- Author: Sharon L. Rico
The Children’s Memorial Garden is a small garden (17x27 feet) in front of the Solano County Health and Social Service Dept. on Beck Avenue in Fairfield. Solano County Master Gardeners created this lovely garden in 2007. Carolyn Allen designed the garden and a crew of Master Gardeners dug holes and placed 1 and 5 gallon plants. The garden has evolved into a mini-sanctuary which the Solano Master Gardeners maintain. It is an educational garden with signs naming unusual plants and pests (such as spittle bugs).
On Friday, April 26th, the annual memorial ceremony was held in front of the garden. The Children’s Memorial flag had been displayed over the garden all month. The flag shows a chain of children holding hands with one child missing.
A group gathered consisting of county workers, Supervisor Linda Seifert, a couple of Master Gardeners, a minister and some loved ones to honor the twenty-two children in Solano County who died in 2012. The list consisted of two male teenagers who had died as the result of gunshot wounds, two female teenagers from an auto accident, three children as results of medical complications and fifteen babies (from SIDS and premature births). What made this event visually poignant was seeing the blanket with shoes from each child displayed, including the tiny knitted socks belonging to the babies.
Everyone attending was invited to fill out a cardboard cutout of a child attached to a stick and place it in the soil. Many wrote their message and silently placed their personal memorial. Later this month as the Master Gardeners work in the garden, the faded and water worn paper tributes will be collected as part of the maintenance of the garden.
- Author: Betty Victor
The U.C. Master Gardeners of Solano County will have an information table where they will give out home gardening information. The location of the information table is at Orchard Supply Hardware, 1500 Travis Blvd., Fairfield on the following dates:
March 9 and 23, 2013
April 6 and 20, 2013
May 4 and 18, 2013
June 1 and 15 and 29, 2013
September 7 and 21, 2013
October 5 and 12, 2013
You are invited to bring any gardening questions you might have. If you have a sample of plants, insects or plant disease, please bring it in a sealed baggie. If you have samples of disease, be sure to bring a sample of the diseased part of the plant along with a healthy sample as well. We will do our best to research your question and get you an answer.
Look for us inside the store!
- Author: Betty Victor
The wreath workshop is just days away. Master Gardeners have been busy gathering redwood, rosemary, lavender, Nadine and so much more greenery for people that attend to make a wreath of their own design.
Starting in late October-early November the Master Gardeners have been busy cutting drying, and spraying decorations for you to choose from to add to your wreath. We have agapanthus heads, hydrangea flowers, statice, lavender, pine cones, and so much more (feathers, grass flowers). In addition, participants are welcome to bring any items they have from home that they would like to add to their wreath. There are assorted colors of ribbon that can be made into bows to complement your wreath .
Food did I mention food? Yes there will be food and drinks for you to snack on, as you make your wreath. Complements of the Master Gardeners.
This event is held on the first Saturday of December at the Buck Mansion in Vacaville. Seating is limited to 40. If you have not registered on line this year to attend, it could be to late. Here is the link http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=9007 Make sure you mark your 2013 calendar in late October or early November to watch for the announcement for 2013 so you don’t miss this fun event next year.
- Author: Sharon L. Rico
The Wreath Workshop is a month away and Solano County Master Gardeners have been gearing up for this event since September. Ribbon has been purchased in assorted colors and spray paint that will blend and match has been chosen. Wreath forms and paddle wire have been ordered. The date is December 1st from 1PM to 4PM at the Carriage House on the Buck Mansion Estate in Vacaville, (225 Buck Avenue). Sign-ups are happening now.
A spray day was held to color dried items such as agapanthus, hydrangeas, seeds, pods and pine cones. These items will be available at the workshop to place in wreaths as decorations. Fruits such as lemons, limes, oranges, and quince will be dried to use as unique additions. Those making wreaths can bring their own decorations from home to personalize their wreath. There will be a table set-up and supported by Master Gardeners, who will be creating bows in assorted sizes and colors. If any participant needs assistance with their wreath, a Master Gardener will be available to help or give suggestions.
By the time the workshop arrives, the Master Gardeners have spent several days cutting and collecting greenery so the public will be able to create their own wreath. The greens will be packed into “banana boxes” and each participant will have a full box, a wreath frame and paddle wire. The decoration table will hold an assortment of dried flowers, fruits, and pods ready for embellishing. The “bow table” will have ready-made bows and custom-made bows will be available.
The kitchen will be filled with holiday goodies and drinks, providing lunch for all. Master Gardeners are known for their delicious appetizers and Christmas treats.
Master Gardeners will be showing up at the Carriage House at 10AM to set up and prepare for this yearly event. The wreath workshop of 2012 promises to be a fun-filled, fantastic event for all as it kicks off the 2012 holiday season.
- Author: Jennifer Baumbach
Just two more days until the Master Gardeners hold their annual Public Plant Exchange. They have been working hard at home propagating plants, gathering seeds, digging up bulbs, and collecting their books. This will all be shared with you-the public.
The event is this Saturday, September 8 from 9am until noon. The location is the UC Cooperative Extension office, 501 Texas Street, Fairfield.
Today, we began sorting through our own library collection of books and will be giving away a large assortment of those as well.
If you don't have any plants to exchange it's not a big deal. We hope that you come anyway. See you Saturday!
