Fall 2015 Lunch and Learn Class Scedule

Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County Educational Programs

FREE and OPEN to the PUBLIC

Bring your lunch and enjoy an hour-long presentation on a plant/garden-related subject.

Noon to 1:00 PM  
Cobb County Water Lab Training Room
Located at the corner of 660 S. Cobb Drive and Atlanta Street.

Schedule and directions at: http://www.cobbmastergardeners.com

August 14, 2015  -   Plant Propagation with Shirley Priest, MG

Do you want more of your favorite plants? Join us as we learn all about plant propagation-creating new plants from existing ones!

September 11, 2015  -  Making your Garden a Bird Habitat with Les Cane from the Atlanta Audubon Society.

You can make your garden irresistible with a bird habitat and enjoy natural pest control!

October 9, 2015  - Adaptive Gardening with Master Gardener Joe Washington

 He has talked with experts in horticulture therapy and landscaping. Joe has developed a "one stop shop" with tools, tips, and techniques to keep gardening on your lifetime "can-do" list.

November 13, 2015  -  Beekeeping with Metro Atlanta Beekeepers.

Whether you have a formal garden, wildflowers, or vegetables and fruits, you won't believe the difference that honeybee pollination can make.

For questions, contact:

UGA Extension – Cobb County
678 South Cobb Drive, Suite 200, Marietta, GA 30060
Phone: 770-528-4070

 

Gardener's Night Out Schedule -Fall 2015

August 11, 2015  -  East Cobb Library   7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
The Contained Garden: The Evergreen, The Elegant, and The Whimsical

Using principles of garden design, learn how you may create a beautiful contained garden to enhance a patio, a back porch or use as a focal point in your garden in this demonstration. Handouts will be provided with emphasis on selecting appropriate containers, planting basics and maintenance, and suggestions for unusual plant material for both sun and shade with Shirley Priest, Cobb Master Gardener.

September 8, 2015  -  West Cobb Library   7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Gardens! Gardens! Gardens!

 

Take an armchair voyage across five continents and visit gardens from the grand and breathtaking to the quirky and strange with Susan Fisher, Cobb Master Gardener.

October 13, 2015  -  Mountain View Library 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
The Art of Pruning: Tools, Timing and Technique

 

 Learn the basics of good pruning for aesthetic value as well as promoting the health of ornamental trees and shrubs in the landscape with Pam Bohlander, Cobb Master Gardener.

 

November 10, 2015  -   South Cobb Library 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Pollinators: Unsung Garden Heroes

Pollinating insects play an important role in providing beauty in the garden and food for our table. Learn which plants you can grow in your garden or in containers that will provide food for pollinators to ensure their health and wellbeing with Marge Igyarto, Cobb Master Gardener.

 

Classes and Activities (July 27 - Aug 1) during Cobb Extension Hort Week

For the week of  July 27 - August 1, UGA Extension office has planned several activities to highlight horticulture in Cobb County. The scheduled presentations are free and open to the public.

 

Supporting Our Pollinators

Monday, July 27, noon—1:00 p.m.

At the Cobb Water Training Lab, 662 South Cobb Drive, Marietta, 30060.   

   

Dahlias!

Wednesday, July 29, noon—1:00 p.m.

At the Cobb Water Training Lab, 662 South Cobb Drive, Marietta, 30060.   

 

Planning the Fall Vegetable Garden

Friday, July 31, noon—1:00 p.m.

At the Cobb Water Training Lab, 662 South Cobb Drive, Marietta, 30060.   

 

Family Fun Day at Green Meadows Preserve Park

Saturday, August 1, 8:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m.

Bring a picnic and enjoy all the park has to offer. Bluebird Trail walk begins at 8:00 a.m. Then,  activities, classes, and games for kids and adults begin at 10:00 a.m. , at 3780 Dallas Hwy., Powder Springs, 30127.

 

Anytime: Stop by the office, M-F, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 678 South Cobb Drive in Marietta, to pick up research-based information from UGA about lawn, garden, and landscape care and about conserving our natural resources. 

 

To reach by phone: 770-528-4070.

 

 

Family Fun Day at the Garden - August 1, 2015

Upcoming classes and Events with Cobb County Extension

All listed classes are free and open to the public, unless otherwise specified in the list.

Vermicomposting, Jan. 9
Cobb County Water Training Lab
662 South Cobb Drive, Marietta
Noon - 1:00 p.m.

Historic Gardens: From the Roman Empire to Colonial America, Jan. 13
East Cobb Regional Library
4880 Lower Roswell Rd., Marietta
7:00 - 8:00 p.m.

The Art of Pruning: Tools, Timing, and Technique, Feb. 10
West Cobb Regional Library
1750 Dennis Kemp Lane, Kennesaw
7:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Dahlias, Feb. 13
Cobb County Water Training Lab
662 South Cobb Drive, Marietta
Noon - 1:00 p.m.

Seed Starting for the Vegetable Garden, Feb. 24
Cobb Extension upstairs classroom
678 South Cobb Drive, Marietta
6:30-7:30 p.m
Please call to preregister:
770-528-4070

Fall/Winter

Cobb Extension Horticulture e-Newsletter

I've just heard about a new e-Newsletter that Cobb Extension will be putting out.

Go to the UGA Extension in Cobb County Blog to sign up if you are interested. Below is a description of the newsletter taken from the UGA blog and how to sign up for it.

"Looking for timely tips and a longer view of the schedule of classes for Cobb Extension? This information can be delivered to your email inbox through a new e-Newsletter.

Each issue of the e-newsletter, the "Cobb Extension Horticulture News," will list Cobb Extension's public events and classes for the upcoming two months, tips for the care of lawns, gardens, and landscapes, and one or two timely, short articles.

A signup form for the emailed "Cobb Extension Horticulture News" is in the right-hand sidebar of this blog. The inaugural (i.e.: "guinea pig") issue will be released in early December, and subsequent issues will be delivered to subscriber in-boxes every two months through the year, beginning with a January/February issue.

We are looking forward to sharing up-to-date, research-based information about care of lawns, gardens, and landscapes and our natural resources through the newsletter! "

Upcoming Events & Classes with Cobb County Extension Service

Holiday Inspirations

Saturday, November 8, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Cobb Extension staff will demonstrate easy holiday crafts and decorating ideas. Presented at UGA Extension/Cobb County, second floor classroom, 678 South Cobb Drive, Marietta, GA, 30060. Free and open to the public, but preregistration is requested. Call 770-528-4070.

Adaptive Gardening – How to Keep Gardening on Your Lifetime Can-Do List

Tuesday, November 11, 7:00-8:00 p.m. Presented by Master Gardener Joe Washington as part of the ongoing Gardeners Night Out presentation series of the Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County, at Mountain View Regional Library, 3320 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta, GA, 30066. Free and open to the public.

Bonsai

Friday, November 14, noon-1:00 p.m. Michael Stoddard, Board of Directors, Atlanta Bonsai Society, will bring his bonsai to show us how to plant, prune, and care for our own, as part of the ongoing Lunch& Learn series of the Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County, at the Training Room of the Cobb County Water lab, 662 South Cobb Drive (at the intersection with Atlanta Rd.).

Thyme to Read Book Club

Friday, November 14, 10:15 -11:30 a.m. Book club sponsored by Cobb County Master Gardeners will meet at the Training Room of the Cobb County Water lab, 662 South Cobb Drive (at the intersection with Atlanta Rd.). This month’s book is The Founding Gardeners, by Andrea Wulf. Schedule and information can be found at www.cobbmastergardeners.com. Free and open to the public.

Bluebird Trail Tour

Saturday, November 22, 10:00 a.m. to noon, and again on Saturday December 6, 10:00 a.m. to noon. Free and open to the public. Cobb Master Gardener and Bluebird expert Jim Bearden will conduct a guided walk of the 2.3-mile Bluebird Trail at Green Meadow Preserve Park, at 3780 Dallas Hwy., Powder Springs, GA, 30127. Follow the Bluebird Trail blog at bluebirdtrail.blogspot.com.

More Classes from Cobb County Extension

Moving Toward Organics in the Vegetable Garden

Saturday, October 18, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Free and open to the public. Learn what organic gardening and farming really means and steps you can take to have a more environmentally friendly garden.  Presented by Cooperative Extension horticulture staff member Amy Whitney at the community garden at Chestnut Ridge Christian Church, 2663 Johnson Ferry Rd, Marietta, GA, 30062.

Gifts from the Kitchen

Tuesday, October 28, 6:00-8:30 p.m. Learn to use a water bath canner to make holiday gifts from your kitchen. Taught by Family and Consumer Sciences Agent Cindee Sweda at UGA Extension/Cobb County, second floor, 678 South Cobb Drive, Marietta, GA, 30060. $10 fee; preregistration required before Oct. 17; space is limited. For additional information and to preregister, call 770-528-4070.

Upcoming Cobb County Extension Events

The following events are available through Cobb County Extension.

http://cobbextension.blogspot.com/

Bluebird Trail Tour

Saturday, October 4, 10:00 a.m. –Noon. Free and open to the public. Cobb Master Gardener and Bluebird expert Jim Bearden will conduct a guided walk of the 2.3-mile Bluebird Trail at Green Meadow Preserve Park, at 3780 Dallas Hwy., Powder Springs, GA, 30127. Follow the Bluebird Trail blog at bluebirdtrail.blogspot.com.

 

Thyme to Read Book Club

Friday, October 10, 10:30 -11:30 a.m. Book club sponsored by Cobb County Master Gardeners will meet at the Training Room of the Cobb County Water lab, 662 South Cobb Drive (at the intersection with Atlanta Rd.). This month’s book is The Forgotten Garden, by Kate Morton. November’s book will be The Founding Gardeners, by Andrea Wulf.  Schedule and information can be found at www.cobbmastergardeners.com. Free and open to the public.

Landscaping and Septic Tanks

Friday, October 10, noon-1:00 p.m. Presented by Cobb County Extension Horticulture Agent Neil Tarver, as part of the ongoing Lunch & Learn series of the Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County, at the Training Room of the Cobb County Water lab, 662 South Cobb Drive (at the intersection with Atlanta Rd.).

Trees of Our Lives: Small Native Trees for the Landscape

Tuesday, October 14, 7:00-8:00 p.m.  Presented by Master Gardener Dawn Hines, as part of the ongoing Gardeners Night Out presentation series of the Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County, at South Cobb Regional Library, 805 Clay Road, Mableton, 30126.

Gardeners' Night Out - Fall 2014

An evening series of monthly programs on gardening sponsored by the Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County

August 12th (Tuesday)  7:00 - 8:00 pm
“The Annual Sequence of Blooms Beloved by Worker Honeybees”
with Rita Buehner, Master Gardener
       East Cobb Regional Library
       (Old Parkaire Mall Site)
       4880 Lower Roswell Road
       Marietta, GA 30068

September 9th (Tuesday) 7:00 - 8:00 pm
“All about Bluebirds and More”
with Jim Bearden, Master Gardener
      West Cobb Regional Library
      1750 Dennis Kemp Lane NW
      Kennesaw, GA 30152

October 14th (Tuesday)  7:00 - 8:00 pm
“Trees of Our Lives: Small Native Trees for the Landscape”
with Dawn Hines, Master Gardener
      South Cobb Regional Library
      805 Clay Road
      Mableton, GA 30126

November 11th (Tuesday) 7:00 - 8:00 pm
“Adaptive Gardening -- How to Keep Gardening on your Lifetime Can Do list “
with Joe Washington, Master Gardener
      Mountain View Regional Library
      3320 Sandy Plains Road
      Marietta, GA 30066

The mission of the Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County is to advance the horticultural education and practices of its members and to promote the knowledge of and interest in gardening to the members and to the public.

Lunch & Learn Series - Fall 2014

Lunch & Learn 2014

A MGVOCC Educational Program

FREE & OPEN to the PUBLIC

 

Bring your lunch & enjoy an hour-long presentation

on a plant/garden-related subject.

Noon to 1:00 PM

County Water Lab 660 S. Cobb Drive & Atlanta Road.

Schedule and directions at: http://www.cobbmastergardeners.com

 

August 8,2014: "Weed ID for Weed Control"   Presented by Cornelius Tarver, Urban Agriculture and National Resources Agent

Tired of fighting weeds?  The challenge we face is all of them cannot be controlled the same way.  Neil will help us identify weeds in order to select the most effective method to control them.

Sept.12,2014: "The Joy of Bluebirds" All about Bluebirds and More   Presented by James Bearden

Jim's presentation includes the life of the Eastern Bluebird, including a Bluebird Trail and Nest Box Management; other birds that nest in cavities of bluebird boxes, and more!

October 10, 2014:  "Landscaping and Septic Tanks: What Homeowners Need to Know"  Presented by Cornelius Tarver

A Discussion of septic tank maintenance and  it's relation to your landscape.

November 14, 2014:  "Bonsai"  Presented by Michael Stoddard,  Board of Directors, Atlanta Bonsai Society

Bonsai, an ancient art which originated in China and developed in Japan, means "to plant in a shallow dish".  Mike, a long-time student of this art, will bring his  bonsai to show us how to plant, prune and care for our own.

 
Cobb County Cooperative Extension

678 South Cobb Drive, Suite 20,   Marietta, GA 30060-3105    Phone:  770-528-4070  

Horticulture Day at the Garden

Heading out to walk the Blue Bird Trail

It was a wonderful day at the garden in spite of the humidity. We had lots of visitors and showed the children who visited all kinds of interesting things - like fritillary caterpillars.

There was something for everyone either in the garden or outside the garden.  Approximately 26 people  went on the Blue Bird Trail walk with Jim.




Off to visit the bee yard!

Rita and Mike had a fabulous bee display in the garden. There was a honey extractor to look at and honey to taste which was made by the bees at Green Meadows Preserve. Mmmm.

Thank you to Vann & Dalita for coming out Tuesday morning and talking to our visitors. Especially for spending so much time out in the sun where the plants were!

Many thanks to Heidi for the Herb and Vertical Gardening handouts made available on our table. And to Carol and Vicki for helping during the event.

Just one of the tables full of information visitors could take away.

Fritillary caterpillar. They look vicious
 but this particular caterpillar is
 harmless. The spines are actually soft.

The bee exhibit was fantastic. It
was fascinating learning how
 the honey extractor works.

Special thanks to everyone helping the children with the scavenger hunt. It was a lot of fun for everyone to look for everything.

Rocks were easy to find but where to find the radish pods and tomatillos really stumped the searchers. As did the caterpillar on the list! Luckily for us, they are always on the passion vine (may pop) so are easy to find.

Vicki and Rita 

Definitely thank you to all the gardeners at Green Meadows who worked so hard at getting the garden ready for this event.  The garden looked and still looks fantastic. Special thanks to all the community gardeners who came out and did extra mulching throughout the garden and on the fence line.


Mike, the Bee Man

I heard lots of great comments about the Period Garden that Jack and the Master Gardeners have created around the house and the Native American Garden Tony, Jack and the Master Gardeners have created between the house and the woods.


Jack and Louise

Louise, Amy, Renae, Hope and Neil from Cobb County Extension put together a fun and enjoyable event. Thanks for asking us to participate!

Photos by Renae, Mike and Vicki

Horticulture Week at Green Meadows Preserve Park - July 8th

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Cooperative Extension. To celebrate the 100th anniversary and Horticulture Week, Cobb County Cooperative Extension is holding a series of classes and events the week of July 7 thru July 12th.  Extension Horticulture Week Events

Tuesday July 8th from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Green Meadows Community Garden will be featured as well as the Cherokee Garden and the historic Period Gardens around the house. Feel free to come at any point between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm.  There are only 2 events with specific times.

9:00 am General Welcome and Thank You for coming

9:30 am  Bluebird Trail walk (2.3 miles) for those who want to take a walk on the trail system and learn more about bluebirds and bird habitat.

9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Tour the gardens and talk to gardeners and Extension staff.

Gardens and Orchard:
Community Garden
Cherokee Garden
Historic Period Garden around the House
Organic Orchard

Additional Activities:
Bee Hive exhibit
Scavenger Hunt for children in the Community Garden
   (no collecting, just marking off the list)
Bug Talks in the garden
Watch the birdfeeders behind the garden

Feel free to bring a picnic lunch to eat under the Pecan Trees behind the house. Port-a-potties will be available for this event.

3780 Dallas Hwy, Powder Springs, 30127 (Intersection of Dallas Hwy and Old Hamilton Road).

Free and open to the public. For information, call 770-528-4070.

Two Upcoming Vegetable Gardening Classes

Extension has two vegetable gardening classes coming up. One is this Wednesday and the other one is in July.  Pre-registration is required.

Try New Vegetables
  June 25  11:30 am to 12:30 pm
  North Cobb Senior Center
  Registration Required - 770-528-4070

Planning Fall Vegetable Garden
  July 24  6:30 to 8:00 pm
  Cobb County Extension Office
  Registration Required - 770-528-4070

As a bonus you can take a class on:

Smart Irrigation
  July 12  9:00 am to 12:00 pm
  Cobb County Extension Office
  Registration Required - 770-528-4070

Classes are free and taught by Extension staff and Master Gardeners. For more details go to
cobbextension.blogspot

updated 7:58 pm 6/23/2014

Additional Gardening Classes to Attend

Direct from the Cobb County Extension Blog,  here are several more classes you might be interested in taking this spring. (Two were in a previous post but this post contains more information).

If you are interested in taking a class be sure and call to preregister! Don't forget, you can also subscribe to the Extension Blog by email.

Home Yard and Garden Equipment: Use and Care

Saturday, March 22, 1:00 p.m. Free and open to the public. Presented by Agriculture Agent Neil Tarver at UGA Extension/Cobb County, in the second floor classroom at 678 South Cobb Drive, Marietta, GA, 30060. Please preregister by calling 770-528-4070.

Evergreen Groundcovers for Sun and Shade

Tuesday, March 25, 7:00-8:00 p.m. Free and open to the public. Presented by Master Gardener Shirley Priest, as part of the ongoing Gardeners Night Out presentation series of the Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County, at South Cobb Regional Library, 805 Clay Road, Mableton, 30126.

Bluebird Trail Tour

Saturday, March 29, 10:00 a.m. Free and open to the public. Cobb Master Gardener and Bluebird expert Jim Bearden will conduct a guided walk of the Bluebird Trail at Green Meadow Preserve Park, at 3780 Dallas Hwy., Powder Springs, GA, 30127. Follow the Bluebird Trail blog at bluebirdtrail.blogspot.com.

UGA Extension in Cobb County Open House

Tuesday, April 1, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Free and open to the public. Drop in to discover what Extension in Cobb County has to offer! From Horticulture and Natural Resources, to 4-H for youth, to Family and Consumer Sciences, we provide up-to-date, researched information from UGA to the citizens of this county. Open House with displays and snacks at UGA Extension/Cobb County, second floor, 678 South Cobb Drive, Marietta, GA, 30060. For information, call 770-528-4070.

Garden to Table

Thursday, April 3, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Agriculture Agent Neil Tarver and Family and Consumer Sciences Agent Cindee Sweda present a class growing and then using food crops. UGA Extension/Cobb County, second floor, 678 South Cobb Drive, Marietta, GA, 30060. Preregistration is required; $10 fee for class and materials. Call 770-528-4070 for information and to register.

Moving Toward Organics in the Vegetable Garden

Tuesday, April 8, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Free and open to the public. Learn what organic gardening and farming really means and steps you can take to have a more environmentally friendly garden.  Presented by Amy Whitney, of UGA Extension/Cobb County, as part of the ongoing Gardeners Night Out presentation series of the Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County, at Mountain View Regional Library, 3320 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta.

The Beauty of Bulbs! From Amaryllis to Zephranthes

Friday, April 11, noon to 1:00 p.m. Free and open to the public. Presented by Master Gardener Debra Stockton as part of the ongoing Lunch & Learn series of the Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County, at the Training Room of the Cobb County Water lab, 662 South Cobb Drive (at the intersection with Atlanta Rd.). Debra will give us the ABCs of bulbs with a focus on Georgia favorites: daffodils, gladioli, and tulips.

Gardening Classes Offered this Spring

Cobb County Extension and the Cobb Master Gardeners are offering a wide selection of classes to the public this spring in a variety of locations. (See partial list below.) The best way to keep up with what is offered year round is to check the Cobb County Extension Blog

Green Meadows Community Garden will continue their Bed Time Stories education series in the spring and fall as well. (A short gardening related talk followed by a brief walk through the garden.)

Also, the Cobb County Library offers a free online vegetable gardening class that I found quite good when I took it last year.  Link and Course description

Culture of Fruits & Berries

Tuesday, March 5, 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Free and open to the public.  Presented in the Training Room of the Cobb County Water lab, 662 South Cobb Drive (at the intersection with Atlanta Rd.). Please preregister by calling 770-528-4070.

Spring Vegetable Gardening and Early Disease Management

Saturday, March 8, 11:00 a.m. – noon.  Free and open to the public. Presented by Amy Whitney, of UGA Extension/Cobb County, at Crossroads Community Garden, Chestnut Ridge Christian Church, 2663 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta, 30062. Please preregister by calling 770-528-4070.

If Plants Could Talk – a Cherokee Relationship

Friday, March 14, noon to 1:00 p.m. Free and open to the public. Presented by Master Gardener Tony Harris as part of the ongoing Lunch & Learn series of the Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County, at the Training Room of the Cobb County Water lab, 662 South Cobb Drive (at the intersection with Atlanta Rd.). Learn how the Cherokee used plants for food, medicine, tools, weapons, shelter, and ceremonial purposes. Please preregister by calling 770-528-4070.

Tomatoes 101

Tuesday, March 18, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. Presented by Renae Lemon, of UGA Extension/Cobb County, at the Powder Springs Library, 4181 Atlanta Street, Powder Springs, GA 30127. Please preregister by calling 770-528-4070.

Seed Saving for the Vegetable Garden

Thursday, March 20, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Free and open to the public. The class will be presented by Amy Whitney, of UGA Extension/Cobb County, in the second floor classroom at 678 South Cobb Drive, Marietta, GA, 30060. Please preregister by calling 770-528-4070. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. 

 

Tomatoes 101

Tuesday, March 25, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. Presented by Renae Lemon, of UGA Extension/Cobb County, at the Sweetwater Valley Library in the Threadmill Mall Complex.  5000 Austell-Powder Springs Rd., Suite 123, Austell, GA 30106.  Please preregister by calling 770-528-4070.

 

Vegetable Garden Basics

Thursday, March 27, 6:30 - 8:00 pm. Free and open to the public. Presented by Amy Whitney, of UGA Extension/Cobb County in the second floor classroom at 678 South Cobb Drive, Marietta, GA, 30060. Please preregister by calling 770-528-4070. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. 

 

Moving to Organics in the Vegetable Garden

Tuesday, April 8, 7:00 to 8:00 pm. Free and open to the public. Presented by Amy Whitney, of UGA Extension/Cobb County at Mt. View Regional Library at 3320 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta, GA 30066. Please preregister by calling 770-528-4070.

 

Beauty of Bulbs

Friday, April 11  noon to 1:00 p.m. Free and open to the public. Presented by Master Gardener Debra Stockton as part of the ongoing Lunch & Learn series of the Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County, in the Training Room of the Cobb County Water lab, 662 South Cobb Drive (at the intersection with Atlanta Rd.).  Please preregister by calling 770-528-4070.

 

For more information, please contact Cobb County Extension at (770) 528-4070, visit www.cobbextension.com, or email uge1067@uga.edu.

 

 

 

 

The Annual Cobb County 4-H Sale is here again

There is still plenty of time to support the Cobb County 4-H Club plant sale

Cobb County 4-H Club is having its annual plant sale and prepaid orders will be accepted through Friday, March 7th. This year’s assortment includes blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, figs, muscadines, Admiral Semmes azalea, crape myrtles, edgeworthia, heuchera, forsythia, viburnum, quince, ferns and loropetalum.

Plants must be picked up at Jim Miller Park on Saturday, March 15 (one day only) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information about the plants, including pricing and specific varieties available, pick up a copy of the 4-H Plant Sale flyer-and-order-form at the Cobb County Cooperative Extension office or download one from our website. To download, go to the homepage, then click on the button below the words

Two free seminars will be presented. The first one will be on Monday March 3rd, 6:30 - 8:00pm - Growing and Caring for Ornamentals.  The 2nd one is Growing and Caring for Fruit Plants which willl be presented 6:30-8 p.m., Wednesday March 5th.

Both classes will be held at at the Cobb County Water Lab, 662 South Cobb Drive , Marietta. Registration is required. For more information, visit Cobb County Extension or call 770-528-4076.

Starting Your Spring Garden

Tuesday April 9th, 2013
6:30 - 7:30 pm
Lost Mountain Park
Western District Operations Building

You are invited to attend a free (and open to the public) gardening class sponsored by The Green Meadows Preserve Community Garden.

Starting Your Spring Garden
This class will be presented by Amy Whitney, who is a Cobb Cooperative Extension Program Assistant in Horticulture, Master Gardener, teacher, blogger and more. Based on Amy’s years of successful experience and teaching, this class will provide gardeners with the basics of what, how, when, and where to plant your spring garden. Planning for insect and disease control will also be covered.

Please RSVP to greenmeadowscg@gmail.com

We want to make sure we have enough handouts for everyone.

Directions From the Community Garden:

• Take Dallas Hwy West 2.0 miles (to the 2nd traffic light from the garden.)
• Turn left at the traffic light into Lost Mountain Park

• Take the first left.
• Once you turn, go straight and the road dead ends into a parking lot between Boots Ward Recreation Building and the Western District Operations Building. If the parking lot is full, park in the parking lot in front of the ball fields.

Lost Mountain Park

Western District Operations Building

4845 Dallas Highway

Powder Springs, GA 30127

 

 

FACES - a GREAT resource for us to use

FACES ? A resource? Yes, it is a great resource to use.

Georgia FACES is the online news service of the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, including UGA Cooperative Extension and the Georgia Agricultural Experiment Stations. They publish all kinds of great research based articles and information.

Here is a link to the Spring Garden 2013 media kit. I haven't had time to look at everything in it but I've included links to three of the interesting articles in the kit.

Remove all blossoms on new fruit trees and bushes
I hate the idea of having to remove ALL the blossoms on my 3 blueberries that I just planted but I guess I'll be out there cutting them off this weekend. And I'm thinking we'll have to go up to the orchard at the garden and remove ALL the blooms that appear on our pears, plums, apples, & figs as well. Boo hoo hoo.

Adding Organic Matter and Growing Tomatoes
This article addresses the importance of adding organic matter to your garden as well as fertilizing and watering tomatoes to make them healthy.

Deadheading pansies
Why should you deadhead pansies? Because if you don't deadhead them, they convert their energy into making seeds versus blooms.

How many pansies do you see in this picture that have started this process? (By the way, after this picture was taken, they were cut off!)

This is actually important to remember all year round.  The purpose of a plant is to make seeds and fruit.

If you don't dead head flowers (zinnias, marigolds, etc.) or pick the fruit (tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, etc.) the plant says AH HA! I'm going to succeed and quits making new flower buds.

Once you've dead headed the plant or picked the fruit, the plant goes Dang It! and starts making new buds to make new flowers.

Weekly Calendar 3/29 - 4/4

March 30
2:00 - 4:00 pm
Saturday Workday
Surprises

April 2
5:00 - 7:00 pm
Gardeners on Duty
(note the time change)

From Your Garden to your Table
6:30 - 8:30 pm
Cobb Extension Program
Pre-registration required
Cost $10.00