President’s Message by Susan Negus Today,March20isthefirstdayofSpring.Doesn’treallylooklikespringsinceIhave2feetofsnowinmyyard,butitgoesquicklyandthereishope.Iamstartingtoseethegardenartslippingoutofthesnow. Afewweeksago,IwaswalkingthroughCostcoandtheyhadtheseglassvasesfilledwithforcedbulbsonthebottomthatwereclosetoblooming.IreallythoughttheydidnotlookverygoodbutonawhimIboughtit.NowIamveryhappybecauseIhavealittlebitofspringinmyhouse,duringourself-quarantine. IsawtheseatCostcolastyearandresistedbuyingit.Thisyear Ithoughtwhataperfectreceptacleforforcingbulbs.Ofcourse,everyfallIbuybulbsandabouthalfthetimeInevergetthemplanted;nowIwillhavetochallengemyselfandforcebulbsallwinterlong.Nextyear…maybe. Everythingisreallycomplicatedthisspring.TheCoronavirushasreallyshuteverythingdown.JustabouteverythingIwouldnormallytalkaboutforAprilisprobablygoingtobecanceled,rescheduledorbeonvirtual/video. WehadagoodFebruary.AMGAhadatableattheABGConferenceanditwaswellattendedbyMasterGardeners.WehadatableattheMid-townMallduringFurRondy,Feb29thandMarch7th.WehadplentyofvolunteersthatinteractedwiththepublicaboutgardeningandhandedmanyCESpamphlets.Thankyoutoallwhovolunteered.OnFeb.21sttherewasaforumon“theFutureofTreesandForests.”ThiswasorganizedbyPatRyanfromABG,AKCommunityForestCouncil,andCES.ThiswasapopularsubjectforthepeopleofAlaska.Therewasahugecrowd.ThereisaplantohaveanothermeetingwiththeStateAssociationofForestersincoordinationwithArborDayeventwithREI.ItistentativelyscheduledforMay16,althoughthistimemaychangeduetocurrentcircumstances. TheNorthwestFlowerandGardenFestivalwasattendedbysomeofourMasterGardenersandtheyaregoingtowriteaboutitinthenextfewissuesofthenewsletter.WemadeitthroughFebruary,butMarchwasfullofcancelations.TheSoutheastAlaskaMasterGardenersassociationStateWideconferencewascanceled,March20-23.Ourmonthlymeetingon“Yardocopia”byNickRiordanhadtobecanceled.NickRiordanhasgraciouslyagreedtowritesomethinginthisnewsletterabouthistalk. IfeartheGardenShowattheMid-TownMallmaybecanceled orre-scheduled.Ihaveinquiredbuttherehasnotbeenadeci-sionmadeatthistime.SomeoftheGardenClubshavealreadycanceledtheirtables.TheBPEnergyCenterisclosedthroughApril15th.

Inside This Issue...

OurnextmonthlymeetingisApril20th.IfWillCrinerfromABGisagreeablewemayhaveitdoneonline,somostcanwatchfromhome.Therewillbeabroadcaste-mailexplainingallofthis.ThereisaplanforanAdvancedMasterGardeningClasstaughtbySaskiaEsslinger,acertifiedPermacultureDesignerandteacherresidinginHomer.Shebelievesinthetransformationaleffectgardenscanhaveonpeopleandtheplanet,andsheisdoingherparttocultivateagardenrevolution.ClassesweretostartinAprilandMay,butarepostponedfornow.Wewillkeepyouinformedofwhenwecantrytohavetheseclasses.ThankstoFranPekarandEmilyBeckerforalltheirhardworkinputtingthistogether.ThankstoSaskiaforunderstandingthedifficultywithscheduling. ElaineHammes,JanVenDenTopandElizabethNorrisworkedtogethertomakeanewGrantandScholarshipapplica-tionthatwillbeputontheWebsitesoon. Thereareclassesandeventsstillonthecalendar.Iamsuremostofthesewillbecanceled,rescheduledforanothertime,ordoneon-line.InoticedalltheclassesthatAlaskaMillandFeedhadscheduledarenotthereanymore.ABGisgoingtotrytohaveclasseson-line.Makesureyouinquirebeforeyoutrytoattendanyoftheseeventsorclasses. Thisisanunusualtimeinourlivesrightnow.Theremaybepeopleouttherethatcannotgettothestoreordon’tthinktheyshouldgotothestorebecauseoftheirhealth.Weshould remainvigilantwithourfriendsandaskiftheyneedhelp.Don’tbeafraidtoaskforhelpifyouneedit.Wecanallpitchinandgotothestoreandshoporpick- upmedicine.Pleaseaskif youneedassistance.StayhealthyandSafe.

President’s MessageMarch Presentation Summary,

Yarducopia with Nick RiordanHerb Study: Perilla and Mayapple

by Elaine HammesTreasurer’s ReportBird Chatter New Views of Garden Containers

by Ginger HudsonForestry WebinarsVolunteer OpportunityGarden Event CalendarLend a Helping Hand

AMGANEWSLETTER

April 2020Volume 22, Issue 4

Top:Purplebasilreadyforharvest atAnchorageGreens.Theycontin-uetooffergreenssubscriptionsorindividualpurchaseduringtheMuni“hunkerdown”period.Checktheirwebsitefororderinginformation:https://www.anchoragegreens.com/PhotobyEmilyBecker. Above:AMGAandCEStable withvolunteersattheABGspring conference.PhotobySusanNegus.

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AMGA March Presentation Summary: “Yarducopia” by Nick Riordan

Ed. Note: The March general meeting was canceled due to COVID-19. The AMGA board made the decision to protect our membership, some of which are in high risk groups. Hopefully everyone spent the time combing the last pages of seed catalogs, planning their garden degins, and fluffing houseplants for sum-mer. AMGA appreciates everyone understanding, wishes the best for all Alaskan’s health and that of their families.

YarducopiaisanorganicgardeningprogramoperatedthroughAlaskaCommunityActiononToxics(ACAT).Yardu-copia,whichbeganin2013,emergedoutofACAT’smissionandbeliefthateveryonehastherighttocleanair,cleanwater,andtoxic-freefood.ACAT’sfirstgardeningprojectwasasharedplotoutsidetheir2ndStreetofficebuildingintheearly90s.Today,Yarducopiasupportsdozensofcommunity,school,and neighborhoodgardensthroughouttheAnchoragemunicipality. Ourorganicgardeningprogram’sbreadandbutteris pairinghomeownerswhodonateyardspaceandtoolswith volunteerswhowanttolearnorganicgardeningtechniques. Theproducegrownissplitbetweenhomeownerandvolunteers,savingtenpercenttobegiventoacharityoftheirchoice. OnefunwaytolearnmoreabouttheprogramistolistentosomeofAlaskaPublicMedia’sconversationswithYarducopiaparticipants(https://media.aprn.org/2016/ann-20160225-07.mp3)andcoordinators(https://www.alaskapublic.org/2014/07/07/a-fresh-take-on-community-gardening/ OR,https://www.alaskapublic.org/2014/11/07/more-about-food-security-in-alaska/). Yarducopia’smodelofgardeningisnotentirelyanewidea.LandownerslettingothersgardentheiryardsissimilartoNeighborhoodSupported Agriculture,andYarducopia’sneighbor-to- neighborfocushasagreatdealincommonwithmanycommunitygardenprogramsacrossthe country.Someofthemoreuniqueaspectsof Yarducopiaareourfocusonregenerative, organicgardeningmethods,andalternativesto theuseofchemicalpesticidesandfertilizers. Ourprogramhasgonesofarastoorganizeand promotelocalandstate-widepolicychange

Aboveandleft:volunteersandgardeners attheSpenardCommunitygardens, aYarducopiaproject.PhotoscourtesyofYarducopia’s facebookpage.

regardingpesticideuseandthelawssurroundingtheirapplica-tion(e.g.the2017Pesticide-FreeAnchorageOrdinance). Theprogramalsofocusesonsupportingindividualswhomaynototherwisehaveaccesstoorexperiencewithgardeningorfreshproduce.Thisisbuiltintotheprogramwithourpairingupofproperty-owningandproperty-lessneighbors.WealsoarepartneredwithLutheranSocialServices’foodpantrytohelprunthenewSpenardCommunityGarden.Aspartofthatproject,Yarducopiahostsaweeklygardening-beeonThursdaysfrom4-7pm,wherevolunteersjoincommunitymembersandfoodpantrypatronstogrowandharvestfoodfromthegarden. Yarducopiaalsoendeavorstosupporttheever-growingnumberofschoolgardensinAnchorageandacrossAlaska.We’reacommunitypartneratStellarSecondarySchoolstartingthisspring.We’realsoespeciallydelightedtohavereceivedaWholeKidsFoundationGardenGrantfortheupcomingsum-mer’sgardeningatTudorElementarySchool,afiveminutewalkfromouroffice.We’llbehavingregulargardeninggatheringsatTudoraswell,buttimes/datesareTBD(especiallyinlightofthecurrenthealthconcern). Pleasereachoutifyouareinvolvedinacommunityorschoolgardenthatisinneedofsupportorarewantingguidanceonhowtocreateagardeninyourneighborhood.Wedon’thavealltheanswers,butwherepossible,we’rehappytohelp.Forde-moredetailsontheYarducopiagardenprogramitselfortosignupyouryardorasavolunteer,checkoutourwebsiteatwww.

yarducopia.orgorreachouttomedirectly. We’dalsoloveyoursupportwithdonations.ACATandYarducopiaareentirelyrunonlocaldonationsandgrants.Thisspring,we’dalsoloveseedlingsorpropa-gatedperennialsthatwecanplantinourmanycommunitygardens.Youknowwhatgrowswellhere,soI’llleave

thevarietiesinyourcapablehands!

NickRiordangarden@akaction.org9077174392

https://www.akaction.org/https://yarducopia.org/https://www.facebook.com/Yarducopia/

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Balance 02/01/2020CheckingS-88 $17,083.96SavingsS-1 5.25SavingsS-19 $16,868.97CDEducation5yr.1.650%(12/20) $5,348.13CDGeneral2yr.1.95%(1/21) $10,452.48 $49,758.79Revenue:Interest/Dividends $2.68Membership $363.02Donations $500.00 $865.70

AMGA Treasurer’s Report, February 2020 ByNancyGrant

TwoofuswerereadytoleaddiscussionsattheMarch13meeting,butwerewonderingifanyonewouldactuallyshowup.BeginningthenextdayallmeetingsattheLoussacLibraryhadbeencancelled,andsoonafterthattheAnchoragelibrarieswerecompletelyclosed.Yes!AboutadozenpeopledidarriveandhadanenjoyablediscussionofPerillaandMayapple,twointerestingplantsthatgrowinABG’sHerbGarden.ThenextmeetinginAprilwilllikelynotbeheldin-person,andwearehopingtoarrangeavideo-conferencemeeting. Emailanchorageherbstudygroup@gmail.comformore informationortobeincludedontheemaillist.Staytuned!Perilla/ Shiso (Perilla Frutescens) DiscussionbeganwithLisaWeikertintroducinginfor-mationonPerillaFrutenscens,commonlycalledShiso,PerillaMint,ChineseBasilandalsoknownas“thebeefsteakplant”duetothedeepredleavesresemblingrawbeef.Examplesofthecolorfulvarietiesincludeplantswithgreenleaves,redleavesandleaveswithgreenontopandredunderneath. PerillaisanannualplantthatcanreachonetothreefeethighandisintheLamiaceae,ormintfamily.PerillaissaidtobloomwithwhiteflowersJulythroughAugustandfarthersouthintoOctober;however,itwasnotedthatnoonehasseenitbloomingintheHerbGarden.Theself-pollinatingseedscanbeplanteddirectlyorstartedindoors.Theplantsgrowbestinfullsunindrytomediumsoilandareheatanddroughtresistant.Tipsofstemscanbepinchedtokeepplantscompactandtopromotebushiness.IthasalsobeenobservedthattheyarethefirstplantsintheHerbGardentowiltwhentheslightestfrostoccurs. Cautionshouldbetakenwhentouchingtheleaves.Asevererashmayoccurtosensitiveskin.Ithasbeen reportedthatpeoplewho

makeperillaoilovertimehavedevelopeddermatitis.Perillaistoxictolivestock,andgoats,horsesandcowshavebeenfounddeadaftereatingperilla.ItgrowswildininTennessee,Mississippi,Indianaandotherstatesand measuresarebeingtakentoeradicateitfrompastures. Perillaleavesareusedin Chineseherbalmedicinetotreat avarietyofailmentssuchasasthmaandseasonalallergies.Rawleavesarealsousedasapossible antidoteforfoodpoisoningafterconsumingrawfish.Perillaseedoilissaidtoimprovehearthealth.Theoilisalsousedcommerciallyinvarnishes,dyesandinks. Shiso(anothercommonlyusednameforPerilla)isa culinaryherbnativetoandwidelyusedinAsia.Theleaves andflowersarebothedible,withaminty,basil-likeflavor. Freshleavesareusedinsalads,soupsandgarnishes.Theleavescanbeeatenrawwithsashimiandbarbequedmeatsorfrozen forfutureuse.Itisalsousedasaflavoringinteas.Theplant’s powderedseedsaddanutty,milkythicknesstosoups,stews andvegetabledishes. PerillahasbeenusedsuccessfullyforseveralyearsinABG’s

HerbGardenasacontrastincolortoavarietyofotherplantsintheNorthandSouthBeds.HerbStudygroupmemberMichelleSemeradevangelizespestomadewithperilla.ShedemonstratedhermixafewyearsagoatanABGHarvestDayevent.

Herb Study: Perilla (Shiso) and Mayapple by Elaine Hammes

Expenses:Operations $171.99Outreach $78.00 $249.99Balance 03/01/2020CheckingS-88 $17,696.99SavingsS-1 $5.25SavingsS-19 $16,871.65CDEducation5yr.1.650%(12/20) $5,348.13CDGeneral2yr.1.95%(01/21 $10,452.48 $50,374.50

Top:Purpleshiso/perilla. Aboveleft:Inadditiontobeinguseful,perillamakesadramatic darkcontrastingornamental. PhotosbyMaryContrary.

(Herb Study, Mayapple continues next page)

Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) ThesecondtopicwastheMayappleplant,ledbyElaineHammes.Itisan herbaceousperennialwithothercommonnames:

Americanmandrake,wildmandrake,andgroundlemon.ItiswidespreadacrossmostoftheeasternUnitedStatesandsouth-easternCanada.ThoughthecommonnameisMayapple,itistheflowerthatappearsinearlyMay,notthe“apple”.Thefruitor“apple”(aboutthesizeofaverysmallcrabapple)isproducedinearlysummerandripenslaterinsummer. Mayappleplantsarecommoninmoistshadysituations.Theyhavebeenusedmedicinallyandarealsogrownasorna-mentalplantsfortheirattractivefoliageandflowers.Flowersarequiteshowy,butusuallyhiddenbytheumbrella-likeleaves.Theyarewoodlandplants,typicallygrowingincolonieswithseveralstemsgrowingfromasinglecreepingundergroundrhizome;somestemsbearasingleleafanddonotproduceanyflowerorfruit,whilefloweringstemsproduceapairormoreleaveswith1–8flowersintheaxilbetweentheapicalleaves. Mayapplegrowsinaverage,mediummoisture,well-drainedsoilinparttofullshade.Itprefersrich,moist,humusysoils.Aswithmanyoftheearlyspringwildflowers,itgoesdormantinsummer.Seedsshouldbeplantedimmediatelyortheywillneedtobetreated(cold-moiststratificationforthreemonths).Seedlingstakeseveralyearstoma-ture.Theeasiestwaytopropagateisbyrootdivisionwhiletheplantisdormant.Dividetherhizomesinfallwithatleastonebud.Mayappleisoneoftheunderstoryspeciesthatindicatesahabitatsuitable forginseng. TheunripegreenMayapplefruitistoxic.Theripenedyellowfruitisedibleinsmallamounts,thoughwhenconsumedinlargeamountsthefruitispoisonous. Therhizome,foliage,androotsarealsopoisonous.Mayapplecontainspodophyl-

(Herb Study, Mayapple continued from page 3)

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Top:Greenshiso/perilla. Below:Mayapplegrowingunderangelica. BothimagestakenintheHerbGardenat theAlaskaBotanicalGarden. PhotosbyMaryContrary.

lotoxin,whichishighlytoxicifconsumed,butcanbeusedasatopicalmedicine.Therhizomeofthemayapplehasbeenusedforavarietyofmedicinalpurposes,originallybyindigenousinhabitantsandlaterbyothersettlers.Thedrughaslongbeenusedby theNativeAmericansasavermifugeandemetic. Podophyllin,acruderesinobtainedfromtherhizomesandroots,wassubsequentlyemployedasapurgative,butusagedeclined,untilin1942podophyllinwasrecommended forthetreatmentofvenerealwarts.Sincethen,extensiveresearchhasledtoanappreciationofpodophyllum’santitumorproperties,andthedevelopmentofsuccessfulanticanceragents. In2018,theMayappleplantintheHerbGardenproducedonestemwithtwoattractiveleaveshidingtheonelovelywhite

flower.In2019twoseparatestemswithoneleafeachwasproducedbutnoflower.ShirleyMathewsplantedthisMayapplethatwasbroughttotheHerbGardeninapproximately2013.Welookforwardtoseeinghowitgrows in2020.

Resources:https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/podo-phyllum-peltatum/

https://wimastergardener.org/article/may-apple-podophyllum-peltatum/

Providencehospitalmaskguide:https://www.providence.org/lp/100m-masks

AlaskaNativeMedicalCenterwillaccepthomemademaskstohandouttovisitorsandlow-riskpatients.“Somebarrieris

betterthannobarrier.”ANMCwilllaunderthemasksbeforeuse.Acceptedat4315DiplomacyDrivefrom10a.m.-6p.m.,Monday-Friday.Learnmoreandfindalinktoamask-makingvideo:https://anthc.org/homemademasks/

PerkyCostcoforced-bulbtulippackage.Getthestoryonpage1,“President’sMessage.”PhotoandgrownbySusanNegus.

HomemademasksasseenonanANMCfacebookpost:https://www.facebook.com/pg/ANMCtoday/posts/

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Bird ChatterCOPING. . . Well...FERTILIZER!! (Gingerwon’tletmesaywhatIreallymean)Thereisn’tanythingnewtosayaboutwhatwe’reallgoingthrough.“Thistooshallpass”aboutcoversit.Justacoupleofthoughts:

Thereisstillaneedforfacemasks—includingonesthatdon’tmeetmedicalstaffspecsbutworkwellforcashiersinstores,deliverypeople,JaneQ.Publicwhoneedstopickupaprescriptionorrestockfood(usingcurbservice,wehope).There’samassiveorganizedeffortonFacebookcalledAlaskaMaskMakers.Youcanfindouthowandwhattodothroughthem.AbetterwaytogoistocallGinaDocherty,whoasoftodayishavingsomesuccessgettingsuppliesandcoordinatingefforts.Call—ore-mailheratdocherty@alaska.net.

Thesemasksareeasytomake.IfBCcandoit,anyonecan.

Mostofusareprobablydoingthis,butifnot,makeitapointtocallore-mailmembersyouknow—evenslightly, justtocheckinandseethatnoonehasbeendangerously (ordepressingly)isolatedbythehunker-down.Alotofusareinthedangerousagezoneandshouldbetakingseriousprecautions.Peoplewhoareusedtobeingself-reliantdon’teasilyaskforhelp.Let’skeepaneyeoneachother!

OK, ENOUGH... Snowismelting—almostgoneinplaces.TheEarthisreappearing,andwow,doweneedher!Noonewillbewaitinguntilmid-Maytoplant.Sincenotallofusgrowallofourown,BCcheckedwithlocalnurseriestoseewhat’sgerminating:

Bell’s—expectstohavemostoftheusualplantsavailablebymid-April.BUTthatdependsonhowAlaskaAirlinesisflying.Theirsupplyof4-pakscomesinbyair.Stefansaidthey’lltrytoshifttoFedExifnecessarybutnothingiscertain.Goodnewsis,theirfuchsiaandgeraniumsareready,hesaid.Asfor“hunker-down”shoppingoptions,they’regoingtoseehowthingsdevelopbeforeattackingthatproblem.Checkwiththemforupdates.

P&M—Karenattheretailoutletreportsthey’reonschedulewithplanting.Geranium,begoniaand4”fuchsiaarereadyandsheanticipatestheusualwillfollowasnormal.“We’restillgettingalldeliveries,”saidGeneralManagerDeborahBacho.They’redoingsprayingandbleachingbutknowsomecustomerswon’twanttocomeintothegreenhousestoshopsoareplanninganon-lineorderingandpick-upservice. “Wearegoingtomakeitwork,”Bachosaid.

Mill&Feed-Theyputoutanannouncementthatincludesthefollowing:

•Callthestoreandpayaheadforcurb-sidepick-up. TheMill907-276-6016.

•OrderonlineforHomeDelivery. www.alaskamillandfeed.com

•Ifyoudon’tseesomethingonourwebsite, pleasecallus!Wearehappytohelpyou! •Youcanstillcomeinandshopfortheessentials!

•Wearedoingextensivecleaningmultipletimesaday.

SeetherestoftheannouncementontheirWebsite.

PerennialGardens—Closed.CheckFacebookor688-2821fornewinformation.

DimondGreenhouse—Noresponsebydeadline.

NORTHERN NOTE ...Thisfromthe much-missedJulieRiley,stillinFairbanks insteadofherewhereshebelongs:

“Celebrate National Volunteer Week, April 19 -15, 2020.

Patyourselvesonthebackforallthegreatworkyoudo.TheIndependentSector, anadvocacygroupforthecharitablesector,calculatesthevalueofavolunteerhourinAlaskatobeworth$27.88.Thattalliesupto$1,115for40hoursofMasterGardenertime!Volunteersmakeacommunityabetterplace.”

Finally,BEWELL!BESAFE!!!

j

hh

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Sometimes,whenyouaresoclosetoasubjectitishardtoseethenew.Yestheplantswerefuntomarvelat,yetknowingfewonofferattheNorthwestFlowerandGardenFestivalwouldgrowinAnchorage,Isaunteredontosearchoutotherflashyitems. ContainerscoughtmyattentionpartlybecauseIknewPatRyanwouldbedemonstratingtufatroughs,butalsobecausethereweresomeinterestingusesofplantsinnurserypots,andanewproductstoodoutforitsself-containedinventiveness. Madefromrecycledplastic,thevegepodplantingcontainerisdesignedwithasortofperforatedshelf.Thesoilwithplantssitontopoftheshelf,thewaterstaysbelow—forlongperiodsoftimesowateringisnotachore,andithasamisterbuiltin.Thesturdyhoopprotectstheplantsfrompotentialpests,aswellaspossibledamagingfrosttoextendthegrowingseason.AsIstoodlisteningtotheyoungmanpitchingtheshowsaleprice,anotherviewerasked,“Isitbear-proof?”Whataretheodds?ApparentlybearsareanissueinareassurroundingSeattle.Thevendorresponded,withallhisyouthfulknowledge,“IntheyearsI’vebeensellingthemIhavenotheardofabeargettinginone,”matter-of-factly. The vegepodseemslikeaconvenientsystemforapartments,smallhouses,condos,limitedspaces.Notonlyisitasizable,light-weightsystem,whentheoptionallegsareadded,theplantingareaisbroughtupwaisthigh—formostfolks.Withspaceunderneath,likeatable,thereisroomtosit,forwalkers,andwheelchairs. Ifyoureallywanttogetyourhandsdirty,trybuildingtufatroughs.PayRyan,EducationSpecialistattheAlaskaBotanicalGarden(ABG),presentedontheDIYstageforthesecondyearin

New Views of Garden Containers by Ginger Hudson

Topleft:vegepod,aself-containedplantingunitforsmallspacesortoraisebedheight.Left:PatRyanoftheAlaskaBotanicalGardenontheDIYstageatthisyear’sNorthwestFlowerandGardenFestivaldemonstratesmakingtufatroughs.Above:Nurseryplantsinwoodcasecontainerscachepotstyle.Topright:CulvertsmadeinAnchoragecanbeusedasplanters.PhotosbyGingerHudson.

arow.Patisobsessedwithsedumsandtufatroughsareaperfectcontainerforthemyriadspecies.Heteachestufamakingwork-shopsatABGforadults,butmostlyfortheJuniorMasterGarden-erprogram.Tufaisnothardtomadebecause,asPatsaid,“it’snotrocketscience.”1-partPortlandcement,2-partseachpeatandperliteorvermiculite,thenaddwateruntilsqueezingahandfulbarelyletsoutadrop.Patentertainedandeducatedthecrowd withtid-bitslike:Portlandcementisnamedafterthemanthatdiscoveredtheuseofthematerial;thetufatroughshavelastedthroughyearsofwintersatABG;andendedwithhisguitar serenade,“Dirtmademylunch.” Whatcouldbeaneasierwaytoplantthankeepingyourplantinitsnurserypot?!Cachepotshavebeenutilizedtoholdplanterpotssincetimeimmemorial.Theconceptistoplaceyourpottedplantinsideanotherlargerpot.Mostofthetimetheoutsidepotisoversizedsobricksorrocksarestackedinthebottomofthelargerpotasabaseforthesmallerpot,raisingthesmalleronetotherimofthelargeone. Butlet’ssayyoudon’twantasinglepot,youwantarowofplants,maybeaborderorsomethingthatcanbeassembledandmovedeasier.Thewood“crate”plantersinthephotohereweremadetoaccommodate5-gallonnurserypotsbutcouldbemadetoholdanysize—sinceyouwouldbemakingthemyourself.Intraditionalcachepots,thesurfacemaybecoveredwithgreenorSpanishmosstomakeafalsesoillevelthatspanstheplantpottotheinneredgeofthecachepot.InthesampleseenattheNWFGF,thedesignerplaceddecorativeriverstonesonthesoilsurfaceanddidn’thidetheideathattheywerenotactuallyplantedinthewoodholders.Thestonesservetwopurposes:aesthetics,andtoshadethesoilthusreducingevaporation.

(continues next page)

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FormanyyearsIhavebeenadmiringacollectionofmetalculvertplantersonacertaincornerinAirportHeights.OneAMGAmemberhassomeinhergardenwhichsheopeneduptoatour—backwhenJulieRileywasstillinAnchorage.Culvertsofferavarietyofsizesandheights,youjustorderthesizeyouwant—andtheyaremadeinAnchorage!ThefolksatContechConstructionProductshavebeenworkingwithlandscapersandgardenersforyearsandarequitefriendly.Sidenote,thezincusedtogalvanizethemetalmostlikelycomesfromRedDogminelocatedinnorth-westAlaskabetweenKotzebueandKivalina.SupportingAlaskabusinessallthewaythroughthecycle.Resourcesvegepod,https://vegepod.com/ContechConstructionProducts,https://www.conteches.com/AlaskaRockGardenSociety,alsoholdsregulartufamakingworkshops,https://www.akrockgardensociety.org/

Hifriends,withtimeathome,wehaveopportunitiestoexpandoureducationinnewways.Andguesswhat,thereismoretobefoundontheinterwebthanfacebookandyoutubetutorials!Manystateshaverobustextensionservicesthatpostresearch,recipies,classes,andwebinars.RecentlyIwatchedagreat,free,live,onlineseminaronbiochar! Pokingaroundthewebsite,Ifoundthatthey,ForestryandNaturalResources,SouthernRegionExtensionfromNorthCarolina,recordthesewebinarsandofferthemfreeon-demand.Thereareover700rightnow!Lotsofcooltopics--mostareforestryrelatedbutstilllotsrelatedtogardeningandagscience. Theseminarsareusuallyanhour,andafterwatchingyoucanprintoutaContinuingEducationcredit,CEU,certificate. ThemostrecentlivewebinarofinteresttoAlaskanswasMarch25,“SoilManagementforCommunityTrees.”ThenextlivewebinarofinteresttousisApril14,“BiocharProductionTechnologies.” It’sat7amAKST,butseriously,whatelsedoyouhavetodo?Theadvantagetotuninginliveisyoucanaskaquestionofthepresenter.

Here’salistofthepreviouslyrecordedwebinars:http://www.forestrywebinars.net/previous-webinars

Checkitout!

IfyouhaveanysourcesyoufeelofvaluetoAMGA,sendthemto:newsletteramga@gmail.com

Free Forestry Webinarsby Emily Becker

Polaris K-12 School is looking for a volunteer May 4-20 to help with their spring intensive classes. Below is a sketch of their schoolyard habitat.

Theyarelookingforpeoplewhocancoachkids inplantspacingandsoildynamics,givetheir experienceswithgardening,orjustworkside bysidewithstudentsofallagesastheydevelop aplanforhowtomakethehabitatbeneficial andusefulforallanimalswhosaunter,fly, orrunthrough.

If interested, contact Jessica Winn: winn_jessica@asdk12.org

You know you are going to want to get out and garden for your community after being inside so long!

U

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Meetings and Events

April 2, ThursdayAnchorageGardenClub,7p-9p.“BasicSoilCare.”**normally held at the Pioneer School House, Anchorage, cancelled**. alaskagardenclubs.org

April 6, MondayAlaskaNativePlantSociety,7p-9p.AnjanetteSteerpresents“TheFloraofSheepMountain.”Rosaceae:TomChoatepres-entsDasiphora(shrubbycinquefoil).AlpineBeringianEndem-ics:BethBakerpresentsRumex beringensis.**Normally held at the Campbell Creek Science Center, this month’s meeting will be virtual**aknps.org

Mat-SuMasterGardenersAssociation,7p.“BasicSeedStart-ing”byDebBlaylock.**Normally held at Matanuska Experi-ment Farm and Extension Center, Palmer, cancelled**.Seetheirwebsiteforcurrentinfo.matsumastergardeners.com

April 7, TuesdayEagleRiverGardenClub,**canceled**Seetheirfacebookpostsfortipsandtechniquesduringquarantine: https://www.facebook.com/greatereaglerivergardenclub/alaskagardenclubs.org

April 7, TuesdayValleyGardenClub,**Normally meets at First Baptist Church of Wasilla, cancelled.**Seetheirfacebookpageforupdatesandtips:https://www.facebook.com/valleygardenclub/valleygardenclub.com

April 5, SundayCookInletBonsaiStudyGroup,**Normally meets at Di-mond Green Houses, cancelled.**Seetheirfacebookpageforupdates:https://www.facebook.com/Cook-Inlet-Bonsai-Study-Group-297304983635946/EmailPaulformoreinfo:pmarmora@aol.com;Put“Bonsai”insubjectline.alaskabonsa-iclubs.org

April 9, ThursdayWildflowerGardenClub,10a-12p.“WhatitTakestoBeautifytheAlaskaStateFairGrounds,”byBeckyMyrvold,StateFairHeadGardener/Horticulturist.**Normally held at Central Lutheran Church, Anchorage, cancelled.** wildflowergardenclub.org

April 2020 Garden Event Calendar

NOTE: All events subject to cancellation or rescheduling due to active Covid-19 threats. Please check group websites or other social media

to find out if there are alternate arrangements to events. Mayor Berkowitz has extended the “hunker down” order through mid-April.

Remember to follow Muni and State regulations for travel and meetings.

E D

April 9, ThursdayAlaskaPioneerFruitGrowersAssociation.7p-9p.**Ususally at BP Energy Center , cancelled** www.apfga.org

April 10, FridayHerbStudyGroup,Noon-1:30p.Topicis“Basil”.*CES Learn-ing Commons, Loussac Library, Anchorage. **cancelled** Forinfo,e-mailtoanchorageherbstudygroup@gmail.com

April 11, SaturdayGardenShowattheMidtownMall.10a-5p.**cancelled, let’s hope it’s rescheduled!!!**

April 19, SundayHomerGardenClub,2p-4p.AspenSuitesHotel,Homer.Homergardenclub.org

April 20, MondayAMGAMonthlyMeetingat7p.No Munch and Mingle.“Divi-sion,thelongandshortofit.”byWillCrinerfromABG***May be an online meeting.***WillbeannouncedonBroadcaste-mail.BPEnergyCenter,1014EnergyCourt,Anchorage. alaskamastergardeners.org

April 22, WednesdayAlaskaBotanicalGardenAnnualMeetingwithguestspeakerJeffLowenfels.6p-8p.**canceled, will be rescheduled** See their website for updates: alaskabg.org

April 28, TuesdayAlaskaOrchidSociety,6:30p-9p.TheBasicsofGrowingOrchidswithWayneToups.LocationBPEnergyCenter,1014EnergyCt.,Anchorage.akorchid.org

May 7, ThursdayAnchorageGardenClub,7p-9p.“TheCooperativeExtentionservice.”PioneerSchoolHouse,437E.3rdAve.Anchorage.alaskagardenclubs.org

May 10, SundayMothersDayintheGarden,11a-3p,AlaskaBotanicalGarden,Freetomothersandmembers,$5nonmembers. 4601CampbellAirstripRd.,Anchorage.alaskabg.org

page 9

April 2020 Garden Event CalendarClasses /Workshops

April 3, FridayCESFirstFridaySeries,***Canceled**,checkuaf.edu

April 7, TuesdayAlaskaBotanicalGarden.6p,“BeautifulBloomin’Bulbs”On-lineclass,registrationrequiredtogetZoomlink.alaskabg.org

April 14, TuesdayAlaskaBotanicalGarden,6p-7:30p.“SowWhat?SeedStartingWorkshop”Onlineclass,registrationrequiredtogetZoomlink.alaskabg.org

April 22, WednesdayCES.6p-7:30p,“GardensGardens...Anywhere!”PresentedbyGinaDionne.$25perperson.Registerhttp://bit.ly/Garden-sAnywhere2020 *Check to see if canceled or can view on video*CESLearningCommons,4thfloorofLoussacLibrary, 3600DenaliSt.,Anchorage.uaf.edu

April 16, ThursdayWaldenWalk,withnaturalistsBethBakerandUteOlsson,EagleRiverNatureCenter,11a.Onemilewalkwithstopsforreading.$5parking.Registrationrequired.Meetatmainbldg.32750EagleRiverRoad,EagleRiver.ernc.org

Lend a Helping Hand Editoral opinion

Inthespiritoflastmonth’sYardocopiapresentation,nowlet’sthinkofthesameconceptforthoseinneedofassistance. Areyouhealthy,economicallystable,andactive?Perhapsthereissomeoneorsomegrouptowhichyoucanlendyourtimeandenergy.Thoughsomerestaurants,grocerystores,banks,andpharmacieshavesetupspecialshopping,pickup,ordeliv-eryoptions,manyinourcommunityliveinhardtoreachplaces,livealone,orareunabletodrive.Callthoseyouknowthatlivealoneandoffertodelivergoodstothem.Children,grandchil-dren,andfriends,nowisagoodtimetohelpthoseaccesstheinternetwhomayhavebeenreluctantpreviously. Mosthealthprofessionalsarekeepingappointmentswhereneededdespitethestrainonprotectiveequipment—electiveprocedureshavebeencanceled.Maybesomeoneyouknowneedsaridetothedoctor.Besuretopracticeproperhygiene,andrefrainfromhelpingifyoutraveledout-of-stateandhaven’tcompletedyourtwo-weekquarantine. Thoseofyouwhomayneedahelpinghand:ifyouneedfood,medicine,petcare,orcheeringup,pleasecallyourfriendsorneighborstohelp.Nowisnotthetimetobestoicorstubborn.

Summer Field Courses in Denali National ParkAlaskaGeographicandNationalParkServicewillhaveinvig-oratingfieldcoursesthissummer.Coursesincludetranspor-tation,overnightaccommodationsandheartymeals.Formoreinformationortoregisterpleasevisit:https://www.akgeo.org/field-courses/orphone907-683-6432June8-10:BirdsofDenaliJune23-25:WildflowersofDenali.June26-28:PaleontologyinDenali”July8-10:WolvesofDenaliJuly29-31:DenaliLargeMammalsAugust5-7:Denali’sMossesandLichensAugust7-9:Denali’sAlpineWildlifeandClimateChangeAugust19-21:BearsofDenaliConferences

ConferencesJuly 18 -19, Saturday and SundayFamilyFairintheGarden.FamilyPrograms,games,foodandfrolickingintheGarden.AlaskaBotanicalGarden,4601Camp-bellAirstripRd,Anchorage.alaskabg.org

July 18 - 22Botany2020,inAnchorage.OrganizedbytheBotanicalSocietyofAmerica,InassociationwiththeAmericanFernSociety,SocietyofHerbariumCurators,InternationalSocietyforPlantTaxonomy,andmore.***According to the Botany 2020 website, as of March 25, the organizers are still encouraging attendence. Hotels and airlines have eliminated or made generous change options.***Formoreinformation:cms.botany.org/home.html

AMGAis,afterall,avolunteerorganization.Wemaynotbesowingsquashorcabbageseeds,butdeliveringfoodandsayinghellosowshealthjustthesame. MayorBerkowitzandtheteamattheAnchorageporthaveassuredusthatgoodswillcontinuetoflowintothestate,pleaseheedhisrequesttoshopasnormal. Herearesomeresources:http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/Epi/id/Pages/COVID-19/default.aspx

TheMunihaslinkstobusinessopen,transportationoperations,andmore:https://covid-response-moa-muniorg.hub.arcgis.com/

Ifanyoneinyourfamilyispregnant:https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/03/22/817801475/pregnant-and-worried-about-coronavirus-how-to-stay-safe-and-make-a-game-plan

AgoodvideoonhowtheCOVid-19virushurtsus:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOJqHPfG7pA

Ifyouhavemoretime,thefoodbankneedshelp:https://www.foodbankofalaska.org/

AMGA Board of Directors

Susan Negus PresidentEmily Becker Vice PresidentNancy Grant TreasurerBeth Norris Secretary Elaine Hammes At LargeF.X. Nolan At LargeFaye Stiehm At LargeJan Van DenTop At Large

Committee Chairs, Program Coordinators & Volunteers

CES Liaison: Elaine HammesCES Master Gardener Program Liaison: Steve Brown or Gina Dionne Broadcast Email: Faye StiehmCalendar of Events: Susan NegusAdvanced MG: Don Bladow, Fran Pekar Directory Editor: Janice Berry Meetings and other educational programs: Emily BeckerGarden Tours: Emily BeckerGoogle Group: Mary Rydesky Managers: Gina Docherty and Jane Baldwin Grants Program: Elaine Hammes Hospitality: Lynn Hansen, Ruthe Rasmussen, Sharon Schlicht, and Wendy Willie Membership & Database: Alexis St. Juliana Newsletter Editor: Ginger HudsonWebsite: Gina Docherty Lifetime Achievement and Grants: Lynne Opstad Pioneer Home: Lynne Opstad, Ginger Hudson Volunteer Coordinator: Julie GinderVolunteer Coordinator: Susan Negus

Newsletter Submission Deadline

The deadline for submitting an item for publication in the following month’s edition of the AMGA newsletter is the 20th of every month. Items arriving after this date may or may not be included.

Educational or garden related articles, Bird Chatter, calendar items and announcements are always welcome.

AMGA regularly meets at 7:00pm every third Monday of the month, September through May (except for December).

Meetings are held at the BP Energy Center, 1014 Energy Court, Anchorage, accessed through the BP tower parking lot, the Energy Center is just south of the main building. *NOTE: meeting location may change*Monthly educational programs are free and open to the public.Visitors and guests are welcomed and encouraged.

The Alaska Master Gardeners Anchorage welcomes letters, opinions, articles, ideas and inquiries. Contact the editor, Ginger Hudson, at:

Mail: AMGA, Newsletter P.O. Box 221403 Anchorage, AK 99522-1403

Email: newsletteramga@gmail.com

If you have questions or want to make address or email corrections, please contact Alexis St. Juliana at: astjuliana@hotmail.com

AMGA Web Site: www.alaskamastergardeners.orgFacebook: facebook.com/Alaska-Master-Gardeners-Anchorage

AMGA Google Group:https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#!forum/AkMGA

To send concerns or information to the AMGA directly, mail to:AMGAP.O. Box 221403Anchorage, AK 99522-1403

Winter Meetings 2019 - 2020

Membership RenewalMemberships are based on calendar year.

If you have not renewed, bring your cash or check to the next meeting. Or, find a membership form in last

November’s newsletter and mail to the address below. Or, contact Alexis St. Juliana: astjuliana@hotmail.com

April 20 MeetingDivision:TheLongandShortofIt

PropagatingyourfavoriteswithWillCriner,

Horticulturist,AlaskaBotanicalGarden

May 18 MeetingToughTurfwithCESHorticultureAgent

StephenBrown

CANCELLEDThe Spring Garden Show at MidTown Mall

Saturday April 11

Watch your email, check our website or facebook page, or call a friend

for meeting status.