Monroe County Master Gardener Association

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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I received this article to post:

I see them hovering around Coneflower seed heads, then they zip to the Rose of Sharons they used to feast on before those flowers turned to seed. I see them flying up and down the now flowerless Cardinal Flowers, and then they dart to the Coral Bells only to find dinner has been removed from those plants as well. The last few weeks have become quite an adventure for hummingbirds to find the natural nectar food they have become accustomed to for the last several months.

Right now is the most important time to have your hummingbird feeder hanging with fresh nectar! Hummers will be around for several more weeks before they migrate back home to Central America, and with few natural nectar sources remaining in the garden, they are now dependent on those feeders. Last year, the date I recorded last seeing a hummingbird was Oct. 1, 2013. However, I kept my feeder up until the end of that month because the rule of thumb for our area is to keep feeders up until Halloween.

Remember to use a 4:1 ratio of water to sugar: Add ¼ cup white sugar to 1 cup of boiling water and allow the nectar solution to cool before filling the feeders. Any leftover solution can be refrigerated for up to a week, but try to change the solution in the feeders every few days. And remember – DO NOT add food coloring or dye to the solution as studies have shown that food coloring can be detrimental to the hummingbirds.

It has been said that spring-returning hummingbirds remember previous years’ nectar sources. By keeping feeders out until the end of October, you may get some southern-bound migrating hummingbirds stopping by, and they may remember your feeders upon their return in the spring!

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I attended my usual NKBA (National Kitchen and Bath Asso.) meeting last evening to find out some interesting facts about cork. I thought it maybe a great thing to highlight on for our blog.

Cork is harvested from the bark of the cork tree when the tree obtains the age of 25 years old. Then it renews itself again after 9 years to be harvested again. A cork tree typically lives to be 100 years old. However, by harvesting the cork it increased the longevity of the three to an average of 200 years. Twice its original life. What a great renewable resource.

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The biggest use of cork is to top off that wine bottle. So the next time you open a bottle to enjoy, think of how renewable and sustainable that cap is. It’s also very durable. Mostly due to the honeycomb shape cell formation. So in our Green living society today it’s used for flooring. It’s been used for years in flooring, however it’s now being manufactured in more economical ways. If you ever get down to Wildwood on Central Ave in Toledo, and tour the Estate there you will see a cork floor in the kitchen. At least it was there several years ago when I toured. So when you decide on a floor for your home you may just want to consider cork. It’s resilient, warm, and comfortable to foot traffic.

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Yes, I know it’s Thursday…but not in an internet place on Fridays…Love these photos from our fellow Master Gardener. I hope you enjoy as well. The Zinnias are from the Children’s garden at the demo gardens. The others are from the Toledo Botanical Gardens.

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Michele sent me this information for those of you who may be interested:

Toledo GROWs’ Robert J. Anderson Urban Agriculture Center and Farm will be featured on a farm tour this summer, sponsored by Ohio State University Sustainable Agriculture Team and Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association. These organizations sponsor annual tours of sustainable farms throughout the state. Toledo GROWs is the only northwest Ohio farm on the tour this year.

Please join us on Saturday, August 9, at 900 Oneida Street in Toledo. The farm will be open from 10:00 until 2:00. Features of the day: guided tours, self-guided tours, fresh produce available at our market stand, information about sustainable growing practices, displays and information on Toledo GROWs and our work with and for community gardens, as well as many organizations with whom we partner.

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Our friend and MG sent me this to post:
Another Excerpt from “What The Master Gardener Sees”
A weed can be anything that grows where you don’t want it to. However, if you arm yourself with a macro lens on your camera, you may just want to re-think removing it from your garden

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From all that I heard during the garden walk, it was a success. Here are a few more photos of Paul’s garden. If anyone has photos from the other gardens, please post or send to me to post. I know we would all love to see them. Have a great week…and don’t forget to post photos for Foto Friday as well.

Pathway to Gardens

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Jennie emailed me this article from our contributing Master Gardener who likes to remain anonymous. Some beautiful photos.

It wasn’t that long ago we were all staring out the windows at our snow-blanketed gardens wondering if anything would survive the extreme weather conditions we had in the winter of 2013/2014. With that memory still vivid, let us look at what mid-summer has given us and give a thankful sigh, for “This Is Why We Garden” (all photos taken in the backyard 15-Jul-2014):

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On Saturday’s tour, Iris, the owner of the lavender farm, will show everyone the different varieties of lavender, and when she gets to Edelweiss, she will more than likely ask if anyone knows the lyrics. So I was asked by one of our Master Gardeners to list the lyrics for those who are going:

Edelweiss, edelweiss
Every morning you greet me
Small and white, clean and bright
You look happy to meet me
Blossom of snow may you bloom and grow
Bloom and grow, forever
Edelweiss, edelweiss
Bless my homeland forever

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