Purchase
Area Master Gardener Association
(PAMGA)
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(PAMGA) |
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UK DEMONSTRATION & TRIAL GARDEN A 2.5 acre plot leased from McCracken County is the centerpiece of PAMGA's educational efforts. With greenhouses, a small orchard and space for an outdoor classroom, Master Gardeners maintain various annual, perennial, herb and geophyte beds. On-site structures demonstrate arbors and pergolas that can be added to the home garden. By participating in UK plant trials, PAMGA provides valuable data in evaluating the performance of new plant introductions in the Purchase Area. The garden is open continuously for self-guided tours. To arrange for a guided tour for a school or college class or civic organization please contact the McCracken County Cooperative Extension Service Office at 270/554-9520. Trial Beds Since 2000, Master Gardeners have participated Plants being trialed in 2006 include begonias, multiple varieties of
petunias, two varieties of ornamental peppers, both white and purple angelonia,
geraniums, dichondra, two kinds of basil and nasturtiums. Big changes are afoot at the Demo Garden in 2006 as we begin implementing a long-range design plan. Installation began in earnest April 21-23, 2006 when a class from the University of Kentucky traveled to Paducah to lay out a watering system that includes automatic timers and flexibility to utilize soaker hoses, drip emitters, and T-tape, but still allows for hand watering with frost-proof hydrants.
March 27, 2006: McCracken County Horticulture Extension Agent Dava Hayden, Master Gardener Jim Petcoff, Dr. Sam McNeill from the UK Research & Education Center in Princeton, and Dr. Richard Warner from UK's Lexington Campus tour the garden to plan the irrigation system. McNeill and Warner are involved with Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering. Dr. Warner will bring students from the Lexington campus to the garden in late April to install the irrigation system.
Installation began April 22.
Spring Plant Sale 2006 The Demo & Trial Garden is funded by Garden Gurus, our signature lecture series that occurs each January, and a spring plant sale. For several years, the plant sale was part of the Spring Sampler each May and was held at Dolly McNutt Plaza. In 2006, the plant sale was held as a stand-alone event at the Demo & Trial Garden to accustom people to visiting PAMGA at the garden. Although windy and cloudy, the rain held off until the sale officially closed.
To
drum up interest in and entries for the 2006 McCracken
Throughout the year, Master Gardeners and members of
While used items were available at bargain basement prices, new tools and
books were in abundance
The Kentucky Division of Forestry provided free Shumard Oak seedlings to the
public. They also talked about plant health and forestry issues. The tents bustled with eager shoppers looking for the perfect plant
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Purchase Area Master Gardener Association, 2705 Olivet Church Road, Paducah, Ky 42001 270/554-9520 FAX 270/554-8283 www.pamga.org |
in plant trials organized by the University of Kentucky. Dr. Robert
Anderson sends annuals and herbs to the garden each year. The varieties
are planted in trial beds at the Demo Garden and their performance is evaluated
throughout the growing season. Results are forwarded to UK and combined
with results from other participating sites. This information allows
Kentuckians to learn which plants perform well in Western
Kentucky.
Just because a plant performs well in Lexington or Ashland, Kentucky doesn't
mean it will fare well in Paducah. Plants can be expensive and knowing
what works in your particular area before you purchase gives gardeners a leg up
when designing their own backyard havens.
Once
Drs. Warner and
McNeill
mapped an irrigation plan, Master Gardener Jim Petcoff oversaw trenching of the
garden. When finished, it looked as though voracious moles heralded
spring with a spectacular picnic. Digging a loop around the 2.5 acre
garden took three men approximately two days. 
While trenching moved forward
with help from the half-way house, Master Gardeners Carol Ullerich, Eileen
Segebarth and Roscoe Willett set about securing PVC piping and fittings for the
project. Much of the Rainbird irrigation products were donated to the
project. Thanks to local contractor Bill Black and Jerry McElya at Guy
Gray Supply for their help in procuring pipe and supplies.
Master
Gardeners Roscoe Willett and Jim Petcoff seem to be asking each other, "what
have we gotten ourselves into?!!!"
When pipes and electric lines had been placed, Master Gardeners began
the task of checking for leaks, backfilling trenches
and
dodging raindrops. Spring rains played havoc with completion of the project. 
Under
the direction of Nova Nuckolls, Master Gardeners began propagating annuals, herbs and perennials in February,
2006 in the on-site greenhouse.
Mother
plants from good performers are wintered over in the greenhouse and used for
stem cuttings. Plants are also started from seed. PAMGA members
start plants in their own homes and greenhouses too and donate them to the plant
sale to fund educational projects and the Demo & Trial Garden. 
At
8:45 a.m., April 29, 2006, PAMGA President Phyllis Petcoff gave us marching orders and
dispatched members to
their
assigned areas - plants, books & tools, flower arranging demos, green elephant
sale, cashier, etc. At the same time, eager plant buyers were gathering at
the gate waiting for the sale to open. 
County Fair Standard
Flower Show, which is sponsored by PAMGA, Sally Wilkins and Pinky Dodson
demonstrated how to create miniature floral arrangements. This year's
theme is "River Symphony." Each of the five classes in the design
competition is named for a song such as "Uppa Lazy River" and "Shall We Gather
at the River."
Shirley
Edwards collected weeds and created a "Weed ID" area. In
spring it's hard to distinguish weeds from valuable perennials because of
strong similarities in the leaves of both. Seeing the named weeds was a
big hit with plant buyers, and a surprise for many.
the
community donate items to the Demo Garden. These "gently used gardening
items," including floral arranging containers, books, baskets and garden
ornaments were sold through a "Green Elephant Sale." Where else can you
buy a stylish straw hat or tiki torch for a quarter! Most visits to the
"Green Elephant" pergola ended in a purchase and a smile.
too.
Plenty of Master Gardeners were on hand to share their experience with various
tools and planting methods. McCracken County Horticulture Agent Dava
Hayden staffed a Cooperative Extension Office table with popular gardening
publications from the University of Kentucky.
Naturally,
plants were the main focus of the day.
Eager shoppers browsed a selection
of annuals, perennials, herbs, heirloom vegetables, shrubs, azaleas,
rhododendrons and trees. Angel's Trumpets caused quite a stir and were
snapped up quickly. Irises were a popular purchase too.
Though
rain was predicted, showers stayed away until the sale ended. It was a
family affair as parents shared a morning at the garden with their children. 
for
the perfect spot. 