On Monday I worked alone in the rain, snow and hail. My time was spent moving new plants back into the greenhouse that I had begun to harden off as the forecast predicted below freezing for 2 days.
On Thursday we had a large crew of 14 working in the garden. I spent a couple hours just getting things ready and giving out assignments, before walking the planned FUTS trail work to be done later this summer. It will extend from the Y to the corner of Switzer and Turquoise and should improve the look of the neighborhood (dumping area for garbage and parking extra vehicles.
While I was busy, Betty Marcus and a new volunteer Char Wallace, weeded, deadheaded and watered the large Inferno strip. Cynthia and Al Katte, chipped up deadheaded material and Al repaired the chipper and turning composter. Sue Thompson watered the potted plants and greenhouse plants. Kay Balzer and Becky Lewis had the thankless and hot task of removing plants and soil from the front 1/2 circle. Laura Davis worked on the MMG and cleaning up the trellises in the gazebo. Marilynn VanWagner worked on filling bird feeders and baths. Judith Chadwick watered the plants in the house and helped with rose pruning. Hattie Braun came and gave instruction on rose pruning and managed to prune many herself. Crys Wells and Vicki Goodwin worked on rose pruning and lavendar deadheading.
Now that the drip is turned on we need to working on adding emitters to the main lines Joanie Abbott put in last fall.
New blooms:
Chokecherry, cisterna plum, sand cherry, blue flax, many irises and a few columbine
Work for 5/19/11:
Adding emitters to the back drip lines
Continuing work on the front 1/2 circle
Continuing work on the north pathway
Digging holes for 6 roses and planting
Hanging birdhouses
Deadheading
Watering as needed
Filling birdbaths and feeders
Upcoming:
Revisiting the Rose pruning on May 26
Plant and Garden Same June 25 - 11am-2pm
Thanks,
Loni Shapiro
Friday, May 13, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
Workdays 5/2 & 5/5
On Monday I spent the day watering pots and getting ready for the Zane Hill dedication on Thursday.
On Thursday the weather was beautiful - in the 70's and without any significant winds. We had a large crew working on many projects and helping us get ready for the "Remembering Zane" Dedication Day. Linda Guarino and Judith Chaddock arrived early and began cleaning up the pine needle duff near the dedication area. Judith also managed many other little chores including running an errand. Linda worked on the compost area chipping up deadheaded material with Cynthia Katte. Christine Orr worked on filling all the bird feeders and baths and also did some watering. Julie Holmes, Becky Lewis, and Vicki Goodwin all watered and helped set up for the event. Kay Balzer and Rebecca Moore worked on the difficult task of clearing plants/soil from the front half-circle area. Laura Davis worked on the Tea Garden and watered our New Mexico purchases.
At 11am we began our dedication for our long time therapy dog "Zane" Hill. The dedication was attended by the Hills, their friends from Munds Park, Northland Hospice staff and volunteers, residents and staff from the Olivia White Hospice home, present and past gardeners, and some of Zane's golden friends and other 4 legged pals. Dana Prom Smith came to dedicate the garden.
The garden was dedicated, we planted a dogwood shub, and placed a brick from the gardeners. Rememberances were shared and refreshments severed including a cake with Zane's likeness. Treats were provided for his 4-legged friends and water in the dish he used. It could not have been a more beautiful day for a special friend who seemed to be there in spirit.
Other visitors:
Joanie Abbott and her crew from Foxglove Gardening to turn on the drip system
New blooms in the garden:
Honeysuckle flowering in front of the house, and many of our trees and flowering shrubs (choke cherry, cisterna plum, etc.)
Plans for next week (Mon. 9am-12/Thurs. 8am-12pm):
Pruning the roses, continue deadheading, watering back and front gardens and pots, work on the north pathway.
Thanks,
Loni
"People who keep dogs live longer on average than those wo do not. this is not some kind of pro-canine campaigning fantasy. It is a simple medical fact that the calming influence of the company of a friendly pet animal reduces blood pressue and therefor the risk of heart attack." Desmond Morris
On Thursday the weather was beautiful - in the 70's and without any significant winds. We had a large crew working on many projects and helping us get ready for the "Remembering Zane" Dedication Day. Linda Guarino and Judith Chaddock arrived early and began cleaning up the pine needle duff near the dedication area. Judith also managed many other little chores including running an errand. Linda worked on the compost area chipping up deadheaded material with Cynthia Katte. Christine Orr worked on filling all the bird feeders and baths and also did some watering. Julie Holmes, Becky Lewis, and Vicki Goodwin all watered and helped set up for the event. Kay Balzer and Rebecca Moore worked on the difficult task of clearing plants/soil from the front half-circle area. Laura Davis worked on the Tea Garden and watered our New Mexico purchases.
At 11am we began our dedication for our long time therapy dog "Zane" Hill. The dedication was attended by the Hills, their friends from Munds Park, Northland Hospice staff and volunteers, residents and staff from the Olivia White Hospice home, present and past gardeners, and some of Zane's golden friends and other 4 legged pals. Dana Prom Smith came to dedicate the garden.
The garden was dedicated, we planted a dogwood shub, and placed a brick from the gardeners. Rememberances were shared and refreshments severed including a cake with Zane's likeness. Treats were provided for his 4-legged friends and water in the dish he used. It could not have been a more beautiful day for a special friend who seemed to be there in spirit.
Other visitors:
Joanie Abbott and her crew from Foxglove Gardening to turn on the drip system
New blooms in the garden:
Honeysuckle flowering in front of the house, and many of our trees and flowering shrubs (choke cherry, cisterna plum, etc.)
Plans for next week (Mon. 9am-12/Thurs. 8am-12pm):
Pruning the roses, continue deadheading, watering back and front gardens and pots, work on the north pathway.
Thanks,
Loni
"People who keep dogs live longer on average than those wo do not. this is not some kind of pro-canine campaigning fantasy. It is a simple medical fact that the calming influence of the company of a friendly pet animal reduces blood pressue and therefor the risk of heart attack." Desmond Morris
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Workdays 4/25 & 4/28
On Monday I was in Santa Fe, plant shopping at High Country Gardens, Plants of the Southwest and Agua Fria Nursery. Not sure what the weather was like here but Santa Fe had gale force winds, rain and snow, but I had a good time anyway. All these nurseries have so many drought tolerant plants it is fun to browse. My husband read almost a complete book while waiting for me just at HIGH COUNTRY GARDENS. I made purchases for our new Native Medicinal Garden, Zane's Garden (former therapy dog), and a new Meadow Garden in front of the Olivia White Home. While I was gone Betty Marcus and Laura Davis watered some plants we have dug up.
On Thursday, we had a small crew but managed to as usual get a great deal done. Laura Davis worked in the Michael Moore Garden and made some purchases at the Landscape Connection. I spent my time filling the standing raised beds and Zane's new garden with soil and compost. Cynthia Katte and Vicki Goodwin both worked on putting tulips and daffodils in the garden from the beds on Switzer Canyon. Cynthia also got the last of the potatoes in. Linda Guarino and Kay Balzer continued to work on the 1/2 circle garden plant removal. Christine Orr removed the last of the phlox and transplanted them to the Inferno Strip. We all did a bit of watering, but the beds other than the inferno strip are still moist. Water should be turned on next week.
New Blooming:
Moon flower, quince, and pansy. Peeking up the sweet peas planted on St. Patrick's Day by Joe Harte.
Visitors:
Kay McConagha, Director of Northland Hospice
Cheryl Metzger, Non-patient Volunteer Coordinator
Upcoming:
Zane Hill's Garden Dedication 5/5/11 at 11am
Plant & Garden Sale 6/25/11 from 11am-2pm
Come join us next week on Mon. & Thurs. from 9am-12pm
Watering
Composting/chipping
Front 1/2 Circle Garden soil preparation
Zane's Garden planting
MMNM Garden
Deadheading and weeding
Planting
Thanks,
Loni Shapiro
On Thursday, we had a small crew but managed to as usual get a great deal done. Laura Davis worked in the Michael Moore Garden and made some purchases at the Landscape Connection. I spent my time filling the standing raised beds and Zane's new garden with soil and compost. Cynthia Katte and Vicki Goodwin both worked on putting tulips and daffodils in the garden from the beds on Switzer Canyon. Cynthia also got the last of the potatoes in. Linda Guarino and Kay Balzer continued to work on the 1/2 circle garden plant removal. Christine Orr removed the last of the phlox and transplanted them to the Inferno Strip. We all did a bit of watering, but the beds other than the inferno strip are still moist. Water should be turned on next week.
New Blooming:
Moon flower, quince, and pansy. Peeking up the sweet peas planted on St. Patrick's Day by Joe Harte.
Visitors:
Kay McConagha, Director of Northland Hospice
Cheryl Metzger, Non-patient Volunteer Coordinator
Upcoming:
Zane Hill's Garden Dedication 5/5/11 at 11am
Plant & Garden Sale 6/25/11 from 11am-2pm
Come join us next week on Mon. & Thurs. from 9am-12pm
Watering
Composting/chipping
Front 1/2 Circle Garden soil preparation
Zane's Garden planting
MMNM Garden
Deadheading and weeding
Planting
Thanks,
Loni Shapiro
Thank You to the Flagstaff Leadership Program from the Daily Sun 5/1
The volunteer gardeners of the Olivia White Hospice Home would like to thank the Flagstaff Leadership Program for getting the 2011 season off to a good start. The first thing they did for us was at the 1st Friday Art Walk, raising more than $1100. We were able to purchase a new larger shed, 2 wheelbarrows, and a new composter, and still have funds available for other needs during the season. They have provided us with resources for a sandstone sign for the new Michael Moore Native Medicinal Garden and manure to feed our beds this season. On Saturday a large crew (18) came and helped us get the medicinal garden started and the rest of the garden up and running. It was a beautiful day and after they left many residents came out and were able to enjoy the garden because of their work. Some of the work accomplished included: a sandstone pathway, removing large shrubs, general clean-up (trash and pine needles), putting together a composter and two arbors, clean-up of the sun porch, staining a redwood glider and sanding/sealing our 2 raised beds, organizing all the compost neglected over the winter, and gathering some rocks for the new garden to honor our longtime therapy dog “Zane”. It would have taken us weeks to accomplish all they were able to do. If these are Flagstaff’s future leaders we are in good hands. Maybe we should send them to Washington. Many of our gardeners and those who help us would like to think that there is “Grace from the Garden; changing the world one garden at a time”, a book title that is so appropriate to what happens in the gardens at Olivia White Hospice Home.
Loni Shapiro
Volunteer Coordinator
Olivia White Hospice Home Garden
Loni Shapiro
Volunteer Coordinator
Olivia White Hospice Home Garden
Friday, April 22, 2011
Workdays 4/18 & 4/121
On Monday, Nancy Palmer and Marcia Lamkin came and worked in the MMG. They also began hanging birdhouses on the trellis. I spent my time deadheading and watering while pulling a few dandelions.
On Thursday, we again had a large crew spread thoughout the garden. David Hockman worked on moving the north pathway in preparation for the new shed. Becky Lewis, Debbie Crisp and Christine Orr all worked on deadheading and weeding (dandelions again). Vicki Goodwin worked in the 1/2 circle garden removing grasses and other plants. Rebecca Moore transplanted phlox from the 1/2 circle to the Inferno Strip. Linda Guarino worked on the drip and the compost pile. Joe Harte cemented in a new mailbox. Cynthia Katte, Betty Marcus, Julie Holmes, and Marilynn Van Wagner all watered throughout the garden. Al Katte put up our new solar fountain, hooked up the rain barrels, and turned on the fountain. On our break today Linda Guarino talked about how the compost is organized and what people should do with compost-able material (no weed seeds please). She will provide a sheet of instruction that we will keep in our educational notebook.
On Friday, I stopped by to finish watering (the rose garden) and to create the rock outline for the "Zane" Hill garden. The crew last Saturday provided more than enough rock. The bed needs to be filled now with soil and compost to get it ready for the dedication day. I will be purchasing plants with the name golden (red and yellow) as well as some tail-like grasses in Santa Fe next week.
I will be in Santa Fe and not in the garden on Monday. If you have had your orientation you are welcome to come and continue deadheading, weeding (dandelions on the corner of Turquoise and Switzer Canyon, and watering pots by the parking lot and behind the house near the standing raised bed. The Zane Hill garden frame has been created and you can fill it with what is left of the compost by the parking lot and the large pile on the northwest end of the house. The pine needles near the birdhouse trellis need to be bagged and placed in the garbage if there is room.
Reminder:
Next Thursday the last opportunity to sign a card for the Flagstaff Leadership Progrm. Check our volunteer list for errors and sign up for treats on Thursdays for May.
May 5, 11am, dedication of the Zane Hill Garden
June 25, 11am-2pm Plant and Garden Sale
New blooms in the garden:
Many of the species tulips, hyacinth, squill, daffodils, Pasque flower, creeping phlox
New in the garden:
Solar Fountain donated by Dick Wilson
New mail box now cemented in
Beginning revision of the north pathway
Come join us next Thursday from 9am-12pm for our regular workday. I will be in Santa Fe and not in the garden on Monday. If you have had your orientation you are welcome to come and continue deadheading, weeding (dandelions on the corner of Turquoise and Switzer Canyon), and watering pots by the parking lot and behind the house near the standing raised bed. The Zane Hill garden frame has been created and you can fill it with what is left of the compost by the parking lot and the large pile on the northwest end of the house. The pine needles near the birdhouse trellis need to be bagged and placed in the garbage if there is room. Pine needles can also be raked on the other side of the birdhouse trellis and arbor bench area.
Thanks,
Loni
On Thursday, we again had a large crew spread thoughout the garden. David Hockman worked on moving the north pathway in preparation for the new shed. Becky Lewis, Debbie Crisp and Christine Orr all worked on deadheading and weeding (dandelions again). Vicki Goodwin worked in the 1/2 circle garden removing grasses and other plants. Rebecca Moore transplanted phlox from the 1/2 circle to the Inferno Strip. Linda Guarino worked on the drip and the compost pile. Joe Harte cemented in a new mailbox. Cynthia Katte, Betty Marcus, Julie Holmes, and Marilynn Van Wagner all watered throughout the garden. Al Katte put up our new solar fountain, hooked up the rain barrels, and turned on the fountain. On our break today Linda Guarino talked about how the compost is organized and what people should do with compost-able material (no weed seeds please). She will provide a sheet of instruction that we will keep in our educational notebook.
On Friday, I stopped by to finish watering (the rose garden) and to create the rock outline for the "Zane" Hill garden. The crew last Saturday provided more than enough rock. The bed needs to be filled now with soil and compost to get it ready for the dedication day. I will be purchasing plants with the name golden (red and yellow) as well as some tail-like grasses in Santa Fe next week.
I will be in Santa Fe and not in the garden on Monday. If you have had your orientation you are welcome to come and continue deadheading, weeding (dandelions on the corner of Turquoise and Switzer Canyon, and watering pots by the parking lot and behind the house near the standing raised bed. The Zane Hill garden frame has been created and you can fill it with what is left of the compost by the parking lot and the large pile on the northwest end of the house. The pine needles near the birdhouse trellis need to be bagged and placed in the garbage if there is room.
Reminder:
Next Thursday the last opportunity to sign a card for the Flagstaff Leadership Progrm. Check our volunteer list for errors and sign up for treats on Thursdays for May.
May 5, 11am, dedication of the Zane Hill Garden
June 25, 11am-2pm Plant and Garden Sale
New blooms in the garden:
Many of the species tulips, hyacinth, squill, daffodils, Pasque flower, creeping phlox
New in the garden:
Solar Fountain donated by Dick Wilson
New mail box now cemented in
Beginning revision of the north pathway
Come join us next Thursday from 9am-12pm for our regular workday. I will be in Santa Fe and not in the garden on Monday. If you have had your orientation you are welcome to come and continue deadheading, weeding (dandelions on the corner of Turquoise and Switzer Canyon), and watering pots by the parking lot and behind the house near the standing raised bed. The Zane Hill garden frame has been created and you can fill it with what is left of the compost by the parking lot and the large pile on the northwest end of the house. The pine needles near the birdhouse trellis need to be bagged and placed in the garbage if there is room. Pine needles can also be raked on the other side of the birdhouse trellis and arbor bench area.
Thanks,
Loni
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Special Saturday Workday 4/16/11
A special workday was held today thanks to help from the Flagstaff Leadership Program. We had 16 visitors and 2 guests, along with some of our regular crew to help supervise (Laura Davis, Nancy Palmer, Judith Chaddock, Julie Holmes, Cynthia Katte, and Linda Guarino). The group was divided into teams and worked on:
The Michael Moore Native Medicinal Garden - sandstone pathways and removing shrubs and plants
Composting - reworking the compost after a long idle winter. The crew managed to get 3 wheelbarrows of good compost out of our winter additions.
General Clean-up - trash on Turquoise, pine needle pick-up and cleaning the Faerie Garden.
Cleaning out the sun porch - windows, floors, woodwork and plants
Bringing out Hardscape - mostly in the Tea and Faerie Gardens.
Assembling 2 arbors and a new turning composter.
Stained a redwood glider, and sanded and sealed our raised beds.
Gathering rocks for the new Zane Hill garden.
Much was accomplished in just 3 hours.
The leadership program also did fundraising for us at the 1st Friday Art Walk ($1150) in April. Purchases already made include a large shed, composter, and 2 wheelbarrels. The program has also helped us find a source for a sandstone sign for the MMG, and manure for our beds this summer. Thanks!!! to a generous crew of volunteers. The city will be in good hands if these are our future leaders.
"It takes a village."
New blooms: Pasque Flower and many species tulips and for the 3rd year our amaryllis kept on the sun porch.
New in the garden: turning composter, large "Big Max" shed, and 2 wheelbarrows. A ceramic dog for the new pet area in the garden.
Additional thanks to Peter Craven and his crew from Hodge Podge for transporting all our new equipment from Home Depot.
Plans for next week: watering, bringing out hardscape, deadheading, mounting birdhouse on trellis, putting out bird food, work on north walkway to prepare for a new shed, front 1/2 circle garden (getting ready for replanting), creating Zane's
garden bed, spray new birdhouses.
Join us for our regular workdays Monday & Thursday. Parking is available on Turquoise just past Switzer Canyon Drive or at the 1st Congregational Church.
Loni Shapiro (cnslds@q.com)
Friday, April 15, 2011
Workday 4/11 & 4/14
On Monday, I found Laura Davis working in the Michael Moore garden digging up plants in preparation for the workday on Saturday. I spent my time watering plants indoors for the week. It was a cold day with wet ground from the snow on Saturday and no other volunteers made the workday.
On Thursday we had a large crew busy getting the gardens ready for spring and the Saturday workday. Laura Davis, Nancy Palmer, Rebecca Moore and Marcia Lamkin worked in the MMG moving rock and plants in preparation for the workday. Joe Harte delivered a couple of loads of soil from the Landscape Connection for them.
Betty Marcus, Judith Chaddock, and Marilyn VanWagner all worked on deadheading. Judith also potted up some germander that had spread in the rose garden. Julie Holmes worked on the faerie garden, raking up leaves and bringing out some of the hardscape. Vicki Goodwin helped me and Julie get out some of the large hardscape pieces (Angel statue, willow bench, standing raised bed, and outdoor furniture. Kay Balzer returned from her winter in Nevada and was helped by a new master gardener, Hedy Thomas. They worked on removing plants from the front 1/2 circle. We have begun to amass many plants for our June plant sale from that garden (spirea, campanula, shasta daisy, daylily, penstemon and germander.
Blooming:
Daffodils, squill, hyacinth, species and hybrid tulips
Amaryllis on the sun porch
Donation:
Dog statue for Zane's Memorial Garden
Upcoming workdays:
Saturday, April 16, 9am-12pm, Flagstaff Leadership Program Workday
Monday & Saturday, April 18 & 21, 9am-12pm
Work on the agenda:
General clean-up
Clean-up of the sunporch
Bringing out hardscape
Front 1/2 circle garden (removing plants and soil)
Compost spring clean-up
Sanding and restaining raised beds and aredwood bench
MMG creating a sandstone path and removing large shrubs
Come join us for any of the above activities
On Thursday we had a large crew busy getting the gardens ready for spring and the Saturday workday. Laura Davis, Nancy Palmer, Rebecca Moore and Marcia Lamkin worked in the MMG moving rock and plants in preparation for the workday. Joe Harte delivered a couple of loads of soil from the Landscape Connection for them.
Betty Marcus, Judith Chaddock, and Marilyn VanWagner all worked on deadheading. Judith also potted up some germander that had spread in the rose garden. Julie Holmes worked on the faerie garden, raking up leaves and bringing out some of the hardscape. Vicki Goodwin helped me and Julie get out some of the large hardscape pieces (Angel statue, willow bench, standing raised bed, and outdoor furniture. Kay Balzer returned from her winter in Nevada and was helped by a new master gardener, Hedy Thomas. They worked on removing plants from the front 1/2 circle. We have begun to amass many plants for our June plant sale from that garden (spirea, campanula, shasta daisy, daylily, penstemon and germander.
Blooming:
Daffodils, squill, hyacinth, species and hybrid tulips
Amaryllis on the sun porch
Donation:
Dog statue for Zane's Memorial Garden
Upcoming workdays:
Saturday, April 16, 9am-12pm, Flagstaff Leadership Program Workday
Monday & Saturday, April 18 & 21, 9am-12pm
Work on the agenda:
General clean-up
Clean-up of the sunporch
Bringing out hardscape
Front 1/2 circle garden (removing plants and soil)
Compost spring clean-up
Sanding and restaining raised beds and aredwood bench
MMG creating a sandstone path and removing large shrubs
Come join us for any of the above activities
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