Summer 2018


In this Issue:

  • Farmers Markets

  • Kathy Parent is Retiring

  • Master Gardener Extension Volunteer Teacher Training

  • Tech Wizard

  • Farm Friends is Quickly Approaching

  • 2018 Master Gardener Extension Volunteer Graduating Class

  • Arbor Day was a Success

  • Roses are Worth the Extra Effort

  • Events and Classes

  • Mosquito Prevention
Greetings!

Summer is here and we welcome you to the UGA Extension Gwinnett quarterly newsletter.

Articles come from our Extension agents to heighten awareness of summer activities in Georgia.  

We hope that you enjoy reading this e-publication. Please help spread the word about everything we have to offer here at
UGA Extension Gwinnett. 
Visit with the Master Gardeners at your local
Farmers Market this Summer

   
Congratulations Kathy Parent!
We would like to congratulate our ANR Program Assistant, Kathy Parent for receiving a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for her thirty years of service as a Master Gardener Extension Volunteer. Kathy will be retiring in August of this year after twenty years of service as a Gwinnett County employee.

We can't thank her enough for all of her time, hard work, dedication and love as our Master Gardener Coordinator. Kathy has contributed so much to our Extension staff and our customers. She will be sorely missed.

Congratulations Kathy -- we wish you all the best in this next adventure in life!
Master Gardener Extension Volunteer Teacher Training
for Gwinnett County Teachers
Agriculture and Natural Resources staff, Kim Fritz (far right), Program Assistant and Tim Daly, County Agent, recently collaborated with UGA Specialists, Gwinnett County Master Gardeners and Gwinnett Technical College to offer the Georgia Master Gardener Extension Volunteer training to 15 Gwinnett County teachers. The training was designed to enhance the horticulture knowledge of teachers who want to incorporate school-based demonstration gardens in teaching the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) curriculum to their students.
Have you always wanted to sharpen up your computer skills or learn the social media platform? The Tech Wizard classes that are offered in July are just for you. These classes are taught by our 4-H students. Learning will be interactive and fun! Click the banner above for all the details.
Mark Your Calendars for
4-H Farm Friends Exhibit


Meet us at the big red barn at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds! Come interact with animals and explore farmlife activities.

  • Watch the playful goats romp in the barnyard
  • Milk our wooden sawhorse cow Daisy
  • Feel the soft fur of young bunnies
  • Try your hand at barnyard trivia

For the dates and times open to the general public, click here .

We invite all daycare centers to reserve a time for a special group tour of Farm Friends. Contact Barbara Larson at [email protected]. For any additional questions, contact our office at 678.377.4010.


Congrats Class of 2018

Our Gwinnett County Master Gardener Extension Volunteer (Winter session) Class of 2018 caught during mid-session for a photo-op. Currently, all have completed their training and are
working towards their 50-hour
volunteer requirement for their Master
Gardener certification.
Alex Velker (left) and Kim Fritz (right) trying to wrap their arms around a large tree in Little Mulberry Park.
Arbor Day
In celebration of the Gwinnett County Bicentennial and in recognition of Arbor Day, UGA Extension Gwinnett collaborated with the Natural & Cultural Resource Management (NCRM)/Parks and Recreation team, the Horticulture Department at Gwinnett Technical College and Master Gardener Extension Volunteers on an Arbor Day event held on Saturday, April 28. Educational booths were set up outdoors under native trees (about 150 years old) with information on how trees help the environment at four Gwinnett parks; Best Friend, Little Mulberry, McDaniel Farm and Isaac Adair. Those interested were able to “vote” for their favorite native tree. Free saplings were also offered to those interested in planting a tree at home.
Nathan Gruel (left) and Susan Varlamoff (right) showing their love
for trees at Best Friend Park.
Roses are Worth the Extra Effort           
  Roses are one of the most popular garden flowers. Roses come in a multitude of colors, shapes, and sizes with over 6,000 cultivated varieties. They generally require a higher level of care than most other garden plants, but the results are worth the extra effort.
Roses require full sun and well-drained soil. The fall and winter months are the best time for planting. Roses should be planted in holes that are twice the size of the root ball and no deeper than the top of it. Then apply a two to four-inch layer of mulch to the ground beneath the plants. They should be thoroughly watered once a week with the water penetrating deeply into the root zone. Once established, apply three tablespoons of all-purpose fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, to each plant monthly during the growing season. Distribute it in a circular pattern on the ground around the plants.
In general, roses should be pruned in late winter before new growth appears in spring to help promote increased blooming. Use sharp pruning tools and make the cuts just above the buds.
Several pests trouble roses. Aphids and spider mites are frequently a problem. Avoid applying excessive amounts of fertilizer since this will encourage the production of lush, new growth that is attractive to these insects. Black spot fungal disease causes discoloration and leaf drop. To reduce the likelihood of infection, make sure the roses are planted three to five feet apart to allow for adequate air circulation.
If you are willing to do a little extra work in your garden, roses will produce attractive, colorful blooms throughout the growing season. Their display of beauty is why roses are among the most favorite of garden plants.
Timothy Daly is the agricultural and natural resource agent with UGA Extension Gwinnett and can be reached at [email protected]  or 678.377.4010.    
Events and Classes

Mosquito Control for Homeowners

July 24
6:30pm to 7:30pm 
Free! Learn from Tim Daly, UGA Extension Agent, on how to keep annoying mosquitos at bay. The class will be held in the second floor conference room of the Gwinnett County Government Annex Building, 750 S. Perry Street, Lawrenceville. Pre-register by July 23 at [email protected] or 678.377.4010.
Join Our 4-H Kickoff!

August 18
10:30am to 1:00pm
4-H is a youth development program provided by UGA Extension Gwinnett for boys and girls, grades K-12. It is a program designed with kids in mind, focused on peer support rather than peer pressure. The program is open to anyone. No dues or uniforms are required.

4-H offers an array of leadership development and learning opportunities for young people, such as Horse Club, forestry, public speaking, Life Smarts, Tech Wizards mentor program, Team S.A.F.E., environmental awareness, volunteerism, and outdoor adventures at Camp Rock Eagle.

This fun event will be located at Alexander Park at 800 Old Snellville Highway, Lawrenceville. Questions?Contact our office at 678.377.4010.
Preventing Mosquito Infestation Might Be Easier Than You Think
UGA Extension Gwinnett offers educational programs, assistance and materials to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, sex or disability. An equal opportunity/affirmative action organization committed to a diverse workforce.