Macomb Master Gardener E-news

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1 Macomb Master Gardener E-news January 4, 2016 Table of Contents News and Note 1 MCMGA... 4 Educational Opportunities 6 MSU Extension.6 Other Educational Opportunities.9 Volunteer Opportunities.10 Single Date Opportunities 10 Ongoing Opportunities..10 Photo Fun 11 News and Notes Re-Certification Information Re-Certification opens on January 11. You must complete this Re-certification process in January between January 11 and January 29. There will be a late charge attached if you re-certify between January 30 and February 12. You will be placed in an Inactive status if you fail to re-certify by February 12. Please Note: Master Gardeners will not be able to add or change volunteer and/or education hours information until after February 12. If you have any questions or concerns regarding re-certification, please contact Mary or Karen at the Macomb MSUE office first. 1

2 Payment Information Payments for re-certification are $20 and are sent to the ANR Communications Events Management Services. Deadline to re-certify for $20 is January 29, From January 30 through February 12, you can still re-certify but there will be a late charge of $10 added to your fee. After February 12, if you have not completed re-certification and submitted fee payment, you will be moved to Inactive status. If you wish to join only the MMGA (the State Association), you can register online at and send the $5 membership fee to the MMGA Treasurer or use Pay Pal to submit the cost. If you wish to join both the MMGA and the local MCMGA, you can fill out the membership form (available on-line ) and pay $10 to the MCMGA which will cover the cost of the MMGA membership for Certified Master Gardeners. Payments and/or membership forms can be mailed to the MSUE Office or brought to an MCMGA educational program. VMS Re-Certification Class Tuesday, January 19, :00-3:00 PM at the Clinton-Macomb Library Main Branch on Romeo Plank Road if you would like assistance with re-certification on the VMS, we will be hosting a 2

3 program at the Clinton-Macomb Library to explain what to do. If you bring your laptop you will be able to connect to the Internet and actually complete the process. April Millsap Memorial Garden IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!! An anonymous major supporter of the garden has agreed to donate up to $2000, matching donations that come in during the next week - by Jan 7th! Take advantage of last minute tax donations - we are a 501(c)3, non-profit organization. Donate online, through our secure website, or mail a check, payable to: April Millsap Memorial Garden, 1523 Northampton Rd, Kalamazoo, MI These funds will be put towards installing a watering well at the garden, along with ongoing maintenance. Thank you for your support, and a HUGE thank you to our anonymous benefactor! Bouquets / Boutonnieres to: All Master Gardeners who completed their volunteer and education hours and had them entered before December 31, 2015! Do you know a Master Gardener who has been especially helpful or has jumped right in to do the job? Let us know and we will recognize their efforts with a Bouquet announcement! 3

4 MCMGA Information Page Macomb County Master Gardener Association Check out the MCMGA website: All communication regarding MCMGA Educational programs or activities should be sent through to To register for any of the following events, please Education Programming January-July 2016 Monday, January 11, 2016 Growing Plants Successfully From Seed with Advanced Master Gardener Karen Burke. Learn the do s and don ts of starting your garden indoors. When to start seeds, and how to tell when; how and when to water, when to fertilize, and what to look out for. Know what supplies you need, and how to care for your seed starting equipment. 6:30-7:30 P.M. MSUE Assembly Room. Free to MCMGA Members +1 guest. $5.00 to all others. MCMGA QUARTERLY MEETING WILL FOLLOW THE CLASS Thursday, February 11, 2016 Gardening with Kids Join us while Advanced Master Gardener, Anne Crotser teaches us, how to teach gardening to the kids in our lives. Topics will include plant parts and functions, plant needs, bugs, worms, and other icky things kids love. Also, other things plants are used for, games and crafts. Get tips on garden design and how to adapt lessons for readers and pre-readers. 6:30-7:30 P.M. at the MSUE Extension Assembly Room. Free to MCMGA Members +1 guest. $5.00 to all others. Register by February 8 to receive a packet of handouts. 4

5 Participants wishing to remain after class and make a kid-friendly watering can, should bring a clean, empty laundry detergent container and a pair of scissors. Monday, March 21, 2016 Spring Ephemerals Advanced Master Gardener, Cheryl English will present Native Wildflowers for the Woodland Garden. Tired of tulips? Find Daffodils dull? How about trying out some of our very own spring ephemerals! From Trout Lilies to Trillium, from the exotic to the familiar, explore some native alternatives for the spring garden. 6:30-7:30 P.M. at the Mt. Clemens Library Auditorium, 150 Cass Ave., Mt. Clemens, MI. Cheryl is also the owner of Black Cat Pottery, and will have a display of her wares for sale before and after the presentation. Light refreshments will be served. $5.00 to MCMGA Members +2 guests. $10.00 to all others. Tuesday, April 19, 2016 Companion Planting Join MSU Extension Consumer Horticulture coordinator, Mary Gerstenberger, as we take a look at the friend and enemy plants of the garden. The Companion Planting presentation will cover what companion plants are, or are not; talk about what makes good companions; and what services they provide to one another, as well as the gardener. 6:30-7:30 P.M. MSUE Extension Assembly Room. Free to MCMGA Members +1 guest. $5.00 to all others. MCMGA QUARTERLY MEETING WILL FOLLOW THE CLASS Monday, May 23, 2016 Pam Goros, from Wild Birds Unlimited, Macomb Township, will present: Who s In My Backyard? Ever wonder why a Robin cocks his head? Can t tell the difference between a Downy and Hairy Woodpecker? And, what does a Red Winged Blackbird have in common with the TV show Sister Wives? Learn the answer to these questions, and more fun facts about birds. 6:30-7:30 P.M. at the MSU Extension Assembly Room. Free to MCMGA Members +1 guest. $5.00 to all others. Thursday, June 30, 2016 The Iris Lady, Advanced Master Gardener Betty Slominski will show us how to divide all of those overgrown Iris in our gardens. This will be a hands on class, so dig up a clump or two of Iris from your garden and bring them to class. You will be taking home your divided, healthy Iris, and maybe even make a few trades with other classmates. If you have buggy Iris, please bring them to class. 6:30-8:30 P.M. MSUE Assembly Room. CLASS SIZE LIMITED. MUST REGISTER. Free to MCMGA Members +1 guest. $5.00 to all others. 5

6 Thursday, July 14, 2016 Viburnums Join Advanced Master Gardener Cheryl English as she educates us on one of the most diverse geneses of garden-worthy shrubs. Viburnums are also less utilized than they should, due to that very diversity. Get beyond garden variety and explore some other options with this charismatic group of plants and become acquainted with some superb native species in the process. 6:30-7:30 P.M. MSUE Assembly Room. $5.00 to MCMGA Members +2 guests. $10.00 to all others. MCMGA QUARTERLY MEETING TO FOLLOW CLASS Fund Raisers!! Support Your Local Garden Association! Kroger Go to krogercommunityrewards.com Register with you Kroger card. MCMGA s number is (although usually our name shows up) If previously registered, must re-register each April. English Gardens We get a donation for every Flower of the Month card purchased. Cannot just place order in the store. Recommend purchase by phone: ext. 116 (although usually the person who answers the phone without going to the extension is the correct contact). Or on website: In both cases, mention MCMGA Fundraiser. Flower Power Go to Click on Find a Group (top right of home page). Type in Organization: Macomb County Master Gardener Association, and state, MI (Leave City Blank) We get 50% of purchases. If you are interested in purchasing a magnetic backing for your badge (to replace a pin) contact the MSUE office at Cost is $3.00. Payable by cash or check made out to the MCMGA. Educational Opportunities MSU Extension: Community Gardening The Basics MSU Extension is offering the program, Community Gardening The Basics on Thursday, January 14, 2016 from 6:30-8:30 PM at the Macomb MSU Extension Office, Dunham Rd., Clinton Twp., MI This program will cover what you need to know to set up and/or participate in a community garden, and the types as well as the benefits of community gardens and basic vegetable gardening 6

7 information. For those interested in forming a garden in their neighborhood or community, now is the time to get started. This is a free program but seating is limited. Please register in advance by calling Deadline to register is Monday, January 11, 2016 VMS Re-Certification Class Tuesday, January 19, :00-3:00 PM at the Clinton-Macomb Library Main Branch on Romeo Plank Road if you would like assistance with re-certification on the VMS, we will be hosting a program at the Clinton-Macomb Library to explain what to do. If you bring your laptop you will be able to connect to the Internet and actually complete the process. Smart Gardening Volunteer Training The MSUE Consumer Horticulture team has been working on an initiative called Smart Gardening for the last few years. Smart Gardening is an effort to get good, research based information on specific topics out to the general population. It involves knowledge of the topic area and the Smart Gardening tip sheets. Volunteers help with sharing the information at info booths and special events. To be a Smart Gardening Volunteer you must already have Advanced Master Gardener status and attend a training which will be held on Monday, January 25, from 9-10:30 AM at the Macomb MSU Extension office. More information on the Smart Gardening initiative and additional requirements to qualify as a Smart Gardening Volunteer will be covered. Please register in advance if you plan to attend this training. There is no obligation to become a SG Volunteer, but information will be provided so that you can make an informed decision. Seed Swap and Seed Storage Tips Thursday, January 28, 2016 from 1:00-3:00 pm, MSU Extension is offering Master Gardeners the opportunity to share extra seeds with each other. We will be providing tips and techniques for safe seed storage as well as starting seeds indoors. There is no cost, but please register in advance by calling the MSUE office at New beginning farmers series offered on-line by MSU Extension: People who are exploring new farm businesses will benefit from participating in the MSU Extension 2016 Beginning Farmer Webinar Series. From January April 2016, MSU Extension will offer 23 two-hour evening programs that provide valuable start-up information on general and more specific farming topics. For program details and registration, visit Plants of Distinction Time: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Contact: Marybeth Denton, denton.marybeth@anr.msu.edu, New and Noteworthy Plants for Every Landscape 7

8 Wednesday, February 3rd - Grand Rapids Grand Rapids Crowne Plaza, th Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI Thursday, February. 4th - Novi Novi Crowne Plaza, Karevich Drive, Novi, MI Time: 8:30 a.m. (registration) 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. (program) Cost: $80.00 per participant (Includes lunch, refreshments, handouts) New plants are the life-blood of the landscape and gardening economy. Plant research and global exploration influence the number and types of plants available. However, we all know that new is not always best for our landscapes. With consumers turning their attention to sustainability and green practices, the question arises, How much maintenance do these plants require? MSU Extension has developed a portfolio of renowned plant experts to present this annual seminar. Speakers will enrich your knowledge of widely sought-after plant material while remembering the foundational message of right plant, right place Smart Gardening Conference Planning for the 2016 Smart Gardening Conference is underway and we should have registration links in the next couple of weeks. Yeah!! For now, please save the date Saturday, March 5, 2016 at DeVos Place and yes, we re back in the large ballrooms!! Highlights this year include two feature presenters: Jeff Epping, Director of Horticulture at Olbrich Botanic Gardens in Madison Wisconsin will be our keynote presenter in the morning. Jeff is a favorite here in West Michigan and relates well to our Michigan climate. His design influence at Olbrich Gardens is captured in his stellar photography that is sure to bring his Smart Gardening messages alive this year! Literally- I drool when I see his pictures!! Ruth Rogers Clausen, a horticulturist trained in England, has been living and working in the United States for many years. Over her long career she has taught and lectured widely. Former horticulture editor for Country Living Gardener, she has written several books, including Essential Perennials and 50 Beautiful Deer-Resistant Plants. Now what could be smarter than a deer-resistant plant? Clausen s delightful teaching style will make this presentation not only enjoyable but one to remember! The details for our other presenters, vendors and registration will be available very soon! Stay tuned! 8

9 Other Educational Opportunities Don t forget to check the VMS Event Calendar for more information on Educational Opportunities Troy Garden Club January may not be a good month for outdoor gardening, but it s a perfect month to learn about an intriguing form of indoor gardening. Lamont Jackson, of the Four Seasons Bonsai Club of Michigan, will be the Troy Garden Club s presenter on Wednesday, January 13. His topic will be Bonsai Care & Cultivation. Bonsai, per the American Heritage Dictionary, is the art of growing dwarfed, ornamentally shaped trees or shrubs. If you ve ever wanted to try bonsai but were concerned that it might be too difficult or time-consuming, Lamont Jackson s presentation will offer you an excellent introduction. The Troy Garden Club, founded in 1971, meets on the second Wednesday of the month from September through June at the Big Beaver United Methodist Church, 3753 John R, Troy, just south of Wattles. Guests, $7, are welcome and should register by 11:45 am. A light lunch will be served at 12:00 noon, followed by Mr. Jackson s one-hour talk beginning at1:00 pm. Please register by ing infoandideas@aol.com. For additional information, visit the Troy Garden Club s web site: Meadow Brook Garden Club Don t Let Your OAK WILT The Meadow Brook Garden Club will meet Friday, January 22, 2016 at Meadow Brook Hall, 480 South Adams Road, Rochester MI Coffee and refreshments will be served at 9:15 a.m. with program to follow at 10:00 a.m. featuring guest speaker, Dr. David L. Roberts, Senior Academic Specialist at Michigan State University who has worked with oak wilt for over 25 years. Oak Wilt is a lethal disease that is spreading throughout Michigan. It is prudent to learn how to avoid oak wilt, how to recognize symptoms and how to effectively manage the disease if detected. Guests are welcome. There is a $5 non-member donation. Reservations are not required. For more information, contact , or MBHGCMembers@gmail.com, or visit 9

10 Oakland County Master Gardeners: Volunteer Opportunities Single Date Opportunities Nothing listed at the moment Ongoing Opportunities Please check the VMS Project listing for the ongoing Master Gardener Projects that need volunteers. 10

11 Photo Fun Have any pictures of your project that you would like to share? them to me at: Remember when these were blooming in the gardens? 11