Butterfly Garden Update Late Spring Cold Snaps Affect Monarch Butterflies

Transcription

1 August 2013 Butterfly Garden Update Late Spring Cold Snaps Affect Monarch Butterflies by Susan Aguettant The late cold snaps this spring have really caused problems for the monarch butterfly. Monarchs spend the winter in Mexico, and this year they have already had the smallest population ever recorded. Then the late cold temperatures slowed their migration north. Usually by the beginning of May the monarchs are in Wisconsin, but this year they were only as far north as Arkansas. Monarchs only lay their eggs on members of the milkweed family, and these were far and few between also due to the late cold weather. Chip Taylor, who is the director of Monarch Watch, a network of dedicated individuals who study and Monarch Butterfly on Milkweed monitor the monarch butterfly, had this to say, "To assure a future for monarchs, conservation and restoration of milkweeds needs to become a national Inside the Gardener s Scoop priority." I know many of us only enjoy the beauty of butterflies, but they are an important part of our ecosystem. Honey bees are the key pollinators, but butterflies pollinate also, and they travel longer distances than honey bees. Therefore, they come in contact with more flowering plants in a bigger area. The great thing is that plants that attract butterflies also are favored by hummingbirds, hummingbird moths, night flying moths and honey bees. Butterfly Garden continues on p. 7 Butterfly Garden... 1, 7 Meeting Minutes Gardeners Confessions...5, 6 News Briefs... 6 Schedule of Activities... 8 From the President... 9 Gardener s Scoop August 2013 Page 1

2 NELA Master Gardener Association Meeting Minutes for July 9, 2013 Program Debbie Beauvais introduced Tommy Neck, owner of NorthPro Landscaping and Lawn Care, to speak about his business in relation to our landscapes and lawn. He shared some tricks of the trade when purchasing plants, such as look for loose potting mix/mulch in much of the pot. This could mean a small plant has been bumped up to a larger pot and a higher price. He discussed how to estimate soil types by adding soil to a bottle of water, shake, and allow the sediment to settle into layers of clay, dark soil, etc. Tommy covered various methods of how to treat plants when they are added to a new bed. Some tips he gave included knowing where the plants come from, ideally from a growing zone related to where plants are to be planted, since full sun or partial shade labels may not apply to our Southern climate. A plant labeled for full sun may need partial shade conditions to survive in our hot sun. He gave guidelines for working with landscapers and discussed products and materials that he uses in his landscaping projects. He covered irrigation guidelines, rocks of many sizes, mulches, components of potting mixes, and pine straw quality. He also shared details about some of his commercial installations such as a $1,400 tree purchased for a commercial landscape. Tommy said his clientele is tending to request more hardscape structures and water features. Old Business President Debbie Beauvais called all to order at 8:15 p.m., and asked if anyone had any corrections to report for the June Minutes. P. J. reported that the June Minutes noted that Christy Francis said a Weed Eater was needed for the beds at the Farmer s Market. Christy actually said that weeders, people who will weed, were needed. Minutes Debbie called attention to the Minutes as printed in the newsletter. She explained that active members may soon also receive the Minutes via . The newsletter, The Gardener s Scoop, containing the Minutes is already being sent in an , so watch for two mailings each month. For members who do not have , copies of the newsletter will be available at Association meetings. Treasurer s Report Treasurer Jack Battaglia was not able to attend this evening. Recorder s Report P. J. reported on service hours to date. As shown in the newsletter, our Association has reported fewer hours than at this time last year. Please contact P. J. if you have questions or need help in setting up an account to report your hours. P. J. reminded members to count one hour of continuing education credit when you attend our monthly Association meetings that have an educational speaker on the program. She also explained that we can round up to a full hour any half hours of educational or volunteer time. Travel time should also be included in your total hours. Committee Reports Service Projects Butterfly Garden Susan Aguettant explained an adoption plan for maintaining the flowerbeds in the Butterfly Garden. She thanked Mary Sue Tiller and Rita Albritton who have already adopted beds to maintain. More people are needed to keep the beds weed free. Call Susan to find out which beds are available to adopt. Meeting Minutes continue on page 3 Gardener s Scoop August 2013 Page 2

3 Meeting Minutes continued from page 2 Chennault Aviation and Military Museum Debbie reported that seasonal plants need to be replaced and some of the beds need to be weeded at the museum. Debbie said that it s hard to keep up with watering: an opportunity for service hours. The museum has hired a part-time person who will hopefully be helping with some of the weeding. Kiroli Park Christy reported that volunteers are needed to weed the flowerbeds at the Farmer s Market. AgCenter Beds The beds at the AgCenter need to be updated: yarrow cut back, weeds pulled, and mulch replaced. Seasonal plants may be added for summer. Cathy McGuire volunteered to adopt the beds at the AgCenter. Cathy will purchase the necessary supplies and flowers for the beds and designate a date to work on the beds. Steve Hotard will forward the date and time to all. Debbie explained that receipts for plants and supplies should be mailed to Jack Battaglia, Treasurer, who will have a reimbursement check ready at the next Association meeting. Zoo Linda Tubbs and Virginia Chin have done some weeding in the flowerbeds. Kerry Heafner reported that butterflies are not coming to the butterfly garden at the zoo as they did last year. Some members also agreed that they are experiencing similar conditions. Miriam Schrok is volunteering in the Zoo s butterfly garden. Kerry credited her with doing a spectacular job with transforming this garden area. Other Committee Reports Phone Committee Debbie Beauvais reported that Virginia Chin and Debbie McClain volunteered at the June meeting to serve on the phone committee. The purpose of this committee is to remind members of scheduled events or urgent member updates. Debbie said more volunteers are needed to make such calls for our large group. Debbie thanked Linda Tubbs and Linda Williams for volunteering to help on this committee. Call Debbie Beauvais to volunteer for this new committee. Scholarship Committee Dawn Jordan reported that the Scholarship Committee will begin meeting soon. Activities Committee Auction Master Gardener Jim Bennett is an auctioneer and specializes in raising funds for charities. Debbie reported that Jim wants to encourage Master Gardeners that they can all help with prizes. Creative projects, handmade items, a collection of home preserved foods from this summer s garden, wreaths, a few seasonal plants in an attractive planter, a collection of plants, as well as other items are welcome. Mel Kallal, who was retired and so good at calling on businesses for door prizes and items we could auction off, has moved to Missouri, so someone is needed who has the time to call on businesses and develop a relationship with vendors. Someone is also needed to lead the volunteers to: create an auction invitation list, identify potential sponsors and donors, organize a system for documenting the source of each donation, preparing a thank you note, preparing a program to publicly thank everyone who donated and volunteered, etc. Jerry Hunter volunteered to help Jim with the event, but this new fundraising event needs more volunteers. The goal is to raise funds for one scholarship. For more information, contact Jim Bennett or Debbie Beauvais. Meeting Minutes continue on page 4 Gardener s Scoop August 2013 Page 3

4 Meeting Minutes continued from page 3 Fall Bulb Sale Committee Christy Francis asked people who are interested in working on this committee to stay after the meeting to coordinate meeting times. The fall bulb sale is a new fundraising event with added benefits for Association members. Members will be able to help choose the bulbs to be ordered and purchase bulbs at reduced prices. As their bulbs multiply, members will donate their surplus bulbs back to future bulb sales. The majority of the bulbs will be packaged and sold at a sale for the general public. Because of the volume of bulbs being ordered, the sale will have very good prices. New Business Gardening Seminar Kerry Heafner chaired this committee last year. He explained that due to his schedule teaching a couple of classes at Delta Community College this fall, in addition to his full time work at the Zoo, he cannot chair the gardening seminar event this year. Kerry advised that the committee needs to begin planning as soon as possible. The seminar is in January, August Meeting Plant Swap Rita Albritton invites members to participate in a plant swap at the August member s meeting. Bring Next MG Meeting August 13 Program by Mary Lou McFarland NELA Master Gardener Mary Lou McFarland will present information and photos on daffodils and other flowering bulbs. an extra plant from your collection, a plant you think others would enjoy, or bring several plants. Call Rita for more information. Announcements Mel Kallal and his wife have found a home in Missouri. Debbie told members that Mel was so good about soliciting door prizes and donations of gifts for our events. We will miss him and wish Mel and Rita the best. Such a person as Mel is needed for soliciting gifts, gift certificates, and donations for the Activity Committee Auction and the January Gardening Seminar. Hospitality Thanks to Team Three for refreshments this evening: Nancy Sandel, Leader Elizabeth Otwell Cathy McGuire Susan Aguettant Reba Cummings Danny Neal Elaine Smith Myra Lawrence Minutes submitted by: Elaine Smith, Secretary NELA MG Board Members Board Officers President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Recorder P. J. Debbie Beauvais Kerry Heafner Elaine Smith Jack Battaglia Board Members at Large Christy Francis Mel Kallal Casey Stevens Gardener s Scoop August 2013 Page 4

5 Confessions of Gardening Addicts from your NELAMG Board members If any of these describe you, you might be addicted to gardening, too... You can't leave a nursery without a plant. You always carry pruning shears, a bottle of water, and plastic baggies in your car as emergency tools. Your favorite articles or books are on gardening. You offer to rake your neighbor's yards after they mow just to get the grass clippings for mulch. You knock on stranger's doors and ask for seeds or cuttings. You see every empty 2 liter Coke bottle as a potential new mini bell jar for rose cuttings, and experience a slight pang of guilt for throwing it away anyway. You buy a truck for hauling plants and gardening supplies so you can keep your car clean. You hate to see vegetable trimmings thrown in the garbage can. You put seed packets back in the right places at Home Depot. Your spouse detours around nurseries and avoids garden tours for fear of what you'll do next in your yard. You don't let a little rain stop you from whatever you're doing in the garden. You cruise the neighborhood late at night picking up curbside bags of leaves for mulch. You know Sevin isn't a number AND how to spell it. Your storage room is cluttered with cardboard boxes and newspapers that you've collected from others to made new garden beds. Perusing a seed catalog makes you feel like a kid in candy Gardener s Scoop August 2013 Page 5 store. You have to weed volunteer tomato seedlings out of your garden to make room for this year's transplants. You fill empty milk jugs that you saved with water from your rain barrel, so it can collect more during the next shower. You take cuttings from plants growing in empty lots. You remind your spouse to bring home the fruit peelings (from his lunch) for your compost bucket. You'd much rather go shopping in a nursery than the mall. You get the nearby restaurant to save coffee grounds for your compost pile. Confessions continue on page 6

6 News Briefs Flower Arranging Seminar Gayle Brooks, Master Gardener and retired florist, will conduct a flower arranging seminar on Tuesday, September 17, at 1:00 4:00 pm at the LSU AgCenter auditorium. Pre-registration is required, and the cost is $35, which includes floral supplies. Class size is limited to 20 participants. If pre-registration exceeds 20, Gayle will conduct an additional class at 6:00 pm. This class is open to Master Gardeners, as well as friends, co-workers, or neighbors who would like to participate. Everyone must pre-register so that supplies can be purchased. Bring your own flower cutters to use in the class. Contact Debbie Beauvais for a registration form and additional information. If you like to bring your garden inside to admire or to share with a friend, you do not want to miss this opportunity! Fall Bulb and Plant Sale Attention bulb enthusiasts! Your bulb committee is excited to announce the first NELA Master Gardener fall bulb and plant sale to be held on Saturday, October 12, at the Market at 7th Square (West Monroe Farmer s Market). We are compiling a wonderful selection of bulbs and plants and are taking suggestions for additional items to include. If you know of a particular bulb variety that grows well in our region, please let us know so we can research availability. Check out this special offer for Master Gardeners only: you will have an exclusive opportunity to preorder at wholesale-like prices. Don t wait; the price goes to full retail after the pre-order deadline, which will be the September meeting. Detailed information will be shared and presented at the August and September meetings, so you will not want to miss! See you there. Confessions continued from page 5 All your non-mg friends, co-workers, and neighbors come to you with gardening questions and problems. You think one of the joys of vegetable gardening is having all the produce trimmings for your compost pile. You wait another week to mow the lawn so you can use the extra grass clippings for mulch. You ask your co-workers to dispose of their used coffee grounds in labeled canisters that you take home for your compost, and return to them clean and ready for more. You think of your fishing pole as a "fertilizer getter." The only present you ever ask for is a gift card to Lowe's. You plant, prune and weed at night by porch or streetlight. You buy new plants without a place in the garden to put them. And last, but definitely not least... Your garden is an inspiration to everyone. Gardener s Scoop August 2013 Page 6

7 Butterfly Garden continued from page 1 There are any number of milkweed varieties some annuals, some perennials, and some more favored by monarchs, but they are all members of the genus Asclepias, and are all commonly referred to as butterfly weed. Asclepias incarnata, or swamp milkweed, is a perennial, wetland plant with a pink or white bloom. Common milkweed, Asclepias syriaca, is invasive, difficult to get rid of once it is established, and is not a first choice amongst monarchs. The two varieties we see most often in nurseries in our area are Asclepias tuberosa and Asclepias curassavica. Monarchs will go to A. tuberosa (also known as pleurisy root, chigger flower and windwort) if they have no other choice. It is a perennial with orange or yellow blooms. Common selections found are Gay Butterflies, Orange Flame, and Vermillion. Monarch Caterpillar Asclepias curassavica, tropical milkweed, is the preferred choice for monarchs according to studies. Also called blood flower and Indian root, A. curassavica is classified as an annual, but it reseeds easily, and I have had the same plant come back in my own garden and at the Butterfly Garden. The bloom is a combination of orange and yellow and, unlike A. tuberosa, it will bloom in the spring and fall. Both varieties are drought tolerant, heat tolerant, and their nectar will attract other types of butterflies than just monarchs. Aphids are often a problem with milkweeds, but can easily be treated with a spray of water or an application of a simple soapy solution. Milkweed plants will suffer no long term damage from being feasted upon by caterpillars, and we can all do a little to help the monarchs by planting a few milkweeds in our yards and gardens. I know some of us are averse to allowing a caterpillar to munch on our plants, and some people get the heebie-jeebies just looking at them, but please consider planting a few milkweeds along with other nectar plants to help create an area of food, shelter, and nesting. Think of yourself as the Holiday Inn for butterflies! Asclepias tuberosa Asclepias curassavica Gardener s Scoop August 2013 Page 7

8 August 2013 Activities Sun Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat MG Meeting 6:30 pm Newsletter article submission deadline Future Activities September :00 to 4:00 pm Flower Arranging Seminar. See page 6 for details. October Hours to be announced Fall bulb and plant sale. See page 6 for details. The greatest gift of the garden is the restoration of the five senses. Hanna Rion Gardener s Scoop August 2013 Page 8

9 From the President by Debbie Beauvais I just wanted to say, THANK YOU to everyone! So many of you have volunteered in one or more activities already that we re actually improving and expanding as an organization of gardening volunteers and an organization helping to improve our community. We ve gained more attention through our commitments to public gardens--the WM Farmer s Market and Butterfly Gardens, the Zoo, and the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum. The January Gardening Seminars continue to draw interest, and offer us all a good time to attend an educational seminar prior to spring. In April, we practically stopped traffic on Seventh Street with the tremendous number of volunteers and shoppers eager to get healthy plants and helpful information at our plant sale. We have an Activities Committee that has done a tremendous amount of work organizing tours and social gatherings for us; compiling a handbook of helpful information and bylaws; and gathering and organizing recipes into an attractive cookbook we used as a fundraiser. In addition, they continue to bring to our attention fundraising, project and fun ideas. Christy Francis has a group of volunteers working on our first fall bulb sale, which may incorporate trees, shrubs, and seeds. We have several that have volunteered to help with the phone committee. Kerry Heafner and several volunteers are now working on the first scholarship we are offering. Jerry Hunter has offered to help with the Charity Auction fundraiser, but more help is needed. We have six Hospitality Teams taking turns to provide delicious refreshments for us all at each meeting. We have speakers for our monthly meetings, some of whom are our own MG members, scheduled for the remainder of We have a fantastic editor of our Newsletter, Tom Floyd, who is supported by our Recorder, P. J., who proofreads meeting notes and articles for accuracy, etc. We also have an awesome Board who give up many hours of their time to help our Association continue to improve. Wow!!! What a fantastic group. I ve left out very important names above, but it would be impossible to state the achievements of each one who has worked this year, and many years in the past, to build our MG Association and encourage others to find the joys in gardening. Please don t think I m forgetting any of our member s contributions. Those named above and those not named, who lead others on projects and committees, are fully aware that nothing is completed without an organization of members that volunteer their time in whatever capacity is needed to make things happen. I m proud to be a part of this NELAMG Association. Thank you really isn t enough. I hope you are gathering fun and happy memories, knowledge, friendships, and plants as part of your rewards. Volunteer Service Hours As of July 15, Volunteer Service Hours 101 Continuing Education Hours This time last year: 1138 Volunteer Service Hours 165 Continuing Education Hours Do not forget to record your hours! The next MG meeting is Tuesday, August 13, 2013 at the LSU AgCenter. The Louisiana Master Gardener Program is a service and educational activity offered by the LSU AgCenter. The program is designed to recruit and train volunteers to help meet educational needs of home gardeners while providing an enjoyable and worthwhile service experience for volunteers. Contact: LSU AgCenter 704 Cypress Street West Monroe, LA (318) Tommy Neck, owner of NorthPro Landscaping and Lawncare, presents a lecture on landscaping at the July Master Gardener meeting. Gardener s Scoop August 2013 Page 9