Olivia White Hospice Home Garden Volunteers: April 2012

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.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Workdays Last Week of April

Our regular Thursday workday was cancelled this week due to rain. We had .6 in our rain gauge and the garden looks very happy. David from Foxglove Gardening came this week to turn on our drip system. He spent some time with Linda and me showing us where all the valves are located, and thinks that one of our clocks needs to be replaced. One clock was turned on the other awaits a decision on purchase.

On Saturday we had a special workday. Chela and Peggy Sheldon-Scurlock and Diana Watt came and helped us clean-up. Regulars Judith Chaddock, Julie Holmes and me all worked on clean-up also. Much was accomplished in just 3 hours. Raking and bagging pine needles, deadheading, weeding, sanding raised beds, and planting some Asiatic Lilies. We spent some time working on dandelions at the corner and weeding the south inferno in preparation for the MMG dedication.

Becky Lewis stopped by to pick up items for a basket for the Golf Tournament. Included were: Job's tears earrings, seeds and potpourri from the garden, a photo magnet, blueberry facial mask, tea from Winter Sun, and a summer cooler mixture with chamomile and peppermint. These will be used for the silent auction for Northland Hospice.

For those who have missed them, Dave Hill and Murphy will be returning to volunteer this Thursday. Terri Hill his wife has written a new book with a chapter about Zane which he can tell us about.

Plans for next week include:
Watering as needed and checking for drip winter damage
Continuing pine needle clean-up
Deadheading
Weeding
Planting some daylilies
Sealing the raised beds

Upcoming next week:
Pruning roses

Scheduled workdays next week:
Monday 4/30 - 9am-12pm
Thursday 5/3 - 8am-12pm
Saturday 5/5 - Last Orientation for the season 10am and dedication of the MMG

New Blooms:
Trees - crabapples, two other apple trees, flowering plum (check these out they are beautiful)
Almost ready to pop - alliums and iris
Still blooming tulips and some daffodils, Pasque flower

"Those who labour in the earth are the chosen people, if he ever had a chosen people."
Thomas Jefferson from Notes on the State of Virginia 1787

Thanks,
Loni

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Earth Day Workday

On Saturday, 4/21/12, Earth Day we had a small crew working on cleaning up the garden. We had one student from the Grand Canyon Youth who cleaned pine needles and planted two mums he brought in our front gardens. Marcia Lamkin came and helped bring out hardscape for the the Faerie Garden. Debbie Crisp weeded a front garden in prep for adding some donated tulips on Thurs. & Sat. next week. Laura Davis worked on weeding in the MMG and watered that garden and the north Inferno strip. I worked on cleaning up the Moon Garden/Zane's garden and helping with bringing out hardscape.

New blooms:
Pasque flowers in several areas

Tulips (variety)

Thundercloud Flowering Plum

Heath in the Moon Garden

Donation:
2 mums Ben Kelty

Our next workday is on Thurs. 4/26 from 9am-12pm. Focus will be on continuing clean-up:
Raking pine needles and bagging
Planting tulips donated this spring
Bringing out hardscape
Deadheading last seasons plants
Watering before the drip is turned on
Planting daylilies

Thanks,

Loni Shapiro
Volunteer Garden Coordinator

Friday, April 20, 2012

1st Workday for 2012

We had a beautiful day for our 1st workday for the 2012 season. Many of our regulars came and 3 new drop-in master gardeners were oriented to the gardens. Laura Davis worked on cleaning up the tea garden (deadheading and removing pine needles). Judith Chaddock did her usual magic on the sun porch (cleaning, feeding and watering the plants). Our red amaryllis is blooming for the 5th year, and many of the geraniums are also in bloom. Linda Guarino got the compost season started by turning, sifting, and general cleaning of the area. Christine Orr returned for her 2nd season and learned about the compost, cleaned around the front entry way (weeding and removing pine needles). Marcia Lamkin worked on cleaning the Faerie Garden in preparation for taking out some hardscape on Saturday. Crys Wells cleaned some of the front gardens (weeding, deadheading, and removing debris). I spent my time setting up for the workday, filling a couple of feeders, and doing an orientation for some new gardeners.

Linda also planted our new rose bush that was purchased to honor a long time resident and garden visitor Lois. It is a ketsup & mustard rose and it was planted near Zanes garden, one of her favorite friends. Later this season the rose and a brick will be dedicated.

Scheduling for the next couple of weeks include:
Earth Day Clean-up - Saturday, April 21, from 9am-12pm
2nd Workday - Thursday, April 26, 9am-12pm
1st Monday Workday - Monday, April 30, 9am-12pm
2nd Orientation - Saturday, May 5, 10am

Activities to work on:
Bringing out hardscape
Planting tulips
Watering as needed
Connecting up rain barrels, fountain
Expanding a brick pad
Putting together a swing/glider
Sanding and sealing raised beds
Deadheading and general clean-up

For those volunteering, parking is only available at the 1st Congregational Church or on Turquoise. Please wear close toed shoes, long sleeves and pants and a hat suggested (there is little shade in the garden). Snacks and water (in a large container so bring a small one if you want to carry it with you) are provided.

Thanks,
Loni Shapiro

Friday, April 13, 2012

Garden Opening Schedule for April

Hi all,

With some of the warm spring weather we have had many of our bulbs blooming already - daffodils, squill, crocus, hyacinth, and even some tulips (mostly the specie tulips). Most of the trees and shrubs are budding, a couple are blooming (mostly plums) and the perennials have green shoots at the bottom. In another month we will be pruning roses. I don't think we have seen the last of the snow.

On April 19th at 9am our 2012 season will begin. The workday is from 9am-12pm. There will also be an orientation for new gardeners beginning at 10am for about 1 hour.

April 21 is Earth Day and we will have our 1st Saturday workday of the season to continue spring clean-up. Activities for both days include: planting donated tulips and some new day lilies (different colors), cleaning up the Faerie Garden and putting out some of the hardscape, beginning pruning and raking individual gardens, extending a bench pad for a new bench/swing, bringing out bird baths, cleaning up the compost, putting together a new bench/swing, and connecting the rain barrels and fountain.

Our 1st Monday workday will be on April 30th, from 9am-12pm.

Our 2nd and last orientation for new gardeners will be on Saturday, May 5, at 10am.

Come join us if you are interested in helping this year.
Parking is available only on Turquoise or at the 1st Congregational Church lot.
Please wear close toed-shoes, and long sleeves/pants, and a hat are suggested. We provide tools, water, and a snack.

Thanks,
Loni Shapiro
Volunteer Garden Coordinator
(928-522-8635)

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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