Wildflower Walk at Fort Campbell & Green Thumb

From In the Garden

As a companion post to my Wildflower Wednesday post I thought I'd share some wildflowers growing at my favorite spot to walk on Fort Campbell. Prior to beginning blogging a few years ago I had always enjoyed this walk and all the flowers along the way, but never knew what they were. I now try to identify each of the flowers and have a greater appreciation for the diversity on Fort Campbell simply because I know a little bit about the flowers. Does that make sense? Anyhow, let's take a walk today. I warn you there are two teenagers and Mr. Fix-it along for the walk. I probably should've warned them that I'd be snapping wildflower pictures. They were good sports though and didn't mind mom lagging behind a bit.

The above picture is taken from a bridge along a creek where many folks stop to fish, picnic or just to hang out. We always like to pause in this area, kick off our shoes and wade in the water.

Under the very same bridge where I took the picture there is a colony of what I believe to be cliff swallows. I so enjoy these guys swooping and diving after all the bugs in this area. Their nests are pretty cool too. When I worked up top at Clarksville Base we had a family of these swallows build their nest just above the front door to our building; which was not a smart thing to do. It's much safer under the bridge for nests and nestlings.

There are a few bridges crossing this stream. The view to the other bridges is quite scenic and tranquil.

Under the second bridge is a series of columns that seems to go on forever in both directions. It's quite a cool spot to look at the underpinnings of a bridge.
Look closely at this picture. I include it for Jimmy. He is into free running and enjoyed jumping, running, and climbing on this walk. See him on the left? I was fortunate to capture him off the ground. There is nothing I love better than teenagers when they are out exercising. Think happy endorphins that stay with said teenagers for several hours; which makes for pleasant relations between teens and parents. I tried to walk my kids a lot when the older ones were teens. 'Nuff said.
Okay, back to wildflowers. The woodland phlox was in full bloom. It's probably hard to see in this picture but it is the light purple on top of these rocks. The phlox grows everywhere in these woods and smells so good.
I believe this is a bottlebrush buckeye (Aesculus parviflora) but I could be wrong. Please let me know the correct identification if you know it. It grows wild all along the road. I also have it in my garden but it is too small to bloom. I know it is a buckeye but not sure of the cultivar or type.
Now here is an interesting combination. I know these umbrella plants are mayapples (Podaphyllum peltatum). I also have these in my garden and they are in bloom right now. The round leaved plant next to them is perhaps ginger? I'm not sure. There is also a cut leaf plant to the top of the picture which I have no idea what it can be.
I think this is some kind of toothwort and trout lilies (Erythronium americanum). There was a whole hill of these lilies and it was simply splendid! I chose to post the close up but do have a picture of the hill. Unfortunately, on our walk the trout lilies had already bloomed out. The seed capsules were very visible just waiting to spread themselves around.
And of course I think everyone knows these pretties, Virginia bluebells. There are whole glades full of shining blue flowers. Simply stunning is the only way to describe the beauty.

There are more wildflowers on Clarksville Base as well as native trees. This area is fairly untouched by invasives but I did notice some multiflora, Japanese honeysuckle, and perilla. I'll post on the trees perhaps another day. If only they could talk I can imagine the stories they would tell us.


Finally, here are the two teenagers who honored Mr. Fix-it and I with their presence. Both boys had a great time walking the long trail on Clarksville Base. These two boys are trying to start a band and are very into guitars and singing. I'm always in awe of musically inclined people since I could never carry a tune to save my life, can't read music, and could never get the rhythm right with breathing or anything else, let's not even talk dancing. And believe me, I tried when I was a teen as my mother will attest. Music is not in my genes but Jimmy (left) and Clint (right) enjoy it enough for all of us. They were good sports to come along on our wildflower walk....

in the garden....

I need to let my local readers know about the Green Thumb Festival scheduled from 8 am-4 pm tomorrow, May 1st at the Habitat Re-Store on Madison Street in Clarksville. This festival is for all things gardening. Guess you know I'll be there-all day. This is the first annual Green Thumb Festival. Its purpose is to bring awareness to the Habitat Re-Store and to celebrate gardening season with local vendors and gardening enthusiasts. There will be lots of classes on diverse subjects such as landscaping and rain barrels, vendors and plenty of plants-just in time for gardening season. Come on out and enjoy the company of fellow gardeners!

Veggie Garden Update-February 2010 and PSA

From In the Garden

I don't have much of a veggie garden update this month. In fact, I'm actually out of town for a few days on a garden trip so I had not planned to post at all. I decided to post to let my local readers know about a great class going on this weekend and to give a short veggie garden update. The good news from the vegetable garden is that I still have a veggie left over from last summer's vegetable garden! Just look at that great Waltham butternut squash above. We have not yet eaten it but will soon. It has kept wonderfully on my sideboard all these months. Winter squash is on the list for this summer's garden too! We eat a lot of greens here so lettuce is a big vegetable for us this year. I've started three different types inside with even more planned for outside. Given how small my vegetable garden is I really have to double plant and plan well. I think growing lettuce under the vining crops will help to keep it cool and hopefully we'll have lettuce all summer. It sure will be good with fresh tomatoes and peppers. Here is a long shot of my coldframe on the southwestern side of the vegetable garden. Chinese cabbage, turnip greens, some lettuce seedlings, and some spinach are still hanging tough. This picture was obviously taken prior to all the snow coming. Right now most of the garden is white but you can see the turnip greens in this picture and get an idea what my coldframe looks like. I need to do some work on it as far as the windows. I purposely left the middle window like it is. I'm sure it doesn't help with holding heat in but what I have growing under it is Culver's root seeds (Thanks Cameron!). These seeds need winter stratification so I figured the moisture, snow and all, would not hurt them. The rest of the greens have hung on but for the most part I leave the windows off. I've decided to grow the following this year: carrots, lettuces, peppers, tomatoes, zucchini (over hubby's protests), winter squash, bushel gourds, kale, peas, cabbage, and garlic come this fall. Now that is narrowed down I can relax. Planning is half the battle! Let's just hope I can fit it all in!

**********Public Service Announcement**********

Now on to this weekend's class. It is called Tennessee Yards Done Right! It is a program sponsored by the extension office and is mainly focused on controlling rainwater runoff and the resulting erosion. This is a hot topic around here due to many yards being hilly and sloping. So many locals have issues with erosion that this workshop should come in handy for you. Class will be from 8:30-4:30 pm on Saturday, February 20, 2010 at the United Methodist Church on Madison Street. The cost is $35 and you get a lot of goodies in addition to the classes (including a rain gauge). This is a no obligation class and I can assure you it will give you lots of information for making your yard 'right'. I like this class so much I'll be in a working session in Murfreesboro today studying the exact same thing. If you are interested in this class call (931)648-5725. You can also sign up at the door Saturday morning but it would be best to let Karla know you'll be coming.

Again, I'll be out of town for a few days and will be around to visit you all when I get back....

in the garden.....


Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,

In the Garden

Plant/Craft Fair for the Hobbyists

This post is to let you all know about an upcoming craft fair. The craft fair is called Sango United Methodist Craft Fair and will be held on May 3 of this year. I received a call from Ray Bell, who asked me to let you all know about this fair.

I had heard of this fair last year when I met an extraordinary gardener named Lucy. She sells plants at the crafts fair each year. I was honored to be able to visit to visit her garden; which was arranged by a garden club friend, Nancy. Nancy arranged this garden tour for not only me, but my friend Geri, and Nancy's good friend Ursula. We all had a wonderful time and Lucy sent us home with many plants. I was seriously looking at all the ones she was preparing to sell at the craft fair and wishing I could attend the fair.

I was not able to attend last year's craft fair due to my college classes being scheduled on Saturdays. I don't have that excuse this year and will endeavor to visit the fair for some good deals.

If hobby plant growers (no professionals please) or other crafts people are interested in renting a table they should contact him at (931)358-0595. Sounds like a really good deal to me. I know from experience plant sellers tend to sell out fairly quickly, so if a plant grower has another friend who would like to go in on a table, that might be doable in order to make plants last all day-and to help finance your gardening endeavors! I may look at selling plants there next year, but it is a bit too late for me this year. I think it is a good deal because the seller does not have any advertising to do at all, and this craft fair is very large with many patrons. If interested, be sure to give Mr. Bell a call-tell him Tina sent you.

I couldn't resist putting a picture of my Amaryllis on here. Amaryllis is botanically known as Hippeastrum. This amaryllis was a gift from my father in January 2007. It came as a surprise when I went to my mailbox and found the boxed up pot there already growing.

I watered it and followed the instructions and it bloomed wonderfully last year. Once the weather warmed up, I placed the pot outside for the summer. When the weather began getting cold I brought it in and put it in an unused room of my house. The room was cool and dark. I kept it there for about three months. In January of this year I brought it out and began watering it again. I was not very hopeful it would come back because I had not repotted this bulb in good soil, like the instructions said to do.

Wonders of wonders! It began growing last month and grew rather quickly. You can see the beautiful bloom. There are actually two of them on this plant. I love the color red so it was the perfect choice. If my father had a computer, or ever looked at a computer, he would know how well it is doing and how much I like it, even though it is technically a houseplant! I will have to print this copy and mail it to him so he can see I was able to bring it back this year with no problem. Hope it comes back next year too.

One other note on upcoming events:

Tree planting at Barkers Mill Elementary School tomorrow (I think between 1-4 pm but will verify). Bring shovels and bolt cutters (to cut tree cage) if you are able.

Perennial Plant Society Meeting Tuesday (18 March) evening at 7:00 pm at Cheekwood. The speaker will be a nurseryman from Alabama. He will have plants to sell.

Next Thursday (20 March) is Beachaven Garden Club's Monthly meeting at 7:00 pm. At the Women's Club. Email me at ramseytina5@gmail.com for further information.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Joshua Castle (the Northwest High School student recently hit by a car) and his family for a speedy recovery.

in the garden....

Eagle Scout Projects and Volunteers

As promised, the Jimster and I helped a bit with bagging up seedlings in preparation for the Children's Activity Day scheduled for today at the Museum. With the emphasis on "a bit" since the folks were nearly done by the time we arrived. There were way more volunteers than I had expected. Dottie Mann (that is her on the left in a yellow sweater) did a super job mobilizing folks to come out and support the community. Dottie is the Clarksville City Tree Board Chairman. She and her husband, Jim, perform ALOT of community work and we all benefit from their efforts.

Pictured to the right of Dottie is Ginger. Ginger is a faithful reader and commenter on this blog. My commenters will be pleased to finally get a picture of her. Ginger is another very dedicated volunteer and gives tremendously to our community. She works with the Humane Society in helping to save pets. What a great job and service all these folks do for the community and our world. We truly need more caring people like her. Ginger is originally from California near the ocean;which she misses so much! Clarksville is a small world. Ginger and my best friend Gerianne know one another, as Geri fosters dogs for the Humane Society. Ginger told me she never would've known Geri was such a big gardener, which Geri agreed with since she thinks her garden is not established. Geri is very modest, her garden is beautiful but you really have to go into the backyard to get the full effect of her efforts. I was glad to meet Ginger and surprised we had a common friend already.

In keeping with the volunteer tradition, let's talk about some very helpful young men. Pictured in the second picture are: Nick, Zavier, and Matt. I had the pleasure of meeting these young men last year when I helped T.C. Loughery, Montgomery County Extension Agent, with the Tree 4-H club. These guys competed in a tree competition (along with other motivated students-and let's not forget the dedicated parents) at the state level. Both the junior and senior groups placed well and Clarksville should be proud of them.

I did not know this, but Matt, working in conjunction with the Tree Board, Dottie, Tracey Jackson, and Mrs. Kennedy (Principal at Barkers Mill Elementary School) designed a tree planting plan for Barkers Elementary. The plan is a project to help Matt on his way to achieving the prestigious "Eagle Scout" rank in the Boy Scouts. I know his mom is proud. Matt and Nick are brothers. The trees he chose will be planted according to his design at the March 15th Arbor Day Festivities in Clarksville. I know there will be an article in the paper about the event, but just had to mention the event here as well.

Finally, I had to conclude this post with a picture of an adorable little girl. Madison is the five year old daughter of Amy. Amy is currently attending the Tree Steward Classes offered by the Extension office. I met Amy at this past Tuesday night's class when I had the pleasure of teaching there. She told me about the soil at her home and how it has taken her 10 years to finally get it to a good spot-with earthworms and all! With her can do attitude and motivation, it is a sure bet Madison will follow in her footsteps and work to protect the environment and our community.

It is unfortunate, but the children's Arbor Day activities scheduled for today have been cancelled due to the weather. I am sure there will be a make up day or at a least a seedling give a way at some point. Everyone please stay safe.

in the garden....enjoying the lovely snow.

Volunteers for Arbor Day

As is typical on Wednesday, you all get two posts. This post is about volunteer work and our community. I have done volunteered quite a bit over the last four years when I retired from the Army. I worked one year with John Ragan and Alan Brisendine of Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) one year. This was my most rewarding volunteer job. I also volunteered as a reading tutor for my son's fourth grade year at Woodlawn Elementary School. Mrs. Harmon was a super teacher to work with and I enjoyed all of the students and the school very much. Then I got involved with some gardeners and Karla. All this volunteer information is leading me to let you know about some upcoming events in our community where you may like to help out.

Two years ago I went through the Tennessee Tree Steward Course, taught by Karla Kean, who was at the time the Clarksville City Forester. I have remained involved in the Tree Steward Organization and am proud to be a certified Tennessee Tree Steward. The Jimster should also be one, though he didn't attend the training. I think of the Jimster because last night, at the Tree Steward class, where I had the opportunity to teach 15 motivated folks about site selection for urban trees, there was a very nice young lady attending the training with her grandparents. She was knowledgeable and able to show her care for the environment. Seeing this from kids makes me very happy.

Two summers ago when I had to complete my 25 volunteer hours in order to become a certified tree steward, the Jimster came down to Riverside Drive and aided me in pruning those Chinese Elms lining the road. He was so cute! Most people are familiar with this road and they know it as a VERY busy road. People would ride by and toot their horns at us. I didn't pay any attention, but the Jimster said, "They must be honking to thank us for helping out!" Out of the mouth of babes. I am not sure if this is why drivers were honking or not, it doesn't really matter, what does matter is how our community does care, even though it is not always obvious.

March is a good time for all gardeners to show their support for their community. The season isn't FULLY upon us, and there are great garden related activities going on you all might not be aware of. I am specifically speaking of Arbor Day activities.

Sterling Morton, a newspaper journalist from Nebraska is generally regarded to be the 'Father' of Arbor Day. He and his wife were nature lovers from Nebraska and began planting trees. He wrote many newspaper articles encouraging the planting of trees and in 1872 addressed the Nebraska State Board of Agriculture to enact a statewide holiday for planting trees. His proposal was adopted and Arbor Day came to be.

In 1875, Tennessee adopted an Arbor Day holiday as well. Initially it was to be the first Friday in April, but was changed to the first Friday in March in 1946. This law calls for educators, civic societies and government officials to create "a better understanding of nature and the importance of protecting wildlife, planting and cultivating flowers, and setting and protecting trees." States have adjusted their activities based on the best dates for planting trees in their own communities.(http://www.tennessee.gov/agriculture/forestry/arborday/history.html)

This year's celebration will take place at the Custom House Museum on Saturday between 10:30-12:30. There will be a tree seedling give away, and all sorts of children's activities, all sponsored by the Clarksville Tree Board. Then, on March 15 at 1:00 pm, there will be several large trees planted at Barker's Mill Elementary School. Volunteers are needed.

In preparation for the seedling give away on Saturday, several folks will be bagging seedlings at the Museum tomorrow between 3-5 pm. The Jimster and I will both be there to help (albeit a little late though because of school for him). It is the perfect opportunity to get together with other gardeners AND to have fun helping the community with its Arbor Day activities. Hope to see you all there! And you know what?! I think the Jimster just may have been right about those Clarksvillians honking their horns at us-they were saying thanks and hello at the same time! So for all you volunteers out there, I want to honk my horn at you and say thanks in advance!

in the garden....

Master Gardener Winter School

I recently traveled to Lebanon Tennessee with Karla Kean to teach a "Landscape Design" class to master gardeners from all across the state at the annual Master Gardener Winter Training. This post is about the training and the gardeners involved.

The Wilson County Extension office is located on the fairgrounds in Lebanon. This is also where all the training took place. The fairgrounds are attractive and interesting. They actually have a little town, complete with a schoolhouse, barber shop, stables, store and main street. Our particular class was taught in the schoolhouse.

Karla and I had 20 plus students in the landscape design session we taught. The students came from as far away as Roan Mountain and the Tri-Cities area in eastern Tennessee, to as close as Davidson and Cheatam counties right here in Middle Tennessee, and as far west as Jackson Tennessee. A wide range of all types of gardeners. Boy was I in heaven! Getting to be around gardeners!

Our class covered topics such as: landscape principles and elements, site assessment and analysis, the landscape plan on paper, symbols, and plants for Tennessee landscapes. In the afternoon, students were then broken down into five groups. Each group had to design a landscape by implementing the lessons they had learned in class that morning.

Groups chose garden designs as varied as a sensory garden, to an entryway garden, to a foundation bed, to a handicapped garden to a complete barber shop landscape design. Once the site was measured and evaluated, put on paper, plants chosen, and all agreed upon, groups were responsible for presenting their plans to the class.

The weather was absolutely awesome on Saturday and it was a great day to be outside designing landscapes. Lots of new friends were made, landscape designs completed and all passed with flying colors!

Beth Babbitt, Tennessee Master Gardener Program Coordinator is looking to make the winter training and annual event. So all of you master gardeners who may have missed out on this go around-you will have a second chance next year.

The first two pictures are of groups presenting their plan, the third picture is of Karla and I (Thank you Anna for taking it!), the fourth picture shows a group working outside, and the last picture shows some can do enthusiasm of a group working on their plan inside the schoolhouse.

in the garden....

Things Going On

Now that my weekly short Wednesday post is out of the way, I will add a few more notes on here that may be of interest to you readers.


First of all, last week while at the Perennial Plant Society meeting, Gail, a fellow garden blogger at http://clayandlimestone.blogspot.com/ said "I write the way I talk." What a good compliment. I am glad to write this way as I think talking to you all is more fun than talking at you all. I do this through my writing. But, I must say I CAN, when the opportunity requires, write in a business like manner as well. I mean after all, nearly 20 years of college DID teach me a few things. I write informally on here because I write this blog voluntarily, and I have found my little writing niche with writing the same way I speak. Writing does give me an added benefit speaking does not; that is I can edit it first!

I have always wanted to be a writer, and my writing has helped me throughout my Army career and life in general. I have had a few articles published, written a few nationally recognized Army awards, but not written a book. Some day I might. I have often heard it said you should write about your experiences and what interests you. Gardening is but one of my interests. I think Stephen King must live a pretty interesting life because of the way he writes. Don't you? Okay, enough of me for one day. Now on the real reason of this post.

There are two important happenings within the community that will be of interest to gardeners. The first is the 'mini' Master Gardener Course'. This course will start next week, and will be conducted weekly on the following dates: March 4, 11, 18 and 25. Class times are from 18:30-20:30 and the location is at the Madison Street United Methodist Church, 319 Madison Street. Cost is $40. Contact Karla Kean at 648-5725. She has extended the registration deadline to this Friday. Go sign up if you have ever had the curiosity to find out about the Master Gardener organization, but didn't want to commit to the full course! Subjects include a class on herbs; Diann Nance my January Gardener of the Month, will be an instructor. Be sure to say hello to her!

The second very important happening in the area is the Nashville Lawn and Garden Show at the State Fairgrounds in Nashville. More information can be found at: http://www.nashvillelawnandgardenshow.com/ The show will run from tomorrow through Sunday. It opens at 1000 each day and closes at 2000 each night, except Sunday, when it closes at 1700. Admission is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors, and $1 for children. Parking is free. Gerianne and I will be attending tomorrow. This will be my sixth year attending, and the third year with her. We have a great time and it is WELL worth the trip. There are many good speakers scheduled to speak, super vendors, and let's not forget about the 26-I say 26!-demonstration gardens-all indoors.

It has been awhile since I posted a picture of my home state of Maine. I know some enjoy them a bunch (Ginger). I find this picture to be a restful picture. It is typical of life in Maine. Stephen King lives in Maine not far from my sister, Dawn with Peaches. He writes often of real places in Maine, but you can see from the picture that Maine is rarely the scary place he makes it out to be.

in the garden....

Third Friday Workshops and PPS Meeting

February Perennial Plant Society Meeting

For general information about upcoming events; here is information on this month's Perennial Plant Society Meeting:

Program: Dear Deer, Please Don't Eat Here by Carolyn Hoyne

Time: 7:00 pm

Location: 5800 Hillsboro Road at the Hillsboro Church of Christ (temporary location change)

Carolyn will have a slide show presentation and a handout with a comprehensive list of plants to dissuade deer, as well as a recipe for a homemade deer repellent. She has been gardening with the deer for 15 years and has a great deal of experience with the pests.

TSU's Third Friday Schedule for 2008

Here is a schedule of the Third Friday Workshops and Field Days at TSU for all interested parties:

March 20: Fruit Crop Production

April 18: Communities in Urban Tree Planting

May 16: Organic Farming In-field Demonstrations

June 20: In-field Specialty Crops Demonstrations

July 18: Small Business Development

August 8: Small Farm Expo/Small Farmers Recognition Program

September 19: Rural Land Ownership

October 17: Fall Vegetable Field Day

November 21: Marketing and Economics of Agricultrual Enterprises

For further information you can contact: Bridgett Bush Collins at (615) 963-5833.

I will bring some brochures to Tuesday evening's meeting regarding the workshops for all interested.

As is typical when I post about the PPS, I have included a picture of my son. If you look closely at my cedar tree, near the top and to the right, you will see the Jimster way up high. To be young again.

in the garden....

Ornamental Turf Workshop

I attended an Ornamental and Turf Workshop in Nashville yesterday. It was very informational, interesting and kind of fun. I got to meet some new people and talk-guess what-gardening!



The workshop was geared more for commercial pesticide applicators, so I was a little out of place, but did learn a few things I found interesting.



The first is that in an effort to stop the spread of fire ants in Tennessee, many counties are quarantined, and new regulations affecting nursery owners and landscapers are due to take effect soon, if they haven't already. The regulations will basically require anyone in the landscape business to buy only certified plants. That is, basically the plants sold for use in landscapes must have been inspected and treated for pests prior to arriving in Tennessee.


I think most people do a good job of this and I hope the quarantine measures stop the spread of fire ants in Tennessee. The real problem, which is hard to regulate, is ordinary homeowners and gardeners bringing stuff up from the south where fire ants are known to be. I myself have been offered plants from down south in Alabama by some kind hearted and good intentioned gardeners. I kindly accepted their offer and then gave the plants to other friends in the south. Simply because I could not be sure there would not be fire ants mixed in with the soil. It really hurt me to do this, but I don't want to be responsible for inadvertantly carrying fire ants to my part of the country. A serious issue for all of us.


Another thing I learned, is that in order to hopefully control goose grass (the bane of my summer lawn), I should apply a pre-emergent herbicide in May. Normally, I do not use herbicides but have occasionally applied crabgrass preventer. Crabgrass preventer needs to be applied around the time forsythias are blooming. Crabgrass preventer will prevent goose grass from germinating as well as crabgrass, but only if applied at the right time. That is my problem. I will make a point of using crabgrass preventer in May because I need help with the goose grass that is out of control in my lawn, despite good cultural methods and five long years at attempting to eradicate it. I always make sure my pets are safely out of harm's way and only apply the lawn treatment within hours of a good rain in order to be sure it is watered in well. This helps reduce the toxic effects and maximize its intended benefit of keeping weeds-GOOSE GRASS-from growing.


Many of the classes were just interesting. The speakers were all good and lunch was delicious (probably a little too delicious). I did not know it but Tennessee State University (one of the two land grant universities in Tennessee) puts on these workshops once a month, always on the third Friday. There are many varied subjects and I am planning to attend a few more during the year. Just some of the subjects they are planning to teach are: Organic growing, The Urban Forest and Communities, Field Days, Fruit Management, etc. The picture is of the John E. Farrell Building at Tennessee State University in Nashville. I found the college campus with no problems and thought the campus was quite beautiful. It was very nicely landscaped.


I am not done posting on lawns, and will prepare a more in depth post soon on how to manage lawns. I do love my lawn, but it is challenging and still requires work. I think more than one post on lawns will be required, as so much goes into maintaining a healthy lawn that you just can't fit it all in one post.


in the garden....

Two Rivers Tree Alliance (TRTA)

I am betting most of Clarksville does not even know what Two Rivers Tree Alliance (TRTA) is or does, or has even heard of it. Maybe you all can help get the word out. The TRTA is a fairly new and loosely formed group of dedicated individuals who love trees. They try to educate the public on the value of trees, sponsor tree activities, work with the Clarksville Tree Board, the Extension Agent (Karla Kean) and the Clarksville City Forester, and are an information network of informed individuals willing to help the public with specific problems concerning trees.

The majority of the active members in this organization are Tennessee Citizen Foresters. To become a citizen forester you must attend 40 hours of training and complete a 25 hour volunteer requirement within one year of completing the training.

Citizen foresters are normal citizens, we just have a little more training to go with our passion for living things and trees in particular. There are some really dedicated people in this organization but they need more interest and involvment to truly make a big difference in Clarksville. A big difference that most people don't even recognize, but I guarantee you that if all the trees in Clarksville were cut down, citizens would take notice. Conversely, planting more trees (the right one in the right place) and beautifying the city and county are going to make a big difference too. The difference may be subtle but newcomers and long time residents will subconsciously appreciate landscaping and shade and beauty and be more likely to resettle here and stay here for the longterm. Trees are important but without some guidance their importance may turn into a negative item, such as with topping or blocking or destroying roads and homes and power lines. Citizen foresters help to ensure trees do not become problems while espousing their uses in our community. For more information about the Tennessee Urban Forestry Program click on the following link:

http://www.tufc.com/winter08.pdf to read their newsletter.

There is a meeting of TRTA scheduled Tuesday, 29 January 2008 at 6:30 pm at the extension office on Cumberland Road. Karla Kean is a point of contact for information and can be reached at 648-5725. Additionally, this year's training to become a good tree citizen is scheduled to begin February 12-March 11 from 6:30-8:30 pm at the extension office. Classes are held on Tuesday weekly, but in case of imclement weather which forces the Montgomery County School System to close, classes will also be cancelled. Karla is currently accepting registrations. Cost of the classes is $50 which includes all study materials AND an excellent Tree Field Guide. The field guide alone costs approximately $30 so you are getting a deal to get the lectures too! Go sign up and spread the word around. Citizens from surrounding counties (and I am sure states) are welcomed.

in the garden....

Perennial Plant Society and Cheekwood Botanical Gardens

Being a passionate gardener and one who wants to continually learn, I have discovered a good learning resource and great networking society right here in middle Tennessee. It is the Perennial Plant Society (PPS). I was at a local nursery one day when the owner (Karen) suggested I join the PPS and she gave me an application (above). I have been a member for over three years now and have gained invaluable knowledge and a great variety of plants for my garden.

The society meets every third Tuesday at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens in Nashville (Except for December and June). Social hour begins at 6:30 pm and the actual meeting starts at 7:00 pm. Programs vary from subjects as diverse as camelias in the garden to hardscaping. Nationally known speakers come from all over the country to speak at these meetings. To mention just a few: Carol Reese from Jackson, Tennessee and Felder Rushing (featured in Southern Living Magazine). The speakers are always very informative and usually witty. Members of the society number over 200 and the meetings have excellent attendance each month. As an added bonus, members bring plants to swap each meeting. Some gems I have gained for my garden include: Red Hot Pokers, Colombines, Fairy Rose and Sweet Autumn Clematis. I think as of now only two members of the PPS are from Clarksville, that is my friend Gerrianne and myself. The reason may be because it is a long way to drive and perhaps not enough people in Clarksville know about this society. I am including a copy of the membership application if anyone is interested in joining. Membership dues are $15 per year and this is a real bargain for the monthly speaking programs, plant swaps, garden tours and annual plant sale.

This month's speaker is Karen Angelucci, author of Secrets of Tennessee Gardening (A 12 month road map to gardening success). The meeting is Tuesday, October 16th at Cheekwood so come and visit.

While talking about PPS I would be negligent in not mentioning Cheekwood. Cheekwood is a local treasure we here in Clarksville have easy access to. Cheekwood also offers a 50% discount to military families so the entry fee is very minimal. One can easily spend several hours touring the grounds and gardens, not to mention the mansion which is open to the public. Here is a picture of Jimmy on one of the porticos sitting next to a Wisteria vine. Note the girth on this wisteria! It was beautiful and I sure would like to see it in bloom next spring. We shall see. Cheekwood is host to a number of societies and information can be found on their website. Additionally, each year Cheekwood features a "kid exhibit". One year it was mazes and another birdhouses. I think it is fairytale settings this year. Check it out!

in the garden....