Volunteering at the Smith Gilbert Gardens

[Vin]

Repotting season! That just made my butt pucker as I realized that I better start mixing my soil for the year.

 

[Dav4]

Repotting season! That just made my butt pucker as I realized that I better start mixing my soil for the year.

Yeah, it's coming. It's 19 F in my yard right now but I know I'll be re-potting in a month or so... too cold to be mixing soil outside so I'll be in the garage building wooden training boxes.

 

[Dav4]

Some repotting today, including this very large cedar elm.

 

[Dav4]

A few others were repotted or pruned, including this hackberry, trident, Chinese elm, and podocarpus

 

[coachspinks]

When does the exhibit open this spring?

 

[Dav4]

When does the exhibit open this spring?

I asked today... was told either some time in March or early April.

 

[JudyB]

Giant trees! That is a lot of work.

 

[Adair M]

I asked today... was told either some time in March or early April.

Dave, obviously I can’t tell from the pictures of what the final root balls looked like before they were put back in their pots, but in general, all the root balls are too thick. More should be taken off the bottoms of the rootballs.

 

[Dav4]

Dave, obviously I can’t tell from the pictures of what the final root balls looked like before they were put back in their pots, but in general, all the root balls are too thick. More should be taken off the bottoms of the rootballs.

Generally, I would agree, and the root balls were reduced somewhat more after the pictures were taken. Fwiw, many of these trees were in the Marchal collection and hadn't been re-potted in some time. They're big, old trees and weren't all in the best of health. Also, the volunteer group only meets once a month. We planned on getting more done in January but most of the root balls were frozen solid, and by the time the March meeting day roles around, it'll probably be too late to do any deciduous trees... we re-potted EIGHT very large trees yesterday, moving them into better soil and better pots. Honestly Adair, considering everything, I think the group nailed it yesterday.

 

[atlarsenal]

Pinched Trident forest last month.

I should have got a pic of it yesterday, it’s looking spectacular!

Pinched an amazing Elm yesterday!

Opening day for the Bonsai Garden and it’s looking great! If you are in the area you should make a point to visit the garden and see some amazing trees. The annual plant sale is April 28th.

 

[coachspinks]

I was there last weekend. The trees looked great!

 

[atlarsenal]

Pruned a very cool Hop-hornbeam today at Smith Gilbert gardens.

 

[atlarsenal]

The trees are looking good!








If you are ever in the area, don’t miss out on seeing some nice trees in a public garden!

 

[coachspinks]

Where you with the work group?

 

[atlarsenal]

Where you with the work group?

Yes

 

[atlarsenal]

Did some cleaning on the big pond cypress this past weekend.

 

[Hack Yeah!]

Had a fun day today at the garden with a juniper styling competition for us newer hobbyists. Had 7 teams with fairly even starting material.