BITSY DAVIS

T

he well planned garden is made up of vertical layers of foliage and flowers, from tall and understory trees, to shrubs, annuals, perennials, and vines, down to the ground hugging plants known as ground covers.

In gardening, the term ground cover is used to describe a plant that will spread through the garden by running or reseeding to form a blanket of greenery in a designated area. Ground covers vary greatly in height, in the color, shape, and size of leaves, and in bloom color and form.

The light requirements of various ground covers can also be quite different. Some grow best in full sun, others require shade, and there are many which will thrive in a variety of conditions. It is important to be aware of the light available in your garden before selecting a ground cover. View the area at several times during the day to determine exactly how many hours of sunlight are available.

Full sun is the term used for areas that receive at least six hours of direct sun a day. Part shade means dappled shade all day or 2 to 4 hours of bright sun and then shade for the rest of the day. Light shade means no direct sun but reflected light throughout the day. An area in full shade is one that is beneath a dense canopy of trees or in the shadow of a building with no direct sunlight and very little reflected light.

Once the available light level in your planting area has been determined, select a ground cover with light needs that match the available light. The information tags that are attached to plants available for purchase in garden centers will list the light requirements for each plant. This information will help with your selection.

There are a great number of ground covers which will grow well in shady or partly shaded garden areas.

English ivy, vinca, and liriope are commonly found in southern gardens. There are others that are less common, but are easy to grow and are perennial and evergreen in our zone 7.

Ajuga, commonly called carpet bugleweed, is a very hardy, creeping ground cover which will give quick cover to a bare area in the landscape. It will form a dense, low mat of oval leaves and is perfect for woodland areas or under trees. There are many different selections of ajuga available, the most popular being Ajuga reptans. This form grows 3 to 4 inches tall.

Its dark green leaves have purple or bronze highlights.

Blue flower spikes, which can be 4 to 6 inches tall, rise

above the leaves in the spring. Ajuga needs good drainage and will grow well in part shade or in sun.

Pachysandra terminalis, Japanese pachysandra, is a low growing evergreen perennial that is an excellent choice for the shady garden. Growing 8 to 12 inches tall, the plant has toothed leaves which are clustered at the top of each stem. Pachysandra is grown mainly for its shiny, leathery foliage, although it does produce spikes of white flowers in the spring. It performs well even in deep shade and will create an attractive carpet effect, even where it must compete with tree roots.

Pachysandra spreads slowly by underground runners and prefers rich, well-drained soil.

Dwarf mondo grass, Ophiopogon japonicas, is a decorative, low-growing plant with dark green, narrow leaves that resemble grass. It forms dense, slowly spreading clumps and works well en masse or planted between stones or pavers in a walkway. The foliage is 4 to 6 inches tall and stalks of tiny, pale lavender flowers are nestled among the leaves in summer. This ground cover is also known as lily turf, as it is in the lily family.

It prefers well drained soil and a shady to partly shaded location. It spreads by underground runners and it is easily divided to gain new plants.

Creeping Jenny, Lysimachia nummularia, is an evergreen perennial herb that has long been popular in English gardens. It is low growing, reaching a height of only two inches, and it tolerates shade and foot traffic.

Another common name, moneywort, refers to the round, penny-shaped leaves which grow along the trailing stems. Creeping Jenny is fast growing and easy to establish, as its stems root freely as they spread through the garden. The small yellow flowers which appear in the spring are a plus, but the plant is grown mainly for its foliage.

When trying to establish ground cover in a particular area, measure the area and then consider the recommended spacing between plants. This will help you to determine how many plants you will need to plant in order to cover the given area.

Ground covers can help greatly when dealing with problem areas in the garden, but just as often, they can be used to add interest to otherwise dull areas. By including a variety of different ground covers in your landscaping plans, you will be able to add some groundlevel color and texture to your garden.

Bitsy Davis lives in Corinth and is a member of the Alcorn County Master Gardeners Association. Her gardening column, "The View From the Arbor," appears monthly in The Community News Flash newspaper.

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33

Greens

BY KELLY PARKS

T

here are many reasons to compost. As a gardener, you will save money while improving your soil and nourishing your plants. Adding organic matter supplies nutrients in an ideal slow-release form and supplies micronutrients lacking in commercial fertilizers. Organic matter improves the soil's ability to absorb rainfall and irrigation water, thus reducing surface runoff. It also helps suppress some diseases and harmful soil organisms such a nematodes and buffers soil pH, increasing the ability of some plants to tolerate acidic or alkaline soils. From an environmental standpoint, you will not be adding to landfills or using chemicals that go into surface runoff and end up in our rivers and streams.

So, we want to add organic matter to our soil -- we need to know about composting. Let's talk about "greens' and "browns." Greens provide nitrogen and protein. Examples are fresh grass clippings, fresh manure, legume plants, alfalfa hay or meal, blood meal, cottonseed meal, soybean meal, apple or winery pumice, wool, human hair, crushed eggshells, cabbage leaves, broccoli, coffee grounds, milk and other kitchen waste. Browns provide carbon.

Examples are straw, hay, leaves, pine needles, cornstalks, sawdust, wood shavings, shredded newspaper, dry grass clippings, and dry/brown weeds and garden trimmings. For a good balance of nitrogen and carbon, layer six inches of browns to two-four inches of greens. If you want to add lime, wait until the materials decompose, otherwise the lime will create ammonia gas and you will loose nitrogen through evaporation. Wood ashes added in thin sprinklings after decomposition will boost potassium and phosphorus but don't add in a thick layer.

There are many types of composting systems. The most basic is simply a pile, it is low maintenance, easy to start and you can add to it continuously. Decomposition will be

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Browns a little slow, turning the pile will help. Bins and boxes require time and money to build or buy but will hold heat better which speeds the process, you still need to turn. A tumbler is neat and makes turning easier. It works best if material is chopped and added all at once.

So, we have a good compost pile, let's talk about earthworms. They are essential to healthy soil. They dig as deep as three to six feet, even tunneling into compacted areas and loosening up the soil, permitting more air and water to get to the roots. During digestion they produce a gummy substance that helps hold soil particles together.

Their castings are an excellent source of nutrients and a superb soil conditioner. Unlike chemical fertilizers, earthworm castings release nutrients slowly, making it impossible to burn the roots. The castings contain one and half times more calcium, three times more magnesium, five times more nitrogen, seven times more phosphates and eleven times more potash than garden soil. If you dig one square foot of soil from your yard and find ten or more earthworms you have healthy, biologically active soil. If you have five to nine worms you are getting there, one to two means your soil needs help! You may want to consider a worm box. There are many types and you can use your food waste in the worm box rather than putting it in your compost pile. The worms will happily eat and produce castings for addition to your garden.

When we talk about organic gardening we can't leave out lasagna gardening. Lasagna gardening is simply creating a garden with layers, just like layering your lasagna ingredients in a dish. Layers consist of wet newspaper or cardboard, peat moss, leaves or other browns, and barn litter, grass clippings or other greens.

Sounds familiar? You are basically making compost directly in your beds. Repeat the layers and finish with a layer of pine straw. You can build these layers without digging up grass or loosening existing soil. In addition to not digging, you will reap the same benefits you get from adding compost to your soil.

You will prevent vital nutrients from washing away, reduce fertilizer requirements, improve structure and drainage for all types of soils, reduce soil erosion, and keep the soil cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

Patricia Lanza coined the term "lasagna gardening" and her book by the same title is well worth reading. You can also visit her website at www.lasagnagardening.com.

Now that you know how to garden organically consider this. Leaves break down in one to three months, paper takes three to five months, paper milk cartons (shredded) take five months, cigarette butts take ten to twenty years, aluminum foil takes eighty to one hundred years and styro foam never decomposes. Enjoy your healthy garden while helping to improve the environment for all of us.

COMPOST TROUBLESHOOTING Problem

Solution

Pile does not heat up and feels dry.

Add water.

Pile feels moist but does not heat up or heats up only in the center.

Pile is not large enough, needs to be at least 3'x3'x4'.

Pile is large and moist but does not heat up.

Add nitrogen rich greens, such as alfalfa meal, fresh manure, or fresh grass and turn pile.

Pile cools off before most of the material has decomposed.

Turn pile.

Pile smells bad, feels soggy or is too wet.

Add shredded newspaper, straw or other browns.

All material in pile does not break down.

Add water, alfalfa meal or browns.

KITCHEN COMPOSTING TIPS: 1. Cut food into small pieces.

2. Make sure foods with rinds, skins or hard outside covers are cut open, the bacteria needs to get inside.

3. Drain extra water if you are throwing kitchen compost into a worm bin or other container that does not drain easily.

4. Add an equal amount of brown matter -- one kitchen crock full for each kitchen crock of food waste.

5. Bury kitchen compost at least six inches below the surface of your compost pile to keep pests from invading.

6. Put a fence around the compost pile if dogs, rats or raccoons can get to it.

7. Mix kitchen compost from the winter into your compost pile after the spring thaw, turn and make sure it is well buried.

Union County GREEN

35

y h W

Llamas?

BY SANDRA SHADDINGER

I

f I had a dollar for every time I have been asked that question, I would be a wealthy woman. I will attempt to answer that question in this article.

Another frequently asked question is regarding the difference between the llama and the alpaca. Both are natives of the mountainous regions of South America and related to camels. Incas were the original domesticators of llamas and alpacas in the higher Andes Mountains around 4,000 BC. Llamas of the time were resourceful and were able to produce meat, fertilizer, and wool. They were prized beast of burden for physical labor for the Incas.

There are four species of South American camelids-llamas and alpacas (the domesticated species), and guanacos and vicunas, (the wild species). They have a life span of about 20 years and a gestation period of 11 ½ months. They are adaptive, gentle animals. Llamas and alpacas communicate by flicking the tail and ears, stomping the feet and using calls. Though similar in many waysincluding having padded, twotoed feet, alpacas and llamas also differ in some ways.

Llamas Take then anywhere: Valued by packers because they are sure-footed and can carry loads a quarter of

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their weight. Can be taught to negotiate obstacles, pull a cart, compete doing tasks and visit school kids and clubs. Many have an ability to guard other livestock such as sheep, goats and even cattle from predators.

Llamas generally stand 3 1/2 to 4 feet at the withers and weigh 250-450 pounds.

Alpacas Future sweaters: Prized for their luxurious fiber.

There are two breeds of alpacas-huacaya and suri, with almost identical body types but different fleece types.

Alpacas are easy to handle because of their relatively small size. Alpacas are about 3 feet tall at the withers and weigh 100-175 pounds.

Basic Needs Pasture: Three to four llamas or four to five alpacas per acre, depending on the pasture quality.

Feeding: A good quality hay, fresh drinking water plus a mineral mix.

Annual shearing: It is a health issue because they are susceptible to heat stress. The toenails also require trimming.

Buddies: Alpacas and llamas are herd animals and need pasture mates.

Access to veterinary care: Find a local vet with largeanimal experience.

So why do I have llamas? They are gentle, intelligent, quiet animals. They are wonderful companions for kids and seniors because of their predictable low-key temperament, intelligence and ease of maintenance. Nathan loves wilderness packing and as they are sure footed and easy on the terrain, they leave no trace or very little in the wilderness. The fiber has a hollow core making it light, warm and quiet to wear. They make good lawn/pasture mowers. The llamanure enhances my garden dreams. It provides nutrients without burning my plants and since I use no hormones or steroids, it qualifies for organic gardening. In past years, we have enjoyed showing, parading and working with 4-H children and llamas. Mostly I like them because they are just fun to watch, living art in my pasture.

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37

The Historic NorthSide District Community Garden (A conversation between Jean Ashcraft and Tim Burress)

S

ince 2010 the idea that New Albany needed a community garden has been growing. There was talk about a citywide garden along the Tallahatchie where the water could hopefully be recycled from the river. After researching the benefits of Community Gardens, members of Historic Northside Neighborhood Association (HNNA) voted to sponsor a community garden. This project was spearheaded by Vice President Beverly James.

Benefits discussed were: To improve the quality of life for people working in the garden Provide a catalyst for neighborhood and community development Stimulate social interaction Encourage self-reliance Beautify neighborhoods Produce nutritious food Reduce family food budgets Conserve resources Create opportunity for recreation, exercise, therapy, and education Reduce crime Preserve green space Create income opportunities and economic development Reduce city heat from streets and parking lots Provide opportunities for intergenerational and cross-cultural connections The location was important for accessibility, and visibility. Veronica Wiseman, President of the Historic Northside Garden Club at the time, saw the need and possibilities. The Wiseman's having a vacant lot on the corner of Cleveland and Madison graciously offered the space for the garden spot. Planning was started and soon those plans were put into motion. HNNA, the Garden Club, and neighbors all pitched in.

Cross ties donated by Mayor Tim Kent, were hauled in by David Rainy and Mike Carter and were then arranged in six foot by twenty foot rectangles. Newspapers donated

by Lynn West, editor of the New Albany News Exchange and President of HNNA, were brought in to be recycled as a weed barrier, were laid on the ground between the cross ties. Topsoil was brought in and used to fill the rectangles. Many thanks are due to the Union County Sheriff's Department Trustys' for helping fill the beds with topsoil.

Plant such as tomato, peas, squash, peppers 46

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and okra, were donated by the "Union County Feed and Seed" and "The Glenfield Market." Seeds, which included flowers, watermelons, gourds, squash, and pumpkins acquired from a Miracle Grow grant were also planted and kept watered by neighborhood resident adults and children. There are several volunteers that are constants in the garden: Charles Buster keeps the garden mowed, Jack Mason and Joey Lindsey keep the weeds in check, and Ray Bufkin planted flowers on the corner and built a beautifully rustic eight foot bench that anchors the corner for residents to take a break on as they stroll the neighborhood and work the garden.

As a pilot community garden, our objective was to create interest and hopefully set a good example of what could happen when a community worked together to create a more beautiful and productive neighborhood. The garden seemed to spring up overnight and interest was good, especially among the young couples involved, who had never entertained the idea that they could actually garden.

Our hope for the future is more interest from individuals and families claiming their spot of earth to cultivate; and for them to enjoy reaping the rewards of their work in the growing seasons to come. This will also create another teaching tool for parents to teach their children and grandchildren to garden.

Quality of life can be improved in many ways, but the growing of flowers and plants has to be number one. Some say gardening is one of the best alternatives for stress relief and the rewards are the bountiful harvest of food and flowers. The garden is also enjoyed by passersby as well as the gardeners who tend it.

Let's just say it is a beginning...a very good beginning. Jean Ashcraft with HNNA, was quoted as saying, "It's exciting for me to see the way that different people in the neighborhood are taking their time and energy to make it grow and be fun!"

The Historic Northside Neighborhood Community Garden is located at the corner of Cleveland and Madison streets. I encourage everyone to take the time to come by and see what a little work can do for your neighborhood. Who will be next to create "A Community Garden" in your neighborhood.

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Say something important

BY MICHAEL SEAL

I

talk a lot, as anyone who has engaged me can attest to. My capacity for conversation is boundless, whether it be at a plant show, or via telephone, or even standing in line at the grocery. That last one is a double whammy, for this misfortunate not only has to suffer through my charm and wit, but also is in the one checkout line that will come to an absolute standstill.

Upon sensing my approach to the checkout conveyors, other shoppers huddle up to watch which line I enter, as a racehorse enters the gate prior to the race, for they then know to bet on ANY other horse/gate. Only the rookies unwittingly stand behind me. At least they will be privy to brilliant conversation while waiting in this endless line of price check delay and credit card confusion.

The lesser of these three evils (or in this case, potential conversations with me) would be the telephone. I have an acute disdain for this device undoing mankind. First of all, it rings, sings, plays, boinks, clucks, or barks at the most inconvenient times. It has an uncanny ability to know when I'm elbow deep eating barbeque ribs, stirring a roux with one hand and shaking a cream sauce with the other, about to make an important point at a master gardener state conference seminar (yes, I do have a point on occasion), or when crossing over four lanes of five o'clock traffic to hit that exit my road GPS alerted me to only fifty feet back.

Whew!

Secondly, I am still amazed how a telephone sitting on a desk, connected by wires to a pole thirty years ago actually worked. Now you take out a tiny box from your pocket, wave your hand over it to move pictures around, connect to the internet, watch movies, trade stocks, and more ever widening applications in global communications. It's like "Harry Potter" meets "Star Wars." Whereas, I use my antiquated cell phone to call home and see what time it is.

Lastly, my greatest fear for the future of telephones is texting, not because I'm unable to do it, but for the dangers surrounding those who do. It is slowly replacing personal, face-to-face interaction between two people with a constant bombardment of thoughts all hours of the day and night. I have to admit, cell phones gave me an invaluable tool for correctional purposes in adolescents. I observed my two daughters texting from their old phones to their new phones, that's right hand to left hand. Upon realizing the depth of their addiction, I could now confiscate their phones and the look on their faces reaffirmed this action.

Any other punishment paled in intensity. Besides, I knew beating was ineffectual because sooner or later they would outrun me or get big enough to take the belt away (worked for me!). Mostly the danger revolves around driving and texting, for if you take my earlier four lane, five o'clock 48

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traffic scenario and inject someone texting their boyfriend into it, well ‌ I just got a new idea for an "automobile text inhibitor", otherwise labeled a hammer.

The most common exchanges with me are at the many flower and garden shows I attend. Bromeliads are my passion (or addiction, depending upon perspective) and how I've made my living since 1990, the year I married my lovely wife, Elizabeth. Now, my average year covers forty to fifty shows over a six state area, as well as speaking engagements at club meetings and conferences. My extensive travel is probably the key to my successful marriage. Though my college education was extensive, I found very little application for sex, drugs, and rock & roll in the real world. Funding for my education in liberal arts (I gave that a whole new meaning) was provided by being a waiter in the restaurant industry, hence my other passion for food. But I had no formal education in horticulture.

Learning was through trial and error, with my first "air plant" purchased thirty years ago. It, of course, died. I've learned to dislike the term "air plant" for misleading people. It's not the "air" that feeds them, but what's in the air: dust and debris; nitrogen in rain; bird, bug, lizard droppings; etc. For many years I learned how to grow them, and learned how to kill them, and not in that order!

Undaunted by failure in the beginning, I eventually learned simple strategies to succeed with bromeliads. It is at these shows and seminars that I share my strategies with others hoping to increase their success with not only my plants they purchase but with other bromeliads as well.

It only takes two things to grow a plant: Number one is the knowledge of how to grow that species; number two is the willpower to follow those instructions. I can't go home with everybody to care for your plants. This reminds me of a client that I recognized when she was purchasing some of my bromeliads. I asked her how the one's she had purchased last year were doing. Seemingly embarrassed, she explained "I accidentally let them freeze and didn't want to tell you. I know how you are about your plants!"

My reminder that the instructions included the fact that most could not withstand a hard freeze was met with her response, "It only froze once!"

Though my learning experiences with bromeliads has been done the hard way, it has provided me the insight needed to succeed with this often misunderstood plant family. I proudly recall a comment made to my daughters by a customer at a plant show they were helping me with (a now, rare guest appearance). The customer's observation was "your dad sure loves talking about these plants." My daughter's response was "yeah, he talks a lot, but every once in a while, he says something important."

Michael Seal is owner-operator of The Funny Farm.

BLACKBERRIES "Good for you and they taste good too"

BY ROBERT HAYS

H

ays Berry Farm was started in 2001 and every year we have doubled or tripled the number of plants that we cultivate. We sold our first berries in 2005 and we have 3,000 plants that are producing for the 2012 growing season. The farm is in the process of putting another 2,500 plants in the ground for next year's crop. We have a you-pick operation as well as we pick and you pick up at farm. We deliver our berries within a 20mile radius for free if two gallons or more are ordered. We sell to individuals, fruit stands, farmers markets, fruit and vegetable warehouses, and organic fruit juice bars. The first ten retail customers of each year that purchase five gallons of blackberries at one time gets a certificate for one gallon of blueberries at no charge. They do however have to pick that gallon of blueberries themselves.

Negotiations have begun to supply berries to two wineries and with three separate school districts to supply blackberries for their lunch program. Hays Berry Farm is currently the only commercial wholesaler of blackberries in the state of Mississippi.

We have six varieties of blackberries for an expanded growing season. We usually start to pick berries around May 20th-25th, and continue picking through the end of August. My best growing season was 2009 in which we picked our first berries on May 19th and the last on Thanksgiving Day. That is six months and one week of picking berries.

Blackberry plants are reported to have medicinal properties as well: the leaves, roots, and outer layers of the stems can be harvested and used fresh or dried for later use.

The berries are rich in antioxidants, which helps the body fight off several types of cancer, like cervical and breast cancer. These antioxidants also may provide protection against some chronic diseases. They have a high tannin content that gives them antiseptic and astringent properties which makes them good for tightening muscles and treating minor bleeding. Research has shown blackberries

to have some antibacterial properties that actually help cleanse the blood. There have been other studies that suggest the possibilities of blackberries to have some pain relieving qualities. Blackberries also have a high fiber content that can help with shall we say constitutional problems.

Some more benefits to having blackberries in your diet are: 1) help prevent macular degeneration 2) help with pleurisy, and lung inflammation 3) help fight endotoxin shock 4) help fight against cardiovascular diseases 5) help with diabetes 6) help fight age-related cognitive decline (delay process of aging)(I personally am a fan of this one) 7) help with mild infections like sore throats and mouth irritations 8) help alleviate hemorrhoids 9) strengthen blood vessels 10) have ellagic acid for anti-viral properties Just think, it is possible for these berries to help with all sorts of problems and taste so good too.

Our farm's main crop is blackberries, but we do have other produce as well. We have blueberries, pecans, black walnuts, chestnuts, and hazelnuts. Our farm set out an assortment of fruit trees in 2011, so we will soon have apples, peaches, and plums. We also raise vegetables for sale as part of our day to day operation.

We are in the planning stages of putting in a picnic area on the farm for people to come out and have a place to sit and rest while they pick their berries or to just relax and enjoy various birds and wildlife that comes around. We invite groups to come out and take an educational tour of the farm and even have a picnic lunch on the grounds.

For more information about berries and/or tours, call us at 662-538-2899 or 662-534-6267 and we invite you to visit our website www.haysberryfarms.com for information on the hours and days we are open.

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Community Calendar of Events Dates, events and hours are subject to change.

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