(Zinnias got a little taller than they should have, but with all this rain it’s been hard to find time to plant them. They’re doing fine though).
I got all my zinnias and African daisies planted plus several hundred zinnia seeds I have saved from last year. (I have lots more zinnia seeds to plant). This rain is unreal. I need to paint outside next to the carport, but it is supposed to begin raining again about noon. I wish it could stop for a awhile. I have a problem with my chickens as they simply jump or fly over the fence and dig around in the raised beds. Meaning my watermelon and cantaloupes are gone. I should have saved a few and tried in the greenhouse. I have lots of peppers I could set out but I’m afraid they would suffer the same fate. I need to find some things the chickens won’t eat.
I still have areas to weed and plant along Jefferson Avenue, especially some cucumbers and tomatoes. The big project is in the back yard. I need to finish digging up grass and putting down straw. With all this rain the open areas turn to mud. Also, the thirty plus lamium yellow archangel plants to be planted in the back for groundcover need to be planted as they are growing rather quickly in the greenhouse and need to be planted.
I am dropping off the following letter to Kelly McGowen who heads the Master Gardening program at the Botanical Center regarding their Emeritus program I have been encouraged to pursue. I am honored to be a part of such a prestigious group.
May 7, 2025
Hi Kelly,
You may recall our conversation at the plant sale about the emeritus master garden program. I would like to apply for this program. I recall you said it required ten years of being a master gardener and we could apply previous time spent in other programs.
Enclosed is the master gardener certificate from the University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program that was issued in July 1995. I was also certified by the Massachusetts Horticultural Society as a Master Gardener in 1994. I have worn the pin a couple times at our meetings but can’t find it now. I’m still looking for it…
When I was in Florida and worked as the Neighborhood Specialist in Boynton Beach from 2000 to 2005, I worked with the county and Mounts Botanical Gardens master gardener program to provide money and space for the extension of community gardens in our city and worked with the Palm Beach County master gardening program for many years. They wanted me to help to teach/take the master gardening class, but I left the city and started traveling and teaching in China.
I have been active here in Greene County as a master gardener since 2021. I look forward to continuing in the emeritus program as we discussed. I hope this will verify that I have been active supporting the master gardening programs for over thirty years. Thank you.
Dan DeCarlo 1956 S Jefferson Ave Springfield, MO 65807
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