One Million Pollinator Gardens

The National Pollinator Network, a collaboration of nearly two dozen conservation groups with the support of First Lady Michelle Obama.has a goal of one million new pollinator friendly gardens by 2016,  

Any garden, regardless of size and location, can be registered on their website: www.millionpollinatorgardens.org to count toward the total. And everything counts, “from window boxes and garden plots to farm borders, golf courses, school gardens, corporate and university campuses,” they said in a press release. The Network’s job is to provide the resources and information for people to plant and maintain pollinator gardens, including plant recommendations, where to buy seeds and plants, and how to plant a sustainable garden using minimal pesticides.

“The Million Pollinator Garden Challenge gives nearly every American the chance to be one in a million, by planting seeds and plants for bees and pollinators,” said Craig Regelbrugge of AmericanHort. “They are going to look to trusted sources for plants and expertise. This is a huge opportunity for horticulture.”

May 12 Field Trip - R. L. and Linda Mallory's Home

The May 12 CCMGA field trip to the home of R. L. and Linda Mallory was a great one.  We had about 20 members present to walk through the gardens and learn more about the varied and unusual plants.  We learned about water gardens, vegetable gardens, native plants and even winter hardy banana trees. 

We went into the tropical greenhouse and were amazed by the cacti, succulents and tropical flowers.  Linda gave us tips on how to grow and propagate these beautiful and interesting plants.  We then had a chance to put her advice into practice by making arrangements of cacti and succulents. 

We had two hours of great gardening education as well as great conversation and inspiration.

  

Perennial Exchange and Plant Sale

As in previous years, the Cabell County Master Gardener Association is holding a Perennial Exchange and Plant Sale.  However, this year it is being held in conjunction with the Sustainability Fair on Pullman Square.
Anyone who would like to volunteer should contact the coordinator of the Perennial Exchange, Sean Kelly (s_lkelly@yahoo.com) to sign up.  Sean is also looking for donated plants to sell on Saturday.
Please come and swap perennials (no woody plants permitted) and shop for some great plants for your garden.
The booths at the Sustainability Fair are in the images below:

Huntington in Bloom - 2015

Once again, the Cabell County Master Gardener Association is pleased to partner with Huntington in Bloom to beautify the city.  At our April meeting, Tom Bell informed us that the planting dates are:

Thursday – April 30 – 6 pm

Tuesday – May 5 – 6 pm

Thursday – May 7 – 6 pm

Volunteers will meet in front of the Big Sandy Superstore Arena to plant pots or one of the large circular gardens.  Tom informs us that soil is being replaced in the planting areas making our work much easier.

If you are available, please come to one (or all) of the Huntington in Bloom work parties and help to make the city a more attractive place to live and work.

For more information on Huntington in Bloom visit their website - http://www.huntingtoninbloom.org/

Photos taken by Victor Simpson & Steve Beckelhimer

2015 WV Master Gardener Conference

Snapshots from the 2015 WV Master Gardener Conference held on March 27-29 at Pipestem State Park & Resort are below:

Volunteer Hours Award Program Pins

The WV Master Gardener Association is promoting awards pins for volunteer hours and years of membership.  Preliminary information on this program is available in a brochure.

WV State Conservation Camp scholarship opportunity

The Beverly Hills Garden Club Conservation Committee is interesting in identifying a youth who is interested in learning more about our natural resources and their economic and social importance. Each year BHGC provides a scholarship to the WV State Conservation Camp so that may this young person have the opportunity to attend.

The student must be between 14-18 years old as of Jan. 1, 2015.  The Beverly Hills Garden Club will assume financial responsibility of $185.00 for one student to attend camp. This cost covers food, lodging, and insurance. The camp is Camp Caesar in Webster County, Rt. 20, between Cowen and Webster Springs, WV. The date for the camp is June 15-20, 2015. All applications for the camp must be completed (physical required) and money received by May 15th, 2015.

If you are aware of a potential candidate, you may contact either Marcia Lightner (lightners@zoominternet.net).