Monroe County Master Gardener Association

Educational opportunities on Orchids:
Gail sent me this information for the Toledo Zoo Orchid Show and classes:

Toledo Zoo Orchid Show
https://www.toledozoo.org/orchidshow

Feb 7-Feb 23 (with zoo admission)

Orchid plant sale Feb 24 9-3

Classes with no fee

Feb. 12 Conservation 6-8pm
Feb 8 10am- White Lady Slipper Orchid
Feb 9 11am flower facts
Feb 10 11am care & cultivation
Feb 17 11am how to care and propagate tropical begonias

Jennie spoke at our meeting about Longwood Garden’s class on orchids. I couldn’t wait to do this. It took me 6 1/2 hours at the computer yesterday, but it didn’t seem that long. I was enjoying it so. There’s a great glossary of terms. Beautiful photos…my favorite spot was the section called “Orchid Stories”. Such gorgeous photos, along with care, light, watering instructions. They cover the full spectrum. The final presentations are ways to arrange and display orchids. Very interesting educational opportunity. It’s a must do! Register on this link:
https://longwoodgardens.org/events-performances/events/everything-about-orchids-online-open-class?fbclid=IwAR1FY6BxXHMITL7vDngQPG1Y2wKr56FLU1WYLeq3bk864vrs0jr7Q1aCD0w

Read Full Post »

Michele B sent in this information for the Blog

This year’s Ohio Woodland, Water & Wildlife (WWW) Conference will be held Wednesday, March 4, 2020. This day-long conference was developed for natural resource professionals and land managers and is held at the Mid-Ohio Conference Center in Mansfield, Ohio.

The conference includes three concurrent tracks – woodland, water and wildlife. Participants can choose topics in one or all of the tracks. Sessions include:

· Prescribed Fire: To Burn, or not to Burn?; Roger Williams, OSU SENR

· OSU’s Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic: What Issues Did we see in 2019; Joy Pierzynski, OSU, Program Director

· The Alphabet Soup of Invasives: Updates on ALB, HWA, GM, SLF, TCD; Amy Stone and Kathy Smith OSU Extension

· Woodland Water Wildlife What’s Up with Waterbirds?; Bob Gates and Nicole Hengst, OSU SENR

· Update on Ohio Bats; Marne Titchenell, OSU Extension, SENR

· Wildlife on the Edge: Managing for the Good Effects and Mitigating the Bad; Gabe Karns, OSU SENR

· The Lake Erie Ecosystem: Current Challenges and Solutions; Sarah Orlando, Ohio Sea Grant College Program

· Clear Creek: Taking the Wade and See Aproach to a Hocking-area Coldwater Stream; Andrew Boose, Columbus and Franklin County MetroParks

· Turtles of Northern Ohio Wetlands; Matt Cross, Toledo Zoo

· Aquatic Plant Management: Backyards, Retention Ponds and Natural Areas; Mark Warman, Cleveland Metroparks

· Shorebird Migration Timing, Habitat Use and Management Implications in the Lake Erie March Region; Mark Shieldcastle, Black Swamp Bird Observatory

· Landscape change, wildlife adaptation and human influence; Jon Cepek, Cleveland Metroparks

· Ohio’s White-tailed Deer: An Update on Herd Health and Condition; Mike Tonkovich, ODNR, Div. of Wildlife

· The World of Fungi: Spring Mushrooms; Erika Lyon, OSU Extension, Jefferson/Harrison County

To learn more and begin planning your day, check out the conference information on the OSU Woodland Stewards Website: https://woodlandstewards.osu.edu/sites/woodlands/files/WWW%202020.pdf

Pre-registration is required to attend the conference. There will be no on-site registration. Continuing education credits for SAF and ISA have been applied for, as well as pesticide recertification credits from ODA. Early bird registration is 2/18/2020 and is $65. Registration after 2/18/2020 is $85. Online registration can be found online at woodlandstewards.osu.edu

More Information

OSU Woodland Stewards Program , WWW Conference

https://woodlandstewards.osu.edu/events/ohio-woodland-water-and-wildlife-confer…
and

Thursday, February 6, 2020

Sharonville Convention Center

11355 Chester Rd

Cincinnati, OH 45246

Early Bird Registration – $80.00 (includes lunch and break snacks).

Must be received by midnight, Thursday, January 16th.

Limited Seating – Register Early

The Registration Fee has remained the same since 2010 thanks to Exhibitors and Sponsorships (see opportunities below)

Online Registration: https://go.osu.edu/2020gic

“Schedule At-A-Glance” shows program topics, speakers, and times: https://go.osu.edu/2020gicschedule

8 Education Tracks: Annuals & Perennials; Tree & Shrub Care; Turfgrass Management; Garden Center & Greenhouse Innovation; General Pest & Disease Management; Emerging Ideas & Issues; Landscape Ecosystems; and Worker Safety.
Professional Credits: Ohio/Kentucky/Indiana Pesticide Applicators; CEU’s for ISA Certified Arborists; Landscape Architects; and ONLA Certified Nursery Technicians
Keynote Speaker – Theresa Culley, University of Cincinnati, Professor, Biological Sciences
Business Opportunities: Be a Trade Show Exhibitor; Be a Sponsor

Five consecutive years of record-breaking attendance.

Five consecutive years of an expanding Trade Show.

Put your business in front of Green Industry decision-makers by being a sponsor (lunch, breaks, educational tracks, etc.). Increase sales by being a Trade Show Exhibitor!

Click this hotlink to learn more: https://go.osu.edu/2020gicexhibitor-sponsor

The Tri-State Green Industry Conference is a collaborative educational effort between:

Ohio State University Extension

Purdue Extension

University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension

Cincinnati State Technical and Community College

The Boone County Arboretum

Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden

Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum

Questions? Call Julie Crook (513) 946-8998, or e-mail at: crook.46@osu.edu

OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION

Where trade names are used, no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Ohio State University Extension is implied. Although every attempt is made to produce information that is complete, timely, and accurate, the pesticide user bears responsibility of consulting the pesticide label and adhering to those directions.

Ohio State University Extension embraces human diversity and is committed to ensuring that all research and related educational programs are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, or veteran status. This statement is in accordance with United States Civil Rights Laws and the USDA.

CFAES provides research and related educational programs to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis. For more information: [ http://go.osu.edu/cfaesdiversity ].

Any materials in this newsletter may be reproduced for educational purposes providing the source is credited.

Read Full Post »

Nadia sent a photo and comment

.

I think they will have a rude awakening soon. I may have to take another tour of my garden. I hope all of these plants showing early won’t be in jeopardy.

Read Full Post »

Gail sent in a few sightings in response to our post.

She Writes:
“Ok I took the challenge— cold and windy today but found faint signs
of awakening in some of my plants.”

:

Read Full Post »

Look what popped up in Chris E.’s yard:

Chris snapped this photo Christmas Morning and send it to me. We both are wondering how many other plants are starting to appear with this unusual weather. Do you have one? Send a photo and I’ll add it.

I took a tour of my yard…nothing here.

Read Full Post »

Post & photos by Gail K

I HOPE EVERYONE HAD A BERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS-
I’M ALSO WISHING YOU ALL A HOLLY JOLLY NEW YEAR!!!!

Before our first meeting of 2020–I thought it would be fun to test our
knowledge of the various berries we can find on the trees & shrubs in the
demo gardens. Look over the pics below-can you name each one–
how well did you do? Answers posted at the end.
A)

B)

C)

D)

E)

F)

G)

H)

I)

J)

K)

OK I confess, I sneaked in a couple non-berry pics and
some others but most of them are found @ the
extension demo gardens;if you are lucky enough to beat the birds.

Answers are in this PDF
ANSWERS

Read Full Post »

By Naida A.
Each year Milan Garden Club members make up approximately 80 Christmas
centerpieces using fresh greens in a very nice ceramic, waterproof
container. These centerpieces are then sold at Marble Memorial United
Methodist Church in Milan at their annual “Craft and Goodie Sale”, the
first Saturday of each December and at very reasonable prices of between
$10 and $20 (local folks know our prices are low and they line up at the
door at 8:30 am to buy them. We sold 60 the first two hours of the
sale!). We are able to offer these at those low prices because several
of our members shop for the ceramic containers and accessories during
and immediately after Christmas week and at almost give-away prices!

This year we outdid ourselves and when all were assembled we counted
96! I am most pleased to report that only 8 centerpieces were left over
after the sale and the remainder will be used at our annual Christmas
Dinner on December 12 and (hopefully) sold at that time.

If you would like to know more about Milan Garden Club we have a
Facebook page or please contact Naida Albin. Guests are always welcome
at our meetings and programs and we would love to have you visit us to
see if our joining our club would be of interest to you. We meet the
2nd Wednesday of each month, in Milan, at 6:45 from February through
November.

Thanks,
Naida

Read Full Post »

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 »

By Gail K
At the close of our last meeting-we toured each of the defined gardens we care for @ the extension.
With the issues identified & a project list was created- directing our efforts so to complete the list before winter. Follow along as I try to show you our progress.

On the western edge of the Children’s Garden-it was determined we should remove the oval herb garden–the brick path and replace it with grass………(# secondary goal- decrease & make easier, the work load on our dwindling & aging membership).

Finished project–look closely, some grass seed did germinate. Concern- this area gets a lot of dumped snow from the parking lot.

Heading to the Memory Garden:
The Anemones must go!!! So out they came– will wait to do anything more in this area until spring; any roots missed will begin to re-sprout and we will be able to tackle them again.

Since they are so beautiful when in bloom; it was decided to not totally rid the gardens of them but instead move them so they could be better appreciated and not so intrusive. They now have a new home in the far northwest roadside garden.


There were plenty left over to share-

Going south along the front lawn-the next area to tackle is to remove the raggedy Cottoneaster bushes and trim up the Pine tree.

Now they can mow right up and under, and the pine needles will provide a natural mulch………what a difference!! Note in the back along the bldg. no bushes……..they were removed by the county.
Next up–removing undergrowth from around the Beautyberry Bush.


Perennial Bed just some light plant pruning–the geraniums are so pretty. My photo did not do justice.

BELOW:
The entry garden-what a difference 1 week can make!! Everything trimmed, ready to rest for winter so we can enjoy another show come spring.

The next large tackle was the junipers which line the entire front entry of the building. Instead of removing as they did in the front yard….we will trim up as they anchor the front gardens and soften the walls of the building.

It sure smelled good when we did this. Check them out when you come to the next meeting-let us know what
you think.

That brings us back to the infamous northeast fenced area–again, the ivy has encroached in just about every direction but up. Below is a pic of just a small amount of the ivy overgrowth that was removed and at this time;

More work is needed in the area outside Children’s Garden (Rose of Sharon need major thinning). The paths not even visible & totally entangled in vines.Trying to clean the area found Naida & I tripping over 2 stumps.I returned with a chain saw and removed but discussion needs to follow. What could provide the same purpose (??), but safer for foot travel by both the young and old & easier to maintain–
Note to self: never in my garden.

Along the north fence we tackled the Jerusalem Artichoke.

It had to be cut down and Jenny harvested some of the tubers which can be used in your fall cooking dishes.

Another fall project, removal of the wild clematis “Old Man’s Beard” from the fence it hides but it takes a lot of time to remove it.

Last fall, Joan and I spent an entire work session snipping & pulling it from the fence. (another note to self, think twice before planting this) This year, we sprayed it & now we wait; can’t touch anything in that area.

As we finish around the fence, we end in the Butterfly Garden. Timing is everything in this garden due to the multi purpose of the plants for our insect world. ( see bee, butterfly??)

That’s all folks!!! It took a couple of visits over a couple of weeks but for the most part, the garden has been tucked in and will soon fall into a deep winter’s sleep– -I will be impatiently waiting for spring.!!!!

Read Full Post »