The Mason Jar Mason County WSU Master Gardener Newsletter MG Highlights:

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1 Mason County WSU Master Gardener Newsletter MG Highlights: MG Trainings-all welcome to attend September/October 2013 TTGG Classes start in January; watch for info Seeds For Thought R. Jeanne Rehwaldt Clinic Volunteers Needed on Mondays Inside this issue: Don Tapio article, 2,3 MG of the Month 3 August Genl. Mtg. Minutes 4,5 We have been having a wonderful time in training this year. Although the class is small many seasoned Master Gardeners have been coming to class and getting to know the trainees. At Hope Island last Friday we had 23 people come to prune the trees. A huge thank you goes out to Tom Kelleher and MJ Robbins for instruction and setting this up with the parks department. The small cabin was opened up for us and they had warm apple cider, breads, and doughnuts for us. The day was quite foggy and cold but we pruned about ten trees that didn t seem to have been pruned the last time we were there. Many of the trees have anthracnose which will eventually doom them, but MJ and Misha the park ranger have been taking scion wood from the old heritage trees and grafting them onto new root stock. These new seedlings will eventually replace the 100+ year old trees, but ensure the variety will stay at the island. Please feel free to come to trainings. There is a list of class subjects, dates, and times on page 8. The Executive Board will be looking at the budget for FY If you are a committee chair please talk with your committee and submit your budget request to the board by November 15, Nomination committee is looking for volunteers to run for board positions. The open positions are President Elect, Secretary, Vice President, Director at Large, and Foundation Representative. Contact Pat Carpenter if you have questions or would like to throw your name into the hat. Master Gardener Contact Info 6 Plant Sale Report, Hypertufa Production pix MG Training Schedule, Pumpkin Patch pictures Calendars: Oct. & Nov , 10 Thank-you Jeanne and Andrew Kinney for hosting the Apple Press Party! $119 was raised for Catalyst Park

2 Page 2 CHOOSE THESE PLANTS FOR GLORIOUS FALL COLOR Garden Article by Don Tapio, WSU Extension Regional Specialist Grays Harbor County Extension It s that time of year when much of the rural landscape throughout western Washington transitions into a tapestry of fall colors. Although we may not have the hardwood forests and consequent colorful fall foliage that dominate the New England States this time of year, we do have big-leaf and vine maples, Oregon Ash, Pacific Dogwoods and a host of other native plants that produce their own kaleidoscope of fall color. When placed against a background of native evergreens our fall colors are further enhanced. Home gardeners can easily create a riot of fall color in their own landscapes by incorporating a number of plants that are prized for their fall foliage displays. One of the most common, and perhaps most visible for its use in freeway plantings along Interstate 5 is Euonymus alata Compacta, which is commonly referred to as Burning Bush. This has to be one of the best plants for use in the home landscape due its nearly fluorescent display of red foliage this time of year. In addition to the vibrant fall foliage, the branches are covered with four corky ridges to give the plant added winter interest. This plant can be grown in full sun or shade; however they will develop a more intense red color in the fall if they are grown in full sun. They do well in our coastal climate and as an added bonus have few insect and disease problems. Fall Foliage Color: Fothergilla gardenii Photo Credit : Missouri Botanical Garden Another favorite is Red vein Enkianthus, (Enkianthus campanulatus) which produces good red fall color on plants that can get 6 to 12 feet tall and almost as wide, giving it an upright appearance. The yellowish-pink, hanging bell-shaped flowers have red veins and are attractive well into spring. The bright red young stems during the summer usually persist throughout the winter giving it year-round appeal. It combines well with rhododendrons that like similar growing conditions. Another feature is that this shrub is noted as being somewhat deer resistant. Fothergilla is a must have for gardeners who like a mix of fall color on a single plant. Fothergilla has species that can be used for both foundation plantings (F. gardenia) and for naturalistic settings (F. major), reaching 3 to 4 feet high, and 6 to 10 feet high respectively. Their habit is dense and rounded. Both have fall leaves mixed in colors of red, yellow and orange for an attractive effect. The lightly fragrant flowers (like honey) in spring are shaped like bottlebrushes. Other options for color in the home landscape include blueberries, and the American cranberry bush (Viburnum opulus var. americanum). This native species and its more brightly fall cultivars such as Alfredo and Redwing are drought tolerant. Continued on page 3

3 Page 3 Finally, most gardeners agree, its hard to beat Japanese maples when it comes to spectacular fall color displays. With hundreds of cultivars to choose from, these elegant and colorful plants are sure to electrify anyone s garden with a blaze of crimson, orange and yellow colors. As added bonus, many cultivars sport spring and summer foliage in shades of red and bronze before transitioning to their vibrant fall colors. Fall Foliage Color: Euonymus alatas compactas Photo Credit: Missouri Botanical Garden August Master Gardener of the Month Jan Mutter Congratulations Jan and thank-you for all your work as the Mason County Rep to the MG Foundation of Washington State. Thank-you most recently for your work as our rep in conjunction with the annual conference in Everett. Jan also was instrumental this year in having a Shelton High School senior nominated for a State Foundation scholarship of $1000 and he received the scholarship. After working for 35 years for the Boeing Company, Jan retired and went to work for Alaska Airlines. During her years at Boeing Jan and her family lived in Burien and on Steel Lake. They also purchased a cabin on Totten Inlet in She and her husband raised their family of two boys and two girls while living on Steel Lake. Sadly one son was lost at the age of 26 due to drowning. Currently in addition to their children they have four granddaughters, three grandsons and one great grandson. In 2002 they tore down the cabin and built their retirement home and moved to Mason County in Upon moving to Mason County Jan went to work for the City of Shelton in administration and for the Shelton School District on-call. Jan graduated from the Mason County MG program in Her favorite aspect of the MG program is the variety of interests you can pursue, the educational resources that are available and the involvement in the community. Jan loves to plant and harvest vegetables sometimes an overabundance of vegetables which are happily donated to the food bank. Favorite tip to share? I love to deter weeds with cardboard and bark. It is inexpensive and becomes good mulch when it deteriorates. When asked if she had a favorite gardening resource to share, Jan said she subscribes to Birds and Blooms. She loves to landscape to attract birds and butterflies. This magazine has beautiful pictures and lots of helpful tips. As far as advice to newer MGs and Trainees, Enjoy and participate as much as your schedule allows. Attend classes and conferences even after graduation. The comradery of fellow gardeners also provides learning opportunities and is very rewarding. Joining MG is one of the best things I have done. I am proud to be a MG in training.

4 Page 4 MINUTES September 9, 2013 Mason County WSU Master Gardener Mason County WSU Master Gardener General Meeting Agenda for Monday, September 9, 2013 Present: Pat Carpenter, Pres.; Christy Rowe, Vice President-Elect; Lou Schmidt, Vice-Pres.; Margie Plebuch, Treasurer; Sybil Jones, Reporter-at-Large; Evon Masteller, Secretary; Jeanne Rehwaldt, WSU Coord. MG Membership: Erika Stewart, Nancy Dillon, Bonnie Day, Beatrix Blackerby, Cheryl Stewart, Sherry Clemmens, Steve Edmondson, and Mary Bigger. Approval of Aug. 12th, 2013 minutes - Margie Moved, Bonnie Seconded and Motion was approved. Officers reports: - Treasurer s report - Margie Amount balances were reported for the following accounts: Catalyst Park Food Bank Garden, Children s Garden, Savings, and Checking and are registered in the Secretary s file. - Vice president s report & programs - Lou Beatrix Blackerby will be the program next month with her Orchids. She will be demonstrating the potting technique and invites others to bring their orchids to facilitate our learning from each other. - Foundation Rep. report - Jeanne filling in for Jan Mutter Donations were made for our 5 things for the Conference in Everett. It is full with only a few tours open at this time. Jeanne and Michelle Lapp, AmeriCorps will be manning our booth with the information on Catalyst Park and our Pumpkin patch. - Coordinator s report - Jeanne Passed around the Sept. Clinic schedule. Oct. and Nov. 11 th will have to be moved due to the holidays. We re looking at the 12 th. Cluster Meeting - Lisa Stroman shared her minutes of the last meeting and Jeanne will to everyone her ideas and thoughts. The next meeting will be on Wed., Nov. 20 th, 10am - 2pm.at the Court House in Chehalis. Mason County will be the facilitators and bring lunch and refreshments. The lost banners have been found at Black Star and are now located at Shed A at Cat. Park. Just need some changes concerning dates. - Upcoming Master Gardener Training - *sending for our addendums and suggestions to be made. Hoping for more M.G. presenters to encourage more interest registered so far. We will begin Sept. 20 th with the Putting the Child First video and Vegetable gardening and a field trip to Catalyst Park Garden in the afternoon. Classes will be held at the Public Works Bldg. on Hwy Pioneer harvest on Tues. Sat., Sept. 14 th from 7-11am, Michelle and Jeanne will be holding a pancake breakfast for the purpose of getting acquainted with teachers and the students with the garden. Committee and project reports - Plant Sale Margie P and Mary Bigger Jeanne will minutes out from the last meeting. It was well attended with the sharing of good ideas. Next meeting will be Oct. 3, Memorial Hall. Mary is busy with propagation and pushed for color when thinking of sales. Divide your perennials now. (continued on page 5

5 Page 5 She is also working on the Garden Store organization of displays and fixtures. Margie purchased 2 pop -ups. Think about items to sell at the sale, wreaths, bird houses, etc. - make one more for the Garden Store. - Through the Garden Gate classes - Bonnie Day Classes will be offered from Jan. - Mar., We had a good turnout last year and will be organizing a survey to be ready for the Oysterfest population. Information will be coordinated at our next meeting after the 5 th on Oct. 10 th, WSU. We will let Michelle Lapp know for advertising of the next session. -Catalyst Park Food Bank Garden - Bonnie Day Widening the beds this year and adding a drip line has paid off with our vegetable totals being over 400 lbs. for the last 2 weeks and more is still coming. Pumpkins are growing great and we have been protecting them with slats of wood placed beneath the huge fruit so it doesn t rot or discolor. We will be selling them again this year at Sage bookstore parking lot before Halloween. Collin built a stairway and railing from the road up to the orchard area where the pumpkins are growing. - Community Gardens at Catalyst Park Garden - Sybil Jones We demonstrated our compost schedule and methods for decomposition. Sharing of information and produce between gardeners has been explorative. We had a great turn-out the last meeting. February will be the time to apply for one of the eighteen garden plots. Margie suggested going to Walmart and requesting their throw outs of plants, soil and pots due to the seasonal change of stock. *Jeanne said she will call and see what can be arranged for a pickup by the Master Gardeners. - Children s Garden - We are going to have to embed this project into the Catalyst Park Garden until we can find another dedicated coordinator of activities and projects. *Jeanne will contact Kathy Fuller - 4H Coordinator, to see if they can take this on as a community project in their new year which will begin in October. -Garden Tour - meeting will be Oct. 18, 4:45pm at Pat Carpenter. Dates to remember: Sept. 21 st, Sat. Bean Trials & Party Steve & Pat Edmondson s Sept. 30 th, Mon. Board Meeting WSU Oct. 3 rd, Thurs. Plant Sale Meeting Memorial Hall Oct. 5 th & 6 th, Sat/Sun Oysterfest 10am - the Fairgrounds Oct. 10 th, Thurs. Through the Garden Gate WSU Catalyst Park Steering Comm. Mtg WSU Nov. 20 th, Wed., Cluster Meeting - Mason County hosts 10am-2pm Chehalis Court House * Action items to be addressed. Adjourned 11:32am Program: General sharing: garden successes, ideas, problems or whatever is on your mind. Respectfully submitted by Evon Masteller, Secretary 9/18/2013

6 Page 6 CONTACTS: Office: 303 N. 4th Ave Shelton, WA Ext. 680 Fax Extension Staff: Robert Simmons Director Ext.690 simmons@wsu.edu R. Jeanne Rehwaldt Master Gardener Coordinator Ext. 688 rehwaldt@wsu.edu Michelle Lapp AmeriCorps Ext. 687 Michelle.lapp@wsu.edu Master Gardener Ext 687 Gardener.master@gmail.com Foundation Representative Janet Mutter Janmut@msn.com Executive Board President Pat Carpenter patandlexi@gmail.com President Elect, Mason Jar co-editor Christy Rowe christyrowe7@gmail.com Vice President Lou Schmidt willilou@q.com Secretary Evon Masteller hatmast@comcast.net Treasurer Margie Plebuch quilted2@aol.com Directors at Large Sybil Jones sybiljones@hughes.net Lisa Stroman wisawobby@gmail.com

7 Page 7 Hypertufa Production Has Begun! Reported by Mary Bigger Friday October 4th the new Master Gardener class created tufa containers with a vim and vigor approach that kept the current Tufa Gang running to keep up with them. Michelle had the materials there ready to mix. Mary, Carol and Bonnie had the molds sorted and prioritized and man! Did this work party roll! We have some of the nicest Tufas we ve ever made. They are waiting to be unmolded in a week to ten days. This was one of the pleasantest, most efficient work parties I have ever had the pleasure of being part of. Thirty six molds, most of the most complicated ones are curing in the greenhouse. With only 15 people we made most of the largest molds in approximately 2.5 hours. This is about 2/3 of what we need to do. We will be scheduling a second work party to finish up the basic tufas and the candle base ones. Please keep an eye out for the date. We will be looking for a free Saturday. Hope this will work for you. (*NOTE: The next session will be Sat., Nov. 10 a.m., Pioneer Greenhouse). A Walk Through Hypertufa Land Double checking to get the feel of it. Bonnie and Carol working to get our tufa mix just right, it was beautiful! Getting it Done! Bringing the tufa to the table bringing the tufa to the table, Pre-layering with plastic: all we had to do was choose a mold and apply the tufa! GREAT! This year s Lady Mold underway!

8 Page 8 Jeanne place for this year s training schedule including dates, times, places, topics, speakers etc. Training Schedule November 1 AM: Permaculture Erik Hagen PM: Bob Simmons Water Quality and Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail Trip November 15 AM: Plant Propagation PM: Plant Sale November 22:AM: To be announced PM: Weeds December 6 AM: Pesticides with Jeff Britt WSDA PM: Composting and slugs with Cori Carlton Thurston County WSU December 20: Class presentations Reporting volunteer hours Sign up for projects Graduation Harvesting for the Pumpkin Sale! Supports Catalyst Park Saturday, Oct. 19th Sage Books Parking Lot

9 October 2013 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat MG 9 am Public Works Bldg Genl. 10:15 Timberland Library Program: Orchids 15 Catalyst work 9 11 a.m Catalyst harvest pumpkins 9 a.m TTGG 4 pm Catalyst 5 pm Board 10 am WSU Ext. office Clinic: Bonnie Day MG Training Hope Island pruning Time TBD 5 19 Pumpkin Sale Sage Bookstore parking 10 am Catalyst Harvest Party & potluck 10-2 pm

10 November 2013 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 3 4Clinic: Sherry Clemmons Veteran s Day Clinic: Beatrix Blackerby Clinic: VOLUNTEER NEEDED!! Plant Sale Mtg. 5 Memorial Hall 12 Genl. 10:15 Timberland Library Clinic: VOLUNTEER NEEDED!!! 1 MG Training MG Training 8 9 Hypertufa Work Pioneer School 10 am

11 A Day of Pruning on Hope Island October 18, 2013