The President s Message...

Transcription

1 March 2015 Volume 18 Richland County Master Gardener Newsletter The President s Message... All of Ohio is saying Is it spring Yet? and Will Spring ever get here? but it hits we gardeners, who are always impatient for growing season, are even more than most people. As I shoveled the drive yet again, I was trying to find a bright side to all this snow when I looked at my iris bed no less than four foot of snow (that s where the excess snow from the drive is piled) and I realized that the snow benefits our gardens. First of all the snow has great insulating qualities. My poor iris bulbs had a bad winter last year with the low temps for days but the lack of snow made it worse for them. Like myself you may have notice fewer or smaller blooms from your bulbs last year. This year should be better. Second the snow compacts and holds in place the leaf mulch I spread last fall. Some winters are snowless and windy and my mulch winds up at the neighbors. Third this rotten seemly ever present snow it one more example of how fortunate we are to live in Ohio where water is abundant. Our occasionally summer water shortages are nothing compared to the chronic lack of water to west. So I guess the snow isn t sooo bad. Master Gardener President, Pat Storms

2 Richland County Master Gardeners Current Committee Chairs: Butterfly/Flag Garden Merrill Tawse Nature Garden Phenology Garden Stingel Elementary School Garden Downtown Mansfield Planters Community Gardens Kingwood Center Projects RCMG Speakers Bureau Hotline Q & A Refreshments/Hospitality RCMG Displays RCMG Newsletter Mark Johnson Mark Johnson Suzanne Mayer Jean Taddie Janet Steiner Alan Steiner Judy Huffman Bonnie Sinnhuber Jennifer Wehry Suzanne Mayer Card Committee RCMG Coordinator for State MG RCMG Facebook Page Malabar Heritage Days Kingwood Spring Festival Richland County Fair Amy Crutchfield Amy Crutchfield Jim Huffman Sue Donahue Janet Bixler

3 Richland County Speaker Bureau Note: To arrange for a speaker contact the Alan Steiner at awsteiner@zoominternet.net Emerald Ash Borer Asian Longhorn Beetle Vernal Pools Insect Identification Vegetable Gardening Composting Integrated Pest Management Butterflies/Gardening Water Gardens Community Gardens Gardening for Wildlife Perennials Annuals Native Plants Raised Beds/Square Foot Gardening Organic Gardener & Avid Compost Creator Gardens not Grass Container Gardening Deer Management Enabling Gardening / Horticulture Therapy Eucalyptus Fertilizers Bob Phillips, Debbie Sickmiller Debbie Sickmiller Merrill Tawse Merrill Tawse Mona Kneuss, Jean Taddie, Debbie Sickmiller Debbie Sickmiller Alan Steiner, Debbie Sickmiller Merrill Tawse Dalton Derr, Merrill Tawse, Mona Kneuss, Alan Steiner, Eric Larson Mona Kneuss, Jean Taddie Merrill Tawse Mona Kneuss Mona Kneuss, Merrill Tawse, Debbie Sickmiller Dalton Derr, Debbie Sickmiller Mark Johnson Mark Johnson Eric Larson, Debbie Sickmiller Eric Larson Eric Larson Eric Larson Eric Larson

4 Richland County Master Gardeners MEETING MINUTES Longview Center Program: *What s Hot Doug Schuster Doug Schuster, Kingwood Center Greenhouse manager, discussed the top sellers of Spring/Summer *Break Business Meeting: *Treasurer s Report The treasurer s report was approved. *2015 dues are due now 2015 dues are $20 and may be paid to Missy Malone, treasurer. Ending Balance December 8, $ Petty Cash Balance December 8, $ *Review minutes The minutes were approved. *Volunteer Hours & Training Hours Requirements have been changed to 10 hours of training (CEU S) and 20 hours of volunteer work. Do not delay in recording hours into the computer volunteer recording system. Hours may still be added for 2014 and may be entered as one lump amount. Eventually OSU Extension will monitor the system more closely. A reminder that MGV volunteers may claim their mileage to their volunteer stations on their income tax if they itemize. Training hours (CEU S) may be obtained by attending the 2015 Master Gardener classes. Attending a Master Gardener meeting counts as one CEU. New Business *Child Abuse Training Required. List of dates will be ed OSU is requiring yearly child abuse training. Judy Villard-Overocker received notification that local Extension agents have been approved as trainers. Training will be offered by Judy on Monday, April 13 th, at 5:30 p.m. at the Longview Center, before the MGV meeting. Information on additional training sessions will forthcoming. EVERYONE MUST UNDERGO TRAINING BEFORE June 1, *Finger Printing Every 4 years. Will get letter when it s your year This is a requirement.

5 *MG classes Single class Make them welcome There are 28 students. Current MGVs may earn 3 hours of training credit by attending a training class. MGVs do not have to register. NonMGVs may pay $15 per class, and must register with Suzanne Mayer by the Thursday of the week before the class. *Next meeting vote on projects Leaders need to explain project & needs Project forms Forms were distributed to project leaders present. Current project leaders who no longer wish to be a project leader are asked to inform Pat Storms. Projects will be voted on at the next meeting after the leaders present their projects. Clarification on what counts as an approved MG project will take place. Bill Flanegan discussed the project he is leading-the Richland County Fairgrounds Nature Garden. *Raising Richland Volunteers & Donations for buckets Jean Taddie discussed the March 19 th Raising Richland Community Garden Summit and distributed flyers. Volunteers are needed before the event, from 3 to 5 p.m. A few people will be needed from 5 to closing. A sign-up sheet was circulated. Donations were requested for stuffing the prize buckets. NECIC and the OSU Extension office will accept items, preferably by March 12 th. On Feb. 24 th, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., NECIC will be hosting a farmers market workshop. Gardenpedia Book Signed by author. After discussion, it was approved that author Pam Bennet be invited to speak at a MGV meeting. It was approved that the committee of Suzanne Mayer, Sue Donahue, Linda Carr-McKinley, Mona Kneuss, and Kathy Mambourg will preview the book and make the decision as to the club purchasing multiple copies. Missy Malone agreed to manage the financial details, if books are purchased. No pictures published in any media without OSU approval Do not publish any photos until Suzanne Mayer contacts Pam Bennet for clarification. The Renaissance Theatre is hosting a health fair March 10 th, from 11:30 to 6:00 p.m. Volunteers are needed. Please contact Pat Storms if interested. Downtown Mansfield, Inc. requested a donation. It was approved to donate $100 to DMI. Next meeting April 13, 2015 at 6:00 Kathy Mambourg Secretary

6 RICHLAND COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS INCOME AND EXPENSE REPORT February 9, 2014 Beginning Balance December 8, Revenue: Dues MGV Class Payments Total Revenue: Gross Revenue: $ Expenses State Share of 2015 Dues (20.00) One members dues to Petty Cash (20.00) Total Expenses: (40.00) Ending Balance February $ PETTY CASH FUND Beginning Balance December 8, 2014 $ Revenue: Revenue from one member Total Revenue: $ Expenses: Refreshments/December Meeting Past President Gift Total Expenses: (90.55) Petty Cash Balance February 9, 2015 $165.17

7 What s Hot at Kingwood Center... Doug Schuster, Greenhouse Manager at Kingwood Center discussed the latest plant choices at Kingwood Center for the upcoming growing season.

8 What s Hot at Kingwood Center...

9 What s Hot at Kingwood Center...

10 What s Hot at Kingwood Center... Notes from the Editor... Just think in about a month we will be outside planning, preparing and planting. Yes folks it s been a long winter! Now is the time to think about adding to your landscape and pick out a few trees to accent your garden. Whether you have a small or large space there are many suitable trees for our Ohio climate. Before you rush into a purchase take the time to consider the following information about some deciduous trees that would be a great addition to your landscape. Most of us choose a tree for its great blooms, colorful foliage or interesting texture. However, before you make the final selection consider the following: (1) Be sure that the tree is hardy to the hardiness zone of the Ohio county where you live

11 (2) Keep in mind what size the tree will be when it reaches its mature height and width. Will it interfere with overhead wires, existing structures or underground pipes? (3) Select the site of your tree appropriate to the tree s needs; sun exposure, moisture needs and soil condition (4) What function do you want the tree to serve? Is it for shade, screening, or the sheer beauty of the tree to serve as a focal point. (5) Select a tree that is resistant to known pests and diseases, if possible. (6) Lastly, do not forget to take into consideration the maintenance the tree will require. If placed in the wrong location the tree could become a maintenance nightmare, such as requiring constant pruning due to it was planted in an inappropriate space. Or a tree that constantly sheds limbs/branches or needs loads of attention to thrive. Take a look there are many beautiful specimens to choose from! Small Species: Height feet Name Attraction Limitation Comments Aesculus pavia Red flowers in spring Loses leaves early Grows best in full sun Select a cultivar in late September but will tolerate some for best flowers shade. Can be grown as a small tree or Red Buckeye multi-stemmed large shrub. Amelanchier spp. Attractive flowers, bark Somewhat susceptible to Woodland edge plant and fruit; excellent pests and diseases that can be a multiorange to red fall color stemmed tree or nice winter form multi-stemmed large Serviceberry shrub Amelanchier arborea and laevis are native Magnolia stelleta Attractive white flowers Plant in sheltered Good specimen plant. Grows best location to protect in acid soil, flower buds sometimes flower buds, avoid Star Magnolia killed by Spring frost southern exposure Malus Dark green foliage Disease resistant Plant in full sun and Adirondack attractive fall color, well drained soil cherry red buds opening Crabapple to large pure white blossoms Vase shaped form

12 Acer In Spring salmon-colored Best grown in full sun pseudoplatanus emerge speckled with to partial shade and flecks of green, a few well drained soil weeks later the leaves become bright pink, by early summer the foliage deepens Esk Sunset to burgundy red Sycamore Maple Aesculus pavia Amelanchier spp. Magnolia stelleta Malus Adirondack Red Buckeye Serviceberry Star Magnolia Crabapple Acer pseudoplatanus Esk Sunset Sycamore Maple Medium Species: Height feet Betula nigra Interesting exfoliating bark Develops iron chlorosis Transplants well. good for wet areas; fast in alkaline soil ph Prune in summer only grower; more pest resistant multi-stem is the most (this tree bleeds than other birches common form copious sap if pruned River Birch in late winter) Native Carpinus betulus Low maintenance tree Minor disease Withstands heavy tolerates wide range of and pest problems pruning; can be used soils; nice yellow fall color for hedges European Hornbeam

13 Nyssa sylvatica Excellent specimen Slow-grower. Requires Difficult to transplant tree with outstanding soil with ph 5.5 to 6.5 plant in spring summer and fall foliage Has some disease and habit. Great fall color, yellow to orange to Black Gum red purple Native Fagus syvatica Tight columnar habit Plant in full sun Spring leaf red tones to partial shade Developing into burgundy Dawyck Purple to deep purple Beech Quercus acutissima Suited to smaller Susceptible to iron chlorosis; Holds leaves spaces than other oaks requires space for wide through winter Sawtooth Oak tolerates adverse conditions Betula nigra Carpinus betulus Nyssa sylvatica Fagus syvatica River Birch European Hornbeam Black Gum Dawyck Purple Beech Quercus acutissima Sawtooth Oak Sources: OSU Extension Fact Sheet: Deciduous Trees for Ohio HYG Fine Gardening February 2015

14 Large Species: Height more than 45 feet Name Attraction Limitations Comments Acer saccharum Brilliant yellow fall Avoid compacted or One of the best shade color; good suburban dry soils; not tolerant and open-lawn trees; tree. Nice growth of urban stresses not for crowded Sugar Maple habit conditions Native Fagus Beautiful yellow fall Not tolerant of wet Good for parks and grandifolia color; smooth gray bark or compacted soil; large-area use; Difficult to grow grass nuts are edible. underneath this tree Adversely affected by Difficult to transplant construction over root American Beech zone Native Ginkgo biloba Pest resistant; tolerates Fruit on female trees is Choose male cultivars urban stresses; wonderful messy and foul-smelling Pyramidal form when yellow fall color Slow growing young; variable and Ginkgo distinctive with age Quercus alba Brown to wine fall color Acorns can be a litter White Oak Native Ginkgo biloba Fogus grandifolia Acer saccharum Quercus alba Ginkgo American Beech Sugar Maple White Oak

15 My favorite Weed By Bob Phillips Jewelweed fits my life and probably yours very well. It grows on moist, partially shaded somewhat fertile to very fertile ground. It is easily identified as one of the early plants to sprout in the spring shortly after the plant that looks like a dandelion flower with a gooey stem that I use to make cough syrup from, the coltsfoot... but that s another story...the beginning first leaves of Jewelweed,actually the cotyledons, look like a radishes first 2 leaves but bigger, maybe the size of a 50 cent piece. They can be transplanted to your desired location at this time as roots are still not too long. Once the plant stem is about as thick as a pencil its medicinal properties are effective for me. It is about this time of the Spring season that the mosquitoes are arriving. When one of my friends or a family member get bit I crush the stem and use the juice to apply to the bite. Wait about 10 minutes and repeat the application with another stem. It may take a third application for the itching to subside. The key is not to rub hard, rub the liquid from the stem gently as you don t want to spread the bites poison under your skin. Try to apply as soon as you feel the itch and you will have much success with the treatment. The treatment works for poison ivy and also other bug/insect bites like yellow jackets and bees. Do not try this if you are hyper allergic to bug bites, bees, poison ivy or mosquitoes. This treatment will not help prevent diseases like malaria or West Nile. As with many herbs, the cure seems to grow near the problem plant. In this case poison ivy. We make a concoction from mature plants (before they flower) taking 10 or 15 plants using everything but the roots. Add a little water and bring to a boil. Remove from the stove, cover and let steep until cool. Strain out particles and put in an 8 oz. jar. We keep it in the refrigerator to use when plants are not available. The plants grow nodules along the stem and these are the easiest place to get juice. Later in the season the flowers are pretty in salads and the seed pods are fun for big and little kids to squeeze and watch them pop.

16 Calendar of Upcoming Events.. Master Gardener Meetings 2015: February 9, April 8, June 8, August 10, October 12, December 14 Mark your calendars... Master Gardener Training Classes: Any member may attend these classes free of charge, it is a great way to fulfill your continuing education requirement. Also if you know of anyone who would be interested in attending any of the classes the organization is opening up the enrollment. 1 session for $15.00, 3 sessions for $40.00, or 5 sessions for $ Anyone interested must pre-register with Suzanne Mayer smayer3@neo.rr.com or Jean Taddie jean@necic-ohio.org. Below is the remainder of the classes offered. 03/09/ Monday 6-9 pm Longview Center Room 235 A & C Vegetables Mark Johnson 03/16/ Monday 6-9 pm Longview Center Room 235 A & C Soil and Fertility John Makley 03/23/ Monday 6-9 pm Take Home Exam Longview Center Room 235 A & C Wildlife Manage. Presentations Jean Taddie 03/28/ Saturday 9 - noon Pruning Chuck Gleaves Kingwood Ctr. Exhibit Hall 1-4 pm Propagation Mona Kneuss 03/30/ Monday 6-9 pm Longview Center Room 235 A & C IPM Diagnostics Denise Ellsworth 04/06/ Monday 6-9 pm Plant Pathology Jim Chatfield Longview Main Room 235 A & C 04/13/2015 Mandatory Abuse Training 5:50 PM Judy Villard Master Gardener Meeting 6 pm Pat Storms Room 235 A & C March 19, :30 8:30 pm Raising Richland Summit: Longview Center. Any member who would like to help with the summit contact Jean Taddie Are your kids bored this winter and looking forward to spring? Then bring them to the 5th annual Raising Richland Community Garden Summit on March 19 at the Longview Center (1495 W. Longview Ave. Mansfield). Youth activities run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Many hands on activities are being planned for kids from grades 1 6. For instance, they will be participating in identification bingo, food stamping with paint, a seed scavenger hunt, and making super snacks. With the supervision of the Richland County Master Gardener Volunteers, your child will have fun while learning something about fruits and vegetables. This event will be FUN for every age, so don t miss

17 it. Even adults will have something to do during the youth activities. Adult programs run from 5:30 to 8:30 and feature speakers, displays and more! Raising Richland Community Garden Grants Once again this year, NECIC is offering community garden grants for groups of residents or organizations (schools, churches, food pantries, and other nonprofits) in Richland County who want to start or expand a community garden. You can apply for up to $300. Organizations are required to provide a 1-to-1 match. The application form can be downloaded from our website: You are welcome to contact us for more information. jean@necic-ohio.org, Applications are due by April 8 before 4 pm. Library Garden Programs Source: Debbie Smith, Mansfield/Richland County Public Library Butterfly Plants Mon. March 9 Lucas Branch 6 pm Join us for a talk and a slide presentation by Vicki Bright about attracting butterflies to your home garden. Welcome Back the Bluebirds Mon. March 16 Bellville Branch 6 PM Chris McQuillen, a longtime member of the Ohio Bluebird Society, will discuss how to attract Bluebirds. Raised Bed/Square Foot Gardening Tue. Mar. 24 Plymouth Branch 6 pm Tired of back pain while gardening? Want to get more produce with the amount of garden you have? Want to plant sooner in spring? Then Raised beds/square Foot Gardening is your type of gardening! **Special Note...Judy Villard will be conducting the mandatory Abuse Training for Master Gardener members at the next meeting on April 8 th. The Abuse Training will begin at 5:30 pm and the regular Master Gardener Meeting will begin at 6:00 pm at the Longview Center.