Monroe County Master Gardener Association

By Gail K.
Yearly in November, we celebrate closing the gardens with a banquet. Skipping the speaker we enjoyed mingling and shopping prior to our meal. We held a “members market” where those who chose- were given opportunity to display and sell their wares.


There were homemade Christmas crafts-
another table held distinctive handcrafted pottery


There were exquisite quilled ornaments,& intricate floral displays made of “paper”. There were scarfs of varied styles and colors.

There was golden honey- homegrown and harvested:

There was even a table of freebies (I got a garden flag & some of Jennie’s Kieffer pears)

WINNERS of the donated orchids were Jennie and Sharon E.
Look who’s in the kitchen:

It was really nice to share time with each other:

Along with the pleasant company the food was plenty & delicious-Speaking of food— I would like the recipe for that spaghetti casserole??

some of us even got seconds!!!


Following our meal, we were entertained by fellow member-Bob, with his wit and songs.

When given the opportunity- we are always open to learning–

at the conclusion of our banquet we closed by having each member give their personal highlight during the last year.

MEMBERS– BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE MEMBERS MARKET ON THE BLOG!!!

2019: is quickly coming to an end. As the Monroe CountyMaster Gardeners Assoc. & Horticulture Club, give thanks for the blessings of family, gardening & the fruits of harvest; we wish to extend to all fellow gardeners and those who visit our blog- MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Read Full Post »

For our last meeting of 2019, we were fortunate to have Tom Woelmer speak to us on his newest garden crop-HOPS.


He shared, he had no idea what the vines with pods were when he first came across the “wild” hops growing on his wooded farm lot. He shared the history of his farm, and how discovering the hops has sent him on an ntrepreneurial path to produce hops to sell for commercial-craft beer production.

Below: a field of hop vines growing up Coyers; Jute fibers tied to tall poles…

He shared a ton of information; from planting “the girls,” to growing & harvesting and finally prepping the hops to sell. We learned not all are equal; variation of vine, leaf, hop color along with the type of soil grown in change characteristics of the flavor & are the principle factors considered by those who buy Hops for craft beer production.

Mr. Woelmer’s hops are unique; Wild-Naturalized with specifics somewhat unknown. Given these factors he named
his native Hops-“Mystique” So the next time you are in the mood to try a craft beer-read the label; you may be enjoying some of Mr. Woelmer’s award winning- “Mystique” Hops.
Following the meeting; for one last time & checking it twice-made a to-do list for work needed in the gardens. Please enjoy some candid shots taken as the Monday morning garden warriors literally tucked the beds in for winter—-

Majority vote-love that rake!! Need to find one-hey Santa.
SHRUB ROW

??? Left for the birds, the bees,or pleasing to the eyes & winter interest.





Well folks it’s clear fall has arrived-

Love the grandeur of the season but I’m not a cool weather gardener. With that being said-it is time for this Turkey to pack it up

& head inside to grab a blanket while sitting in front of a warm fire.

This brings the 2019 extension garden season to an END!!!!! *** your Monday morning garden warriors????

Read Full Post »