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Winter Notes from Alice

As I write this The Big Chill has returned to Beaufort for the second time, only this time we are missing the movie stars.  Hopefully your garden did not experience too much damage from the untimely cold front that moved through the area.  As I look around my own garden I see some major damage on plant material that had a lot of tender new growth from the unusually warm temperatures we had in December.  I also notice more damage on plants that were in full sun.  Those under the protection of a tree canopy fared much better.   This is an opportunity to learn about what worked and what didn’t in our gardens, I encourage you to walk around and take notes on what kind of damage you observe and the locations/conditions of the plants.  Did you protect your plants in anticipation of the cold and if so, how did you do it?  I understand that they use Christmas lights for this purpose in many places. I am going to try it if we have more nasty weather. 

Laura Lee Rose, our ever cheerful Extension Agent, has graduated another class of enthusiastic Master Gardeners and has begun teaching a new class on Hilton Head Island.
Please welcome these new interns/students and include them in any projects you may be working on.  We all learn so much from one another. 

Put your seat belts on because the LMGA has a number of significant activities coming up.  Laura Lee and I have been working with the state committee for the 2008 State Master Gardeners Convention which will be held in Greenville on June 21 – 23, 2008.  You will be receiving more information about this later but please put the dates on your calendar and plan on attending.  It is important for the Lowcountry MG’s to be involved in this meeting because – hold onto your hats – we are the hosts for the next state meeting in the fall of 2009 to be held in Beaufort County.  This is a huge undertaking involving hundreds of participants, meeting facilities, meals; tours, vendors, and the list goes on (and on.)  Please be thinking about your background and how you may be part of this exciting undertaking.  Have you done meeting planning before?  If so please let us know, we are going to need everyone’s input on this. 
  
We have also been asked to assist Beaufort County in the beautification of all roads entering the county and selected key arteries within the county.  The MG’s will serve in an advisory capacity in the selection of appropriate plant materials for this project.  This is an excellent opportunity for the MG’s to showcase the “right plant/right place” theory and just how beautiful responsible planting can be. 

Our January meeting will be held on the 24th, at 1:00 p.m. in the Palmetto Electric Cooperative meeting room.   Please join us and learn about the Urban Permaculture Institute of the Southeast.  Our own Shawn Jadnricek, the founder of the Institute, will speak to us on how to incorporate these principles into our own lives and gardens and how to share this information with others.

Best wishes for a Happy New Year and many bountiful gardens.    

Alice Massey

New Additions and Highlights on the Site

New Events posted on the Upcoming Events Page.

       - Feb 21st - HEYWARD HOUSE PROJECT

       - Plus Many Other Activities around the Area

New Articles posted on the Articles Page.

Shawn Jadrnicek's Latest Article "Edible Landscaping "

New Press Releases posted on MGA Information Page

"Master Gardener Program, is being offered by the Beaufort County Cooperative Extension Service "

"Master Gardener Program, is being offered by the Colleton County Cooperative Extension Service"

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