From The President. In This Issues. The Bridge to Knowledge Volume 86, Issue 11

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1 20 16 The Bridge to Knowledge Volume 86, Issue 11 In This Issues 1 President s Message 2-7 MCMG Corner Upcoming Events MG Member articles 8 Meeting Notes From The President Dear Master Gardeners, For those of you who missed the West Tennessee MG Workshop on October 6th, I am so sorry you were not able to join us. The workshops were so interesting and informative! Everyone I spoke with who attended the plant diagnostics lab with Amy Desmukes and David Cook agreed with me that they could have spent another two hours learning from them. It would have been wonderful to attend all the sessions but we had to choose just three. And our speakers!!! Carol Reese had us laughing until our eyes watered with her Fertile Imaginations talk and Jason Reeves not only shared his summer garden travels with us, he also gave another excellent talk before the sale that afternoon on all those plants he had available for sale. For those of you who have never heard him do a talk like this, you really need to make sure you hear the next one he does, so you will know what plants will be successful where, how big they get, how they can be used, screening, etc., and if you might need to be aware of disease or insect problems. I took notes as fast as I could! Special thanks go out to Natalie Bumgarner, the Master Gardener Coordinator for the state of Tennessee, Celeste Scott, who did so much of the local coordination for the workshops, and all of you who helped with breakfast snacks and serving the luncheon. We already have a date for The West TN MG Workshop will be held in Memphis on October 12, 2017 and they are hoping to hold the workshops at the Botanic Gardens and then go to the Dixon in the afternoon. Plans are tentative but it sounds really good so far. Mark your calendars! Remember, our November meeting is election of officers and board members and Celeste will be discussing several changes that are coming up for For one thing, keeping track of your hours will be easier next year! Also, don t forget to bring up to three plants to swap. We ll see you at the Ag Center on November 3rd at 6:30. Mary Nenarella, President Madison County Master Gardeners 1

2 2016 F.C.E. Christmas Cottage Friday, November 18 9am 7pm Saturday November 19 9am-5pm Madison Co Ag Auditorium Free Admission Crafts, Baked Goods, Chili Cottage, Canned Goods, Clothing, Holiday Items, and LOTS MORE Facebook.com/FCEChristmasCottage To all my Master Gardener Friends: It was such a comfort to receive all the kind thoughts and sympathy from so many Master Gardeners at the time of the loss of my husband, Nick. All of the condolences that I received were very much appreciated. Kathy House 2

3 Project Report: HOPE GARDEN - The Garden of Weedin Hope Recovery Center ~ Women of Hope is a non-profit organization located in Medon, TN, whose primary mission offers a nine-month Residential Recovery Program for women caught in the vicious cycle of addiction. Residents of the program are enrolled in classes designed with a Christcentered, discipleship curriculum. They also participate in Celebrate Recovery, a Biblical and balanced program that helps overcome hurts, hang-ups, and habits as they become equipped with the necessary skills to maintain a productive and healthy lifestyle upon completion of the program. The women are under 24/7 supervision and are engaged in various activities that are designed to teach them life skills as well as adjust to the real world. They have been participating in gardening activities for the past five summers. In 2016, this women s rehab program was designated as an official Master Gardener project, taught by Dr. David Sams and Mary Kay Havranek. In January, 2016 the newly built Hope House opened on this 26-acre facility. In March Dr. Robert Hayes, Director of WTREC, blessed us with a grant from the Monsanto Corporation that he especially designated for the Women of Hope. This enabled us to build a 25X25-foot fenced area where we started a vegetable garden. We started with a soil test; then Dan Morris of Morris Nursery tilled and enriched the soil with compost. We planted tomatoes, beans, squash, peppers, melons, collard greens and okra. We worked in the garden every Thursday at 7:30am as a group. In July we realized that the soil was severely deficient in nutrients. The summer heat did nothing to enhance the growing capabilities; we were unsuccessful with the tomatoes, peppers, beans and melons. The heat hurt us just as it did a lot of our home gardens, too. However, in July we stumbled on a new idea: the keyhole garden. An article in the Jackson Sun featuring Johnny White s work in his home garden sparked a new undertaking. While the collard greens and okra thrived in the ground, we started squash in the keyhole garden, a six foot raised bed garden with a hole in the middle where compost was delivered. Things started to grow and that was encouraging. In September, we added a raised-bed garden to start the fall, cool-weather crops. We planted broccoli, Brussel sprouts, lettuce, cabbage and kohlrabi that are thriving. We learned a lot about watering, fertilizing, weeding and feeding, thanks to Dr. Sams capable teaching and guidance. Volunteer Heidi Lovell helped to supervise and teach, too. While we met with limited success during the hot summer months, the fall crops are looking good; we are expecting a good harvest that will not only help feed the women in the program, but help them learn the wonder of planting and growing. It has been a learning experience for us all, especially some of the women who had never before been introduced the gardening experience. They met the challenges with grit and enthusiasm. There are many lessons about gardening that fit into the lessons of life: we will have trouble and we will reap what we sow, so make good decisions. There are many struggles; but as we are faithful, we will reap an abundant harvest and life. We have shared so much and are grateful for the time we spent gardening together, and we look forward to future success in the garden as we apply what we learned. Mary Kay Havranek Women of Hope Project Leader 3

4 David W. Sams November 2016 October meeting and plant sale: The morning workshop was attended by about 90 master gardeners, about 5 more than last year. Some of these master gardeners stayed through the plant sale and then left for their homes. Carol and I appreciated the opportunity to purchase camellias and some of the rarer conifers. I first saw camellias growing in Madison County some years ago at the home of our own Lisa Wilson and was surprised at how well they were doing in her woods. I have since found that they will do well for us if we stay with the hardiest varieties and site them correctly. The fall bloomers are more reliable as their flowers do not get frosted by winter temperatures. I have one which begins flowering as early as late September! Weather: It seems like I have been watering forever! There is no frost in sight and my fall plantings should do well this year. The broccoli is beginning to head now. Do I really want to continue growing summer vegetables with the insect, disease and soil moisture pressures we have or should I go to spring and fall gardens only? Meanwhile, we all need to keep watering those newly planted perennials and evergreens until and unless the weather turns wet. Those plants which lose their leaves and go dormant will require less water once dormant. Mulch for winter protection and to hold down winter weeds as indicated under To Do Now below. Hypertufa: Draped and regular hypertufa both sold well this year. What if we had a make two, keep one, sell one day? We could work on draped hypertufa for a while and then move on to regular hypertufa. Everyone could keep one and we could sell the other. Anyone interested? To do now: The number one task which needs to be done immediately after watering is mulching! Some of us have recently planted buddleia or loropetalum or even pansies or mums which are only marginally hardy. Others have plants of hardy amaryllis, cannas, crinums, elephant ears, gingers and some of the more tender salvias in our gardens. These plants are not likely to survive if the soil around their underground parts freezes. Mulch them now. Last year I tested to see whether imidacloprid would clean up the plants I overwinter in the garage. It is systemic and legal on container plants. Aphids, whiteflies, thrips and other insect problems which I bring in are on the label. It controlled everything but spider mites. I wonder if summer oil would work on them and whether or not I can find any. There is always the Internet The easiest and cheapest way to acquire mulch in the late fall is to use the leaves which are falling. Run a lawnmower over them to chop them up and they will blow around much less when applied to the soil near your plants. Use a 3 or 4 inch layer and weight them down if necessary. Sometimes nice people will collect their leaves, bag them and sit them by the curb for you to collect. Watch out for surprises in these bags. Planting for spring sale: In 2014 Carol and I potted 100 hardy ferns which we overwintered for the plant sale. Only about 80 emerged in the spring and I thought that the rest were dead. Much to my surprise the remaining 20 ferns came up in late May and June and I held some over for the 2016 sale. I will not plant more of these varieties. Carol and I will pot another ferns of more dependable varieties before the end of November. We are aiming for fewer plants next year but better quality. Some of you may want to help plant. 4

5 Celeste Luckey Scott November 2016 Upcoming-First Ever MCMG Plant Swap Don t forget about the MCMG Plant Swap that is scheduled to be held during the November meeting. Since many of you divide perennials in the fall, it made sense to hold our (hopefully) first annual plant swap at the November 3 rd meeting. This is how the swap will play out! Each member can bring up to 3 plants to contribute to the swap. You will be given a ticket for each plant when you enter the building and the plants will be added to the shopping/swapping area. For each ticket that you have, you will be able to pick out one plant. After you have picked out your plants, you will turn in your tickets at the checkout. For Example: -You bring 3 plants and get 3 tickets. You may select 3 plants from the swap. -You bring 2 plants and get 2 tickets. You may select 2 plants from the swap. -You bring 3 plants and get 3 tickets. Your MCMG friend did not bring any plants and you decide to give them one of your tickets. You have 2 tickets=2 plants. Friend has 1 ticket= 1 plant Now is the time to stroll your gardens and decide which plants in your collection that you may like to share with your fellow gardeners. This is a great opportunity for us to share unique selections with one another! If you have questions, please let me know. Reporting for 2016 As the year end approaches, I would like to remind everyone to begin entering your service and education hours if you haven t already. Friday December 2 nd is our initial deadline for entering work done in December is not a month that is generally busy with workdays and projects. However, if you do plan on giving service between December 2 nd and 31 st, just estimate that time and include it in your reporting. By reporting at the beginning of December, this allows me plenty of time to review everyone s work and contact those who haven t met requirements before I submit our final report on Jan. 1 st! This is also a great time to go onto your profile and make any necessary updates. The information listed on your Master Gardener profile is the contact information that will be used in the 2017 Directory. If you will not be able to meet your requirements for this year due to personal/family/medical reasons, please contact me and we can set you up for Inactive Status. This allows you to retain your MCMG certification while waiving the service hours for 1 year. If you are already aware that you will not be able to satisfy your hours for the next calendar year, 2017, let me know and I will put you on Inactive Status for the upcoming year. I know this is a lot of information! If you have any questions, please don t hesitate to call me at the office I can assist you with Username/password issues, service entries/questions, and last minute volunteer service opportunities. Hour Requirements 2016 Interns- No service or education hours are required by the end of this calendar year, unless you are pursuing early certification Interns- 40 hours of volunteer service and 8 hours of education MCMG Members- 25 hours of volunteer service and 8 hours of education 5

6 Plateau Fall Gardeners Festival I had a few days off work that just happened to align with the Fall Gardeners Festival at the Plateau Gardens at Crossville. I had attended the festival a few years ago and looked forward to seeing how the gardens were transforming. The Plateau Gardens are several mini gardens of various themes. These included a compost area, raised bed area, a water feature, a rain barrel display and a Kinder Garden that is so cute just to name a few. I really was impressed with one of the new area that included a human sun dial garden. You stand at the end of a short wall facing north raising your right arm and your shadow is cast on the dial stones. There were 13 different sessions to choose from on a variety of subjects including turf weeds, greenhouse pests, new hydrangeas and square foot gardens just to name a few. There were also several vendors present with a variety of wares for sale. I really enjoyed talking with the East Tennessee Iris Society and did buy some of the Irises they had for sale. The day was quite enjoyable and informative. I would suggest if you are ever in the area to visit the gardens as they are open any daylight hours. Also if you could ever attend the festival you would find it very enjoyable. The papers included in this year s tote bag said next year s Festival would be Tuesday, August 29, Contributed by Janet Stewart 6

7 TRY THIS RECIPE FOR NOVEMBER: PUMPKIN GOOEY CAKE INGREDIENTS: Cake: 1 box (18 ¼ oz.) yellow cake mix 1 large egg 8 tbsp. (1 stick) butter, melted Filling: 8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature 1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling) 1 tsp vanilla 2 large eggs 8 tbsp. (1 stick) butter, melted 1 box (16 oz., or approximately 3 ½ cups) powdered sugar ½ tsp. pumpkin pie spice ½ tsp. cinnamon ¼ tsp. nutmeg Whipped cream, for serving INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 pan with nonstick spray and set aside. 2. To make your cake, stir together cake mix, egg and butter with a wooden spoon until well combined. Press the mixture into the bottom of your prepared cake pan, making sure it is smoothed into the corners. 3. To make the filling, beat the pumpkin and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until mixture becomes smooth. Add eggs and vanilla and beat well. Add the melted butter and beat until combines. Add the pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Next, add the powdered sugar. ¼ cup at a time, beating well in between each addition. 4. Use a spatula to spread the filling on top of the cake base. Bake for minutes. Do not overbake; when you stick a tooth pick into the cake, it should have a few wet crumbs stuck to it when you remove it International Conference of Master Gardeners Oregon State University Extension Service and Oregon Master Gardeners invite you to the 2017 International Conference of Master Gardeners, July We're planning an exciting conference at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon. This conference offers an array of gardening sessions, tours, a mini film festival, regional mixers to network with others, and a trade show. In addition, opportunities abound to explore this region through a wide selection of tours. Ranging from overnight packages to half-day outings, these escorted tours take you into private and public gardens, urban farms, vineyards, nurseries, even the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area 7

8 To Fans and Supporters of the A&G Show, Tickets for the 2017 Antiques & Garden Show of Nashville are now on sale! Please visit us at to see 2017 s exciting line-up of national speakers and events. And be among the first to find out who s coming to Nashville next February! Tickets

9 Wanted!! Articles for the Newsletter You can earn volunteer hours by writing about some garden you visited, some technique you tried which worked (or did not), or share your enthusiasm for some special plant, or condensing a gardening article you read. Keep contributing. Keep reading. Keep sharing. Please send your contributions to: Liz Whitsitt lizv@tds.net Pam Stanfield pamstanfield@gmail.com November Meeting Election of Officers and Board Members Ag Center November 3rd 6:30 pm Board of Directors Check Out UT Gardens Jackson On Facebook! Lots of great info being shared there, and you don t have to wait for a monthly newsletter! The Bridge to Knowledge The University of Tennessee Extension Madison County 309-C North Parkway Jackson, TN Phone Fax cscott52@utk.edu (Celeste Scott) Mary Nenarella, President Wayne Gerler, 1st Vice President Glenn Fesmire, 2nd Vice President Mary Kay Havranek, Secretary Tammy Overby, Treasurer Board Members: Elizabeth Edwards, John Havranek, Susan Luckey, Bill Wyatt Non-voting members : Pam Stanfield, Newsletter Liz Whitsitt, Newsletter Master Gardener financial standing information is available upon request.