The Backyard Gardeners present a "Garden Talk" once a month. Frequently, speakers provide handouts for the programs. Below are the handouts from the current "Garden Talks".
Garden Talks 2010
January 19
"There Are Worms in My Kitchen" presented by Bill Jowers, Chowan County, NC Master Gardener Volunteer. Bill's talk was on vermiculture and vermicomposting basics. Handouts include info on making a worm bin, setting up the worm bin, prepared worm starter kits sold by the speaker, and resources for more information on vermiculture and vermicomposting.
Directions for making a worm bin
Basics of setting up a worm bin
Worm bin starter kits
Vermiculture resources
February 16
"To Prune or Not to Prune..."
Mik Lestyan, Chesapeake City Arborist discussed
"Pruning Young Trees" and demonstrates the correct methods and tools. A comprehensive manual of pruning information gathered from Virginia Tech is found below. A list of certified arborists in Hampton Roads and information from two other sources quoted in the program are also listed.
Pruning Manual
Cerified Arborist List 2010
Dr. Edward Gillman, Univeristy of Florida pruning information http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/pruning.shtml
Dr. Eric Wiseman powerpoint on pruning
http://www.forestry.vt.edu/Documents/Pruning.pdf
March 16
"Spice Up your Life"
Elizabeth Meska, Lifestypes by Elizabeth, presented a program on herbs for selecting, growing and using herbs in Tidewater. Elizabeth is a Nofolk Master Gardener, noted herb specialist, and board member of the Fred Heutte Center in Norfolk. She is a personal chef and has a newsletter with information on herbs and their uses. Handouts were available to each attendee with information on herbs and how to make a bouquet garni. Sign up for Elizabeth's monthly email newsletter at
elizabeth.meska@cox.net.
List and description of common herbs and spices
Making and using a bouquet garni
April 20
"Theme Gardening"
Ginny Moritz, local garden maven, discussed how to determine a theme for a garden, how to select plants and use garden art and accessories to enhance the garden and demonstrate your theme. She showed photos of a variety of theme gardens and how to use your interests and hobbies to accent your gardens. Ginny showed a variety of different garden art and explained how to make them.
For more information on theme gardens check:
The Children's Garden at Michigan State University
http://4hgarden.msu.edu/
Theme gardens guide
http://www.gardenguides.com/915-theme-gardens-planning-pitfalls.html
TLC's theme garden info
http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/home/color-theme-garden-ideas.html
May 18
"Meet the Natives"
Vickie Shufer, naturalist and publisher, discussed the best native plants for our area and how to use them in your gardens. She explained which plants are the best to attract wildlife to your yard and showed pictures of each plant. Vickie is an expert in wild food foraging and teaches a variety of nature programs in the area. She also had a selection of native plants for sale. To find out about her programming and the plants she has available check her website at
www.ecoimages-us.com or contact her at
EcoImages@cox.net.
June 15
"Lavender-Growing, Drying, Using"
Doris Flattum, Harbinger Lavender Farm, Harbinger, NC, discussed the best plants for our humid conditions, the cultural conditions needed for growing lavender successfully, and how to use the harvest. Attached are the handouts for cultural information, recipes for Lavender Lemon Cookies and Lavender Brownies. For more information from the Harbinger Lavender Farm, contact Doris at harbingerlavender@hotmail.com.
Growing Lavender
Herb Cookies recipe
Lavender Brownies recipe
