Have you been noticing slimy green algae in your driveway, flowerbeds, or lawn?  This slimy mess typically appeares after several days of warm, wet weather.  As more rains fall, accompanied by high temperatures and equally high humidity, growth is encouraged... AND spreads! 

This seaweed – like gooey green mass is more than likely Nostoc, a cyanobacteria that can grow on grass, stone, or concrete. Usually it’s “happiest” in low areas that drain poorly, conditions that support a number of unwelcome growths in our lawns and landscapes. Much like mushrooms, certain conditions support its emergence, although it can remain desiccated and dormant in lawn or driveway for weeks and months.

While Nostoc isn’t harmful or toxic, it looks weird and as mentioned, is very slippery. Drier weather and low humidity cause it to retreat, but will likely pop back with the next round of rain showers.
Management options range from baking soda (it really works...I've tried it myself) to removing small infestations with a shovel. Improve drainage and forego irrigation of affected areas may help long-term, (but short-term not so much).  Typically soils high in phosphorus will also see a more prevalent growth of this seaweed...
Don't rake!  This just breaks up and spreads the algae further. Moss and algae sprays are effective in some situations but even they primarily suppress, not eliminate, the messy goop.

​2017 Master Gardener Interns (acting a little silly after passing their exam...)
 
2017 MG Interns: Back row (L-R)
Estelle Strydom, Sue Rhodes, Simon WIlhoit, Susan Pezanowski, Beverly Barnett, Jane Karuschkat, Joe Brown, Todd Long, Gayle Hottinger, Steve Mallory, Casey Nicholson; Front Row: Elizabeth Ferguson & Pat Mullins

​UT Extension concluded training of the seventh Master Gardener class on May 17, 2017.  Thirteen additional volunteers were trained in sixteen intensive classes to become members of the Big Spring Master Gardener Association of Greene County.  Because of these training classes, in conjunction with 40 hours of volunteer hours given back to the county, the participants each received intern status as a Master Gardener Volunteer. This will further increase program capabilities focused on Horticulture education in Greene County.
 
Tennessee Master Gardeners (TMGs) are trained volunteers that help horticultural experts in University of Tennessee Extension and the Tennessee State Extension Program. They help share the latest and greatest gardening information. The program's main goals are to increase the availability of horticultural information and to improve the quality of life with community gardening and landscape programs. Master Gardeners help by answering phone requests for horticultural information in the UT Extension Master Gardener Lab; establishing and maintaining demonstration gardens throughout the county; working with the youth, the elderly, and other special groups; and designing and implementing community involvement projects.
                 
Master Gardener organizations across the state have been involved in recession-related gardening, geared at teaching people how to grow their own vegetables, teaching people how to be green and save money and time when landscaping, and sharing water and soil conservation tips. 
 
The Big Spring Master Gardener Association (BSMGA) of Greene County has been very active in numerous projects and events throughout Greene County during 2017.  Master Gardeners greatly impact the agricultural community.  They provide educational assistance and work with a diverse audience in the county. 
 
Projects Master Gardeners are involved with at the local level include:

• Boys and Girls Club of Greeneville and Greene County GROW Demonstration Garden
• Depot Street Farmer’s Market, Ask a MG Booth
• Dickson Williams Mansion landscape
• Farm to Fork events (Uncorked at the Capitol is coming up on June 2nd)
• Greene County Fair Booth, Display and Judging activities
• Greene County Fair Landscaping Project
• Greene County Christmas Parade Event
• Kid’s Day on the Farm held at the Research and Education Center
• Master Gardener Lab at the Extension Office
• New Hope Cemetery Beautification Project
• Spring Plant Sale
• Tabernacle Presbyterian Soup Kitchen Community Garden

 
Master Gardeners also participate in local, state, and national educational learning journeys.
 

• In accordance with our local mission statement, the Big Spring Master Gardener Association mission is: 
• To expand the capabilities of Tennessee Extension to provide residential and consumer horticultural information to individuals and groups in the community.
• To develop a Tennessee Extension Master Gardener volunteer network that works in close collaboration with local Extension personnel to meet local needs.
• To develop community programs related to horticulture. Depending on the needs of the community, these programs might include providing speakers for horticultural presentations, landscape improvement activities with civic groups, therapeutic horticulture projects, or demonstration or production gardens designed to improve access to information or produce.
• To recruit and train volunteers interested in helping area residents solve their gardening problems either by working with the residents individually or in groups, or by using print or digital outreach tools.
• To recruit and train volunteers interested in working with special groups within the community, such as garden clubs, civic organizations, children, the disabled, the elderly, the confined, minorities and low-income families.​
• To identify the administrative positions necessary to maintain the Tennessee Extension Master Gardener Program and fill these positions with capable volunteers who will carry out the activities of the program.

 
For further information about becoming a Master Gardener, please call the UT Extension Office at 423-798-1710 or visit the Big Spring Master Gardener Association website at www.bsmga.com.

The National Young Farmers Coalition is hosting a PSA Grower Training in Jonesborough on June 19. They are targeting young growers as their primary audience, and subsidizing the training considerably. 
 
For those who may have seen information on this training previously, there are two changes to note:  A ticket price of only $10: the price of the training was lowered a bit more by partnering with Appalachian RC&D and the start time was pushed back from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM.

Join us for an evening of fellowship to support the local Presbyterian Mission Soup Kitchen's Community Gardens! Your ticket purchase includes a sampling of two wines paired with local charcuterie trays.  A “wine pull” event will also take place during the evening for an additional $20.00.

Food grown on the grounds is used to supplement meals served at the Soup Kitchen each Wednesday through the year.  Excess produce is also given to individuals to take home. 

The gardens were installed on site in 2012 to promote growth in the local community. The gardens have several raised beds on site that produce three seasons throughout the year. There is also an herb garden, blackberries, and a compost bin from which we “create” our own garden soil for the raised beds.

Your continued support ensures continued success and growth of the gardens.  Thank you for your support!
​
Special thanks to our partners at the Capitol Theatre and Towne Square Package Store, Inc.! 

For additional info, contact: Aliceson Bales