Monroe County Master Gardener Association

Here is a link from the Conservation District for upcoming events
https://mailchi.mp/de1bcac7ddf8/annual-conservation-plant-fundraiser?e=59451f14cf

article and photos by Gail K.

Feb. 15,2020:
Our speaker for the assoc. meeting was Linda W. A certified MG member, Linda has a professional focus in interior design.

Her program focus emphasized using other characteristics, not just the “flower,” of plants when designing our gardens.

The members were attentive as Linda skillfully described how using the foliage could enhance season long interest in our gardens.


Linda spoke to the importance of considering all aspects of a plant before “choosing” the right one. READ THE TAGS!! Look at the shape, color, texture & form of the foliage.

Using photos of her own garden to give examples-Linda’s talents in this field were visually obvious; we all enjoyed seeing the impact foliage could make in all aspects of our gardens.

Linda covered a lot of information-she went through the types of specific plants she finds most valuable based on their foliage to bring contrast and color to her garden.

Creating gardens are like writing a musical; we need rhythm. Blending or contrasting; use color to “move the eye” from one area to the next. A must-consider the undersides of leaves. Air currents & other movement
brings exposure and an unexpected variable.

With careful planning, we can all experience the heavenly notes of a garden symphony….the only thing left; to sit back & listen.

Naida sent this for me to add:

I thought this picture along with two questions
would be worthwhile for the Blog. I learned a new word connected with
this tree (and a few other hardwood trees) at my home and wanted to
share it with our readers. Once you have guessed the condition this
tree is showing look it up – very interesting information!

1) Name this tree pictured in my yard in late January.
2) What is the name of the condition shown on this tree?

Thanks,
Naida

Gail has submitted the following post:

HAPPY NEW YEAR & WELCOME BACK!!!!!

The Monroe County MG & Horticulture Assoc. held its first meeting of  2020 on Jan 25th.

Chris using bees as a primary source, gave an in depth talk on “POLLINATION”  & it’s importance and how we, as master gardeners can play a role in protecting pollinators.

The group listened intently as

Chris went through the specific process of what happens when a plant is pollinated. *Flash back-10h grade biology*.

It was apparent early on that Chris is passionate about bees and has a wealth of knowledge on the subject.

I was intrigued by the Commercial Bee Farmers- just one fact she shared–the latest trend; the practice of raising bees then seasonally moving them (at night); farm to farm allowing farmers to achieve higher yields due in part to the pollination process–These hives aren’t for honey but for production of more bees.

She addressed the variety of bees; 450,000 species in Michigan; types of bees, characteristics which determine a “bee” and the various jobs bees have within a hive. 

The end of her talk dealt with topics that as master gardeners we need to be attentive to.  Simply; our very existence as humans is dependent upon our food sources-it is IMPERATIVE we protect our pollinators.

NEWS FLASH- butterflies are not considered pollinators.

She covered the 5 P’s- factors which impact

bees.

1    Pests            2. Pathogens     3.   Pesticides     4. Poor Nutrition     5.   Pedigree &/or diversity

Looking at the above factors–I can easily identify each one occurring within our very own county.  This

means, our call to action must be NOW.  As MG’s we must educate others and our actions must be based on our knowledge of the subject matter.

In closing; as Chris did, let me quote–Teddy Roosevelt:

 

“do what you can, with what you have and where you are!!!”

 

I love that quote.  NOW-let’s all get as passionate as Chris.A great spring project; plant a pollinator garden, even a small one.

              here are some fun facts–

>plant cat nip around plants to discourage aphids

>geraniums around a plant will discourage Japanese Beetles

>Nasturtiums will lure aphids

>4’oclocks will lure Japanese Beetles

> Yellow, blue & white colors will attract pollinators>>>

>replace lawns with low growing plants such as violets, clover & dandelions

OR simply, DON’T spray to prevent these pollinator

plants from existing in your lawn. (Warning: walking barefoot on such

a lawn may result in a bee sting to your foot)

THANK YOU CHRIS, A VERY INFORMATIVE PRESENTATION

Paul R. sent me this link from Facebook. There is a link in it to a webinar called: “Pretty but pungent: The curious case of the Callery pear”!
This will be held Wednesday February 5th at 1pm EST. Mark your calendar.
Here is the Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/southernforesthealth/posts/2542423436028073. This gives a description and link.

this is the link to the seminar in case you are not on Facebook. Go to this link about 10 minutes before so you can log into the portal and instructions:
http://southernforesthealth.net/webinars

Michele B. asked to post the web page for the Lucas County Plant Sale.
Below is the link. There is a pdf link on the right side (view Download) that will take you to all the information you need and pricing.
There’s also a link for their newsletter

https://mailchi.mp/9955e07fb960/fall-2019-newsletter-conservation-news-4040831?e=3750125046

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

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.

Nadia sent a photo and comment

My daffs have been showing through the soil for about two weeks…..

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.