ASCENSION S SCOOP. Ascension Parish Master Gardener Associa on March 2017 Newsle er

Transcription

1 ASCENSION S SCOOP Ascension Parish Master Gardener Associa on March 2017 Newsle er The Follow Up Workshop for the Greauxing Gardens program was held on January 25 with Ascension Master Gardeners and teachers from most of the 14 par cipa ng schools. Under the direc on of Kiki Fontenot, LSU AgCenter Assistant Professor of Hor culture, and Craig Roussel, Ascension/St. James Extension Hor culture Agent, the program's first year in Ascension Parish proved to be very successful. Short PowerPoint pesenta ons showcasing the students building, plan ng, weeding, harves ng, par cipa ng in the annual School Garden Contest, interac ng, reac ng and Greauxing their minds and experiences were enjoyed by all present. In their reports, the teachers expressed gra tude and thanked the Master Gardeners for their assistance with the gardens. Taylor Frey, a 2016 AMG graduate, did an outstanding job producing the Greauxing Gardens TV programs which can be viewed at Greauxing Gardens on youtube.com. Old me Farm Supply generously donated over $2,700 worth of supplies to be distributed to the par cipa ng schools please thank them when you visit their store! Many thanks to PotashCorp PCS Nitrogen of Geismar for providing the $30,000 grant to begin Greauxing the Gardens.

2 SPRING LIBRARY SERIES DISCOVER LOUISIANA SUPER PLANTS Tuesday, February 21, :30 PM Horticulturist Butch Drewes, previously with Naylor's Hardware and Garden Center, is now with Clegg's Nursery. He shared the history of the Louisiana Super Plant program, which began in 2010 at the request of the LA Nursery & Landscape Association. This educational and marketing program showcases plants that perform well in Louisiana landscapes. Each year several plants are nominated for trials and those chosen go through several years of university evaluations and observations at the Hammond Research Station. Those plants who are a success and chosen as a Super Plant are referred to as university tested and industry approved. Each spring and fall LSU AgCenter horticulturists unveil a list of Louisiana Super Plants that were evaluated and selected for their superior performance under Louisiana growing conditions. A few tips about some of our Louisiana Super Plant selections: D SunPatiens, a variety of impatient s is less susceptible to downy mildew-needs a well drained area to perform best. D Viburnam Mrs. Schillers Delight can be pruned to keep it compact, but may reach heights of 4-5 ; the shrub also blooms in the fall. D Rabbiteye blueberry varieties are the best to grow in our location. Avoid other varieties sold in the area. D Fall 2017 Winner Petunia Supertunia Vista Bubblegum is a long lasting draping petunia that can take the heat better than the Wave and blooms a long time. Butch shared a bit of history and how after suffering the catastrophic flood damage in August 2016, that Naylor's Hardware and Garden Center survives in a new partnership with Clegg's Nursery. Johnny Naylor s vegetable seeds are available, but most vegetable plants normally sold by Naylors will not be available this spring, with the exception of a few including Sunsugar tomatoes. As always, the Ascension Parish Library staff at Gonzales was graciously accommodating. The Library team provided a display of a variety of Super Plant blooms and cu ngs for inspec on. 2

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4 GARDENING IN ASCENSION PARISH - JUST KEEPS GROWING! 2017 SPRING LIBRARY SERIES The Ascension Parish Master Gardeners Association, under the direction of the LSU Ag Center and sponsored by the Ascension Parish Library system, presents a spring series of gardening and landscaping educational presentations geared to both novice and advanced gardeners. GARDENING TO ATTRACT POLLINATORS TUESDAY, MARCH 21, :30 PM Our pollinators distribute pollen among flowers. When we create a habitat filled with nectar and helpful host plants, we create an area that will attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and more. Choosing the correct habitat site, methods of pest control, mowing, and recognizing beneficial "weeds" are essential aspects of managing a pollinator habitat. Speaker Mila Berhane, Senior Research Associate, Southern University and Proprietor of Greenhand Nursery will guide us through the process of gardening to attract pollinators. Dutchtown Library Highway 73 Geismar, LA (225) (Please call to register) GARDENING JACKPOT-FREE PLANTS AND INFORMATION TUESDAY, APRIL 25, :30 PM Do you have a list of gardening questions about citrus, ornamentals, perennials, vegetables? This is your chance to finally get the answers you need. Craig Roussel, Ascension Parish/St. James Parish County Agent with LSU AgCenter, will conduct a question-answer session on a wide range of gardening topics. Then, you will have the opportunity to participate in an old-fashioned tradition a plant swap. Bring your labeled plants, cuttings, bulbs, or seeds to exchange with local gardeners. You will leave with a jackpot of new ideas and information as well as new plants for your garden. Gonzales Library 708 South Irma Blvd. Gonzales, LA (225) (Please call to register) 4

5 LOUISIANA MASTER GARDENER STATE NEWS A ADVANCED MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM IS PLANNED THIS YEAR, LIKELY BEGINNING IN MAY/JUNE. MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW. SARA SHIELDS, LOUISIANA MASTER GARDENER STATE COORDINATOR, WILL BE TRAVELING THE STATE THIS YEAR TO MEET WITH EACH OF THE LMG GROUPS/ASSOCIATIONS. SARA R. SHIELDS, PHD LOUISIANA MASTER GARDENER STATE COORDINATOR LMGCOORDINATOR@AGCENTER.LSU.EDU PHONE: PLAN FOR THE EVER POPULAR PLANT SWAP! Please start plan ng seeds, dividing perennials, and preparing other landscape items for the exchange. Don t throw anything living away, save it for the plant swap on April 25th! Some of the ho est items at past swaps were the vegetable & herb plants, along with the few fig trees that were SWAPPED. If you are able to root fig trees or plant seeds for edibles for our upcoming swap, please do so. As always, we appreciate anything that you have to share with the community. For ques ons contact Conchita Richey jtrichey@eatel.net or Sheila Billingsley shbillingsley@yahoo.com 5

6 TEAM WORKDAY AT THE LAMAR DIXON DEMONSTRATION GARDEN Perfect weather on February 9 a racted a record number of Master Gardeners who arrived eager and ready to work! The dri roses were pruned and pine straw mulch was placed around them. Crushed pine straw was used to mulch the ends of the bed and the 2 sugar ke les. The group then made their way to "The Hill" to the vegetable garden. Remaining carrots, turnips, and beets were harvested and the en re vegetable garden was completely cleaned. Since the co on is making such a nice show, the team le it in place un l Spring plan ng me. I believe that many would agree that something new is learned from our leader, Craig Roussel, at every workday! Weeding, lling and plan ng Irish potatoes finished off a very produc ve work day by the Lamar Dixon Demonstra on Team. Ar cle and Photographs provided by Mary Beth Roussel. 6

7 OWINGS RECEIVES CAREER AWARD FROM HORTICULTURE SOCIETY Allen Owings, center, receives the Henry Covington Extension Award for Hor culture Professionals from the Southern Region of the American Society for Hor cultural Science. Presen ng Owings with the award are David Reed, le, society execu ve secretary, and Ed Bush, society president. Photo provided by Allen Owings. To view the en re ar cle please visit: cles/page The 2017 GET IT GROWING Lawn & Garden Calendar published by the LSU AgCenter features photos by APMG members Conchita Richey and Lynda Williams. Photo submission due date for the 2018 calendar has passed, but consider taking photos throughout the year for a following issue. The submission due date for the 2019 calendar will most likely be January Photos need to be a high resolu on with minimum quality of: Large calendar images should be 6 10 megapixels or greater. Small calendar images should be 1 3 megapixels or greater. Submission details and last years Call for Entries form can be found on the LSU AgCenter website at: GetItGrowingCalendar. 7

8 THE LIFE STAGES OF A LADYBUG The term ladybug refers to all the beetles in the Coccinellidae (kox ih NELL a DEE) family, and the colors, shapes and sizes vary greatly from what we generally refer to as a ladybug. Harmonia axyridis, Asian lady beetle Non na ve Hippodamia convergens "Convergent Lady" Na ve Dr. Chris Carlton, Biological Sciences Director of the LSU AgCenter, recently corresponded when asked to iden fy the most common na ve Lady beetle in Louisiana. He provided several resources, one wri en by his predecessor, Dr. Joan Chapin, a lady beetle specialist. She published The Coccinellidae of Louisiana in 1974, which is posted online at h p:// Dr. Carlton added, Ironically, the most common species is not in Joan s paper because the Asian lady beetle was not established when it was published. The fauna has changed drama cally since then. Many large, previously common na ve species are in serious decline due to compe on with the Asian species and climate change. The Asian lady beetle is apparently well adapted to warmer winter weather such as we are having now, so the situa on will likely get worse. 8

9 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR 4-H EVENTS Dear Master Gardeners, Volunteers are needed for the following Ascension Parish 4 H events: 4 H Record Books Volunteers are need to judge record books completed by 4 Hers, which are due to the office on March 15 th. Judges will need to pick up record books, and bring them home to read and score according to a rubric, then return scored by the deadline. Pick up and judging deadline to be determined. Seafood Cookery To be held on March 20 th at the Ascension Parish Extension Office. Judges are needed to judge dishes in various categories. Date of judging to be determined. 4 H Achievement Day To be held on April 7th at Dutchtown High School. Volunteers will need to arrive at 8:45, judges at 9:30. Volunteers are needed for check in, concessions and other tasks throughout the day. Judges to judge t shirt contest, banner contest, spirit award, song, yell and talent compe ons; it will end by 2pm. 4 H Demo Day To be held on April 13 th at the Lamar Dixon Vendor Rooms. Volunteers are needed for check in and to work ac vi es for kids while judging takes place. Judges to judge exhibits, speeches, demonstra ons, etc. Volunteers will need to arrive by 8:15 and it's usually done by lunch. If you are interested in volunteering for Record Book Judging or the Seafood Cookery, please contact Stephanie Gravois at sgravois@agcenter.lsu.edu or if you are interested in volunteering for 4 H Demo Day or Achievement Day, please contact Camille Brady at cbrady@agcenter.lsu.edu,or call (225) Thank you in advance, these events would not be possible without your generous gi of your me and effort. Best regards, Debra Langlois Administra ve Coordinator LSU AgCenter, Coopera ve Extension Service Ascension Parish Office 9

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13 15TH ANNUAL BATON ROUGE SPRING GARDEN SHOW Saturday, March 18 and Sunday, March 19, 2017, 9:00 4:00 each day John M. Parker Coliseum, Highland Road, LSU Campus David Himelrick is asking for Master Gardeners to help at the Baton Rouge Spring Garden Show. Please contact David at phone number or him at They need help at the entrance cket desk taking money and stamping hands and with monitoring the entrances to the coliseum floor. You can also volunteer to assist with the Plant Health Clinic table which is usually located next to the Ask the Experts table. The show is always lots of fun with many items of interest to Master Gardeners. Thank you for your assistance. The floor of the coliseum will be transformed into a fascina ng world of plants and gardens. The show includes numerous vendors selling a tremendous variety of plants and yard, garden, and pa o related merchandise. Next door you can sample and talk with some of the world s best chili cooks. See some great classic cars and street rods in the parking lot on Sunday. 13

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15 APMG MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS (volunteer hours) LSU AgCenter Ascension Office at Lamar Dixon Expo Center at 9AM. Mee ngs are usually held on the third Tuesday of odd numbered months. If you have an item for the agenda, please contact Julie Elzer. March 21 May 16 July 18 September 19 (may change due to MG Classes) November 21 APMG EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETINGS (volunteer hours) LSU AgCenter Ascension Office at Lamar Dixon Expo Center at 9AM. Mee ngs are usually held on the second Tuesday of odd numbered months. The board welcomes sugges ons and comments. March 14 May 9 July 11 September 12 (may change due to MG Classes) November 14 THE REFLECTIONS IN THE GARDEN SERIES (Educa on Hours) Burden Conference Center, 4560 Essen Lane, Noon 1PM, $10 nonmembers, , culturalsociety.com. MAR 6, Monday, Dr. Kiki Fontenot, LSUAgCENTER VEGETABLE VARIETY TRIAL UPDATE APR 3, Monday, Peggy Cox, AZALEAS FOR EVERY SEASON MAY 1, Monday, Dr. Crissy Morgan, POLLINATOR GARDENING & BEES MARCH 3, Fri: FRUIT PRUNING WORKSHOP FOR EXTENSION AGENTS Hands on par cipa on at the Lamar Dixon Demonstra on Fruit Orchard. 9 AM. Craig Roussel for details. MARCH 4, Sat: HERB DAY, LSUAGCENTER AT BURDEN A day of family fun, cra s, ar sts, music and spring garden show. Admission $5. More informa on at or MARCH 7, Tue: HOMEOWNER LANDSCAPE SYMPOSIUM Barton Jefferson, Craig Roussel and Mariah Simoneaux to present at LSU AgCenter Extension Office at Lamar Dixon. 2PM to 4:30 PM See page 10 for details. MARCH 10, Fri: ST TAMMANY SPRING SEMINAR See page 9 for more details. MARCH 11, Sat: ST. ELIZABETH GIRLS DAY OUT (Volunteer Hours) St. Elizabeth Hospital, 1125 E. Hwy 30, Gonzales, LA. 8:30AM 12:30PM. MARCH 11 12, Sat Sun: FRISCO FEST San Francisco Planta on, Garyville, 9AM-5PM, A day of family fun, cra s, music, and spring garden show. Admission $5. Informa on or on.org. 15

16 MARCH 15, Wed: PRIVATE PESTICIDE APPLICATOR RECERTIFICATION MEETING LSU AgCenter Extension Office, Lamar Dixon Expo Center, 1:30 3 PM MARCH 17 18, Fri Sat: ST TAMMANY PARISH MGA NORTHSHORE GARDEN AND PLANT SALE See page 12 for details. MARCH 18 19, Sat Sun: 15TH ANNUAL BATON ROUGE SPRING GARDEN SHOW AND ARTS AND CRAFT FAIR John M. Parker Coliseum, Highland Road, LSU Campus, 9AM-4PM each day. For addi onal informa on please contact: (225) , DHimelrick@agcenter.lsu.edu. See page 13 for details. MARCH 21, Tue: 2017 SPRING LIBRARY SERIES GARDENING TO ATTRACT POLLINATORS (Educ. & Vol. Hours) Dutchtown Library. See page 5 for details. MARCH 25, EAST BATON ROUGE MASTER GARDENERS ASSOCIATION 20th ANNUAL PLANT SALE See page 14 for details. APRIL 1, PLANT HEALTH CLINIC (see below for info) APRIL 19, Wed: ST. JAMES PARISH AG DAY More informa on to follow. 8 AM 2:30 PM APRIL 25, Tue: 2017 SPRING LIBRARY SERIES GARDENING JACKPOT, FREE PLANTS & INFO (Educ. & Vol. Hrs) Gonzales Library. See pages 5 and 7 for details. MAY 6, PLANT HEALTH CLINIC (see below for info) Plant Health Clinic April 1st and May 6th Saturday, 8AM Noon Louisiana Nursery, Highway 42, Prairieville, LA Help the community with plant problems, sugges ons and recommenda ons (volunteer hours) Southwest Louisiana Garden Expo March 24 & March 25 Friday & Saturday, 9AM 5PM Burton Coliseum 7001 Gulf Highway and Gauthier Road Lake Charles, LA, The fes val will offer speakers, plant sales and plant clinics. For more informa on (Educa on Hours). JUNE 30th LSU AGCENTER MIDYEAR REPORTING DEADLINE FOR MASTER GARDENER HOURS Enter your Volunteer and Education Hours through June Go to: 16

17 AscensionMasterGardeners Ascension Parish Master Gardener Program 9039 St. Landry Road Bldg. C Gonzales, LA (225) Our newsletter needs your help covering all the awesome programs and projects APMGA is involved with throughout the year. Other events and plant talks could also be shared. When you experience something horticultural, consider taking a few notes and photos for the newsletter. For more information on how to become involved contact Sheila Billingsley or Lynda Williams. 17