Monroe County Master Gardener Association

After a three-month break, Michigan State University Extension is pleased to announce the launch of a new soil testing program for Michigan residents made possible through a partnership with A&L Great Lakes Laboratories, Inc. (A&L). Home gardeners and commercial clients may once again purchase soil sample bags and mailers through MSU Extension and receive recommendations directly from MSU Extension. A&L will analyze soil samples and send results to MSU Extension. MSU Extension staff will generate MSU recommendations and send those directly to the client.

Soil testing returns through MSU Extension! – Soil Health

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Click on this link to find:

https://email.motorcitypublishing.com/t/y-e-panjk-dydylikluk-r/

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NEW 2023 Nursery Catalog now available!

Now available on our website (under the Perennial or Shrub & Tree Product tabs), each page is packed with full-color plant and bloom photos, growing information, and other useful tips you need to make “right plant – right place” pollinator friendly

selections.  You may also access the downloadable catalog .pdf directly by clicking here.

Due to changes in seasonal availability we do not list plant sizes and prices within the catalog.  Our plant sizes and pricing are available here.

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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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