- Author: Toni Greer
As a new Master Gardener we have a large amount of opportunities available in which to participate. Whether it is volunteering within our individual communities or working to continue our education we could stay and be as active as desired.
This was my first time working as part of the team helping to create the Fair's entrance garden for the competition gardens as well as the amateur garden entry for competition. This year the theme was “Cruising The County”. The soil and boxes were provided, but the rest was left up to us. The prep work was started several weeks ago with the planning meetings, painting, building and so on.
The first garden which the visitors were greeted with was the Solano County Fair entrance garden. Whether it's the post with our individual community arrow signs sitting slightly askew, the mural with the airplane, rolling hills and grapevines, or the WONDERFUL borrowed sculpture by Phil Glashoff (A GIRL ON A PEDAL CAR) the goal was to envision driving down one of our many beautiful county lanes and off into the hills. The mural and signs were hand created, with guidance from Master Gardener Kathy Gunther, by Master Gardeners. Such fun it was! Verbena, Russian sage, lantana, crepe myrtle trees, as well as additional, sage varietals helped to create the perfect invitation to learn about Solano County. It's been many hours since I was working in that garden, yet I'm still smelling the fragrance of Russian sage in my hair. That's what happens when you use your hands as your trowel to plant the pots!
The Master Gardener amateur garden (competition garden) consisted of an arbor and fence (built on site), potting bench, water feature as well as an adorable truck to haul whatever is needed for a garden. The truck is loaded with plants giving the appearance of a delivery waiting to be planted. With its many pieces of functional garden art and plants the Master Gardener garden draws the visitors eyes to many colors and sites. It's a delight to all. The potting bench, truck and water feature were built by Master Gardener, Dave Harper. It was wonderful having the MG men and my “volunteered” husband with us to do the construction of all of the above.
This truly was a group project which required many minds, hands, backs and opinions! As a new M.G., it is something that I will volunteer to assist in again next year.