Marlys' Gardens ~ Master Gardener

Master Gardener

The Master Gardener program requires a certain number of service and education hours to keep active status in the organization.

During our spring meeting there was discussion about future project opportunities. I chose project-leader for the all-volunteer “Adopt a Plot” program at the Bessie Spaur Butterfly Garden. Since I’m a member of the Knoxville Federated Garden Club which sponsors the garden this is a dual deal serving both groups.

The bummer was 2” of wonderful rainfall over the weekend and more rain early Wednesday morning. Our work-date had been set for Wednesday evening. No more rain came during daylight hours. So even tho less than ideal gardening conditions availed, I decided to just go ahead with the project and then it would be done. Loaded with tools, supplies, & my garden cart, it was, off to the butterfly garden or bust.

The little 4 x 7 plot, #23 was full of self-seeded plants. Remember, one definition of a weed is “a plant - out of place”. Well I have a few other names for some weeds / plants but that’s another subject.

Mary Dee Dykstra was my helper. We dug into the heavy mud uprooting and filling my garden cart with tons of daisies, a ‘Purple Rain’ type salvia, plus an unidentified thriver of a plant. (Ask a Master Gardener - but we don’t always know what it is.) The plan is to recycle the plants in another group project soon. They are temporarily being held in Eve’s compost pile; like a bed and breakfast for plants, or a group-home.

After leveling off the soil, bags of pea gravel were spread out covering the plot. Then various types of sedums were added. Nancy Meacham arrived in time for planting, bringing along the larger, variegated sedum plants donated by her daughter, Connie Schuck. I had picked up other Hen & Chicks someone donated along with our logo sign at the extension office. After everything got planted a few larger rocks were tossed in for structure / color / character. Then our “Maintained by Marion County Master Gardeners” sign went in and we were done. Walla! Instant Sedum / Rock Garden in 3 short hours or less. And it was fun too!

Lake Red Rock
Wallashuck Campground
Master Gardener Project

The Army Corp of Engineers oversees/maintains many of the campgrounds here at Lake Red Rock. Their budget was cut significantly due to federal government aid to Hurricane Katrina recovery programs. One small way for them to cut cost was to ask volunteers to do the plantings at the welcome centers & the campground entrances. Several members of our Master Gardener group pitched in to do it.

Fellow Master Gardener, Eve Vanden Broek did a fine job as the 'project leader'. I wanted to do the 2 beds at Wallashuck Campground as it is near our home. I have an illusion that I might ride my bike over there and check on the beds during the summer. We used some rescued plants, daisies, Stella D'Oro (Happy Returns) daylilies, and some others. Eve also purchased 3 flats of annuals for the project. Her husband, bless his soul, tilled all the beds for us.

It ended-up a two phase (2 day) project for me. My friend, Marilyn Van Wyk / Master Gardener helped me the second day.

Day 1 / west bed / very hot! I got sunburned! The booth attendant helped me carry water for each planting hole or I don't think I would have survived!

Day 2 / east bed / very cold & windy. Thank goodness Marilyn could help. The yews were removed from the front bed by the corp. Marilyn & I bought plants, hauled the rescued plants, & I of course, could donate a couple hostas for this east facing bed. We had fun! Marilyn is a hoot! And she fixed me lunch too.

The Knoxville Federated Garden Club sponsors the Bessie Spaur Butterfly Garden (Knoxville, IA). Part of the garden consists of small 'Adopt-a-Plots'. Arvilia Bailey is the coordinator for the program. We ended up with 2 unadopted plots. Arvilia invited Randy Van Weelden (fellow-club-member) & I to plant & tend plot #14 & #15. Hey, I can get Master Gardener volunteer hours for doing it and it's fun!

June 14 - 2006

Marion County Master Gardener Mtg
Host - Julie Schuck
Pot Luck & Garden Tour
Presentation 'Discovery Gardens' at the Iowa State Fair Grounds
Speaker: Ronda Magnusson - Polk County Master Gardener

June 15 - 17, 2006
Upper Midwest Master Gardener Conference

My friend & fellow master gardener, Marilyn Van Wyk and I attended the regional Master Gardener conference in Cedar Rapids, IA. We had a great time. On Friday we were joined by Eve Vanden Broek & Erin Hiemstra (our group coordinator).

Thursday was non-stop garden tours, then outdoor dining at Bruce More Mansion. We returned to the motel 12 hours after our departure time. It was a very good day.

Friday was filled with gardening related presentations by various expert speakers. There were vendors too and dinner Friday evening in the motel.

Saturday morning was breakfast & more presentations, then an expert panel discussion forum for our questions. Vendors were still there!

July 10th 2006

Bernice Van Gorp - 10 Years of Service

Florence Vander Meiden - 10 Years of Service & 500 Volunteer Hours

July 12th 2006

My garden buddy, Randy & I adopted these 2 abandoned planter boxes late this spring. Spraying interfered with our initial planting efforts. Did I say that nicely??? Replanting was done this day. Hopefully White Polk-a-dot Vinca will survive.

August 7, 2006

Master Gardener Project - Progress Report
Wallashuck Campground @ Lake Red Rock
Pella, IA

The guy in the picture carried bucket after bucket of water for me when I planted the bed in May. He & Cecilia (another fee booth attendant) have been pulling the weeds. The Globe Thistles got mistaken for weeds & no longer exist but everything else is lookin' good!

August 14th - 2006

Bessie Spaur Butterfly Garden
'Adopted A Plot' - Work Day Again

Artmeisa was over-taking Randy's Plot #15 at the Butterfly Garden and the vinca weren't filling-in the gaps in either, bed #14 (Marlys' Plot) or #15. Okay, Wal Mart had marked plants 1/2 price. And there was this new sedum named 'Fall Fire' & they had the biggest, nicest black/purple sedums, & voluptuous bright, hot pink vincas. I couldn't resist! But the beds at the Butterfly Garden were lacking pizzazz & needed something. I can rationalize away my addiction just fine.

It was also my turn to do maintenance on the Master Gardener Plot #23. Thankfully, the pea gravel mulch is working nicely and there was little weed pulling needed. The Hen & Chicks & all the sedums are doing wonderfully. Soon the large sedums will bloom for the butterflies enjoyment.