Most of us gardeners have learned patience through our plant endeavors. Some of us even enjoy being teased for weeks by the swelling buds of something soon to be magnificent, but only lasting days. But sometimes, let’s admit it, we want the instantaneous ratification of instant non-stop color…just add water and presto! I do enjoy creating instant curbside appeal with colors so bright “I gotta wear shades”! In my landscape, I have my designated annual beds where I concentrate on bold color masses. Though there are many beautiful annual summer blooming flowers, Coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides), by far, is my absolute favorite! I don’t have to wait for flowers because the color is all in the leaves! With its various textures and colors ranging from purple, red, orange, hot pink, chartreuse, yellow to soft pastels, there are so many possibilities. I have beautiful color from spring to frost with minimal upkeep!…
The History of the Gwinnett County Master Gardeners Association
On September 20, 1993 the first official club meeting of Gwinnett County Master Gardeners Association was held at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center in Lawrenceville. Don Freidus, class of ’93 was instrumental in getting others interested in our club. The first officers were not elected by the usual manner (testimony to our inexperience) but either volunteered or was appointed by the President. Our first President was Don Freidus; Vice President: Gail Martin; Secretary; Maria Turk, and Treasurer: Brenda Adams. Polly Patterson and Faye Harwell were the Program Committee. Brenda Adams and Gail Martin originated and produced our Quarterly Newsletter, A BIT OF DIRT, which started with the Winter Issue in 1993. Gail Hollimon volunteered to coordinate the communications phone tree (prior to internet access and emailing ability). We set up our club to get Master Gardeners together so they could get to know each other, help and support each…
A Bit of Dirt – Spring 2007
The full pdf copy of this edition is available here. PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE By Glenn Parsons Today I watched a TV show about global warming and then my favorite weatherman reported the USA is having the worst winter in 100 years! Without getting caught up in the debate, I retreated to many new garden catalogs in an effort to pass some time and plan my gardening for spring. As I write this, it seems we are experiencing our last really cold snap for the year and the anticipation of warmer weather makes my garden beckon. Hopefully in a month or so I will be walking in one of the many Gwinnett County parks looking for Spring Ephemerals and other signs of the change in season. Like many of you, spring is my favorite time of the year. I have previously reported that our annual auction was a great success. Several favorable…