Traffic Delays This Weekend - 150th Commemoration of the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain

This is to give everyone a heads up that there are going to be significant traffic delays starting Thursday evening, June 26th through Sunday June 29th.

 In fact, you might want to avoid all roads going East that go anywhere near any part of Kennesaw Mountain or into Marietta.  Certain sections of  Barrett Parkway and Highway 41 will also be jammed up.

(Remember Burnt Hickory between Due West Road and Barrett Parkway is still closed and won't reopen until the end of July.)

The 150th Commemoration of the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain is this weekend and 60,000 visitors are expected to attend the events.  Schedule of events for 150th

Satellite parking for Kennesaw Mountain and 24 Gun Battery events will be at Mount Paran Christian School and the Bell's Ferry Parking lot (actually located near the corner of Bell's Ferry and Hwy 41). Marietta High School is providing parking for all activities at Cheatham Hill. Shuttles will be provided. Event Parking for 150th

Marietta also has many activities that tie into the events being held at Kennesaw Mountain this weekend.   http://www.mariettacivilwar.com/

Work Day - Saturday March 8th

We would like to welcome all our new gardeners and look forward to rekindling our old friendships from the past couple years. Saturday March 8th  from 10 am to 12 noon is the first workday for 2014. Hopefully we will have beautiful weather and a huge mulch pile to spread.

If you have a few extra minutes this week, it would be greatly appreciated if everyone would work on removing weeds and those pesky wild onions in the common areas (under the pecan trees and the two big paths). That way we'll be more efficient when we spread the mulch on Saturday. Even without spreading mulch, we still have a lot of other tasks to accomplish!

What  are the goals for Saturday?

• Clean out the shed
• Mulch Common Areas....
• Dig holes for the blueberries and plant them
• Dig  the iris out and pot them up
• Weed in the orchard besides in the common areas, pollinator & sunflower beds
• Weed around the beds in the Special Needs area
• Work on the compost bins and turn them
• Mulch Common Areas....
• Rake out all the loose leaves in the border with the apple trees
• Cut back the herbs in the sunflower beds
• Deadhead and cut off dead foliage on the pansies
• Mulch Common Areas....
• Cleaning up the bed under the sign

Be sure to bring your own hand tools and a weeding bucket. If you have a stiff tined rake (like the person in the picture) that would be useful too as we only have a couple and it is easier to spread the mulch with them.

Don't forget to bring water and sunscreen also.

      Mike and Vicki

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.

 

 

 

 

Arbor Day Event at Trees Atlanta

The Master Gardeners have been asked to pass along this information about the first Trees Atlanta Arbor Day Event.  Trees Atlanta with the generous support of the City of Atlanta and Atlanta’s Tree Conservation Commission, announces the first Trees Atlanta Georgia Arbor Day Speaker Event with nationally recognized author, Jim Robbins. 

Please read the informative flyer above about the Thursday, February 20th speaker Jim Robbins, author of The Man Who Planted Trees and science writer for The New York Times. This first speaker of 2014 will present an inspirational presentation entitled ‘The Power of Trees And How It Can Help Save the World’.  For more details about Jim’s talk and to register access this link:  http://treesatlanta.givezooks.com/events/trees-atlanta-arbor-day-speaker-event-with-jim-robbins

A brief description from Jim about his talk:

“The things we do know about trees, and the many things we don't -- from their ability to clean up toxic waste to the ways scientists say they connect to the cosmos. Trees heal people, are critical to insects and wildlife as medicine, and, some scientists believe, even have a nervous system that allows them to think, strategize and communicate. Most importantly he explains why trees should be seen as an "ecotechnology" to accomplish a wide range of important functions to heal broken ecosystems and adapt a changing planet.”

Trees Atlanta is thrilled to be hosting Jim Robbins and hopes that you will reserve space to attend the event.  If there is interest in attending, send emails to Green Meadows and we can form a car pool as parking is somewhat limited in the parking lot but street parking is available.

Bluebird Trail Tour in the Snow

Snow?  Yes indeed it snowed on us at the garden during the Bluebird Trail Tour! Maybe we should have called it the Snow Bird Tour. At one point Jim called out "It is snowing!" and when we looked, he was rather blurry it was snowing so hard.

But that didn't keep this hardy bunch of people from bundling up and spending time in the garden and walking the trails.

It was colder standing in the garden with the wind whipping around us then it was once we started walking. 

I was impressed that everyone had a hat of some kind on!

Kathy was stalking a bluebird at one feeder, trying to get pictures for Jim's blog.

Cobb County Book Sale

The Cobb County Library and The Friends of the Library are hosting their semi-annual book sale at Jim Miller Park from March 8-10, 2013. Over 100,000 items are for sale at the event which takes place in the spring and fall for three days beginning on Friday. Sale items include books both hardbound and paperback for children, young adults and adults; audio-visuals including books on tape and compact disc; videocassettes; compact discs; records; magazines; and comic books. All proceeds are used to purchase new books and other library materials.

Date:
March 8-10, 2013

Time:
Friday - 9am to 5pm
Saturday - 9am to 5pm
Sunday - 1pm to 5pm
 
Prices
Books, Magazines, Videos, Records, CDs, and More!
Hardbacks – Adult $1.50
Hardbacks – Juvenile   $1.00
Paperbacks – Select (i.e. Travel & Computer) $1.00
Paperbacks - Large Format $1.00
Paperbacks – Mass Market Size 50¢
Paperbacks – Juvenile  50¢
Reader’s Digest Condensed Books 25¢
Harlequin & Silhouette Romances  50¢
Magazines 10¢
Comic Books $1.00
Puzzles, Records, Audio & Videocassettes, & Computer Programs $1.00
Magazines by the Box $2.00

Address:
Jim Miller Park
2245 Callaway Road
Marietta, GA 30008

Bluebird Trail Tour is STILL on at 4:00 Saturday

Hello Everyone,
   The Bluebird Trail Tour scheduled for 4:00 this Saturday afternoon is STILL ON! There will be hot cider to warm you up as well as other goodies.

Walking the trail through the woods will be protect you from the wind. Just bundle up and it won't be bad since you'll be moving.

See you there for the walk!

As for the Workday - I'll be there at 2:00 to help change the lock combinations but the only thing on the workday agenda is weeding. If you'd rather weed when the weather is nicer this week, feel free to do your weeding later in the week. It is pretty nasty for just weeding. Brrrr....

If you have to choose between the Bluebird Trail Tour and weeding at the workday, pick the Bluebird Trail Tour!

         Vicki

Hooray - the new hoses are installed

Today was a most excellent workday. We got the pile of dirt moved into all the new beds plus topped off a few other beds. Weeding took place, the compost was turned and even more exciting is that the 4 new hoses got installed. Those dratted green ones have been replaced!! Hip hip hooray! Everyone now has access to wonderful hoses.

 

The Bluebird Trail Tour was a great success as well. Kitty and Kathy (KC) both brought blueberry muffins. Soooo delicious!  Jim's talk and tour was very interesting and provided great information. The sun even came out while we were out walking to make it nicer.

 

If you weren't able to come to the Thursday workday and Bluebird Trail Tour, be sure and come out on Saturday.

        (If you are in doubt weather wise, check the blog and an update will be posted by 1:00 pm)

Weekly Calendar: Feb 23 - Mar 2

Feb 23
2:00 pm
How to plant seed potatoes
Mike (Bed #30) will demonstrate different methods of planting seed potatoes. We'll be able to watch the potatoes grow all spring in our experimental area at the garden and see which method was most productive
 Feb 24
2:30 pm
New Gardener Orientation

Feb 26
4:00 - 5:30 pm
Gardeners on Duty

Feb 28
10:00 am - 12:00
Thursday Monthly Workday

12:00 -1:30
Bluebird Trail Tour
Bluebird Trail Tour Announcement

March 1
Lock combination changes
Be sure you have it before you come to the garden!

March 2
2:00 - 4:00
Saturday Monthly Workday

4:00 to 5:30
Bluebird Trail Tour
Bluebird Trail Tour Announcement

Tree Planting has been Cancelled

 

Unfortunately the Tree Planting for the Orchard will NOT take place this Saturday. The weather conditions on Friday aren't right for digging holes. If the holes were dug, they would be swimming holes which the baby trees wouldn't like. Watch the blog for an announcement of when the tree planting will be rescheduled.

 

 

Potato Planting Demonstration

When: Saturday February 23

Time:  2:00 pm

Place: The Garden

What: Mike will be demonstrating 4 different methods of planting and growing potatoes.  We'll be able to watch how they grow all season and then feast on them when they are ready to eat. It will be interesting to see which method yields the most.

   If the weather looks iffy, check the blog as a note will be posted Saturday by 1:00 pm

 

  The rain date will be Sunday February 24 at 1:30 pm

Weekly Calendar: Feb 16 - Feb 24

Feb 19
4:00 to 5:30 pm
Gardeners on Duty

Feb 20
Meet at 8:45 am at the Garden
Field trip to Casa Montano
Carlos Montano Garden Field Trip Announcement
email Carol by Monday if you are going

Feb 21
3:00 pm
New Gardener Orientation

Feb 23
2:00 - 4:00 pm
Gardeners on Duty

How to plant seed potatoes
Time TBA via blog posting
Mike (Bed #30) will demonstrate different methods of planting seed potatoes. We'll be able to watch the potatoes grow all spring in our experimental area at the garden and see which method was most productive
               
Orchard Planting with Keep Cobb Beautiful
Blog Post to come with time and further details
Planting of fruit trees in the terrace above the garden

Feb 24
2:30 pm
New Gardener Orientation
                                                                                                         

Weekly Calendar - Upcoming Dates at the Garden

Feb. 14 (Thursday)
9:00 AM
(Note time changed from the newsletter)

Monthly Planning Meeting
Christ Lutheran Church, 176 West Sandtown Road  Marietta, 30064

All gardeners at the Green Meadows Community Garden are invited to attend the Planning Meeting. You have a vested interest in the day to day operation and the future of the garden. 

Feb 16 (Saturday)
2:00 to 4:00 pm
Great Backyard Bird Count at the Garden
See GBBC Event at the Garden for complete details

Bluebird Trail Tours!

Jim will be leading two tours of the completed Green Meadows Preserve Bluebird Trail. Come out and see what all the excitement is about!

Wear a warm jacket (if the weather is chilly as we will be in the shade) and comfortable shoes for the 2 + mile hike along the the Bluebird Trail. Tours will be conducted rain or shine.

The first date will be on Thursday February 28th at 12:00 noon after the Green Meadows Community Garden work day (Thursday version).

The second tour date will be on Saturday March 2nd at 4:00 pm after the Green Meadows Community Garden work day (Saturday version).

We look forward to showing the trail off to the Nest Box Sponsors, fellow gardeners and 2013 MGVOCC classmates.

Mr. Bluebird is watching us