Over the Garden Gate Monthly Newsletter Clinton County Master Gardeners

Transcription

1 Over the Garden Gate Monthly Newsletter Clinton County Master Gardeners Volume 1 Issue 6 June 2010 Editors: Ralph Stanford and Nora Stanford. Addresses: nora161@mchsi.com Published on the first Monday of the month. To submit an article it must be sent by as a Microsoft Word attachment to the above address. To be accepted for publication in the next newsletter articles must be received 10 days before the first Monday of the month. Articles will be accepted or rejected at the discretion of the editors. A Note From Your Chairman Thank you!!! Thank you to all the members who helped with the plant sale. This includes those who worked the sale, set up, closed things down, and those who provided plants. This year the sale brought in $4, As we look ahead to June the garden walk is scheduled for June 27. Kathy Sander, Norma McDonnell, and Nora Stanford have been working very hard and the plans are pretty well complete. Most of the Master Gardener host spots at each garden site have been filled, but if you have some time that day and could help give Norma a call. All of us can help by selling tickets. Call any of the three women if you wish to sell tickets, and by all means attend the event. July will be busy with the Clinton County Fair. A Vegetable Contest and the Outdoor Container Contest will be held on July 14. As you put your outdoor containers together keep in mind the fair and consider entering a container at the fair. Also consider entering some of your garden produce. Contest details are in the news letter. July 14, will be Master Gardener Day at the fair. The highlight of the day will be having the new state Master Gardener coordinator, Jennifer Bousselot, at the fair. Jennifer is from DeWitt and the daughter of Lenore McGuire, a Master Gardener. Several people have agreed to be on a committee to plan some activities for that day. If you have ideas or want to be part of the committee contact Jan Rittmer or Willard Larsen Also in July is the tour of Dave Horst s Garden in Sabula. Dave is the horticulturist for The Bickelhaupt Arboretum. Details of this will be in the July news letter. Save July 20 for this event. This is an opportunity to get education hours. Your Chairman, Willard Larsen CONCRETE LEAF CLASS Monday, June 7 th, 5:30-6:30 p.m.and Monday, June 14 th, 5:30-6:30 p.m.at the Bickelhaupt Arboretum. Participants will create a concrete garden accent in the shape of a rhubarb leaf. Please bring a 35 quart plastic container measuring 8 deep x 21 long x 16 wide (available at the dollar stores). Register by calling Deb (563) or monroe@iowatelecom.net This class will count for 2 education hours.

2 Over the Garden Gate Page 2 June 2010 REVERSIONS in the PLANT KINGDOM Article by Francie Hill and Dave Horst Pictures by Joe Weston Among the What s wrong with my tree? calls we get, some of the most interesting deal with a phenomenon called reversion. When a conifer or hardwood tree with an unusual ornamental characteristic begins to send out shoots with normal foliage or growth for the species, the new growth is said to have reverted. How does a reversion take place? Remember that many ornamental cultivars begin when an alert plantsman or plantswoman (sometimes called broomers, as they search old cemeteries for witches brooms) notices a tree or part of a tree with a unique growth characteristic (unusual leaf color, weeping growth habit). These atypical plants or shoots arise through genetic mutation. Buds or cuttings from the plants are then grafted onto standard trees and, if they remain true to form and have horticultural merit, they ultimately make their way into the nursery trade. Just as the original genetic mutation occurred to produce the unique character, occasionally a reverse mutation occurs and portions of the plant revert back the species normal growth. Some of the more common examples of reversions occur in dwarf spruces and variegated plants such as Harlequin maple. In the case of dwarf spruces, homeowners will often report a tree growing out of my tree. When a reversion occurs, it s time to follow the advice of the wise TV sage, Barney Fife, and Nip it, nip it in the bud! Examine the tree and determine where the reversion originated and prune off the reverted shoots. Often reverted shoots grow more vigorously then the rest of the tree. If left unpruned, reversions will dominate the tree and the homeowner who paid extra for a dwarf Alberta spruce or variegated maple is eventually left with a plain old white spruce or Norway maple. MASTER GARDENER PROJECT Those of you who have visited the Extension office have probably noted the area in front of the office as well as in front of the Dollar General store need some landscaping help. Talking with Bill Petsche he thought that this could be a project for a Master Gardener(s). For a start we would be looking at a landscape design that would go the length of both businesses. Certainly low maintenance would be important. It is an all-sun area. There are some bushes along the front of the building. At this point we are not sure what the budget would be or who would provide the labor. If you have questions about this or are interested in working on this contact Willard Larsen or Bill Petsche

3 COME WALK WITH US RELAX AND ENJOY SIX BEAUTIFUL GARDENS FEATURED THROUGHOUT CLINTON COUNTY Clinton County Master Gardeners Garden Walk, Sunday June 27, Noon to 4:00 pm TICKETS ARE $5.00* A PERSON AVAILABLE AT EACH GARDEN OR PRIOR TO THE WALK AT THE BICKELHAUPT ARBORETUM IN CLINTON OR THE EXTENSION OFFICE IN DEWITT. GARDEN A. RAY AND SANDY GROOVER S GARDEN is located at nd Avenue Camanche IA. Ray and Sandy s garden is a very formal outdoor living space. It features a complete outdoor kitchen, a Koi Pond with a bridge for viewing the fish. Sandy has table settings that she uses for dining outside that enhance her garden features. One of her visiting areas is complete with an outdoor chandelier. Her gardens, because of the shade, are planted in a Japanese style using Hostas and other shade plants. GARDEN B. DAVE AND KATHY SANDERS GARDEN is located at 3955 HWY 136 Bryant, IA (Kathy is Chairman of our walk and a Master Gardener) Their garden is in a rural setting with space for several beautiful gardens. Their landscape is so relaxing. It is like walking through a park in a beautiful country setting. Each garden area features a different theme. Kathy has shrubs, conifers, perennials, and annuals. She has a shade garden as well as a white garden. Her deck and patio area overlook this entire setting with a natural pond, at the back, that is often a stopping place for ducks. GARDEN C. JOHN AND DEB MONROE S GARDEN is located at th Street in DeWitt, IA (Deb is also a Clinton County Master Gardener) Her garden features berry bushes, vegetables and herbs that she enjoys having fresh at the table all summer, to enhance another hobby, that of cooking. Deb and John have a landscape that is terraced down from their home, which is built into a hill. They have a double outdoor patio, each with a view of their outdoor space planted with a terraced wall at the back of the house. Their garden shows the use of small trees and shrubs in a back yard setting. Deb has a beautiful Yellow Submarine Rose as well as an arbor covered in Clematis. GARDEN D. JOE AND SHIRLEY WESTON S GARDEN is located at 8ll Fulton Street in Grand Mound, IA (Joe is also a hard working Master Gardener Volunteer). Joe is another Master Gardener who has incorporated a second hobby into his garden, that of model railroading. His railroad has been in his garden for seven years now and this area features a new central berm this year. He has a shaded patio and a water feature that is quite relaxing at the back of his lot. Joe s garden includes some prize winning plants. He has an Armus, Dragon Armum, (a corpse plant) at his home s west foundation as well as a lily tree in his west border. GARDEN E. RUSSELL AND STEPHANIE MEIER S GARDEN is located just a short walk east down the alley from Joe s at 906 Sunnyside in Grand Mound, IA. You will enter this garden from the alley through a natural grape arbor that is very refreshing on a hot sunny day, follow the brick walk that leads to the Meier s double water feature connected by a water fall; the lower water garden when in bloom is covered with pink water lilies. Notice their use of ground cover, miniature conifers, and hostas that provide a natural setting. GARDEN F. STEVE AND SANDY DIES GARDEN is located at th Street, Grand Mound IA. (Go South on the black top leaving Grand Mound)At the Dies home you will find another relaxing rural setting. Sandy has at least ten gardens each featuring a quaint country theme. You will find an old plow in one, an old hand - pump in another. She has a stone path leading you comfortably through some beautiful flowers, a big vegetable garden and several small gardens featuring shaded nooks surrounded by large woody areas. Her garden seems to say, Come relax with the country folk. You can cover the entire walk in the time allowed (if you spend only 20 minutes at each garden starting at Garden A in Camanche or Garden F in rural Grand Mound). You may also pick and choose the gardens of interest and visit those of your choosing. Pick and choose whatever your choice, the walk is more than worth your $5.00 fee. This is a fine opportunity to enjoy a carpool and garden walk with your friends. Help us support your Master Gardener Scholarship Fund. WATCH YOUR LOCAL PAPERS FOR MORE INFORMATION! Questions will also be answered by your committee chairman, Kathy Sander at Tri-folds, with a detailed map, will also be available at each garden the day of the walk. *All proceeds will go to the Clinton County Master Gardener Scholarship Fund

4 Over the Garden Gate Page 4 June 2010 MASTER GARDENER ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES MAY 18, 2010 The May 18, 2010 meeting of the Master Gardener Advisory Board was called to order at 9:01 A.M. at the Clinton County Extension Office in DeWitt.. Attending were: Willard Larsen, Sandy Hughes, Sheryl Dexter, Brenda Council, Jack Pringle, Deb Monroe. Absent: Dick McLane. Guests: Mark Schroeder, Kathy Sander, Roger Rittmer. April s Minutes: Motion Brenda, second Jack to approve. Financial Report: Mark reported a balance of $3, Motion Jack, second Sheryl to approve. Reports: OLC: Roger requested an additional $1,000. to be added to the OLC budget. This extra money would be for the trellises that are to be attached to the west side of the 4-H auditorium. Motion Jack, second Deb to approve. Education: Deb Monroe reported so far there are 9 signed up for the rhubarb leaf class. Hort in the Heartland: Willard reported that Ed Franks, bird expert, and Donald Lewis, ISU entomologist, have consented to speak at the 2011 Hort in the Heartland. The committee is still waiting for an answer from Cynthia Haynes, ISU horticulturist. Plant Partners: Clinton had no report; DeWitt reported 15 or 16 plant questions so far. Bickelhaupt: Francie sent a copy of the notice of the upcoming Board of Directors meeting. Clinton County Garden Walk: Kathy Sander requested $300. for publicity for the Garden Walk. Motion Jack, second Deb to approve the request. A packet of 10 tickets were given to each MG on the Advisory Board to sell prior to the Walk. Old Business: Plant Sale: The plant sales were very successful this year. The DeWitt sale took in $3,267.75, and the Clinton sale s total was $ There was discussion again on moving the site of the Clinton sale. Enviro Kids: Andrea and Willard still need help for the program scheduled for Saturday, June 12 th. Respectfully submitted, Sheryl Dexter Secretary... and justice for all 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 format for ADA clients. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14 th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC or call

5 Over the Garden Gate Page 5 June Dubuque County Master Gardener Tour of Gardens Sunday, July 11 th 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. There will be seven spectacular gardens featured in the tour. Little Arboretum, Relaxing Retreat, Work in Progress, Our Peaceful Wildlife Haven, Serene Wooded Setting, Rock My World and Mom s Lilies Tickets are $10 and are available at each garden the day of the tour. Event held rain or shine. Sponsored by: Dubuque County Gardeners, Inc. Proceeds benefit: Dubuque County Master Gardener Program Thanks for your patronage! Contacts for Information: Jeanne Ambrosy: Lou Ann Arensdorf : (563) (Home) (563) (cell) (563) (home) Pictured on this page and page 6 are the three gardens of Clinton County Master Gardeners that are on the walk. Don t miss any of them. There is a total of six gardens on the walk. Tickets are available at the Extension Office and at the Bickelhaupt Arboretum. If you haven t received a packet of tickets to sell, stop by the arboretum or the Extension Office and pick up a packet. Deb Monroe s Garden SELL-SELL-SELL-SELL CLINTON COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS NAMED THE SUNFLOWER AS 2010 FLOWER OF THE YEAR

6 Over the Garden Gate Page 6 June Clinton County Master Gardener Tour of Gardens Sunday, June 27th. Noon to 4:00 p.m. RELAX AND ENJOY SIX BEAUTIFUL GARDENS FEATURED THROUGHOUT CLINTON COUNTY Clinton County Master Gardeners Garden Walk Sunday June 27, 2010 Noon to 4:00 pm TICKETS ARE $5.00 A PERSON AVAILABLE AT EACH GARDEN DURING THE WALK OR PRIOR TO THE WALK AT THE BICKELHAUPT ARBORETUM 340 S. 14th STREET,CLINTON THE EXTENSION OFFICE 400 EAST 11th STREET, DEWITT Event held rain or shine. Sponsored by: The Clinton County Master Gardeners All proceeds will go to the Clinton County Master Gardener Scholarship Fund Thanks for your patronage! Contact for Information: Kathy Sander (563) Kathy Sander s Garden Joe Weston s Railroad Garden All Clinton County Master Gardeners Please print out or cut-out the above poster And post in your community.

7 Page 7 Over the Garden Gate June 2010 OUTDOOR CONTAINER CONTEST SPONSORED BY CLINTON COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS MASTER GARDENER DAY AT THE FAIR Registration: July 14, a.m. to 12 noon No gate charge Outdoor Living Classroom DeWitt Fairgrounds Open Judging at 1:00 Bring your favorite flowers, herbs, or vegetables in a movable container suitable for outdoor use. Use your imagination a wheelbarrow, child s wagon, barrel, boot, etc. Prizes will be awarded in the following categories: Most Colorful Outstanding Use of Foliage Best Use of Edibles Best Design Most Unusual Container Kids Class (12 years and under) Participants may submit unlimited entries and will be asked to identify the category/categories they are entering. The containers will be displayed during the duration of the Fair (July 14-18) in the Outdoor Living Classroom. Containers may be picked up no sooner than noon on Sunday, July 18 th. **The Master Gardener organization and the Clinton County Fair Board are not responsible for theft or damage to the entries. Kids Business, a preschool/day care center in DeWitt, is interested in someone assisting with the planning of a little garden on their property. They want to develop it as a project especially for their school age youth. The main things they are looking for: Someone to help them determine best location, what to plant, when, etc. Ideally they d like someone who would be willing to come back periodically to talk with the youth about maintenance, weeding, etc They d also like someone who would visit with the youth in the fall when it is time to harvest. They are looking for NO labor, just input, expertise and an interest in helping young kids learn about horticulture. If you are interested in finding out more, please call me at and I will give you more details. Thanks for your consideration. Bill Petsche Iowa State University Extension Youth Development Specialist Clinton and Scott Counties

8 Iowa State University Clinton County Extension 400 East 11th Street DeWitt, Iowa th ACTIVITIES CALENDER JUNE Concrete Garden Accent Class Create a concrete rhubarb leaf for your garden or for a gift. This will be a two session class. Please call Deb Monroe to reserve a place. ( ) 27 th Clinton County Garden Walk There are 6 gardens on the walk. 14 th -18 th Clinton County Fair, DeWitt Vegetable Judging Container Flower Contest JULY 20 th Tour of Horst garden in Sabula: (Map to be provided upon registration), 5 7 pm One of the premier private gardens in Eastern Iowa which has been designed, planted and maintained by Nan and David Horst will be open to Master Gardeners from 5 7pm. Parking limited, so carpool from the Arboretum parking lot. Hostas and conifers are the specialty of this garden and both Nan and David will be on site to answer questions AUGUST 24 th Picnic with the Butterflies - Clinton: Arb 340 S. 14 Street, Clinton, 5 7 pm The Butterfly Garden and Monarch project has been a feature of late summer at the Arboretum for five years. Master Gardeners and their families are invited to tour the grounds, view the life cycle of the Monarch from egg (using a magnifying glass) to butterfly, learn how we can plant our own gardens to attract this special insect. Lots of picnic area. Bring blankets or chairs. SETEMBER 15 th Dried Flower Arranging Master Gardener, Alice Machande, will lead a class in creating a fall arrangement for your home. Bring in your collected seeds to swap with fellow Master Gardeners and discuss what your successes were in this year s garden.