Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Marietta Educational Garden Center

I went to the Marietta Educational Garden Center to attend one of the gardening workshops there. The title of the talk was Gardening 101 given by Mickey Gazaway.  She’s a plant expert from Pike Nurseries and is really knowledgeable as well as entertaining. 

Photo Credit: CK Worley

Here are some of the things I learned tonight.

When looking for a fertilizer remember that the first number = nitrogen. The second = phosphorus. The last = potassium.  Which fertilizer do you use and how much?  Mickey said that the easiest way  was to remember- up, down and all around.  Generally a higher Nitrogen level is for plants that grow up. Higher phosphorus levels are for roots (fruits and flowers) and Potassium is for all around growth.

She doesn’t like tree spikes much because most of the roots that absorb the nutrition are near the surface of the tree.  It’s best to spread fertilizer around the tree instead.

Mickey told us that Encore Azaleas grow best in full sun. That explains why some haven’t done as well as the other Azaleas I have around the yard.  I may have to move a few from the front of the house to the sunnier back yard. 

She introduced us to a very fragrant plant called Maid in the Shade - (Aureo Marginata)
that is perfect for a shade garden. It has a nice white and purple flower.  She says that Walter Reeves told her that the plant smells like the prettiest girl in 6th grade.  After giving it a whiff I could see where he would come up with that image.  Very pretty plant.
Photo Credit: CK Worley

I loved her talk, and now look forward to explaining the use of essential oils as the next speaker at the next Gardening Workshop on March 10th, 2015 from 7-9 PM at the Marietta Educational  Gardening Center.  This lecture is FREE and open to the public.  Bring a friend!

Pre-registration is required as seating is limited to 70. To reserve your seat(s) please e-mail the Marietta Educational Garden Center at mgardenc@bellsouth.net or call Kimberly Drye at 770-427-3494. 

I hope to see you there!

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Seeds of Hope


Seeds of Hope
Friday, February 20 - Sunday, February 22
Many parts of the globe experience critical food shortages.

Peachtree's Seeds of Hope seed packing event is making a difference.

Seeds represents a future. When they are planted and grow, they produce gardens that grow more than food - they grow hope. A garden can feed 6-8 people for a year, plus produce seeds for the future planting season. A single garden can transform a family from food scarcity to sustainability in a single growing season.

Join us February 20-22 as we pack seeds for over 61,000 family gardens for our mission partners in Malawi and Liberia.

Give communities the hope that comes with food security.



Opportunities to Participate



Friday: 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.*
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.*
1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday: 11:15 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.*
1:30 – 4:00 p.m.

*Childcare is available for children up to age 6. Children 6 years old can participate with adult supervision.

This is a hairnet-free event! We encourage you to plan fellowship time together before or after your shift.

http://www.peachtreepres.org/news/Help_us_Pack_at_the_Seed_Packing_Event_at_Peachtree

 And here are the photos of the Seed Packing - We even had a D.J. playing music for us! What a fun time.
Photo Credit: Ck Worley

Photo Credit: CK Worley

Photo Credit: CK Worley

Photo Credit: CK Worley


Photo Credit: CK Worley
 Boxes of tomatoes, onions, squash and cabbage packed and ready for shipping to Malawi and Liberia.