Over the Garden Gate Monthly Newsletter Clinton County Master Gardeners

Transcription

1 Over the Garden Gate Monthly Newsletter Clinton County Master Gardeners Volume 1 Issue 8 August 2010 Editors: Ralph Stanford and Nora Stanford. Addresses: nora161@mchsi.com Published on the first Monday of the month. To submit an article it must be sent by as a Microsoft Word attachment to the above address. To be accepted for publication in the next newsletter, articles must be received 10 days before the first Monday of the month. Articles will be accepted or rejected at the discretion of the editors. A Note From Your Chairman As of July 25 it is still WET. This month in Shaffton we have had about 6 inches of rain, but some places in the county have had almost twice that and just to the north they had that in a day, so who is to complain.. How many of you are able to keep up with the weeding and cutting grass? Master Gardener Day at the Fair went very well. There were about 60 people at the noon lunch and program that followed. Several things stood out for me. The highlight of the day was welcoming state Master Gardener coordinator, Jennifer Bousselot, to the fair and hearing hear speak about the environmental impact of green roofs. The DeShane s from Rock Island county had a very informative talk about gourds. They are Master Gardeners and are quite involved in horticulture activities in Rock Island county. The first year for the Outdoor Container Contest had 39 entries. The judges, Bill Gustafson, Alma Gaul, and Jennifer Bousselot, did an outstanding job. One of the more interesting parts of the program was to hear the judges explain how/why containers are judged as they are. Twenty people entered fifty-seven exhibits at the vegetable show. This is an increase over last year. Five of the exhibitors were MG ers. Thank you to everyone who helped at the fair in any way. All the activities at the fair couldn t have been done so well without the help of so many people. Willard Iowa State University Extension presents a Summer Webinar Series: Gardening Green 2010 brought to you by the Iowa Master Gardener program. Local ISU Extension offices are hosting these gardening webcast programs. Please note that the nearest participating location is the Clinton County Extension Office, which is located at 400 East 11 th Street, DeWitt. This three part series will be delivered on the last Tuesday of each month this summer: The one remaining session is Aug. 24 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. All are welcome. The entrance fee is $5.00 for the gardening public. Each live webcast will feature a different topic within sustainable horticulture. Please call the Clinton County Extension Office ( ) to register. Space is limited. Rain Gardens in Iowa on Aug. 24 will illustrate the design and maintenance of rain gardens as a best management practice (BMP) for storm water management in your landscape. Soil preparation and appropriate plant species selection will be emphasized. This topic will be covered by Dr. Ann Marie VanDerZanden, Department of Horticulture, Iowa State University.

2 Volume 1 Issue 8 Page 2 August 2010 Green Scene July 2010 Title: Purple Loosestrife: An Ecological Monster Many homeowners in the tri-state area still have the plant called purple loosestrife in their landscape. This beautiful flowering plant was commercially sold at nurseries for many decades but is now listed as a noxious weed in most states, including Iowa. As a noxious weed, you cannot sell, offer for sale, or distribute the seeds or the plants of purple loosestrife unless it is a certified sterile or non-aggressive variety. It is hoped this article will encourage those who have purple loosestrife in their home landscape to recognize the ecological impacts this plant has caused and to remove all plants. Purple loosestrife is a wetland perennial from Europe that was introduced into the U.S. in the 1800 s as a medicinal herb, nectar plant for honey bees and garden plant. It also arrived here unintentionally as a contaminant in ship ballast when soil was used to weigh down the vessels for stability on the ocean. Free from insects and diseases of its homeland, purple loosestrife had a competitive advantage over native wetland vegetation. The flowering beauty and hardiness made purple loosestrife popular at commercial nurseries and it became a common garden plant. It is now found across much of Canada and the U.S. In the home landscape, purple loosestrife is controllable, but the seeds quickly spread to nearby wetlands, lakes and rivers. Each mature plant can produce hundreds of thousands of seeds annually which have a percent survival rate. As tiny grains of sand, seeds are easily dispersed by water (including city drainage systems), wind, wildlife and humans. Germination can occur the following season, but seeds may lay dormant for several years (providing an extensive seed bank that remains viable for 20 years) before sprouting. Most people who have visited the backwaters and shorelines of the Upper Mississippi River from mid-july through September have observed the flowering purple loosestrife plant. However, the beauty of this plant is deceiving to the passerby who is unaware of the disastrous ecological impact it has made upon native wetland habitat. Purple loosestrife is a hardy plant that can overrun wetlands and eliminate almost all other vegetation in a matter of a few short years. It inhabits dry and moist soil, shallow water, tolerates flooding, and is becoming more common on agricultural and pasture land. It quickly invades shoreline areas that have been recently disturbed, especially areas where erosion has exposed bare soil. Once purple loosestrife becomes established in a natural area, the habitat where fish and wildlife feed, seek shelter, reproduce and rear young, quickly becomes choked with a sea of purple flowers which have little or no food value. Locally, we have seen the impacts of purple loosestrife. The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge contains important habitat for indigenous fish and wildlife and is an international flyway for migratory birds, especially bald eagles, waterfowl and songbirds. The Refuge extends 261 miles along the Upper Mississippi River from about the Quad Cities to Wabasha MN. These public lands have been significantly impacted by purple loosestrife that has replaced native plant species. The Refuge has conducted several purple loosestrife control programs. Beginning in 1996, they began biological control by releasing Galerucella and Hylobius beetles, which are native to Europe and primarily feed on purple loosestrife. On a small scale, the beetles were effective in controlling the Continued on page 3

3 Volume 1 Issue 8 Page 3 August 2010 An Ecological Monster Continued from page 2 purple loosestrife but the plant was so abundant (and there were so few beetles) that overall control was not successful. Other control programs on Refuge land included hand pulling and chemical treatment. In an effort to eliminate garden plants, a Purple Loosestrife Reward Program was implemented in The Reward Program offered a seven dollar certificate (to be redeemed at local nurseries) for each purple loosestrife plant removed from the home landscape and resulted in 89 plants being removed at 21 homes. Control efforts continue but the aggressiveness of purple loosestrife far exceeds the ability to control it. Please help to control purple loosestrife by removing these plants from your home landscape and to spread the word to others who may not know that this plant is an ecological monster. Ed Britton is a Wildlife Refuge Manager on the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge and a Clinton County Master Gardener. An Open Letter to all Clinton County Master Gardeners. Thursday, July 15 th I was named to the Clinton County Fair Hall of Fame, for starting the OLC at the fair grounds. This is presented annually to persons who have contributed to the County Fair.. I humbly accepted this award on behalf of the scores of Master Gardener volunteers who have made my dream a reality and thank you for it. Jennifer Bousselot, the State Director of the Master Gardeners, called the OLC a real jewel, as she spoke to nearly 30 Master Gardeners on Master Gardener Day at the fair on Wednesday, July 14 th. The other person who was named to the Hall of Fame was my friend, August (Augie) Peterson, for his long time contributions to the fair by his entire family. As you know he has volunteered countless hours at the OLC and I m proud and honored to be named with him. Congratulations, Augie! Thanks again to all of the OLC volunteers! Yours Truly, Bill Gustafson Tue, August 24, 5pm 7pm Where: Bickelhaupt Arboretum Description: The Butterfly Garden and Monarch project has been a feature of late summer at the Arboretum for five years. Master Gardeners and their families are invited to tour the grounds, view the life cycle of the Monarch from egg (using a magnifying glass) to butterfly, learn how we can plant our own gardens to attract this special insect. Lots of picnic area. Bring blankets or chairs and have a picnic.... and justice for all The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Many materials can be made available in alternative format for ADA clients. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14 th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC or call

4 Volume 1 Issue 8 Page 4 August 2010 MASTER GARDENER ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES JULY 20, 2010 The July 20, 2010 meeting of the Master Gardener Advisory Board was called to order at 9:10 A.M. at the Clinton County Extension Office. Attending were: Sheryl Dexter, Brenda Council, Jack Pringle, Dick McLane. Absent: Willard Larsen, Sandy Hughes, Deb Monroe. Guests: Roger Rittmer. June s Minutes: Motion Dick, second Brenda to approve. Financial Report: There was no financial report available. Reports: OLC: Roger reported that the trellises are built and installed; 3 hydrangeas have been planted in the butterfly garden; signage has been installed in the area west of the gazebo; and the water feature in the garden under the tree is up and running. Plants have been planted in this garden also, with temporary markers put up. Permanent markers will be made in the near future. Education: The tour of Dave Horst s garden will be held on Tuesday, July 20 th, from 5 to 7 P.M. Also, there is a Webinar on organic gardening at the extension office next Tuesday, the 27 th. Plant Partners: Clinton has had questions so far this season, with the majority of them concerning Japanese Beetles and anthracnose. Bickelhaupt: The ROOTS Advisory Board has assumed many of Francie s duties during the transition period. The Learning Center, which has a butterfly display, is open Monday thru Friday from 9 until noon. August events include the annual Herb Faire and Butterfly Fest. The August 3 (8/5 rain date) Arts at the Arb will feature Travis Hosette. The Lantana is the Plant of the Month, and the Herb and Butterfly Gardens are the featured and labeled gardens. Viet Nam Traveling Memorial: Volunteers are still needed for the Memorial. Clinton County Garden Walk: Kathy Sanders reported that we grossed $765. towards the scholarship fund. Old Business: County Fair: A motion at the June meeting was to provide $150 for prize money for the Outdoor Container Contest. At the fair we paid 1 st $25., 2 nd $10., and 3 rd, $5. The design class had no entries, so a Best of Show prize of $30. was awarded instead. A motion to appropriate an additional $80. for the container contest prizes was given by Brenda, second, Jack. Approved. There were 57 entries in the vegetable contest, with 20 individuals entering, 5 of those being MG s. Best of Show was won by MG Julie Lord with her large green cabbage. There were 39 entries in the container contest. There was a motion by Jack Pringle to form a committee to evaluate the first MG Day and container contest. 2 nd, Dick, approved. An estimated 28 MG s attended the noon event on Wednesday, with total number eating at about 60. Door prize winners were: Ralph Stanford, Shelby Bormann, and Jan Yokoi. New Business: Plant Sale: In August a group will get together to discuss the 2011 plant sale, more specifically the Clinton portion. This meeting will follow the regular Advisory Board Meeting on August 17 th. Continued on page 5

5 Volume 1 Issue 8 Page 5 August 2010 For the Good of the Cause: ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES Continued from page 4 Thank you s will be sent to Alma Gaul, Jennifer Bousselot, and the DeShanes. $70. was collected in memoriam of Bernice Gustafson. This money will go to the scholarship fund. The next meeting will be held on August 17, 2010, 9:00 at the Arboretum in Clinton. The meeting was adjourned at 9:45. Respectfully submitted, Sheryl Dexter MASTER GARDENER PROJECT Those of you who have visited the Extension office have probably noted that the area in front of the office as well as in front of the Dollar General store need some landscaping help. Talking with Bill Petsche he thought that this could be a project for a Master Gardener(s). For a start we would be looking at a landscape design that would go the length of both businesses. Certainly low maintenance would be important. It is an all-sun area. There are some bushes along the front of the building. At this point we are not sure what the budget would be or who would provide the labor. If you have questions about this or are interested in working on this contact Willard Larsen or Bill Petsche Vietnam Moving Wall Project The Clinton County Historical Society is sponsoring The Vietnam Moving Wall in Riverview Park, Clinton, Iowa from Thursday, September 30 th through Monday, October 4 th. The wall is a replica of the wall in Washington DC which honors the soldiers who died serving our country during the Vietnam War. The Clinton County Master Gardener Board has approved a project to beautify the grounds at the starting place and ending place of the wall. Master Gardener, Bill Gustafson has designed each of these gardens. We have a tentative date of Wednesday, September 29, to set up the garden displays. As yet, a firm date and time for setup are not available. The project will require the help of 4-6 Master Gardeners. Call Bill Gustafson at or Jack Pringle at if you are able to help. MORE HELP IS NEEDED FUTURE ARTS AT THE ARB PROGRAMS September 7, 6:30 PM (Rain date 9/9) Al Ronek, Pirate Over 50 September 19, 2:00 PM (No rain date) Clintones Women s Chorus

6 Volume 1 Issue 8 Page 6 August 2010 Master Gardener Day at Clinton County Fair July 15, 2010 Master Gardener Bill Gustafson visits with Master Gardener Lenore McGuire and her daughter Dr. Jennifer Bousselot Master Gardener chairman Willard Larsen prepares to introduce guest speaker Jennifer Bousselot Professor of Horticulture at ISU Ames, Iowa. July 15th Master Gardener Day at the Clinton County Fair. The crowd begins to gather in the tent at the Outdoor Living Classroom. If you weren t there, you missed a very interesting presentation on Roof Gardening and Water Conservation. Dr Bousselot (daughter of Clinton County M.G. Lenore McGuire) also shared with us some of her own Clinton County fair experiences as a 4 H member growing up in DeWitt, Iowa. She also congratulated the Clinton County Master Gardeners on the development of their fabulous Outdoor Living Classroom. Rain Gardens in Iowa When Tue, August 24, 6:30pm 8:30pm Where Clinton County Extension Office (map) Description Rain Gardens in Iowa on Aug. 24 will illustrate the design and maintenance of rain gardens as a best management practice (BMP) for storm water management in your landscape. Soil preparation and appropriate plant species selection will be emphasized. This topic will be covered by Dr. Ann Marie VanDerZanden, Department of Horticulture, Iowa State University. Please call the Clinton County Extension Office ( ) to register. Space is limited. Dried Flower Arranging Master Gardener, Alice Machande, will lead a class in creating a fall arrangement for your home. Bring in your collected seeds to swap with fellow Master Gardeners and discuss what your successes were in this year s garden. When: Wed Sep 15,2010 Where: The Bickelhaupt Arboretum.

7 Volume 1 Issue 8 Page 7 August 2010 A BIRDSEYE VIEW OF THE IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION CLINTON COUNTY MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM A BRIEF HISTORY The state Master Gardener Advisory Committee has defined appropriate Master Gardener Service as: Any horticultural related public service educational program, and or activity that is Sponsored by ISU Extension or approved by a local ISU Extension Office. My early records show one graduation in 1989 (Sandra Hartman). One in 1993, (Norma McDonnell). There were no records of Master Gardener graduations in 1994 or1995 then in 1996 Sandra Hartman began accumulating her hours and Rhonda Boothby graduated. There is no record of any graduates in 1997 and then in 1998 we had a class of 9 members who graduated, Bill Gustafson was one of these 9. I graduated in the year 2002 along with 6 others. After the year 2002 we really began to build the Master Gardener Classes up again in Clinton County. Our 2003 class was one of the largest with 27 graduates, many of whom are still active volunteers. By 2006 we had added 40 more graduates, close to all of these have remained active and contributed to the success of several projects in the Master Gardener Program in Clinton County. With the growth of our Active Membership comes the realization of several new Horticultural activities in the county. The Master Gardeners of Clinton County have developed the Outdoor Living Classroom at the Clinton County Fair Grounds. Bill Gustafson and Dwaine Albers were the project heads of this program. This has lived up to its name now since its beginning in Many adults and children have been involved at this project site over the years. It has become an oasis at the Clinton County Fair when you are looking for a place to relax. The OLC is the garden location next to the auditorium where, during the fair, you will find a Master Gardener doing a demonstration or just walking you through the garden and answering your questions on plants and vegetables that are on display. Tours, demonstrations and educational exhibits can be found here most anytime. One day you might see Master Gardeners in disguise entertaining the children. Here you will sometimes catch a glimpse of a giant bumble bee or a scarecrow that is not all straw. Francie Hill, who just this July resigned as the Executive Director at the Bickelhaupt Arboretum at 340 S. 14 th Street in Clinton, became a Master Gardener in the class of The arboretum has provided an alternative meeting spot, as well as resources through their office and library that otherwise would not have been available to us. The Arboretum has provided in the city of Clinton, what the Extension Service Office has provided in Dewitt for the Master Gardeners in the more central and western towns in our county. Both facilities are a continual educational resource for the Clinton County Master Gardeners. Both have Master Gardener horticultural hot lines that will research your questions on diseases, insects, identification of plants and other problems involving your outdoor space. Working together they provide education through their many programs, involving the children in the classroom and during vacation. Tours are always available at the Bickelhaupt Arboretum; electric golf carts are available for use by the handicapped or the elderly. Francie will tell you that the Bickelhaupt is not only an arboretum, but now offers the opportunity to display just about every type of garden known to our zone here in Iowa, and is definitely an outdoor museum with all plants and trees labeled for your identification. The addition of gardens has involved more trained volunteers, many of them are master gardeners. Master Gardeners in Clinton County are surely alive and well, servicing the County through their many Horticultural Programs. We did not stop adding to our classes back in 2006 but have continued right up to our last class in spring of We have a board of seven members, which meet every month. All Master Gardeners are invited to attend these meetings. The minutes are always available in the Newsletter. Every active member receives a copy of the Newsletter at the beginning of each month which also provides educational items and Continued on page 8

8 Volume 1 Issue 8 Page 8 August 2010 A BRIEF HISTORY Continued from page 7 information on upcoming events. As of December 16 th, 2009, our active membership in The Clinton County Master Gardener organization totaled 51 members. Another educational resource provided, involving the Master Gardeners of Clinton County in co-operation with Clinton Trees Forever,The Bickelhaupt Arboretum and Clinton Community College, is our March Educational Meeting: an all-day seminar which provides education on many new Horticultural Topics by speakers well versed and educated in their choice of topic. Horticulture in the Heartland is open to the public and draws people from all over the state and beyond. Clinton County Master Gardeners also have an active Education Committee, formed just a year ago, the members of this committee plan four or five educational activities, which when attending, Master Gardeners can earn some of their educational hours. Beside their 6 hours of education, a Master Gardener in Clinton County must earn 12 volunteer hours each year. This will keep an active Master Gardener in good standing each year. An intern before graduating receives 40 education hours through the ISU program and must then, in a year s time, provide 40 hours of volunteer service. (An extension on this time is available on request) Many opportunities are provided throughout the year for members to earn educational hours. These opportunities are referred to as Master Gardener approved projects. This means that your seven member board has approved of them as projects that are an asset to our horticultural space within the county. They take on many different facets in our horticultural society or our green space as we refer to it. Some examples follow, (always remember this is time donated without reward): You may speak at a meeting You may write an article You may design or make design suggestions to revitalize an existing space You may adopt an OLC garden or work in one of the Arboretum Gardens or other Master Gardener approved garden Yes, our History in Clinton County Is improving with each year. This year, in 2010 we sponsored our first garden walk. We charged only $5.00 a person and earned $750 for our Clinton County Master Gardener Scholarship Program. This scholarship helps pay tuition for people in need to take the Iowa State Extension Master Gardener courses. Our operating fund for our budget needs each year comes mostly from our two plant sales held in early May. Separating plants of quality from our private gardens and from our Master Gardener gardens supply us with inexpensive quality plants. These plant sales run simultaneously, one in Dewitt at the OLC, the other at the Lyons Craft Sale in North Clinton. Combined totals from these sales range well into a thousand dollars, with improvement each year. Master Gardeners also receive many donations from the public for memorial benches etc. Our one big social event is held early in December, it is a combination of our award banquet and our holiday party. It has progressed from a progressive dinner in members homes in 2001, to a celebration, with written invitation at a local restaurant. Our Master Gardeners have gone from silly kangaroo awards in 200l to more sophisticated awards worth earning, in Our new Extension Office in Dewitt at 400 E. 11 th Street (up and running in 2009) provides us with a larger facility for educating our interns, and holding special events such as our graduation parties, and other group activities. Our current staff at the extension office answers just about any question we might have: Catherine Winchester, Jessica Lester, Bill Petsche and Mark A Schroeder, Ph.D. We thank you for your help. Bob Owen is our tri -county connection to Iowa State University and is a big help along with the University Web site that keeps us in touch with what s new. Continued on page 9

9 Volume 1 Issue 8 Page 9 August 2010 A BRIEF HISTORY Continued from page 8 Some projects completed over the past nine years that have helped our people in Clinton County are: The Washington Middle School Project Kirkwood School Vegetable Garden Design and building of 2 propagation centers for use at the arboretum The Curtis Mansion Victorian Landscape and Gardens The Monarch Butterfly Project at the Arboretum The Sarah Harding Gardens (plants tagged and identified) The Eagle Point Nursing Home Raised Bed, their gardens and pond Using carpentry skills to build a worm composting bin, used in educating classes of children and adults The West Wing Project No Child Left Inside, classes at the Bickelhaupt Arboretum The Green Scene, articles written in the Clinton Herald Soaring Eagle Nature Center (Help with design of their Butterfly Garden) Elvira Lutheran Church Master Gardener Cook Book Holiday Wreath and Center Piece Project Roger and Jan s Vegetable Garden Classes (Instructions on how to successfully plant for food for family use) Landscape Design at Clinton Community College Annex A garden design at North East elementary school in Goose Lake The Canticle in Clinton Contributing to public spaces with their knowledge of water features and electricity, combining talents and using them Research and computer knowledge used on research for Plant - Partners hot line Speaking to groups or giving demonstrations at the County Fair or at community meetings Making plant identification labels for our two most important on-going Master Gardener Projects These two, were mentioned in detail earlier in this history report: The Out Door Living Classroom at the Fair Grounds in Dewitt The Bickelhaupt Arboretum An Outdoor Museum of Labeled Plants and Trees A Private Couple Creates a Public Garden * I am sure that I have missed many just as important projects (that have been in progress over the years) completed by your Clinton County Master Gardeners. Remember that our purpose is to educate and save the green spaces for those generations yet to come. I do know that Master Gardener Service to the county is one important way that I can contribute my time doing what I most like to do. As one intern told me when I was interviewing her, I just like to play in the dirt. Yes, if you are looking for a Master Gardener in Clinton County, Iowa - you will find one. There are over 50, (that number is continually growing). Master gardeners have donated thousands of hours to your communities, through your schools, nursing homes, parks, and other green spaces. They are giving back to the county using their education to educate others. THIS IS IOWA STATE CLINTON COUNTY EXTENSION MASTER GARDENER HISTORY AS I SEE IT PROGRESSING TODAY IN THE YEAR Submitted by Nora Stanford Master Gardener Master Gardener Chairman Willard Larsen asked me to write this to have available at the 2010 Clinton County Fair. There is also a notebook binder with pictures that accompanies this History. Given to Jan Rittmer, who is our current Historian. It will be available to you at the Clinton County Extension Office. * The title of Frances Bickelhaupt s book available at the Arboretum office.

10 Volume 1 Issue 8 Page 10 August MASTER GARDEN CLINTON COUNTY GARDEN WALK A successful garden walk for our first year. The weather was beautiful. I would like to thank my committee, Norma McDonnell, Nora Stanford and Ralph ( picture taker) For all their help and especially to those folks whom let us view their beautiful Gardens. Each one was unique in their own way. Also for the Clinton Art Center For loaning the garden walk signs. We made a total of $ towards the Master Garden Scholarship Fund. Kathy Sander (chairman) RESULTS FROM THE FAIR Outdoor Container Contest Best of Show: Kay Bates Vegetable Contest Best of Show: Julie Lord Door Prize winners: Ralph Stanford, Shelby Bormann, JoAnn DeWulf, Jane Onyo REPORTING HOURS Remember that ISU wants us to record hours on line. Those who do not have a computer can use a computer at the Arb or Extension office. We will have someone to help you record. MG ers can get volunteer hours helping members record hours. ISU FIELD DAY The nearest ISU field day to us is August 9, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the ISU research farm in Muscatine/Fruitland. This research farm does trials with vegetables and fruits as well as farm crops. Check out the ISU web site for more information and directions. Willard Kids Business, a preschool/day care center in DeWitt, is interested in someone assisting with the planning of a little garden on their property. They want to develop it as a project especially for their school age youth. The main things they are looking for: Someone to help them determine best location, what to plant, when, etc. Ideally they d like someone who would be willing to come back periodically to talk with the youth about maintenance, weeding, etc They d also like someone who would visit with the youth in the fall when it is time to harvest. They are looking for NO labor, just input, expertise and an interest in helping young kids learn about horticulture. If you are interested in finding out more, please call me at and I will give you more details. Thanks for your consideration. Bill Petsche Iowa State University Extension Youth Development Specialist Clinton and Scott Counties

11 Volume 1 Issue 8 Page 11 August 2010 BICKELHAUPT ARBORETUM PRESENTS... HERB FAIRE AT THE ARBORETUM Saturday, August 7 Donation: $3.00 9:00 a.m. 11:00 p.m. The Bickelhaupt Arboretum has a wonderful herb garden where medicinal and edible herbs are grown. A morning dedicated to the lure of herb gardening from planting to harvesting and uses is planned for you. Come learn how herbs can be used for simple healing, cooking and crafting. There will be presentations, demonstrations and a tour of the Mercy Hospice Herb garden. Samples of foods using garden herbs will be provided. For more information, call the Bickelhaupt Arboretum at

12 Iowa State University Clinton County Extension 400 East 11th Street DeWitt, Iowa ACTIVITIES CALENDAR AUGUST 7th Herb Fair - Clinton: Arb 340 S. 14 Street, Clinton, 9am noon The lore as well as growing, preserving, tasting and cooking with herbs. Call to register. 24th Picnic with the Butterflies - Clinton: Arb 340 S. 14 Street, Clinton, 5 7 pm The Butterfly Garden and Monarch project has been a feature of late summer at the Arboretum for five years. Master Gardeners and their families are invited to tour the grounds, view the life cycle of the Monarch from egg (using a magnifying glass) to butterfly, learn how we can plant our own gardens to attract this special insect. Lots of picnic area. Bring blankets or chairs and have a picnic. 24th Gardening Green Clinton County Extension Office 400 East 11th Street, DeWitt, IA 6:30-8:30 pm Rain Gardens in Iowa on Aug. 24 will illustrate the design and maintenance of rain gardens as a best management practice (BMP) for storm water management in your landscape. Soil preparation and appropriate plant species selection will be emphasized. This topic will be covered by Dr. Ann Marie VanDerZanden, Department of Horticulture, Iowa State University. (See page 1) SEPTEMBER 15th Dried Flower Arranging - Clinton Arb 340 S. 14 Street, Clinton, Call for time. Master Gardener, Alice Machande, will lead a class in creating a fall arrangement for your home. Bring in your collected seeds to swap with fellow Master Gardeners and discuss what your successes were in this year s garden.