The Food Channel should have covered this event—the 2013 Tomato Tasting at the Derwood Demo Garden in late August. The organizers were MGs Robin Ritterhoff and Erica Smith, and 20 volunteers showed up to sample the 25 different varieties of tomatoes. “While there was no organized deliberation on what tasted best,” said Robin, “for the full-sized tomatoes, I heard lots of praise for the Cherokee Purple grown by Denny May and Erica Smith’s Orange Icicle and her Mortgage Lifter.” Robin added that she thought the prettiest tomatoes were the Violet Jaspers. Robin herself contributed Matt's Wild Cherry. Other tomatoes from the demo garden were the Sun Gold cherry tomato, the San Marzano plum tomato, and the larger Goji Faranji, all of which got high marks from the tasters. According to Erica, it was not a contest and no one was taking more than casual notes. “But we all did agree that tomatoes are on the watery side this year, and some that normally have much more flavor were muted in taste. But it's great fun to get together and compare!” Erica wrote in her Grow It Eat It blog, “I love when plants do unpredictable things like grow fruits that attach to each other as I saw with the Violet Jasper. Anyway, [the tasting] was a lot of fun and we got tomato juice everywhere. I'm glad to say that most people agreed with my assessment of Orange Icicle and also enjoyed Mortgage Lifter.” She included a photo of the latter, “cut up just to make your mouths water.” “Each tomato had its own charm and piquancy,” said demo garden co-chair Darlene Nicholson. “Each tomato was appreciated for its own uniqueness. A special thanks to Robin and Erica for organizing the event and to all those who brought their juicy globes of goodness.” The Seed News that grows on you Quick Links Board Meeting Minutes Board Members, Committees and Services Derwood Demo Gardens Discounts for MGs at Nurseries and Stores GIEI Blog Green Sheets Home & Garden Info Center Insect Data Base Join the Listserv MG Information Sheet MG Website Monthly Membership Meetings Native Plant Center Photo Permission Form Plant Clinics Propose New Activity University of Maryland Extension, Montgomery County, MD, Master Gardeners What’s Inside The President’s Column ............. 2 Photo of the Month.................... 2 Register for mini-conference ..... 3 Order Gardening Books ............. 3 Butterflies .................................... 4 Announcements ......................... 5 Ask and Answer .......................... 8 How to Submit Articles .............. 9 Stumped ...................................... 9 Now That’s a Lip-Smacking Tomato! OCTOBER 2013 Click here for info on the October Meeting at Fairgrounds By Bebe McMeekin A new format, online registration, the new Fairgrounds location and three fabulous speakers will mark the Fifth Annual Members’ Mini-Conference. The free-to-members event will be held on Thursday, 9 a.m., November 7, 2013, in the Heritage Room at the Fairgrounds. There’s Lots New for the November Mini-Conference Continued on page 3 Erica Smith, Larry Himmelfarb, Jesse Arbogast, Susan Eisendrath, Linda Davis, and Darlene Nicholson examined the 25 tomato varieties. Photo by Julie Mangin Continued on page 12
Transcript
The Food Channel should have covered this event—the 2013 Tomato Tasting at the Derwood Demo Garden in late August.
The organizers were MGs Robin Ritterhoff and Erica Smith, and 20 volunteers showed up to sample the 25 different varieties of tomatoes.
“While there was no organized deliberation on what tasted best,” said Robin, “for the full-sized tomatoes, I heard lots of praise for the Cherokee Purple grown by Denny May and Erica Smith’s Orange Icicle and her Mortgage Lifter.” Robin added that she thought the prettiest tomatoes were the Violet Jaspers.
Robin herself contributed Matt's Wild Cherry. Other tomatoes from the demo garden were the Sun Gold cherry tomato, the San Marzano plum tomato, and the larger Goji Faranji, all of which got high marks from the tasters.
According to Erica, it was not a contest and no one was taking more than casual notes. “But we all did agree that tomatoes are on the watery side this year, and some that normally have much more flavor were muted in taste. But it's great fun to get together and compare!”
Erica wrote in her Grow It Eat It blog, “I love when plants do unpredictable things like grow fruits that attach to each other as I saw with the Violet Jasper. Anyway, [the tasting] was a lot of fun and we got tomato juice everywhere. I'm glad to say that most people agreed with my assessment of Orange Icicle and also enjoyed Mortgage Lifter.” She included a photo of the latter, “cut up just to make your mouths water.”
“Each tomato had its own charm and piquancy,” said demo garden co-chair Darlene Nicholson. “Each tomato was appreciated for its own uniqueness. A special thanks to Robin and Erica for organizing the event and to all those who brought their juicy globes of goodness.”
The Seed News that grows on you
Quick Links
Board Meeting Minutes
Board Members, Committees and Services
Derwood Demo Gardens
Discounts for MGs at Nurseries and Stores
GIEI Blog
Green Sheets
Home & Garden Info Center
Insect Data Base
Join the Listserv
MG Information Sheet
MG Website
Monthly Membership Meetings
Native Plant Center
Photo Permission Form
Plant Clinics
Propose New Activity
University of Maryland Extension, Montgomery County, MD, Master Gardeners
What’s Inside The President’s Column .............2
Photo of the Month....................2
Register for mini-conference .....3
Order Gardening Books .............3
Butterflies ....................................4
Announcements .........................5
Ask and Answer ..........................8
How to Submit Articles ..............9
Stumped ......................................9
Now That’s a Lip-Smacking Tomato!
O C T O B E R 2 0 1 3
Click here for info on the October Meeting at Fairgrounds
By Bebe McMeekin A new format, online registration, the new Fairgrounds location and three fabulous speakers will mark the Fifth Annual Members’ Mini-Conference. The free-to-members event will be held on Thursday, 9 a.m., November 7, 2013, in the Heritage Room at the Fairgrounds.
There’s Lots New for the November Mini-Conference
Continued on page 3
Erica Smith, Larry Himmelfarb, Jesse Arbogast, Susan Eisendrath, Linda Davis, and Darlene Nicholson examined the 25 tomato varieties. Photo by Julie Mangin Continued on page 12
Nancy Moses Greenblatt Editor-in-Chief Deborah Petro Julie Super Production Co-Editors Katie Mcle Senior Editor, Editor, Ask & Answer Julie Mangin Photo Editor Claudia Sherman Editor, Continuing Education Corner Diyan Rahaman Editor, STUMPED Tech Support Betty Cochran Copy Editor Anne Abend, Contributors
Scroll or Return to Table of Contents
MC-Master Gardeners aren’t just good gardeners—among our members are skilled editors, photographers and writers as evidenced by The Seed, our wonderful monthly newsletter. Nancy Moses Greenblatt, Editor-in-Chief, idea woman, source of catchy headlines, publicist extraordinaire, has pulled together a great team to produce this snazzy e-publication.
One of the things I like best about The Seed is the way it’s always saying, “Look at how well we’re growing!” Nancy and her team have built a stage to showcase our organization. Every month hard working Master Gardeners are called up to take their bows as they are recognized for outstanding performance and exciting program innovations. As I read each issue, I can see the smiles and feel the pride that we all have in MC-MG as it strives to improve the experience of being a Master Gardener, and the benefits offered to Montgomery County residents through community outreach.
I’m guessing that most of you are aware that I have had a recurring theme during my term as President. In case you missed it, I’ll say it again – I believe that as an organization we must stay focused on the on-going education of ourselves as Master
Gardeners. The Seed is playing an important role in supporting that theme. Every issue has special columns devoted to Continuing Education. It’s quick and easy to learn something new with the “Ask & Answer” and “Stumped” features. The “Continuing Education Corner” lists a variety of CE opportunities available in the DC Metropolitan area. Another useful feature is “Resources” – a directory of quick links to many local organizations offering educational programs of interest to Master Gardeners.
In addition to showcasing members’ efforts, program achievements, and educational benefits, The Seed offers two more benefits important to all Master Gardeners. First, our e-newsletter is paperless - no trees are required for the end product, and second, we save more than $800 annually in avoiding postage, thereby stretching members’ dues.
My hat’s off to Nancy and The Seed Team – thank you for giving us a first-class e-newsletter.
Julia
The Seed has grown on us all
Would the singing Beatles sing about Sunflower Fields Forever (48 acres) at the McKee Bescher Wildlife Management Area in Poolesville? Photo by Terri Pitts
There’s Lots New for the November Mini-Conference Continued from page 1
“We are excited about the new format of the mini-conference this year,” said Bebe McMeekin, mini-conference co-coordinator. “There are no workshops or moving from room to room, so no complicated registration and room rearrangements,” she explained. “We have three fabulous speakers from UMD and a simple online registration for the day.”
“My partners—Judith Graef and Michael Parizer—and I felt this was the way to proceed to reconcile our growing membership and space limitations at Derwood, “ Bebe added.
Master Gardeners will earn continuing education hours. Morning check-in and snacks will begin at 8:30 a.m., followed by elections for the Executive Board at 9 a.m. Bring your own lunch. Coffee provided with morning snacks; additional beverages with the bag lunch. Please wear your MG name badge.
The three consecutive lectures begin at 9:15 a.m. in the single audience hall and will end by 2:45 p.m. after a Q&A session with our speakers. The three University of Maryland lecturers and their in-depth presentations on timely topics are:
• Dave Clements, “Don’t Let Your Plants Down; Diagnose Diseases Early;”
• Mary Kay Malinoski, “Emerging Pest Issues for 2014;” and
• Mike Raupp, “Effects of Global Change on Insect Biodiversity and Community Function.”
Volunteers are needed to bring light refreshments for the event day. Please contact MG Sue Kuklewicz to volunteer.
One Winter Issue of The Seed
November/December will see a combined issue of "The Seed" to be mailed on the Monday before Thanksgiving. It is the last issue for 2013. Please use the Master Gardener's LISTSERV to send out your committee's announcements and FACEBOOK to post any photos. The writing deadline for the "Winter Edition" will be Monday, November 4.
How to Register for Conference
Look for a new way to register, using Eventbrite. Follow these directions:
• On October 1 you will receive an email from “Montgomery County Master Gardeners” [email protected] with a Subject line: “You’re invited to Members’ Mini-Conference (Nov 7, 2013).”
• Open the email and click on the blue Members’ Mini-Conference line. (Or click on Attend Event in the green box). This takes you to the registration page.
• Click on Register in the green box. Scroll down and enter your first and last name and your email address, then click Complete Registration in the green box. You’ll receive a response: “You’re going to Members’ Mini-Conference”.
• Then you will receive a confirmation email from “Montgomery County Master Gardeners” [email protected] letting you know that your order is complete. If you scroll down, you will see a receipt with an order number. Don’t worry about that - we will have a guest list at the door.
If you have questions about the registration process, please contact MG Mary McKnight.
Gardening Books At a Discount
One of the benefits we have as Master Gardeners is ordering books from three top publishers at a 50 percent discount. To see what each offers, go to the following web sites: http://www.timberpress.com (gardening); http://www.storey.com (gardening and children); and http://www.workman.com (general topics).
Some of the books shown are not yet shipping, but you can order them now and they will be shipped when available at the same discount. The deadline for this order is October 11.
How to order: Write down the title and list price of each book selections and then compute the 50% discount for each. Be sure to round up each time. Then add up the discounted amounts and multiply that total by 1.05 to arrive at the total including the 5% shipping charge (also rounded up). This will be your total price for which you will write a check payable to Montgomery County EAC. Mail a copy of the list and the check to Frances Smithson, whose contact information is in the online MG directory; or give it to her at the October membership meeting.
Example:
Green Flowers $24.95 $12.48 Discount price
Dirr’s Encyclopedia of Trees and Shrubs $ 79.95 $39.98 Discount price
Sub-total discount price plus shipping: $52.46 X 1.05 = $55.08
Swallowtails everywhere, but where are all the other butterflies?
It is back to work on October 1 at the Master Gardener Butterfly Habitat Project , so what better time is there to reflect on the fruits of our spring labors? The news is not all good for Maryland's butterfly populations.
The big butterfly event of this year was the super abundance of Eastern tiger swallowtails in particular, and other swallowtails in general.
According to local butterfly expert Denise Gibbs, swallowtail numbers this year are due to an "irruption" (sudden increase in a population) that happens periodically in butterfly populations for various reasons. Gibbs theorizes from observations in her own butterfly-friendly yard in Damascus that one very important factor may be that this year swallowtails produced three broods rather than the usual two, at least in some areas.
Indeed, overwhelming numbers of swallowtails in late spring and early summer led many nature lovers to conclude that this would be a bumper year for all butterflies. This was not the case, however, especially in early summer. Many species were seen only one at a time-if at all-and in only a few locations.
Mostly Missing Monarchs
Our Master Gardener-maintained meadow in Black Hill Regional Park was beautiful and lush in both nectar and larval host plants as ever. However, our regular butterfly visitors of recent years, especially monarchs, made only rare appearances. Late in the summer, monarchs began to rebound in small numbers in Montgomery County and other parts of Maryland's Piedmont, and in greater abundance on the coastal plain. Other species never recovered from their slow start: red admiral, red spotted purple, American lady, and common buckeye remained scarce. Skippers arrived late, not in high numbers.
But, this has been a good year for hairstreaks-and the swallowtails. According to Gibbs, "No one has ever witnessed anything like it in the past. Thousands and thousands everywhere!"
Thanks to Denise Gibbs for her invaluable help with this article. She urges Master Gardeners to consider creating butterfly habitats in their own back yards—one clear reason for the decrease in butterfly populations is—without doubt—the loss of habitat.
For more details from the experts, check the following:
http://monarchwatch.org/waystations/certify.html
http://bit.ly/ChipTaylorWildCenter
A female Black Swallowtail butterfly at the Black Hill Butterfly Habitat is nectaring on New York Ironweed, Veronia noveboracensis. Photo by Liz Jones
O C T O B E R 2 0 1 3 P A G E 4 The Seed The Ups and Downs of Butterflies
Scroll or Return to Table of Contents
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
Fall work days for the Master Gardeners' butterfly habitat on the edge of Black Hill Regional Park on route 121 in Boyds (opposite street address 20612 Clarksburg Road), are Wednesdays in October and Wednesday, November 6, from 9 am to noon.
MG Joan O’Rourke and the Special Internal Events Committee will teach us how to transform old tuna cans or pet food cans into beautiful holiday centerpieces for the MG Holiday Party. Cans will be provided, but we need spare small decorations and lots of greenery from your yard--such as holly branches or arborvitae. Please bring decorations and greenery to the Derwood “garage” on December 3 or 4. Don’t forget to bring pruning shears and garden gloves; dress for mess.
Fall Plant Swap Where: Fairgrounds
When: October 3, after the General Membership Meeting
Plant Drop Off: begins at 9:15 a.m.
As you think about putting your garden to bed for the winter, consider what you might bring to the Fall Plant Swap: perennials that need dividing; a tree sapling that sprouted in exactly the wrong place; and houseplants that enjoyed an outside, summer vacation but don’t fit inside again.
Pot them, label them* ( if you aren’t sure what the plant is, please don’t bring it), and drop them off at the General Membership meeting beginning at 9:15 am on Thursday, October 3 at the Fairgrounds. Be sure to get a numbered ticket after you drop off your plant.
While labels with plant names are a “must,” growing instructions and/or your contact info is nice but not necessary. Bring unwanted tools, too. Just remember, you must bring a plant to participate. Questions? Contact Kathi Dyer or Terri Pitts.
*Please refer to our Master Gardener Handbook, Chapter 12, pages 294-304 for a list and photos of invasive plants.
MG BENEFIT General Membership Meeting
WHERE: Fairgrounds
WHEN: Thursday, October 3, 2013
9:30 a.m. mingle; 10 a.m. meeting
SPEAKER: Kimberly Knox
TOPIC: Water Conserving Landscapes to Save Time and Money
Kim is the Community Outreach Manager for Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission. She was the primary editor of “Water Conservation Landscaping: Xeriscape!” She works with students and the community in several gardens along the Patuxent River. Last year, she oversaw the planting of more than 400 trees and coordinated more than 800 volunteers in 35 events.
Kim will discuss the principles in creating a beautiful, water conserving landscape. Using mid-Atlantic native plants, she will also provide methods for bringing birds, butterflies and other wildlife to enjoy and add beauty to your garden.
Our Mission: To support the University of Maryland Extension mission by educating residents about safe, effective and sustainable horticultural practices that build healthy gardens, landscapes, and communities.
Our Vision: The Maryland Master Gardener vision is a healthier world through environmental stewardship.
Disclaimer: All opinions regarding businesses or their products are those of the authors and not of the University of Maryland.
EEO Statement: The University of Maryland Extension programs are open to any person and will not discriminate against anyone because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry national origin, marital status, genetic information, political affiliation, and gender identity or expression.
Stephen Dubik University of Maryland Extension Master Gardener Coordinator and Horticultural Consultant
Holiday Lunch, December 5, Fairgrounds
Scroll or Return to Table of Contents
Time to Enjoy Potluck Lunch and Volunteer Awards
WHAT: Master Gardener Annual Holiday Lunch
WHEN: December 5, 11 am—2 pm
WHERE: County Fairgrounds, Gaithersburg, Heritage dining hall
Highlights include:
• a terrific array of three-course foods brought by members and their guests;
• a party-land hall with festive tablecloths and MG-created centerpieces;
• poinsettias (that must be picked up here by those who ordered them in advance);
• an anonymous/voluntary gift exchange of about $10 in value; and
• distribution of Outstanding Service Awards, a new award category; and promotion of the intern class.
Giving Out Service Awards
Kathi Dyer, co-chair of internal special events, said that Outstanding Service awards for 2013 will be given to members who have served well beyond the norm. Lifetime Achievement and Dedicated Service certificates will be awarded to those who have shown exceptional commitment over many years.
Potluck Instructions
The dishes for the potluck lunch should feed approximately 10 people and should include serving spoons (disposable preferred). There are no heating machines at Heritage Hall so food should be ready to eat. Appetizers, main dishes, accompaniments and/or desserts are all suitable. Please label all dishes as to their contents and whether they are vegan, gluten free, vegetarian, etc.
Two Ways to Volunteer
1) An electronic sign up sheet will be available on the LISTSERV within the month. Volunteer for both set up and/or clean up (hours that can go on your green sheets) at this time.
2) Contact Kathi Dyer by email or by phone.
For directions to the Fairgrounds hall: http://extension.umd.edu/mg/locations/holiday-partymonthly-meeting-location
Order Your Poinsettia Now It’s time to order your beautiful poinsettias! The cost continues to be $7 per 6-1/2” red plant. They must be picked up at the holiday party. To place an order, please indicate the number of plants you wish to order and enclose a check made out to Montgomery County EAC for the total amount of the order. Your deadline is November 1, so send it to: Elizabeth Bradford, 11458 Fruitwood Way, Germantown, MD 20876
Your Name____________________________________________
Number of Poinsettias ordered______________________@ $7
Total amount of check made out to Montgomery County EAC $__________________________
Please submit your order to Elizabeth Bradford no later than November 1, 2013.
When: October 14 through October 30, 9:30 am – 1 pm.
Where: Derwood
Close Encounters is an October program developed by Extension as a way to introduce fourth graders to farming, food, and the environment. Master Gardeners are part of the team of volunteers who staff this event that spans 13 days, October 14-30, 9:30 am - 1 pm (optional free lunch following the program). For 21 years, this activity has been an informative field trip for 10-year-olds from most Montgomery County schools. Having grown to attendance at the Extension of nearly 3,000 children over 13 days, the program is run primarily by volunteers and offers hands-on and fun ways for the children to learn about agriculture, nutrition, and the environment.
How to Volunteer Online or at the General Meeting
There are six “tracks” in which to volunteer. You will be expected to teach in whichever section you sign up for; on-site training & teaching materials will be provided.
1. Goody Bag Packaging: Fill bags for students and teachers with educational materials and goodies on October 9 in the garage prior to the program
2. Logistics: Loading and unloading kids and lunches from buses
3. Plant Track: Deliver and teach scripted program about plants to children
4. Barn: Help with relay races and scavenger hunt
5. Nutrition Tasks: Teaching, preparing and wrapping granola; assisting with Nutrition Bowl Game
6. Environmental: Assist with Potomac activity or pond and stream activity
Click on the following web link (or copy it into your web browser if clicking doesn't work) to go to the Close Encounters signup sheet for all tracks except the Environmental track and to bring a dessert:
http://www.volunteersignup.org/YCYRC.
For the Environmental track, click on this link: http://www.volunteersignup.org/HXMWH .
You may signup up for multiple days. You should receive an email confirming your sign up. You can also sign up in person at the General Meeting on October 3 if you do not have access to a computer.
One of Your Last 2013 Chances for Volunteer Hours
It is a wonderful opportunity to earn MG service hours at the end of the year. No experience is necessary- so it is ideal for the 2013 MG’s.
If you have questions about the tracks, contact Barbara Waite-Jaques, [email protected] or PJ Hallberg, [email protected] to get more details about the Environmental track.
They are not Halloween jellybeans but the milkweed bug larvae. Photo by Joe Andrews
Q. My Barberry shrubs lose most of their leaves around this time of year due to a hungry insect or some other pest that leaves its frass in its wake. The frass is distinctive on the branches, although we have not seen the insect, just the fuzzy brown masses of frass clinging to the stems. Sometimes this has happened earlier in the summer as well. What is causing this damage? Signed, Pooped in Potomac
A. The damage that you are seeing is caused by the Barberry Looper, Coryphista meadii. This small caterpillar is a Geometrid (inchworm) that overwinters as a pupa buried in the soil. The moths, which are brownish gray, emerge in May. Females lay their eggs on lower leaf surfaces. The larvae are gray-black with white stripes. The inch-long larvae can eat all leaf parts. They then drop to the soil and pupate. In some areas of the country, there can be multiple generations per year. Typically these caterpillars are controlled by birds and other predators, but their populations can get out of control and will sometimes cause severe defoliation.
We consulted MG Eric Wenger, who has dealt with this problem in the home landscape. He said that a common mistake of homeowners (and some MGs, too) is to purchase the first insecticide that says that it kills bugs. If the insecticide is a systemic, it is probably a chloronicotinyl insecticide. These insecticides do not work on Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies), so the treatment will not work and will probably kill other non-problematic insects. Eric says that insecticides such as Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis), Conserve, or other low-impact controls can be used and will provide excellent treatment with minimal impact on the environment.
MGs are invited to submit articles and pictures for the newsletter, but keep in mind that submittals may be edited and/or not used until a later month. Please limit stories to 350-400 words.
Photos must come with basic information that includes name of the person in the photo, subject matter or caption and either a signed photo permission slip from those in the picture or an email from them saying they allow us to use their picture in the newsletter. Click here for the form.
If you have your name, email address and/or phone number in your article, please give us permission to use them. The newsletter can be accessed through the internet. Without the permission, we will delete the contact information.
Here are some home-gardener questions that came to the MG Extension office, plant clinics and to HGIC recently. Some questions we answered and some had us -- STUMPED!
Weeds Gone Wild Fall is a time when home gardeners who have neglected their yards during the hot summer months suddenly find that strange new plants have overtaken their yards. Below are two towering examples of weeds gone wild that were
brought into the Derwood Extension office for identification and recommendations on management.
Sericea lespedeza
Chinese or Sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) is a native of eastern Asia and was introduced in the late 1800s by federal and state agencies for use in bank stabilization, erosion control, soil improvement, mine reclamation, forage, hay and other purposes. It has been escaping from plantings for many years and is now a well established invasive plant having become naturalized in Maryland.
It is a perennial legume, with erect, herbaceous to somewhat woody stems, standing three- to six-feet high, with many erect, leafy branches which are green to ashy in color. The compound leaves are composed of three leaflets, with leaflets varying in length from one-quarter to one inch. Flowers are in clusters of mostly two to three in upper leaf axils. The corollas measure from ¼- to 3/8- inch long and are a pale creamy-yellow with conspicuous purple or pink markings. Its myriads of fruits are oval, and up to 1/8-inch wide.
For more information on the management of Sericea lespedeza, see the following factsheet from the Missouri Department of
Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), sometimes called chrysanthemum weed, resembles the garden chrysanthemum in size and in the shape of its foliage. Native to temperate Europe and Asia, it is now found naturalized throughout the eastern United States.
It is a tall herbaceous perennial plant growing up to 5 feet tall, with a woody root. The leaves are 2-4 inches long, dark green, pinnate, with dense white tomentose hairs on the underside. The erect stem often has a red-purplish tinge. The rather inconspicuous small flowers occur in clusters at the top of the plants. It flowers from July to September.
Mugwort has medicinal and culinary herbal uses, but because it has many rhizomes, pulling the weeds in the landscape is an unsuccessful means of control, because new plants quickly emerge from rhizome fragments.
For an IPM approach to managing this weed, refer to the Cornell Cooperative Extension factsheet: http://www.ccenassau.org/hort/fact_sheets/c203_mugwort_jan03.pdf
O C T O B E R 2 0 1 3 P A G E 1 0 The Seed Resources
The Accokeek Foundation
Audubon Naturalist Society
Behnke’s
Brookside Gardens
Casey Trees
City Blossoms
Green Spring Gardens
Horticultural Society of Maryland
Irvine Nature Center
Ladew Topiary Gardens
Maryland Native Plant Society
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
Merrifield Gardens
Montgomery College
Neighborhood Farm Initiative
Prince William Cooperative Extension
State MG Advanced Training
United States Botanic Garden Conservatory
US National Arboretum
MG BENEFIT
Continued on page 11
October 3, 2-3:30 pm. Regionally Adapted Plants. Workshop on plants that have proven themselves in the Mid-Atlantic climate. Brookside Gardens Visitors Center Auditorium. $18 ($15 for FOBG); pre-registration required.
October 3, 10:30-noon. The Uses of Stone in the Garden with Gordon Hayward. Lecture on the many creative and practical roles stones can play in a garden. Ladew Gardens Studio. $30 ($25 for members); optional lunch and book signing follows.
October 4, 1-2:30 pm. Autumn Tour of McCrillis Gardens. Offered by Brookside Gardens, meet at McCrillis Gardens, 6910 Greentree Road, Bethesda, MD. $6 ($5 for FOBG); pre-registration required.
October 5, 9 am-4 pm. Tree Planting Workshop. This workshop is the first step to become a Citizen Forester Team Leader. Candidates will learn how to select and prepare a tree planting site and properly plant the tree to ensure its survival. Organized by Casey Trees; meet at the Smithsonian National Zoo Visitor Center. FREE; pre-registration required.
October 8, 6:30-8:30 pm. Composting and Vermicomposting. Brookside Gardens Visitors Center Adult Classroom. $18 ($15 for FOBG); pre-registration required.
October 8, 12-1 pm. and October 19, 2-3 pm. Fall Into Phenology. Autumn’s changing leaves, bud set and ripening fruits provide important clues about the unique life cycle of plants. Outdoor tour to learn how your observations at the USBG will contribute to scientific understanding of local plants. (Canceled in the event of rain.) U.S. Botanic Gardens. Meet on Terrace by the Conservatory. FREE; no pre-registration required.
October 9, 10 am-noon. Tree Tour: Unique Tree Species at Smithsonian Gardens. Organized by Casey Trees. Meeting location is at the Renwick Gates at the entrance to the Enid A. Haupt Garden behind the Smithsonian Castle. FREE; pre-registration required.
October 10, 6:30-7:30 pm. The Right Tree for Me: Selecting Trees for Urban Landscapes. Come spend the hour exploring trees and placement techniques that will help you get the most out of your landscape.
U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory Classroom. FREE; pre-registration required.
October 12, 1-4 pm. Under the Arbor: Chile Peppers. Taste test a variety of peppers, sample chile based foods, watch demos and learn about the cultivation and use of chile peppers. U.S. National Arboretum Herb Garden. FREE; pre-registration required.
October 14, 10:30 am-noon. The History of Spices. Lecture on how pepper, allspice, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Learn about the production, processing and history of spices with plants from the USBG collection. U.S. Botanic Gardens Conservatory Classroom. FREE; pre-registration required.
October 14, 2-3:30 pm. The Botany, History and Future of Chrysanthemums. Learn how modern analytical and breeding methods are being applied around the world to improve disease- and insect-resistance and to improve production methods of these "Starry Eyed Daughters of the Fall." U.S. Botanic Gardens Conservatory Classroom. FREE; pre-registration required.
October 15, 7-9 pm. Gingko: The Tree That Time Forgot. Learn how the oldest tree on earth has a story that offers hope for other botanical biographies still being written. Presentation and book signing by renowned botanist and author Sir Peter Crane, Dean and Professor, School of Forestry and Environmental Studies at Yale University. U.S. National Arboretum Visitor Center. $12 ($10 for FONA); pre-registration required.
October 15, 9:30-10 or 10:30 am. Tree Selection and Planting. Learn advanced skills from the professional gardeners at Ladew Gardens. Meet at Visitors Center. $10 (free for Ladew Gardens members); pre-registration required.
October 16, 9:30 am-4 pm. Champion Tree Tour. Joe Howard (MC Forestry Board) and Carole Bergmann (Montgomery Parks Ecologist) lead a tour of the many impressive champion trees growing on county historical sites. Wear walking shoes and bring lunch and water. Meet at Brookside Gardens Visitors Center Entrance. $45 (includes transportation and drinks); pre-registration required.
Editors’ note: Want to find the web link for an organization offering a class, to get more information or to register? See the green column headed “Resources” at the side of the page, and click on the organization’s link to go directly to its website.
Continuing Education Corner Continued from page 10
O C T O B E R 2 0 1 3 P A G E 1 1 The Seed
Scroll or Return to Table of Contents
October 17, 10:30 am-noon. David Garrick’s Garden: Inside 18th Century London. Gardening, art and the stage in 18th century London. Ladew Gardens Studio. $30 ($15 for members); pre-registration required.
October 17, 2-3:30 pm. Local Gardening 102. Come to this workshop to discuss poor drainage, gardening on a slope, dealing with deer, contending with clay soil and the like. Brookside Gardens Visitors Center Adult Auditorium. $18 ($15 for FOBG); pre-registration required.
October 17, 5:30-8:30 pm. Fall Riparian Forests Paddling Outing. A fall paddle night on the Anacostia River while learning about the ecology of the surrounding wetlands and forests organized by Casey Trees and the Anacostia Watershed Society. FREE; pre-registration required.
October 19, 2-3 pm. Fall Into Phenology. Autumn’s changing leaves, bud set and ripening fruits provide important clues about the unique life cycle of plants. Outdoor tour to learn how your observations at the USBG will contribute to scientific understanding of local plants. (Canceled in the event of rain.) U.S. Botanic Gardens. Meet on Terrace by the Conservatory. FREE; no pre-registration required.
October 22, 9:30-10 or 10:30. Tree Pruning. Learn advanced skills from the professional gardeners at Ladew Gardens. Meet at Visitors Center. $10 (free for Ladew Gardens members); pre-registration required.
October 23, 6:30-7:30 pm. Let’s Get Growing! Planting and Nurturing City Trees. Learn the secrets of properly planting and nurturing happy, healthy and well-established city trees. U.S. Botanic Gardens Conservatory Classroom. FREE; pre-registration required.
October 24, 10:30 am-noon. Private Edens: Lessons in Creating Your Own Garden Paradise. Lecturer Jack Staub showcases 21 inspirational gardens that demonstrate how to turn a house into a "home": a place of soul-enhancing respite, consolation and reconnection. Optional lunch and book signing follows. Ladew Gardens Studio. $30 ($25 for members); pre-registration required.
October 26, 4-6 pm. The Botany of Beer. Learn how barley, wheat and hops each contribute to the final product; tastings. Light snacks included. U.S. National Arboretum Visitor Center. $39 ($31 for FONA); pre-registration required.
October 26-November 10, 10 am-4 pm. Exhibit: Autumn Bonsai, Falling into Winter. U.S. National Arboretum National Bonsai & Penjing Museum. FREE.
LOOKING AHEAD
November 1, 6:30-7:30 pm. Specialty Chrysanthemum Growing Techniques from Japan. Lecture about the special techniques that are unique in Japan. U. S. Botanic Gardens Conservatory Classroom. FREE; pre-registration required.
November 1, 6:30-8 pm. Colors of Fall with Native Plants. Lecture on the best natives for autumnal color, attractive branch structure and late-flowering plants that extend the season. Brookside Gardens Visitors Center Auditorium. FREE; pre-registration required.
November 8, 1-2:30 pm. Planting Tulips (demo). Brookside Gardens, meet in Fragrance Garden. $6 ($5 for FOBG); pre-registration required.
STATE MG ADVANCED TRAINING
The schedule not available by The Seed’s publication deadline.
MORE WORKSHOPS
AND TRAINING
Environmental Concern, Inc. in St. Michael’s offers courses on wetlands.
The USDA Graduate School offers a Natural History Field Studies Certificate Program.
The University of Maryland Extension sponsors the Maryland Naturalist Program. Sessions are held in different areas of the State. http://masternaturalist.umd.edu/.
The Center for Environmental Research & Conservation of Columbia University has online classes for its Certificate in Conservation & Environmental Sustainability. http://www.cerc.columbia.edu/.
Webinar Policy The following MC-MG guidelines for determining how webinars qualify for Continuing Education credit were developed by a Board ad hoc committee and approved by MG Coordinator, Steve Dubik.
Continuing Education:
1. Subject matter must be relevant to the field of horticulture.
2. Continuing education hours may be granted for webinars assuming:
*The duration of the program is a minimum of 30 minutes for which a MC-MG would earn 30 minutes of CE credit.
*The source is an educational or governmental organization (e.g., University of Maryland, Penn State University, Maryland Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture or Environmental Protection Agency).
*The webinar has been pre-approved by the state or local Master Gardener Coordinator.
At least five of the required continuing educational hours must be earned in a face-to-face environment such as meetings, seminars or workshops.
If you have questions as to whether a webinar may be accepted for continuing education credit, contact the local Master Gardener Coordinator or designee.
Continuing Education Corner Continued from page 11
Scroll or Return to Table of Contents
O C T O B E R 2 0 1 3 P A G E 1 2 The Seed
NC State Permaculture Classes (free): http://mediasite.online.ncsu.edu/online/Catalog/pages/catalog.aspx?catalogId=f5a893e7-4b7c-4b79-80fd-52dcd1ced715. Classes to choose from include Site Analysis & Design, Soil Ecology, BioDynamic Agriculture, Garden Ponds, and more.
WEBINARS
Tree Talk Thursdays: Casey Trees’ online chat series held every second Thursday of the month at noon to discuss urban forestry and tree care topics. Archived chats are available for replay and sharing. www.caseytrees.org.
Determinate vs. Indeterminate
Depending on their growth habit, tomato plants fit into one of two categories: determinate or indeterminate. Determinate varieties grow to a specific height, then stop, and most of their fruit ripens at about the same time. This type is good for container plants on small patios or apartment
terraces as well as for canners who want to harvest just once.
Indeterminate tomatoes grow until frost or exhaustion kills them, and they produce fruit over a long season. To stop growth, you can pinch the top out, although this could encourage it to send out more side shoots.
The man who developed the pictured Mortgage Lifter tomato ("Radiator Charlie" Byles) called it that because he sold enough seedlings to pay off his house loan. Photo by Erica Smith
