Johnson County Master Gardener Thymes

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1 Johnson County Master Gardener Thymes November 2017 MG Steering Committee Meeting Wednesday, November 8 at 7:00 pm; Johnson County Extension Office. All are invited to attend! Master Gardeners are also great cooks. Thymes Deadline Thymes information should be sent to Jan Denehy at janice-denehy@uiowa.edu Please send news, volunteer opportunities, stories, pictures, etc., for the December/January issue by Monday, November 27. Time to Report MG Hours!! MG Volunteer and Education hours need to be reported by the end of the year. Those still needing volunteer hours can contact Shannon Bielicke. To log in, go to MG Steering Committee: (L to R) Sharon Jeter, Beth Fisher, and LaVon Yeggy Annual Master Gardener Fall Potluck The MG Annual Fall Potluck was held Sunday, October 15, at the Extension Office. Master Gardeners brought food to share for the always delicious potluck, followed by a presentation by Carolyn Murphy about her trip to the International MG Conference in July (Read the following article with information and photos from this conference). Participants enjoyed socializing with fellow Master Gardeners, sharing items on the sharing table, and enjoying the fall bouquets made for the potluck. Presentation by Carolyn Murphy 1

2 2017 International Master Gardener Conference On July 10-14, 2017, the Murphy s joined 1,300 MGs from the US and District of Columbia, Canada, and Japan for the conference in Portland, Oregon. The Oregon MG s chose Follow the Oregon Trail to Great Gardening as their conference theme. A one-hour Powerpoint presentation was given by the Murphy s at the fall MG potluck, October 15, covering the highlights of conference classes and keynote speakers, including visits to Deschutes County Extension Office and Demo Gardens, Douglas County Master Gardeners Discovery Gardens, local community gardens, a Farm to Table (Skyline Farms & Meriwether s Restaurant) operation located 12 miles apart; owned & operated by the same couple, a hops farm, a vineyard, and olive mill. The next International Conference will be held June 17-21, 2018 at the Valley Forge Casino Resort, near Philadelphia, PA. By Carolyn Murphy Pollinator health was a big topic at the conference Scenic pictures we took on our journey to visit Master Gardener s projects/gardens. Crater Lake Amy Jo Detweiler, OSU Horticulturist giving a tour of the Deschutes Extension Office and Demonstration Gardens A view of skiers at the base of Mt. Hood near Timberline Lodge 2

3 Seed Saving and Storage By Linda Schreiber If you ve ever thought about seed storage, there s no time like the present. Saving seeds allows you to preserve a plant s legacy. Some of us are fortunate to have heirloom seeds passed from generation to generation. But if you re not someone in the heritage seed saving category, there are a few simple steps to follow to get started.!. Select the right plants go for open pollinated, non-hybrid varieties or heirlooms. Avoiding hybrids is necessary because they tend to cross pollinate with other varieties, as a result they won t maintain their original characteristics. 2. If you re new to seed saving and aren t sure what to save first the gateway plants are tomatoes, followed by peppers, peas and beans. And don t be afraid to try saving watermelon, cantaloupe and cucumbers. 3. Focus on saving seeds from your best-tasting crops. Be very picky. Multnomah Falls Tomatoes: Scoop out juicy insides of a fully-ripened tomato and put the seeds in a jar with a little water. Stir the mixture daily. After a few days, the good seeds will sink to the bottom save those and discard the rest. Rinse the seeds and spread them out to dry thoroughly. Peppers: Allow a few peppers to stay on the plant until they are ripe and starting to wrinkle. Cut each pepper in half and remove the seeds. Separate the seeds and dry completely. Beans and peas: Leave pods on the plant to ripen until they are dry and turning brown. The seeds will rattle inside the dried pods. Remove the pods from the plant and spread out to dry for at least two weeks before removing the seeds. Carolyn Murphy, MG Traveler October Mystery Plant Identification Winners! Last month s mystery plant was submitted by LaVon Yeggy The persons who submitted the correct answer were Jane Zukin, Carolyn Murphy, and Ramona McGurk who identified the mystery plant as the herb Pond Lily. Jane Zukin shared the botanical name, tricyrtis, with us. Ramona Mercer says she has many of these lilies in her garden, and they flourish in partial sun. CONGRATULATIONS, Jane, Carolyn and Ramona Store Seeds: Make sure to dry seeds completely. Glass jars are the best containers especially when stored in a root cellar or a cool, dry basement. Refrigerators are fine, but only for short-term storage. Label each container with the date the seeds were collected. Oregon State University Extension says seeds will last quite a while depending on humidity. Seeds are best stored through the winter at 50 degrees, at 50 percent humidity. Unused seed packets should be stored in sealed jars with a desiccant such as powdered milk or rice in the bottom (to absorb moisture). Store the seed jar in a cool area like a basement or in a refrigerator. Generally, seeds with a higher oil content will decline more quickly. If you keep your seeds dry and cool, you can expect many of them to last longer than the time periods indicated below. Parsnips, spinach, lettuce and alliums have the shortest seed life. Minimum seed life for common homegrown vegetables and flowers are listed below and they reflect no special care taken: October Mystery Plant Pond Lily 3

4 Bush and pole beans - two years Beets - two years Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, and kohlrabi - three to five years Carrots - three years Collard, Kale - three to five years Sweet Corn - one year Cucumbers - three years Leeks, onions - two to three years Lettuce - three years Melons - three years Oriental greens - three years November Birthdays 2 Linda Schreiber 5 Rebecca Kuehn 6 Nancy Kennedy 7 William Kline 9 Janis Bultman 9 Joy TenEick 16 Caleb Ryder 19 Jayne Ryder 29 Barb Krug 30 Jim Martinek Articles needed for the Thymes Newsletter I would like to encourage MGs to submit short feature articles ( words) of interest for the newsletter. These articles can be seasonal, something of special interest to you or a topic of interest to MGs. You might want to write an article related to a MG project you worked on or a topic you would like to learn more about. If possible, include a photo or two (jpg with at least 100 dpi sent as separate files) related to your article. The newsletter is published 10 times a year (there are no issues in January and August) and is distributed via or USPS for those who prefer a hard copy. Each issue is about 7-8 pages in length and includes a variety of regular features such as announcements of upcoming MG events and meetings, special events of interest to MGs, a monthly birthday list, and a list of committee chairmen and volunteer opportunities. If you are interested, please let me know. If you have an idea for an article or need help in putting an article together, contact me and we can discuss the topic and format. You will receive MG core volunteer hours for your work on the Thymes. Deadlines are listed in the Thymes. I look forward to hearing from you and working with you on the Thymes. Jan Denehy, Thymes Editor, Janice-denehy@uiowa.edu A listing of programs offered by organizations in our area that may be of interest to MGs. November 2017 Backyard Abundance Wednesday, November 1, :30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Gardening with Spirit. Topic: Monarch Gardening. Connect with the spiritual side of nature through playful gatherings the first Wednesday of each month at Gaia s Peace Garden, 2066 Bristol Dr., Iowa City. Register at Thursday, November 9, :30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Green Drinks, a place to meet and exchange ideas with other green-minded folks in a cozy environment. Held the second Thursday of every month. Brew Lab, 505 E Washington St, Iowa City. Blue Zones Bur Oak Land Trust info@buroaklandtrust.org 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Community Event at Short s Burgers Eastside. Share the Profit night. Enjoy the best burgers in town while supporting wildlife and your community. A portion of Short s profits will be donated to Bur Oak Land Trust. Sunday, November 12, a.m. to 12 p.m. Work to improve Bur Oak Land Trust s Big Grove property. Park at Big Grove parking lot, 3999 Starry Night Lane NE, Solon. Contact Seth at seth@buroaklandtrust.org or Tuesday November 14, p.m. to 4 p.m. Work to improve Bur Oak Land Trust s Big Grove property. Park at Big Grove parking lot, 3999 Starry Night Lane NE, Solon. Contact seth@buroaklandtrust.org or Coralville Lake Nothing scheduled at press time. Eastern Iowa Bird Watchers/IC Birds Wednesday, November 1 and November 15, a.m. Kent Park Bird Walk. Meet with leader Rick Hollis at the Kent Park Community Educational Center. Thursday, November 16,

5 7 p.m. Bird Watchers Meeting. Jim Walters of the Song Bird Project will present on Purple Martins. ECO_Iowa City Check website for events. Iowa State Extension Iowa Water ers?sk=wall Nothing scheduled at press Johnson County Conservation Saturday, November 4, :30 a.m.to 12:00 p.m. Annual Prairie Seed Harvest at Kent Park. Each fall Johnson County Conservation staff members collect seed from county properties. The seed is to be used to plant new county areas to prairie. Volunteers welcome. Meet at Knight Prairie Pavilion located in the western portion of Kent Park. Info at Saturday, November 4, p.m. to 2 p.m. Family Honeybee program with 2017 Iowa Honey Queen at Conservation Education Center at F.W. Kent Park. You will learn how bees make mummies, the color of mystery honey, the strange use of beehives in medieval times, and much more in this kid-friendly program. To register kmorrow@co,johnson.ia.us or call the Conservation Education Center at Johnson County-ISU Extension Tuesdays and Thursdays, November 2,7,14,and16, :00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Master Gardener Fall classes to use for education hours. Includes Vegetables, Sustainable Landscape Design, Turf Grass Management, and Volunteer Planning. 7 p.m. Johnson County Master Gardener Steering Committee Meeting. All MG s welcome. Linn County-ISU Extension Wednesday, November 1, :30p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Houseplants-Library Talks. Learn about the many varieties of houseplants available. Explore clever and artistic ways to display houseplants. Speaker: Rose Milden, Linn County MG. Hiawatha Public Library, 150 W Willman St, Hiawatha. Contact Shelly O Neal, , soneal@iastate.edu. 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Starting from Scratch-Library Talks by Beula Dvorak, Linn County MG. This class will provide practical applications and suggestions for getting started gardening whether you are a beginning gardener or are looking for new ideas. Hiawatha Public Library, 150 W Willman St, Hiawatha. Info-contact soneal@iastate.edu, or call Saturday, November 11, a.m. to 12 p.m. Bow Making. Make and take holiday bows for home decorating. Lowe Park Greenhouse, 4500 N 10 th St, Marion. Registration required and $10 fee. Contact Shelly O Neal at soneal@iastate.edu, or Wednesday, November 15, :30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Raised Beds/Square Foot Gardening-Library Talk by Wil Carew, Linn County MG. Get off the ground, save your back and start gardening closer to your hands and eyes. Hiawatha Public Library, 150 W Willman St, Hiawatha. Contact Shelly O Neal at soneal@iastate.edu or New Pioneer Coop Check the website for events and activities. Project Green and Nothing new at press time Seed Savers Check the website for events and activities. Trees Forever Nothing at press time 100_Grannies Saturday, November 4, p.m. to 8 p.m. Puerto Rico Benefit Exhibition An art exhibit featuring 10 artists with proceeds going towards the relief efforts for Puerto Rico. Funds will go to women s groups in Western Puerto Rico groups working to support survivors of domestic violence as they rebuild after Hurricane Maria. RADinc space at 123 E Washington St, Iowa City. 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Standing Rock & the Growing Pan-Indigenous Movement for Life. Honoring what the Creator Has Made. Lecture by Lyla June speaks about how ancient and refined belief systems vary from nation to nation but all hold a similar reverence for the inherent, life-giving design of nature. This helps us to understand more specifically what we can do in this time to move with the rhythms of the earth instead of 5

6 forcing her to move to the rhythms of our anthropocentric greed. Cornell College Hall-Perrine Room of Thomas Commons. Wednesday, November 15, :00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monthly Steering Committee Meeting at Iowa City Public Library (room TBD) Meets the week prior to the general meeting. Contact Thursday November 16, :30a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 100grannies Story Telling at Iowa City Public Library Story Time Room. Come join the fun with the preschool kids. Monday, November 20, p.m. to 5 p.m. Good Neighbor Committee. This committee meets on the third Monday of the month. They are working with goodneighboriowa.org and partnering with Back Yard Abundance, New Pioneer Coop and Americorps. Iowa City Public Library, Room E. Contact Linda Quinn at for location. Tuesday, November 28, :00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Activism Committee Meeting at Trinity Episcopal Church, 320 E. College St., Iowa City. Join the group in planning for upcoming events. Meets right before regular monthly meeting at the same location. Tuesday, November 28, :30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 100grannies Regular meeting at Trinity Episcopal Church, 320 E. College St., Iowa City. Contact: 100granniesiowacity@gmail.com. Solon School Gardens Solon School Gardens can use your help! We are in need of MG's that would like to work on this Core project on their own time schedule, Work in these gardens is primarily pruning, weeding and moving plants. There are periodic group work events. Please contact Tracy Hufford at or tracehuff@aol.com Speakers Bureau Master Gardeners, are you interested in earning hours being a speaker? If so, please contact Jackie Wellborn, or leave your name, number, and topics of interest and Jackie will contact you. Also, if you give presentations for the Speaker s Bureau please contact Jackie to inform her of your work. She records the information for her annual report. Jackie Wellborn, , jackiewe@mchsi.com If you are interested in learning more about or helping with a project listed below, contact one of the chairperson(s) listed for that project. Thank you! Attended Displays: Sharon Rude, ; momrude@gmail.com Butterfly House at Fairgrounds Carolyn Murphy ; carolyn-murphy@uiowa.edu, Mike Murphy, Coralville Historical School House: Cindy Parsons, ; cparsons@icialaw.com Ecumenical Towers: Jane Zukin, ; Janezukin@aol.com Demo Garden: Sharon Jeter, , sharonjeter@gmail.com Downtown City Gardens (Newly-approved core) Linda Schreiber, , lnschreiber@gmail.com Oaknoll-MG Volunteer Matching Program MG volunteers are matched with Oaknoll residents to assist with planting and maintaining their small garden spaces at Oaknoll. Please contact Marilou Gay at or rmlgay@aol.com or Vicki Siefers or vsiefers@mchsi.com if you have any questions or would like to volunteer. Fair Grounds Beautification: Rain Garden: Lavon Yeggy, , lavon47@lcom.net, Mardi Rasmussen, , martharasmussen@yahoo.com Fair Grounds Flower Beds: Joan Dinnel, , jdinel@aol.com, Barb Krug, , bkmg2004@yahoo.com Firefighters Memorial: Barb Schintler, , barbjschintler@hotmail.com 6

7 Fundraising/Flea Market: Barb Krug, , Coordinating new leadership for Hortline: Esther Retish, , Joy TenEick, ; Hospice Garden at Willow Creek Park: Melanie Haupert, , The Johnson County Master Gardener Thymes is published monthly, except January and August. It is distributed under the auspices of Iowa State University. Mail can be sent to: Johnson County Extension Service Attn: Master Gardener Newsletter 4265 Oak Crest Hill Road SE Iowa City, IA Intern Class/Training: Nicole Pearson, , Johnson County Fair / 4-H Buckets of Flowers, Scarecrow: Marilou Gay, , rmlgay@aol.com Lavon Yeggy, , lavon47@lcom.net Send to: janice-denehy@uiowa.edu Mark Twain People s Garden (Non-core): Julie Hegmann, , Julie@hegmann.net Oaknoll Garden Project (Newly-approved core): Marilou Gay, , rmlgay@aol.com Plum Grove: Betty Kelly, , blkiowa@gmail.com; Joanne Leach, , Jleach@Jlgardens.net; Lavon Yeggy, , lavon47@lcom.net; Carolyn Murphy, , candmmurphy@aol.com Raptor Center Gardens: Alice Linhart, , mikeandalice@southslope.net; Speakers Bureau: Jackie Wellborn, , jackiewe@mchsi.com Social Events: Steering Committee, Beth Fisher, , scrabblegirl2@gmail.com; Lavon Yeggy, , lavon47@lcom.net Solon High School: Tracy Hufford, , TraceHuff@aol.com Steering Committee Chair: Lavon Yeggy, ; lavon47@lcom.net, Sharon Jeter, , sharonjeter@gmail.com Thymes: Jan Denehy, , janice-denehy@uiowa.edu Treasurer: Loren Leach, , lleach@jlgardens.net Volunteer Hours/Secretary: Shannon Bielicke, , bielicke@iastate.edu 7