Winter Gardening Fair February 21 is Almost Here!

Transcription

1 Vol. 25, No. 2 Editors: Jean Murray/Lisa Slattery/Julie Stark February 2015 MG EVENTS Steering Committee Mtg. Extension Office February 3 6:30 pm Library Talks 6:30-7:30 Hiawatha Public Library February 4, 11, 18, and 25 Central City Library February 5, 12, 19, and 26 Gardening Fair Volunteer Assignments Arrive February 9 Winter Gardening Fair Kirkwood Community College 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW February 21 8:30 am-4:00 pm Expert Ed Popcorn and Plants Extension Office February 26 6:30-8:00 A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; above all it teaches entire trust ~Gertrude Jekyll Winter Gardening Fair February 21 is Almost Here! If the snow stays away, we look forward to another fantastic Winter Gardening Fair on Saturday, Feb. 21. Thanks to those who have already volunteered; you will receive your assignments in the mail the week of February 9. A few more volunteers are needed, so if you have not volunteered and want to join the fun, you can still sign-up via the online survey through Wednesday, February 4, or contacting Sylvia Kelley (skelley313@aol.com or ) any day prior to the fair. DONATIONS NEEDED! Winter Gardening Fair Gift Basket donation are greatly appreciated any time. We will accept Continued Page 2 What s Inside... Gardening Fair Updates Pages 1-2 Propagation Workshop at Lowe Page 2 Expert Ed: Popcorn and Plants Page 3 Tips for Indoor Seed Sowing Page 3 Upcoming Iowa Events Page 4 WMT Outdoor Living Show Page 4 Coordinator Comments Page 5 International MG Conference Page 6 Library Talks Page 7 Thomas Jefferson A Master of Microclimates Page 8 Steering Cmte Notes Pages 9-11 February

2 Continued From Page 1 anything gardening related, including skin care items, note pads, garden journals, etc. Items don't have to be used in the garden. If you are donating something you like, tell why it's your favorite garden item. Drop off donations with Kathy Wimer in the Extension Office by February 11. Please include your name. Donations of items for decorating fabric bird houses are also needed. Rummage through your sewing odds and ends. We are looking for colorful buttons, rickrack, braid, trim, small items that can be sewn on to houses. Please bring to the Extension Office no later than Friday, February 13. Propagation Workshops Have Begun for the 2015 Growing Season By Phil Pfister The first propagation workshops took place on Tuesday and Thursday, January 13 and 15, at the Lowe Park Greenhouse. Between the two workshops, twenty volunteers took cuttings of geraniums, and a few other assorted plants. This is the starting point for plants that will be used in the demonstration gardens, and sold at the Plant Sale, which is scheduled for Saturday, May 16, On February 10, we will start weekly work sessions every Tuesday morning, and Thursday evening, weather permitting. The sessions will include more propagation by cuttings, seeding and transplanting. Training is provided at the start of every session. If you are not currently receiving s announcing the activities taking place at the greenhouse, and would like to, please contact Phil Pfister at ppfister47@gmail.com, or Kathy Wimer at kwimer@iastate.edu. New opportunities at the Winter Gardening Fair: The greenhouse and demonstration gardens group will have a sales table at the Winter Gardening Fair on Saturday, February , offering creations they created. Items for sale include: Ivy topiaries, Succulent gardens, Small wreaths of dried flowers, Kitchen wreaths of dried peppers, garlic and herbs on a cornhusk base, and Pansy basket gardens. The sales will benefit the programs of both of these groups. 2 Germinator

3 Expert Ed Popcorn and Plants On Thursday, February 26, 2014 and Thursday, March 5, 2015, programs called Popcorn and Plants will be presented in the large conference room at the Extension Office. The popcorn will be furnished. Individuals should bring their own drink. Melinda Meyers s DVD, How to Grow Anything: Your Best Garden and Landscape in 6 Lessons will be shown. The time for each night will be 6:30-8:00. This event is open to Master Gardeners and the public. To register, please contact Linn County Extension by calling (319) or by ing kwimer@iastate.edu February 26 How to Grow Anything: Your Best Garden and Landscape in 6 Lessons (Each lesson is 30 minutes) 1. Plan the Garden of your Dreams 2. Get the Right Plant for the Right Place 3. Prepare Healthy Soils and Plant for Spring March 5 How to Grow Anything: Your Best Garden and Landscape in 6 Lessons (Each lesson is 30 minutes) 4. Design for Light, Water, and Microclimate 5. Refresh Your Summer Garden 6. Add New Color in Fall and Prep for Winter This information will be in the Germinator. If these DVDs are well attended we have another DVD by Melinda Meyers that could be presented. Get a Jump on the Upcoming Growing Season Tips for Indoor Seed Sowing Want to get a start on the growing season? Richard Jauron, ISU Horticulturalist says: "Consider starting your favorite seeds indoors. The correct indoor sowing dates for several popular flowers and vegetables in Iowa are: late January geranium; late February impatiens and begonia; early March cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower; mid-march pepper, eggplant, petunia, and salvia; late March tomato, marigold, and zinnia; and early April muskmelon, watermelon, squash, and cucumber. If unsure of the sowing date, check the seed packet." February 3

4 Upcoming Iowa Gardening Events of Interest Buchanan County Gardening Event Saturday, February 28, :00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. First Presbyterian Church, 116 6th Ave. N.W., Independence Some of the topics include: Growing Veggies & Herbs Small Scale; Bareroot Basics & Proper Installation of Plant Material; Creating a Themed Garden; Proven Perennials & More. Breakout sessions on creating a broken pot succulent garden, woody plant selection and maintenance, garden sustainability and creating seasonal porch pots! And as always there will be a silent auction and vendors. Registration is $35 after February 1. Payment is due at time of registration. To register, call (319) Henry County Gardening Event Henry County Master Gardeners 9th Annual Spring Symposium Open to ALL gardeners!! March 7, :00 am to 4:00 pm First United Methodist Church, 309 N Main, Mt. Pleasant, IA To register: Or call (319) Registration Deadline is February 27. Limited to 175 participants. WMT Outdoor Living Show March Linn County Master Gardeners will again be participating in the WMT Outdoor Living Show sponsored by King's Concrete, on Saturday March 14 and Sunday March 15, at Hawkeye Downs Convention Center. Master Gardeners will staff an information booth for the public, as well as present helpful gardening seminars throughout the weekend. Your help is needed. Please save the date and consider assisting at this event. Contact Sue Usher ( ), Karen Woeste ( ) or Tammy Lutz ( ). Further details will be in the March Germinator. 4 Germinator

5 Coordinator s Comments By Kathy Wimer Winter Greetings Everyone! What a busy time of year for the Master Gardeners especially with the upcoming Winter Gardening Fair on Feb. 21 st, With upcoming MG Library Talks, Expert Education events, WMT Garden Show and the Creative Gardening Series, there are many opportunities for Master Gardeners to receive volunteer and education hours for 2015! I would like to encourage Master Gardeners to consider attending the next Linn County Extension Council meeting, which will be held on Thursday, February 5th at 6pm in the large conference room. Master Gardeners who would like to consider putting in their own name or the name of a qualified colleague into nomination for an open seat on the Extension Council are encouraged to attend the February meeting. Judy Stevens, long-time Master Gardener, resigned at the January Extension Council meeting, leaving a gap that could be effectively filled with someone who has banking or accounting experience. These skills are not required, but the Council mentioned they would be open to considering candidates who bring this sort of expertise to the table. For more information about the Extension Council, please visit this link on our website: Upcoming MG Volunteer Opportunities: *Help prepare Germinator mailings each month! Please contact Kathy Wimer at , ext. 316 or kwimer@iastate.edu for more information *Get on the March Hortline schedule. your availability to MG volunteer Sylvia skelley313@aol.com or call (319) or (319) *Attend one of the many upcoming free garden classes at the Hiawatha, Ladd, Marion, Central City, Coggon, Ely and North Liberty library. MG volunteer Deb Walser for more wadeborah@mchsi.com *Promote MG events throughout the community via social media *Attend the next MG Screening Committee meeting, which is scheduled for Feb. 3rd, 6:30pm at the Extension office. *Write articles, submit pictures and/or contribute ideas to the Germinator *Plan to attend the upcoming Master Gardener Expert Education events on 2/26 & 3/5 at the Extension office, the Winter Gardening Fair on 2/21 held at Kirkwood Community College and plan to attend the March Creative Gardening Series on 3/12, 3/19 & 3/26 at the Cedar Rapids Public Library. Please contact Kathy Wimer at Extension office if you have any questions! February 5

6 2015 International Master Gardener Conference 2015 brings a once-in-a-long-time opportunity for Iowa Master Gardeners. The 2015 International Master Gardener Program is being held at the Mid- America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa (less than 4 hours away!). The Nebraska and Iowa Master Gardener Programs are co-hosting this event. The dates of the conference are September 22-25; registration begins March 1. Conference Prices: - $330 Early bird registration: March 1 to April 30 - $385 Standard registration: May 1 to June 30 - $440 Late registration: July 1 to August 31 In addition to the all conference prices, daily registration is also available with the below prices: - Wednesday 9/23 $180 (Includes: breakfast, lunch and evening meal - Thursday 9/24 $140 (Includes: breakfast and lunch) - Friday 9/25 $120 (Includes: breakfast and lunch) - Spouse/Companion package, (no conference) $ 55 (Tuesday reception, Wednesday dinner, and trade show admission) Two Conference Hotels: - Harrah's in Council Bluffs ($89 a night for 1, $10 extra per night for additional guests with max of 4 in a room, plus taxes) - Embassy Suites, Omaha - Downtown ($124 a night for 1 or 2, $134 a night for 3, $144 a night for 4, plus taxes) Both hotels run an airport shuttle from Eppley Airfield in Omaha, NE. Once the reservation site is open, we will send out an update. Conference Tracks: Conference tracks seem to have something for everyone: - Midwest flavor (Prairie plants, local foods...) - Horizons (technology, QR codes, trends, futuristic...) - From the Ground Up (composting, propagation, grafting...) - Professional Development (program management, volunteer retention, resolving conflict...) - Design (floral, landscape, container...) - Working with Community (youth, elderly...) For more information, see this website: imgc2015 or Like the conference Facebook page by searching on Facebook for 2015 International Master Gardener Conference. 6 Germinator

7 February 2015 Library Talks Wednesday (6:30-7:30) Hiawatha Public Library 150 West Willman St., Hiawatha, IA February 4: Feed the Birds (Deb Walser): This power point presentation features the most common Iowa birds of summer and winter. We will look at the many types of feed for the birds plus trees and shrubs that provide cover and food. Come see beautiful pictures and lots of birding tips. February 11: Orna-edibles-Pretty Enough to Eat (Sylvia Kelly): Simple ideas to grow food and flowers in combinations that are front yard beautiful and healthy to eat. Take steps towards sustainable living for every life style -apartments, condos, houses big and small from a single container to the whole front yard. February 18: Starting Seeds & Transplants (Phil Pfister): Starting flower and vegetables from seed is not only fun and satisfying, but it can also be a cost effective way of expanding your garden varieties. Phil will provide tips and techniques on seeding, transplanting, and setting plants out in the garden, and extending the growing season. February 25: The Zen Garden Japanese Gardening Principles in Midwest Gardens (Jean Murray): Zen gardens are a spiritual celebration of nature. Jean and Vicki will discuss how to incorporate the principles of Japanese gardening into your home garden and will take you (electronically) to some upper Midwest Japanese gardens. Finally, they will show you how to start on your own Zen garden with an easy Lotus Pond. Thursday (6:30-7:30) John C. Clegg Public Library 137 North 4th St., Central City, IA February 5: Rain Barrels (Wil Carew): Are they an old-timey water collection method? A new fad? Or a time-tested way to conserve and protect one of our precious natural resources? Wil will share the why s and how s of rain barrels, including examples of commercial products and how to construct your own. February 12: Gardening Green (Judy Stevens): Environmentally-friendly gardening is good for our planet, AND good for you. Learn some techniques that will save you time, money, and still give you the results you want whether it be vegetable or flower gardening. February 19: Container Gardens (Deb Walser): Container gardens do not have to be three geranium, asparagus fern and vinca vines. You don t need to grow only one tomato in a container; you can grow a whole salsa garden in a container. Come see what can be done with your containers. Deb Walser s own containers will be featured along with planting instructions. You will never have a plain container garden again. February 26: Daylilies: A Most Mis-Underestimated Perennial (Zora Ronan): This class is for gardeners who think that all daylilies are yellow or orange, and who want to move beyond Stellas. Zora Ronan will explore the many forms, patterns, and colors in the daylily world and how to incorporate them in your garden. February 7

8 Thomas Jefferson - A Master of Microclimates By Jean Murray Thomas Jefferson understood microclimates. When he gardened at Monticello, he planted grapes on a sunny hillside that saw significant warmth for two months longer than many of his other lands. From 1767 to 1814, Jefferson experimented with hundreds of varieties of fruit on the hot southeast facing side of his Monticello mountain. Here, in the middle of USDA zone 7a, he placed his orchard and vineyard, which he called the fruitery. Mediterranean staples like figs, and perhaps pomegranates, accustomed to the much warmer zones 9 and 10, were able to ripen fruit long into the fall because the mountainside microclimate extends the normal zone 7a growing season by two months. Nevertheless, the only fruitery experiment that continued beyond 1814, until 1817, was the Vitis vinifera European grape vineyard -- a failure even with the direction of the ambitious Italian viticulturist Philip Mazzei, who came to Virginia to start a wine industry. Mazzei and Jefferson s vinifera grapes never lived long enough or fruited well enough to produce a bottle of wine. However, 166 years later, in 1983, the Thomas Jefferson Foundation hired another pioneering Italian viticulturist who was determined to finally create a Virginia wine industry. The unexpected results vindicated Jefferson s choice of vineyard microclimate. 8 Germinator

9 January 2015 Steering Committee Draft (Abridged for Germinator; Committees not listed had no report) Attended: Steve Bartlett, Larry Dawson, Beula Dvorak, Cindy Fagan, Linda Hinzman, Gene Nassif, Beth Roof, Jane Schildroth, Pam Scott, Linda Shepard, Deb Walser, Jean Wilson. Excused: Jackie Baumhauer, Darrell Hennessy. Guests: Kathy Wimer, Phil Pfister, Devon Dietz. Quorum established. Minutes: December minutes were approved following spelling corrections. Announcements: Awards Committee appointed by the SC Chair announced: Vicki Keegan, will be asked as the representative of Linn Co. Extension Council, MG s Karla McGrail, Devon Dietz, Thea Cole, Larry Dawson, Jackie Baumhauer, Jean Murray. Financial Report (Linda Hinzman reported): She has met with Jean Murray, past treasurer, and the new Extension bookkeeper Johanna Rahbusch. A financial report is expected by January 31. Awards Banquet: Chair needed Brucemore: Chair needed Community Outreach Gardens On December 17 th, Bev Whitmore, assisted by Mary Mikkola, met with fifty-eight 4th grade students and three teachers at Novak Elementary, to discuss herbs. The interactive presentation started with a definition of herbs and spices, a historical background of herbs, and examples of the way herbs have been used over time. There were live plants for the students to study and use for propagation, so they can watch as roots develop. Conversations continue with both the Marion and Cedar Rapids Blue Zone Committees as we look forward to assisting their community garden projects. We will be planning and setting dates for some community garden trainings, so watch for further details to come. Creative Gardening Series: Kathy Wimer sent out the contracts for the speakers. Kathy also made arrangements for hotel accommodations for the three speakers. Connie will work on flyers for the event s publicity. Demo Garden/Lowe Park (Shelby Foley): Would like to report that our gardens are snuggled in under a warm blanket of snow. However, that is not the case this year. No white blanket when we need it most. This will be a learning experience to see how well the plants fare being faced by the ever-present winds. Seeds and cuttings will be started soon in the greenhouse to produce plants of good size for beds of the Garden Walk. Demo Garden/Noelridge (Jean Minehart/Kathy Rhodes): The new season at Noelridge will start soon. A potluck is being planned for all volunteers and employees on January 7. Demo Garden/New Bo Learning Garden (Carol Elliott/Cindy Fagan): The committee met in January. February 9

10 Expert Education (Linda Hayward): Popcorn and Plants presentations on Thursday, February 26, 2014 and Thursday, March 5, Garden Walk (Mary Sam Krumholz/Diane Stevens): The following six gardens have been selected for the 2015 Garden Walk! The first is the fabulous Lowe Gardens and Greenhouse! (Shelby Foley and Phil Pfister). The following are the beautiful home gardens of Mike Anderson, Rose Milden, Deb Walser, Jan Knott, and Bev Whitmore. The date is June 27. More information will be coming soon. Greenhouse (Phil Pfister/Shelby Foley): A maximum capacity 20 people attended the Make a Holiday Arrangement Workshop, on Thursday, December 4, 2014, at the Greenhouse. Plant propagation classes were held at the Greenhouse in January. Heritage Center Project: Gene Nassif is the new chair. PR (Debbie Main): Orders were collected for items with the new MG logo. Donated items are being accepted for drawings for the WGF attendees. Current publications will be inventoried in January to see if more need to be ordered. Magnet and pen orders will progress as final details are worked out. Speakers Bureau (Deb Walser): Library talks will now be held four days a week, Monday through Thursday, February through April. Seven libraries are hosting MG talks, with the addition of Central City. Winter Gardening Fair (Linda Hinzman/Karla McGrail): WGF plans are progressing toward the finish line! Registration began 1/5/15. Requests for society participation have been sent. The publicity group is distributing posters and fliers all over eastern Iowa with the help of anyone interested in posting a few. A workday for interns will be scheduled to create birdhouse packets, copy handouts, make-up boxes, etc. WMT Garden Show (Sue Usher): The committee is hoping to get the date for the show very soon so we can begin our planning. Coordinator Report- Kathy Wimer Master Gardener Program Audit: Linn County Extension Council members have shared their plans to continue working on program audits for all Linn County Extension programs, including the Master Gardener program. Just a reminder that Linn County Extension will be celebrating our 100 th anniversary in We would like to ask the Master Gardener to consider serving on the Centennial Committee, chaired by Linda Bigley. Any interested volunteers can let us know if you would like to join this planning committee. Financial Processes: We are happy to welcome our new Linn County Extension bookkeeper, Johanna Rahbusch. Johanna has been training with our interim bookkeeper the past few months and officially started her full-time position on Monday, January 5th. We are thrilled to have Johanna on board! Quarterly regional Master Gardener Coordinator Meetings have been scheduled by Denny Schrock s assistant, Susan Deblieck, with our second conference call scheduled this Thursday, January 8.This week s conference call will include discussion about MG 10 Germinator

11 state timelines & core training for new county coordinators along with volunteer suggestions/tips for future MG programming. Verifying volunteer/educational hours: Letters were mailed to MG volunteers in December, verifying volunteer and education hours for Background Checks: A top priority for 2015 is to complete background checks for our From the Ground Up volunteers and 1/3 of the Master Gardeners. Volunteers Needed: MG volunteers are still needed to fill WGF shadow positions along with the Brucemore and Heritage chair positions & MG Historian. Old Business: New Bo funding request. SC reminded of $500 request made at last month s meeting. No new information on the budget available Treasurer reported that with increased funds predicted from the Plant Sale and the elimination of the Granger House project, we should be able to cover the request. SC agreed to revisit next month. New Business: Motion by Beula D. The position of Treasurer shall be an elected, rather than appointed, and a member of the Executive Committee. Motion passed unanimous. Greenhouse Utility Proposal: Phil Pfister presented a request by the City of Marion Parks to increase the MG financial portion paid from $1000 to 50% of the total utility costs for operating the Greenhouse. Phil shared historical data from 2011 to the present concluding that such was a feasible option. Following discussion. Motion by Larry D. Amend the Lowe Park Greenhouse contract between the City of Marion and Linn County Extension to change the cost of utilities at the Lowe Park Greenhouse to at 50/50 cost share between the City of Marion and Linn County Extension. Motion passed unanimous and will be present to Linn County Extension for their consideration. Phil also shared the Greenhouse committee s interest in purchasing a heat shade curtain at a cost of $5,300 at a later date to reduce heating costs. Meeting adjourned at 7:35pm. Respectably submitted, Beth Roof Next meeting February 3, 2015 Linn County Extension Master Gardeners 383 Collins Road NE, Suite 201 Cedar Rapids, IA ph (319) Hortline (319) 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 formats for ADA clients. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC or call February 11

12 12 Germinator Master Gardeners ISU Linn County Extension 383 Collins Road NE, Suite 201 Cedar Rapids, IA 52402