April MG EVENTS Steering Committee Mtg. Extension Office April 7 • 6:30 pm Noelridge Easter Showcase April 4 & 5 • 11:00 am—5 pm Master Gardener Awards Banquet Flamingo Restaurant April 9 • 6:00 Library Talks Ely Library April 8, 14, 21, 28 • 6:30-7:30 Marion Library April 1, 15, 23, 29 • 6:30-7:30 Central City Library April 16, 23 • 6:30-7:30 Coggon Library April 7 • 6:30-7:30 Expert Ed Extension Office April 6 and 14 • 6:30 Cedar Rapids Public Library April 20 • 6:30-8:00 “In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.” Margaret Atwood, Canadian poet, novelist (1939 - ) Vol. 25, No. 4 Editors: Jean Murray/Lisa Slattery/Julie Stark April 2015 What’s Inside... Annual Awards Banquet—Page 1 Creative Gardening Series—Pages 2-3 Expert Ed—Page 4 Coordinator Comments—Page 5 April Library Talks—Pages 6-7 Local Events of Interest—Page 7 “Things We Love—Saving the Monarch Butterflies”—Page 8 News from Noelridge—Page 9 Garden Walk Plans—Page 10 WMT Outdoor Living Show—Page 10 Lowe Park News—Page 11 “There’s an App for That” —Page 12 Steering Cmte Notes—Pages 13-15 Garden Walk Volunteer Signup (Attached) Annual Awards Banquet— April 9 REMINDER - If you haven't already sent in your RSVP for the Linn County Annual Awards Banquet, now is the time! The deadline for reservations and payment is APRIL 1. The banquet is on Thursday, April 9, at the Flamingo Restaurant, 1211 Ellis Blvd NW, in Cedar Rapids. The time is 6 p.m. for cocktails, 6:30 for dinner. The cost is $5 for Master Gardeners, $20 for guests, payable in advance. You can drop off your payment at the Extension Office.
Transcript
April
MG EVENTS
Steering Committee Mtg. Extension Office
April 7 • 6:30 pm
Noelridge Easter
Showcase April 4 & 5 • 11:00 am—5 pm
Master Gardener Awards Banquet
Flamingo Restaurant
April 9 • 6:00
Library Talks Ely Library
April 8, 14, 21, 28 • 6:30-7:30
Marion Library April 1, 15, 23, 29 • 6:30-7:30
Central City Library
April 16, 23 • 6:30-7:30 Coggon Library
April 7 • 6:30-7:30
Expert Ed
Extension Office
April 6 and 14 • 6:30 Cedar Rapids Public Library
April 20 • 6:30-8:00
“In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.” Margaret Atwood, Canadian poet, novelist (1939 - )
Vol. 25, No. 4 Editors: Jean Murray/Lisa Slattery/Julie Stark April 2015
What’s Inside...
Annual Awards Banquet—Page 1
Creative Gardening Series—Pages 2-3
Expert Ed—Page 4
Coordinator Comments—Page 5
April Library Talks—Pages 6-7
Local Events of Interest—Page 7
“Things We Love—Saving the Monarch
Butterflies”—Page 8
News from Noelridge—Page 9
Garden Walk Plans—Page 10
WMT Outdoor Living Show—Page 10
Lowe Park News—Page 11
“There’s an App for That” —Page 12
Steering Cmte Notes—Pages 13-15
Garden Walk Volunteer Signup
(Attached)
Annual Awards Banquet—
April 9
REMINDER - If you haven't already sent in your RSVP for the Linn County Annual Awards Banquet, now is the time! The deadline for reservations and payment is APRIL 1.
The banquet is on Thursday, April 9, at the Flamingo Restaurant, 1211 Ellis Blvd NW, in Cedar Rapids. The time is 6 p.m. for cocktails, 6:30 for dinner. The cost is $5 for Master Gardeners, $20 for guests, payable in advance. You can drop off your payment at the Extension Office.
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Creative Gardening Series Over for Another Year By Carson Fixmer, Chair
The 2015 Creative Gardening Series was held on Thursdays March 12, March 19 and March 26 at Whipple Auditorium in the Cedar Rapids Public Library from 6:30 to 8:30 each evening. The CGS committee included Carson Fixmer, Chair, and members Louise Harm, Sue Usher, Kim Mikus and Carol Elliot. Over the course of the three events, 9 additional Master Gardener volunteers assisted during the events. Kathy Wimer provided oversight for these events as well as assisting with the events and representing ISU Extension and Outreach each evening. Publicity was designed and coordinated by Connie Weir, ISU Extension and Outreach.
Thursday, March 12– Kelly Norris of the Greater Des Moines Botanical Gardens presented “Horticultural Theatre: Staging, Creating and Directing Plant Driven Performances” to approximately 105 attendees. Through his slide presentation, Kelly used examples of the development of botanical garden beds to illustrate his passion for using a variety of plantings in artistic and unusual combinations to create the perfect stage for public and private gardens. Kelly is the youngest person to ever receive the Presidential Citation, the Award of Merit and the Honor Award given by the Iowa State Horticultural Society. He’s popularly known for his book A Guide to Bearded Irises: Cultivating the Rainbow for Beginners and Enthusiasts which won the 2013 American Horticultural Society Book Award.
Thursday, March 19, 2015 - Cathy Wilkinson Barash presented “Edible Flowers from Garden to Palate” to approximately 35 attendees. Using a selection of her original photographs, Cathy’s offered a gorgeous slide presentation on edible ornamentals and how to incorporate them into landscaping for both home gardens and containers. She provided rose petal pound cake and hibiscus infused water for
Kelly Norris answers questions following his presentation.
Cathy Wilkinson Barash provides rose petal pound cake to attendees. Pictured with Connie Lorenz, and Christine McGinty (MG Interns) and Barb Wing.
April 3
the attendees to sample. Her handouts included an extensive list of edible plants and recipes especially created for this presentation. She brought a sampling of her books which were offered for sale following her presentation. Cathy is a lifelong organic gardener, author of 12 books and has received many book awards including an Award of Excellence from the Garden Writers Association, an organization which also honored her in 2010 as a Fellow. In 1993, her book Edible Flowers received a nomination for a Julia Child Cookbook Award.
Thursday, March 26, 2015 – Diane Ott Whealy presented “Heirloom Gardening in Iowa” to approximately 110 attendees. Seed Savers Exchange provided handouts, seed packets and catalogues for each attendee. Diane was on hand following her presentation to sign and sell her book “Gathering: Memoir of a Seed Saver” which was published in June 2011. In 1975, Diane co-founded Seed Savers Exchange, one of the nation’s most admired nonprofits in the field of genetic preservation. She has been a national leader in the heirloom seed movement and a strong advocate for the protection of the earth's rare genetic food stocks for 40 years. In 1986 she helped develop Heritage Farm, SSE's scenic 890-acre headquarters near Decorah to maintain and display endangered varieties.
Following each event a gift basket raffle took place. Audience feedback was very positive, supportive, and enthusiastic. The evaluations that were received had some good suggestions for future programs.
Many thanks to Kathy Wimer and the CGS committee members for their assistance and support. Sincere thanks to those who assisted during the events including Kay McWhinney, Doris Hardt, Connie Lorenz, Christine McGinty, Barb Wing, Diana North, Nancy Hayes, Cindy Fagan, Selma Smith-Alzheimer and Deb Main. A special thanks to Connie Weir, Devon Dietz and Larry Dawson for publicity help. Thanks to those Master Gardeners who attended, brought their friends, and helped spread the word about the series.
Diane Ott Whealy at her book signing following her presentation.
MG Volunteers, Kay McWhinney and Doris Hardt help with CGS logistics.
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Expert Ed By Linda Hayward, Chair
More Popcorn and Plants
Monday, April 6, 2015 and Tuesday, April 14, 2015 (Popcorn will be furnished, Bring your own drink) - Melinda Meyers’s DVD, “How to Grow Anything: Your Best Garden and Landscape in 6 Lessons” will be shown at Linn County Extension, 383 Collins Road, NE, Suite 201, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Open to MG and the public. To register call Linn County Extension (319) 377-9839 or email [email protected]
How to Grow Anything: Container Gardening Tips and Techniques
Monday, April 6 – 6:30 to about 8:15 1. Designs in a Pot – Thrillers, Spillers, Fillers 2. Create a New Space – Edibles and Ornamentals 3. Unusual Pots, Vertical Spaces, Shade Design
Tuesday, April 14 – 6:30 to about 8:15 4. Grasses to Trees – Big Plants in Containers 5. Outdoor Living Areas and Special Features 6. Cool-Season Changes and Indoor Gardens
Noelridge Park Tree Walk: Tuesday, June 16, 2015; 6:30–8:30
Mark Vitosh, DNR District Forester, will explain how trees are identified. He will point out and discuss some of the health problems such as Oak Wilt disease and other issues that broadleaf and evergreens are exposed to. He will give suggestions as to how stress to these trees can be reduced. Meet at the north parking lot on Council Street near the Noelridge Greenhouse. This will be a walking tour so wear comfortable shoes.
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR 30 PEOPLE. MG register between May 1 and May 29. Registration to public will be from June 1-15. Call the Linn County Extension Office at 319-377-9839 or email [email protected]
Tomato Tech: How to Grow Better Fruit (Vegetables?)
Monday April 20, 2015, 6:30 - 8:00, Cedar Rapids Public Library, Whipple Auditorium, 450 5th Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
Patrick O’Malley ISU Extension and Outreach Commercial Horticulture Field Specialist will begin by presenting a brief whimsical overview on whether tomatoes are actually a fruit or a vegetable. This will be followed by the course of action needed to increase the likelihood of having a bountiful and flavorsome tomato crop. This will include pre-plant considerations along with growing techniques. (As for post-harvest use of tomatoes, you are on your own.) Open to MG and the public. To register call Linn County Extension (319) 377-9839 or email [email protected]
NOTE: You may park in the free parkade just across the street from the library. The gate to the parkade is closed during the day, but opens at 6:00 and there is a skywalk that goes to the library.
The past several weeks has been a flurry of activities since the Winter Gardening Fair ended and now beautiful spring weather is upon us. A wonderful variety of MG events and activities followed WGF with Expert Education “Popcorn and Plants”, COG community gardens webinars, WMT Garden and Home Show, MG Library Talks & Speakers Bureau opportunities along with the Creative Gardening Series speakers sharing their expertise and wit. Big thanks to the MG chairs of those committees, including Linda Hayward, Beula Dvorak, Sue Usher, Tammy Lutz, Karen Woeste, Deb Walser and Carson Fixmer, for planning such wonderful Master Gardener events for all.
I very much look forward to celebrating with all of you the fine work Master Gardeners provide for Linn County at the Awards Banquet on April 9 at the Flamingo. I hope to see you all there, and special thanks to Vicki Keegan, Awards Committee Chair and Beth Roof, Awards Banquet Chair, for planning such a special evening!
Just a reminder, the first quarter volunteer and education hours are due and you can find the 2015 MG volunteer and education hour forms on the LCMG webpage at: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/linn/page/exclusive-information-master-gardeners-and-master-gardener-interns
Please remember to report both your volunteer and educational hours, as well as the number of community contacts you make at events.
Upcoming MG Volunteer & Education Opportunities:
*Plan to attend Expert Education “More Popcorn and Plants” on April 6 or April 14 at 6:30pm in the large conference room at the Linn County Extension office
*Get on the May Hortline schedule. Email your availability to Sylvia Kelley @ [email protected] or call 319-377- 7136 or 319-721-4152
*Attend MG Library Talks in April at 6:30 pm at the Ely Library (4/8, 4/14, 4/21 & 4/28) or at the Marion Library on Wednesday evenings (4/1, 4/15, 4/23 & 4/29)
*Promote MG events throughout the community via social media
*Attend the next MG Steering Committee meeting, which is scheduled for April 7, 2015 @ 6:30pm at the Extension office
*Write articles, submit pictures and/or contribute ideas to the Germinator
*Plan to attend the upcoming Master Gardener Awards Banquet on April 9, 2015 at the Flamingo restaurant in Cedar Rapids
*Save the date and plan to volunteer at the MG Plant Sale on May 16 and MG Garden Walk on June 27 (June 28 Rain Date)
April 8 (NOTE: This talk is rescheduled from April 7): Flowers Hummingbirds Love (Jean Murray): Jean Murray will bust some myths about hummingbirds and share experiences in attracting hummingbirds to a garden which is easier than you might think. You don’t need a large garden, many plants, or expensive feeders. Learn how to set up a feeder and some flowers that hummingbirds love.
April 14: Ring my Bells for Coral Bells! (Wil Carew): If you thought coral bells were just green plants with tiny pink flowers that your grandmother grew, think again. This class will cover what they are, where and how to plant, and the rainbow of colors available.
April 21: Pretty Poisons Lurking in Your Garden (Jean Wilson): Learn which plants in your garden are deadly and which are merely harmful. It's not always the obvious culprits - even some helpful plants can be harmful if misused or overused. Understanding what you are growing promotes safer gardening.
April 28: Container Gardens (Deb Walser): Container gardens do not have to be three geranium, asparagus fern and vinca vines. You don’t need to grow only one tomato in a container; you can grow a whole salsa garden in a container. Come see what can be done with your containers. You will never have a plain container garden again.
April Marion
Wednesday April 1: New Perennials for 2015 (Deb Walser): Every year the garden catalogs are full of NEW amazing perennials. How do we select the right perennials for our garden? Which perennials are the best for Iowa gardens? Even if you have been growing perennials for years, Deb will show some of the newest and coolest perennials available in nurseries near you.
Wednesday, April 15: The Lazy Gardener - Gardening in Comfort and Ease (Jean Murray): Face it - we're all getting older, and have limits on our bodies and our time. Jean shares tips for making gardening a little less stressful. She will discuss ergonomic gardening, low maintenance plants, and ways to make those garden chores easier, so that you have more time to relax and enjoy your garden.
Thursday, April 23: Pretty Poisons Lurking in Your Garden (Jean Wilson): Learn which plants in your garden are deadly and which are merely harmful. It's not always the obvious culprits-even some helpful plants can be harmful if misused or overused. Understanding what you are growing promotes safer gardening.
Continued—Page 7
April 7
Wednesday, April 29: Verticals, Vines, and Variants: (Debbie Main): Great ideas on how to pack more plants into your home landscape! Debbie will cover flowers and food crops which can be grown vertically, how to train them, where to locate them within your landscape, growing tips, and some unusual ideas on what to use to keep them vertical.
April Central City
April 16: Container Gardens (Deb Walser): Container gardens do not have to be three geranium, asparagus fern and vinca vines. You don’t need to grow only one tomato in a container; you can grow a whole salsa garden in a container. Come see what can be done with your containers. You will never have a plain container garden again.
April 23: Daylilies: A Most “Mis-Underestimated” Perennial (Zora Ronan): This class is for those gardeners who think that all daylilies are yellow or orange, and who want to move beyond ‘Stellas’. Zora will explore the many forms, patterns, and colors in the daylily world and how to incorporate them in your garden.
April Coggon
April 7 (NOTE: This talk is rescheduled from March 3): Blooms for the Birds (Sylvia Kelly): Basics of attracting birds to your yard; what to plant, where to plant and what birds you can expect to visit you and what else you might need to do to create the perfect habitat for the feathered among us.
Other Area Events of Interest
Continued—From Page 6
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Things We Love—Saving the Monarch Butterflies—One Milkweed at a Time By Jean Murray As you probably know, the populations of monarch butterflies are declining. The decline is due to several factors, including deforestation in Mexico, where these insects winter, and loss of milkweed in Iowa, because farmers are keeping it out of their fields.
If you want visual proof, here it is (see chart to right): Iowa is a primary breeding area for butterfly habitat, and the decline in native milkweed.
As Master Gardeners, we aren't etymologists, but we do care for native species and for animals and insects that inhabit our gardens. And we certainly care that native plants like milkweed are diminishing.
Others here in Iowa are joining to plant more milkweed. ISU’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is part of a new Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium, which includes the state’s agriculture and natural resources departments as well as several commodity and conservation groups. They say they "will take a science-based approach to enhancing monarch butterfly reproduction and assist community-led implementation efforts."
One part of their effort will be conducted through ISU Extension and Outreach, which will deliver "science-based extension information for both farmers and the general public helps raise awareness and motivation, and ensure a higher likelihood of successfully supporting monarch butterfly populations."
In February, ISU planted 10,000 seeds of nine different milkweed species in greenhouses. Seedlings will be transplanted into small demonstration plots on 13 ISU research farms. Also, two of the milkweed species will be transplanted or direct seeded into larger research habitat plots to study how the plants grow, proliferate and adapt to local conditions. Researchers will formulate and plant a monarch seed mix that includes milkweed and nectar-producing prairie plants. Through the year, researchers will monitor butterflies in the plots from egg and larvae through adult stages.
Milkweed and butterflies have a symbiotic relationship. The butterflies feed exclusively on several types of milkweed in the genus Asclepias and several other genera of viny milkweeds in North America. The milkweed relies on Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) and Hymenoptera (bees, ants, and wasps) for pollination. If you would like more information on milkweed propagation, check out the Monarch Watch website: http://www.monarchwatch.org/milkweed/prop.htm.
If you are interested in learning more, check out this ISU news release: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2015/03/02/monarchhabitat
This spring-like weather reminds us that Easter Showcase is coming up soon and we'll need lots of volunteers. The greenhouse will be open to the public Saturday, April 4, and Sunday, April 5, from 11 am-5 pm both days.
There will be a sign-up sheet in the greenhouse where you can sign up to work one or more two-hour shifts. Shifts will be 11 a.m. -1 p.m., 1 p.m.-3 p.m. and 3 p.m. -5 p.m. both days. The shifts for greeters are one hour long. That's a job that can be done sitting down. If you are not able to be at the greenhouse during the week to sign up, you could email us or give us a call at 378-3141. Jean Minehart will also be recruiting volunteers to help at the Master Gardener table. If you don’t feel comfortable showing guests around the greenhouse, you might prefer working at that table.
If Easter weekend is family time for you and you cannot help at the showcase, we will still need volunteers at the greenhouse the week before to help with grooming the plants, getting plants ready for sale, and general cleaning. Good Friday is observed as a city holiday, so the goal is to have everything ready for the weekend at closing time on Thursday, April 2.
Urban Orchard Being Planned for Noelridge Park—April 24
On Friday April 24, 2015, Iowa BIG, Blue Zone, ISU Extension, Hughes Nursery and the Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation Department are teaming together to plant an Urban Orchard in Noelridge Park, located off Golf Street just south of the creek and inside the trail ring.
The Friends Of Noelridge and Noelridge volunteers have been invited to attend the planting ceremony and to help with the planting of 30-40 assorted fruit trees.
The colorful Easter Showcase at Noelridge Park Greenhouses.
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2015 Garden Walk Plans Take Shape By Sam Krumbholz and Diane Stevens, Co-chairs
The Garden Walk of 2015 will be here before we know it! We are showcasing the Lowe Gardens and Greenhouse in Marion. Shelby Foley and Phil Pfister have been working hard to make this tour beautiful and breathtaking!
In addition, participants will be able to tour Mike Anderson's wooded city gardens, Deb Walser's gardens with a little bit of everything, and Rose Milden's garden with a pond and miniature railroad. And wait, there's more! Jan Knott and Bev Whitmore, new Master Gardener interns, have opened their gardens to us in a new development in Marion.
We will need lots of help this summer from prepping gardens to working on the day of the Garden Walk. Save the dates of Saturday, June 27, and Sunday, June 28 (rain date if needed). A sign-up sheet is attached to this Germinator issue with the deadline of May 15.
Another Successful Year for the WMT Outdoor Living
Show By Sue Usher, Chair
The 2015 I Heart Radio and Outdooor Living Show was held March 14 and 15 at Hawkeye Downs. The bright, sunny weekend promised that spring was near and between 1500–1750 people attended the event to learn how they could enhance their outdoor living space.
Twenty eight Master Gardeners volunteered their time, with Sue Usher (chair) and Tammy Lutz and Karen Woeste (co-chairs) coordinating the event. Mike Anderson presented on “Ash Tree Alternatives”, Jane Schildroth on “Suddenly Sunny—Who Moved my Shade”, Phil Pfister on “Extending the Growing Season” and Deb Walser on “New Perennials for 2015” and “Feed the Birds”. There were 52 people who attended the presentations.
The Master Gardeners handed out information and answered questions to approximately 250 attendees. Publications and the book “Getting Your Hands Dirty and Your Feet Wet” were sold for a total sales of $198.00.
We appreciated all those who volunteered their time in answering questions or presenting and look forward to another successful event next year.
April 11
Lowe Park Greenhouse Updates By Phil Pfister and Shelby Foley
Spring Work Schedule Announced
The spring work schedule at the Lowe Park Greenhouse is now in place to be Tuesdays from 10:00 to noon, and Thursdays from 10:00 to noon and 6:30 to 8:00. Feel free to contact Phil Pfister (email: [email protected]) if you have any questions or are interested in helping out.
Greenhouse Site of 4-H Clover Kids Workshop
On Saturday, March 21 Master Gardener, Linda Hayward, lead a workshop on seeding and transplanting for eight 4-H Clover Kids. The group leader is JoEllen Funk, also a Master Gardener. The "kids" had fun learning techniques and putting the new found information into action. They were very interested in all that is going on in the greenhouse now, and they were asking lots of great questions. There were also seven adults accompanying them.
Don’t forget the International MG Conference—
September 22-25 in Council Bluffs, Iowa
Single-day registrations are available.
You can see the full conference schedule and register online at:
http://mastergardener.unl.edu/imgc2015
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There’s an App for That! By Jean Wilson
I enjoy gadgets and gardening. Here are some ways I combine the two: apps for your tablet or phone.
Android
All are free, and I've used them on a Nexus tablet. Check the Google Play store to see if you can download them on your tablet:
Expert Gardening Solutions: This has nice "chapters" on topics like Labor Saving Tips, Raised Garden Beds and Pruning. Most information is in short chunks, easily read on a tablet.
Scott's Bird ID: Useful to look up a bird and see information about their habits and habitats.
A Gardener's Handbook (Volume 1): This also has chapters and is more detailed than the others. Probably better for wintertime reading.
Flower Checker: This plant identification app lets you send a photo of a flower to a team of botanical experts. It's not computer-based, so it can take minutes or hours. I haven't tried it yet, but it has great reviews.
Apple
I've tried these on my iPad, but haven't tried them on my iPhone, so I'm not sure how they'll look there. Most are free.
Start A Garden: Lots of useful tips, but a limited amount of information. If you want a quick look at different herbs, veggies, and flowers, this might be useful.
Gardening: the Ultimate Guide: This also has topic sections, but it has ads. There are some useful tips.
Peterson Birds Pocket Edition: This costs $1.99, but I think it's worth it. This app has not only pictures, but the songs and chirps of the birds. Very useful.
Both
Burpee Garden Time Planner: You set up a free account, which lets you use the planner on all your devices. You can create notes and keep a planner, too. I think of all the ones I've used, this one has proven to be the most useful.
Organic Gardening Plant Planner (Rodale): Like the Burpee site, you can save a garden and choose plants that to have in it. It shows the appropriate planting dates and other information. Unlike Burpee, though, I didn't find a way to link my account on Android and iPad. So that means I had to create a new garden on each device.
April 13
March 2015 Steering Committee—Draft
(Abridged for Germinator; Committees not listed had no report)
Attended: Steve Barlett, Jackie Baumhauer, Larry Dawson, Beth Roof, Jane Schildroth, Pam Scott, Deb Walser, Jean Wilson. Absent: Beula Dvorak, Cindy Fagan, Darrell Hennessy, Linda Hinzman, Gene Nassif, Linda Shepard. Guests: none. Quorum established. Minutes: February minutes approved.
Announcements: LCMG will make available DVDs of recorded speakers to other groups provided that a MG accompany the loan to ensure credit to MG and return of the DVD. Loans to other gardening clubs are to be arranged through the Speaker’s Bureau. Financial Report: None.
Committee & Project Reports:
Awards Banquet (Beth Roof): This year’s banquet will be held on April 9, at the Flamingo Banquet Hall. 6 pm social, 6:30 pm buffet dinner. Save the Date was submitted to the Germinator.
Creative Gardening Series (Carson Fixmer): The CGS Committee met on February 4 to discuss the upcoming Creative Gardening Series. Publicity, Volunteers, Speakers/Event, Library arrangements have been made.
Community Outreach Gardens (Beula Dvorak): Plans are to build and fill raised beds at Catherine McAuley Garden on May 14-15. Victoria Ferdandez is planning a cold workday at Kenwood on April 25 to prepare and fill new square foot beds and to amend the existing bed. Communication continues with both the Marion and Cedar Rapids Blue Zone project members. More training sessions are in the planning stage for our community gardens partners. The committee will also offer training for MGs who are interested in participating in this project, regarding roles and expectations of a community garden MG partner and/or volunteer.
Lowe Park (Shelby Foley): The flowers, herbs and peppers grown in the demonstration garden found new purpose as dried materials for a variety of items sold at WGF. We grossed over $600 and the supplies purchased were less than $50. Thanks to the group of MG's who helped create these items. The gardeners have also been busy planning garden designs to have stunning beds for the Garden Walk. Rumor has it that a giant caterpillar may make its home in the children's garden this summer.
Noelridge (Jean Minehart/Kathy Rhodes): Greenhouse work is in full swing. All volunteers (including MGs) volunteered a total of 256.4 hours in January. The Goodwill clients will begin volunteering in March Iowa Big, Blue Zone, ISU Extension, Hughes Nursery and Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation Department will be teaming together to plant an Urban Orchard in Noelridge Park. Friends of Noelridge and Noelridge volunteers have been invited to attend the planting ceremony and help with planting of fruit trees on April 24. At a Volunteer Craft Day for Noelridge volunteers on February 11 many decorated picture frames were made.
14 Germinator
NewBo (Carol Elliott/Cindy Fagan): The NewBo Learning Garden Committee has selected plants for 2015 and is partnering with Lowe to start seedlings. Thanks Phil and Shelby! We've established subcommittees within our group and are working with NewBo Market staff to prepare for the season.
Expert Education (Linda Hayward): Forty-four gardeners attended the first Popcorn and Plants movie night on February 26. The second show is planned for Thursday, March 5 at 6:30 pm. (Reported by Deb Walser)
Financial Planning (Linda Hinzman): Budget requests have been solicited to all Project & Committee Chairs to be submitted by March 20 for consideration in the 2015-2016 LCMG budget.
Garden Walk (Mary Sam Krumholz/Diane Stevens): Save the date, Saturday, June 27, 2015 for the Garden Walk! We have six beautiful gardens to showcase. They are in Marion, and the NE and SE quadrants of Cedar Rapids. Our committee consists of Kay McWhinney, Beula Dvorak, and Kathy Hughes. We would love to expand our committee and are looking for leads to assist the Host/Hostesses with their gardens. Please e-mail Diane or Mary Sam if you are interested in helping! Sam Krumbholz ([email protected]; 319-350-8493) or Diane Stevens ([email protected]; 319-270-3832).
Greenhouse (Phil Pfister/Shelby Foley): Volunteers provided items for a sale table at the WGF. A workshop prior to the WGF was held, lead by Shelby Foley, to prepare all items for sale, which included ivy topiaries, succulent gardens, small wreaths of dried flowers, “kitchen” wreaths of dried peppers, garlic and herbs on a cornhusk base, and pansy basket gardens. Workshop participants: Barb Brown, Judi Dolezal, Sandy Fiegan, Peggy Green, Doris Hardt, Coleen Kint, Karla McGrail, Kay McWhinney, Mary Mikkola and Kathy Rhodes. We have added an additional seeding, transplanting and propagation work session starting on Thursday, February 26, from 10:00 am-12:00 pm. Work sessions are now Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:00 am-12:00 pm and Thursday 6:30 pm-8:00 pm.
Hortline (Doug Smith): In January our committee compiled topics and procedures to be included in the training of new interns. A few new interns have been trained to work on the Hortline.
MG Book Marketing (Deb Walser): Fifteen books were sold at the Winter Garden Fair. Speakers are encouraged to bring and promote books to upcoming talks. Approximately 1000 books remain to be sold.
School Projects: Hiawatha (Phil Pfister/Cindy Fagan): We received a $200 grant from the Iowa Literacy in Agriculture Foundation" which we used to purchase more books with a garden theme for the Hiawatha school library. We planted rye grass as a cover crop in the fall in all of the beds. Classroom teachers have "adopted" the garden beds for this school year and will be planning with their students. We will plant cool weather crops and look forward to having a salad harvest party before the end of the school year. We received $500 through Scott Koepke and New Pioneer
Coop for the cost of seed. We plan to put one or two loads of compost from the Linn County compost facility on our garden beds this spring. The school garden was an area used by the Hiawatha school for Blue Zones requirements.
Speakers Bureau (Deb Walser): Some February dates were rescheduled due to snow. There is consideration to not do February talks in the future due to numerous weather cancellations. Mike Anderson’s North Liberty talk had 17 attendees (past attendance at this library has been 1-3 attendees).
Winter Gardening Fair (Linda Hinzman/Karla McGrail): The 2015 Winter Gardening Fair was held on Saturday, February 21 at Kirkwood Community College. Attendance was 573–just a few less than 2014. Many horticultural and environmental societies were set up in the atrium and along the classroom corridors. Nearly 100 volunteers participated in many different assignments. The outside speakers (ISU staff and other regional experts) did not disappoint. The Tomato Tech class, presented to ISU’s Patrick O’Malley) was new this year and extremely popular.
WMT (Sue Usher/Karen Woeste/Tammy Lutz): The WMT Outdoor Living Show will be held on Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, March 15. Master Gardeners are doing five presentations; Jane Schildroth at 10:00, Mike Anderson at 1:00 and Phil Pfister at 3:00 on Saturday; Deb Walser at 1:00 and 3:00 on Sunday.
Coordinator Report: Jane reported that Iowa State is asking for more detailed recording of the number of contacts Master Gardeners have with the public in all areas of service, in addition to lectures and classes taught.
New Business: Awards Banquet Discussion-Beth asked for the group’s thoughts on the Awards Banquet ticket subsidy. The SC consensus was to continue to offer the dinner to Master Gardeners at $5.00 with guests paying full price.
Meeting adjourned 7:10pm. Next meeting April 7, 2015. Respectfully submitted, Beth Roof
Dear Master Gardeners,
As the time gets closer to the annual Master Gardener Garden Walk, we are asking
for your help. The walk will be held on Saturday, June 27th from 10-4, with a rain
date of Sunday, June 28th from 12-4.
Many hands are needed, not only to help hosts prime their gardens for the walk,
but even more volunteers to act as Garden Guides, Ticket Sellers, and Parking
Attendants the day of the GW. Last year alone, many MG’s graciously
volunteered to work in the above capacities and a similar number will be needed
again this year.
There are six gardens on this year’s walk. The MG gardens and greenhouse at
Lowe Park is the featured garden with hosts Shelby Foley and Phil Pfister. The
other five gardens are at the homes of Mike Anderson, Deb Walser, Rose Milden,
Bev Whitmore and Jan Knott. Please show your enthusiasm for these gardens and
join in the fun for this annual event.
Attached is a volunteer form. Please fill it out and send either electronically or by
US mail to Kathy Wimer at LC Extension. Even if you did sign up to volunteer at
the Fall Celebration last November, please fill in a Volunteer Form. The deadline
for all volunteer forms to be in is May 15th
.
Thank you in advance to for your generous enthusiasm!
Co-Chairs: Mary Sam Krumbholz and Diane Stevens
Garden Walk • Saturday, June 27th, 2015 VOLUNTEER FORM
Complete and return to the ISU Extension Linn County Office by Friday, May 15th. Name: Email address:
Phone:
Please place checkmark(s) to indicate your availability:
BEFORE Garden Walk (June) ☐ Garden Preparation (Team Leaders will organize times for volunteers to assist in host gardens)
SATURDAY, June 27th, 2015: EVENT DAY
Garden Guide (answer questions during the walk; requires visit to Host Garden before the walk) ☐ 9:30-1:00 • Saturday, 6/27
☐1:00-4:30 • Saturday, 6/27
Ticket Seller/Cashier (collect money at a garden site and distribute wrist bands) ☐ 9:30-1:00 • Saturday, 6/27
☐ 1:00-4:30 • Saturday, 6/27 Parking Attendant (direct traffic/parking according to Host and Team Leader instructions) ☐ 9:30-1:00 • Saturday, 6/27
☐ 1:00-4:30 • Saturday, 6/27
Event Volunteer at Large (assigned where needed most) ☐ 9:30-1:00 • Saturday, 6/27
☐ 1:00-4:30 • Saturday, 6/27
Additional Comments/Questions:
RAIN DATE – Would you be able to volunteer on Sunday, June 28th
