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1 Art Explosion Image Library The Garden Fence Monthly Newsletter Harford County Master Gardeners March 2016 Terrariums! The Master Gardener (MG) Daytime Study Group planted terrariums in February! Eighteen Master Gardeners made open and closed terrariums using containers that they brought themselves, or with jars provided by the Harford County Extension Office. Anne Spelman taught the class, and Eleanor Cone and Joan Parris brought plants. I assisted and took care of some of the logistics providing gravel, charcoal and soil to all participants. Of course, Anne, Eleanor and Joan provided their considerable expertise to all participants. First, a little background. Terrariums are usually thought of as being tightly closed sealable glass or plastic containers for growing, displaying, and/or transporting plants. The lids of closed terrariums can be opened to allow plant maintenance whenever needed. Closed terrariums create a unique environment for plant growth because the transparent walls of the container allow both heat and light to enter the growing environment. The sealed container, combined with the heat entering the terrarium, allows for the creation of a small scale water cycle, where moisture from both the soil and plants evaporates in the elevated temperatures inside the terrarium. This water vapor then condenses on the walls Inside this Issue President’s Message 1 Delphinium 3 Flower Show Them 4 JFK National Parks 6 MD State Nursery 6 Trainings 7 Education Opportunities 9 License Plates 10 Annual Report 11 Calendar 11 Officers Ellen Haas President Anne Spelman Vice President Nancy Cohen Secretary Jane Howe Secretary Kathy Ullrich Treasurer Quick Links Harford County Extension Office Home & Garden Info Center MG Hours Online President’s Message

Monthly Newsletter Harford County Master Gardeners March 2016 · From Acadia and Cape Cod, to Valley Forge and Shenandoah, to Yellowstone, Yosemite and other iconic parks and historic

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Page 1: Monthly Newsletter Harford County Master Gardeners March 2016 · From Acadia and Cape Cod, to Valley Forge and Shenandoah, to Yellowstone, Yosemite and other iconic parks and historic

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Art Explosion Image Library

The Garden Fence Monthly Newsletter – Harford County Master Gardeners

March 2016

Terrariums! The Master Gardener (MG) Daytime Study Group planted terrariums in February! Eighteen Master Gardeners made open and closed terrariums using containers that they brought themselves, or with jars provided by the Harford County Extension Office. Anne Spelman taught the class, and Eleanor Cone and Joan Parris brought plants. I assisted and took care of some of the logistics – providing gravel, charcoal and soil to all participants. Of course, Anne, Eleanor and Joan provided their considerable expertise to all participants. First, a little background. Terrariums are usually thought of as being tightly closed sealable glass or plastic containers for growing, displaying, and/or transporting plants. The lids of closed terrariums can

be opened to allow plant maintenance whenever needed. Closed terrariums create a unique environment for plant growth because the transparent walls of the container allow both heat and light to enter the growing environment. The sealed container, combined with the heat entering the terrarium, allows for the creation of a small scale water cycle, where moisture from both the soil and plants evaporates in the elevated temperatures inside the terrarium. This water vapor then condenses on the walls

Inside this Issue President’s Message 1 Delphinium 3 Flower Show Them 4 JFK National Parks 6 MD State Nursery 6 Trainings 7 Education Opportunities 9 License Plates 10 Annual Report 11 Calendar 11 Officers Ellen Haas President Anne Spelman Vice President Nancy Cohen Secretary Jane Howe Secretary Kathy Ullrich Treasurer Quick Links Harford County Extension Office Home & Garden Info Center MG Hours Online

President’s Message

Page 2: Monthly Newsletter Harford County Master Gardeners March 2016 · From Acadia and Cape Cod, to Valley Forge and Shenandoah, to Yellowstone, Yosemite and other iconic parks and historic

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of the container, and eventually falls back to the plants and soil below. This contributes to creating an ideal environment for growing plants due to the constant supply of water, thereby preventing the plants from drying out. This type of terrarium was used to grow delicate plants in 19th century homes, and to transport precious plants over long distances. Terrariums have also come to be defined as unsealed, open containers with no cover. Open terrariums do not have the water cycle, but must be watered because they do not retain the humidity of the closed container. However, for both types of terrarium, the light that passes through the transparent material of the terrarium allows for the plants within to photosynthesize. Terrariums are most useful for small plants that do not adapt well to normal home environments. When properly planted, located and maintained, terrariums provide a means to grow many plants with minimal care. And now, back to the Daytime Study Group. The goal of this class was to let MG’s learn about terrariums by assembling the proper growing medium and plants in glass containers chosen by each MG. Anne Spelman showed a slide presentation describing terrarium materials, plants, assembly and maintenance. After the slides, the class chose plants provided by Eleanor and Joan, and then assembled their terrariums, using the requisite materials required by the plants and the container.

During the class I wandered around, taking pictures of Master Gardeners assembling their terrariums. The thing that amazed me was the large variety of different containers that MG’s chose to

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use, as well as the wide variety of different, but beautiful, terrariums that came out of this class. Master Gardeners in this study group certainly have an eye for design! Many thanks to the Master Gardeners who put together this class, and who participated in it. Anne Spelman and I will take our terrarium-teaching skills to the Kaufman Cancer Center later in February, where we will be involved in teaching two terrarium classes to patients and staff. In the meantime, if you’re looking for a good Terrarium guideline, see the University of Missouri Guide shown in the References below. References: Terrariums; University of Missouri Guide, G6520. Tricklein, David H. (Reviewer), University of Missouri Extension, Division of Plant Sciences. Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrarium)

Article and Photographs taken from National Garden Bureau at ngb.org Delphinium is a perennial favorite as the tall spikes of blue flowers in the background of a stately English or cottage garden. The modern delphinium flower may be a single or double rosette in popular blue or red, pink, white, violet and yellow. Many of the flowers have white or black centers known as “bees.” History Delphinium, a native throughout the Northern Hemisphere includes about 300 species in the Ranunculaceae (Buttercup) Family. The name "delphinium" originated with the ancient Greeks who thought the shape of the new flower bud with spur resembled that of a dolphin’s nose. Delphinium is often

called by the common name "larkspur" which is shared between the perennial Delphinium and the annual Consolida species. Most delphinium hybrids and cultivars are derived from Delphinium elatum. Hybridisation was developed in the 19th-century led by Victor Lemoine in France. Other hybrid crosses have included D. bruninianum, D. cardinale, D. cheilanthum, and D. formosum. The Pacific Giant hybrids are a popular variety today that typically grows four to six feet tall on long stems developed by Frank Reinelt, renowned breeder in the United States. Millennium delphinium hybrids, bred by Dowdeswell's Delphinium Ltd. in New Zealand, are reportedly better in warmer, more humid climates than the Pacific hybrids. Flower colors in shades of red, orange, and pink can be found hybridized from D. cardinale by Reinelt and Samuelson. Delphinium cultivars in production today The most common delphiniums in commercial production are Delphinium elatum and Pacific hybrid varieties known for their long spiky stems and beautiful two-foot long flower stems. These mainly seed propagated plants are available through garden retailers.

National Garden Bureau Perennial of the Year - Delphinium

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A few very interesting hybrids are available from tissue culture with rare and unusual flower colors. Also, with new breeding, “bush” type delphiniums are coming to the market from crosses between Delphinium Beladonna, Bellamosum, Grandilflorum and Cardinale hybrids. In the Delphinium elatum hybrids, the best known varieties are the New Zealand Hybrids with strong colors and medium sized plants. Some older and newer varieties are available from both seed and plants: Pagans Purple, Royal Aspiration, New Millennium Stars, Blushing Brides, Dasante Blue, Candle, Colbalt Dreams and many more. Delphinium Pacific Hybrid varieties are slightly taller than New Millennium varieties, but very similar in growing habit and colors. Pacific Hybrids are also referred as Pacific Giant hybrids. The most popular varieties are Black Knight, Galahad, Blue Jay, Blue Bird, and King Arthur. The Delphinium Guardian, Aurora and Magic Fountain series also offer great colors and very controlled growth; this new breeding is beginning to replace some of the older elatum hybrids on the market. Blue purple and lavender are the most popular colors in this series. There are three interesting and unusual Delphiniums originating from Tissue Culture coming from Holland offering very distinctive and spectacular looks with some exciting color breakthroughs: Red Caroline, Princess Caroline and Delft Blue. New grandiflorum, cardinale, and nudicaule hybrids offer a bouquet of flowers instead of one large flower. Varieties of these include Diamonds Blue, Summer Nights, Summer Stars, Summer Morning, and Summer Clouds. Delphiniums in the garden Homeowners can begin their delphiniums from seed or as a plant from a garden retailer. They are very easy to grow in the northern climates with very little maintenance. As a perennial, they tolerate cool northern climates and overwinter with ease as a hardy perennial in Zone 4. Some misunderstanding about non-hardiness actually comes from hot and humid climates, which the plants cannot tolerate for long periods of time. Delphiniums act more like annuals in the southern climates.

After the first flush of flowers, plants can be cut back and a second set of flowers will appear on shorter stems. Mulching is not recommended, because it can cause stem rot. After heavy frost, late-fall early-winter plants need to be cut back and cleaned up. Winter protection is not necessary, but plants can be covered with hay or leaves to protect the crowns. This protection needs to be removed very early in spring to maintain a healthy Delphinium in the garden. In natural snow-covered areas, no extra protection is needed. Homeowners can begin their Delphiniums from seed or as a plant through your garden retailer. Successful Seed Germination A few guidelines for successful germination when starting from seeds: Seeding timeframe is very important. September to March is the best time to seed delphiniums. Seeds must be fresh. Delphinium seeds lose viability after one year, and germination can be poor. Presoaking seeds will improve the germination rate by 20-30%.

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Seed germination temperature should be 65F night and 75F day. Seeds must be covered with only 1/8” of soil and soil media should be evenly moist, but not too wet, during germination. The most common cause of loss is rotting due to keeping the germination media too wet. Tray size selection is also important. Smaller rather than larger is the best. After plants have two true sets of leaves, they can be transplanted into a well prepared garden bed naturally protected from high winds. Pests and Disease Delphiniums are generally very easy to grow plants, but a few issues can be encountered during growing and propagation. Powdery Mildew : High humidity and poor air circulation can cause powdery mildew. The best way to get rid of this problem is by keeping the foliage as dry as possible. Snails and Slugs: To alleviate this problem, try setting up some simple beer traps. The National Garden Bureau recognizes and thanks Zoltan Kovacs from Dümmen Orange as author and contributor to this fact sheet.

Press Release – PHS Philadelphia Flower Show

PHILADELPHIA – The 2016 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show, “Explore America,” will celebrate the centennial of the National Park Service and our country’s majestic landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture on March 5-13 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

From Acadia and Cape Cod, to Valley Forge and Shenandoah, to Yellowstone, Yosemite and other iconic parks and historic sites, American beauty and glory will serve as inspiration for exhibits created by the nation’s premier floral and garden designers.

“The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society is honored that the Philadelphia Flower Show has been chosen by the National Park Service as a centennial event marking this amazing milestone,” Sam Lemheney, PHS Chief of Shows & Events, said. “This is a wonderful partnership, and ‘Explore America’ will be an extraordinary show.”

“The National Park Service and PHS share a commitment to introduce new generations to the beauty of nature, to be good stewards of our environment, to honor the contributions of individuals to our history, and to build vibrant communities,” said Cynthia MacLeod, Superintendent of Independence National Historical Park. “The 2016 Flower Show will be a fun and glorious event and a highlight of the NPS’s Centennial Year.”

EXPLORE: In the Flower Show’s acres of trails, exhibits and attractions, guests will discover the range of horticulture in the national landscape, including the rainbow of wildflowers, desert blooms, coastal flora, verdant meadows, fragrant pinelands, and ancient redwoods.

The Flower Show will also tell the diverse stories that forged the United States with exhibits inspired by the nation’s monuments and places where history happened.

“Explore America” will spotlight Independence National Historical Park, Lincoln’s birthplace, Liberty Island, and other sites honoring our national heritage.

‘Explore America’ Honors the Centennial of the National Park Service

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Visitors will start their Flower Show adventure in the “Big Timber Lodge,” an interpretation of classic park architecture of wood and stone, enhanced by Native American-inspired art, sculpted animals, floral totems, and a dazzling waterfall. Spectacular imagery spanning the breadth of the park system will come to life on multiple overhead screens, as sounds of thundering bison and songbirds transport visitors into the wild.

Guests will have the opportunity to follow three trails through the show floor, leading them to exhibits that exemplify the natural beauty, history, and culture of the sites maintained by the National Park Service. Flower Show “explorers” will be able to locate stops along the trails on the show map, and the exhibit signs will denote each park’s significance.

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and the National Park Service are natural partners, sharing a common mission to protect and care for natural resources and preserve green spaces. In 2016, the National Park Service is celebrating 100 years of sharing America’s 408 national parks sites, and helping people make meaningful connections to them. Through “Explore America,” PHS and the Park Service are engaging those who know and love the parks, and inviting a new generation to discover the special places that belong to us all.

In the “Find Your Park Pavilion” at the Flower Show, families can meet Park Rangers from around the country in person and by webcast, explore parks and gardens throughout the U.S. and in their own backyards, and become part of the Junior Ranger program. Activities will include Ranger talks and rewards that include Ranger badges and a new National Park Service trading card created especially for the Flower Show.

EXPERIENCE: Guests will be inspired to climb a mountain, ford a stream, hike trails, and pitch camp in the exhibits and special events of the 2016 Flower Show.

Families will marvel at the Flower Show’s new Railway Garden – powered by Amtrak with Bachmann Trains – which will feature a vast display of model locomotives and rail cars rumbling through the familiar sites of a miniaturized American landscape. Other favorite show features will include “Butterflies Live!,” a rare opportunity to interact with domestic and exotic varieties; and Make & Take, where everyone can create a Flower Show keepsake.

The new “Base Camp,” in the Convention Center’s Grand Hall, will be an indoor playground of attractions, shopping, dining, live music and Fine Wine & Good Spirits tastings. A giant Flower Show Pop Up Pub Garden where guests can refresh between explorations of the Flower Show.

Special events at the Show this year will include the “Cabin Fever Country Hoedown,” with country music and dancing on opening day, March 5; Wedding Wednesday, a fabulous bridal expo on March 9; Flowers After Hours, an evening of music and delicious sips on March 10; Fido Friday, an invitation to flower-loving canines and their human companions on March 11; and the Flower Show Jamboree, featuring activities for families including the Teddy Bear Tea, Junior Ranger Day, and special appearances on March 13.

The Flower Show also invites visitors to meet garden, and design experts and vote for winners in exciting, real-time “design-offs.” In the Design Gallery and throughout the Show, guests will take away innovative ideas for outdoor spaces inspired by diverse American regions, home decorating concepts borrowed from historic settings, and other creative tips they can bring to their own home and garden.

EXHALE: Take in the view. Leave your worries behind. The 2016 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show, “Explore America,” will be a grand adventure

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Growth and development of national park and reserve programs throughout the world are important to the welfare of the people of every nation. We must have places where we can find release from the tensions of an increasingly industrialized civilization, where we can have personal contact with the natural environment which sustains us. To this end, permanent

preservation of the outstanding scenic and scientific assets of every country, and of the magnificent and varied wildlife which can be so easily endangered by human activity, is

imperative. National parks and reserves are an integral aspect of intelligent use of natural resources. It is the course of wisdom to set aside an ample portion of our national resources as national parks and reserves, thus ensuring that future generations may know the majesty of

the earth as we know it today.

-- John F. Kennedy

http://nursery.dnr.maryland.gov/

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is now accepting tree seedling orders through the John S. Ayton State Forest Tree Nursery. More than 30 tree species are available to meet a variety of aesthetic and environmental needs. Visit the Nursery’s site at http://nursery.dnr.maryland.gov/ to learn more and to view an online catalog. Seedlings are available for conservation purposes defined as: watershed protection, wildlife habitat, Christmas trees, forest products,

soil protection, buffer planting and wind-break protection. Seedlings are available in units as small as 25 per species with a minimum order of 100. Although the Nursery accepts orders through April 2014 for the next growing season, landowners are encouraged to order early as supplied are limited. Landowners who purchase seedlings from the John S. Ayton Nursery agree to: • Plant all seedlings and shrubs in Maryland or Delaware for conservation purposes • Provide a planting report upon DNR request • Protect plantings as much as possible from fires, grazing animals and trespassers • Keep live, rooted trees in place (trees with roots attached may not be uprooted for sale as live or ornamental trees) Seedlings purchased from the State Nursery cannot be used for landscaping or ornamental purposes. The Forest Service, however, fully recognizes the benefits that trees provide in terms of beautification, privacy screening and enhancing architectural design. We encourage homeowners and businesses to patronize their local private nursery, garden center or landscape contractor. These professionals can assist you in choosing the proper trees, shrubs, flowers and maintenance supplies to meet your landscaping needs.

Maryland State Nursery Now Accepting Orders

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March 5 & 12, 2016 – 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Bay Wise Training, March 5 @ Cylburn Arboretum, March 12 @ the Baltimore County Ag Center You need to attend BOTH days in order to get the certificate. Cost: $50 payable to “EAB' with 'BW Advanced Training" in the memo. Your check assures your registration Send checks to: UME Baltimore City 6615 Reisterstown Road Suite 201 Baltimore, MD 21215 March 12, 2016 - 7:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. GardenWise – York County Master Gardeners, Central York Middle School, York, PA GardenWise is a nearby opportunity to log about four hours of MG education! Some of us are carpooling and may have room for you-check with Joyce. The York County Master Gardeners' one-day school is for gardeners interested in keeping abreast of the latest news and research in gardening. Whether you are new to gardening or have been gardening for years GardenWise has something for you. Dr. Doug Tallamy from the University of Delaware is this year's keynote speaker. Doug will bring us updates on his latest research on the connections between plants and wildlife as well as a new talk offered in our breakout sessions Registration is $58 if registered by Friday, February 19, 2016. Cost $65. Registration Deadline: Friday, March 4, 2016. Agenda and registration is available via Penn State Extension office website: http://www.cvent.com/events/gardenwise/event-summary-b6c26b1a77b84ba0b2bcff13946d782c.aspx

March 2016 – 10:30 a.m. Spring Lecture Series Ladew Topiary Gardens, Harvey Ladew Studio, Monkton, MD March 16: A Cultural Exploration of Chinese Gardens with Scott Rykiel March 23: Fine Gardening Meets Fine Dining – Delectable Plants for the Home Landscape with Pandora Young March 30: The Right-Size Flower Garden with Kerry Ann Mendez Members $25, Non-Members $30, Optional Lunch $12 http://www.ladewgardens.com/EDUCATION/Adult-Education/Lecture-Series March 2, 2016 – 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. The New Front Yard, Mt. Cuba Center Hockessin, DE Reinvent traditional foundation plantings with natives that feature multi-seasonal interest that encourages songbirds. Fee: $30 https://education.mtcubacenter.org/wconnect/CourseStatus.awp?&course=161GAR134

Education Opportunities

Advanced Master Gardener Training

Page 9: Monthly Newsletter Harford County Master Gardeners March 2016 · From Acadia and Cape Cod, to Valley Forge and Shenandoah, to Yellowstone, Yosemite and other iconic parks and historic

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Art Explosion Image Library

March 8, 2016 – 9:30 a.m. In the Garden Series: Hydrangea Paniculata Pruning, Ladew Topiary Gardens, Monkton, MD Learn advanced gardening skills directly from the Ladew professional gardeners in “behind the scenes” gardening demonstrations. http://www.ladewgardens.com/EDUCATION/Adult-Education/In-The-Garden-Series Members: Free, Non-Members $13, includes admission to the Gardens and Nature Walk. March 7, 2016 – 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 pm. Heritage Vegetable Gardening, Baltimore County Master Gardeners, Cockeysville, MD Pat Brodinski – Gardener Monticello. Join us for a seed exchange afterwards Fee: $25; http://mgis16.eventbrite.com March 8, 2016 – 7:30 p.m. Horticultural Society of Maryland Lecture Series, Vollmer Center Auditorium Cylburn Arboretum, Baltimore, MD Patrick Cullina, Shopping for Eden: Gathering Perspective on the Pursuit of Plants & Gardens “Cullina will offer a colorful exploration of meaningful plant acquisition and the factors that contribute to their successful integration into compelling designs for public landscapes and private urban spaces.” Admission non-members $10 at the door. http://mdhoriculture.org/programs-events/lecture-series March 12, 2016 – 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Annual Bank to Bend Event, Winterthur Museum, Wilmington, DE Lecture: “Snowdrops at Colesbourne, Gloucestershire” 11:00 a.m. – Noon ($20 per non-member) Second Saturday Garden Walk: “Snowdrops & Other Minor Bulbs” – 1:00 p.m. (included with general admission Minor Bulbs Workshop – 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. (included with general admission) http://www.winterthur.org/?p=1191 March 18, 2016 – 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Best Native Plants for Pollinators – Mt. Cuba Center Hockessin, DE Based on a recent trial of 84 species of native perennials by Penn State Extention, discover which natives were most attractive to pollinators and learn how to incorporate them with other plans to create attractive gardens for pollinators. Fee: $30 https://education.mtcubacenter.org/wconnect/CourseStatus.awp?&course=161GAR123 April 8, 2016 – 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Green Matters Symposium: A Garden Gateway, Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD Using Brookside Gardens’ recent Garden Gateway Project the symposium will focus on environmentally friendly landscape projects offering practical suggestions ranging from hardscape to plantings. Fee: $99; Early Bird (before March 1): $85 http://ActiveMONTGOMERY.org April 9, 2016 - 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 24th Annual Shirley R. Wagner Garden Symposium, Penn State Master Gardeners & Cooperative Extension of Lancaster County

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The 24th Annual Shirley R. Wagner Garden Symposium for home gardeners will feature speaker Mike McGrath, host of WHYY Philadelphia “You Bet Your Garden”, with talks on composting and gardening in the shade. The program will also feature Penn State horticulturalists—Steve Bogash on “Growing the Best Tomatoes and Green Peppers Ever” and Annette MaCoy with tactics for dealing with invasive plants. Registration is $65 and includes Lunch. Deadline: Tuesday, April 5, 2016. Agenda and registration is available via Penn State Extension office website: http://www.cvent.com/events/shirley-r-wagner-garden-symposium-24th-annual/event-summary-2625dfc92ebe4144945116fa25fb989a.aspx

General Assembly to Consider House Bill 1102: Celebrating Maryland Native Plants and Pollinators License Plate HB1102: Celebrating Maryland Native Plants and Pollinators License Plate is currently under consideration by the Maryland General Assembly. If passed, this legislation would create a specialty license plate to support Maryland native plants and pollinators. Revenue from the plate would fund a statewide University of Maryland Extension education program that would facilitate the production and use of native plants and promote the protection of native pollinators. Please refer to the Home and Garden Information Center website to learn about the need for this program and how proceeds from the specialty plate would be used. We also have a Facebook post about the bill that you can share. For current and detailed information about the bill, its history, and its progress, please refer to the General Assembly of Maryland HB1102 listing. If you would like to contact elected officials in your district to share your views about this bill, please do so before March 9th. The hearing for this bill is scheduled for March 10th. Below are the names of specific Delegates on the Environment & Transportation Committee who will be voting on this bill on March 10th. Kumar P. Barve, Chair Dana M. Stein, Vice-Chair Carl L. Anderton, Jr. Pamela G. Beidle Alfred C. Carr, Jr. Andrew P. Cassilly

Robert L. Flanagan William G. Folden David Fraser-Hidalgo Barbara A. Frush James W. Gilchrist Anne Healey

Marvin E. Holmes, Jr. Jay A. Jacobs Jay Jalisi Tony Knotts Stephen W. Lafferty Clarence K. Lam

Cory V. McCray Anthony J. O'Donnell Charles J. Otto A. Shane Robinson Kathy Szeliga William J. Wivell

Please share this information with co-workers, family, friends, and neighbors who have an interest in native plants and pollinators.

Special News from the State Master Gardener Office

Page 11: Monthly Newsletter Harford County Master Gardeners March 2016 · From Acadia and Cape Cod, to Valley Forge and Shenandoah, to Yellowstone, Yosemite and other iconic parks and historic

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Location: Mulch & Compost Facility at Scarboro Landfill

3135 Scarboro Road, Street, MD 21154

Weeks of: February 22-27, 2016; April 4-9, 2016; June 6-11, 2016 The following plastics will be accepted for recycling:

x Polypropylene baler twine x White supersacks and feed bags x White bale wrap x Clear stretch wrap x Clear greenhouse covers x Stacked, polystyrene greenhouse trays

Plastics will be accepted between the hours of 8:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Please call Melissa Filliagi at 410-638-3417 or send an e-mail to [email protected] to provide the estimated day and time of arrival. All plastics should be as clean as possible and stored under cover to minimize moisture. Farmers should separate the plastic by type (for example, do not mix baling twine in with bale wrap) and plastics should be tied into bundles for ease of handling. Plant containers should be stacked. Farmers should be prepared to unload and separate the materials on their own, as we will not necessarily have staff available to assist.

The Harford County Master Gardeners served a total of 6,649 hours of service in 2015. The volunteers were 108 strong with an additional 22 trainees. They exceeded last years’ service hour total by 850 hours! The mission of the Master Gardeners is to educate. Our volunteer educators taught 114 programs to 1208 residents in Harford County. The education classes serve both youth and adults. Examples of youth classes include STEM nights, programs at nature and environmental centers and 4-H events. Adult education classes are offered at libraries, hospitals, garden clubs and at special events. Ask a Master Gardener plant clinics are available throughout the county. Five clinic sites include Bel Air Farmer’s Market, Havre de Grace Farmer’s Market and three libraries. Clinics are our biggest community outreach with 56 clinics held at which we served 4126 citizens. That deserves a huge bravo! The Bay-Wise team certified 9 residences. At these homes, the Bay-Wise teams evaluated the homeowner’s land management practices and offered strategies for improvement. Food production classes help residents become more self-reliant gardeners. Almost a third of our classes and workshops taught in 2015 were on the topic of food production. Our teams of MG’s assisted with the development of 7 school/youth and community gardens. The Eden Mill demonstration vegetable garden donated 136 pounds of produce to the Bel Air Methodist Church Food Bank. Both vegetable and herb classes continue to be well attended classes. Please take the time to view the attached annual report. It shows all programs in which Harford County Master Gardeners participated in 2015. Plus a few highlights! Joyce is proud of all the work accomplished.

Collection of Agricultural Plastics

Harford County Master Gardeners Annual Report

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Calendar of Events March 3 10 a.m. MG Monthly Meeting HCEO March 25 10 a.m. MG Steering Committee Meeting HCEO April 7 7 p.m. Volunteer Appreciation Evening

Bring a Dessert Liriodendron

Joyce Browning Urban Horticulturist Master Gardener Coordinator Harford County Office

The University of Maryland, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources programs are open to all and will not discriminate against anyone because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion,

ancestry or national origin, marital status, genetic information, political affiliation, or gender identity and expression.

The Maryland Master Gardener Mission Statement

The Maryland Master Gardener mission is to support the University of Maryland Extension by educating Maryland residents about safe effective and sustainable horticultural practices that

build healthy gardens, landscapes and communities.