Master Gardener

Began my Master Gardener class 3 weeks ago. Oh the Latin. Each week we have 5 plants to memorize the genus, family, common name, growing conditions, and soil. This week it's Prunus serotina, Philadelphus coronaries, Cornus florida, Cycas revoluta, and Zamia floridana, oh my. Doesn't sound too difficult but we have only a couple of minutes to get a mental picture of the plants and a fact sheet to study. This is on top of our weekly lessons and quiz on prior week's lesson. Fortunately, the website is a godsend for referencing. The class will run 15 weeks. So far, basic plant botany, soil sampling, nutrient deficiencies and garden pests have been covered. It's been too long since I've actually had to study but I love the class and the people are very interesting. At the end we are required to volunteer at the center and they give us many different choices that would satisfy any number of areas of interest. Wish me luck.

Planted my wildflower garden a week ago and see little sprouts. Yea. Dad is making us an above ground herb garden box. Roadie will be so happy when he has a constant source of catnip.

Lets see. So far we've had Bluebirds, Redwing Blackbirds, Towhees, Goldfinch, Yellow-rumped warblers, Hummingbird (male), Red headed woodpecker, Red bellied woodpecker, Woody wood pecker, Cedar waxwings, and all the usual garden birds.

We're snuffling and rubbing our eyes as the oak dust falls around us. Everything turned green quickly last week and the wild phlox are in bloom as well as dogwoods, etc. I love spring.