M ster G rdener News Inside this issue: May/June 2017 Volume, Issue MG Happenings 2 MG Happenings 3 Upcoming Events 4 Calendar 5 Volunteer Opps. 6 Garden Ready 7 Odds & Ends 8 2017 BOARD MEMBERS PRESIDENT: Joanne Elliott 608-584-5216 VICE PRESIDENT: Della Julseth 608-339-0128 SECRETARY: Cynthia Snyder 608-403-1337 TREASURER: Cynthia Snyder 608-403-1337 2017 BOARD MEMBERS Betty Conrad 608-584-4419 Linda Bailey 608-584-6551 Carole Dziegielewski 608-339-2253 Donna Bruno 608-403-6603 Donna Buhalog 715-416-3646 Robyn Gabriel 608-403-1854 EXTENSION COMMITTEE Chairman Barb Morga Vice Chair Florence Johnson Committee Fred Nickel Committee Paul Pisellini Committee-Dan Wysocki NEWSLETTER COORDINATORS Lynn Dolata 608-339-4237 Mary Anne Keul 608-339-0420 Della Julseth 608-339-0128 Upcoming Garden Tours Adams County Master Gardeners have three garden tours scheduled for this year. June 27 Meeting at the Adams-Friendship Elementary School for a tour of the school s garden hosted by Heather Grabarski. July 25 Garden tour will be held at Linda Bailey s home at 1089 Ember Drive in Eason. Her home is on the north side of Easton. If you need more information on driving directions, call Linda at 608-584-6551 August 22nd Garden tour will be held at Betty Bertman s home at 843 19th Ct., Arkdale. More to come on this garden tour in the July-August newsletter! All of the garden tours will start at 6PM and will be a potluck event. Please bring a bag chair along. Hope to see you at any or all of these events! Semi Annual Tree Sale Adams County Master Gardeners are again hosting our semi-annual tree and plant sale! The Committee is putting together selections including some familiar favorites as well as a couple new choices for you to choose from. We will have the order form available soon, so keep your eyes open for our flyer! Orders need to be placed by September 1, 2017 to ensure delivery in April of 2018, so please start thinking of what you may want to add to your yard or garden. Questions or suggestions can be directed to Cyndee Snyder at (608) 403-1337. Happy plantings to all!
Page 2 Sticking to the Basics When it Comes to Your Soil By: Alana Voss, Agricultural Educator As the weather changes, we can almost feel the electricity and excitement come back to our agricultural enthusiasts within the CWAS area as spring arrives. As we prepare for the spring planting of flowers, fruits and vegetables, grass, and field crops let s not over look the basics of caring for our soil. As I have sat in on the Master Gardener Class this winter, I am reminded of how important sticking to the basics truly is for growing any sort of crop or garden. It allows you to know the perfect spot for growing your crops. Your crops are very similar to the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Think of your crop as Goldilocks and it is looking for just the right spot to sit in not too high in ph, but yet not too low of a ph either. Your crop is looking for the just right spot for the ph in the soil. Then after finding the right spot your crop is looking for the perfect bowl of porridge to help it grow. Not too hot in nutrients, but also not too few of nutrients needed for the growth and production. Lastly, finding the perfect bed for your crop is all dependent on the amount of sunlight and water needed, and finally the number of days needed for the proper growth cycle of your crop. As you re preparing to plant your crop this spring keep in mind this childhood tale and look into what the basic needs are for your Goldilocks. Do you know what the preferred ph is for your perfect spot for your crop? What nutrients are needed for the perfect porridge for your plants to thrive? How about the perfect resting spot for your crop to grow this year? Remember to look into what the perfect spot is for your crops and also to pull your soil samples to help you achieve the perfect spot for your crops this year. The UW-Extension has the resources you need to research your plants needs and the information and Master Gardener s Flower Bulb Sale After the Kids Day Program, April 28th we might have some flower bulbs left over. These bulbs were donated by Florence Johnson. She has graciously said we could sell the remaining bulbs with profits going to the Master Gardeners organization. Prices will be determined after the April 28t event. We should have Canna, Dalia, Calla Lily and Zepher, (also called Rain Flower or Fairy lilies) left over. They will be sold May 1 to May 22 by calling Della Julseth 608-339-0128, also at the May 23 General Meeting, or at the Hazel Street Farmers Market May 31st. See page 4 for planting instructions. We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses. ~Abraham Lincoln
Volume, Issue Page 3 WI Local Food Locator By: Alana Voss, Agricultural Educator Wouldn t it be nice if there was a free option to help point you in the direction of locally grown fresh produce and other locally made products? Or do you wish you had a free option to help advertise the products you grow or make? Now these options are available for your use and no longer a distant dream! I would like to introduce you to the UW-Extensions new tool the Wisconsin Local Food Locator. The Wisconsin Local Food Locator was created to help connect the rural local food producers to the local food consumers. By using this tool you are able to search by using the drop down boxes that specify specific farms, products, or counties. You are also able to fill out a form that will upload your information on to the Wisconsin Local Food Locator map. This can include your own farms, road side stands, or even your booths at the farmers markets. Don t be shy! Check out this great tool so you can get your hands on all the wonderfully grown produce and locally made products near you. Even better share what locally made products and locally grown produce you have to offer today! You can find the site by typing in Wisconsin Local Food Locator or follow the link http://fyi.uwex.edu/wilocalfoodlocator/. To start experiencing this easy to use tool now! **Pictured is what the Wisconsin Local Food Locator looks like**
Page 4 April 28 May 9 May 23 June 13 June 27 July 11 July 25 Aug 8 Aug 22 Sept 1 Sept 12 Sept 26 Oct 10 Planting a Bulb for Mom, Kids Day A-F High School General Meeting, Alana Voss speaking on trip to India, 6:00PM General Meeting, Adams-Friendship Elementary School Garden Tour, 6:00PM General Meeting, Garden Tour at Linda Bailey s home 6:00PM Garden Tour, Betty Bertram s home, 843 19th Ct., Arkdale, 6:00PM potluck Brat Fry, A-F County Market General Meeting, Tour at Property Works, 6:00PM more info to follow
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Page 6 VOLUNTEER NEWS Volunteers Make a Difference Each year the ACMGAV publishes a list of volunteer opportunities. Some are on-going throughout the year, and others are one-time dates. All of these activities qualify for your volunteer hours. We will add to the list as opportunities become available. If you have any questions, wish to chair or be a co-chairperson for any events, want to volunteer, or need additional information, please contact the chairperson(s) listed after the event. Our volunteer activities will be starting soon. We always need volunteers, chairs and co-chairs. If you have a volunteer activity you wish to promote, please contact any officer or board member. Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities Library Plants, Betty Conrad 608-584-4419 Community Center Plants, Betty Conrad 608-584-4419 Villa Pines, Mike Boucher, 608-339-3361 Adopt-A-Highway, Sharon Hartz 608-564-2430 Elementary School Garden, Heather Grabarski, 608-339-0150 Tree & Plant Sale, Cynthia Snyder 608-403-1337 1 or Limited Days Volunteer Opportunities Adams County Fairgrounds, planting & watering June1st, after planting at Community Center If you know of anyone who you think would like to speak at any of our General Meetings on a subject in horticulture, or sponsor a Garden Tour, please contact an officer or board member with information for consideration. You are always welcome to come to our board meetings and submit your ideas or suggestions. Board meetings are held the 2nd Tuesday of each month (except December) at the Community Center, 9:30AM. General meetings and Garden Tours are usually held the 4th Tuesday of the month, January through November. Renew Your Membership You can renew your ACMGA membership at any of our general meetings, board meetings, or garden tours. Dues are $10.00/yr. per person. You can also send your dues to our treasurer, Cynthia Snyder, 300 S. Pierce Street, Adams, WI 53910
Page 7 Unwanted! Jumping Worms! by Betty Conrad, Master Gardener Be on the lookout for this new soil invader. Jumping worms are a glossy gray color with a lighter colored band that completely circles their body. They trash wildly and can shed their tails in defense. They are easy to find because they stay on te soil surface. Jumping worms are harmful because they change the soil in a negative way, more than any other earthworm we have in Wisconsin, by producing a unique grainy soil which may keep plants from growing. Jumping worms produce young (cocoons) without a moth, so just one worm can create a population. The adult dies in winter while their young service in the cocoons and hatch in the spring. These cocoons are tiny and can t be seen with the naked eye. You won t see jumping worm adults until late June. Jumping worms were found in Wisconsin in the fall of 2013. It is not known ow they arrived, but we can help prevent their spread to new areas. 1. Educate yourself and others to recognize them. 2. Only use, sell, plant, purchase or trade landscape and gardening materials and plants that appear to be free of jumping worms. 3. Only sell, purchase or trade compost that was heated to appropriate temperatures and duration following protocols that reduce pathogens. 4. Arrive clean, leave clean: Clean soil and debris from vehicles, equipment and personal gear before moving to and from a work or recreational area. 5. Watch for jumping worms and signs of their presence. For more information visit http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/invasives/fact/jumpingworm/index.html Each year the American Hosta Growers Association chooses one plant to feature as the Hosta of the Year. For 2017, this honor goes to Brother Stefan, a large cultivar that produces a mound of thick, textured foliage. Find out more about this cultivar with a central chartreuse to gold patch and blue-green margin on the leaves in this article at: http://wimastergardener.org/article/hosta-of-the-year-2017-brother-stefan
ODDS & ENDS Adams County UW Extension 569 N Cedar Street, Suite 3 Adams, WI 53910 Phone: 608-339-4237 Fax: 608-339-4266 E-mail: lynn.dolata@ces.uwex.edu adams.uwex.edu Be the first to know. Join the Master Gardener Blog at: http://fyi.uwex.edu/acmga/ The University of Wisconsin Extension provides affirmative action and equal opportunity in education, programming and employment for all qualified persons regardless of race, color, gender/sex, creed, disability, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital or parental, arrest or conviction record or veteran status.