Olivia White Hospice Home Garden Volunteers: July 2011

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.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

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

Friday, July 22, 2011

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

Friday, July 15, 2011

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

Sunday, July 10, 2011

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

Saturday, July 9, 2011

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

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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