Olivia White Hospice Home Garden Volunteers: August 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.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Garden Workday 8/26/10

A new Arizona walnut getting ready to be planted. Photo by Loni Shapiro.

Signs of fall are in the air, with many of our perennials fading, cool mornings and turkey vultures gathering overhead. We had a large crew in the garden today. Laura Davis, Nancy Palmer, Joe Harte and Marcia Lamkin all worked on planting a new Arizona walnut tree. Phyllis Hogan and Donna Chesner, Michael Moore's widow, stopped by to look at the new area for his memorial garden. Linda Guarino and Becky Lewis worked on thinning more iris at the south end of the gazebo. Al Katte came and put together our new chipper. It not only works well, is easy to operate, but it also is very quiet. Perfect for some of our mechanically challenged crew. He will do a demo for us next week. Carol Lease worked on caring for the birds, our water feature, and smoothing a flagstone pathway. David Hockman worked on re-sanding some pathways and leveling sinking bricks on a bench pad. Cynthia Katte worked on the compost, watered and deadheaded. Judith Chaddock deadheaded many of our spent perennials and Kay Balzer worked on redoing our north Switzer Canyon bed - smaller and less spread out. Crys Wells worked on many of our weeds that are beginning to flower. I did many little jobs and kept people busy in the garden today.
Dave Hill and Zane brought out many visitors from the house.

Plans for next week include our usual bird care and watering as needed, continuing work on pathways and benchpads, re-doing the front gardens, and preparing entries for the fair (floriculture). Laura, Nancy, and Marcia will continue to work on the new garden.

New in the garden:
An electric chipper donated by Dave Hill
More iris has been thinned and is available for anyone who wants some. Leftovers will be taken to the fair on Friday.
A new Arizona walnut tree.

Upcoming special workdays:
September 11th - 9am-12pm - weeding party
October 23rd - 9am-12pm - fall bulb planting

"Ideally, a garden is a cycle of events in which the gardener grows, along with the soil and the crops. Food from the garden and bright, fragrant flower blossoms invigorate the gardener to grow more food and blossoms, a perpetual cycle of delight."

David Wann The Zen of Gardening

This past weekend I attended the regional Highlands Master Gardener conference in Payson. David Wann was one of the keynote speakers. His talk was one of the best I have heard regarding sustainability. He has a newer book - Simple Prosperity: finding real wealth in a sustainable lifestyle - which covers the themes from his talk. I will share some of his messages in the coming weeks. He is not only a gardener, and writer, but a philosopher.

Loni Shapiro

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Garden Workday 8/19/10

On another warm, dry day in the garden our regular crew worked on pathways, compost, deadheading, and the new Michael Moore garden. Nancy Palmer and Laura Davis worked on planting some aspen, weeding, planning, and digging a hole for a new tree. Laura also continued to work on trellising our bush clematis and grape vine in the gazebo.

Clematis and grapevine growing on the gazebo trellis. Photo by Loni Shapiro

Native Plant & Seed gave us a deal we couldn't resist for a new Arizona Walnut which will grace the Michael Moore Garden. David Hockman began work on repairing our pathways and mentioned that it went much faster when Karen was helping. They are all needing repair from the heavy rains we continue to get this season. Cynthia Katte worked on the compost and continued deadheading. Julie Holmes filled birdfeeders and baths and also worked on deadheading.

Julie Holmes deadheading the Shasta daisy. Photo by Loni Shapiro

Marcia Lamkin watered the house plants and helped Nancy and Laura in the MMG. I spent my time watering, weeding, and running out to get some sand for the pathways.

Thank you:
Nancy Palmer for helping with shipping on the willow bench and purchase of an Arizona Walnut.
Jean Hockman for the donation of some Naked Lady Amaryllis which we will pot and put on the sunporch for the winter (Zone 7-11).

New in the garden:
Arizona Walnut Tree
Aspen cluster
3 Fall Woods Asters (Pink/Purple/Blue)

Upcoming workdays:
Saturday, September 11, 9am-12pm - a weeding party
Saturday, October 23, 9am-12pm - fall bulb planting

Come join us in the garden on Thursday between 8am-12pm. We will continue to work on pathways, deadheading, watering as needed, weeding, and the Michael Moore Garden. Parking only available at the 1st Congregational Church on Turquoise just past Switzer Canyon Drive.

"What a magical place! I thought gardens like this only existed in dreams. Thank you for this beautiful gift." From Tending the Earth Mending the Spirit

Most of us who work at Olivia White Gardens can identify with this quote.

Thanks,
Loni

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Thursday Workday 8/12/10

Bee Balm in the Tea Garden (Photo by Aspen Crystal 2010)

On another sunny warm day (no rain for several days) a few regulars gathered in the garden to work on watering, weeding, planting, cleaning, compost, and thinning iris. Linda Guarino worked on the compost, planted several plants and a shrub, and began our annual iris thinning. We have several bags of thinned iris (mostly purple) available on our back porch for anyone who needs them. On Thursday 8/19/10 I will take whatever is left to the monthly Master Gardener meeting. Kay Balzer continued to work on the Inferno strip beds, weeding, transplanting, and watering new plants as needed. Carol Lease took on the job of cleaning the shed for the season - we hardly recognize it. She also found time to fill bird feeders and baths, and take care of our fountain. I spent most of my time watering as it has not rained in days. Judith Chaddock and Cynthia Katte spent most of their time deadheading and helped with the iris. Joe Harte came by and did some repairs for us. He worked on one of our seed catch trays, put some air in the tires of our wheelbarrows, and replaced some broken arms on one. We had a visitor on a walk from Missouri to the Grand Canyon and he stopped to help us weed. Even non-gardeners enjoy the many routines of gardening, being outdoors, and the companionship of other gardeners. For a small crew it was a very productive day.

Thanks to:
Dave Hill for his generous donations to the garden - a chipper for our compost pile and a stone bench for the new Michael Moore Garden.

Blooming:
Some of the fall asters have begun to bloom

New in the garden:
Coreopsis, Pincushion, Penstemon, Ozark Sundrop for the front beds
White Balloon Flower for the moon garden
Pasque flowers to replace a couple we lost this winter
Blue False Indigo and Cornflower for the east of the house beds

Healing in the Garden
"My cares and worries seem to melt away when I'm gardening: it is so calming for me. I'm a totally changed person after a day in my garden."
Mary Jo, a gardener in Iowa from Tending the Earth Mending the Spirit

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Garden Workday 8/5/10

Lavender - Photo by Aspen Crystal 2010

On a beautiful warm partly cloudy day in the garden much was accomplished. We had 12 of our regular gardeners helping. Gwen K. worked on planting, watering, and weeding. Linda Guarino, worked on the compost and weeding the new area for the Michael Moore Garden. Becky Lewis and Marcia Lamkin also worked on weeding and getting the bed ready for more soil and weed cloth. David Hockman transplanted some aspen trees into that garden from the aspen grove. Julie Holmes and Judith Chaddock weeded and Judith also deadheaded some lambs ear. Joe Harte worked on our trees, removing suckers and pruning. Carol Lease filled the bird feeders and baths, worked on leveling a large granite bath, hung a wind chime, and did a couple of plant tags. Laura Davis stayed at home and worked on our Michael Moore grant. Kay Balzer brought some plants from home and put them in the inferno strips and the native garden - pussy toes, and a variety of daisies.

Thanks to:
Kay for the donation of several plants from home

Visitors:
Dana Prom Smith stopped by to check out the garden and visit with other Master Gardeners

New blooming in the garden:
White phlox in the moon garden, and Shropsire Lad climbing rose next to the arbor bench (David Austin rose)

Harvested:
Tomatoes (sweet 100 and juliet), zucchini, lettuce, and crookneck squash

On our next Thursday workday we will begin digging up iris, continue deadheading and weeding as needed, water as needed, make some lavender wands for the house, plant a shrub, and getting the beds ready for the Michael Moore garden.

Repairs are needed on the seed catch tray, and the native garden walkway.

Come join us on Thursday anytime between 8am-12p. Water and snacks provided along with tools and gloves. Bring any special tool you like to work with. Parking only in the 1st Congregational Church lot.

"There is not a blade of grass that shoots uninteresting to me."
Thomas Jefferson
Letter to Martha Jefferson Randall 1794

Thanks,
Loni

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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