Many of us have entered pictures in the annual GCMGA photography contest, but knew we could have gotten the photo shot just a little better. Many of us have wanted to enter pictures, but didn’t feel confident that our pictures were contest quality. Thanks to Don Stewart and Mary Bachner, Gwinnett Master Gardeners and talented photographers, we had the opportunity to improve our photography skills. Don and Mary conducted a very thorough photography workshop that provided a high level overview of digital photography. We learned many tips for taking great photographs—including rule of thirds, using leading lines, trying different perspectives, and making the most of light and dealing with shadows. Don and Mary highlighted the features and benefits of various cameras, so we will be more informed in selecting the right camera for our personal photography goals. Of course, one of of biggest obstacles in photography is understanding our…
Author: Margaret Bergeron
“Trash to Treasures Yard Art” Workshop – April 29, 2013
Gwinnett Master Gardener Terri Erwin and her husband Allen graciously offered their home, garden, and expertise to show us some ways to create yard art while helping the environment by recycling. To start the workshop we enjoyed a tour of Terri and Allen’s amazing garden to see examples of recycling and get ideas. We were wowed by arbors and hand rails made with tree roots from downed trees, concrete from a broken driveway stained to look like natural stones (fooled us), refurbished furniture that had been discarded by someone who could not see it’s potential, and the list goes on and on! After getting our creative jump start, we put our hands to work to design our own unique stepping stone. Using cake pans, flower pots, water trays and concrete mix we set the forms for our project. After a brief setting period for the concrete, we became artists in…
Cox Arboretum and Gardens Field Trip – April 23, 2013
The Cox Arboretum and Gardens is a private estate located in Canton, Georgia. Numbering over 4,000 living specimens, the plantings display one of the largest private collections of temperate flora in the United States. The property is also bounded by several large wetland habitats where many migratory and native fowl make their home. It is situated on 13 acres in the middle of an old-growth southern deciduous hardwood forest, containing many large Oaks, Hickory, Poplar and Sweetgum—some of which are over 100 years old. We were led on a tour of the gardens by owner and garden creator Tom Cox. Tom served as a national president of the American Conifer Society and he now travels the world in search of conifers that might be adaptable to the Southeastern United States. Along with Dr. John Ruter, he is in the process of co-authoring a first-ever book on conifers for the South. The opportunity to experience…