Thank You to the Flagstaff Community 12/11

Thank You from the VolunteerGardeners at Olivia White Hospice Home

Thank you to all our regularvolunteer gardeners (master gardeners & hospice supporters) for a verysuccessful garden season. Each year our garden crew grows. This year we had 18regular and 5 seasonal volunteers. Because of that, for a second year we wereable to do a Plant and Garden sale. Additional thanks to those that continue tosupport us throughout the year with their generous donations of materials andtime. Warner’s Landscape and Nursery continued with an 8^th year of 10%of proceeds day for Olivia White Hospice as well as discounts for purchases. The Flagstaff Leadership Program held afundraiser for us at 1^st Friday Artwalk, and spent a day in thegarden helping us get the season started. The Bountiful Alliance foundation awarded another grant to continue to developa garden to honor Michael Moore (writer and naturalist). Work on the Native Medicinal Garden began in2010 and will continue in 2012. Last ofall Dave & Terri Hill continued their generous support of the gardens bydonating arbors and fencing for a new garden entry. We had our usual group help from the community(AmeriCorps, Northland Prep Academy, and Flagstaff High Honor Society), andindividual donations by many families who utilized services offered in thehome. One family made an unusualdonation. They donated a 100 year old lilac that came all the way from backeast. It was dug up by two of ourgardeners from the former resident’s yard and replanted in front of the home.The family also added a dedication sign and some rock that came from Iowa.

Because of the generous support from the community wewere able to purchase a large shed, some new composters and wheelbarrows inaddition to our plant material. We addedone new garden and revamped an old garden from 2002. In May the new garden wasdedicated to our long time therapy dog Zane. It is backed by our birdhousetrellis which now has a small memorial brick area dedicated to pets. Zane’ssuccessor Murphy was in attendance at the dedication along with manyfriends. Thanks also go to Dana PromSmith who reminded us about the importance of dogs (pets) in all our lives.

Goals & Accomplishments for the 2011 Garden Season

Olivia WhiteHospice Garden

Usual garden maintenance (bringing out hardscape, weeding, watering, planting (annualsand lost perennials), repairing and adding drip lines, repairing walkways,general garden maintenance, composting, harvesting vegetable for the home). Add a 2^nd weekday workday (Mon.& and Thurs. and 1 Saturday a month).

1.Dugup a 100 year old tree from a former residents yard and moved it to the garden

2.Driplines repaired and added to 80% of east side of house, front ½ circle, and newplantings throughout the garden.

3.Allwalkways and pads repaired. The north walkway wasredesigned to accommodate the new shed, newpaver areas were added for Pet Memorials, shed entry, and compost areas.

4.Anew composter was added, chipper used regularly, and a small pathway was addedto the northand south compost area to prevent weeds from getting into the compost. 2additional composters were added atthe end of the season.

5.Produceharvested for the home included: tomatoes, lettuce, spinach, choi, broccoli, kohlrabi, potatoes, onions, leeks, peppers(variety), squash (variety), strawberries, and herbs.

6.Mondayadded as a regular workday and included Saturday workdays from April-Sept.

7.Continuedtree care – pruning, removal of Elm, and protecting from animal damage.

Orient mastergardener program and new volunteer gardeners, and provide education andopportunities for teaching

1.Orientation done for theMaster Gardener class, groups, tours, and individual new volunteers.

2.5Inservices done on workdays (General Orient, Composting, Tree Pruning, RosePruning, Michael Moore Garden) for volunteers.

Last Official Workday for 2011

Thanks to all who came to work on Thursday. It was cold when I arrived at 8am and I didn't end up taking any layers off before I left at about noon. Linda Guarino was the 1st to arrive and she worked on compost and the drip.We have 2 new composters from Home Depot and she finished getting them up and running. She also added some compost from the house which we will continue to do throughout the winter. Judith Chaddock arrived next and she worked on watering indoors and deadheading lavender. Watering indoors will continue throughout the winter 1x a week. I have put a sign-up on the wall in the OW office. It is filled for November Thursdays. I will send out a list of task that need to be done and some basics. The calendar is open for December and 2012 so sign up if you want to help. Julie Holmes and Becky Lewis arrived next and they spent their time deadheading. Nancy Palmer tied up our larger rose bushes. Joe Harte and Linda worked on emptying our rain barrels and cleaning them. Worth noting if you are buying one the ugly black plastic one was very clean inside and the beautiful Fiscars tan barrel was filled with algae (we are guessing the sun got through). I spent my time putting up parking lot reflectors in hopes the snow blower stays out of the gardens this year. I also fed the birds and will continue to do that until we run out of seed. We have placed many suet feeders out and I saw several nuthatches, a woodpecker, and a flicker busy on them yesterday. We actually finished early today at 11, with a good sized crew.

Thanks to the Whites (Ray and Joan) for coffee from Starbucks. We needed it today. Joan won a gift package at the volunteer lunch and she donated it to the garden crew. It contained coffee, tea, a mug, and a gift certificate which was used today.

I will be in the garden occasionally for the next couple of weeks feeding birds, tying up a glider, and putting a small bag of winterizer out, but otherwise enjoying some time off. In January we will have our first meeting for the 2012 season. We will meet monthly after that until April when we began all over again. Watch this blog for dates and times. I will also add a review of 2011 goals and accomplishments.

Thanks for a great season of gardening at Olivia White. As usual "It takes a village". Flagstaff did not disappoint with 18 regular volunteers, 7 occasional, and 4 group workdays.

Loni Shapiro
Volunteer Coordinator
Olivia White Gardens

Workday 10/20/11

Fall has arrived with cooler nights, but the days are still warm. The leaves have begun to fall with an increase in winds. The reds were spectacular this year, but the aspen color was minimal before leaves began falling. On Thursday, another beautiful warm day, Judith Chaddock, Julie Holmes, and Joe Harte joined me in the garden. Judith watered indoors and then helped Julie with deadheading the lavender and Russian sage. Joe came for a short time and we enlisted his help in putting the stone bird baths away for the winter. I planted the last of the bulbs and began giving all our shubs and trees a long drink before winter sets in. If the warm weather continues this will need to happen weekly.

We are almost wrapped up for the season except for indoor watering and filling bird feeders until we run out of food or we can no longer get to them. The plan is for next week to be the last official workday.

Activities include:
Watering indoors and outdoor trees and shrubs
Finish deadheading the lavender
Finish the new composter if the part arrives and get the area ready for winter
Two main lines need to be buried to avoid damage from plows. We also have 2 small repairs.
The rain barrels need to be disconnected and emptyied
Put wheelbarrels and all other hardscape away
Work on glider pad
Plant a few more bulbs

Plans for winter:
Continue watering indoors weekly. There will be a sign-up sheet for this.
If the winter is dry we will water trees and shrubs monthly.

If work is not completed this week we will continue to Nov. 1.

"A garden is never so good as it will be next year."
Thomas Cooper    Horticultural Magazane 1993


Thanks,
Loni

Workdays 10/10/11 & 10/13/11

On the last Monday workday of the season I worked alone. I spent my time getting ready for our big Thursday workday, emptying pots of frozen annuals into the compost pile and watering indoors.

On Thursday, we had a large crew from Northland Prep (11) with a teacher (Jessica Gabrys) and parent (Peggy Scurlock) working with some of our regular crew - Linda Guarino, Betty Marcus, Crys Wells, and my self. They were a variety of ages from 6th grade through Junior in high school. Linda worked with a couple building new compost containers and getting them in place. Betty had a crew cleaning the back porch, putting away table and chairs, watering the sun porch, feeding the birds, and helping with cleaning the sheds and tools. Crys worked with 4 of the students planting tulips, iris, and allium. After I set up a pot washing area several students worked with Peggy Scurlock and washed all the pots. When they finished they got some bags and picked up trash along Turquoise and in the canyon. While there they encountered an intact Fox skeleton.

Other tasks completed included:
Adding manure to the raised beds
Watering outside
Planting 2 Shasta daisy
Sweeping walkways and the small back patio
Cleaning sheds and tools

"I have caught hold of the earth, to use a gardener's phrase, and neither my friends or my enemies will find it and easy manner to transplant me again."
Henry St.John, Lord Bolingbroke (1678-1751)
Letters to Jonathan Swift

It was a very productive day and two of the therapy dogs were in the garden.  Dave Hill was out with Murphy and several residents and Joe Harte stopped by with some hay and brought Pesha.

We still have work for the next couple of weeks:
Deadheading (lavendar, Russian sage)
Watering as needed (sun porch and outside)
Paver work for enlarging a glider pad
Putting away stone birdbaths
Cleaning out rain barrels
Planting the last of the bulbs
Tying up large shrub roses

Plans are for the next 2 Thursdays from 8am-12pm, Come join us!

"Many things grow in the garden that were never sown there."
Thomas Fuller, Gnomologia, 1732

Thanks,
Loni

Special Award from AZ Hospice and Palliative Care Org.

In August, Northland Hospice was nominated for an award based on quality of
hospice and palliative care service.  We at Northland Hospice and Palliative Care
are proud to announce that we have been selected by the Arizona Hospice and
Palliative Care Organization (AHPCO) as the winner of the “Excellence in End-
of-Life-Care” award for 2011!

Here were the guidelines to nominate a program:

“Every day palliative care programs and hospices across our state provide
 compassionate, quality care to patients and families.  As part of our mission
 to advance quality end-of-life  care and serve as a voice and resource for 
 our members and the communities they serve, the Arizona Hospice and 
 Palliative Care Organization (AHPCO) has created an award program to
 recognize a program or agency that has developed and implemented an 
 innovative end-of-life program. Through this recognition program we wish 
 to highlight the good care that is being provided and raise awareness 
 of the importance of excellence in serving patients near the end-of-life.  

We invite you to nominate a program or agency that you consider deserving 
of this recognition.  


Please submit a 1-page narrative that describes why you believe the nominee
should be honored. ”

As an organization, Northland Hospice decided to recognize our volunteers as a
whole.  Our volunteers not only contribute with a great deal of time and effort, but
they also contribute by raising awareness of hospice and palliative care.  
Congratulations to everyone involved with Northland Hospice, as you all
help us provide outstanding service.

Article below:

Northland Hospice AHPCO Nomination Narrative

            Northland Hospice and Palliative Care is the only non-profit hospice 
provider in Flagstaff. We understand that the financial standing of an individual
should have no bearing as to whether or not they get to live out their remaining 
time in comfort and with dignity.  We accept any patient regardless of insurance or 
finances, and provide them with excellent care and support.  We provide a team 
approach, complete with an outstanding medical director, compassionate nurses, 
aides, a knowledgeable social worker, chaplain, and a bereavement counselor, 
all of whom help us run smoothly and efficiently.

            We view Northland Hospice as a “Triangle of Support.”  What makes 
this triangle so successful, and what sets us apart, is the dedication of our 
volunteers.  They are the lifeblood of our organization and are vital to its many parts.

            The first point of our triangle is our thrift store.  The Hodgepodge Thrift
 Store is located on Historic Route 66 and is operated almost entirely by volunteers.  
People donate their lightly used items, and the Hodgepodge sells them at a discounted 
price.  The money generated from this thrift store goes towards helping provide 
hospice to individuals who are in need of end-of-life care.  On a typical day at the 
Hodgepodge, there can be anywhere from half a dozen to more than twenty 
volunteers sorting clothes, pricing items, moving purchased furniture, or 
manning the registers.  Currently, their hard work helps generate revenues
of approximately $19,000 monthly that helps supplement or cover patient hospice costs.

            The second point of our hospice triangle is represented by our event 
volunteers.  Our four major annual events would not be possible without the 
planning and coordination of our event volunteers.  Not only do these events raise
vital operating funds, but they also raise community awareness of Northland’s
mission and merit.

The final point of our triangle is our assisted living hospice service.  The Olivia
White Hospice Home is a ten bedroom home dedicated towards easing one of life’s
most difficult transitions. It is unique to the region in that no other hospice in the 
area has its own building dedicated solely to housing hospice eligible individuals.  
In addition to a qualified staff, we also have patient volunteers who devote countless 
hours towards directly helping our patients.
The gem of the house, and something that everyone at Northland is especially 
proud of, is the garden which is primarily maintained by volunteers.  There are 
seasonal flowers, a vegetable garden, a beautiful gazebo, memorial plaques, and 
even a scavenger hunt for young family visitors.  Our volunteer gardeners put a 
great deal of hard work and love into providing visitors and patients with a 
beautiful daily reminder of life.

            We are not a huge corporation.  We do not try to be something that we 
are not.  We are a local non-profit hospice whose mission is accomplished through
the hard work and dedication of countless individuals, many of whom are unpaid 
volunteers.  It is not an organization helping people, it is people helping people.

Workdays 10/3/11 & 10/7/11

On Monday I worked in the garden cutting back roses and mulching in preparation for the coming winter storm.

Thursday we had a small crew but managed to get many things done before the winter storm arrived. Betty Marcus came and she began by mulching roses and new shrubs and trees. She also put away our hummingbird feeders for the season and helped Crys Wells gather hardscape to put away for the winter. Crys packed up our many decorative items from the Faerie Garden and hanging wind chimes. Judith Chaddock helped Betty with the mulching, watered indoors, added material to the compost, and helped me take down our hanging plants. I managed to find time to put the fountain away. All things that might freeze were taken down and tossed or stored in the sun room. We still have plenty to do in the next two weeks. 

Thanks to Betty, Crys, and Judith for coming out in the cold to help, and to Betty for the tasty lemon bread.

Plans for next week and the following: Wash pots Clean sheds and tools in prep of storing as many wheelbarrows as we can Plant bulbs Mulch sensory pots Assemble new composters if they are here Turn of the drip? I am working on getting a crew from one of the local high schools to help next Thursday. I will advise when I hear from them. I will have them do some of the cleaning chores and plant some bulbs.

Hope to see you in the next couple of weeks. Loni

Workdays 9/19 22 24/11

On Monday, Kay Balzer joined me for her last day in the garden before leaving for Nevada for the winter. She planted 4 new honeysuckle vines that will adorn the new fencing between the arbors, transplanted a rose that was being buried by a lavender, and moved 2 hyssop and 1 coral bell from pots into the 1/2 circle garden. I spent my time waterings some new plantings and thinning out some yarrow from several beds.

On Thursday's workday we spent the day beginning to clean-up the garden and put it away for the winter. Since we have not had a frost as yet many things are still blooming including the roses. Betty Marcus gathered seeds, cut down hollyhock and Mexican hat, and watered new plantings. Becky Lewis dug up some of our herbs to put in the sunroom and transplanted some geranium and other frost sensitive plants. Judith Chaddock reorganized and cleaned the sunroom to accommodate many more plants. Marilyn VanWagner washed teapots and watering cans, and I put them away for the winter. Jim Woods chipped up most of the cuttings for the compost. David Hockman fixed another redwood rocker and weeded along the north edge of the property. Julie Homes fed the birds and deadheaded. Marcia Lamkin watered the MMG in Laura's absence. We still have much more to do before the end of the season, but the weather has been too warm to put everything away.

Dave and Murphy, and Whitney managed to bring many of the residents out into the garden today with warm temperatures up to 75.

On what may be our last Saturday workday of the season, Debbie Crisp worked with me in the garden mulching roses, transplanting and watering. Nancy Palmer came and watered the MMG and the Inferno Strip. On arrival at 9am I spotted a small mule deer running from the north native garden. She took off towards the Y - stopped and looked at me when I yelled at her and then came closer and decided to go down the center of the canyon nibbling grass as she went. She had a nice meal in the native garden - gamble oak, wine cups, strawberries in the native pot, and as I discovered other parts of the garden. She has good taste - wine and strawberries. I am glad it is close to the end of the season as she has taken a liking to the garden. She is probably the one who finished off the large raised container with strawberries last week. She looks like the same doe I saw a few weeks ago in the middle of the afternoon. Hope she gets more fearful as the hunting season begins.This is a photo of her with her fawn suckling.

Upcoming:
Bulb Planting - TBA

Thank-you to Becky Lewis for more goat cheese and muffins.

Thanks,
Loni

Annual Harvest Lunch

The gardeners of Olivia White Hospice Home held their annual Fall Harvest Lunch on Saturday at Don and Judith Chaddock's beautiful home and garden. The food as usual was spectacular: chips and pico de gallo/guacamole, dogs and brats, German potato salad from the potatoes grown at OW, calabacitas, several beans, several salads (green with flowers, Greek panzanilla, fruit), chicken wings, and desserts included peach cake-praline cookies-lemon goat's milk ice cream. Cynthia and Al brought the drinks - lemonade and a tasty white wine sangria. After lunch thank yous/recognitions were given to all who contributed to the gardens this year. Kay Balzer, Becky Lewis, and Vicki Goodwin were all awarded their 2 year aprons. There is an additional apron for Marilynn VanWagner who was traveling this weekend. Others received Job's Tear Seeds and/or rocks or Advice From a Garden poems. Special recognition was given to David Hockman, Nancy Palmer, and Cynthia Katte for their long time commitment to the garden. I received a generous certificate for Flagstaff Face and Body as a thank you from the gardeners. It was a beautiful day with more than 25 in attendance.
The season is not finished. We will be working until about the 1st of November putting the garden to sleep for the season and planting some fall perennials and bulbs.
Thank you again to all who have helped during this busy year. The award winning gardens of Olivia White were more beautiful than ever, after a very cool spring and early summer.

Loni Shapiro

Workdays 9/12/11 & 9/15/11

On Monday I worked alone after a bad hail storm cleaning up debris and trying to prop up 3 locust trees that were almost on the ground. I pulled out all the veggies in the sitting raised bed, because they were shredded by the large hail.

Luckily, a large crew came on Thursday to help clean-up after several more storms and hail. Victoria Oehlbaum was the first to arrive and she watered indoors and worked on cleaning up the front 1/2 circle - leaves and weeds. Becky Lewis spent her time picking the remaining tomatoes and emptying the pots. Linda Guarino worked on the compost (chopping and layering), staked our locust trees with me, and planted a dogwood shrub from our Switzer beds in back of the house. David Hockman, Jim Woods, and Joe Harte planted two more large shrubs along Switzer Canyon (burning bush and serviceberry). Betty Marcus spent her time gathering seeds (hollyhock and Mexican hat). Judith Chaddock picked hollyhock and deadheaded. Kay Balzer dug up a juniper in the 1/2 circle garden with Joe's help and replanted it in our north beds. Marcia Lamkin worked on planting leftover plant sale items with Kays help. All are now safely back in the ground for winter. Marilynn VanWagner worked on the compost material, deadheaded, and watered some geraniums that don't get water. Crys Wells finished cleaning up the tomato pots and planted some fall mums.

Our season is winding down earlier than usual with all the hail in the last week. Happily all our tours and special events are over for the year. The trees, shrubs, and vines are beginning to change color (maple, sumac, virginia creeper). In the next several weeks we will begin re-organizing the sheds in preparation for putting away hardscape for the winter, adding mulch to the roses, planting fall bulbs, and continuing with general clean-up. We may be done by the 1st of November this year.

Upcoming:
Fall Harvest Lunch - Saturday September 17th, 12-2pm, at Judith Chaddock's
Northland Hospice Lunch - Friday, September 30th, 12pm-2pm, at the Raddison
Fall Bulb Planting - October (date TBA)

New in the garden:
Fall Mums/Asters have been added for a bit of color, and many perennials have returned.

"They have climate in England; we have weather."
Helen Rutherford Ely, A Woman's Hardy Garden (1903)

Thanks for all you do for the garden and to help me,

Loni

Workdays 9/5/11 & 9/8/11

Monday was a holiday and not an official workday, but Julie Holmes came and watered. I headed out to the county fair to pick up all our ribbons.

On Thursday Cynthia Katte was the first to arrive and she worked on the compost, along with Jim Woods. She also helped Victoria and Linda Guarino unload soil for a new bed for wildflowers. Betty Marcus watered several areas and collect hollyhock and Mexican Hat seed. David Hockman worked on the Rose Garden Pathway, sanding and adjusting bricks. Kay Balzer weeded the front 1/2 circle, planted some thinned gaillardia, and some iris. Becky Lewis worked on cutting iris back and planted some of our plant sale plants. Judith Chaddock watered indoors and deadheaded throughout the garden. Rebecca Moore and Laura Davis worked in the Michael Moore Garden.

Dave Hill and Murphy were back and out in the garden with residents. Leslie Pennick delivered her Colorado peaches and Becky brought some more homemade goat cheese. In the afternoon between rain storms we had visitors from the Arboretum staff. While they were there a female and baby deer were hanging around munching grass below the garden.

Upcoming:

Saturday workday 9/10 10am-12pm - Flagstaff High Honor Society
Annual harvest lunch 9/17 12pm-2pm - Judith Chaddock's
Volunteer Lunch provided by Northland Hospice 9/30 12pm-2pm Raddison Hotel

New in the garden:
More fall mums

This weeks workday:
Plant 3 shrubs
Water as needed
Plant leftover plant sale items
Deadheading (especially roses)
Help in Michael Moore Garden
Composting
Drip lines

The season is winding down with cooler temperatures but we will still probably be in the garden until the 1st part of November if you want to join us. We will be deadheading, planting bulbs, mulching for winter, staking gardens for winter snow removal, and putting hardscape items away.

Workdays 8/29/11 & 9/1 & 2/11

On Monday's workday this week Kay Balzer came and planted some large pots of daylily after weeding the front 1/2 circle. I spent my time watering and weeding.
On Thursday, Carol Lease worked on many little projects adding drip lines, filling the fountain, and making labels. Becky Lewis, Victoria (a new mg) and Kay Balzer worked on thinning iris and cutting tops down. Marilyn VanWagner and Crys Wells watered the front and back gardens. David Hockman and Jim Woods planted a couple of new shrubs. Jim also put our new Grass Hog together. Cynthia Katte worked on the compost and also deadheaded and cut iris tops. Nancy Palmer worked alone today in the MMG - weeding, watering, and spreading weed cloth. I spent my time doing orientation and gathering flowers for our annual entries in the County Fair. The flowers this year were hard to find. Most of them are already waning with the hot dry weather from the last several weeks.

On Friday, I also set up a display table in floriculture at the fair. It included a sensory pot for all to experience (aroma), sample cherry and yellow pear tomatoes, and a very large container with iris for fair visitors to take home.



New:
Awards at the county fair included 7 blue ribbons, 9 red, and 4 white. A special award was given to the 1st place coneflowers (pink double).

We have a new brochure for memorial bricks and other donations that now includes a pet memorial area.
2 Sumac shrubs
Blue Mist Spirea
Many daylilies

Thank you to my neighbor Mitchell Ulberstine for a new electric Grass Hog and extension cord. He also donated 3 hanging plants which are now gracing the front of Hodgepodge.

Upcoming:
September 10 - workday with National Honor Society Flagstaff High 8-10am
September 17 - annual Harvest Lunch at Judith Chaddocks 12pm-2pm
September 24 - monthly Saturday workday
Workdays will continue on Mondays and Thursdays from 8am-12pm probably into November weather permitting. Watch the October calendar for some bulb planting. It will be mostly tulips this year as the squirrels have dug up most of what we planted last year. We will try chicken wire cages for them this year.

Thanks,
Loni

Workdays 8/22 & 25/11

On Monday, I worked with Kay Balzer in the garden and Laura Davis came to water the MMG. I spent my time watering, weeding, and deadheading Shasta Daisy. Kay removed a large grass in front of our angel statue, dug some iris, and weeded in the front 1/2 circle. There is no end to the ragweed and bell flowers even after revamping the garden.

On Thursday several regulars were off doing other things in their life, but we were able to get many things done. David Hockman planted another Sumac and reinforced the rebar surrounding our new willow. Becky Lewis and Crys Wells thinned and cut back iris. Marcia Lamkin and Rebecca Moore helped Laura Davis in the MMG. Laura gave us a short in-service on the progress with that garden and plans for the future. Cynthia Katte worked on the compost and deadheading throughout the garden. Judith Chaddock took care of the sun porch and house plants and deadheaded. Betty Marcus watered pots and new plantings. I spent my time deadheading, watering, and planting some new plants by our angel.

New plants:
Rock Rose and Dianthus (FG)
Sumac (Rose Garden Walkway)

Upcoming:
Coconino County Fair Sept. 2-5
Fall Harvest Lunch - Sept. 17, Judith Chaddocks, 12pm-2pm
Northland Hospice Volunteer Lunch - Sept. 30 12pm-2pm
Monthly Saturday Workday - Sept. 25, 9am-12pm

Plans for this week:
Help with Fair entries
Continue iris thinning/cutting back
Deadheading
Plant another Sumac
Plant some day lilies
Need 1 load of soil/compost for north garden
Compost - shredding material
Drip - continue adding lines

The extension of the FUTS trail will not happen until next spring so we have plants that we need to get rid of. We will plant 4 large pots of Shasta daisy and keep 3 shrubs for planting on the corner. Free plants (gaillardia, Shasta daisy, day lily) and iris available on Monday/Thursday workdays. Donations accepted.
CMGA 2012 Calendars for sale

Thanks,
Loni

Workdays 8/15 & 8/18 & 8/20/11

On Monday, after heavy rains on Sunday, I worked alone in the garden. I spent my time cleaning up, deadheading, and watering pots that are sheltered from the rain. It rained heavily in the afternoon after I left. Between Sunday and today we had almost 5 inches in the rain gauge.

On Thursday, we again had a large crew. Laura Davis, Rebecca Moore, Nancy Palmer, and Marcia Lamkin all worked in the MMG. Carol Lease made some plant tags and helped with the iris thinning. Becky Lewis planted some new additions and also helped with the iris. Linda Guarino worked on the compost, drip system, and instructed others in iris thinning and planting. Gail Reed, worked on the compost area, transporting dirt to surround our pavers, and helped with the iris thinning. Kay Balzer spent her time cleaning up the 1/2 circle and thinning some gallardia in the back gardens. David Hockman did his usual tree hole digging and then put a fence around the new tree. He was helped by Jim Woods who also planted a couple of aspens in the MMG. Marilynn VanWagner and Betty Marcus watered some of the gardens. Marilynn also managed to pick some lettuce for the house. I spent my time watering, finding jobs and material for people, and picking some more vegetables.

On Saturday Nancy Palmer had a small crew - Debbie Crisp and LInda - and they worked on the MMG, watering, weeding, and thinning iris.

New plantings:
2 Double Coneflowers - white and orange
More Kinnikkinnik
Navajo willow tree behind the faerie garden
2 Aspen in the MMG

New blooms:
Asiatic Lily and some fall asters
Signs of fall include some red leaves on the virginia creeper

Upcoming:
Coconino County Fair - Sept. 2-5 (plant entry preparation 8/31
Fall Harvest Lunch - Sept. 17 - at Judith Chaddocks - 11am-2pm
Northland Hospice Volunteer Lunch - Sept. 23 - details TBA

Plans for workdays 8/22 & 25:
Thinning iris
Gathering hollyhock seed
Deadheading
Weeding
Watering as needed
Work on pathways (leveling and adding sand)
Planting a new shrub and tree

Thanks,
Loni

Workdays 8/8/11 & 8/12/11

On Thursday, Kay Balzer came and worked on the 1/2 circle garden and dug up some native phlox for the Native Gardne. Laura Davis worked on the Michael Moore Garden and I spent time watering and deadheading.

On Thursday, Joe Harte, Laura Davis, Kay Balzer,David Hockman, Carol Lease, and I worked on getting ready for the garden tours on Sunday. Joe trimmed some trees and weed whacked around the compost area. Laura worked on the Faeried Garden. Carol Lease put up our new fencing between the arbors at the garden entrance. I helped her a little but spent most of my time as usual running around to help people find things or start other tasks. David Hockman put in our new Pet Memorial paver area. Joe Harte pruned trees and took down an elm tree behind the Faerie Garden. Marcia Lamkin stopped by to say hi and tell us she was busy with feeding birds. The garden is ready for the Sunday tours except for watering some new plantings and transplanted tree and shrub.

On Sunday the tours began on a cloudy day with the sound of an impending storm about an hour after we opened. The birds were very active in anticipation of the visitors. With the exception of about an hour (heavy thunderstorm with 1.5 inches accumulation) we were very busy all day. We didn't take a count but are sure we had close to 100 people. Some came to just enjoy the beauty of the garden and others had many questions. The most frequent "What is that?" was the pink double coneflower. It is a hybrid that we purchased 2 years ago and it has done wonderfully. From one small plant (quart) we have a nice grouping of flowers. It won a ribbon at the county fair last year. Most frequent request was for hollyhock seeds. If you need some we are about 1-2 weeks away. You are welcome to come and gather seeds when we are in the garden on Monday and Tuesday mornings.

Upcoming:
August Saturday workday, 8/20, from 9am-12pm
County Fair Entries and Display in Floriculture - 9/2-5
Annual Fall Harvest and Potluck - September/date TBA

New in the garden:
Fencing at garden entrance
Pet Memorial area
Lilac shrub donation (150 year old tree original specie from Europe. Has travelled throughout the US

Thanks to all who came to visit the garden on Sunday. It gives us the opportunity to show off all the hard work we put in, and see others of all ages appreciate it. special thanks to Nancy Palmer, Kay Balzer, Marcia Lamkin, and Laura Davis for hanging out in the rain with me on Sunday

Loni

Workdays - week of 8/1-6/2011

We had another busy week in the garden which is looking wonderful after all the rain. It looks better than it has since I have been working in it. On Monday, we had a small crew - Susan Thompson worked on watering, while I washed pots. Kay Balzer came and tended to the 1/2 circle, weeded, and sprayed some nasty weeds.

On Tuesday some of the docents from the Arboretum came for a tour of the gardens for their monthly Brown Bag. On Friday we had the Senior Companions and Foster Grand Parents touring the garden. Both groups enjoyed seeing parts of the garden not visible from the street and hearing about the development of the gardens.


On Thursday we had a large crew working in the garden. Laura Davis, Rebecca Moore and Nancy Palmer all worked on weeding, hardscaping, and planting in the MMG. Kay Balzer and Joe Harte went out to retrieve a lilac from a recent resident of OW. It was replanted after David Hockman dug a hole in the Switzer Canyon beds in front of the house. Linda Guarino worked on sifting compost with Christine Orr and continued to add lines to the drip, she also found time to plant a couple of succulents in our strawberry pot. Christine washed pots and put them back in the greenhouse. Gail Reed weeded several beds. Julie Holmes deadheaded flowers. Judith Chaddock helped deadhead, watered indoors, and they both cleaned up some donated house plants. Crys Wells deadheaded and help clean-up in prepartion for the senior tours on Friday. Carol Lease worked on plant labels, the fountain, and general clean-up.

Visitors this week besides our groups included the: Bermans to look at a bench donation, and Catherine Sickafoose taking photos for painting. As usual Dave Hill was in the garden on Mon. & Thurs. with Murphy and many of the residents.

Plans for next week include:
Rose fertilizing
Deadheading and weeding
Placing pavers in the Pet Memorial Garden
Watering as needed
General clean-up in prep for the Garden Tours on Sunday
Moving some native phlox into the gardens from the east side of the property

New blooms:
More roses, some agastache, 4-o'clock, honeysuckle berries

For picking:
lettuce, spinach, some herbs, zucchini, crookneck, arugula, beginning tomatoes

Upcoming:
Native Plant Society Extravaganza - August 10, Federated Church
Native Plant Society Garden Tours - August 14, 11am-4pm OWHG
Monthly Saturday Workday - August 20, 9am-12pm
Coconino County Fair - Sept 2-5 - OWHG Display in Horticulture

Thanks,
Loni

Workdays 7/25/11 & 7/28/11

We had a small crew on Monday but as usual got many tasks done. Kay Balzer came and worked on the 1/2 circle garden, weeding and planting a new red 9-bark shrub. She also watered and weeded with me. Susan Thompson helped me carry pavers to the new Pet Memorial area for placing on our Thursday workday. Rebecca Moore came and worked in the MMG, triming trees, weeding, and watering. Kasey McConagha fed birds and filled birdbaths. As usual Dave Hill and Murphy brought out most of the residents to enjoy the gardens on a beautiful day. It began raining just before we left.


On Thursday we had our annual visit from AmeriCorp. There were 8 volunteers and 3 helped in the Michael Moore Garden with Laura Davis, 3 worked with Cynthia Katte weeding the compost area and placing pavers, one volunteer worked on weeding the north rock wall and one helped David Hockman transplant a tree. Linda Guarino worked as usual on the drip and helped Cynthia clean-up the compost. Judith Chaddock cleaned the sun porch, watered indoors, and cut lavender to dry. I helped Linda, did some watering, and supervised the crew.

We had fewer volunteers than anticipated and will have a full schedule for this week. Happily it rained and more is expected, and we have a 2x a week volunteer to feed and water the birds (Kasey McConagha).

New in the garden:
Red Nine-bark shrub
Moved a "Starburst Locust"

New blooms:
Karen Kent's Peace Rose

Indian Paintbrush in the 1/2 circle garden

Roses throughout the garden - Julia Child, Peace, Morden Sunrise, Carefree Delight, etc.

This week:
Placing pavers for the pet memorial area
Washing pots
Weeding in a few other beds
Cutting more lavender
Compost (sifting and chipping)
Drip continued
MMG variety of tasks

Upcoming:
August 2, visit from the Arboretum volunteers - 9:30
August 5, visit from the Senior Companions and their clients, 11am
August 10, Native Plant Society Extravaganza
August 14, Native Plant Society Garden Tours 11am-4pm
August 20, Monthly Saturday Workday 9am-12pm

A garden is a friend you can visit anytime. Unknown.

Thanks,
Loni

Workdays 7/18/11 & 7/21/11

On Monday we had a small crew watering, weeding, and doing general clean up.
On Thursday, Laura Davis, Rebecca Moore and Marcia Lamkin worked on the MMG. Linda Guarino continued to add to the drip in the gardens and spruced up the rock garden in preparation for Sunday's judging. Al Katte built some shelves in the greenhouse and made changes in the arbor construction. Cynthia Katte worked on the compost and deadheaded some plants. Gail Reed planted some house plants, and watered the back gardens and the sun porch. Betty Marcus worked on watering along with me. David Hockman and Joe Harte worked on transplanting a Starburst locust. Joe also brought some soil from the Landscape Connection. With all the heat Betty came on Saturday and help me water one more time plants not on the drip. On Sunday the Native Plant Society came for judging the Moon and Rock gardens.


While we were in the garden we spotted a strange beelike insect on the Shasta daisy, and it was acting and looking like a hawk moth. Rebecca Moore found this photo that seems to look like what we saw. It is called a Bumblebee Moth and it has a long proboscis to suck nectar from the flowers. She also spotted one at the arboretum.

New in the garden:
Shelving in the greenhouse thanks to Al Katte
A weed whacker and birdhouse from the Paul Montoya family

New blooms:
Shasta Daisy throughout the garden, more roses, all the yarrows, hollyhock

Upcoming:
Arboretum Docent Visit - August 2, 930am
Senior Companion Program Visit - August 5, 11am
Native Plant Society Extravaganza - August 10
Native Plant Society Garden Tours - August 14
Monthly Saturday Workday - August 20, 9am-12pm
"Hello Dolly" with David Hockman - watch for dates in September

Plans for this week include our yearly help from AmeriCorp
Creating a pet memorial area
Revamping the compost area (weeding, weedcloth and maybe pavers)
Weeding (several areas on the property)
Pot washing and putting away for the year
Cleaning the sun porch
MMG - several activities
Tree moving - digging and replanting
Extras - garbage on Turquoise, lavender bundles, flower pressing, watering as needed

Did you know that Victorians used plants and plantings to create a special language in the garden? Two that I thought you might find interesting are symbols of humility - morning glory and bindweed. I must say that symbol is appropriate as I work along the Inferno Strip. Lavender has several symbols - memory and peace - also appropriate. The smell seems to sharpen the mind (wakes you up) and leaves you in a peaceful state.

Thanks,
Loni

Workdays 7/11-14-16.2011

Old shed with new pavers for entrance.

Thursday was another beautiful and productive day in the gardens at Olivia White. Julie Holmes stopped by to deliver some sign-in records for Northland Hospice and she filled the bird feeders before leaving. Laura Davis came and worked on the Michael Moore Garden which now has many new plants. Carol Lease worked on two paver pathways for the sheds. This will allow entry without dragging in all the dirt. Carol also managed to clean the water feature which was full of pine pollen. Gail Reed planted some of our leftover plant sale plants, watered and weeded. Becky Lewis re-sanded the back patio and the new north pathway. David Hockman repaired one of our redwood gliders and weeded. Betty Marcus watered and deadheaded. Marilynn VanWagner watered and again picked lettuce for the house. Jim Woods weeded the south rockwall area - steep incline and nasty weeds. Marcia Lamkin came by and swept and watered indoors. I spent most of my time finding work for others in between washing pots.

On Saturday, Laura Davis supervised and worked on the vines in the gazebo, Betty Marcus watered, and Debbie Crisp worked on sanding the walkways and planting some new hens and chicks.

Thanks to:
Pats Shriver for making a beautiful cushion for our bentwood bench with a cover to protect it from the sap and rain.

Betty Marcus and Becky Lewis for treats. Becky brought some of her homemade goat's milk cheese (yum).
Val Bryant for the donation of some hens and chicks.
Laura Davis for supervising the Saturday workday.
Becky Lewis, Joe Harte,and Marillynn Van Wagner for working the 10% day at Warners.



New blooms:
Coreopsis, coneflower, more roses

New plantings:
Licorace Mint, Mountain Hollyhock, Penstemon Barbatos, Calliroe (Wine Cup)

Upcoming:
Native Plant Society Contest Judging - July 24 or 25
Arboretum Docent Visit - August 2, 930am
Senior Companion Program Visit - August 5, 11am
Native Plant Society Garden Tours - August 14
Monthly Saturday Workday - August 20, 9am-12pm
"Hello Dolly" with David Hockman - watch for dates in September

"More things grow in the garden than the gardener sows" Spanish Proverb

I have noticed that we have many purple flowers in the garden - more than any other color. From the book "A Garden of Love and Healing" - the symbolism of the color purple (intuition, idealism, self-sacrifice, inspiration, kindness, spirituality). Lamb's Ear, which we have an abundance of, symbolizes healing. Thank you for all you do!

Loni

10% Day at Warner's Landscape and Nursery

One of our sensory pots for residents from 2010

What: 10% of the proceeds at the nursery will benefit the gardens at Olivia White Hospice Home
When: Saturday, July 16, from 9am-5pm
Where: Warner's Landscape and Nursery

Stop by the nursery and purchase your 2011 garden plants and materials. It is a great time to plant. With the monsoons in full force they will all get a great start with little effort on your part.
Representatives from the regular garden crew will be available for questions.
If you have not visited the gardens at Olivia White Home there will be an opportunity on Sunday, August 14. We will be on the Native Plant Contest yearly garden tours.

Thanks,
Loni Shapiro
Volunteer Garden Coordinator
Olivia White Hospice Home

Workday 7/7/11

Thursday was a warm, humid workday, with many clouds threatening but no rain. We again had a large crew working throughout the garden. Carol Lease cleaned out the garage shelving, putting many things in our sheds. Kay Balzer did some work on the new 1/2 circle and added soil to cover the drip in our north pathway. Gail Reed did many small tasks, watering, weeding, feeding some trees and the birds. Char Wallace worked on adding stone to the back of our new tree, and helped with unloading some soil. Joe Harte brought some soil for the MMG and trimmed a few trees. Laura Davis and Nancy Palmer worked on the the MMG. Becky Lewis and David Hockman planted some new shrubs/plants and weeded some grasses around the planting area. David also repaired a couple of our bench pads. Betty Marcus and Marilynn Van Wagner watered since we did not have rain. Linda Guarino finished the drip along the north beds and set the timers. All that is left is the east beds behind the house for drip, and with the monsoons there is not as much urgency.

Most of our large projects are winding down. Over the next couple of weeks we will work on spiffing up the Moon and Rock Gardens for the Native Plant Contest, removing some nasty weeds, and finishing the drip. We will also work on general clean up and deadheading with many visitors in August. Monday is the anniversary of the loss of Olivia White and we may see her family in the gardens then or maybe this weekend. I will put some flowers out today.

Upcoming:
July 16 - Warner's 10% Day
July 25 or 26 - Native Plant Contest Judging
July 28 - AmeriCorps help in the garden 830am-1130am
August 2 - Arboretum Docents
August 5 - Senior Companion/Foster Grandparent Program
August 14 - Native Plant Contest Garden Tours

Thanks you:
Joe Harte for hauling more dirt to the garden
Linda Guarino for all her expertise and hard work on the drip

"Half the interest of a garden is the constant exercise of the imagination."
Mrs. C. W. Earle Pot-Pourri from a Surrey Garden 1897

Thanks,
Loni