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

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)

Meeting/Workday 3/20/12

Thanks to all who came to our meeting workday on Tuesday 3/20 (Karen Kent, Cynthia Davis, Peggy Sheldon-Scurlock, Judith Chaddock, Laura Davis, Crys Wells, Linda Guarino, Betty Marcus, Julie Holmes). In addition to a brief planning meeting we put together a spring fundraising mailing for Northland Hospice (about 5000 pieces of mail). Seeds will be sent for soliciting funds for the organization. It is similar to the Stay at Home Tea done in the fall. It took longer than we anticipated (8am - 130pm) but we managed to have a good time and eat lots of food while working. A handout was circulated on HIPPA (confidentiality while working in the garden)that all volunteers need to read as a reminder. If you were not present please pick up a brochure the next time you volunteer. We also had seed leftover from the mailing. Stop by the office and pick some up for your home gardens if you need them.

Plans for the start of the season are:
April 19, 9am-12pm First Workday weather permitting
April 21 9am-12pm First Saturday monthly workday
April 30 9am-12pm First Monday workday

We will again try 1 Saturday a month for the summer and need 1 volunteer for each month to supervise any volunteers. These are the dates I need volunteers for supervision and the plant sale:
May 19, 9am-12pm (I am doing a Container Gardening Class that day and will be there from about 1030-12pm but busy with the class.
June 23 7am-10am I need 1-2 people to sit at a table at the Run for Your Life to advertise our Annual Plant Sale.
June 30 10am-2pm I need a minimum of 4 people for the plant sale who will do sales, garden tours, refreshments, and parking.
July 21 9am-12pm
August 18 9am-12pm
September 15 9am-12pm

We will no doubt have other special workdays for groups but they are not scheduled as yet.

Watch next week for an update on other info from our meeting.

Thanks,
Loni

Meeting/Workday 3/20/12

Thanks to all who came to our meeting workday on Tuesday 3/20 (Karen Kent, Cynthia Davis, Peggy Sheldon-Scurlock, Judith Chaddock, Laura Davis, Crys Wells, Linda Guarino, Betty Marcus, Julie Holmes). In addition to a brief planning meeting we put together a spring fundraising mailing for Northland Hospice (about 5000 pieces of mail). Seeds will be sent for soliciting funds for the organization. It is similar to the Stay at Home Tea done in the fall. It took longer than we anticipated (8am - 130pm) but we managed to have a good time and lots of food while working. A handout was circulated on HIPPA (confidentiality while working in the garden)that all volunteers need to read as a reminder. If you were not present please pick up a brochure the next time you volunteer.

Plans for the start of the season are:
April 19, 9am-12pm First Workday weather permitting
April 21 9am-12pm First Saturday monthly workday
April 30 9am-12pm First Monday workday

We will again try 1 Saturday a month for the summer and need 1 volunteer for each month to supervise any volunteers. These are the dates I need volunteers for supervision and the plant sale:
May 19, 9am-12pm (I am doing a Container Gardening Class that day and will be there from about 1030-12pm but busy with the class.
June 23 7am-10am I need 1-2 people to sit at a table at the Run for Your Life to advertise our Annual Plant Sale.
June 30 10am-2pm I need a minimum of 4 people for the plant sale who will do sales, garden tours, refreshments, and parking.
July 21 9am-12pm
August 18 9am-12pm
September 15 9am-12pm

We will no doubt have other special workdays for groups but they are not scheduled as yet.

Watch next week for an update on other info from our meeting.

Thanks,
Loni

3rd Planning Meeting Agenda 3/20/12

Hospice Garden Meeting Agenda
March 20, 2012 8am-12pm

I. Updates
a. Earrings
b. FUTS trail update
c. Watering indoors
d. Tulip bulbs
e. Plant tags
f. Signing in update
e. Container Gardening class – Saturday, May 19 – 9am-12pm
f. Goals for 2012
1. Plant seedlings in the spring in the newly fitted greenhouse. Plant more jobs tears, herbs, veggies. Add a tile floor?
Planted seeds at home. Will move to greenhouse in April when we begin to empty it and the weather warms. Will also share CSA plants.
2. Set up new chair swing – enlarge pad in back of home. Do we want it in front of the home?
The chair swing will be placed in back of the house. David needs to enlarge the pad first and then the swing will have to be assembled. Kellie and Loni will come up with a caution sign.
3. Regular workdays 2 days a week – Monday & Thursday with 1 Saturday a month if help available
Need to schedule Saturday workdays for summer.
4. Continue work on redoing the front beds including drip lines
Focus on bed directly in front of the house this year (north)
5. Continue planting and create signs for the Michael Moore Native Medicinal Garden
Update on MMG from Laura.
6. Hold a 3rd Annual Plant and Garden Sale with the goal of adding to the sustainability of the garden (more rainwater collection) and new outside table/umbrella and or arbor for MMG. Plant sale on 6/30 from 10am-2pm.
7. Continue other fundraising activities (note cards, jewelry, sachets, bricks, Warner’s)
8. Enter the Native Plant Contest (front ½ circle, MMG?)
9. County Fair Display but no entries
10. Work with the city on revising the corner garden with the new FUTS trail and sidewalk with goal completion by September - 10th Anniversary
Board approved the plan – awaiting update from the city on when.
11. Continue articles for the Daily Sun and the blog (add article on bulbs and MMG for newspaper)
12. Update educational materials
Look at seasonal scavenger hunts (new Master Gardener?)
Update plant lists for individual garden (Loni Shapiro) - done
Update general garden info sheet (Loni Shapiro) – done
Update donor list through 2011 (Loni Shapiro) – done
Revise map of garden to include new gardens & Switzer Canyon Beds (Linda Guarino)
Complete yearly book for house on garden activities for 2011 (done) and begin 2012 (Loni Shapiro – need garden photos)
*Revise Wish List Book (all gardeners contribute to this)
Photos of MMG arbor need to be added.
13. Continue to look for bench/glider donors

II. Plans for orientations/groups
a. New Master Gardeners – requirements (Loni will schedule a talk for spring MG class)
2 new seasonal gardeners
Must attend one of 2 orientations (Thursday, April 19/Saturday, May 5)
Must work minimum of 25 hours
Needs to select a project to work on – composting, vegetables, educational materials,Summer Plant Sale, the Michael Moore Garden, or display for county fair
Drop-ins are welcome on Monday or 1 Saturday a month. Must also attend one of the orientations.
Loni has e-mailed Hattie – no date set as yet.
b. Groups – previous groups (AmeriCorp/Coconino-Flag High-NPA/CREC and consider any other requests if volunteer supervisors available.
Americorp emailed, need to contact Coconino & Flag High
III. Schedule next meeting in April.

2nd Planning Meeting Minutes

Hospice Garden Meeting Minutes
February 21, 2012 9am-12pm

Attending: Diana Watt, Brandon Porter, Loni Shapiro, Karen Kent, Julie Holmes, Crys Wells, Linda Guarino, David Hockman, Judith Chaddock, Laura Davis, Nancy Palmer, Becky Lewis, Betty Marcus.

I. Updates
Diana Watt (CEO) and Brandon Porter (Fundraising & our volunteer coordinator) were introduced. Diana gave her history prior to arrival at Northland Hospice and also provided information on the FUTS trail happenings. The plan is as it was last year with the sidewalk completed to the corner and the trail beginning there. The city will work on the culvert and provide access over that area. They offered $1000 landscaping help as part of their budget for the corner garden repair. The board is reviewing the current plan and will vote at their next meeting. Northland Hospice hopes that they can finish the trail prior to the August for the 10 year celebration and honoring of Marilyn Pate. The city did not guarantee that it would be done this year due to other city projects on the agenda.
a. Volunteer hours for 2011. Requirements for 2012. Sign-ups for snacks as in 2011.
Volunteer hours circulated – over 1500 for 2011 and 150 additional for groups. Hours for 2012 will be recorded on paper in the book located at the garden rather than on-line for more accurate recording. If you come to the garden on your own the book will be located in the large plastic workbench next to the rain barrel on the back porch. Please record in this book – individual sheets will not work for accurate info.
b. Finances for 2012
Loni reviewed the details of income/expenses for 2011 (details in Garden Development Book for 2012)
c. Earrings
We have already sold over $300 worth of earrings and Linda has spent about $25 in costs for making. We will try to grow more seeds this year so more can be made. The remaining will most likely be sold at our annual Plant and Garden Sale.
d. FUTS trail update (see above)
d. Garden planning meeting results
A small committee met to discuss the redo of the corner garden as well as the front of the house south bed. Loni reviewed the new plants (a drawing with detail is in the Garden Detail Book) and removals. Emphasis on both is for draught tolerant plants. Trellises for the front were discussed and OKed if not directly up against the house. A purple clematis that may be purchased was circulated. Whitey was advised of plans for the year for the front garden. The corner gardens will be worked on for weed removal but the garden will not be done until the FUTS trail is in.

2nd Meeting 2012 2/21/12

Hospice Garden Meeting Agenda
February 21, 2012 9am-12pm

I. Updates
a. Volunteer hours for 2011. Requirements for 2012. Sign-ups for snacks as in 2011.
b. Finances for 2012
c. Earrings
d. FUTS trail update
d. Garden planning meeting results
e. Watering indoors
f. Container Gardening class – Saturday, May 19 – 9am-12pm
g. Brick and rose for Lois
h. Goals for 2012
*1. Plant seedlings in the spring in the newly fitted greenhouse. Plant more jobs tears, herbs, veggies. Add a tile floor? Any volunteers interested in helping to plant seed trays?
*2. Set up new chair swing – enlarge pad in back of home. Do we want it in front of the home? Update from director and house managers.
3. Regular workdays 2 days a week – Monday & Thursday with 1 Saturday a month if help available