There will be no meetings at our regular time and place, for the months of November and December.
There will be special meetings, so stay tuned for more info!
There will be no meetings at our regular time and place, for the months of November and December.
There will be special meetings, so stay tuned for more info!
The meeting will be held Tuesday, October 17th at 6pm, at the Loeb Center of Old Alabama Town.
“Over six years ago I decided I was going to do some landscaping at my new home. I had never heard of permaculture design nor did I know just how awful my soil was at the time. It turns out a sandy hill void of topsoil comes with challenges. Adding to those challenges was the high acidity from all the surrounding pine trees that are a staple in southern monoculture forestry land. So without much observation I dug six holes and filled them using four encore azaleas and two peach trees. The peach trees I planted almost immediately died regardless of the care I gave. By the next year all but two of the azaleas followed suit and decided not to live. With such a low return on investment I stopped planting. I stopped trying to grow. It did not make sense to buy more plants just to watch them die…That’s when the idea of making the problem the solution made sense and applying this new way of thinking to my life and plantings began to close the loop of my well being. Now I spend a lot of time, energy, and money creating great soil. I no longer see it as a liability but rather as a priceless asset.”
The ‘Herb Society of America’ has selected the much maligned ‘Goldenrod’ as the “Herbal Shrub of the Year for 2017.” Debbie will enlighten us concerning the medicinal properties and cultural significance of this lovely gift of nature.
Debbie Boutelier is Alabama’s own precious resource on ‘all things herbal.’ She has extensive horticultural background – former Autauga Count Extension Agent, Alabama Master Gardener, over ten years study in uses of medicinal herbs, and completed a three year intensive study of the medicinal aspects of herbs at the Appalachian Center of Natural Health. She teaches nationally and gives many seminars on organic gardening, nutrition, the many aspects of herbs, and other garden-related topics.
Debbie was an early member of the ‘Old Alabama Town Herb Society’ and we are proud to call her our friend.
Please join us for light refreshments and an evening of delighting in Herbs with Debbie Boutelier!
- Wednesday, November 2, 6:00 p.m., (in lieu of regular meeting) dinner by Chef Michael at Capitol City Club (details to follow from President Duane).
- Saturday, November 19, 8:00 a.m., (in lieu of regular meeting) take down scarecrows at Old Alabama Town; volunteers needed.
- Saturday, December 10, 8:00 a.m., (in lieu of regular meeting) hanging of Christmas decorations at Old Alabama Town. Only natural materials to be used; please plan to participate.
The next meeting is Tuesday, August 16, 6:00 p.m., at the Loeb Center in Old Alabama Town. Program Speaker/Topic: Tom Evans, Planting the Fall Herb Garden.
Join us on Tuesday, July 19, at 6:00 p.m.at the Loeb Center at Old Alabama Town for the monthly meeting. Bring your ideas and suggestions for the coming year to make plans for the best year ever!
Be thinking of the committees you want to assist and which herb garden team you plan to join. It’s the beginning of our fiscal year and dues are due if you haven’t already paid.
Refreshments will be served and bring an item for the door prize.
At the Tuesday evening meeting Jane McCarthy and Ann Hamill conducted the induction ceremony for new officers of Old Alabama Town Herb Society for 2016-2017, using the language of plants for each officer’s purpose. Those present were President Duane “Duck” Mara, Secretary Christine Robinson, and Treasurer Maxine Taylor. After the induction, Jane McCarthy gave a demonstration of propagating plants and a walking tour of the OATHS herb gardens.