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May
MG EVENTS
Steering Committee Mtg.
Extension Office
May 5 • 6:30 pm
WGF 2016 Committee Mtg.
Extension Office
May 4 • 2:00 pm—4:00 pm
Plant Sale Extension Office Parking Lot
May 16 • 8:00 am—12:00 pm
Plants Accepted at Extension
May 14 • 4:00 pm—6:00 pm May 15 • before 3:00 pm
Deadline for Sign-up Sheet
May 8
Mother’s Day Showcase Noelridge Park
May 10 • 10:00 am—5:00 pm
“Every spring, like it or not, we are all beginners, all over again.” — Dominique Browning,
American writer and editor
Vol. 25, No. 5 Editors: Jean Murray/Lisa Slattery/Julie Stark May 2015
What’s Inside...
Plant Sale Information—Pages 1-3
MG Award Ceremony—Pages 4-6
Coordinator Comments—Page 7
News From Noelridge—Page 8
2015 Garden Walk—Page 9
Veteran’s Gardening Day—Pages 10-11
Volunteers Needed Around the
Community—Page 11
Statewide MG Events—Page 11
Save the Butterfly—Page 12
Winter Gardening Fair Committee
Meeting Scheduled—Page 12
Steering Committee Notes—Pages 13-
15
MG Plant Sale: In Special Remembrance of Charlene Woeste By Karen Woester and Phil Pfister
The 14th annual Linn County Master Gardener Plant Sale will be held on Saturday, May 16, at the ISU Extension and Outreach Linn County, parking lot, 383 Collins Road NE, Cedar Rapids, IA. This year is special as we have lost Charlene Woeste, the founder, organizer, and chair of the Plant Sale since its inception. Charlene was active in many of the Linn County Master Gardener activities, but the Plant Sale is clearly her legacy. Every year she would
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contribute over 400 plants from her gardens, as well as overseeing plant quality and pricing, to ensure the public would receive the best that the Master Gardeners have to offer. We would like to make this Plant Sale a memorial to Charlene, and honor her commitment and love of this event, by making it the best Plant Sale ever. Please donate as many high quality plants as possible.
Perennials and other plants need to be planted in their pots at least 3-4 weeks before the sale. This gives them time to recover from transplant shock. Most plants will put on some nice growth during this time. As MG’s, we want to be proud of the plants we are selling to the public. Our buyers expect to get really good plants from this sale. Lowe’s Greenhouse will also provide us with vegetables and annuals.
Two kinds of perennials that need to be potted up when they are still small (not more than 3”or 4”) are the daylilies and hosta. Both of these will lop over, and seldom straighten upright if they are too large when divided and placed in a pot. If you’re planning on donating either of these, please get them dug, divided and planted up early to allow them to recover.
The following are guidelines we would like you to follow:
Do not plant up plants the night before the sale.
Do not plant up plants that are too large.
Make divisions of day lilies with 2-4 plants in each pot. Daylilies should be planted in a 6” or 8” pot or better yet, a gallon pot. Put a label in each pot with the name of the daylily. If the name is unknown, just put “Name Unknown” on the label. If it is an expensive daylily, put the suggested selling price on the label.
Make divisions of hosta with 2-3 plants in each pot. If you are sharing some of your more expensive hosta, then one plant could be enough, but two will make it sell better. Put the name of the hosta in each pot. If the name is not known, just put “Name Unknown” on the label. If it is an expensive hosta, put the suggested selling price on the label.
Other perennials should have large enough divisions that will be attractive to our shoppers. Put the name of the perennial, and the cultivar if you know it, on a label in each pot. You can use an ice cream stick, plastic knife or spoon, or venetian blind as your label.
After planting up, water with a water-soluble fertilizer according to package directions. Water every 2-3 days. Two weeks later, water with the same fertilizer at ½ strength.
A day or two before the sale, groom each plant by removing any yellowed or dead leaves, or any weeds that have come up in the pot.
Water each plant thoroughly.
Look at each plant. Decide if it looks like a plant you would like to buy. If not, leave it at home and plant it out in your garden for next year.
If you have plants that you would like to donate, but don’t know what they are, let us know as soon as possible. We will help identify them.
May 3
Plants should be taken to the Extension conference room between 4:00-6:00 on Thursday, May 14th, and no later than Friday, May 15th at 3:00 PM. If you need pots, please contact Phil or Karen. If anyone else has extra pots to donate, please contact Karen, and we will pick them up. Sizes needed: 3”, 4”, 5”, 6”, 8” or gallon size.
Table Leads have been established to organize the various categories of plants being offered at the sale.
Table leads are:
Jay McWherter-: Hostas ([email protected])
JoEllen Funk: Daylilies ([email protected])
Shelby Foley: Succulents & greenhouse plants ([email protected])
Doug Smith: Wildflowers ([email protected])
Fran Potratz: Ornamentals ([email protected])
Karen Woeste: Perennials ([email protected])
Devon Dietz: Shade plants ([email protected])
Gene Nassif: Vegetables ([email protected])
If you have questions about digging and potting plants, care, quality, or any other topic related to the plants you would like to bring, please contact the Table Leads listed above, or contact Karen Woeste (319-270-5678; [email protected]) or Phil Pfister (319-360-1734; [email protected])
Please be as generous as you can with plants for the sale. We need a good selection of many kinds of plants, and choices of plants within each kind.
Lowe Park Greenhouse Update By Phil Pfister
If you haven’t been to the Lowe Park Greenhouse lately, we would encourage you to stop by. We are working every morning from 9:30 to noon, every day of the week, except some Fridays and the weekends. We have plants in bloom, hanging basket tomatoes setting fruit (should be spectacular for the Plant Sale), and many, many more plants in various stages of growth. All this is being grown for the Demonstration Gardens, Plant Sale, donations to food pantries and other groups, and Marion Parks. It’s quite the sight when you see all the plants growing. In addition, we have plants growing in the hoop house and cold frame. The daily work sessions will continue until the Plant Sale, as will some evening sessions. Please feel free to stop out and tour, or join the volunteers in a little greenhouse activity.
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Awards Ceremony Recognizes Master Gardeners with
Exceptional Accomplishments By Kathy Wimer
The 2015 Master Gardener Awards Banquet was a huge success, thanks to all the volunteers who gave their time and talents to bring everything together. Thanks to Master Gardeners Beth Roof and Devon Dietz, who generously offered their time as this year’s Masters of Ceremony, and who gave the 2014 highlights presentation.
Thank you also to the work of the Spring Banquet organizers, including Awards Banquet Chair Beth Roof (great job Beth!); cookie makers Doris Hardt, Louise Harn, Sue Usher and floral centerpiece creators, Shelby Foley, Barb Brown, Judi Dolezal, Sandy Fiegen, Sylvia Kelley, Coleen Kint, Karla McGrail, Kay McWhinney, Jane Schildroth and Shirley Thornton for helping to set up a beautiful space for us to gather together (and a delicious meal) during the Master Gardener annual recognition and party. We also appreciated our photographers, Jean Murray and Jackie MacLaren.
Much appreciation as well to our Awards Selection Committee, including
Vicki Keegan, Jean Murray, Karla McGrail, Thea Cole, Devon Dietz, Jackie Baumhauer and Wil Carew. Connie Wier also shared her talents by creating
the banquet invitation, program and PowerPoint presentation. Once again, the Master Gardeners knocked it out of the park! THANK YOU EVERYONE!
Masters of Ceremony, Beth Roof and Devon Dietz
Silver Star Award (100-199 hours): Front row: Diane Wiesenfeld, Becki Lynch, Kathy Carew, Diane Stevens. Back row: Mary Sam Krumbholz, Gene Nassif, Tom Rowe, Kathy Hughes, Linda Eggleston, Barb Wing, Beth Roof. (not pictured: Melanie Brown, Carol Bruch, Carson Fixmer, Peggy Green, Jay McWherter, Jean Minehart, Jean Murray, Zora Ronan, Jane Schildroth, Lisa Slattery, Karen Stewart, Joan West, Charlene Woeste, Karen Woeste)
Gold Star Award (200+ hours): Front row: Deb Walser, Tammy Lutz, Colleen Kint, Pam Brackey, Shelby Foley. Back row: Beula Dvorak, Devon Dietz, Linda Hinzman, Sylvia Kelley, Phil Pfister, Doug Smith, Mike Anderson, Wil Carew, Doris Hardt, Louise Harn, Fran Potratz, Shirley Thornton, Sue Usher. (Not pictured: Linda Hayward, Debbie Main, Karla McGrail, Kay McWhinney)
May 5
Lifetime Master Gardener Award: Laurie Azeltine, Barbara Brown, Carol Bruch, Larry Dawson, Jay McWherter, Fran Potratz, Doug Smith (not pictured.) This award is presented to Master Gardeners who have 15 years of continuous certification or 10 years of continuous certification plus 500 hours of volunteer service.
500 Total MG Hours: Linda Hinzman, Beula Dvorak, Jane Schildroth. (Not pictured: Tim Murphy)
1000 Total MG Hours: Gloria Johnson, Barb Wing, Louise Harn. (Not pictured: Linda Hayward, Becki Lynch, Shirley Thornton)
3000 Total MG Hours: Doug Smith and Wil Carew
5000 Total MG Hours and Silver Trowel Award for 2014: Shelby Foley (The Silver Trowel is presented to the volunteer who has contributed the most volunteer hours during the award year)
4000 Total MG Hours: Devon Dietz
2000 Total MG Hours: Phil Pfister. (Not pictured: Karla McGrail)
New Project of the Year: Community Gardens. Shirley Thornton, Sue Usher, Beula Dvorak, Phil Pfister. New Project of the Year is presented to participating team members for initiative and dedication in establishing a new horticulture project to serve the public.
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Project Team Award: Deb Walser (Speaker’s Bureau) left; Becki Lynch, Kathry Rhodes, Jean Minehart and Diane Stevens (Noelridge Gardens) right. The Project Team Award is presented to participating team members of a MG project that has demonstrated outstanding performance in providing horticultural information to the public.
Friend of the Master Gardeners: Mary Dlouhy. Friend of the Master Gardeners is presented to a MG spouse or other friend for their dedicated service in support of the Master Gardener program.
New Master Gardener of the Year: Tammy Lutz (left) and Sylvia Kelly (right). Outstanding New MG of the Year is awarded to the intern from the class just completing certification, who has demonstrated leadership to a project or provided significant contributions to a variety of projects.
Jack of all Trades: Sue Usher. Jack of all Trades is presented to a MG who has worked quietly and unnoticed behind the scenes on a variety of Master Gardener projects.
Master Gardener of the Year: Phil Pfister. The Master Gardener of the Year is awarded to the MG who has shown extraordinary dedication to the Master Gardener program over a period of years and in a variety of services.
May 7
Coordinator’s Comments By Kathy Wimer
April was another terrific month for Master Gardeners with such a variety of events and activities including Expert Education “Popcorn and Plants” and “Tomato Tech”, Library Talks & Speakers Bureau opportunities along with a beautiful Spring Awards Banquet at the Flamingo. Big thanks to the MG chairs of those committees, including Linda Hayward, Vicki Keegan, Beth Roof, Deb Walser, for planning such wonderful Master Gardener events! Thank you to our hard working committee members as well!
Our MG fall intern class dates have now been announced with evening webinars starting on Tuesdays, 6:30-9:30PM from September 29 through November 17 and the class at Iowa State University campus on Saturday, October 10 or October 24, 8:30AM – 3:45PM. Intern application materials will be available in the Extension office in early June, with an interview selection committee meeting in early August.
Just a reminder to turn in your first quarter volunteer and education hours. You can find the 2015 MG volunteer and education hour forms on the LCMG webpage at:
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/linn/page/exclusive-information-master-gardeners-and-master-gardener-interns
Please remember to report both your volunteer and educational hours, as well as the number of community contacts you make at events.
With Extension Director, Diane Hagarty on leave at this time, many of you have noticed a familiar face. Linda Bigley is currently helping as Extension’s Supervisor and Office Assistant. Thank you, Linda, for all of your help!
Upcoming MG Volunteer & Education Opportunities:
*Volunteer at the MG Plant Sale Saturday May 16 at the Extension office. Contact Kathy Wimer, Phil Pfister or Karen Woeste for additional information.
*Get on the June Hortline schedule. Email your availability to MG Sylvia Kelley ([email protected]; call 319-377-7136/319-721-4152)
*Attend Expert Education Tree Walk June 16. Call Kathy Wimer to register.
*Promote MG events throughout the community via social media
*Attend the next MG Steering Committee meeting, which is scheduled for May 5, 2015 @ 6:30 pm at the Extension office
*Write articles, submit pictures and/or contribute ideas to the Germinator
*Plan to attend the next Extension Council meeting May 7, 2015 @ 6 pm.
*Save the date and plan to volunteer at the Master Gardener Garden Walk on June 27 (June 28 Rain Date)
Happy spring and thank you MG’s for all that you do!
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News From Noelridge By Jean Minehart
Easter Showcase was a smashing success with a total of 2400 people attending the 2 day event. If you attended the showcase you couldn’t miss the many painted and decorated frames that seemed to be all over. You will be seeing more of them at Mother’s Day Showcase and other places! Ask Becki Lynch about her fun idea for the AAS Butterfly and vegetable garden and be on the lookout for those frames!
Master Gardeners led two tours through the greenhouse during April – one for home school students and parents, one for pre-kindergarten children and three adults. Special thanks to those who helped last week with the tours and catching up on greenhouse work.
Weeding Parties at Noelridge started Saturday, April 18. Weeding Parties are planned for May 2, 16 and 30; June 13 and 27; July 11 and 25; August 8 and 22 and September 12. Parties are led by Cheryl Hoech. Any Master Gardener or Intern who works daily during the week and who would like to get some Saturday hours in are very welcome to join Cheryl beginning at 9:00 a.m. each of the scheduled Saturdays. All dates are "conditions permitting." We won't be out there in lightning, rain or snow.
AAS Butterfly and Vegetable Gardens: Plans are in full swing for the AAS Butterfly and vegetable gardens led by Becki and Kristie. Planting dates are May 19, 20 and 21. The AAS Display Garden Landscape Design Contest 2015 has begun!
The Master Gardener Herb Garden: The Master Gardener Herb Garden will follow the same plan as last year. Planting dates for the Herb Garden is May 20 and mulching is May 27.
Mother’s Day Showcase at Noelridge is Sunday May 10 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Come and visit to see over 60,000 beautiful blooming plants that will be planted in various places around Cedar Rapids, including parks, downtown planters, the airport, golf courses, fire stations and Usher’s Ferry. This showcase is always dazzling with all the different plants and colors. Plus you can also do some shopping for plants (coleus, New Guinea impatiens, and others), baskets, gardening accessories, FON garden signs and garden frames.
Fun to visit tables include Friends of Noelridge, Eastern Iowa Bonsai Association, Z-D Crafts, Cook’s Honey, Eastern Iowa Orchid Society, Noelridge Master Gardeners, Sharon Troy Cards, Gail & Jessica Jewelry, Harshbarger Hosta. Butterfliz of Iowa starring Kathleen Zeimer will speak about butterfly habitat at 1:00 pm. Her display will be open from 12:00-4:00 pm. Noelridge Park and Friends of Noelridge will be giving away milkweed plants.
May 9
2015 Garden Walk Plans in Full Swing By Sam Krumbholz
Garden hosts and leads met on April 13th to begin discussing their need for garden volunteers. Please consider helping these hosts with garden prep, and or help on the day of the Garden Walk on June 27. Hosts are Shelby Foley and Phil Pfister at the Lowe Gardens, Mike Anderson, Rose Milden, Deb Walser, Bev Whitmore, and Jan Knott. These gardens are a wonderful mix of everything beautiful outdoors. You will enjoy gorgeous flowers and plants, trees, vegetable gardening, pond features, and a miniature railroad! Fill out the volunteer form sent in last month's Germinator or fill out the e-mail form coming soon. You can also call Sam Krumbholz (319-350-8493) or Diane Stevens (319-270-3832).
A peak at three of the six gardens are below:
Bev Whitmore’s Garden
Rose Milden’s Garden Mike Anderson’s Garden
Scouts and Master Gardeners....A Good Fit By Shelby Foley
Jacob Winter, a senior boy scout working on his Eagle Award, reset the stepping stones through the demo garden at Lowe. He and his team were able to create a much more stable and safe pathway for our guests.
Girl Scout Troop #5713 will be working in the greenhouse in May to complete their gardening badge. Jacee Platten is the scout in charge of the girls and will make a presentation with help from our Master Gardener Demo Garden Team.
Thanks to both groups for partnering with us for community involvement and education.
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Veterans Gardening Day By Phil Pfister
On Saturday, March 28, the first Veterans Gardening Day event was held at the Veterans Memorial Building, 50 2nd Avenue Bridge, Cedar Rapids IA 52401. This event was free to veterans and was intended to provide them with educational opportunities on gardening. The program consisted of a wide range of topics, and an excellent selection of snack foods and lunch was included in the event. The program is as follows.
Some of the speakers presented twice during the day:
Kelli Kennon-Lane & John Lane: “10 things to do to create an Urban Homestead”
Scott Skoepke, education and outreach coordinator for New Pioneer Food Co-op: “New Pi Soilmates”
Phil Pfister, Linn County Master Gardener: “Select, Plant, Tend, Harvest and Enjoy Small Fruits”
Dean Brand, Polk County Master Gardener: “Accessible Gardening: Enabling Garden”
Judy Stevens, Linn County Master Gardener: “Container Gardening “
Deb Whitacker, Gold Star Mom & Veterans Community Gardener: “Hot, mild and in-between: Learn how to grow peppers or cooking, eating and canning”
Sonja Kendrick, Director, Feed Iowa First was also on the agenda, but due to travel complications, was not able to attend.
The keynote speaker was BG Craig Bargfrede, Former Commander of the 734th Agri-Development Team.
General Bargrede's keynote speech over lunch was very interesting. He led a battalion of Iowa National Guard and RA's to Afghanistan to teach them about raising crops and livestock. The battalion consisted of farmers, horticulturalists, veterinarians, security forces and other support functions. Six months before deployment, this battalion didn't exist. In the six months after they were organized, and before deployment, they worked with ISU to put together educational packages, and with the Amish in northeastern Iowa to learn farming techniques. He said this was the first time he actually interviewed applicants for a deployment, so he was sure he had the skill sets and knowledge base to accomplish the mission. When they got to Afghanistan, they took over from a Californian battalion who was having less then desired results for their efforts. What his group learned was that the approach was wrong in trying to teach how to grow. What the Afghans needed was knowledge of modern practices. So they trained the leaders and Afghan veterinarians, who could then pass the knowledge to the farmers, and that was a success. He said the interpreter told him that when anyone saw the vehicles with the Hawks emblem (had to be from the Cedar Rapids area...right?), they
May 11
were told to not harm them because they were the good and helpful people. They deployed with something around 65 people and returned with the same number with no injuries. Great talk.
I talked with one of the participants from Illinois. She had just marked the 3 year anniversary of the loss of their son in one of the conflicts. She now works with other families who have lost a family member in a conflict, and one of the ways is through gardening and food distribution. She works with a family who raises Mountain Fresh tomato plants. They raise them, and she harvests and distributes the fruits. There are some special people out there that we never hear about. Same thing with the battalion going to Afghanistan for agricultural purposes. You just don't hear about that in the news.
This event was a very good opportunity for veterans to learn about gardening. I hope they hold it again next year.
Statewide Master Gardener Events
Spring and Summer are busy times for gardening but also for gardening events around Iowa. Check this link from the Iowa Master Gardener website for a calendar of gardening events and presentations around Iowa. http://www.mastergardener.iastate.edu/calendar.html
Volunteers Needed Around the Community
Heritage Home Gardens: MG Volunteer & Heritage Home Gardens Chair, Gene Nassif, has asked me to send out a request for volunteers to help with the Heritage Home Gardens Project at 200 Clive Drive SW in Cedar Rapids. At Heritage, MG volunteers are needed to provide expertise in planning/planting/maintaining fruit and vegetable gardens for joy and consumption of residents. Interested volunteers can contact our Master Gardener Heritage Chair, Gene Nassif, at 364-7831 or 432-5363 or email Gene at [email protected].
Freedom Festival Activities: We received a call from Jacki Thompson Oster with the Cedar Rapids Parks Department, wanting to know if Master Gardeners could help with kids gardening activities during the Freedom Festival on Sunday, June 28. They are having a scholarship fundraiser and want MG’s to have events for kids. Please contact Kathy if interested.
St. Luke’s Hospital Floral and Gift Shop: As a volunteer flower shop designer Volunteers would get to make and price floral arrangement, use their general knowledge of floral design concepts, and possible deliver to patients. As needed they can also help fill in at the register and around the gift shop. If interested, contact Lauren J. Wittenburg, Volunteer Coordinator at St. Luke’s Hospital ([email protected])
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Save the Butterfly By Jean Murray A new group of Master Gardeners has been formed, rather informally at first, to discuss ways we can contribute to the efforts at increasing milkweed, host, and nectar plantings in Iowa to build up the butterfly and pollinator population, particularly Monarchs.
This group began in response to the increasing concerns about the decrease in milkweed and monarch butterfly habitat, and information about the ISU consortium to enhance monarch butterfly reproduction and assist community-led implementation efforts. A major part of this effort is increasing milkweed plantings. (See the article in the April 2015 Germinator for more information.)
Our local group met in April to set some areas of work:
We agreed that our main role as Master Gardeners is in education for the public.
We also will generate plants and seeds for distribution at presentations.
And we will offer our services as advisors for non-profit groups developing community butterfly gardens.
Our initial efforts in these areas include:
Preparing and scheduling presentations on butterfly and pollinators habitats,
Obtaining and propagating milkweed plants and seeds for distribution,
Preparing brochures to be handed out at community events and presentations,
Contacting partner groups and organizations.
Current group members are Linda Hinzman, Becki Lynch, Karla McGrail, Jean Murray, Phyllis Olson, and Doug Smith.
If you are interested in joining us, or have information or resources to contribute, please contact Becki Lynch at [email protected]. We will be meeting again May 5 at 1:30 p.m. at the Extension office.
2016 Winter Gardening Fair Committee Meeting
Scheduled
Although the beautiful spring weather has now arrived and summer is around the corner, the first MG Winter Gardening Fair committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 4th from 2pm to 4pm in the large conference room at the Extension office. All interested Master Gardeners are invited to attend! Hope to see you there!
May 13
April 2015 Steering Committee—Draft
(Abridged for Germinator; Committees not listed had no report)
Present: Jackie Baumhauer, Larry Dawson, Beula Dvorak, Cindy Fagan, Darrell Hennessy, Linda Hinzman, Gene Nassif, Beth Roof, Jane Schildroth, Pam Scott, Linda Shepard, Deb Walser, Jean Wilson. Absent: Steve Bartlett. Guests: Kathy Wimer, Linda Bigley. Quorum established.
Minutes of the March 3, 2015 Steering Committee Meeting: Approved with two minor corrections; 1 spelling, 1 in CGS report change radio announcements with Larry Dawson changed to KCRG TV announcements.
Announcements: Linda Bigley has been hired to replace Diane Hagarty who is on leave. Connie Wier has resigned; her last day in the office will be April 10. Dates for the fall intern classes will be September 29 through November 17. Orientation day will be September 22. The Fall Celebration will be after November 17. Class announcement will be posted online June 1. The selection process will be in August.
Financial Report: Linda Hinzman updated the Lowe Greenhouse expenses, noted that the WGF income and expenses will appear on the March report. Background checks noted under Intern Class expenses will be clarified.
Committee & Project Reports
Awards Banquet: The annual Awards Banquet will be Thursday, April 9.
Brucemore: There is still a need for a shadow chair for this committee.
Creative Gardening Series: The 2015 Creative Gardening Series was held on Thursdays March 12, March 19, and March 26.
Community Outreach Gardens Community Outreach Gardens: Committee members have viewed the webinar series “Supporting Local Food System Development in Your Community”. Diane Wiesenfeld has been meeting with the Catherine McAuley garden committee. A group will be building and prepping raised beds on May 14-15 at their garden site. Planting will occur the following week. The committee has accepted Wellington Heights as a new ongoing community garden project to support. We are seeking a Garden Lead to help coordinate MG support for them. We will be providing consultation to a Kenwood Park United Methodist Church youth group for a butterfly garden project. Committee members continue to be in conversation with CR and Marion Blue Zones Committees for community garden development. Phil has been instrumental in working with Jordan Car planning for the Marion community garden.
Demo Gardens – Lowe Park: The caterpillar tunnel will be erected this month and should create lots of excitement for our many young visitors. The Marion Parks Department has agreed to cover all our losses from last fall. The first installment will cover the replacement of 30 rose bushes destroyed last fall.
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New Bo: Thanks to the volunteers at Lowe Park, the NewBo committee is off to a growing start. We'll meet in April to discuss plantings, subcommittees and a request from the Market staff to provide volunteers on Friday nights during their new "Rock the Block" events. This would be a potential shift from our planned Saturday morning coverage.
Expert Education: More Popcorn and Plants was held on Monday, April 6, 2015 and Tuesday, April 14. Tomato Tech: How to Grow Better Fruit (Vegetables?) was presented by Patrick O’Malley, ISU Extension and Outreach Commercial Horticulture Field Specialist, on April 20.
Garden Walk: Planning for the 2015 Garden Walk is in full swing. We are compiling descriptions and directions to all 6 gardens. The Germinator has a form for all Master Gardeners to fill out if they are available to help including weeding prior to the day of the event. The walk will be held Saturday, June 27 with a rain date Sunday, June 28.
Greenhouse: The plugs for the City of Marion Parks arrived on March 31. Work is in process to transplant them into 3” pots. We are still doing some seeding and a lot of transplanting, and have moved plants to the hoop house and cold frame to provide more growing room in the greenhouse. We continue to have three weekly work sessions and will be adding a fourth soon. Sharon Reilly is tracking the progress of all the plants seeded in the south bed of the hoop house. The plan is to have a log and pictorial record of getting an early start in a hoop house, and then moving into growing heat tolerant plants. This demonstration will be part of the information provided to visitors during the Garden Walk. The amendment with the City of Marion for the 50/50 utility share is still in process.
Hortline: Hortline training was completed in February and March for new interns. A committee meeting was held in March to discuss our budget. Some memorial book selections will come from our budget. Several DVD’s have been checked out some time ago and haven’t been returned. Those who have them will be contacted. We also discussed loaning the older stereoscope to the Lowe Greenhouse and selling the larger research microscope donated to us a few years ago. A similar used scope is valued at $275. We examined our log sheet and will update it in the future. A new book was added to our collection, recommended by Kay McWhinney, “Edible Flowers: From Garden to Palate” by Cathy Wilkenson Barash. The book is on the Lead’s desk for your examination.
MG Stipends & Scholarships The Scholarship and Stipend Committee met on March 10 to determine our budget for next Fiscal Year. Scholarship Fund: It was decided to continue to make available two $1,000 scholarships. Stipend Fund: There has been very little interest in stipend, so it was decided to request funding from the Steering Committee on a case by case basis.
School Projects: Hiawatha: Planting Day will be here soon and we are looking for Master Gardeners to help guide our young "blooming" gardeners as they put their seeds in the soil. April 14 has been set aside for each classroom to spend a half an hour planting seeds in their raised
May 15
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Many materials can be made available in alternative formats for ADA clients. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964.
Linn County Extension Master Gardeners
383 Collins Road NE, Suite 201 • Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
ph (319) 377-9839 • Hortline (319) 447-0647 • www.extension.iastate.edu/linn
bed. Due to construction at the school, there will be no weekly student garden classes this summer, however, we do have families from the neighborhood that would love a chance at tending a garden so we are looking into facilitating that. There is also interest in putting in a bed of plants that attract pollinators.
Winter Gardening Fair: Outgoing 2015 WGF Committee reviewed comments from 2015 WGF. Tammy Lutz (2016 WGF committee chair) and Jean Wilson (2016 chair shadow) met to begin planning the 2016 WGF. We're in the process of setting up "perpetual" email accounts for the chair/co-chair/shadows; volunteers; previews; societies. We are also researching venue locations and catering options.
Coordinator Report April 2015
The next Linn County Extension Council monthly meeting will be held on Thursday, May 7 at @ 6:00 p.m. Congratulations to MG, Mike Anderson, for his nomination to the Extension Council
Linn County Extension Council members continue working on program audits for all Linn County Extension programs, including the Master Gardener Program.
Quarterly regional Master Gardener coordinator meetings continue with Denny Schrock’s assistant, Susan Deblieck.
A top priority for the MG program is to complete background checks by the end of the year 2016.
MG Fall intern class dates have been scheduled by the state office. MG intern orientation will be the week of September 14 and then intern webinars will be September 29 through November 17.
MG volunteers are needed to fill Brucemore and WGF shadow positions along with the MG Historian position, now open. Please let me know if you are interested.
Linn County Extension will be celebrating our 100th Anniversary in 2015, chair Linda Bigley. If you are interested in serving on the committee, let Kathy know. We are interested in showcasing the MG and are open to ideas, such as a tree planting ceremony, special garden or projects with children, etc. All ideas are welcome!
Meeting adjourned 7:10 p.m. Next meeting May 5, 2015.
Respectfully submitted, Beth Roof
