Monroe County Master Gardener Association

It’s doubtful I’ll ever have  Dale Chihuly art pieces in my garden.  However, he has been an inspiration to add glass and art into the garden.  Here are some photos of glass in my garden. 

How do you use glass in your garden?

The new Front Page for MSUE at http://msue.anr.msu.edu/ is a transition away from the old, slow Portal. If you click on an old link to MSUE or type in the old url: www.msue.msu.edu, you will be redirected to the new page. It is organized by subject area rather than by counties or regions. Pursue the topic areas to find old and updated informational resources.

An interesting feature of this page, toward the bottom, is the “Ask an Expert” option. It allows searching for someone to ask when you can’t find the info you are looking for. There is a national extension “ask an expert” program, but also a search for Michigan Extension educators by name or subject area. For example if you have a horticulture question and search by Monroe County and horticulture, you will learn that Washtenaw MSUE Horticulture Educator Bob Bricault is answering questions for counties in this region who no longer have Extension horticulture staff. Obviously he cannot answer all the gardening questions for several counties, and a statewide Master Gardener hotline is in the works. It will extend the MG hotlines established in some larger counties to answer gardeners’ questions statewide.

Increasingly, though, consumers will need to make a little effort to search out their own answers and fact sheets, as the “go-to people” become fewer and farther between. The migarden website has added or updated their Resource section to include many of the fact sheets and bulletins that can be read or printed for free. Note George Badgley and Mary Ellen are in the photo on that page! The news.msue website is pulling together and updating links to other great resources, besides adding good new stuff every day!

As Master Gardeners we should spend some time clicking around these pages so we can help people find the good information that is available! When you discover a gem, post it here on our blog to alert others!!!

Gardening can be great Fun.  Use your imagination and don’t worry about how crazy it may seem.  Succulents give  great opportunity to be creative.  Recently, I planted a few succulents.  I have an arbor with a bench in our front yard.  I took the outdoor pillows and planted them.  To plant, cut a small X or T into the body of the pillow. (I also planted in the seam by opening it up a bit).  Choose the succulent you wish, wrap it  with a bit of soil and then with some fabric to hold the soil in place.  I wrapped mine in a light weight felt.  Remember, succulents like a light soil mixture and don’t require  much watering.  Tuck it into the pillow.  No need to remove any of the stuffing media from that pillow just create a bit of an opening.  It’s been about a month ago and they’re still living.  There you go,  A living print on  pillows.

On June 20th, Linda Welch presented an program about vertical gardening and how to transform vertical plantings into a living art form. Vertical gardening has lots of advantages, such as adding privacy, disguising unattractive views, pest prevention (no slugs!), accessibility for those with physical limitations, and maximum use of space. Vertical gardening and living art installations can be incorporated inside and out, and with some planning you can even transfer structures from outside to inside as the seasons change. Inside arrangements are especially beneficial when using plants known to be natural air filters. Creating vertical displays can be as simple as using  a series of shelves or arranging plant hangers on a wall to complex arrangements requiring construction of vertical and horizontal boards, waterproofing, and irrigation systems.  Lighting, water, humidity, and temperature must be considered – decide whether you want to use in shade or sun, or inside, and choose plants accordingly. Select plants you can maintain easily. Succulents and bromeliads lend themselves well to vertical plantings and living art installations. Linda gave the audience ideas and techniques to transform a boring, plain garage or shed wall into a dramatic focal point. Vertical gardening can be beautiful and functional as well. Who says vertical plants need to be ornamentals? Vegetables can be grown vertically and incorporated into the overall vertical landscaping theme. Climbing vegetables need support – install supports at planting to prevent damage later on.

Linda gave a demo about how to make frames for living art works. She had tons of ideas for creating unique living art using all kinds of materials, from pricy to really inexpensive. I think even I can do it! Woo-hoo – I know what this weekend’s gardening project is! Just don’t tell my husband the big plans I have for his toolshed wall!

Welcome to the new blogsite! Our hope is to provide the members of the Monroe County Master Gardeners Association a one-stop place to get all our official information from our association and the Michigan State University Extension, along with providing a source to the public for gardening information.