EMGs in Action
Pollinator PLUS Adds Up to a Big Count! 🐝🦋
Butterflies, bees and wasps kept our Pollinator PLUS participants busy! Our morning and afternoon crews counted an impressive 2,437 pollinators while contributing valuable data to the Great Southeast Pollinator Census.
🌹A Lasting Legacy in the Garden
For 12 years, Anne Coleman has shared her leadership, knowledge, and kindness throughout our Botanical Garden and Association. From envisioning the Celebration Garden to guiding the Rose Garden and mentoring fellow volunteers, Anne has created a lasting legacy of beauty, learning, and community.
🦋Growing More Than a Garden
Lori’s vision is transforming the Pollinator Garden into a thriving habitat for pollinators—and a wonderful example of what volunteers can accomplish together.
❤️Leading with Grace, Serving with Heart: Honoring Wanda Maggart
Some volunteers lend a hand. Wanda Maggart lends both, along with her heart, her wit, and more homemade goodies than any of us can count.
🌸Growing Connections, Expanding Reach: Honoring Chuck Gulas
Whether tending the Live Oak and Edible Gardens, teaching interns, or keeping our Facebook community engaged, Chuck Gulas brings energy, creativity, and dedication to everything he does.
🌿Spring Plant Sale
The plant sale was a “Bloomin’ Success!” At pickup, we met grateful and kind customers happy to be getting their plants. We sold a record volume of plants at the Sale Table and gave lots of great growing advice.
🐞Diagnostics and Discoveries at Johnson’s Nursery
From trial garden inspiration to a close-up look at granulate ambrosia beetle damage, our Field Trip Friday to Johnson’s Nursery was packed with learning, laughter, and a great lunch to top it off.
🌸Steady Stewardship, Inspiring Design: Honoring Gail Capel
From thoughtful design to hands-on mentorship, Gail’s contributions to the Edibles Garden have made a lasting impact. This month, we’re proud to recognize her with the Helping Hands Award.
🌿 Herb Workshops Kick Off the Season
Master Gardeners and community members gathered for a hands-on Herb Container Workshop, learning how to grow herbs in containers while creating their own take-home gardens and exploring propagation techniques.
🌱 Connecting with the Community at the NC Rice Festival
Brunswick County Extension Master Gardener volunteers recently hosted a booth at the NC Rice Festival, sharing information about the Spring Online Plant Sale and introducing festival visitors to the Master Gardener program.
🎓Welcome to Our Newest MG Interns!
Welcome! Fifteen new Brunswick County Extension Master Gardener interns have completed their training and are beginning their volunteer service. Their first project: updating educational signs in the Brunswick County Botanical Gardens.
👏Steady Leader, Trusted Friend: Honoring Kate Boggess
Known for her calm leadership and thoughtful guidance, Kate Boggess is honored as this month’s Helping Hands recipient for her many contributions to the Association.
📚A Rainy Day Back at School
A rainy day didn’t stop more than 20 Master Gardeners from heading back to school! For Field Trip Friday, we visited Brunswick Community College to learn about their Horticulture & Turfgrass program.
💐Thank You MG Volunteers!
Cecily and Jean share their heartfelt thanks to all the Master Gardener℠ volunteers who supported plant sales and public workshops throughout 2025. It was a milestone year for the program, marked by a refreshed approach to plant sales and the successful launch of new community workshops. These achievements would not have been possible without the dedication of our volunteers.
🌿Holiday Porch Pot Workshops
The Holiday Porch Pot Workshop brought the beauty of the season to life. Creativity, fresh greenery, and community came together in festive style. After selling out in just 23 minutes, participants gathered in the hoop house to transform their containers into stunning winter displays using harvested magnolia, pine, holly, and other natural accents. With guidance from Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteers, each porch pot became a unique expression of seasonal charm and hands-on learning.
😊Friendly Smile, Steadfast Service: Honoring Gayle Pfeiffer
Gayle’s friendly smile and steadfast service have touched nearly every corner of our Association. From Field Trip Fridays to the Reflection Garden, she brings heart, dedication, and a can-do spirit to everything she does.
🎃Spooked in South Carolina
Our latest Field Trip Friday led us to Moore Farms Botanical Gardens, where cutting-edge horticulture blends with Southern gardening tradition — all dressed up for Halloween 🎃. From the Fire Tower Gardens to the Mediterranean Garden, each space offered new inspiration and insight into what truly defines a Southern Garden.
🥗Grow Your Own Salad Bowl Workshop Success
Our first-ever “Grow Your Own Salad Bowl Workshop” was a resounding success! Participants learned how to combine lettuce varieties, specialty greens, herbs, and edible flowers to create beautiful, productive containers that thrive in fall and early spring. The sessions blended education and creativity, beginning with a short demonstration on container gardening and followed by hands-on planting. Master Gardener℠ Volunteers were on hand to answer questions, offer guidance, and share practical tips for keeping greens vibrant and healthy throughout the season.
🧱Hypertufa How-To with Mike and Michele
After the October General Association Meeting, Mike and Michele Tullai led an informative and hands-on demonstration on how to make hypertufa containers—lightweight, durable, and perfect for garden use.
The finished pots are strong yet porous, making them ideal for plantings and drainage—and at about $4 each, they’re an affordable way to create custom planters. You can see examples of hypertufa containers in the Botanical Garden.
🧱Quiet Dedication, Solid Foundations: Honoring Dave Kirk
Dave is one of those invaluable, quiet Master Gardeners who works diligently behind the scenes, contributing greatly to our association's success. His computer skills have been instrumental since he joined the program. As an intern, he used his expertise to map our intern project at the Rourk Library and later mapped the Botanical Garden as Co-Lead. His mapping skills were also vital for detailing the landscapes of Habitat for Humanity houses.