On Monday with a small crew we were able to get much done. I planted veggies from the CSA and a few plants from High Country Gardens, while watering all the new plantings in the garden. Nancy Palmer came and watered the Michael Moore garden, and then planted some new plants as well as daylilies dug up for the plant sale. Our expanding growth this winter for many of our plants means we will have more choices for the plant sale next month. Julie Holmes also planted and worked on cleaning up some of the lavendar in the rose garden.

Thursday was another busy day at the garden. Lee came with Carol Lease and they put together the new table and chairs donated by Dave & Terri Hill. The table is very sturdy - metal and tile top- and should last a long time. The old table and a glider will be donated to Hodge Podge.

 An electrical crew came to check out the connection for the water feature. The plug was getting too wet and they provided a cover for it so it would not short out. Carol worked on leveling it with the help of Joe Harte, so it would not spill over too much. Christine Orr worked on cleaning up the compost area. Laura Davis came and collected leaves for pressing and watered the MMG. Judith Chaddock worked on indoor watering, and gathering transplants for the plant sale. Becky Lewis continued deadheading and cleaning up pine needles. Betty Marcus was in the garden early taking photos and watered most of the beds along Switzer Canyon as well as the Moon and Zane's gardens. Marcia Lamkin came late and dug up some catnip for those cat  lovers that may come to the plant sale. I planted the last of the tomatoes in a new cloth bag. We will see how well it does, although I have the feeling it will need to be watered frequently.

Dave Hill and Murphy brought out several patients to enjoy the garden on this beautiful day. Temperatures are supposed to dip this weekend below freezing but return to normal by Monday. Some transplants will be moved into the greenhouse this weekend.

New blooms:
Purple Robina tree and many more iris (yellow, purple, orange, white, beige, pink) and the roses (Austrian copper, McCormick, John Cabot,  Robusta). The Indian paintbrush is about to open and one of our apple trees is filled with little apples along with the crabapple. Everything seems early this year. Hope it doesn't get frosted this weekend.

Purple Robe Robina

Historic McCormick Rose from NAU

Plans for next week:
Remove mulch from the roses, feed, and water
Clean-up overgrown Wood's rose that is choking out one of our apple trees
Continue to thin for the plant sale
Drip - check the north inferno for a leak, add drip line to the new dappled willow, reset timers
Plant hanging baskets, and some pots
Continue clean-up

"There is simply the rose; it is perfect in every moment of its existence."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thanks,
Loni

Greenhouse at High Country Gardens

On Monday, I returned from Santa Fe. It was a very successful trip - many plants were purchased at High Country Gardens, Plants of the Southwest, and Agua Fria Nursery.  I wish I had a camera when I arrived at HCGs. It was almost 9am (opening time) and there was a line of cars (15 maybe) waiting to get in. Someone was directing traffic in the parking lot because of so many waiting. I soon discovered there were people there from all over the SW. I guess I am not the only plant nut who goes to Santa Fe in the spring. All three nurseries are worth the trip. I spent an entire day visiting each while my patient husband finished a new book.  High Country Gardens carries so many drought tolerant high elevation plants, Plants of the SW has any wildflower grass or seed you are looking for in addition to gallon plants and shrubs, and last of all Agua Fria has every plant/vegetable you ever thought of and is run by some hippies (do you remember that term) from the sixties with two daughters named Autumn and Summer. The weather in Santa Fe was strange - cold, windy, and rainy. As usual, the food was wonderful! Most of the plants have been hardened off at 7000 ft. so they are ready to be planted.  We also have 3 wonderful nurseries that continue to expand each year with high-elevation drought tolerant plants.

Volunteers who came on Monday to work, included Julie Holmes who worked on deadheading and clean-up in the rose garden. Laura Davis watered new plantings and Nancy Palmer watered the MMG. I spent my time sorting out new plants for putting in the ground later this week.

On Thursday, the weather was warm and windy. Laura Davis came early and watered the MMG. Christine Orr  worked on cleaning and deadheading the Rose Garden. Carol Lease worked on the water feature, fencing, drip, and cleaning up the plant donor tags. Vicki Goodwin and Becky Lewis both helped get the job of cleaning and deadheading in the Rose Garden and surrounds done. Linda Guarino worked on the timers for the drip, and planted in the Front 1/2 Circle Garden with plants from High Country Gardens. Judith Chaddock watered indoors and began collecting plants for the sale at the end of June (pine penstemon, bellflower). Betty Marcus watered the south inferno and deadheaded in the dry beds. I worked on finishing fertilizing the roses. Chris Wells and Vicki worked on cleaning up the pine needles next to the parking lot.  Joe Harte came for a  brief time and worked on planning for assembly of the table and chairs.

On our break Brandon Porter came to announce funding from the spring fundraiser. The garden received $250 in the general fund, and $250 a gift certificate from Warners.

Thanks also to Kelsey Herring who continues to feed and water our birds.

Dave and Murphy brought out several residents, and the table is being well used by residents for lunch.

New blooms:
Purple Robe Robina tree
Raspberry
Penstemons - Red Riding Hood, Mat (new purchases from High Country Gardens)
Many irises and alliums

Pink Bearded iris west of Faerie Garden

Purple & Red Dutch iris in the 1/2 Circle Meadow Garden

Agenda for next week:
Watering indoors/outdoors as needed
Drip repairs
Assemble table & chairs
Continue spring clean-up (bed east of rose garden)
Continue planting purchases from Santa Fe
Begin planting containers with flowers, and add the new CSA veggies
Continue thinning plants and potting for the plant sale

The Container Gardening class was cancelled on Saturday, due to a limited registration, but we did have our May Saturday workday. Betty Marcus water several parts of the the garden. Without rain for almost a month things are very dry even with the drip on now. Betty also helped me get the tomatoes planted. We will have 6 varieties this year and as usual are trying something new - red zebra. Thanks to Viola's Flower Garden and their Tomato Fest we are now able to get unusual varieties locally. All tomato cages were covered with remay (frost cloth) since we will no doubt have some temperature dips. The cloth allows sun rays but protects to 28 degrees. They will be uncovered probably mid-June weather permitting. They are all in self-watering containers (2 from Gardeners Supply and one Earth Box). Laura Davis also came to work in the MMG and had help from Toni Barnes a MG trainee. Debbie Crisp came and planted our herbs in the stacking container and also did some deadheading and clean-up in the rose perimeter gardens. Debbie is now officially a master gardener having completed her 50 hours. Congratulations! Last of all, we had two visitors from FMC (one is a MG trainee) who will be creating a garden on the 3rd floor outdoor space. Plans include containers and water features.

Thanks for all the help this week. The gardens are looking beautiful and it is only the middle of May.

Loni

Workdays the week of May 7-12

On Monday we again had a small crew working in the garden. Nancy Palmer came and did her annual job of mounting the birdhouses on the trellis. As usual we had a few losses and several new additions. A new master gardener trainee volunteer, Toni Barnes, came and deadheaded/raked in addition to learning about the Michael Moore Garden. Laura Davis oriented the new volunteer to the MMG, watered, and planted some extra raspberry plants that have spread from the mother plant. I worked on watering new plantings, helping Nancy find needed materials for the trellis, repairing drip lines, and planting a few plants in the sensory pots.

On Thursday, Laura Davis stopped by briefly to get watering instructions for the weekend, Carol Lease returned from the valley and jumped right in to extend the brick pad for our new swing-glider. It was tried out by all the gardeners and many of the house staff.

Carol and Linda testing the new swing/glider.

Fox Glove Gardening had a crew in the garden to replace the clock for the drip system. Linda Guarino worked on drip repairs, the timer,  and cleaned up the compost area. She indicated that the can on the right front as you come down the ramp will always be the one for new material. I will make a sign for it as a reminder. Judith Chaddock watered the house plants and deadheaded roses.  Joe Harte came and looked at the rain barrel again. He propped it up on one of my bald tires and added a hose so we can more easily drain water out of it. He also began removing suckers from the trees.
Marcia Lamkin stopped by to say hi.

I did a little planting and left on time as I was heading to Santa Fe for my annual "nursery crawl" and great southwestern food. I will be back next week. Laura Davis will be in charge on Monday and watering a bit this weekend.

On the agenda for next week:
Deadheading (rose garden and surrounds)
Feeding the roses
Raking pine needles near the parking lot
Watering and planting as needed
Potting up plants for the plant sale

Saturday workday for May 5/21 and "Container Gardening Class" if we have enough registered.

Thanks,
Loni

Container Gardening Class

Container Gardening Class
Olivia White Hospice Gardens

When: Saturday, May 19, 2012 from 9am-12pm

What: Loni Shapiro’s 5th Annual Container Gardening Class will be held at the gardens of Olivia White Home this year. Loni will cover growing herbs, vegetables and flowers in containers. The first part of the class will be a lecture on tips for container gardens. The second part will be a practical experience in the Olivia White Gardens planting containers.

Where: Class will begin at the Northland Hospice offices at 452 N. Switzer Canyon Drive. By about 1030AM the class will head to the home at 752 N. Switzer Canyon Drive to begin planting.

Cost: $25.00 per person. Contact Loni Shapiro to reserve space 928-522-8635. Proceeds will benefit the gardens at Olivia White Home.
Bring a one gallon container (room for 2-3 herbs) to plant and take home.

Workdays First Week of May

Crabapple Tree

This week we had two workdays and a dedication of the Michael Moore Garden (MMG) on Saturday. The weather has been mild and many of our trees as well as lilacs are booming (choke cherry, apples (Granny Smith, delicious, and crabapple). Dave Hill returned with Murphy, one of the therapy dogs at hospice. He is no longer a young dog but has grown tremendously. He spends his time looking for treats and love from all the residents and staff.

On Monday we had a small crew but much was accomplished as usual. Joe Harte came and connected our fountain, rain barrels, and assembled our new swing glider. Julie Holmes sealed the raised beds and finished feeding all our trees. Laura Davis and Nancy Palmer worked in the MMG to get ready for the Saturday dedication. I spent my time watering new plantings and planting a few more plants (daylilies).

Thursday, Laura came again to work on the MMG,  Judith Chaddock watered indoors and deadheaded the back gardens. Vicki Goodwin deadheaded the north inferno strip garden adjacent to the MMG. Kay Balzer returned and spent her time cleaning up the front 1/2 Circle Garden.  I spent time watering and checking some of the drip lines that needed repair. Our clock for the drip system needs to be replaced so I manually turned on each of the beds for a long spring drink.

Doe and yearling returning from 2011.

I came along with Laura again on Friday to work on preparation for the dedication on Saturday. We cleaned the gazebo, weeded, deadheaded and bagged pine needles.

Dedication of the Michael Moore Native Medicinal
Garden. From left to right, Nancy Palmer, Laura Davis, Feather
Jones, Donna Chesner, Phyllis Hogan, and Mary Boone
a Navajo elder and her daughter who blessed the garden.

On Saturday I did my second of two orientations for new gardeners. We have 5 drop-in master gardeners for the season. The dedication of the MMG began at 11am. The group included Laura Davis and Nancy Palmer who have worked on the garden, Donna Chesner (MM widow), Phyllis Hogan (local ethnobotanist and owner of Winter Sun) and Mary Boone, an elder from the Navajo Nation to bless the garden. Also in attendance were other garden volunteers, and Northland Hospice staff and board members. Laura described the garden, and introduced all attending. Donna shared some stories about Michael and thanked hospice for including the garden. Phyllis shared information about Michael Moore and introduced the Navajo elder. The elder provided a blessing for the garden in her native language. Following the ceremony all enjoyed the garden and refreshments.

New in the garden:

Shaggy Manes tucked in some lavender.

Many of our trees have not only leafed out but are blooming (chokecherry, apples (crabapples, delicious, and Granny Smith). Because of our warm and wet spring we have lilacs blooming and a crop of shaggy mane mushrooms throughout the garden.

Plans for the 2nd week of May:
Workdays Mon/Thurs. from 8am-12pm
Pruning roses
Continuing deadheading
Raking and bagging pine needles
Mounting birdhouses
Watering as needed (new plantings and indoors)

Upcoming:
Container Garden class - May 19 - 9am/12pm (contact Loni Shapiro)
Saturday Workday for May 19 - 9am/12pm
Saturday Workday for June 16 - 9am/12pm
Saturday June 30 - Plant & Garden Sale 10am-2pm
Saturday July 21 - Warner's 10% Day 9am-5pm
    Saturday workday for July - 9am-12pm

Thanks to Kelsey Herring for keeping our birds fed and watered.

Thanks,
Loni Shapiro

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

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