May 2015 INSIDE: Local Master Gardener News - 2 Upcoming Events - 4 Eye Candy - 6 Bits and Pieces -7 Bi -7 What’s Keen In ’15! Chippewa Valley Growers Opens Greenhouses for Area Garden Clubs To Tour On April 21 st the Eau Claire Area Master Gardeners Association (ECAMGA) and the Eau Claire Garden Club (ECGC) members were treated to a tour of the Chippewa Valley Growers (CVG) and a presentation of what is new for 2015. Despite snow and some bad weather the event was well attended as avid gardeners came in out of the snowy weather to bask in the greenhouse warmth and envision all the new cultivars available in the coming gardening season. At left are some of the colorful containers available for viewing and purchase at CVG. Below is a table of “Impatiens Big Bounce Series” which is resistant to wilt and which will bounce back when watered. In all those present got a breath of spring and a whole lot of great ideas for their 2015 gardens. Pictures by Jo-Ann Clark ECAMGA To Host Presentation On Community Supported Agriculture by Lori Kempen Have you ever wondered what the term CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) means? With so much interest in “eating local” and wanting to know how our food is produced, don’t miss the opportunity to learn more about this growing movement. Carrine Baldwin, of MoonRise Farm in rural Nelson, Wisconsin will discuss the growing popularity of CSA. This educational program will be presented at the UW-Extension Office, 227 First Street West in Altoona on Tuesday, May 19 th at 6:30 p.m. Carrine has a background in horticulture and has worked at May’s Floral Gardens for several years. This program is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served and door prizes will be awarded. To reserve a seat call 715-839-4712.
Transcript
/ February 2008 May 2015
INSIDE: Local Master Gardener News - 2 Upcoming Events - 4 Eye Candy - 6 Bits and Pieces -7 Bi -7
What’s Keen In ’15! Chippewa Valley Growers
Opens Greenhouses for Area Garden Clubs To Tour
On April 21st the Eau Claire Area Master Gardeners Association (ECAMGA) and the Eau Claire Garden Club (ECGC) members were treated to a tour of the Chippewa Valley Growers (CVG) and a presentation of what is new for 2015. Despite snow and some bad weather the event was well attended as avid gardeners came in out of the snowy weather to bask in the greenhouse warmth and envision all the new cultivars available in the coming gardening season.
At left are some of the colorful containers available for viewing and purchase at CVG. Below is a table of “Impatiens Big Bounce Series” which is resistant to wilt and which will bounce back when watered. In all those present got a breath of spring and a whole lot of great ideas for their 2015 gardens. Pictures by Jo-Ann Clark
ECAMGA To Host Presentation On Community Supported Agriculture by Lori Kempen
Have you ever wondered what the term CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) means? With so much interest in “eating local” and wanting to know how our food is produced, don’t miss the opportunity to learn more about this growing movement. Carrine Baldwin, of MoonRise Farm in rural Nelson, Wisconsin will discuss the growing popularity of CSA. This educational program will be presented at the UW-Extension Office, 227 First Street West in Altoona on Tuesday, May 19th at 6:30 p.m. Carrine has a background in horticulture and has worked at May’s Floral Gardens for several years. This program is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served and door prizes will be awarded. To reserve a seat call 715-839-4712.
Page 2 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener New May 2015
NOTE: The ECAMGA Board minutes no longer appears in the newsletter. You may access them by going to the website at
eauclairemastergardeners.weebly.com
Changing e-mail? Moving If you do, please remember to notify the ECAMG and the newsletter editor of your new e-mail address and/or mailing address so you don’t miss any Eau Claire Area Master Gardener happenings! Email your new Information to Carol Cox at [email protected] or notify her by snail mail at 1908 Hogeboom Ave., Eau Claire, WI 54701 (or call her at 715-861-4495).
Bulletin Board Postings Stories and Opportunities!!!! Bulletin Board Postings
Hello volunteers, The Augusta Public Library has a Reading Garden that was newly installed in 2014. They are in need of volunteers to assist with maintaining the garden. Upon my suggestion they purchased plant identification labels so it would be more of an educational endeavor. This is a picture of when it was being installed. More plants are there now and need to be labeled.
Erin LaFaive, M.S.!Horticulture Educator & Co-Dept. Head!Eau Claire County UW Extension!227 First St. W. Altoona, WI 54720!715-839-4712
ECAMGA 2015
Calendar All meetings at UW-Extension Office unless otherwise noted
May 19, 2015: Carrine Baldwin from MoonRise Farm near Nelson, Wisconsin will be doing a presentation on Community Supported Agriculture. June 2015: Tour of Mondovi area gardens and a Healing Garden. Details TBA. July 2015 – TBA July 31 – August 1, 2015 – WIMGA Annual Conference, La Crosse, WI August 2015 – Annual Plant
Sale at the Expo Center
September 2015 – TBA September 30, 2015 – Volunteer
hours due in
October & November 2015 – TBA December 2015 – Annual Potluck and Election of Officers
Local Master Gardener News
Page 3 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener News May 2015
by Lori Kempen On Tuesday, April 14th gardeners took advantage of the opportunity to learn about plant varieties new to the market this year. Patty Marten, AKA "The Garden Goddess" at Green Oasis Gardens gave a colorful and informative presentation to about 35 interested folks from both the Eau Claire Area Master Gardener’s membership and the public. Attendees were introduced to a nice selection of those plants, shrubs and trees suitable for growing in our climate. These included the Gladiator Crabapple and a pink Centennial Blush Star Magnolia, Bloomerang Dark Purple Lilacs and Apricot Drift Roses along with a four to five foot tall Strawberry Sundae Hydrangea. All in all there was something to excite the interest of everyone present. After seeing the Sunsparkler Dazzleberry Sedum with its smoky blue foliage and raspberry flowers next to the Lime Zinger Sedum, one realizes the impact these plants can provide. Patty graciously answered numerous garden questions from the group. Door prizes were awarded and coffee and treats were enjoyed by all.
Photo by
Jo-Ann Clark
Pruning Workshop Attended by Eau Claire Area Master Gardeners Andy Heren, Gary Matthis and Judy Wibel were just three of the ECAMGA members who attended the tree-pruning workshop in February and got very involved in the learning process.
An interesting way to do plant labels as seen on the Garden Gate email newsletter. The materials are a small wooden (or metal) stake, a plastic prescription bottle and an address label. Simply remove the label from the prescription bottle. Then drill a small hole (the size of your stake) in the lid. Print out your label and place it inside of the prescription bottle. Then insert the stake into the lid of the prescription bottle (you may want to add a dab of glue) and – wahlah! You have a weatherproof label.
Page 4 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener News May 2015
Upcoming Classes Registration is not required for most classes but is appreciated. Thursday, May 14th & May 21st 5:00 p.m. Thrillers, Fillers & Spillers Workshop: Come and learn how to create porch pots that are sure
to dazzle! We will go over the basics of how to design
and plant annual containers with three types of plants
that perform different functions but work in harmony to
create luscious porch pots. Cost: Build your own;
only pay for what you take home
Thursday, May 28 5:00 pm
Perennials: Attracting Birds and Butterflies
A class for anyone looking to learn about perennials
and attracting some birds and butterflies, too. As
some plants are attractive for their flowers and/or
food, but don’t forget about the ones that provide
shelter for the birds and butterflies. We will start
with the basics of using perennials in your
landscaping as well as in your containers, then work
Beaver Creek Reserve is offering a sale of native plants, grasses and herbs on May 9 from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the Wise Nature Center at Beaver Creek Reserve. The Reserve is located three miles north of Fall Creek on County Rd K. Native plant experts will be on hand to answer any questions buyers may have. These plants can be used to supplement existing prairies or start a new prairie, but can also be incorporated into anyone’s back yard garden. These native plants tolerate hot and dry environments and aren’t fussy about soil conditions. Their deep roots allow them to prevent water and wind erosion. And they are a great habitat for beneficial insects and birds. Give them time to get established and they will give you long years of lasting pleasure with very little effort on your part. ******************************************
Spring Wildflower Walk May 16, 9 a.m. until 12 p.m.
Citizen Science Center
Join UW-Eau Claire professor Joe Rohrer and volunteer naturalist Pam Rasmussen on a guided wildflower tour of the Schmidt Maple Forest. They will provide an up-close and personal understanding of the life histories of the spectacular wildflower bloom at this Nature Conservancy site. We will meet at the Citizen Science Center parking lot and carpool to the site. It's one of the most popular trips so register early. Bring your field guides, binoculars, camera and notebook. Cost: $5 for Friends, $8 for Nonmembers; 13 spots available. Registration and full payment required by May 14.
Beaver Creek Reserve S1 County Road K, Fall Creek, WI 54742
SATURDAY, MAY 16TH, 2015 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon First Baptist Church
416 Niagara Street (at 4th Avenue) Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Come early for best perennial plant selection!
Page 5 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener News May 2015
Seats Still Available On The ART IN BLOOM
BUS TOUR – MAY 1, 2015
For more information see the March issue of the ECAMGA Newsletter (page 5) or contact Sharon Daniels a 715-830-1403 or by email at [email protected].
Beekeeping for Beginners May 2, 2015 Madison, WI
From 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Dane Co. Extension Building, 5201 Fen Oak Dr,
Madison, WI. $50 includes coffee, handouts, free sample journals and catalogues. For
more information or to register contact Jeanne Hansen, Dane Co. UW-Extension at
(608) 244-5094.
Spring Open House Classes
May 2, 2015 10:00 a.m. Straw Bale Gardening and Container Gardening Seminar 1:00 p.m. Growing Herbs Plant your own container after each class. Cost is for materials only.
May’s Floral Garden 3424 Jeffers Rd
Eau Claire, WI 54701
Anger is a weapon we hold by the
blade. -Author
Unknown
“In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.” - Margaret Atwood
Page 6 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener News May 2015
Talk about tenacious…. (Photo from Internet)
Dragon King Daylily (photo from Roots & Rhizomes Catalog)
Eye Candy
One of newer hibiscus with dark foliage – lovely!! (Photo by Jo-Ann Clark
Waterfall Crocus… (Photo by Jo-Ann Clark)
A faithful “old kitten” standing guard on the front porch.. (Photo by Carol Cox
“Challenges make you discover things
about yourself that you never really
knew. “ Cicely Tyson
Page 7 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener May 2015
Bits and Pieces Eau Claire Grows – Community Seed Library established.
(Information taken from the Eau Claire Grows information brochure available at the library and online at the library’s website.
The L.E. Phillips Public Library, with the help of a grant from Mayo Clinic Health Systems, has established a seed library. Their mission statement reads: “Eau Claire Grows Community Seed Library is a free urban seed project committed to increasing the capacity of our community to feed itself wholesome food by means of education, self-reliance, and a culture of sharing.”
Why Save Seeds? For thousands of years, people have cultivated gardens enjoying the fruits of their labor. Until recent times, saving the previous year’s seeds to plant the next crop was an essential part of the process. Today, many people are enjoying the return of the seed saving tradition.
How Does It Work? To participate in the seed library we ask that you not only save seeds for yourself but also for the seed library. When you return seeds to the seed library they will be available for others to check out.
Why Use The Seed Library? While borrowing seeds from the seed library is free, your contribution to your community is priceless! Gardening helps you become more self-sufficient, eat more nutritious food, and save money – all while helping fellow gardeners in the community.
Seed saving will allow you to: • Develop!seeds!that!become!acclimated!to!our!local!climate!• Grow!plants!that!are!more!pest!resistant!• Save!money!on!seeds!and!plants!• Know!where!your!food!is!coming!from!• Become!less!dependent!on!large!food!producers!
What Do You Offer? The seed library will start with these seeds because they are fun and easy to grow for beginner seed savers. The seeds are self-pollinating, which means they tend to produce plants that are consistent and true-to-type. They are generally easy to harvest and dry.
Borrowing Seeds: 1. Choose packets of seeds to checkout, take home and plant. 2. You will receive specific instructions on how to plant and save your seeds. 3. Check out related library resources to help get your garden started. 4. Plant you seeds, and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
For more information contact the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library located at 400 Eau Claire Street, Eau Claire, WI or call 715-839-5004.
Page 8 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener Newsletter May 2015
EAU CLAIRE AREA MASTER GARDENER NEWSLETTER A newsletter for the Eau Claire Area Master Gardener Association members.
For more Eau Claire County UW Cooperative Extension information
go to our website: www.uwex.edu/ces/cty/eauclaire
Phone: 715-839-4712 Fax: 715-839-6277
M-F 8AM-5PM
Unless otherwise noted, articles for this newsletter are submitted and/or written by ECAMGA members or the newsletter editor, Carol W. Cox. Unless otherwise noted, graphics are from clipart. Newsletter layout by Carol W. Cox
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.” If you need an interpreter, materials in alternate formats or other accommodations to access this program, activity or service, please contact Erin LaFaive at 715-839-4712 as soon as possible preceding the scheduled event so that proper arrangements can be made in a timely fashion
Eau Claire County
Extension Office
227 First Street West
Altoona, WI 54720
"Knowledge is knowing that a
tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not
putting it in a fruit salad."
Miles Kington
TEN FLOWERS PROVIDING LOTS OF SEEDS FOR BIRDS: -Angelica -Coneflower -Fennel -Snapdragon -Teasel -Zinnias -Scabiosa -Cosmos -Lavender -Sunflower
