This is how we spend some of our time

Very Successful Plant Sale April 25, 2009 Click any image for a larger view
Our plant sale was held in the Heart of the City Park on a beautiful spring day and was well-attended by the public. (Photos by Jay Reichard.)
President Shelly Co-chairman Connie Hard-working Katie
Trailers full of flowers (far right, standing) Co-chairman and cashier Vickie
Workday on Saturday, April 4, 2009 -- Heart of the City Park and Hwy 80 Click any image for a larger view
For Texas Trash Off Day, Master Gardeners pulled double-duty doing spring cleaning at Heart of the City Park and at Hwy-80 at I-20. We picked up trash, weeded, cleaned out the beds, and generally made the areas ready for spring to burst forth. Now, as soon as we get some much needed rain.....
Before and after: Lantana and Mexican Petunia bed. Far right: Did we mention it was a windy day?
Before and after: Lily bed. Far right: The work crew.
Before and after: Turk's cap and Canna lily bed. Far right: Wally and Robert at the Hwy 80 bed.
Before and after: Spanish Broom and canna lily bed. Far right: Wally contemplates life and weeds.
Continuation of the Courthouse Beautification, Big Spring Click any image for a larger view
Master Gardeners were invited to participate in the planting of over 600 plants on the west, south, and north sides of the Howard County Courthouse on April 19. 2008. With lots of volunteers, water, donuts, and elbow grease, the planting was completed by 1pm. Our thanks to Master Gardener Walter Ward for creating the design, ordering the plants, and organizing the project. (Click any image for a larger view.)
Master Gardeners lend an experienced hand (and back) amending soil, planting, and mulching beds.
Plenty of kids joined in and learned about planting depths, spacing, roots, and tip-toeing through the beds.
Many hands made the work easier. Spouses, friends, and passersby got wrangled into the fun.
All done. The sign on the Courthouse lawn thanks the helpers.
The Black Foot Daisy bed, the Sedum bed, and new Purple Heart edges an existing bed of ornamental grasses.
The sunny rose bed; Purple Heart and Ajuga share a bed in dappled light; and Columbines snuggle into the shade.
Disassembly of Coahoma High School Greenhouse Click any image for a larger view
The Coahoma High School greenhouse was funded years ago by the Master Gardeners. Current campus expansion dictated the greenhouse must go. On November 17, 2007, we began disassembling the structure with the hopes of reassembling it in the future on a site of our own. (Click any image for a larger view.)
A long side of the greenhouse -- before and after. Far right: The tired crew.
Before and after. Far right: the interior of the greenhouse.
Master Gardeners work hard to salvage what we can.
Our future greenhouse will facilitate our ability to teach the public about horticulture in our West Texas environment.
Howard County Courthouse Beautification, Big Spring Click any image for a larger view
Master Gardeners were invited to participate in the rejuvenation of the Courthouse grounds. Phase 1 involved the War Memorial area on the east side of the building on September 22, 2007. Master Gardeners planned, selected, and installed new plantings, while Keep Big Spring Beautiful volunteers painted the terraces and surrounding walls. (Click any image for a larger view.)
The east entry before and after. Far right: The workers.
Improving the terraces. What a difference a coat of paint and some healthy plants make!
Trailing Rosemary was planted in the lower terrace. Liriope was transplanted in front of the upper terrace. A border of English Ivy was planted inside the surrounding walls.
Compost and mulch will be added shortly. The remaining grounds will be updated later in the fall and winter.
Heart of the City Park, Big Spring (on-going project) Click any image for a larger view
Heart of the City Park, on the corner of 4th and Main in Big Spring, is tended by the Master Gardeners. Mexican petunias (purple) mingle with lantana (yellow).
Butterfly bush (with closeup). Lantana (yellow).
Turk's cap (red) behind Russian sage and flanked by canna lilies (yellow, far right).
Artemesia (sprawling and closeup). Broom with canna lilies.
	(c) 2007 - 2010 Howard County Master Gardeners