Olivia White Hospice Home Garden Volunteers: April 2010

Gardens Founded in 2001 - Home in 2002

Echinacea - Photo by Laura Davis

The garden began in 2001 with the help of Norm Erickson, a Northland Hospice volunteer, at the corner of Switzer Canyon Drive and Turquoise. At that time the home had not been completed but a beautiful sign was placed on the corner. Norm continued to work on the beds on the east side of the sidewalk along Switzer Canyon Drive and in front of the home, until 2008. The rest of the gardens were developed by a core of Coconino County Master Gardeners initially led by Laura Davis and since 2007 by Loni Shapiro.

The garden crew is active from April-October and sometimes in November weather permitting. Work happens weekly throughout the garden season on Monday and Thursday mornings from 8:00 am-12:00 pm. It also is scheduled for one Saturday a month from April through October. Cancellations due to weather will be posted by 6:00 am of the workday on this blog. You must attend a spring orientation to the garden and Northland Hospice & Palliative Care in order to work. A summary of the work that has been done is included on the blog. Look for weekly postings on this blog during the garden season.

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Volunteering in the Garden

2015 Calendar

April 13, 11:30-1:30 Lunch and orientation for new volunteers at hospice and TB testing for all

April 16, 9:15-10 TB tests read and 10:00 garden orientation. First Thursday workday 9-12

April 20, First Monday workday 9-12

May 2, Saturday workday 9-12

If you are interested in volunteering, please email CrysWells@gmail.com.

Please note: TB testing is required annually for all garden volunteers.

If you have current TB results that were done by a physician or at a hospital, these may be submitted to Northland Hospice.

If you are unable to attend the meeting, please contact the volunteer coordinator Kathy Simmons (ksimmons@northlandhospice.org) to schedule a time for testing and orientation.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Workday 4/22/10

On Thursday our first official workday, I actually cancelled due to snow and rain. I went to the garden thinking that some might not read their e-mail and to help place a brick for a loved one. Judith Chaddock and Marcia Lamkin did not read e-mails and came to the garden. Judith helped me clean up the gazebo floor - weeds and hollyhocks - place a couple of bricks, re-plant a couple of houseplants, and deadhead. Marcia helped place a brick in the gazebo.

Many daffodils and tulips are blooming in the garden, although a bit droopy with the cold weather. Below are species tulips blooming in the garden.

Next week we will work on continued dead heading, sanding the raised beds, preparing some new raised beds, planting a couple of shrubs and a tree, and putting out hardscape.

Some hanginng pots seen in the greenhouse.

Over the weekend I did my usual plant crawl in Santa Fe. I visited High County Gardens, Plants of the Southwest, and Agua Fria. They are all wonderful nurseries filled with draught tolerant plants. High Country Gardens pictured in the photo has the showiest plants, Plants of the Southwest has great shrubs and trees and native seeds, and Agua Fria has any tomato or pepper you have ever heard of as well as many native plants. My husband brought a book which he finished while waiting for me. Such patience!

Upcoming:
Workday with Coconino High School - Tuesday, May 4, from 830am - 1230pm
Looking for Master Gardeners to help supervise work
Workday Thursday, May 6, 8am-12pm - Rose Pruning with Marion Lopez

Come join us this week and next while we continue to clean up the gardens. Parking is available at the 1st Congregational Church lot on Turquoise just past Switzer Canyon Drive. Snacks and water are provided.

Thanks,
Loni Shapiro
928-522-8635

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Earth Day Workday 4/17/10

On Saturday 4/17/10 some of our regular gardeners attended and we had 3 new volunteers that were given a tour of the garden. Marcia Lamkin helped place a brick in the gazebo, and Leslie Penick worked on the compost area. Colleen Copeland-Larabee, Cindy Murray, and Ed Skiba were oriented to the garden. Colleen helped with clean-up, raking and bagging pine needles and Ed cleaned up one of our perennial beds and watered. I spent my time cleaning a perennial bed and the shed. We had some winter visitors (probably mice) - who left shredded paper, styrafoam cups, and had opened plastic fertilizer bags.

Next week we will begin our first official workday on Thursday from 8am-12pm. Come for any part of that time. Jobs include, sanding raised beds, deadheading, watering, filling bird feeders, and getting out hardscape. Parking is available at the 1st Congregational Church on Turquoise just past Switzer Canyon. The roses need to be pruned and Marion Lopez our local expert, will be in the garden on May 6 to help direct rose pruning. We have more than 40 roses in the garden and they provide a good opportunity for learning pruning.

New blooms: many more tulips (species and regular)

Loni Shapiro
Volunteer Garden Coordinator

Garden Workday 4/15/10

Many volunteers from our regular garden crew came today and continued with clean-up. David Hockman started the season digging for 2 new roses for the arbor bench. They are from David Austin roses and were specially selected for their tolerance of shade and cold (Shropshire Lad/Zone 4). David also began our pine needle clean-up. Vickie Goodwin, Julie Holmes, Judith Chaddock, and Crys Wells hand watered. Our drip is not yet turned on but should be this week. Vickie also filled bird feeders, Julie began deadheading, and Crys gathered some rock for the bottom of our new raised bed trough. Judith watered and cleaned up plants on the sun porch and helped me place bricks. I spent my time cleaning part of the garage, placing some bricks and deadheading.

New blooms: many of our daffodils planted last fall, species tulips, and many of our regular tulips.

Clusiana "Cynthia"

We have another workday this week - Earth Day, Saturday 4/17 from 9am-12pm. Come join us for more clean-up. The new Director of Northland Hospice may join us - Sam Younger. Parking is available at the 1st Congregational Church on Turquoise just past Switzer Canyon Drive.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Regular Garden Crew Workday 4/8/10

We had our first regular outdoor garden workday on Thursday. I spent my time getting our raised beds ready for planting. Cynthia Katte made sure house plants were watered and helped with cleaning the beds/street in front of the house. Linda Guarino worked on deadheading and cleaning the beds in front of the house. Al Katte did some much needed repairs and construction of a small raised bed for vegetabiles. Vicki Goodwin returned to help fill bird feeders and also helped Linda clean beds in front of the house.

New blooms included species tulips in several parts of the garden along with many more daffodils.

Our next workdays include next Thursday (4-15-10) and Saturday (Earth Day 4-17-10) from 9am until noon. On the list is continuing clean-up (plants and the shed), placing hardscape, placing bricks, and feeding the birds. On earth day we may plant a small tree if the ground is soft enough and sand the raised beds.

On Earthday we will also orient people to working in the garden. Come join us!

Loni Shapiro
Volunteer Garden Coordinator

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Earth Day Clean-up

On Saturday, April 17th from 9am-12pm the Olivia White Gardens will have a clean-up day and orientation for gardeners who want to help in the garden this season. Clean-up includes sweeping, removal of cinders from the Switzer Canyon beds, putting out hardscape, and beginning deadheading of last years perennials. We have one glider that needs to be restained, and several shrubs that need to be pruned of broken branches.

The orientation will begin at 10am and include a tour of the garden, procedures for outside (including keys for the greenhouse and shed) and inside (bathrooms and entry). Procedures also include signing in and out when working.

For those new to the garden we ask that you wear a hat, sunscreen, and bring gloves if you have them. Long sleeves/pants, and close toed shoes are recommmended. We have tools and provide water and snacks.

Parking will be limited on this day due to house procedures and many visitors in the neighborhood (the YMCA openhouse/a service for Karen Cooper at the First Congregational Church). Parking is available on the East side of Turquoise in allowed spaces and at the Gastro-Entrological offices on Switzer Canyon Drive. NO Parking at Olivia White/patient's families and staff only.

For any questions or concerns contact Loni Shapiro at maxmaddy@infomagic.net.

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Reporting OWHH Volunteer Hours

For the 2015 garden season all volunteers will report hours in the book on the back patio at the garden. If you are there on a scheduled workday the book will be on the table. If you come on a non-workday, maybe to water or complete something you wanted to finish, the keys and sign-in book will be inside the home in the table drawer to the left as you enter.

Please record all hours in the garden, at meetings, and for home activities.

At the end of each month the sign in sheets will be sent to the office so please get your hours in by the end of the month.

Wish List 2015

Wish list book is kept on the table in the lobby of the Olivia White Home. Check the book for further details. Contact one of the gardeners if you want to donate.

General plant related materials not available at Warners (where we have an account from a yearly fundraiser) – up to $250 (cash/gardeners will purchase as needed); includes special fertilizers, perlite, sand, soil, and other repair items. Purchase of unusual plants at other nurseries (Viola’s, NP & Seed & HCG).

Special feed for roses (we have 50) - $250 per season or what you want to donate. Gardeners will purchase.

4 Pruners/clippers - $10-40 (see book for ideas)

A variety of long/short handled, cut and hold, small and large diameter.

Craftsman Handi-cut for irrigation (see book for details)

4 Weeders – variety of long and short handled (see book for ideas)

4 Trowels – variety

Mud Gloves (8 Pair – 1 small-5 med-2 light weight) (see book for details).

Spray nozzles for hoses – prefer short handled with multiple settings.

Birdhouses for trellis (new or used in good condition).

Bat or butterfly house for grounds.

Hulled sunflower seed or chips for bird feeders ($28-85 depending on size).

We only use this type of seed, because of clean-up requirements for millet or black oiled sunflower. We also need niger seed (cost ?) for the goldfinches. This takes more than $500 out of our garden budget.

Replacement wheelbarrows-prefer metal with no-flat wheels. (1 needed)

Welcome to the Gardens at Olivia White Hospice Home

The gardens surrounding the home were created for all who find themselves here. The history below reflects the many hands that have worked in the gardens. The volunteer gardeners have worked to create a quiet, peaceful place to experience alone or with those you love. The garden design enhances the sensory experience. You can hear zipping hummingbirds, water fountains, and the sound of wind chimes. It is a place to stop and smell the roses or the soothing fragrance of lavender. The many vegetables and herbs grown allow residents and staff to taste the gifts of nature. You can feel the gentle embrace of the wind and touch the soft leaves of lamb’s ear or bunny tail grass along with other more prickly plants in a ‘touch pot’. Another design consideration was providing universal access to all visitors and special beds/pots that allow interested residents to participate in gardening. Sitting and standing raised beds, and ‘sensory pots’ accessible to wheelchairs are enjoyed by many residents.
Peace to all who enter…

History
The gardens were started by Norm Erickson, a hospice volunteer, before the home was built in 2001, on the corner of Switzer Canyon and Turquoise where the Olivia White sign is found. Norm also created the gardens directly in front of the home. In 2001 Laura Davis, a master gardener began designing and planning for the gardens that surround the home. Loni Shapiro assumed responsibility for garden coordination and planning in 2007. The first project in 2002 was to lay the cement pathway which was done by NAU’s Construction Management class led by Dave Grider. A flagstone patio was created east of the home by Joanie Abbott of Foxglove Gardening with the help of Heber Trunnel. The first two plantings by the master gardeners included an Inferno Strip on Switzer Canyon led by Terra Crampton, and a Rose Garden led by Hattie Braun with a large donation of roses by Bill Brechan. Coconino County Park and Recreation at Fort Tuthill donated many truckloads of compost, and Bill Eichinger used his bobcat to help edge with rocks the gardens you see today. In 2004 a core of master gardeners and hospice volunteers (Loni Shapiro, Karen Kent, Cynthia Katte, David Hockman and Nancy Palmer) joined Laura and began creating the many gardens here today. Today we have a regular crew of master gardeners and hospice volunteers, with two workdays each week throughout each spring and summer. They are supported by many other church groups, scout troops, AmeriCorp, college - high school - middle school groups, Coconino County Adult Probation Community Service, Upward Bound, and businesses throughout Flagstaff. Warner’s Landscape and Nursery needs to be singled out for their continuing support for the gardens since their inception with yearly fundraisers and discounts on plant and hardscape materials. In 2006 the gazebo designed by Jill Morris was completed with the help of Terry Payne and John Adams, from Christ’s Church, and Loven Contracting. John Adams along with the help of the Sunshine Lion’s Club finished it with a brick pathway. Foxglove Gardening installed the drip system over three years from 2008-10. Most of their time was donated. From 2010-2012 we received grants from the Bountiful Alliance to create a Native Medicinal Garden in honor of Michael Moore, writer and naturalist. The work on that garden continues along Switzer Canyon Drive. The garden was dedicated by a Navajo elder in 2012. A small garden was dedicated in 2011 to our long time therapy dog “Zane” Hill. Plans for 2013 include continued revamping of some front gardens, work on the corner of Turquoise with the installation of the FUTS trail, and landscaping our new shed area.

The gardens continue to evolve each year. Some have already been altered from the original plan, such as the Rose Garden, east front and ½ Circle gardens, and north Switzer Canyon beds. In addition, many other trees, shrubs, plants and hardscape items have been donated. A list of donors is located in the library of the Olivia White Home. The library also includes a binder of all the roses found in our garden (over 40). A map of the garden was completed under the direction of Cynthia Katte and Kathy Pate that includes the location of most of the gardens and the special features. This will be updated in 2013 to include the changes along Turquoise and Switzer Canyon. A copy of the current map is included with this handout and can also be found in the Rose binder.

Donations/Volunteering
A “Wish List” for donations is provided in the home that includes yearly needs as well as special projects. Our main fundraisers to help pay for materials and water are memorial bricks (brochures available in the home), an annual 10% of proceeds day at Warner's Nursery, and a summer Plant & Garden Sale at the home. In addition, we sell note cards made from original paintings of the garden, photo note cards, and earrings made from Job’s Tear seeds grown in the garden. All can be found on the table in the entry of the home. We are always looking for new volunteers to help in the garden. Our weekly garden activities during the year can be found on the Volunteer Blog (owhospicegardenvolunteers.blogspot.com) or by contacting,Sierra Gadsberry, Volunteer Cordinator at sgadsberry@northlandhospice.org.

Revised 11/12