Monroe County Master Gardener Association

Jennie S. sent this post in:

I had to pass this along!  Plenty of gumballs can be harvested around the children’s garden tomorrow if anyone is interested!

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sorry folks, I was not home on Friday, but Jennie sent this in

This is the time of year I prune more tender plants like grapes and nectarines. Unlike my peach tree that lost most of its flower buds to the coldest nights in early spring, the nectarine is in pretty full flower and the branches I brought inside are lasting well in this vase in front of the homemade grapevine wreath.

Please feel free to send in pictures of what you have growing in your gardens or even arranged as these are by Thursdays and I’ll post on Fridays.

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by Chris E.

Several years ago, our Master Gardener friend, Mrs. Olga Einfalt presented a lecture on Clivia to our group.   Along with all the knowledge that she imparted to us, she also gave us a small, 1/2″ Clivia bulb.  She helped us plant it in a small pot with a topping of course builders sand.  Well, many years later that tiny bulb is still producing lovely blooms!  Some years it blooms in the midst of winter, i.e. January or February.  This year it started blooming in March and is still bringing a smile to my face.

Thanks to the Chicago Botanical Garden for explaining that Clivia is a genus of herbaceous perennial flowering plants native to southern Africa in the Amaryllis (onion) family. The vibrant orange to reddish flowers make it a stand out. Clivia miniata is a wonderful flowering plant, equal to, but more unusual than an amaryllis or a Christmas cactus. When given a month of cool night temperatures in autumn, followed by a six-to-eight-week rest period with very little water, a clivia plant will produce dense clusters of orange, lilylike flowers. Even when not in bloom clivia is an attractive foliage plant with straplike, dark green leaves; normally blemish free, unless your cat decides to take a bite!  Take note, this plant does have low severity poison characteristics with the bulb being the most poisonous part.

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UPCOMING at Hack House Museum, Milan, MI
Saturday, March 16 from 12 noon to 2pm                                                                                                                 775 County St. Milan MI.

About the event:Seed Swap

Hey fellow gardeners! Mark your calendars. I’ve got a seed swap planned for us. Gardening is so healing for the soul. It is a great chance to not only swap seeds but also share tips and stories with fellow gardeners in our community.
You are invited to bring seeds you would like to swap. You are invited if you do not have seeds to swap.
For those bringing seeds to swap-
*Please be sure your seeds are free from mold or infestation.
*Please have your plant/crop seeds labeled.
*It is always nice to share information about best planting practices or what has and hasn’t worked well for you by chatting with fellow gardeners.
*If you plan to bring a bulk container of seeds please make it clear how many seeds are allowed to be taken per gardener with a label or sign.
*Please be kind and only take what you will use.
*Don’t be shy. Ask questions and let’s talk gardening!
Tables will be labeled for easy browsing. There will be seed packets (while supplies last) and writing utensils available.
Happy almost Spring!
Moon Mama LLC and The Milan Area Historical Society are teaming up for this community event!

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Chris E. sent in this for posting.

These are forced paperwhite bulb in my unheated sunroom.  A glimpse of spring at I time when we know it is still a ways off.

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Jennie sent this.  

This new plant news has a lot of excellent background for thoughtful reading.

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Jennie sent this to me and I thought I would share: 

The American Horticultural Society is excited to launch its first Self-Paced Online Course through Lifelong Learning! Gardening in America begins mid-March and ends mid-August. Register now!

Each year, over 121 million Americans visit public gardens. From public green spaces to community gardens to private yards, gardening is a critical part of our country’s culture. Gardening in America offers an introductory overview to the state of the country’s gardening culture, contexts that inform gardening, and ways to apply gardening approaches, styles, and practices for the greater good.

This course is constructed in seven modules, each with lessons that include AHS-produced text, videos, articles, activities, and resource recommendations. You are welcome to explore the materials at your own pace throughout the semester and to connect with other learners in the forum to discuss the course topics. The modules and lesson topics are:

Module 1: Gardening Factors

·    Climate, Soil, Light, Water, Wind

Module 2: Gardening Where You Are and With What You Have

·    In-ground, Container, Raised Bed, Square Foot

Module 3: Gardening Approaches

·    Design Philosophy and Principles, Beauty, Function, Materials, Senses

Module 4: Garden Styles

·    Garden Design History and Influences, American Models

Module 5: Gardening Practices

·    Plant Choices, Design, Site Preparation, Seasonality, Maintenance

Module 6: Garden Movements

·    Ecosystems, Conservation, Climate, Beautification

Module 7: Gardening for Community

·    Health, Heritage, Service, Beauty, Global Connections

Open to the public. This course is approachable for beginners to master gardeners. AHS members receive discounts on this registration. $95 AHS members/$120 non-members.

Course access begins mid-March and ends mid-August.

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by Jennie

The Lenton Rose are also in Bloom

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