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/ February 2008 September 2015
INSIDE: Local Master Gardener News - 2 Upcoming Events - 4 Bits and Pieces -5 Bi -7
Picture by Sally Anderson
ECAMGA Presence At The 4-H Fair by Sally Anderson Five of us volunteered to staff the ECAMGA “Ask A Master Gardener” booth at the 4-H Fair held at the Expo Center July 31st to August 1st. Friday was a very windy day and so we had to hold down, not only all our information, but our tent as well. It did, however, keep the bugs away and keep us cool. Gary Mathis, Dick Leinhart, Sally Anderson and Barb Huggins manned the booth on Friday. Andy Heren was there earlier doing the rocket launching and judging. Dick Leinhart had judging to do also and then spent time at the booth answering questions. Sally and Barb were given the duty of judging the container plants placed around the grounds, each done by a different 4-H group. Many had very unusual containers such as an inverted umbrella, a manure spreader, a wheelbarrow, a wooden container spelling out 4-H. It helped to have two judging which make the decisions easier. Gary had put together a game that involved matching the name of the vegetable to the photo. The kids really enjoyed the process and even some adults were interested. That brought people to the booth giving an opportunity to discuss the Master Gardening program and answer gardening questions. Many learned about vegetables they had never heard of. Both days were very busy with questions and working with Gary's game. Mikel Reise and Andy joined us on Saturday at the booth. We all had time to visit the exhibition hall as well as the barns to see the chickens, ducks, rabbits, pigs and other animals proudly presented by the 4-H members.
Don’t Forget…
-Send in Your Volunteer Hours and Dues for 2015/2016: This will be due in by September 30 for re-certification for the 2015/2016 year!! -Take those pictures of your gardens, the garden tours you have been on, and your prize specimen plant from the 2015 season, and prepare to enter your best shot in the 2015 ECAMGA Photo Contest (See June issue, page 5, for contest rules). Deadline: October 1, 2015.
Cartoon submitted from ? by Mikel Reise
Page 2 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener New September 2015
NOTE: The ECAMGA Board minutes no longer appears in the newsletter. You may access them by going to the website at
eauclairemastergardeners.weebly.com
Changing e-mail? Moving If you do, please remember to notify the ECAMG and the newsletter editor of your new e-mail address and/or mailing address so you don’t miss any Eau Claire Area Master Gardener happenings! Email your new Information to Carol Cox at [email protected] or notify her by snail mail at 1908 Hogeboom Ave., Eau Claire, WI 54701 (or call her at 715-861-4495).
ECAMGA Board ECAMGA BOARD MEMBER CONTACT INFO
NAME/TITLE E-mail address Phone number
Erin LaFaive [email protected] 715-839-4712
Cindy Ferver [email protected] 715-606-0006
Gary Mathis [email protected] 715-878-4031
Ede Strand [email protected] 715-8326775
Amy Boetcher [email protected] 715-577-9085
Deb Spickler
Nancy Spak [email protected] 715-835-6546
Nina Logan [email protected] 715-878-4585
Lori Kempen [email protected] 715-832-8088
MGV
Bulletin Board Postings Stories and Opportunities!!!! Bulletin Board Postings
Thank you to Ron B. and Tracy H. for keeping the Youth Gardens watered Friday through Sundays this summer. What a super help they were! Fifty pounds of produce were harvested. The Extension Nutrition Educators use the produce to help offset their costs when shopping for supplies to make nutritious snacks with the youth. We had 18 sessions in seen weeks and an average of ten to twelve youth at each. It was very successful!
2015 Calendar All meetings at UW-Extension Office
unless otherwise noted
September 15, 2015 – Wayne Geist from Bushel and A Peck Orchard
September 30, 2015 – Volunteer hours due
October 2015- Potluck meeting November 17, 2015 – Christie Spak to present
on bats
December 2015 – Annual Potluck and Election of Officers & Christmas Party
Local Master Gardener News
ECAMGA September Meeting To Feature Wayne Geist From Bushel
And A Peck Orchard
On September 15, 2015 our guest speaker will be Wayne Geist from Bushel and A Peck Orchard located in Lafayette township. Mr. Geist will be speaking about rootstock and root stock selection. Soil nutrition, pruning, and maintenance are all based on what cultivar or root stocks you have. He also will discuss insects and the kind of sprays used including pesticides and fungicides. The event will begin at 6:30 at the Eau Claire County Extension Office at 124 W. First St. in Altoona. It is open to the public and refreshments will be served and door prizes awarded so bring a friend! See you there!
Page 3 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener News September 2015
ECAMGA Plant Sale Held At EXPO Center by Nina Logan
On August 8 the Eau Claire Area Master Gardener Association (ECAMGA) held it’s annual plant sale at the Expo Center barns. The day was beautiful but there were a limited number of customers. Perhaps because the day was beautiful, many people chose to spend that last weekend at the lake or a late vacation before school started. Also, there were a number of events and festivals around town that day. The plants looked nice but, unfortunately, there were a lot of duplicates, especially green hostas and day lilies. Those plants that were named and a picture of them in bloom sold well. The numbers aren’t all in yet but it looks that the ECAMGA made less than in past years. Notes/Suggestions for next year: ---Try to have plants named and a picture provided of it
in bloom. ---Have fewer unnamed hostas. ---Day lilies are always popular when they have a picture
in bloom provided. ---Several customers requested shrubs and roses so we
should try having more of those available. ---Garden books and magazines sold well. Those who worked had a good time in spite of all the hard work, not only on the day of the sale but at the “Potting Party” the day before. We had lots of volunteers who worked hard but also provided teaching and plant information which is what our organization is all about. THANK YOU ALL.
Photos by Carol Losey
Upcoming Events
Page 4 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener New September 2015
My green thumb came only as a result of the mistakes I made while learning to see
things from the plant ’s point of view. – H. Fred Dale
Prairie Enthusiasts Grass Identification Workshop
Saturday, September 12 10 am to 4 pm
UW Stout Jarvis Hall Science Wing
Agenda: 10:00 a.m. – Noon: Featured Speaker - Dr. Robert Freckmann, who is one of Wisconsin's premiere experts on grass identification. Dr. Freckmann will lecture on structures and terms used in grass identification and the rest of the morning the participants will look at and dissect grasses. 12:00 – 1:00 - Lunch on your own 1 p.m. to 4ish - travel to a site near Menomonie to do field identification of grasses. (You will need transportation available to get to the afternoon field event.) A registration is necessary as there is limited seating. To register contact Nina Logan at 715-878-4585 or email at:[email protected]. This event is a free event but we'd greatly appreciate your donations to help cover an honorarium and travel expenses for Dr. Freckmann.
7th Annual Western District Specialized Master
Gardener Volunteer Seed Saving Workshop
September 26, 2016 9:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.
NOTE: This event is open
ONLY to certified and intern MGVs
Speakers: Diana Alfuth
Ginny Gaynor Ardith Beveridge
Cost: $15, which includes lunch. For the registration brochure go to: http://wimastergardener.org/sites/wimastergardener.org/files/event%20pdfs/2015WesternDistrictTrainingRegistration.pdf or email Peg Wastell with questions at: [email protected].
Upcoming Classes Mum Porch Pot Class - September 9th and 15th @ 6 p.m.: No cost if just attending the class. If participant makes a Mum Porch Pot then the cost is limited to whatever materials are used. Design your own Succulent Container - September 23rd @ 6 p.m. – Cost is limited to purchased materials used to build your succulent container. Can bring your own container. Miniature Fairy Garden - September 26th @ 10 a.m. - Cost is limited to purchased materials used to build your succulent container. Can bring your own container. For more information call 715-836-8220 or 1-800-422-6297 or go to: http://www.maysfloralgarden.com/contact.
May’s Floral Garden 3424 Jeffers Rd
Eau Claire, WI 54701
Page 5 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener News September 2015
Tiffany Train Ride September 12 from 7 a.m. until 12 p.m. Ride the rails through the Tiffany Wildlife Area with the Citizen Science staff from Beaver Creek Reserve. Spend the day on an open-air, antique train while exploring the wild surroundings. The round-trip ride, approximately 14 miles, will let you see what makes this area so unique and important to our plant and wildlife habitat. Be sure to pack a cooler with snacks and refreshments for the day while we tour and hike the trails, 0.25 -0.5 miles each. Participants should dress for the weather and possibly wet terrain. Bring binoculars and any wanted field guides. Rain or shine, don't miss this exciting event! Tiffany Wildlife Area is approximately a 45-minute drive from Eau Claire. Follow Highway 85 to Durand and take Highway 25. Please note there is a new parking area for the train ride. From Highway 25, turn into the DNR parking lot, drive across the tracks, turn right and drive through the gate to the field north of the DNR lot. Follow the path through the trees to the train for boarding. Participants will meet at the Tiffany Wildlife Area Parking Lot. The cost is: $25 for Friends, $35 for Nonmembers. There are 52 spots available. Registration and full payment is required by September 10. To register call BCR or go to the website at: https://www-beavercreekreserve-org and click on “View all Events” and then scroll down to the information on the tour where there will be a link to register.
Beaver Creek Reserve S1 County Road K, Fall Creek, WI 54742
[email protected] Phone: 715-877-2212
Upcoming Classes Fall Porch Pot Workshop – Thursday, September 10, 2015 at 6:00 p.m.: Come and create your own fall porch pots to add great fall color to your home. We have a great selection of fall plants that can handle the cold weather and will give you nice color for the whole season. Cost: Build your own; only pay for what you take home. (Bring your own container or purchase one here.)
Terrarium Miniature Garden Workshop – Thursday, October 1, 2015 at 6:00 p.m.: Make something ordinary, extraordinary! Come discover why terrariums are growing so popular and how they are a great way to get excited about gardening. A simple glass container can become your very own self-sustained tropical oasis! Learn how to properly put together a glass terrarium with just a few plants and a selection of miniatures. You will have your very own miniature terrarium that creates the perfect growing environment for plants. You will have the perfect indoor garden to be enjoyed all year long that will add some life to your office desk, the nook in your kitchen or a child’s room. Cost: Build your own; only pay for what you take home. (Bring your own container or purchase one here.)
ALSO: Scarecrow Makin’ Days & Contest – Saturday, September 19th, 26th and October 3rd, 2015 at 10:00 a.m.: Your fall decorating isn’t complete without a scarecrow! Bring in some old, funky clothes, boots, hats & other fashion accessories to create a prized scarecrow (You can also purchase some items from us to include in your creation). We’ll provide the straw free and clean up the mess! Post pictures of your scarecrows on our Facebook page for all to enjoy and be inspired. A prize will be awarded to the person who creates the most unique scarecrow in each session!
6025 Arndt Lane Eau Claire WI, 54701
715-833-1234 or E-mail - [email protected] Website: http://www.dwntoearth.com/index2.html
Gardening is cheaper than therapy and you get tomatoes. – Author Unknown
Page 6 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener News September 2015
Bits and Pieces
Black Walnut Tree Toxicity by Kathy Anderson (Article is courtesy of http://gardening-articles.com)
Black walnut is a common and useful tree that is native to much of North America. The natural beauty and hardness of its wood makes black walnut an excellent choice for furniture and woodworking projects. Unfortunately, black walnut is also the bane of gardeners because of its toxicity to other plants. The roots of black walnut trees produce a toxic substance called juglone which adversely affects plants that are sensitive to it. Plants, which cannot tolerate juglone will show symptoms such as yellowing and wilting foliage and they will ultimately die from its toxic effects. It is believed that juglone acts as a respiration Inhibitor, leaving plants unable to breathe and sapping their energy. Juglone is produced in the trees’ roots but is present in all parts of black walnut trees, and is strongest in the buds and nut hulls. The leaves and twigs contain smaller amounts of juglone, but black walnut trees have a habit of continually dropping leaves and nuts from late summer through autumn and this debris only adds to the toxicity problem. Because of the accumulation of leaves and nuts beneath the tree, and also because of rain running off the leaves, the entire drip zone beneath a black walnut tree can be a hazardous environment for juglone-sensitive plants. Some plants that are extremely sensitive to juglone won’t grow within fifty feet of the drip zone of a black walnut tree. Cutting down the offending black walnut tree won’t solve the juglone problem either. The roots will continue to release juglone into the soil and the area can remain toxic for several years after the tree is gone. A gardener I know removed several scruffy black walnut trees from her backyard to make room for a garden, but even six years later she wasn’t able to grow tomatoes in that area. The good news is that not all plants are sensitive to juglone. Many trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables will grow in close proximity to a black walnut tree, although even some of the juglone-resistant plants will struggle if they are directly beneath the tree. Here’s a short list of some of the more popular plants known to tolerate juglone:
Trees & Shrubs - Eastern redbud, hickories, oaks, most maples, Southern catalpa, red cedar, peach, cherry, nectarine, some plums and pears, Thuja arborvitae, Euonymous species, and most Viburnums. Vegetables - Squash, melons, beets, corn, carrots, onions, parsnips. Annual Flowers - Calendula, morning glory, zinnias, fibrous begonias. Perennials - Hollyhocks, iris, ferns, most daffodils and narcissus, astilbe, crocus, snowdrops, Jack-in-the-pulpit, cranesbill, coral bells, monarda, spiderwort, some hostas.
And wouldn’t it just figure; poison ivy doesn’t mind juglone and will thrive under a black walnut tree.
Plants, which are extremely sensitive to juglone and won’t thrive within fifty feet of the drip line of a black walnut tree include hydrangeas, peonies, rhubarb, silver maple, white birches, apple trees, Norway spruce and Mugo pine, mountain laurels, most azaleas, lilacs, blueberries, cabbage and broccoli, peppers, tomatoes and potatoes. Juglone-sensitve plants may be grown in containers that are kept near a black walnut tree, so long as they are not directly beneath the tree where leaves and nuts could fall into the pots or rain could drip from the leaves onto the plants.
If you like to garden, black walnut trees would not be a good choice for your landscape. But if the trees already exist on your property, you can still garden if you take a bit of extra care.
(Kathy Anderson has been an avid gardener for many years and has grown tomatoes by the acre, along with many other vegetables, flowers and landscape plants. Kathy recommends http://www.freeplants.com as a great place to learn more about gardening. Article provided by http://gardening-articles.com. A recommended affiliate link is http://www.freeplants.com/resellers.htm
Page 7 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener News September 2015
Eye Candy…
Editor’s pick of some interesting garden
related websites you may want to explore:
1. www.permaculture.co.uk/readers-solutions/make-low-heat-retaining-diy-compost-tumbler. This site gives easy instructions to make your own tumbler composter. 2. www.hgtv.com/gardening/the-lowdown-on-garden-friendly-bugs/index.html?soc=share. This site discusses a variety of insects that are helpful in your garden to combat the “bad” bugs that terrorize it. In addition, the hgtv.com site offers a variety of other information for the garden as well as for the home that you will find interesting. 3. tipnut.com/garden-irrigation. This site offers information on buried clay pot irrigation for the garden “and more” including simple watering wells, making your own ollas, and more. 5. www.homemadehomeideas.com/22gardening-cheats is a website that has a variety of ideas, some interesting and useable, some you may want to just discard. These ideas include a list of 11 plants that repel mosquitos, making free garden tools using milk bottles, an idea for keeping your tools from getting rusty and other ideas. 6. http://www.hometalk.com/1531028/how-to-build-and-plant-a-succulent-garden is an interesting site, which shows you how to use PVC pipe to plant. Since I am into succulents and cacti I found this site especially interesting. 7. https://ww.pinterest.com/pin/2040762308394776 provides some ideas on how we can have some of those “aggressive” plants (read “invasive”) in our garden without them getting out of hand. Part of the secret is in their growth habits. Some are much easier to contain this way than others. I have used this method on Comfrey and Cat Mint for years but there are a few others it does not work on if they grow sending out the growth from the top instead of the roots or reseed all over the place. 8. wwww.youtube.com/watch?v=iMYDuBsROg8 is a site that shows how to build a “Compost Corral” using readily available materials. It is an interesting idea although I would, if I tried it, think I would want it a little higher off the ground that he does it.
Elf tree! Front entry idea!
Fat cats don’t come any cuter! Succulent crate - nice
Great idea for use for an old bowl and pitcher set!
And, last but not least, a “spillage” of succulents out of an old pot. Pictures from Pinterest.
Page 8 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener Newsletter September 2015
EAU CLAIRE AREA MASTER GARDENER NEWSLETTER A newsletter for the Eau Claire Area Master Gardener Association members.
For more Eau Claire County UW Cooperative Extension information
go to our website: www.uwex.edu/ces/cty/eauclaire
Phone: 715-839-4712 Fax: 715-839-6277
M-F 8AM-5PM
Unless otherwise noted, articles for this newsletter are submitted and/or written by ECAMGA members or the newsletter editor, Carol W. Cox. Unless otherwise noted, graphics are from clipart. Newsletter layout by Carol W. Cox
The University of Wisconsin Extension provides affirmative action and equal opportunity in education, programming and employment for all qualified persons regardless of race, color, gender/sex, creed, disability, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital or parental, arrest or conviction record or veteran status.” If you need an interpreter, materials in alternate formats or other accommodations to access this program, activity or service, please contact Erin LaFaive at 715-839-4712 as soon as possible preceding the scheduled event so that proper arrangements can be made in a timely fashion
Eau Claire County
Extension Office
227 First Street West
Altoona, WI 54720
On a sunny day the source of the overall smell of a garden can be found in the aroma of the volatile oils in leaves. The function of leaf scents is different from that
of flowers. Flower fragrances are used to attract pollinators, while leaf scents are used to discourage leaf-eating insects. While flower scents are beautiful
and aromatic, leaf scents tend to be pungent, aromatic, medicinal and intense. Try testing these smells on your
next walk in the garden. - from “Flowers are Forever” by Kathy Lamancusa
Russian Sage
Annise Hyssop
