The 2017 Master Gardeners Spring Plant Sale: Friendly Service with Plenty of Smiles

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1 The 2017 Master Gardeners Spring Plant Sale: Friendly Service with Plenty of Smiles by Rose Lee A lot of smiles can go a long way. This statement definitely holds true for the recent Master Gardeners Spring 2017 Plant Sale. From the friendly reminders regarding placing signs in yards and fulfilling job assignments, to the master gardeners smiling faces while greeting and helping customers select plants as well as transporting the purchases to vehicles, all chores were completed with smiles and good cheer. All hands were definitely on deck to make the dream work for both days of the sale, including members of the new master gardeners class, as well as those who completed the course in past years. The two days of friendly camaraderie and fellowship, the hard work performed, and the profits from the sale were a true testament to the benefits of group effort. As evident in the pictures taken, we had a great sale. Hopefully, everyone remembered to log in their work as volunteer hours in service to our community, as Dawn and Kerry reminded us to do. Inside the Gardener s Scoop 1-3 Spring Plant Sale 4 Agent s Corner 5 Chennault 6-7 Spring Plant Sale continued 8-10 Master Gardener Gardens 11 Calendar Gardener s Scoop May 2017 Page 1

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4 Agent s Corner by Kerry Heafner Question: Is it too late to treat my lawn for stickers? Answer: You can treat for lawn burweed (Soliva sessilis) now, but the damage has been done and you would have to treat on a day the high temperature is not above about 80 degrees. At this point in the season, the plants have already produced next season s seed crop. So, the strategy now is to keep them from germinating. That will be next fall with a preemergent herbicide. When we start getting consistently hot days, lawn burweed, and a host of other cool season annuals, will die down for the summer. Question: I put out Weed-N-Feed and my entire lawn looks like it s dying! What s going on? Answer: If your lawn is St. Augustinegrass, you likely didn t read the label on the bag. There are Weed-N-Feed products on the shelves of our local retail outlets that are NOT to be used on St. Augustinegrass. For example, Groundwork markets a weed and feed product that is available at Tractor Supply. The analysis is , and according to information on the bag, will kill 250 types of weeds. It will also kill St. Augustinegrass! This underscores the importance of reading and understanding the information on the label of ANY bag of fertilizer or pesticide. And, yes, an herbicide is a pesticide. Be sure any weed-n-feed product is specifically for southern lawns. Make sure it is safe to apply to Bermudagrass, common and hybrid, centipedegrass, St. Augustinegrass, and zoysiagrass. Also, be leery of any product that promises to grow fescue or Kentucky blue grass in our area. Those would be cool-season grasses for us. They are also C3 photosynthesizers and are not adapted to our summer heat and humidity. Question: My pear tree is dying! The tips of many branches are black and curling up. What should I do? Answer: First, don t panic. Your tree is likely going to be fine. Second, treat your pear tree for fire blight when the tree is in full flower. Fire blight is caused by a bacterium that, ironically enough, is transferred from flower to flower by pollinating insects. A horticultural grade of streptomycin is typically used to control the bacterium. But, it has to be applied when the tree is in full bloom. The bacteriocide will NOT harm pollinating insects. Right now, the best plan of action is to prune the diseased portions of branches out if the tree is of a height where you can reach them. Find the point of infection on the branch, then clip about three inches farther back from there. Dispose of the diseased clippings by either burning them or bagging them for garbage pick up. Disinfect pruners between cuttings. Be ready to spray with a product like Agri-mycin next flowering cycle. Gardener s Scoop May 2017 Page 4

5 Latest News from Chennault by Debbie Beauvais Sat., April 22nd had a high rain chance in the forecast; however, some came anyway to help as long as possible. Theresa Cotton, Linda Williams, and Ginny Chin helped to plant verbena in red, red & white striped, and deep blue or purple of homestead purple. Some white angelonia were mixed in the beds with the verbenas, and some variegated flax. The roses were beginning to stretch out and the dusty miller planted in the fall was doing very well. The guara was in bloom, and with the wind blowing, made it them like dancing butterflies. These ladies were of tremendous help. The Indian hawthornes were replaced with dwarf yaupon hollies in the narrow beds flanking the entrance. Mulch was added to these beds, but refreshing the mulch in the other beds will have to wait. Ginny Chin even took on the difficult task of feeding and tending to three young kittens, about 3 weeks old. A young mother, who had found them and saved their lives, stopped to ask for directions to the shelter. She could not continue to keep feeding them with her own new baby and toddler to care for. Ginny to the rescue! On April 29th, Theresa Cotton led the volunteers who came since I had a prior commitment on the 29th. Linda Williams and Elaine Smith came to help Theresa in Congratulations to Jerry Hunter!!! Jerry Hunter was the recipient of the KTVE Yard of the Week Award on April 21, and was even on TV. We don t have pictures yet, but may have some in next month s newsletter. Good work!!! planting some white begonias in the shadier areas and to replace five pink lantanas in the two narrow beds. They also spread as much mulch as could be managed in the time available. The mulch protects the plants roots and the soil from drying out so fast when the sun burns brightly. It also gives the beds a finished look. I can't thank these ladies enough for helping prepare the grounds at Chennault Aviation and Military Museum for the visitors that will attend their programs on Memorial Day and all those who visit the museum daily. This volunteer work is a way to say thank you to all that have served our country and show that we appreciate their sacrifices. Hospitality Notes by Debbie Beauvais Team 4 will host the May meeting. It's members are Linda Williams, Ginny Chin, Lanell Armstrong, Linda Osse, Sharon Smith, Karen Mulhearn, Linda Tubbs, Virginia Lee, Mary Ann Wooten, and Debbie Beauvais. Team 1 will host the June meeting. Team 1's members are Andrea Griggs, Mary Lou McFarland, Lisa Richardson, Sherry Parker, Helen Hotard, Lora Fix, Glenda Guice, Christy Francis, and Theresa Cotton. NELA MG Board Members President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Recorder Historian Member-at-Large Member-at-Large Lisa Richardson Christy Francis Virginia Lee Steve Thomas Linda Tubbs Mary Ann Wooten Warren Daniels Ken Grant Gardener s Scoop May 2017 Page 5

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7 Customers laughed at this all day long at the plant sale. Gardener s Scoop May 2017 Page 7

8 Master Gardener Gardens We are always looking for ideas to use in our own gardens and would love to see pictures of even more Master Gardener s gardens each month. Please send in pictures of your lovely gardens for the newsletter, so we can all enjoy them. Inspirations from the beautiful gardens of Lisa Richardson Gardener s Scoop May 2017 Page 8

9 A bed of larkspur and poppies at my home in Mangham. That is a woodland tobacco in the background. Nanette Crawford Gardener s Scoop May 2017 Page 9

10 This is the pool that was filled-in in my back yard in Mangham. Nanette Crawford Volunteer Service Hours As of May 4, Volunteer Service Hours 150 Continuing Education Hours This time last year: 540 Volunteer Service Hours 225 Continuing Education Hours Do not forget to record your hours! The next Master Gardener meeting is Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at the LSU AgCenter. An educational program of 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) Gardener s Scoop May 2017 Page 10

11 Upcoming Activities Le Tour des Jardins 10am 5pm Pioneer Heritage Center Open at 9am MG Meeting 6:30PM New Orleans Plant Sale New Orleans Botanical Gardens Baton Rouge Children s Garden Series LSU AgCenter at Burden MG class on Dr. Sara Shields Ornamentals 6:30PM Newsletter article submission deadline June 2-4. New Orleans Orchid Society Annual Show. Lakeside Shopping Center For more information, visit June Lafayette Acadian Orchid Show. Ira Nelson Horticulture Center For more information, contact Dennis at or to janet.gianelloni@gmail.com 2017 International Master Gardener Conference July 10-14, 2017 Portland, Oregon February 28, 2017 May 31, IMGC registration June 1, 2017 June 9, IMGC late registration (as space allows) REMINDERS Remember to record your hours of training and service on the website regularly. Gardener s Scoop May 2017 Page 11