The wind in the pines

By Master Gardener Ford Balch 1-07

I paused at an old fenceline, an old boundary line,
With darkness approaching it was time to go back,
A grove of pine trees was on the other side,
It’s growth a barrier but I knew a track.

In the pines, it was the shortest way home,
The wind unnoticed until now began to blow-
A sound magnified by the number of trees,
Being steady and eerie it seemed to follow.

Sounds in the forest were told by lore
For it was here that the Satyrs played,
Deities of the woodlands they were merry
And with gaiety danced and drank all day.

At gloaming they fell asleep
Breathing heavily, as they dreamed
Of nymphs chased earlier that day,
And attending to Pan in between.

Pan, the God of Woodlands and Fields,
His music was wind through rushes
At woodland edges where reeds were found,
But most surely it was just a simple gust.

Leaving the pines we go through a field,
It is not far from here to home,
When a bird glides to a tree for the night,
It is a ruffled grouse that is alone.

Leaving the woods I cross the bridge,
Looking back-the ridge is now all dark
But the lights in the village are aglow
As I return to home, until I again embark.

You Know you’re a Master Gardener When…

You grab other people's banana peels, coffee grinds, apple cores for your compost pile.
You have to wash your hair to get your fingernails clean.
All your neighbors ask you questions.
You spend more time volunteering than at home.
You buy a bigger truck so that you can haul more mulch.
Everything you touch turns to "fertilizer".
Your non-gardening spouse becomes conversant in botanical names
Your boss makes "taking care of the office plants" an official part of your job description
You smile often at God’s Beautiful Creation

Come see the New Fountain in the Connector Garden

Come see the new tropical garden to surround this beautiful new addition. Palms and exotic plants have filled the space. Hard to believe what it was and is now! Our thanks to Jim, Hilton, and all the volunteers that helped.The fountain will be lighted and make a dramatic focus.

Got Ground Pearl?

David Barkley, Hort Agent: Peter Hertyl NC. Crops Department – is continuing his study and research on ground pearl and is asking for help from BCMGVA members. He will train volunteers on all aspects of gathering information.

For the Most Current Info…

Our website has a calendar that is now being updated regularly. Check it out and be a member that knows what is going on. Better yet, if you know of an event you feel our members would be interested in, email me and I will post them.

Automation Committee

Al Smith & I were very interested in the Intranet project that Lucy Bradley is working on. Looks like she may have the answer for how we will maintain a good website in the future. She should have the first test sites up soon and we hope to offer her suggestions for how the site could better serve our needs.
Wanted: Master Gardeners with expertise in creating web pages. We are trying to bring information to you more efficiently. Call Al Smith 910-457-667if you could help.

State Conference Information

If you are going to Conference this fall, now is the time to make your reservations. You should have received a packet in the mail. If not, go to the internet site I gave you on page 1 and get a form. Let’s all go party together and learn something to boot!

Southport Farmers Market

Market Has been successful on Wednesdays for 8-1 on the Garrison Lawn. Charlie has been offering a plant clinic and a couple dozen vendors have been present to sell produce, plants, and home made merchandise. Come see what you’re missing!

Lucy Bradley, PHD – Urban Hort. Specialist

... was our last speaker. Lucy came to NC from Phoenix, Arizona were she directed the largest Master Gardener Program in the Country. She should be a very helpful resource to our program as she puts together a number of new programs and tools available to us. Some of her projects include; Video training for Urban Tree Care, Forestry Training for Local Agents, a Natural Environment Preschool program, Carolina Yards & Neighborhoods workbook, Plant Clinics, Community Gardens, Plant Databases, Intranet (that we could use as our local web page + be part of a state wide site)

Was the Recognition Meeting/ Luncheon a success?

I thought so! What did you think? Email Becky Dus with your thoughts. I know we had a room full of people. I know we had an enthusiastic bunch from both new classes get their Certificates and many of my classmates from last year were present to get our recognition as the newest Master Gardeners. I also know I ate too much great food. Do want it the same next year or go back to a dinner? Let us know.

Hilton Holcomb, Gardens

We need help in the gardens, there is a tremendous amount of work required to maintain them. Work Days are 1st Monday and 3rd Tuesday.

New Storage Building Approved

A new storage building and cement pad are now is now ordered in the greenhouse area. The irrigation is now in place, so no more hand watering. Hurray! Ash advised electrical hook up is still to be completed.

Upcoming Speakers

July 26th Bruce Williams will be our July Speaker. The DownEast Gardener will give us some tips on local plants.
Sept. 27th Some type of MG Social
Oct. 25th Toby Bost, Hort Agent, Forsyth County - Has written books on gardening.
Nov 29th Dick Bir - Retired - worked at Fletcher Research Station in Fletcher NC.

Upcoming Events…

July 13th&14th Plant Sale for Gov. Center & Master Gardeners
Aug 14th Plant Clinic on Vegetables
October 4, 5, 6th Fall Plant Sale
Oct 8,9,10th State MG Conference in Raleigh
December 13th Holiday Party

Wildflowers

By Master Gardener Ford Balch 1-07

Prodigious beauties, jewels of the fields,
Brightly colored blooms for our delight,
Created by God: they self-propagate seeds,
Returning each year for us to walk by.

With nectar provided for bees and butterflies,
Who inadvertently cross-pollinate while they feed,
Honeycombs will be found in the fall; God looking down
Must be proud of his Garden of Adam and Eve.

Bluettes bloom in the spring much to a small child’s ecstasy,
Awakened from dormancy buds and growth re-appear,
Our spirits soar this season of re-birth and innocence,
God must be satisfied with all that he sees and hears.

This summer we will enter field and forest once again,
Looking for old friends whose presence we anticipate,
Daisies and Black-EyeD-Susan’s delight the way to the stonewall,
where red blossoms of fireweed are belied by their ignoble name.

We enter a woodland road interspersed with springs,
To walk beside lady slippers-Adirondack Orchids
Crowns slightly bent unaffected by their glory,
They are difficult to find and a treasure indeed.

Returning, we pass by invasive Purple Loosestrife,
Gently waving in breezes we feel compelled to stop,
Enchanted for we seem to hear the Siren’s song,
Refusing submission we leave them to go on.

There are many old favorites to revisit and admire,
Some by the river stream and some in the shade,
Some new encounters that we will struggle to name,
With a child’s spirit we kneel in the garden God made.

Hilton & Joyce Holcomb

How To Plant Your Garden
First, you Come to the garden alone,
while the dew is still on the roses....

For the Garden of your Daily Living,
Plant Three Rows of Peas:
1. Peace of mind
2. Peace of heart
3. Peace of soul
Plant Four Rows of Squash:
1. Squash gossip
2. Squash indifference
3. Squash grumbling
4. Squash selfishness
Plant Four Rows of Lettuce:
1. Lettuce be faithful
2. Lettuce be kind
3. Lettuce be patient
4. Lettuce really love one another
No Garden is Without Turnips
1. Turnip for meetings
2. Turnip for service
3. Turnip to help one another
To Conclude our Garden We Must Have Thyme:
1. Thyme for each other
2. Thyme for family
3. Thyme for friends
Water Freely with Patience & Cultivate with Love. There will be Much Fruit in your Garden because You Reap as You Sow.

Come see the New Fountain in the Connector Garden

We are making a tropical garden to surround this beautiful new addition. Palms and exotic plants are filling the space. The fountain will be lighted and make a dramatic focus. Come help us!

Got Ground Pearl?

David Barkley, Hort Agent: Peter Hertyl NC. Crops Department – is continuing his study and research on ground pearl and is asking for help from BCMGVA members. He will train volunteers on all aspects of gathering information.

Automation Committee

Al Smith stated the web calendar has been updated to include all events of the BCMGVA. Anyone wishing to add information should e-mail Joe Loughlin. The web pages are also being updated and if anyone would like to volunteer their help with this see Al or Joe.
Wanted: Master Gardeners with expertise in creating web pages. We are trying to bring information to you more efficiently. Call Al Smith 910-457-667if you could help.
Our website has a calendar that is now being updated regularly. Check it out and be a member that knows what is going on. Better yet, if you know of an event you feel our members would be interested in, email me and I will post them. jloughlin@ec.rr.com

Plants Sales are Big Success

Thanks to all who helped and especially our newest classes.