Four productive volunteers from Maxwell Air Force Base were welcome sights for the six Master Gardener volunteers who arrived on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 8 am, at the MBG Greenhouse. The daunting tasks before them were to install the new Shade Cloth over the greenhouse and to lay the new Landscape Cloth on the floor of the greenhouse. Both activities required significant coordination and organizing of each person’s role in the work.
Thankfully the military volunteers quickly assessed the situation and composed a plan for installing the Shade Cloth over the greenhouse. Relying on the experience of Dave Toellner on how to actually move the shade cloth over the top of the greenhouse, the golf balls were tied to ropes that were then tied to grommets along the edge of the cloth. Then they tossed the golf balls over the top of the greenhouse, grabbed them from the other side and pulled the Shade Cloth in place. It was then secured in a number of places to ensure that it will not be moved by wind.
Installing the Landscape Cloth was similar to laying carpet. All of the contents of the greenhouse had to be moved, then several rows of landscape cloth were rolled out, cut, and weighted on the ends, then items had to be moved back onto the cloth. This process was repeated until the entire “floor” was covered. This landscape cloth will help reduce the growth of weeds in the greenhouse as well as make it more comfortable to walk and stand in the greenhouse to work with plants.
We are very grateful for both the military volunteers and our dedicated Master Gardener volunteers that make it possible for so much to be accomplished in the gardens.
