Monroe County Master Gardener Association

I predict a shortage of butternut squash in Monroe County:
The hit of our Harvest Brunch is here!

Susan Anderson’s recipe
Butternut Squash Apple Cranberry Casserole

Ingredients
1 large butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 large tart cooking apples
½ cup fresh or frozen cranberries
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup chopped pecans
¼ cup (4 tablespoons) butter
1-tablespoon flour
1-teaspoon salt
1-teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg

Preparation
Butter a 2 to 2 ½ – quart-baking dish. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
I washed the squash, put in microwave for 3 minutes for each pound. Then cut off ends, peeled and cubed. Core apples, peel, and cut into thin slices. Toss squash and apples together. Transfer squash and apple slices to the prepared baking dish. Put cranberries on top.

Combine brown sugar, flour, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Sprinkle on top of squash, apples and cranberries. Sprinkle chopped pecans over all and dot with butter. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until squash is tender.

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Such artistic shots from one of our Master Gardeners. Sorry, Foto Friday is a day late…but Enjoy

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This was posted on Facebook page of Michigan Master Gardeners Association. I thought I’d pass it on.

http://michiganradio.org/post/scientists-are-looking-survivor-trees-michigan-and-they-want-your-help#.VErGTHHpCzE.facebook

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I received this from one of our Master Gardeners to post:

While color abounded at Lake Erie Metropark over the last few weeks, I was quite annoyed at myself for not being able to find anything interesting there last Friday to photograph for Foto Friday. And, after making my way out of the last nature trail with a still-blank card in my camera, I stopped by to see Luc.

Over the last five years, Luc and I have had many one-sided conversations; and, on this particular day, after spending several frustrating hours searching for fall-themed subjects to shoot, I was describing to Luc my wasted afternoon on the park’s trails. He must have understood, because he turned his back to me and started doing these over-the shoulder poses. He even had this look in his eye that said, “I’ve been right here all along, you moron.”

So, just to divert a bit from autumnal photos, here is a headshot of Luc. Thanks for saving the day, buddy.

Luc, a 10-year male bald eagle who came to the park in 2009 after being found injured in the Saginaw Bay area, resides in a permanent display next to the Marshlands Museum and Nature Center at Lake Erie Metropark.

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MMGA posted  this link on their Facebook page.  It’s important info to be aware of.

Emerald Ash Borer May Have Spread to Different Tree

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What a great selection of Foto Friday pictures sent to me this week…Enjoy…there is some beautiful color out there!

Jennie sent me this photo. Her sister photographed this unopened flower commonly grown here but rare in Vermont where she lives. Can you recognize it?

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Yellow Jackets are particularly a problem for us during August through now. I’ve been trying to control two nest under my deck at our camper. They’ve built their home in the ground. As suggested by sites on the yellow jackets, I’ve used a wasp spray to spray the opening. I’ve sprayed several time…no doubt there must be hundreds there, because I still see them going in and out of the ground opening. I’ve also set wasp traps out. These have helped by luring them away from our picnic area. Although many have met their demise, the nest is still active. I am not sensitive to their sting. However I have a friend that is extremely allergic. One happy note…by now the nests have produced a crop of queens and males. By the first frost most will leave the nest and find a wintering spot. They’ll emerge in the spring, but only the new queens will survive the winter. They seldom return and reuse the previous nest. That’s my hope for Spring.

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Was sent a large selection of Fall Foto Friday Photos….sound like a tongue twister. Enjoy the beautiful photos sent by a great Master Gardener (and photographer). She says: “EARLY FALL PHOTOS
All photos were taken at Lake Erie Metropark on October 1. You will see spider webs in most of the photos – I even had them on my eye lashes by the time I was done taking all the photos!”

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Received these photos last week for Foto Friday….However, I was unavailable to post so we’ll make it a “Memorable Monday”

(another excerpt from “What The Master Gardener Sees”)

You were expecting animal photos?
 

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Since fall has to come my garden ahead of the calendar, I was moved to take some pictures that I’d like to share. The first features placement of “Alabama Sunset” coleus with sage and a blooming variety of thyme given to me by middle eastern friends from Dearborn. Other pictures focus on changing colors of Itea and Viburnum, and the beautiful “Pinky Winky” hydrangea. Finally, a pairing of profusion Zinnia with sedum “AutumnJoy”.

Regards,
Chris

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