Macomb Master Gardener E-news

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1 Macomb Master Gardener E-news March 14, 2016 Table of Contents News and Notes..1 Macomb County Master Gardener Association..5 Educational Opportunities..8 MSU Extension: 8 Other Educational Opportunities...11 Meadow Brook Garden Club..13 MG Education Share 17 Volunteer Opportunities..21 Single Date Opportunities 21 Ongoing Opportunities.21 Photo Fun...26 News and Notes Hotline Training Class March 24, :00-3:00 PM Any Master Gardeners interested in helping with either the local or state hotline are invited to attend a training at the MSUE office on March 24. We will cover how to use and answer phone, materials at counter, where to get information, and touch on some upcoming garden and insect issues. Save the Date! Master Gardener Banquet Wednesday, May 11, 2016, New Location The Master Gardener Banquet will be held on Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at the Italian American Cultural Center, Romeo Plank Rd., Clinton Twp., MI Gordon Lonie will be our guest speaker for the Banquet and will be doing his Frogs and Toads program. It will be a ribbitting good time! Don t forget that we will be honoring all those who have received their Basic and Advanced Master Gardener status in 2015, as well as recognizing Lifetime Achievement hours. The MCMGA will be awarding Project Grants at the Banquet as well! If you are 1

2 one of those lucky Master Gardeners we hope to see you at the Banquet PLEASE PLAN ON ATTENDING! More details and registration information will be out soon. Please remember there will be a registration deadline since we must give a final guest count at least two weeks prior to the event. Tickets must be paid for in advance money will not be taken at the door! 2016 Master Gardener Photo Contest Time to search for that special photo(s) to enter in this year s contest. Two entries permitted per person for the chance to win a $25, $15 or $10 garden center gift card. Mail, or drop off, your un-framed/un-matted 8x10 photo(s), with a title and your name and address on the back, to the attention of Mary Gerstenberger, MSU Extension Office, Dunham Rd, Verkuilen Bldg #12, Clinton Township, MI All contest entries must be received by May 6 th. The photos will be displayed at the banquet and each attendee will receive one ballot to vote for their favorite photo. The three prizes will be awarded based on the number of votes received; contest winners will be announced at the banquet. One prize per photographer, and in the case of a tie, high card draw will determine the winner. There are a few simple rules to keep in mind: the contest is limited to amateur, master gardener photographers only; there is a limit of two photos per person; photos must have a garden/horticultural theme (no people pictures please); a $1 donation for each photo submission is requested. Once a photo has been a prize winner, it cannot be entered into the contest again. Prize winning photos are maintained in an album at the MSU Extension Office and will be included in the Master Gardener E-news. The album will also be on display at the banquet. Please pick-up other photos at the conclusion of the banquet to save on return mailing costs. You need not be present to win. Anyone interested in a pottery making class to make a small toad house or fairy garden house with Cheryl English as teacher? Please contact Mary at by Thursday, March 24. Bouquets / Boutonnieres to: Congratulations to Jean Persely and the Macomb Food Collaborative for the excellent All About Food: From Farm to Fork Conference! A job well done! 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! 2

3 DNR Urban Forestry News Annual Tree and Seedling Sales Underway: Support local organizations and place your orders soon. Many county conservation districts, nonprofits, and retail nurseries/landscapers are conducting sales of trees and related supply/services now. Below are several links that may be helpful. Details: Michigan Conservation Districts: or Michigan ReLeaf: Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association: Searchable list of licensed MI nursery growers/dealers: Michigan Green Industry Association: (Research) The Emerging Role of Ecosystem Services in Preventive Medicine There s growing evidence that spending time in forests, gardens, or parks may improve physical and mental health. Details: Journal Research Publication: 62 nd Annual Orchid Show The Michigan Orchid Society will have its 62 nd Annual Orchid Show on Saturday, April 23 from 11am 5pm and Sunday, April 24, from 11am 4pm. The show is held at the United Food Workers Bldg., 876 Horace Brown Dr., Madison Heights, MI. There is Free admission, Free parking, Free educational sessions, Beautiful Orchid Displays and Sales from specialized Orchid Growers! Save the Date! Saturday, September 24, 2016 Our Very First Macomb County Smart Gardening Conference!!! Details coming soon. 3

4 Job Opportunity (The posting of job opportunities is informational only. It is not an endorsement for either the company or the Master Gardener that chooses to apply) Estate Gardener Seeking a full time, year round, head gardener for a private residence in West Bloomfield. Exceptional opportunity available for an extremely creative and talented Gardener who is passionate about their work and has a true love of vegetable gardening. Will involve vegetable gardens, flowerbed garden maintenance and design, planting, trimming, etc. Other responsibilities will include tending to household plants, conservatory plant maintenance, and holiday decorations, etc. Heavy landscaping work (i.e. lawn cutting, large tree trimming, etc.) will be handled by service contractors. The ideal candidate is a dedicated gardener who is not afraid to get their hands dirty and is willing to collaborate with other members of the team. Please resumes to Baumgarten.crystal@gmail.com Two Women and a Hoe Master Gardeners Needed Two Women and a Hoe ( a full-service indoor/outdoor sustainable garden design, installation and maintenance company in Royal Oak, is seeking a part-time Master Gardener (or currently enrolled in the program) to join our team in spring, hours per week. This position involves a variety of gardening tasks. Gardening: 1. Ability and willingness to provide comprehensive plant care, including weeding, trimming, pruning, hedging and bed edging. 2. Willingness to be trained in and practice standardized gardening and plant care techniques to ensure quality and customer service. Basic requirements for this position include: 1. Must be dependable 2. Willingness to adhere to our non-smoking policy 4

5 3. Adherence to dress code: must wear TW&H provided shirt; jeans or khakis (no holes or stains) required. Interested Gardeners please call or Jan Bills, Owner Two Women and a Hoe The Fine Art of Soul to Soil Phone: A Woman Touch Landscape Maintenance A Woman Touch Landscape is looking for seasoned gardeners for all aspects of horticultural care. Opportunity is for 3-4 days a week in the Hamtramck area (I-75 and Holbrook). A current applicator license (6, 3B) is a plus, but not a must. Wage dependent on qualifications. Contact Jolene at or woto2010@att.net Bayer Weekend Warrior Program Hiring for the Bayer Weekend Warrior Program. We are looking for master gardeners who are willing to work a five hour shift for ten Saturdays in big box retailers. Knowledge of pesticides and gardening procedures helpful. Pay is $18.00 an hour plus incentives. For consideration please send resume to julierisch.bayer@gmail.com. MCMGA Information Pages Macomb County Master Gardener Association Check out the MCMGA website: All communication regarding MCMGA Educational programs or activities should be sent through to macombcountymga@gmail.com 5

6 The MCMGA has a Facebook page! Check it out and like us at MacombCountyMGA Next Board of Directors Meeting The next Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 19, at 3:00 PM. If you have any questions or concerns you would like discussed, please contact the MCMGA at our address: macombcountymga@gmail.com. Minutes from the March meeting will be in next week s E-news. Grant Opportunity The MCMGA has 4 grants of up to $150 available for Master Gardener projects in Macomb County. Go to the MCMGA website ( ) and check under the News section for the Application and Requirements. Applications are due by March 31, 2016, and are awarded at the Master Gardener Banquet in May. To register for any of the following events, please macombcountymga@gmail.com Please remember to bring your membership card to all events. Education Programming January-July 2016 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 6

7 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. 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 Education Credits for MCMGA classes 2016 January 11, Growing Plants Successfully from Seed hr. February 11, Children s Gardening 1.5 hrs. 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. 7

8 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 THROUGH BRENDA, STERLING HTS. NATURE CENTER NATURALIST AT , 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. MCMGA Thanks You for Your Participation! Educational Opportunities MSU Extension: Don t forget to check the VMS Event Calendar for more information on Educational Opportunities Enviro-weather: The Grower s Friend (Rescheduled) Gardeners, Landscapers, Farmers, garden center employees and the general public are invited to attend a free presentation on Enviro-weather on Tuesday, March 29 from 6:00 7:30 PM at the MSU Extension office, Dunham Rd., Clinton Twp., This class will explore the Enviro-weather website and the ways it can benefit residential gardeners, commercial growers and everyone in between. Enviro-weather allows farmers, landscapers and green thumbs to narrow down their pest treatment time lines so they are making the most efficient use of their time and money. Strategic application of pesticides, fungicides and 8

9 herbicides can also reduce potential pollution by reducing the number and amount of applications that can affect natural resources. Enviro-weather is a weather-based pest, natural resources and production management tool. Beth Bishop of MSU Extension will be presenting information on understanding growing degree days and how to use the Enviro-weather website most effectively. Learn how to plan for spray dates, keep an eye on fungal issues and plan for emerging insects through this unique program. Please register in advance by calling the MSU Extension office at Vegetable Gardening: From the Ground Up This program will cover everything from: garden soil to planning and planting the vegetable garden seed to transplant choices garden maintenance to garden tools the A to Z of vegetables At the MSU Extension Office, Dunham Rd., Clinton Twp., Use Entrance E. Date: Tuesday, March 22, 2016 Time: 6:30-8:00 PM At the Thompson Community Center, Hupp Ave., Warren, Date: Wednesday, March 23, 2016 Time: 1:00-2:30 PM Program is free but please register in advance by calling the MSUE office at Master Gardener Class The Master Gardener Volunteer Training Program will be held at the MSU Extension offices beginning March 3, Anyone interested in taking the class needs to go to the Master Gardener website, to get to the registration for Clinton Township. Cost is $300 and class will run on Thursdays for 14 weeks, ending June 2. Master Gardeners may audit any class for a $5 fee. Class schedule: 3/17 Soil Science 3/24 IPM 3/31 Woody Ornamentals 4/7 Turf 4/14 Vegetables 4/21 Annuals & Perennials 4/28 Tree fruit 5/5 Small Fruit 5/12 Indoor Plants 5/19 Household and Nuisance Pests 5/26 Diagnostics for MGs 6/2 Volunteering / Water Quality 9

10 Spring Bulb Show Hidden Lake Gardens Date: March 12, March 27, 2016 Location: Hidden Lake Gardens Conservatory 6214 Monroe Rd, Tipton, MI Step out of winter and right into spring, and experience the colors and fragrances of our spectacular spring flower bulb display in the Conservatory. Daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, and amaryllis, plus pansies, stocks, orchids, and other flowers. Open daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $3 per person / Free to Friends of HLG. Master Gardener College June 17-18, 2016 MASTER GARDENER COLLEGE 2016 ON THE ROAD AGAIN! Ready? Set? Mark your calendars for 2016 Master Gardener College On the Road to Grand Rapids! The Prince Conference Center on East Beltline will once again be home base for our two-day event, June 17-18, The theme for the event is Dig It! Plant It! Grow It! What is on the agenda, you ask? Oh my, it s just like the garden shop or bookstore so many great choices! June 17 offers a selection of all-day bus tours, each with a different focus. Those not taking a bus tour can choose from afternoon workshops at the Prince Center. Everyone comes back together for a stop at the MSU Extension Grand Ideas Garden (the GIG) to cruise the annual plant sale and visit the incredible, plant-packed gardens. The party will then move back to the Prince Center, where folks can relax, socialize, have dinner and attend the Annual Michigan Master Gardener Association s membership meeting. 10

11 Bright and early, June 18 will begin with our keynote speaker, who will get our juices going in preparation for an education-filled day. You will have an opportunity to select your preferred breakout sessions from a wide variety of topics ranging from bees to water and lots in between. Beginning at 7:30 a.m., the Green Marketplace will be open for shopping the next best thing to digging, planting and growing! Everyone can always use another great book, gloves, pruners/nippers, shirts, lotion, soap, garden art, plants (of course) and lots, lots more. So, mark your calendar now, then watch for updates and begin to make those tough decisions -which bus tour, what breakout sessions, how many plants can I cram in the car for the trip home? And don t forget, contact your MSU Extension Master Gardener friends from throughout the state to get them onboard so we can all connect at the conference to Dig It! Plant It! Grow It! Check Out the Events and Educational Opportunities at Tollgate: Other Educational Opportunities Don t forget to check the VMS Event Calendar for more information on Educational Opportunities Friendly Gardener Meetings Spring is right around the corner and time for the Friendly Gardeners meeting to resume Location Riverwood Community Church (Directions below): APRIL 14: Drought Tolerant Plants by Sue Grubba Members & Guests: Please make sure you sign in when you arrive. Refreshments will be served from 7:00-7:15 during social time. Guests are welcome. Please fill out a green information slip on your first visit. FACEBOOK: Search for Friendly Garden Club of Sterling Heights Calendar: MAY 12: Companion Planting by Mary Gerstenberger JUNE 9: Donna Madonna on butterflies and plant exchange SEPTEMBER 8: Garden tips & Plant Exchange OCTOBER 13: Lawn Care by Gary Eichen NOVEMBER 10: SOCIAL NEW TIME 6:15 PM 11

12 Directions to Riverwood Community Church: Clinton River Road, Sterling Heights, MI Located on west side of Clinton River Road, south of 19 mile Next (north) to Farmstead Park For more info contact: Yardeners of St. Clair Shores THE YARDENERS OF ST. CLAIR SHORES WHAT S GROWING IN 2016 All Presentations are free and will be held at the St. Clair Shores Library located at the corner of 11 mile & Jefferson MONDAY APRIL 11-7 pm IF YOU CAN GROW IT IN A PLOT YOU CAN GROW IT IN A POT PRESENTATION BY THE YARDENERS We are going to share the many aspects of container gardening. Everything from seeds and vegetables to perennials can be grown in containers, let s think outside of the Flower Box. We ll give you some tips on plant and soil choices. We will also demonstrate how to go about planting in pots. Join us for this up close hands on experience. YARDENERS NATIVE PLANT SALE SATURDAY- MAY 21-9:00 am to noon Advanced orders encouraged, April 20 is the deadline to place your order for pick up on the day of the sale at the Selinsky- Green Farmhouse Museum behind the St. Clair Shores Library parking lot, located at the corner of 11 Mile and Jefferson. This is your opportunity to introduce or add native plants to your gardens. When we grow native plants in our own yards, we create vital Michigan habitat areas to help ensure the continued existence of both plants and wildlife. Native plants are beautiful and they attract birds, butterflies and bees, all important pollinators. YARDENERS 23 rd ANNUAL GARDEN TOUR SATURDAY AUGUST 6 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Registration starts at 9:00 am at the Selinsky-Green Farmhouse Museum located behind the St. Clair Shores Library at the corner of 11 Mile and Jefferson.The cost is $5.00 for adults, children under 12 are free. You will view some of the lovliest yards in St. Clair Shores and get gardening ideas for your gardens from the homeowners. Yardeners and Master Gardeners will also be available to answer questions. Take a few moments to tour the Museum and gardens, also take a peek at the vendors wares after you register. YARDENERS FALL PLANT EXCHANGE SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 24-9:00 am to 11:00 am The plant exchange will be held in the in the parking lot of the St. Clair Shores Library located at the corner of 11 Mile and Jefferson. Load up your vehicles with your extra plants and divisions. Bag, tag and drag your offerings to trade or give away to other gardeners. No $$ is involved, come tailgate with your plants. Bring a mug of coffee!! Please label all of your plants. MONDAY OCTOBER 17-7pm REPURPOSING FOR YARD ART PRESENTATION BY THE YARDENERS We have seen many gardeners on our tours that have created joy with items they have repurposed and placed in their gardens. Get some inspiration, ideas and hints on making Yard Art from these creative people that have 12

13 shared with us over the years. Learn about dolls made from pieces of ceramic, fairy garden furniture and other repurposed items for yard art. The Yardeners of St. Clair Shores is a non-profit group dedicated to achieving beneficial environmental results by teaching and practicing earth friendly gardening. Including the use of Native Plants, wildlife habitat landscaping,composting and Integrated Pest Management minimizing the use of harmful chemicals. The funds we raise go back into the community through donations, educational programs and planting projects. For more information please contact Laurel Fowler at (586) Everyone is welcome to attend Yardener meetings. There are no fees or dues to pay nor is membership required. The scheduled meeting dates are February 8, May 16, June 13, July 11, August 8, September 12, and November 14, at 7:00 pm. All meetings are held at the St.Clair Shores Library at the corner of 11 Mile and Jefferson. Please LIKE us on FACEBOOK Yardeners of St. Clair Shores Meadow Brook Garden Club Meadow Brook Garden Club event calendar can be found at: Fine-Pruning the Landscape: Spring Cuts The Meadow Brook Garden Club will meet Friday, March 25, 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 Janet Macunovich who is a professional gardener, designer, author, dynamic speaker and respected educator. Pruning is the gardener's main priority in April so now is the perfect time to learn how to prune your trees and shrubs to ensure beautiful bloom, good shape, manageable size, and the best healthy plants. With pictures and also real plants, Janet will not only show you how but give you the courage to do what must be done! Guests are welcome. There is a $5 nonmember donation. Reservations are not required. For more information, contact , or MBHGCMembers@gmail.com, or visit APRIL 22 David Michener Heritage Peonies: Beautiful Then, Glorious Now MAY 19 Perennial Plant Sale MAY 20 Elly Maxwell Harnessing Mother Nature s Workforce Beneficial Insects 13

14 JUNE 14 Open House Potential new members are invited to experience the joy of gardening at Meadow Brook. JUNE 23 Summer Member Event All garden club members are invited to relax and enjoy the gardens SEPTEMBER 23 Kristen Uthus History and Culture of Japanese Orchids OCTOBER 28 Keith Berven Fundamentals of Growing and Caring for Dahlias Michigan Butterfly Network Presentation On Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. Friends of the St. Clair River is continuing their monthly speaker series by offering a free presentation and showcase on Michigan Butterfly Network - Citizen Science in Action. The class will be led by Ashley Wick, Director of the Michigan Butterfly Network and Biological Research Director at the Kalamazoo Nature Center. Ashley will discuss butterfly biology, life history, identification, and their local importance. Ways the average citizen can study, conserve and monitor butterflies in their own communities will be discussed. The presentation will last 45 minutes and meets at the St. Clair County Administration Building Auditorium, 200 Grand River Avenue, Port Huron. Butterflies are powerful indicators of the quality and health of ecosystems. Sensitive to land use and habitat changes, many of our butterfly species have been declining in abundance due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and climate change. In order to gain a picture of butterfly population patterns and trends, we need to monitor butterflies in the field when they are most active. Monitoring butterfly populations throughout the years will allow us to better understand butterfly ecology, population changes, and to direct attention to species in decline before it is too late. Friends of the St. Clair River is the Blue Water Area s leading environmental non-profit organization whose mission is to provide meaningful experiences that engage the community in the protection of their water resources through water quality monitoring, stewardship activities, and advocacy. For more information on this mussel showcase, contact Friends Stewardship Director, Kirsten Lyons, at BlueWaterRiverWalk@gmail.com or

15 Rochester Garden Club The Rochester Garden Club invites interested gardeners to their next speaker presentation at the Rochester Community House on Ludlow Street in Rochester at 11 am on Tuesday, April, 12. Pre-registration is required and seating is limited. A $5 donation is appreciated. Call Pat at or use our contact us link at Rochestergardenclub.org to reserve a spot. Stacey is an entertaining and informative presenter. A mission to educate and encourage home gardeners is the inspiration for our speaker, Stacey Hirvela, who will present Edible Spots & Pots. This is the title of her first book that was published by Rodale in March, After graduating from the New York Botanical Garden School of Professional Horticulture, Stacey s career included serving as horticulturist for the former Tavern on the Green restaurant in New York, joining the editorial staff at Martha Stewart living magazine, co-hosting a call-in program on Sirius satellite radio, and her current position on the marketing team at Proven Winners ColorChoice Shrubs. Black Cat Pottery Fancy Sunflower Workshop Saturday, March 19, 10:00am-12:00noon - Fabrication Saturday, April 2, 10:00am-12:00noon - Glazing Try a twist on the ever-popular sunflower theme with cool colors and textures. Novice and experienced potters will enjoy this two-session workshop to create two sunflowers just in time for the start of gardening season! Hang them indoors or out! No experience required! Limited enrollment available. If you've already taken the Basic Fancy Sunflower Workshop, you can register to make a single larger sunflower instead - registration options include the Basic Fancy Sunflower Workshop, Medium Fancy Sunflower Workshop or Large Fancy Sunflower Workshop. To register, visit to our website at scroll down on the left to below the calendar and look for the Fancy Sunflower Workshop link. We hope you can join us! 15

16 St. Clair County Symposium The Master Gardeners of St. Clair County present Spring is nature s way of saying Let s party! (Robin Williams) Saturday, March 19, 2016 at Cornerstone Church, 4025 North Road, Clyde, MI Doors open at 8:00 am. Seminar: 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Registrar: Sandy Billings Phone sanderan51@yahoo.com Early Bird Registration fee: $80.00 After February 19, 2016: $90.00 Symposium Speakers: Marta McDowell (Chatham, NJ) Beatrix Potter: her botanical art, flora in her Little books, and her garden Tovah Martin (Roxbury, CT) The Unexpected Houseplant Matt & Tim Nichols (Nichols Nursery) The Ornamental Obsession Susan Martin (Holland, MI) A New Spin on Old Favorites New Perennials for 2016 Registration fee covers: all speakers, continental breakfast, lunch and snack break. Make check payable to MGSCC (Master Gardeners of St. Clair County). Checks of money orders only, to be cashed upon arrival in the mail no refunds can be made after February 19. Mail registration to Sandy Billings, 99 Richman Rd., St. Clair, MI 48079, call Sandy at ; or Lisa Sharrow at Oakland County Master Gardeners: 16

17 Tomlinson Arboretum The Tomlinson Arboretum welcomes any interested Master Gardeners wishing to participate in the annual survey of the wildflower species in the Wildflower Prairie, to join with Martha Holzheuer of ECT, Inc. to help identify wildflower species planted in the Prairie. We will meet on Saturday, April 30th, at 10 a.m. at the West Entrance, on 18 mile rd. east of Garfield Rd. at the 18 Mile Rd. cul-de-sac. Master Gardeners can earn continuing education credits for their participation in this annual event, as the Tomlinson Arboretum has been approved as a Master Gardener certification site. Cordially, Dan Lepo Coordinator Friends of the Arboretum Mt. Clemens Gourmet Garden Hour Date: 4/6/2016 Start Time: 7:00 PM End Time: 9:00 PM Description: "Stunning Color Palettes for Your 2016 Gardens." Coffee and dessert will be served following the program. Location: Auditorium, Mt. Clemens Library on Cass Ave. Status: Openings Check the Mt. Clemens Library Calendar of Events at: What a man needs in gardening is a cast-iron back, with a hinge in it. ~Charles Dudley Warner, My Summer in a Garden,

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21 MG Education Share: Shared by Jeanie Newlin: MSU WAM presentation about beneficial insects with Native Plants The presentation was entitled, Supporting Beneficial Insects with Native Plants: New Research and Application Opportunities by Doug A Landis, PhD, Department of Entomology MSU, Center for Integrated Plant Systems Labs Here is Doug Landis' website Here is another link to Doug Landis' recent research. Good article! Master Gardeners, if you watched a video, webinar or other online class that you feel other Master Gardeners might enjoy, please send us a link and a short description and we will share it here. Volunteer Opportunities Single Date Opportunities Ongoing Opportunities Please check the VMS Project listing for the ongoing Master Gardener Projects that need volunteers. Hotline Help We will be needing help in the office to answer the Hotline beginning in April. Volunteers for the Local hotline are needed on Monday and Wednesday from 8:45 12:30 and 12:15 4:15 and on Friday from 8:45 Noon. Volunteers for the Sate Hotline are needed on Thursday and Friday afternoons from 12:45 4:15 PM. Hotline Training is being offered on Thursday, March 24 from 1-3 PM at the MSUE office. Please register by calling

22 Eyes on the Forest/Sentinel Tree Network Project What s going on? The impact of exotic invasive species on our forests in the U.S. is staggering. Effects of these unwanted invaders can affect human and ecosystem health, forest products, property values and outdoor recreation opportunities. Thanks to startup funding from the Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program, a team from Michigan State University is launching a statewide effort to help residents learn about the risks and impacts of invasive forest pests. The Eyes on the Forest program links research, outreach and communication activities through MSU s Department of Entomology and MSU Extension. The Eyes on the Forest program is targeting three major potential invaders that pose serious threats to Michigan trees and forests. Asian Longhorned Beetle Hemlock Wooly Adelgid Thousand Cankers Disease of Walnut 22

23 All three of these invasive pests can kill their host trees. If any one of them become established in Michigan, it will be extremely difficult to stop them. We need YOU! One way to keep these unwanted invaders out of our woods is to create a network of sentinel trees across the state. The ultimate goal is to recruit trained volunteers who agree to adopt an individual tree, and periodically monitor and report on the condition of the tree over time. Changes in the condition of the tree are often important clues about what s happening with these pests. The more volunteers, the greater the number of sentinel trees, and the greater the chance that we keep these extremely damaging pests and diseases out! Become a volunteer! We are looking for people who are interested in serving as a Michigan Sentinel Tree Volunteer. If you are interested, please contact: Russell P. Kidd Outreach Coordinator kidd@msu.edu Gleaners Community Food Bank Spring is on its way, and the gardens of Gleaners Community Food Bank are about to open! Last year we grew over 1,400 pounds of fresh fruits and veggies at our Washington Twp garden, 100% of which was donated to local food pantries. We re excited to grow even more in 2016, but we need volunteers to help make it happen! Below are the gardening days scheduled for April. Please consider joining us in growing food for our hungry neighbors. Please note that garden days are cancelled in the event of rain, temperatures over 85 degrees, and other unforeseen circumstances. We contact volunteers via in the event of a cancellation, so please send us your address if you plan to volunteer. If you tell your friends and family about the garden days (and we hope you will!), please ask them to also send their contact info. We can be reached at gardens@gcfb.org. Monday, April 4 th 9am-12pm Saturday, April 9 th 9am-12pm Thursday, April 14 th, 9am-12pm LOCATION: The Washington Twp garden is located at Thirty Mile Rd, on the Southeast corner of Thirty Mile Rd. and M-53. Volunteers can park along the side of 30 Mile Rd, in front of the garden. Please do not go up the driveway to the DTE station. 23

24 St. Mary School GardenS are Growing Green in 2016 with WAM and need your help! Want to help students promote biodiversity, provide habitat for wildlife, observe and learn about ecosystems and secure the future of native plants and animals? Want to help beautify the Mt. Clemens community? Want to help the community learn about native plants and inspire citizens and businesses to consider planting native plants in their landscapes? Then this project is for you! St. Mary School has applied for and will be awarded a garden grant from the Wildflower Association of Michigan at the WAM conference on March 6. The garden grant will fund the purchase of native plants as part of the school s Growing Green Project. St. Mary School is looking for Macomb County Master Gardeners to help with this exciting project! The school mission statement, to provide strong academics within a faith-based community to prepare students for higher learning and to become more productive, God-loving leaders in society, and the mission statement of WAM, to encourage the preservation and restoration of Michigan s native plants and plant communities, are both fulfilled through this Growing Green project. Growing Green Project Plan With funding from the Wildflower Association of Michigan and St. Mary School E-trash Recycling Event, St. Mary School will purchase native wildflower plants, shrubs and trees from Wildtype Native Plant Nursery in Mason, MI. and annuals that attract butterflies and hummingbirds from local nurseries. Students, staff, and St. Mary School families will clean up the school grounds in and around St. Mary School and plant, water, label and mulch the plants on school grounds on Growing Green Day, June 1. Once planted, plants will be watered and maintained by St. Mary School students, parents and Macomb County Master Gardener volunteers throughout the summer and fall months as plants get established. On June 25, St. Mary School will share the Growing Green Project with the community as the school participates in the Mt. Clemens Crocker House Garden Walk. Many ways to Help Help plan Growing Green Day and/or prepare gardens for planting on Growing Green Day, June 1 Instruct and supervise planting, watering, mulching, and labeling plants on Growing Green Day, June 1 Educate and answer questions about native plants on Growing Green Day, June 1 Crocker House, Mt. Clemens, Garden Walk, June 25-volunteer as a docent at St. Mary School to share St. Mary School s Growing Green Project with the community Help with watering and maintaining the gardens through the summer and/or fall months as the plants get established To help, please contact Jeanie Newlin at radnewlin@gmail.com/ St. Mary School gratefully thanks WAM, the Wildflower Association of Michigan, for their support of this exciting project! 24

25 Friends of the Fraser Library Master Gardener Volunteers will be working with women that have gardened for years, but who are open to suggestions. Each volunteer will be able to use their creativity. Friends will grow by leaps and bounds with expert help from Master Gardeners. Master Gardeners may be able to learn some great things from the Friends. First choice for day to work is Tuesdays, a couple times a month for 2-3 hours. The Fraser Library is located at Mile Rd., Fraser, 48026, just west of Utica Rd.Contact Karen Warson at or karencw@comcast.net Project R.E.D. PROJECT R.E.D. (Rural Education Day April 19, 2016) We are once again looking for volunteers to help us with the Macomb County Farm Bureau 2016 Project R.E.D. at the Armada Fair Grounds. This year it is on Tuesday April 19. Its' purpose is to give 3rd grade students a fun, hands-on experience, sort of an inside look at agriculture and how it helps them in their everyday life. Many of the volunteers are local farmers, 4-H Students and Leaders, Master Gardeners, MSU Extension and Farm Bureau staff. They share their knowledge, help to direct students and teachers to their proper areas, help with parking and a number of behind the scenes activities. For more information or to volunteer contact Julie Wallace at Greening of Detroit Citizen Forester Program Looking for Volunteer Hours? In an effort to grow our environmental impact, The Greening of Detroit is seeking leaders to join our volunteer Citizen Forester program to lead groups of volunteers during our upcoming tree planting season. This is a great opportunity to develop your leadership skills, gain experience managing volunteers, become familiar with different Detroit neighborhoods and meet others while working to make Detroit a greener place. Responsibilities: Guide and oversee up to 20 volunteers working in small groups of 2-3 people Lead tree planting demonstrations and reinforce quality planting techniques Keep groups on task by recognizing what needs to be done and delegating responsibilities to others Promote proper tool usage and safety throughout the planting Required Time Commitment: Attend one full-day Citizen Forester Training (8 hours including lunch break) - This spring the training date is April 2nd Attend at least three tree plantings between April and June 2016 (6 hrs./planting) 25

26 The training can be used as educational hours and when you volunteer for a tree planting those hours can be used to meet your 15 hour yearly volunteer requirements For more information please contact citizenforesters@greeningofdetroit.com Click on the link for the application g_2016.pdf Clinton Township Japanese Garden Clinton Township has a Japanese Garden outside of their Senior Center. Representatives from their Sister City in Japan will be coming to visit the garden in July of If you are familiar with Japanese Gardens and would be interested in helping to spruce up the garden at the Senior Center, please contact Brian Kay, Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation, at or b.kay@clintontownship.com as soon as possible. Photo Fun Have any pictures of your project that you would like to share? them to me at: mary.gerstenberger@macombgov.org 26