Recently, I almost missed out on a road tripthat turned out to be a most memorableouting. What made this trip so special is thefact that I was able to spend quality time withmy best friend since childhood, along with herhusband and her mother-in-law, all fromMansfield, TX. Although I almost declined theinvitation because of minor motion sicknesssymptoms I had been experiencing and feltmight hinder my enjoyment of the vacation, Iam so thankful for Dramamine and for not allowing aminor ailment to spoil my plans.

Our destination was the ancestral hometown of myfriend’s nowdeceasedfather-in-law,a retired USAFLt. Colonel.Specifically,we traveled tothe familycabin builtalmost two

decades ago for extended family gatheringsand individual family get-aways in Gosport,Alabama, a small rural community locatedapproximately 100 miles north of Mobile.

Once we arrived at the cabin, I again almostmissed out on viewing the peaceful, bucoliccountryside located just a few miles downthe road from the old family homestead. Ibecame so comfortable reading from my

Kindle, sharing home-cooked meals, and generallyconversing with my traveling companions within thecabin’s cozy interior; as well as exploring the exteriorsurroundings both from the screened back porch and

along the dirtpath thatserved as theentrance andexit to thewider two-lane highwaylocated abouta quarter of acontinued

The Road Almost Not Takenby Rose Lee

Inside the Gardener’s Scoop

Gardener’s Scoop | April 2017 Page 1

1-2 The Road Almost Not Taken

2 Amaryllis3 Bee Removal

4 A non-bee person’s view of bees5 Zoo Workday6 Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

7-10 A Day with the Daffodils

11 Calender

April 2017

NORTHEAST LOUISIANA MASTER GARDENER NEWSLETTER

Gardener’s ScoopGardener’s ScoopGardener’s ScoopGardener’s Scoop

Excerpts from The Road Not TakenBy Robert Frost

I shall be telling this with a sighSomewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, And I—I took the one less traveled by,

And that made all the difference.

Traveling Companions: Rose Y. Lee, GuyDavis, Mona Davis & Mrs. Myrtle Davis

The Davis Family Cabin, Gosport, Alabama

mile in either direction, that I almost declined theinvitation to see some of the local countrysidefarther down the road. What a treat I would havemissed!

Although it is uncertain whether I will ever visit thatarea again, I will forever cherish the memoriesmade during my stay. I hope the pictures takenduring my brief but pleasant excursion will inspireothers to get out and enjoy the inherent simplisticbeauty of our southern landscapes… to exploreother “roads not often taken.” Happy spring!

The pastoral settings invite visitors toslow down and enjoy the scenery.

I took the [road] less traveled by,Because it was grassy and wanted wear.

Both [roads] that morning equally lay… [But] I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back.

However, the cows tolerated my presencewith what appeared to be quiet indifference.

I could not get a close-up picture of the sheepbecause they were grazing too far away.

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Scenes from the Countryside

Virginia Lee’s amaryllis planted next to her garage apartment is looking great!

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Steve Walker’s bee removal.This happened at my house today. That's HighlandElementary School in the background

The hive appeared on the post sometime during theday, so I called Amy Weeks with Hill CountryBeekeepers Association. I got her number (318-503-2022) from a brochure she had given out when shespoke at a Master Gardeners meeting a couple yearsago. She came by and removed the hive.

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Sakes alive! It’s a beehive!So now what do I do?

A non-beeperson’s view

of beesby Midge Willis

As my friend and I were marking trees that he wouldcut and use at his sawmill, we came upon a deadwalnut tree. Knowing walnut would make good woodfor smoking things or use in a fireplace, we decided hewould cut that tree. As he admired his find he wassurprised to find honey bees flying in great number inand out of a hole about 25 feet up the tree. Hewalked around the tree several times trying tofigure out how to get the bees out without gettingstung.

I have had two other experiences withbees years ago and did not know whatto do then so I still am at a loss as tohow to handle these protectedintruders. The first time Ihad a problem was when theyhad built a nest between thesecond story floor and first floorceiling of a two story house we were going to buy. Itseemed to be a large colony because they werecoming out all over the house. We were advised thatthere was honey in that cavity that would have to beremoved or it would mold and cause problems if leftthere. We did not buy that house.

The other experience was when a few bees decided tobuild in our attic. We put a fast stop to that by callingthe exterminator. I have no idea what that guy did butthe bees left so I am still at a loss when it comes tomaking bees go away and leave me alone.

My thoughts about bees have changed drasticallysince taking the test for my private applicator’s licenseso I could get a card that allowed me to purchasecertain restricted chemicals and then a year laterbecoming an Advanced Master Gardener. First, I asked

if these bees in a tree in my yard would cause me anyharm. I wondered if the systemic imidacloprid I havealready put around most of my flowering plants will killthem, but it’s too late to change that.

There was evidence at the site of the hive of serioushouse cleaning marked by small pieces of honeycombs atthe base of the tree so this hive is not new. I did what anyMaster Gardener would do. Kerry! Help!

Kerry came out and looked the situation over andanswered my questions. First, he told me they will notharm me if I leave them alone. If I decide to try and getthe bees out by any means we better have a bee suit on.Okay, delete that thought. Further, he said, if we dosomehow manage to get bee suits and we do cut thetree and let it fall to the ground we will probably kill thequeen. But keep those bee suits on because the beesthat are left are going to be some mad bees.Eventually those bees will die off without a queen.

Next, I had to consider that ifwe did cause them to leavethat tree, where would they

build their next nest? A pictureof my attic popped up in my head.

Not a place I want a bunch of bees.

Here’s my decision. Those bees arenot harming me but I may harmthem with my use of systemic

pesticide which has already been used. Fromhere on, I will try to use less of that and spray otherthings very early or late when they are not active. It’s toolate to change the systemic now.

The bees are here for now. If any brave soul knows howto get them and has a need or desire for them let meknow. Contact me if you want them or have advice for meon this matter. I will not allow the tree to be cut unlessthe bees have been removed. I will say a small prayer formy safety every time I drive the tractor around that treein order to cut the grass and hope the vibration from thetractor does not make all of them mad.

From here on I will try to be more mindful of nature anduse softer means of killing white flies and aphids andsuch. I will try harder to be a good steward on this land Iam blessed to live on.

Gardener’s Scoop | April 2017 Page 5

NELA MG Board Members President Lisa Richardson

Vice President Christy Francis

Secretary Virginia Lee

Treasurer Steve Thomas

Recorder Linda Tubbs

Historian Mary Ann Wooten

Member-at-Large Warren Daniels

Member-at-Large Ken Grant

MG Hospitality Team for AprilThank you Team 2 for the delicious food providedfor our March meeting. Team 3 is up for April.

Dawn Jordan, LeaderLaura HardinPatti KintzingElaine JohnsonPatti Wilder

Saturday, March 25, with the flamingos at their flower bed weweeded and replanted. Pictures by Steve Walker

Jerry HunterBuck BoundsRex GriffinMary Sue TillerAmarrilus Deutscher

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Teamwork Makes the Dream Workby Rose Lee

! ! ! !!

Since I completed the Master Gardeners’class in spring 2013, I must confess that Ihave not always been as actively involvedphysically as many other members. Due toother commitments, for the most part, I havelimited my involvement with the MG group towriting gardening articles for local mediasources in order to accrue the requiredvolunteer hours.

Recently, however, I received a personalinvitation to assist the “greenhouse group”who work each week at Kiroli Park tocomplete tasks related to maintaining theMaster Gardeners’ greenhouse. On thisparticular day, I was able to not only observefirst-hand but also, after a brief tutorial,participate in the transfer of flower plugs intolarger trays to be sold at the upcoming plantsale. The efficient, methodical process usedto transfer the plugs into larger trays allowed

us to prepare a multitude of flats withinonly a few hours. While I participated inonly one work day, I can truly say that itwas a pleasure to join the efforts of such adedicated group. The camaraderie andteam work among the participants made ita pleasure to be involved in the groupeffort.

If the dedication and commitment of the“greenhouse group” is any indication ofothers who are doing their part to makethe plant sale a success, I have no doubtthat the sale this year will be yet anotheroverwhelming success – a true testamentto the adage that “team work makes thedream work”. With participation from thevarious other committee chairpersons andtheir hard-working committee members,preparation for the upcoming NELA MasterGardeners Annual Plant Sale is truly ateam effort.

A Day with the DaffodilsPictures by Steve Walker

Pictures from the McFarland Daffodil Walk. The ladies wearing flower headbands

were available to answer any questions you may have about daffodils.

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Pictures continued on page 7

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An educational program of the LSU AgCenter

The Louisiana Master Gardener Program is a serviceand educational activity offered by the LSU AgCenter.

The program is designed to recruit and train volunteers to help meet educational needs of home

gardeners while providing an enjoyable and worthwhile service experience for volunteers.

Contact: LSU AgCenter704 Cypress Street, West Monroe, LA 71291

(318) 323-2251

Volunteer Service HoursAs of April 3, 2017

490 Volunteer Service Hours108 Continuing Education Hours

This time last year:338 Volunteer Service Hours

19 Continuing Education Hours

Do not forget to record your hours!

The next Master Gardener meeting is

Tuesday, April 11, 2017at the LSU AgCenter.

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2017Spring Fest Preview SaleNoon - 6PM

REMINDERSRemember to record your hours of training and service on the website regularly.

Remember to pay your Master Gardener dues of $15 per person for 2017 by sendingto the Ag Center with a designation that it is for your MG dues.

Upcoming Activities

Newsletterarticlesubmissiondeadline

MG class on Dr. Ron StrahanLawns & Weeds6:30PM

MG Meeting6:30PM

There will be two guest speakers for the new Master Gardener class in May: May 4th (Christy Francis speaking on herbs)

May 25th (Dr. Sara Shields speaking on ornamentals)

2017 Spring Fest Plant Sale9PM - 3PM

Piney Hills MGGreen ThumbJamboree9am – 3pmExtension Office

Le Tour des Jardins, Sat, May 6, 10am – 5pm, Pioneer Heritage Center Gardens open at 9am

Seminar “Springinginto Vegetables9am – 12pmKlima Hall inAmerican RoseCenter

LA PurchaseGardens & ZooEaster Egg Hunt