The History of our Union County Extension Master Gardener Teaching Gardens
The Teaching Gardens of the Union County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Association are located on the campus of the Union County Agricultural Center. Construction on our gardens began in 2008 and we continue to maintain existing gardens and develop new beds.
While we have had help and cooperation of the directors and staff of the Ag Center through the years, it was through the vision of our master gardeners, together with retired Union County Horticultural Agent, Jeff Rieves, that the gardens were conceived and built.
The support of Union County government and the City of Monroe is invaluable as are the contributions of individuals and businesses who have donated to its development.
Nestled between woods and open fields, the gardens provide diverse habitats for continuing education and enjoyment.
2001
Union County Master Gardeners toured the greenhouse at Turning Leaf Farm, Waxhaw, NC, owned by John Treese. Forward to 2005.
2005
John Treese moved back to California and generously donated his greenhouse to the NC Extension Service and Union County Master Gardeners. The total area is 3000 sq. ft., one half of which is currently erected. Its estimated value is $12,000. The greenhouse was removed from Turning Leaf Farm in August 2005 and, with help from then director Jerry Simpson, was stored in the Union County warehouse in Waxhaw.
2007
After the transition of horticultural agents, work began in earnest to locate the greenhouse and plan on its inclusion on the current site of the Teaching Gardens - given for use to the UCEMGs by the county. Jeff Rieves developed the SIMPLE program and a Teaching Garden plan which was formally adopted by the UCEMG's. Committees were established for the Greenhouse, Woodland and Demonstration Gardens and Composting Exhibit. In the true spirit of a teaching garden, "the plan" is
continually revised!
While we have had help and cooperation of the directors and staff of the Ag Center through the years, it was through the vision of our master gardeners, together with retired Union County Horticultural Agent, Jeff Rieves, that the gardens were conceived and built.
The support of Union County government and the City of Monroe is invaluable as are the contributions of individuals and businesses who have donated to its development.
Nestled between woods and open fields, the gardens provide diverse habitats for continuing education and enjoyment.
2001
Union County Master Gardeners toured the greenhouse at Turning Leaf Farm, Waxhaw, NC, owned by John Treese. Forward to 2005.
2005
John Treese moved back to California and generously donated his greenhouse to the NC Extension Service and Union County Master Gardeners. The total area is 3000 sq. ft., one half of which is currently erected. Its estimated value is $12,000. The greenhouse was removed from Turning Leaf Farm in August 2005 and, with help from then director Jerry Simpson, was stored in the Union County warehouse in Waxhaw.
2007
After the transition of horticultural agents, work began in earnest to locate the greenhouse and plan on its inclusion on the current site of the Teaching Gardens - given for use to the UCEMGs by the county. Jeff Rieves developed the SIMPLE program and a Teaching Garden plan which was formally adopted by the UCEMG's. Committees were established for the Greenhouse, Woodland and Demonstration Gardens and Composting Exhibit. In the true spirit of a teaching garden, "the plan" is
continually revised!
2008
In the heat of summer, the Treese Greenhouse framing was removed from storage and erected on site of the Teaching Gardens at the Union County Agricultural Center.
• Philip Austin Grading generously donated the equipment and labor to prepare the site.
• Precision Plumbing donated the initial plumbing work to provide water to the gardens.
• Union County provided assistance with maintenance of the greenhouse heat and ventilation systems.
• Additional donations to the greenhouse/nursery included low plant tables from Rachel MacDonald and high tables from Copper Creek.
• In the fall, the first Compost Demonstration area was established in the middle of what is now the Cottage Garden. Various types of purchased and homemade bins were used. Master Gardeners, with the help of Brian Rosa, State compost specialist, held the first class in the garden.
• The Cottage Garden committee was formed from members of the class of 2008. The design for the beds was completed and transferred to the garden site.
In the heat of summer, the Treese Greenhouse framing was removed from storage and erected on site of the Teaching Gardens at the Union County Agricultural Center.
• Philip Austin Grading generously donated the equipment and labor to prepare the site.
• Precision Plumbing donated the initial plumbing work to provide water to the gardens.
• Union County provided assistance with maintenance of the greenhouse heat and ventilation systems.
• Additional donations to the greenhouse/nursery included low plant tables from Rachel MacDonald and high tables from Copper Creek.
• In the fall, the first Compost Demonstration area was established in the middle of what is now the Cottage Garden. Various types of purchased and homemade bins were used. Master Gardeners, with the help of Brian Rosa, State compost specialist, held the first class in the garden.
• The Cottage Garden committee was formed from members of the class of 2008. The design for the beds was completed and transferred to the garden site.
2008 Erecting the Greenhouse
2009 Cottage Garden
• Late winter/Early spring – 2 lasagna beds were prepared using recycled newspaper, cardboard and leaves from the City of Monroe fall clean up. By the fall 2009, these beds were ready for planting.
• Summer – 4 additional beds were tilled and Super Blend soil mix purchased. The total planting area was now approximately 3000 sq. ft.
• A bench/arbor donated by the Monroe Garden Club was added to the back of the garden and shortly moved to its present location, at the front of the garden.
• Summer – 4 additional beds were tilled and Super Blend soil mix purchased. The total planting area was now approximately 3000 sq. ft.
• A bench/arbor donated by the Monroe Garden Club was added to the back of the garden and shortly moved to its present location, at the front of the garden.
• On the weekend of Oct. 3, 2009, 10 master gardeners traveled to the home of Tom and Mary Rieves, in Meadows of Dan, to dig plants for the cottage and woodland gardens. All were donated from the Rieves' family gardens and many had been saved from former Union County Extension Horticulture Agent, Jeff Rieives' nursery business.
• Planting began in the Cottage Garden, on Oct. 7, with plants donated by the Rieves family, Golden Leaf Nursery, the Ag Center campus, and Union County Master Gardener Volunteers.
• On Oct. 9, planting began in the Woodland Garden area, adjacent to the Cottage Garden.
• Blueberries were planted to anchor the Fruit and Vegetable Bed F.
• The initial planting of bulbs in bed C was completed on Nov. 7.
• A variety of mulch was added to the beds. We quickly concluded that pine straw was not practical, and removed it the following spring. Our own compost and leaf mulch from the City of Monroe are now used exclusively in our beds.
|
2010: Woodland Gardens
2011: Woodland Garden
2012: Woodland Garden
2013: Woodland Garden
|
2010-2012: Woodland Garden
Although the original planting began in fall 2009, the Woodland Garden that exists today was designed and begun in the fall of 2010. Through the summer of 2011 much work was concentrated in the areas of the culvert and dry creek bed. The culvert was cleaned out, grasses planted, large rocks added and a new entry to the Woodland Garden opened. From there the creek bed was lined with rocks and large bamboo poles cut and placed in successive arcs to help slow the rain and storm water flow and, finally, a boardwalk was built to cross over the creek bed. Beds were designed and pathways laid out using our proven "lasagna" method. • Heading up the slope of the woodland, a Fairy Garden was installed with a stepping stump playground, a cedar tabletop and sitting area. • A winter interest garden was planted. Trees have been added to the area where the woodland transitions to sunny hillside. • Clean up of the wooded area between the Cottage and Woodland gardens provided cedar posts and beams for the future Woodland Arbor. Once done, a space was made for a bench donated by the family of Eunice Marsh. • All the beds have been developed with plants and trees which grow well in Union County and are suited for their location in the garden. |
2010: Cottage Garden
2011: Cottage Garden
2012: Cottage Garden
2013: Cottage Garden
|
2010-2012 Additional Changes and Updates• Addition of plants and donations from our 'wish list' continue. With each plant sale more donated and purchased plants have been added. A complete list of plants is on our database.
• Virginia Frazier at 'Adventures in Herbs' continues to donate from her vast herb collection. • In September 2011 we became a National Wildlife Federation (NWF) Certified Wildlife Habitat. • Permanent signage was ordered for the Teaching Gardens, Woodland and Cottage Gardens and the Greenhouse in the winter of 2012. • The present Cottage Garden consists of six beds (A-F), a White Bed, a water bath garden and two back beds which are under development (G and H). They total approx. 3500 sq. ft. Additionally, a rain garden is under development with land donated by Union County. • In 2012, the Union County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Association began the agreement process with Union County to fund a storage building on the Teaching Garden campus. • Unused greenhouse framing was erected with donated equipment. It supports shade cloth for outdoor nursery plants and allows all the nursery needs to be served in one location. • Split rail fencing was donated by Teresa Griffin, at Matthews Fence, to enclose the perimeter of the Teaching Garden, as well as, the Compost Demonstration and the 4-H gardens. • Whitley's Garden Supply donated a much needed lawn mower for the gardens. • Benches were strategically placed for visitors and master gardener volunteers needing a rest. • The arbor was constructed on the hillside with a bench that faces all areas of the gardens. • Additional bulbs, trees and ornamentals, as well as, sculptural elements have been added to the garden. • Bricks donated by Bill and Joan Newton were used to create an entry walkway. We are grateful to Pine Lake Nursery for donating the remaining supplies for its completion. |
|
COMPOSTING:
VEGETABLE GARDEN:
|
2012: Compost Demonstration Following the clean-up of the garden perimeter by the 'brush monster', members of the class of 2012 have redeveloped our compost demonstration area, in a permanent location, at the rear of the Cottage Garden beds. 4-H Fruitful Garden 2012: Union County 4-Hers and their parents, with advisement from former Union County Extension Horticulture Agent, Jeff Rieves, created a Fruitful Garden composed of raised beds complete with irrigation. Located at the top of the hill from the Teaching Garden, the split rail fencing outlines its borders. Already producing a vegetable crop, it will soon include berries and fruit trees. * * * * * Our Note of Appreciation: The Union County Extension Master Gardeners truly appreciate all the resources that have been donated to these gardens. However, without the thousands of volunteer hours planting and maintaining the gardens and the tireless work of those involved in our plant sales, which help support capital expenditures, these gardens would not be possible. |