Monroe County Master Gardener Association

Hello all –
We are asking for your help in promoting this program opportunity to your stakeholders. It is a new vegetable gardening (Smart Gardening) series being offered at the West MI Home & Garden Show.

We are trying to reach out to anyone interested in vegetable gardening, i.e. urban gardeners, school and community gardeners, nutrition programs, etc.
Participants can sign up for one session or all 4; with just one registration they receive a free pass to the H&G show. Registration is also available at the door (space permitting).

Here are two articles that provide more information.
http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/vegetable_gardening_series_offered
http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/vegetable_gardening_techniques_to_help_improve_or_start_your_urban_garden

I have also attached a paper copy for registration and promotion.
Thanks for any help you can provide!

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bE-Informed
Monroe Conservation District
February 2016

Monroe Conservation District is hosting a Workshop on Tree Care
Join us on Saturday, March 5th at Calder Dairy Farm 9334 Finzel Road, Carleton from 9:30 am until noon. The topics to be discussed will include: species and site selection, caring for and planting seedlings and transplants, proper trimming techniques, disease identification and treatment. Light refreshments will be served. This workshop is free, although we ask that you register as seating is limited. You may do so by email or by phone at 734.241.7755 Ext. 5
If you haven’t gotten your tree order in, we will be happy to accept them at the workshop.

Western Lake Erie Cluster Workshops
Frog and Toad Listen
Saturday, April 2, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Crosswinds Marsh, New Boston. Free event.

Local Beach Clean UP
Volunteers needed Saturday, April 30, 9:00 am until noon
Sterling Sate Park and Bolles Harbor Boat Launch

Harmful Algae Blooms Public Forum Reminder

Thursday, March 10, 6:30 – 8:00 pm
An information forum to discuss Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB), the human health risks of HAB toxins, the ecological impact on the Western Lake Erie Basin, and the attempt this region is making to reduce the impact of annual algal blooms. Each panel member will present information on a sub-topic and a Q&A session will conclude the forum.
Panel Members – Ben Lehr: Monroe Conservation District, Jerry Heck: Local conservation farmer, Dr. Laura Johnson: Heidelberg University, Monroe County Health Department Environmental Health Office, Sonia Joshi: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Ecosystems research, and Kevin Czajkowski: University of Toledo.

Public parking available at the Monroe Courthouse as well as in lots on Macomb Street and Washington Street. The Event is free and open to the public. Registration is not required, but greatly appreciated. To RSVP, contact Catherine Acerboni by replying to this email, 734.241.7755 extension 5 or email Brittany Santure, Western Lake Erie Cluster coordinator, at bsanture@rriearth.org.

Free MOVIE
Farmland: The Evolution of a Tradition
Monday, March 14, 5:30 – 7:00 pm
Monroe County Community College, Administrative building Rm 173
1555 South Raisinville Road, Monroe

And

Thursday, March 17, 7:00 pm
Monroe County Historical Museum
126 Monroe Street, Monroe
Please register with Monroe County Farm Bureau at 734.269.3275, for either showing as seating is limited.

Article: This Is Your Brain on Nature
I found this of interest, I hope you do to.

Below are some great quotes from a recent National Geographic Article. The entire article is available here and also worth a read: This Is Your Brain on Nature.

“When we get closer to nature—be it untouched wilderness or a backyard tree—we do our overstressed brains a favor.”

“Nature nurtures us. It boosts our mood too. According to the attention restoration theory, spending time in nature relieves the stress and mental fatigue caused by the “directed attention” that work and city life require.”

“Imagine a therapy that had no known side effects, was readily available, and could improve your cognitive functioning at zero cost,” the researchers wrote in their paper. It exists, they continued, and it’s called “interacting with nature.”

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Jennie’s brother in Arusha, TZ has a variety of tropical plants. She
thought you might enjoy this recent photo of his home as a different
perspective on poinsettias.

Gail sends me some photos:

my friend rescued this Barr Owl (note the bar markings in the feathers) from her backyard in Grayling MI it had a broken wing and could not fly
they called the DNR who came and took it to a raptor rescue facility…..

photos taken Jan 5 2016
this is 1 of 3 colors of heather that I have………….they are early bloomers
and will even bloom in snow………….

guess who came again to visit. past couple of years- end of January and early Feb.
I got smart this year—went out and set up my feeder
and it worked…………..they are still around and i have gone from 1 pair to 3-

More to follow next Friday

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Here is an educational opportunity at Toledo Zoo.

Watch It Grow Garden Tours at the Toledo Zoo
Learn gardening techniques from our Horticulture professionals

Find out what’s growing!
When visiting the Toledo Zoo you probably enjoy seeing your favorite animals, but have you ever marveled at the lush landscapes, strolled through our beautiful gardens, or noticed an exotic species of plant, flower, shrubs, or trees? Our Garden Tour series allows you to meet and learn from the zoo professionals who make it all happen—our Horticulture staff!

Tours are free with Zoo admission. Pre-registration is required. Tours meet at the Zoo’s Conservatory at 10:30 a.m. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes.

Tour the Zoo’s historic greenhouse and gardens to find out what’s growing!
Watch It Grow Garden Tours 2016 Schedule:
Greenhouse Tour
Wednesday, March 16 10:30am – 12 noon
Greenhouse Tour and Tropical Houseplant Program
Come and join us for a behind the scenes tour of our greenhouse facility and an informative presentation on the essential requirements and daily care techniques needed to grow vigorous, healthy houseplants. This tour is free with Zoo admission but you must register in advance for the tour. Group will be divided in half for a two part program including behind the scenes greenhouse tour and plant propagation program. Tour space is limited.
Click here to register online today before this popular tour fills up!

Plant Propagation Workshop
Sunday, March 20th 2016, 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
This workshop will cover the basics of vegetative plant production. Take a “hands on” approach to learning the proper methods used to take stem, leaf, and tip cuttings to successfully start your own plants. Topics will also include selecting the proper rooting medium, watering, creating the proper environmental conditions, and the potting of rooted cuttings. Materials will be provided for each participant to stick their own cuttings to be taken home to root and pot for later use. A greenhouse tour will be included if time permits.
Class size will be limited to 15 people.
Cost:
Zoo Members $20.00
Non Members $25.00
*Online registration for this tour will be available here starting on February 29.
2016 Summer Schedule
Wednesday, June 15 10:30am – 12 noon
Right plant, Right Place, Selecting the Appropriate plants for Your Garden
Plants have preferences about where they will thrive. During this tour we will address the fundamentals on selecting plants that fit your particular garden situations. Choosing the right plants can mean the difference between gardening success or failure.
*Online registration for this tour will be available here starting on May 15.

Wednesday, July 20 10:30am – 12 noon
Native Plants in Your Garden
Native plants can offer diversity and aesthetic value to any new or established garden. Come and learn what native plants have to offer. Many have wonderful flowers, fascinating foliage, and can be a welcome addition to any gardening theme.
*Online registration for this tour will be available here starting on June 20.

Wednesday, August 17 10:30am – 12 noon
Plants in and Around Animal Exhibits
Take a walk around the Zoo with the Horticulture Staff who will share the thought process behind the landscape design for many of our animal exhibits. How choosing the appropriate plant material provides security and comfortable living space for the animals while connecting the theme of a natural habitat to our Zoo visitors.
*Online registration for this tour will be available here starting on July17.

Wednesday, September 21 10:30am – 12 noon
Collecting and Saving Your Own Seed
Get a head start on next year’s garden by learning how to successfully collect and store seed this fall. Does the term stratification or scarification sound confusing? Our Horticulture Staff will help sort things out and offer tips and tricks to make your seed collecting a blooming success.
*Online registration for this tour will be available here starting on August 21.

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connie sent from florida for our photo friday..

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Naida said they are again online after a long hiatus,

http://www.GardenAtoZ.com

They have published a second newsletter: http://gardenatoz.org/ .

This is a great website with tons of “how to and when” information and beautiful photos.

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Naida sent me this information for posting:

Great article on forest density:

http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/how_dense_can_you_get?utm_source=Forestry+-+MSU+Extension+News+-+Feb.+2016&utm_campaign=Forestry+-+MSU+Extension+News+-+Feb.+2016&utm_medium=email

Updated article on the Asian long-horned beetle: (closer to MI than we think)
some excellent color photos: https://ag.umass.edu/sites/agcenter/files/pdf-doc-ppt/ALB_lookalikes.pdf

http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/asian_long_horned_beetle?utm_source=Forestry+-+MSU+Extension+News+-+Feb.+2016&utm_campaign=Forestry+-+MSU+Extension+News+-+Feb.+2016&utm_medium=email

Updated article on Thousand Cankers Disease: (not found in MI yet but in several Eastern states)

http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/thousand_cankers_disease?utm_source=Forestry+-+MSU+Extension+News+-+Feb.+2016&utm_campaign=Forestry+-+MSU+Extension+News+-+Feb.+2016&utm_medium=email

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