Monroe County Master Gardener Association

March guest speaker:
WELCOME BACK, Vince St. Marie from WINDY ROCKNURSERY.

With spring just around the corner, he chose to speak about pollinators.

The group listened intently as he spoke to the role we play in protecting these valuable assets in our gardens.

The spectrum of a tri-cycle of life!

Our lovely Queen Bee:

Highlights of his power point:

world wide bee concern—

Can you imagine- a world without birds, bees or butterflies?

Does that thought disturb you? It should & It’s happening!!!  

What can you do to help?

Gardeners are a must in the first line of defense.

Pollinators depend on us to do what they can’t.

In closing he shared a list of native plants and booksfor purchase: I picked up a book on Weed ID.

We ended the meeting with some tasty snacks &fellowship

Save the date: We will tour Windy Rock Nursery in August.

“how wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world”Anne Frank

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Story & Photos by Gail K.

Just a short note: I took up Joan and Karen on the invite to attend the Blue Bird Society meeting, in Grand Rapids.We enjoyed a full day of informative lectures on a variety of  topics-I highly recommend; I learned a lot.

The large meeting room was fully encircled with various vendors offering information &/or merchandise.I left with a shirt, a tote and a feeder.  Karen & Joan did not go home empty handed either. 

After a 3 hr. early AM drive, with varied weather; I was happy when they announced-  2024: will be at Washtenaw

College in Ann Arbor…We’ll be sure to share the details.

                       Gail, Karen & Joan

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submitted by Stella

2023 Dewey DialogueUnquestioned Beauty? Negotiating Space, Power and Connection through NatureThe Edward Ginsberg Center, in partnership with Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum & University of Michigan Museum of Art, presents its biennial Dewey Dialogue event to U-M staff, faculty, students, and community members on April 8th, 2023 from 10am to 12pm, with optional activities from 9-10am and 12-1pm.We invite you to join us for this event at the Conservatory of the MBGNA which offers, in addition to climatic zones, time and space for us to pause and reflect on locations of natural beauty. During the coronavirus pandemic, we relied on parks, gardens and the outdoors as spaces to gather for social connection and social protest.How might we collectively and individually consider our assumptions about places of unquestioned natural beauty?How can they be made to be more inclusive and available to all?What do these spaces reveal about our priorities to conservation and the environment?We will consider these questions about belonging, exclusivity, environmental justice, identity, and community during our time together, and offer additional opportunities to explore MBGNA including garden tours and a scavenger hunt.We look forward to seeing you at the 2023 Dewey Dialogue on April 8th!RSVP HERE ‌  ‌  ‌

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Learn More at: Hidden Lake Gardens | Infrastructure Planning and Facilities (msu.edu)

Hidden Lake Gardens | Volunteer Application (qualtrics.com)

Memberships | Infrastructure Planning and Facilities (msu.edu)



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Photos were sent to me from Deb K.

Thanks Deb, these photos are great! Love the close-ups!

Happy to be at the show

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Stella sent me this:

This is worth picking around to see what you can find –

https://metroparkstoledo.com/discover/blog/posts/tbg-plant-collections-map-now-online/

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Chris E., Our favorite bee keeper, sent me this for posting:

This afternoon (3/20/23 @ 5:24PM) Spring arrived.  The honey bee hives are taking advantage of the moderate temperatures to forage and take back to the hive the pollen from the early bloomers.  This one straggly crocus has attracted 7 ladies, count’em 7!  What a free for all!  Back home at the hive the air is alive with ladies coming and going!  We give them a little support with sugar syrup once the temps are above freezing. 

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Stella sent me this link, she though Hosta lovers would be interested:

https://indd.adobe.com/view/e21c752c-1746-4820-a622-84ee81ca37ea

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Please join us for a live presentation:A Year in Blooms – Through A Pollinator’s Eyes Dexter Township Hall, 6880 Dexter-Pinckney Rd. Dexter, MI   This is an “idea” talk for those desiring to plant for pollinators, but not knowing where to begin or how to select plants that best meet pollinators’ needs throughout the year.  We will explore how seasonal bloom patterns provide what pollinators need at critical stges throughout the year, where bees get the protein necessary to ensure early spring brood success and the role of fall blooming wildflowers in aiding Monarch migration and pollinator over-wintering success, among other topics. This in-person event is FREE, but advanced registration is requested (click on “Find Out More” below). For those unable to attend the live event, Washtenaw County Conservation District is planning on recording the event for their YouTube channel here.Find Out More

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This is a screenshot I received from Gail. I’ve posted a link below this screenshot to their Website. The “Event Details” button is not active since this is a screenshot.

Here is an active link, just click anywhere:

Upcoming Events

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