
Save the Date!

The meeting will be held Tuesday, October 17th at 6pm, at the Loeb Center of Old Alabama Town.
The ‘Mermaid Marcelline’ was done by the Boy Scout Venturing Crew 23.
The standing blue-shirted farmer guy was made by Tom and his family…kinda looks like Tom.
Done by the Mara’s.
The Sicke Family (2nd), was done by Jane McCarthy.
Susan OConnor (Capital City Master Gardener-Montgomery) did Ooh La La.
The sitting man and dog was done by the Capital City Master Gardeners-Montgomery.
Yogi Rosemary done by Jane McCarthy.
The Impatient Bride (1st Place) was done by Jane McCarthy.
The sitting ‘Ask A Master Gardener’ scarecrow was done by Sandy Rosamond (Central Alabama Master Gardener.
“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!
Join us on Tuesday, June 21st for the Installation of Officers for 2016-2017 Old Alabama Town Herb Society. Thank you to the officers for the coming year- President Duane Mara; Vice-President TBD; Treasurer Maxine Taylor; Secretary Christine Robinson; Corresponding Secretary Marsha Allison. Jane McCarthy will conduct the installation ceremony. The meeting will be held in the herb gardens of Old Alabama Town (where Herb Day is held). Parking on Jefferson, enter through the gate mid-block. Bring a chair. We will have a short business meeting. Following the installation of officers Jane will give a demonstration on propagating herbs. Bring an empty water bottle (16 oz. to 2 liter and a cutter). Volunteers to bring refreshments are Carolyn Gomillion, Ann Hamill, new members Yma Carrington and Kathy Quinn. No door prizes this month. See you there!
Put some color in your life! Learn about beautiful natural dye colors from plants. Join us at the Old Alabama Town Herb Society Meeting on Tuesday, February 16, 2016, 6:00 pm., the Loeb Center at OAT. Barbara Hightower traveled to Scotland’s Shetland Islands last fall for Wool Week. While there, she took a class on using natural dyes from plants. Her presentation will cover highlights of what was covered in the class. Barbara is recently retired, a member of both OATHS and the South Alabama Fiber Enthusiasts Guild and on the fast track to explore the world of fiber, especially Tunisian Crochet and spinning. Ask her about it! Members bring your Mardi Gras Herbal dish to share during Potluck meal time.
We have received more photos of Herb Day 2015!
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