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| Charlotte Baham poses beside her prized staghorn ferns (Katrina survivors) and a focal point of her Algiers garden. |
Name:
Charlotte Baham
Gardens in:
Algiers, La.
Professional pastime:
Assistant to Rabbi Edward P. Cohn of Congregation Temple Sinai.
Hobbies:
My husband and I are members of the Crescent City Depression Glass Society and we collect five different patterns of depression-era glassware (1920s and 1930s) and collectible glassware (from the 1950s – 1960s). I also really enjoy counted cross stitch embroidery and reading.
Favorite Annual:
Pansies - which I plant every year. I especially like the colors. They remind me of Mardi Gras!
Favorite Perennial:
Blue plumbago – we have two bushes, and the blue flowers are just beautiful.
Favorite Plant:
Caladiums - we have three gardens filled with many different varieties of these bulbs. This is something we plant every spring and enjoy throughout the summer months.
Favorite Shrub:
Camellia – I love to float these beautiful blossoms in a bowl of water. My parents and grandparents also had camellia bushes in their yards.
Favorite Tree:
Japanese Magnolia – these trees are magnificent when in full bloom.
Favorite Garden Tool:
Felco pruners – This was an expensive investment, but has proved to be worth every penny. We use these pruners every time we work in our yard
Favorite Extension Service Bulletin:
Backyard Composting Series
Favorite Garden Book:
“Louisiana Gardeners Guide" by Dan Gill. This is the first book I refer to every time I need to look up information.
Favorite Month to Garden:
March – although we work in our yard and flower gardens year round, even in the heat of the summer.
Favorite Garden Web Site:
LSU AgCenter
Gardening Style:
We are big believers in composting. In fact, we have three compost bins in our yard. The finished product is used in our flower gardens. I tend to like southern plants – azaleas, camellias, gardenias. Our flower beds contain many different plants – all of which appeal to us in one way or another. We plant what we like and consider our yard to be an oasis.
Secret Gardening Tip:
We use Osmocote and Miracle Grow potting soil to plant our potted plants. When planting in our flower beds, we use Osmocote and composted soil.
My love of gardening was inspired by:
My grandparents Amy and Teddy Spellman worked in their yard/gardens every day! Their property in Algiers had an extra lot next to their house that consisted of a spacious lawn that was surrounded by gardens filled with azaleas, camellias, roses, daylilies (my grandmother could name every variety!), perennials, annuals and trees. They also had a compost pile as well as a vegetable patch and greenhouse. We (the grandchildren) spent a great deal of time in their yard and were never fussed at for picking the flowers! I can remember many weekends that my grandparents would come to our house to help in the yard. My grandfather would be edging the driveway while my dad cut the grass, and my grandmother would be weeding or planting flowers in the garden. Then, we would enjoy a BBQ together. My grandparents shared azaleas and daylilies with us when we were putting in a garden in our first front yard. I definitely got my love of gardening from my grandparents!
True Confession:
I have planted my pansies too early. One year I had to purchase them twice and re-plant the flowerbed with pansies twice. It really is better to wait until we have cooler temperatures to put out cool-season annuals. Sometimes this means waiting until late November.
The best thing I learned as a LMG:
Reading up on a subject and researching information helps you to know the correct planting conditions as well as the proper planting time. You can be more successful at gardening if you do a little research first.
What’s becoming a LMG meant to you?
Since graduating as a LMG in 1998, I have stayed involved with this organization. I have made many very dear friends. We have shared advice and many plants with each other. I am proud to be a LMG, work hard to meet the re-certification requirements each year, and am glad to be involved in this organization.
Volunteer Projects:
I work at the Spring and Fall Garden Shows. I also tally the surveys that are filled out at the Garden Shows, and make a report of the results. I place the orders for the Master Gardener merchandise – the t-shirts, sweatshirts, denim shirts, aprons, etc. I also have recently taken on the responsibility of organizing the refreshments for the MG monthly meetings and have been asked to be a part of the Special Events Committee. In the past, I have also answered the telephones at the LSU Ag Center office and have served on the Guidelines/Bylaws Committee. I also volunteer with Parkway Partners with their monthly Plant Sale. I have been an active member of the Crescent City Depression Glass Society since 1988 and also serve on the Parish Council for my church – Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Algiers.
Why would you recommend the LMG program to others?
You will gain more knowledge than you can imagine. You will make wonderful friends who share your love of nature and gardening. MGGNO is a wonderful, active organization of which I am proud to be a member.