Notice: Due to COVID we are meeting through ZOOM. Let's stay active and in touch!

Upcoming 2021 Programs
Marcia Boosinger, Program Director

May 5th    No meeting or program -- 2021 Garden Tour preparations continue.
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June 9th    (PLEASE NOTE A DATE CHANGE FROM OUR USUAL FIRST WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH)
Tour of Young's Plant Farm
Location: Young's Plant Farm. Stay tuned to "Weeds" for more details. Enjoy the latest and greatest varieties of flowers from Young's. In the past we've had the opportunity to rank our favorites. You'll never see such perfectly grown specimens anywhere else! Let's see what they offer in 2021. 
Regular May Meeting & Program will not be held due to the upcoming 2020 Garden Tour.
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Completed 2021 Programs

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​April 7th  
Tips on Taking Better Photos of Nature
Location:  In the comfort of your home on ZOOM immediately following our monthly meeting.
Presented by Bridget Brown, Video Producer/Director for the AL Cooperative Extension Service. She will give us tips on how to take better iPhone photos/videos of flowers, foliage, wildlife and all things in nature. 
March 3rd  
Transformation Gardening
Location:  In the comfort of your home on ZOOM immediately following our monthly meeting.
Presented by Dr. Desmond Layne, Head, Horticulture Department at Auburn. Learn about Auburn University's plans for the Transformation Garden, a 16-acre classroom and research facility, that will reflect all of plant-based agriculture. ​This garden will be the largest classroom on campus where students can get hands-on-training, learn about AU's historic Land-Grant mission and learn about specialty crops that are vital to Alabama agriculture and consumer health. 

​February 3rd 
Grow More, Give More
Location:  In the comfort of your home on ZOOM immediately following our monthly meeting.
Presented by Shelley Aistrup, Master Gardener. She will update us on this food-sharing program operated by the Alabama Extension Service and tell us how we can get involved.
January 6th 
Creating Floral Designs in the Garden-Style
Location:  In the comfort of your home on ZOOM immediately following our monthly meeting.
Presented by floral designer, Kakhi Wakefield. Join Kakhi to learn how to create lovely floral designs in the garden style. Using foraged materials and elements from your garden you can enjoy the beauty of the outdoors inside your home year round. You'll learn the basics of floral design as well as discuss the availability of materials through the seasons. Kakhi is currently interning to join the Master Gardeners of Hamilton County in Tennessee. To see some of her work, visit www.kwakefielddesigns.com.

​Completed 2020 Programs

December 2nd  
Conifers in the Garden
Location:  In the comfort of your home on ZOOM immediately following our monthly meeting.
Presented by Linda Lee, Lee County Master Gardener. This program will focus on conifers that grow well in our area. Surprisingly, many can handle the heat and more shade than you might expect. Combining conifers with other evergreens and perennials can add interest and depth to our design.
November 4th
Using Perennials in Garden Design
​Location: In the comfort of your home on ZOOM immediately following our monthly meeting.
Presented by Charlot Ritenbaugh, 2010 MG. Perennials are the decorating material of gardening. They come into play after you have planted the trees and shrubs that make up your garden's foundation. Perennials are a bigger time and financial investment than annuals. With an average lifespan of 3 to 5 years, perennials require a replacement plan. Most can be divided, rooted from cuttings or replenished by seeds to maintain your design. This presentation discusses a dozen perennial plants for you to consider. You'll earn about their good qualities and their weaknesses. You'll also get ideas for companion plants to use in your design. 

If you missed this delightful presentation be sure to check out the following two ACES links referenced by Charlot.
https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/lawn-garden-urban/keeping-perennials-healthy-all-year/
​https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/lawn-garden-urban/dividing-perennial-plants/ ​
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October 
The Gardens at Pioneer Park at the Lee County Historical Society, Loachapoka, AL 
Location: In the comfort of your home on ZOOM immediately following our monthly meeting
Presented by Dr. Mitchell. One of the gardens covered will be our very own LCMGA Demonstration Garden. Beginning in 2010, this project has grown into a beautiful and whimsical garden of creative sculptures and mature blooming plants, many of which were transplanted or shared from other gardens. It's color, design and educational value draws a lot of interest at the 2nd Saturday at Pioneer Park events held by the Historical Assn. You just have to see it!   

​September
What's New at Kreher Preserve and Nature Center 
Location: In the comfort of your home on ZOOM immediately following our monthly meeting
Presented by Michael Buckman, Manager, Kreher Preserve and Nature Center. KPNC provides programs, experiences, nature trails & natural habitats for education and study & relaxation opportunities for the community while creating an atmosphere of discovery and stewardship toward nature.  Find out what's happening out there now.
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​August-- postponed  
​Social honoring MG Interns 
Location: Grace United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall
We will host a social & pot luck dinner to celebrate the graduation of our 2020 intern class. They've worked hard to  complete months of instruction and volunteerism are ready to pin on the MG badge. Little did they know our members are some of the best chefs in town! Come hungry and plan to meet them all. 

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July-- postponed to October
What to Like About Perennials 
Location: TBD
Presented by Charlot Ritenbaugh, Lee County Master Gardener. Charlot graduated from the MG Class in 2010 and has been active ever since with many projects in the association. Let's all get newly inspired with her perennials update and suggestions!
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​June-- postponed
Tour of Young's Plant Farm
Location: Young's Plant Farm
Enjoy the latest and greatest varieties of flowers from Young's. In the past we've had the opportunity to rank our favorites. You'll never see such perfectly grown specimens anywhere else! Let's see what they offer in 2020. 
Regular May Meeting & Program will not be held due to the upcoming 2020 Garden Tour.
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May 16th & 17th--postponed to the year 2021 due to coronavirus risk
2020 GARDEN TOUR
All MGs and Friends of MGs will be working to present our most popular and successful fundraising effort to the public.  The 2020 Garden Tour boasts 12 gardens for community access over these two days.  We're wishing everyone, workers and attendees, a wonderful time of fun, fellowship and garden inspiration! Click on the Garden Tour DETAILS button for more info.

​April--postponed
We look forward to inviting Mr. Rushing' back at a later date.
Working in Your Garden as You and Your Garden Age 
Location: Harris Center
Presented by Mike Rushing, Jefferson County Master Gardeners. Mike is one of the most active speakers the Jefferson County Master Gardeners offers, knowledgeable on many topics and peaks our interest with this presentation. He is a retired veterinarian, a volunteer at the Japanese garden of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens and an MG instructor on trees and shrubs. We're sure to learn a lot. (Not that any of US are aging, of course!)
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March
Vegetable Gardening at the Community Gardens 
Location: Lee County Cooperative Extension Office ​​​
Presented by Marley Halter, Manager of the Community Gardens. She received her MA in the School of Sustainability at Arizona State University and is interested in studying food systems, food security and urban agriculture. Come learn about the 2020 season at this Auburn garden open to all faculty, staff, students and community members. You'll learn of the about the new location of the garden and the plots that come in a variety of sizes to suit personal needs.  ​

February
All About Native Azaleas
Location: Lee County Cooperative Extension Office 
Presented by Ernest Koone, owner of Lazy K Wholesale Nursery, located in Pine Mountain, GA and the largest native azalea grower in the United States.  Let's see his gorgeous slides of blooming azaleas, hear more about these popular plants and learn how to care for them prior to the LCMGA Native Azalea Fundraiser this Spring.   ​ ​
January
How to Grow Camellias!
Location: Lee County Cooperative Extension Office 
Presented by the ever knowledgeable and popular Dr. Charles Mitchell, Men's Camellia Club of Lee County and Extension Agronomist & Professor, Auburn University. 
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​Completed 2019 Programs
​Dec 4th
Grant Recipients Share 
Location: Harris Center
Presented by our grant recipients, 4H History Seekers, 4H Wildlife Judging Team, Sensory Garden at Kreher Preserve & Nature Center, Community Gardens at Auburn University and the Oak Alley Display at the Donald E Davis Arboretum. 
Let's hear how they have used their grants to help make our community proud.

Nov 6th
Fall & Winter Interest in the Garden
Location: Harris Center
Presented by Jason Powell of Petals from the Past in Jemison, AL. We welcome Jason back! He always delivers a great program with lots of plant examples, so be sure to come hear him.  

Oct 2 
Alabama Rivers: A Celebration and Challenge 
Location: Harris Center
Presented by Dr. Bill Deutsch, research fellow emeritus in Auburn University's School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences. He is founding director of Alabama Water Watch, a community-based volunteer water monitoring program that has impacted over 2,400 sites statewide. His book blends the human and natural history of our aquatic heritage.
​A book signing will follow the presentation.
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Sept 4 
Water Gardening-Ornamental Pond Construction and Management
Location: E.W. Shell Fisheries Center, 2101 North College Street, Auburn. After the program we will be able to walk around and visit other parts of this interesting facility. 
Presented by David Cline, Extension Specialist.

Aug 20
Summer Potluck Dinner & Program
Location: Grace United Methodist Church on Glenn Avenue in Auburn. RSVP online per email instructions.  Plan to bring a favorite dish and enjoy socializing with our growing membership of MGs and MG Friends.

July 10 
Diversity on Display: What the Plants are Trying to Tell You at the AU Davis Arboretum
Location: Harris Center
Presented by Patrick Thompson, AU Davis Arboretum. 

June 5 
Summer Containers
Location: Kiesel Park (at the Pavilion), 520 Chadwick Lane, Auburn
Presented by Dani Carroll, our Regional Extension Agent, Jane Farr, Director of the Plant Science Research Center and Joe Helms, one of our MG Interns. Plan some time to visit our LCMGA demonstration garden behind the Nunn-Winston House located nearby in the park.

​May 1
The Ever Popular Plant Swap!
Location: Harris Center
Presented by YOU. Bring a plant to share. You may be asked to contribute any particularly interesting, unusual or favorite stories about your plant. If necessary, just buy one and bring it to participate in the fun!   

​April 3 
​Shade Plants and A Walk Through the Caroline Dean Wildflower Trail

Location: Opelika Municipal Park (at the Pavilion)
Presented by Billie Oliver, one of our own knowledgeable master gardeners, who has spent countless hours working at the public garden site. Come for an informative and enjoyable guided tour. It should be a lovely and relaxing hour.
Pictured above are some of the beautiful native plants blooming in March.
PictureSisters Jay & Katie
March 6​
Planting for Birds, Bees and Butterflies
Location: Harris Center
Presented by Sue Webb, native plant specialist at Petals from the Past Garden Center, Jemison, AL. Many of you may
recognize Sue from the workshops our group has attended on location.

​February 6
Two Part Program
1st Topic: Upcoming Statewide Programs to Honor Alabama's 200th Birthday
2nd Topic: "A Brief History of Alabama Gardening" 
Location: ACES (See Address above)
Presented by sisters Jay Lamar, Executive Director of the Bicentennial Commission,
​and Katie Jackson, Garden Columnist for Alabama Living Magazine.

January 15
2018 MG Class Graduation Celebration ​& Pot Luck Dinner
6:00 PM,  January 15th, 2019
Grace United Methodist Church, Auburn
Pat Tremaine presented our program entitled "Gardening in Alaska" where she gardened extensively and successfully.   
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An excited Class of 2018 being called forward to receive their Master Gardener Certifications at our January 2019 meeting & Pot Luck Dinner. Welcome to the Lee County Master Gardeners Association! We look forward to getting to know you and volunteering with you.
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2018 Programs
December 5
Audubon in the Garden 
Location: Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art, 901 South College Street
Presented by Scott Bishop, JCSM Education Curator.
Something to think about: Lunch together afterwards at the Museum Cafe to celebrate our newly elected Board Members!
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November 7
Grant Recipients' Report & Give Back
Location: Harris Center
Presented by 2018 Grant Recipients who explain how they used our LCMGA grants to further their worthwhile projects this year. This program is one of our most enjoyable presentations all year, so come listen as they share their passions for gardening. You'll develop an even better understanding of how our Garden Tour, Native Plant and Mulch Fundraising proceeds are distributed back into the Lee County, AL community. 
The following recipients are showcased:     
1) Rene Thompson, Outreach Coordinator for Harvest for Health Program, will speak to us about the difference our Master Gardeners are making in the lives of cancer survivors as they mentor patients and teach gardening techniques and offer all-inclusive gardening kits.  
2) Tara Barr, County Extension Coordinator for Lee County, will speak to us concerning the importance of additional staff to allow more hands-on office assistance during our upcoming 2019 MG Intern Class. 
3) Margaret Holler, one of our own valuable MGs who has passionately devoted years to projects at the Kreher Preserve & Nature Center, will explain the soon-to-be Kids Sensory Garden to be built at the facility. And finally, 
4) Collin Adcock, Opelika High School Agriculture Science teacher, and outstanding student in the program, Lily Ledbetter, will describe their latest accomplishments that include purchasing a 16 x 24 cold frame for raised beds, starting seeds and other ground garden endeavors. They also intend to create an equal sized nursery area for additional raised beds.
5) Patrick Thompson, Davis Arboretum, spoke on new signage being developed to highlight the diversity of oak trees in Alabama. The Arboretum will actually receive their funding in our fiscal year 2018-2019.

​October 3
The New Roadside Garden: Researching and Designing an Ecologically Performative and Aesthetically Valuable Right-of-Way
Location: ACES
Presented by Jessica Nielsen, graduate student at Auburn University studying landscape architecture. Her interests include ecological design, the importance of public space in civic dialogue, and mending bridges between those who are ecologically minded verses "people focused." When not at school, she enjoys reading, writing, and all outdoor activities. After graduating she hopes to pursue a landscape architecture career in Boston, get at least two cats, and spend too much time outside in a garden.
Presented also by Alejandro Ramos, graduate student in the masters of Landscape Architecture at Auburn University. He hails from Quito, Ecuador, where he received his bachelors in Architecture from San Francisco de Quito. After graduating, he hopes to return to Quito, his favorite place on earth, to pursue a career engaging both his architecture and landscape architecture interests. 

September 5
Sustainability in our Gardens & in our Lives
Location: Harris Center
Presented by Dr. Nanette Chadwick, Professor in the Dept of Biological Sciences and Director of Academic Sustainability Programs for the Office of the Provost. Her focus will be on three areas--environmental, social and economics systems. The discussion will look at ways of enhancing our abilities to 'go green' by use of sustainable practices in gardening and landscaping.
 
August 1
Auburn to become a Bee Campus? 
Location: Harris Center
Presented by Dr. Charles Ray, Research Fellow in Entomology and Plant Pathology at Auburn University. Dr. Ray will explain what this means to the campus and how pollination occurs in our environment, Also, Gavin Shotts, graduate student in the Dept of Biological Sciences will present an opportunity to participate in a study of spigelia grown in a city environment compared to a rural environment.

July 11
Care of the Forest and Prescribed Burns
Location: Harris Center
Presented by Dr. John Kush, Reserve Fellow in the Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences. He is trained as a forester and focuses on forest ecology and restoration and strives to bridge the gap between ecology and forestry to promote wise ecosystem management and sustainable use of natural resources.
Please note location change: Kreher Preserve and Nature Center, N. College Street
Handicap Parking Available

June 6
Tour of Young's Plant Farm Test Garden
Location: 1166 Biltmore Lane (also known as Lee Rd 9, Auburn)
After the meeting we will tour the test plots.

May 2
No formal meeting or program. Final planning and meetings for 2018 Garden Tour continue all month.

April 4
​Native Azaleas & New Projects at the Arboretum
Location: Davis Arboretum on Auburn Campus, S College Street, Auburn
Presented by Patrick Thomas and Morgan Beadles of the Arboretum. They will talk about the new varieties of Auburn azaleas and news from the Arboretum. The program will include a walk through the Arboretum. 
Park in the Auburn Church of Christ parking lot which backs up to the Arboretum -- lot faces College Street.  Carpooling is recommended.

March 7
Orchids 
​Location: The Pittard's home
Presented by Dr. Joel Pittard, orchid enthusiast, & Member of the Orchid Society. We will see his personal collection & greenhouse to learn the proper care of orchids, including repotting & watering.
(Important: Limited to Members, Friends & their Guests ONLY.  Due to limited space this program is not open to the public.)

February 7
Refreshing Existing Home Landscapes --Common Problems & Solutions for Mature Landscapes 
Location: Harris Center
Presented by Shay Grant, Owner, Grow Girl.  Shay has a degree in Horticulture and experience in landscaping. 
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2017 Programs
December 6
Christmas Wreath Making
Presented by Ginger Purvis, Designer & Manager at The Market at Blooming Colors. Members may take a wreath home after the program. As of 11/14/17, there are five slot left open. Cost $55 for materials.

November 1
Invasive Plants
Presented by Nancy Loewenstein, Extension Specialist, Auburn University School of Forestry, Wildlife and Natural Resource Management. "Invasive species are the most significant threat to biodiversity, after habitat loss. In their new ecosystems invasive species become predators, competitors, parasites, hybridizers, and diseases of our native and domesticated plants and animals."--The World Conservation Union

October 4
LCMGA Grant Project Reviews 
Presentions by:
Collin Adcock with Opelika High School's Sustainable Farming Program
Sean Forbes with Opelika Grows 
Elizabeth Jordan, President, Clara Ragan & Emmalee Jordan, Social Media Officers with 4H History Seekers

This summer June 7th through Sept 6th) LCMGA and Auburn Parks and Recreation are co-sponsoring a series of public programs focusing on water resources, ​turfgrass, the right plants, the right places, and landscape design. Please plan to attend. It's sure to be interesting and informative! 

September 6
Landscape Design
Our guest speaker is Charlene LeBleu, Professor and Interim Head, in the School of Architecture, Auburn University. She earned masters degrees in Landscape Architecture and Community Planning from Auburn University's College of Architecture, Design and Construction and has been on the Auburn faculty since 2003. Her primary areas of interest and research are green building and water quality issues with focus on low impact development design.  At this presentation she will combine ideas from our three previous programs (on drought, turfgrass and trees & shrubs) to help us develop a sustainable landscaping plan.

August 2
Trees and Shrubs in Residential Landscapes
Presented by Art Chappelka, Professor of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University. After earning his PhD in Plant Pathology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 1986, he has been on the Auburn faculty since 1987. His area of specialization is "Air Pollution Effects on Forest Trees and Ecosystems". Afterwards, Steve Eden, with Garden of Eden presented the second part of the program.

July 12 (Note this is the 2nd Wednesday of the Month!)
Advances in Turfgrass
Presented by Beth Guertal, Professor of Turfgrass & Nutrient Management in Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences, Auburn University. After earning her PhD at Oklahoma State University, she has been on the Auburn faculty since 1993 and conducts research on the fate and use of fertilizer nutrients for turf grass and a variety of crops.

June 7​
How to Handle Drought Conditions
Presented by two speakers to enlighten us on this difficult topic! Just in time for the hot summer...
Dan Ballard of the Auburn Water Board will speak on how to handle drought warnings and other levels of drought conditions.
Thomas Weintraut of the City of Auburn Planning Department will speak on how to create a a drought tolerant garden and general residential landscaping requirements.
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May 3
The Unique World of Pitcher Plants and other Bog Plants
Presented by Morgan Beadles, Davis Arboretum Curator
& 
Guided Tour of the Arboretum (following the program)
Presented by Patrick Thompson, Davis Arboretum Specialist
Location: Davis Arboretum Pavilion, 181 Garden Drive, Auburn
Park in the Arboretum parking lot (accessed from Garden Drive) or in the Auburn Church of Christ parking lot which backs up to the Arboretum --
both lots face College Street.  Carpooling is recommended.

​Rescheduled to April 12 (due to weather)
Farm to Table Movement
Presented by Beth Hornsby, Hornsby Farms

March 1
Snakes!
Presented by Jordan Graves, County Extension Agent

February 1
Roses
Presented by Petals from the Past
Petals from the Past, Inc., a Jemison nursery/garden, specializes in antique roses, heirloom shrubs and hard-to-find perennial flowers & herbs. Their knowledgeable friendly staff is well known for offering educational programs, guided onsite garden tours and sharing gardening/landscaping ideas. 

January 11
Heirloom Plants
​Presented by Dr. Louis Adams 
Dr. Adams, an Auburn University alumnus, retired in 2012, returned to the Lee County community, and has conducted studies of heirloom plants in his own garden as well as the Auburn Community Garden.  His presentation will cover the reasons for and benefits of heirloom gardening. 
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​2016 Programs
January 6th
Mona Dominguez
​4-H Water Watch Coordinator

February 3rd
Alex Hedgepath
​Auburn University Arborist

March 2nd
Native Plants
​Dee Smith, Curator, Donald E Davis Arboretum, Auburn, AL

April 6th
Sean Forbes, Ph.D, Assoc Professor, Educational Psychology
Opelika Grows
Cultural Arts Center of East AL (where the Opelika Grows garden is located)

May 4th
No Meeting. All efforts going into the May 14th & 15th Garden Tour

June 1st
Not Your Grandmother's Hydrangeas
 Dale Peterson
Hydrangea Enthusiast

Note:  This program was so popular we followed up with a visit to his garden to view his beautiful varieties of hydrangeas and propagation methods! Many thanks to Dale! We truly enjoyed it!

July 6th
BUGS: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
David Held
Associate Professor, Entomology & Plant Pathology, Auburn University

August 3rd
Break

​September 7th
​The Kreher Preserve and Wonderful & Wacky Plantings
Jennifer Lolley
Out Reach Administrator for the 
Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve

October 5th
Art in the Garden
Emily Smyth
Designer & Owner of "Emily's Secret Garden" presented on the 2016 Garden Tour 

November 2nd
Tour of English Cottage Gardens
Peggy & Charlie Mitchell

December 7th, 2016
Our Demonstration Gardens
The Lee County Master Gardeners Association 

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​2015 Programs
January 7th
Home Landscape Design
Carolyn Robinson, PhD,
Auburn Professor

February 4th
Pruning: Why, When and How to Cut a Stem
(Demonstration to follow)
Patrick Thompson, ISA Certified Arborist, Conservation Gardener,
Davis Arboretum, Auburn University

March 4th
Water Conservation in the Home Landscape
Eve Brantley, PhD, Water Resource Specialist, ACES
Auburn Professor

April 1st
Master Gardener Extension Agents Presentation
Kerry Smith and Mallory Kelley

August 5th
The Perfect Fall Garden
Dr. Charlie Mitchell

September 2nd
Horseshoe Bend Canoe Trail and other 4-H News
Chuck Brown

October 7th
Hummingbird Research and Education
Fred Bassett

November 4th
Floral Design of the East
Dr. Carolyn Robinson. Phd
Auburn Horticulture Department

December 2015
Christmas Party