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MASTER GARDENER MONTHLY MEETING
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2018
Please join us for our continuing education meeting on Wednesday, March 21, 2018, from
7:30-9 pm in the RCE Meeting Room, 300 North Avenue East, Westfield, NJ 07090.
Topic: To be announced.
You are welcome to bring a guest for this event! RSVP by emailing Tina Helmstetter
[email protected] or calling Tamisha Hopkins at 908-654-9854 ext.2.
Community Beautification Projects
Did you know there are gardens throughout Union County where you can earn volunteer hours? These
are the Community Beautification Projects and currently there are 17 such gardens that have been
approved by the Union County Master Gardeners Executive Board. To find a garden near you log onto
the Union County Master Gardeners website: mastergardeners-uc.org; select: “Committees and
Projects”; select: “Master Gardener Community Beautification Binder”. The projects are arranged by
town, for ease of finding a garden near you. There is a description of each approved project and
information regarding whom to contact to volunteer or to obtain more information. There is also a hard
copy of the binder located in the “Help Line” office.
In addition, is there a garden in your community that you would like to have considered as a Community
Beautification Project? To qualify as a Community Beautification Project, the garden must be located
on public property in Union County. All plantings and materials to complete the project must be
provided by the organization sponsoring the garden. Master Gardeners provide guidance and labor only.
To submit a proposal for consideration go to the Union County Master Gardeners website:
mastergardeners-uc.org; select: “Committees and Projects”; select: “Master Gardener Community
Beautification Proposal”. You will find Guidelines for preparing proposals there as well. Projects can
be short term (12 months or less) or long term (ongoing). Only ongoing projects are contained in the
binder.
Any questions regarding, current or proposed, Community Beautification Projects can be referred to
Diane Borman, Community Beautification Coordinator, at [email protected].
THE MASTER GARDENER UNION COUNTY MASTER GARDENER NEWSLETTER
MARCH 2017
March Houseplant of the Month by Denise Rothstein Pothos
(Epipremnum aureum), or Devil’s Ivy, is a familiar leafy vine that makes an excellent starter
plant. It is easy to grow, is tolerant of low light, and does well even with erratic watering, making
it a safe bet for offices. It is hardy, but doesn’t really like direct sunlight, and should be trimmed
annually to keep it bushy Leaves are usually heart-shaped and glossy, and may be lime colored,
dark green or variegated with green and white. Some Pothos are poisonous, so may not be the
best plant for a home with small children or pets. Try to give it an even amount of water to keep
it at its best, and some good soil, and you will be rewarded with a lovely plant!
The Herb Garden by Christine Dec
The Shamrock - Oxalis Acetocella
"There's a dear little plant that grows in our isle,
"'Twas Saint Patrick himself, sure that set it
And the sun of his labor did smile,
And with dew from his eye often wet it.
It grows through the bog, through the lake, through the mireland
And they call it the dear little Shamrock of Ireland.
(Irish Blessing)
The Shamrock, like most herbs, has a long and interesting history. Dating back to 1571, it was
written in Irish as "seamrog" meaning summer plant. The legend of the shamrock connects
directly to Saint Patrick and his teachings. It is believed that Saint Patrick had a difficult time
convincing the people of Ireland that the Holy Trinity existed, so during one of his sermons he
placed a shamrock from the earth and pointed to the three leaves connected to one stem to
demonstrate the "three in one" concept. Since then, the Shamrock has become the symbol of
Ireland.
The Shamrock was also a well known herb in Arabia, called "shamrakh" it was sacred in Iran as
an emblem of the Persian triads. It was also revered by the Druids. Thought to have mystical
powers, its leaves pointed upright and was believed to warn of an approaching storm. It was also
found on Irish medieval tombs and old copper coins known as "St. Patrick's money." Its legend is
also connected to the banishment of the serpent tribe from Ireland by a belief that snakes are
never on a plant having three leaves.
The World Book encyclopedia says "the Shamrock is a small herb with leaves made of three
leaflets. It is the national symbol of Ireland. According to legend, Saint Patrick planted shamrock
in Ireland because the three small leaflets represented the Holy Trinity. Many Irish people wear a
Shamrock on Saint Patrick's Day. The word Shamrock comes from an Irish word that means
"trefoil" three leafed.
Florists often sell wood sorrel as Shamrock, but in Ireland the plant often referred to as the
Shamrock is the White Clover. It has slender creeping stems and white or pinkish-white flowers.
It is easiest to find in early spring and can be kept indoors as a houseplant, but can be brought
outside after the threat of frost. If planted in the ground it can spread rapidly. It's a nice way to
bring a little bit of spring inside, even if sometimes March doesn't feel much like spring yet. But
if you have one in your house you may bring in a little bit of the "luck of the Irish."
New Ways to Open Up a World in Small Spaces by Kathryn DeFillipo
Just because you may live in a condo or an apartment, doesn’t mean that you cannot garden. If
you do not have access to a yard, you might have a patio, balcony, or deck, or even a community
area. As long as you have a window, you are in business. A window box is a perfect and efficient
way to maximize your space while adding to your décor. Or a group of different size pots on the
floor near a window may do just as well. Use herbs and spices, along with some colorful blooms
mixed in. Mint, rosemary, parsley and thyme are good to try. Or try some vegetables, like
tomatoes, peppers, or cucumbers.
CARYL SUGGESTS: THINGS TO DO IN MARCH
Repot houseplants that have grown too large for their containers. Cut back leggy
plants to encourage compact growth.
Houseplants can be watered more frequently with the onset of spring and new growth.
Start tomato seeds now. Keep them warm (72' F) until they germinate.
Before working an area in the garden for early spring planting, check the soil. It should be dry
enough to crumble in your hand before you work it.
Gardening in raised beds improves drainage and gives an earlier start in areas with cold, wet soil.
Crop rotation isn't just for farmers. Changing locations every year can help prevent some
diseases from occurring, especially in the nightshade family (tomatoes, potatoes, peppers,
eggplants). Not only will this help reduce pest problems, but the soil nutrient balance will
have a chance to recover. Different families of plants deplete the soil of different nutrients.
Have your soil tested. Vegetable plants grow best in soil of pH 6.0 to 6.5
Finish pruning trees and shrubs. Don't leave stubs when pruning; stubs usually die and are entry
points for decay fungus. Trees that bleed, such as birch or maple, should not be pruned until after
their leaves are fully developed.
Don't buy more chemicals than you can use in a season. Dispose of aged or no longer used
chemicals according to local regulations. Do not pour them down the drain or on the ground, as
they can pollute the water system, damage the soil, or injure you if you come into contact with
them.
Keep off soft and soggy lawns. Lime spreaders, wheelbarrows and other equipment will leave
compaction marks.
Begin removing winter mulch from perennials.
Ornamental grasses can be pruned now to get them in shape for spring. Overcrowded clumps can
be divided and replanted.
May your seeds all sprout…
And your plants grow tall and beautiful.
May the wind blow soft and the rain fall gently
Upon your fields and woods.
May your weeds wilt and your pests perish…
And your garden be free of all disease.
And through all your many days…
May your thumb be forever green.
Old Master Gardener Blessing
Demonstration
Garden News
By Joanne Krueger
We’ll be starting several varieties of tomatoes, peppers and cool weather crops for the Sharing Garden
and our Spring Fair in March in our greenhouse. We can use help starting seeds or transplanting
seedlings. Contact Norma Cohen at 908-464-1730, [email protected] to be alerted or
volunteer. Please don’t leave any donations outside the Demonstration Garden gates in March, as items
can be lost or ruined by the bad weather. Please contact Joanne Krueger if you have any questions -
[email protected] or 908-313-2734
Volunteers needed during Wild Earth Fest- Sunday, April 29th
Demo Garden will be open from 11am until 5pm
Wild Earth Fest is an educational event to promote
awareness and appreciation of global and local
conservation issues, including energy, recycling,
land and wildlife conservation and pollution. Wild
Earth Fest will inform visitors about these issues
through displays, talks, demonstrations, and other
fun family activities.
Wild Earth Fest will be set up in the grassy field adjacent to the Demo Garden (like at the Harvest
Festival in the fall)
We would like to offer the following activities to the public:
1. Have the Garden open for garden tours, highlighting the rain garden installations and our
beautiful gardens and the greenhouse.
2. We have been offered a separate table outside the garden, where we can promote Master
Gardeners and our Fair, distribute fact sheets, and sell soil test kits.
We need volunteers to greet the public at the Garden, staff the table under the big tent, conduct tours, set-
up, and clean up. Shifts are 11am- 2pm and 2 - 5pm. Please contact Joanne Krueger by April 15th at
[email protected] or 908-313-2734 to volunteer.
Berry Patch Update - Althea Llewellyn
We’ll start with a general clean – up of the Berry Patch in March, and there is lots of berry and rose bush
pruning to do! If you’d like to help, please let Althea Llewellyn know at 908-720-4330 -
[email protected] - the date is dependent on the weather.
Sharing Garden Update
Mary Mastropietro will be contacting the agencies that receive our fresh produce over the summer. We
are expanding our agency database, so please send contact information to Mary if your church or other
organization would be interested in receiving produce from the Sharing Garden. Contact Mary at
[email protected] or call 908-928-9748
New Class Visit and Demo Garden Clean Up Day -
Tuesday, April 17th at 10am - 12:30pm - Help is needed to get the garden into shape!
The new Master Gardener class will be visiting and
learning at the Demo Garden on Tuesday, April 17,
May 8, and May 15, 10am – 12:30pm. Fellow Master
Gardeners are urged to attend and welcome them to
the garden. This is also a great time for a “skill brush
up” in perennial care in early spring, types of
fertilizers, soil test sampling, tick detection and
planting. This is our major clean-up time in the
Garden so please come and lend a hand.
Spring Garden Fair
& Plant Sale News
Sunday, May 20
By Joanne Krueger
Save these Dates - for the Spring Garden Fair and Plant Sale! Plant Sale Kickoff Committee Meeting - Saturday, April 28, 12:30pm at
the Demo Garden (refreshments at 12:00pm) All are welcome to attend!
This is immediately after our first donation /pot up morning so please come
with your plants and stay for refreshments.
Garden/Plant Sale Prep Days and Plant Donations (Volunteers needed!)
We need help dividing and potting up perennials these days in April:
Saturday, April 28 and May 5 – 9:00am –12:00pm
Sunday, April 29 and May 6 – 9:00am – 12:00pm
We now accept houseplants prior to the fair on donation days
Please Note–NO plants accepted the weekend of the Fair, EXCEPT HOUSEPLANTS, on Saturday only
Please!
Pricing and Set-up Days (Volunteers needed!)
Saturday, May 12 – 9:00am –12:00pm
Sunday, May 13 - Garden CLOSED
Friday, May 18 – 9:00am - 3:00pm
Saturday, May 19 – 8:30am – 5:00pm
MG Members ONLY Pre-Sale - NOTE NEW TIME
Saturday, May 19 – 1:00pm – 3:00PM
Fair Preparation Meeting all should attend:
Wednesday, May 16 @ 7:30pm at RCE Auditorium
If you have any questions, please contact Joanne Krueger at [email protected] or 908-313-2734
DIG UP COMMITTEE - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
CONTACT: Ruth Yablonsky 908-276-2135
This is basically a sub-committee of the Plant Sale, but since it has VERY flexible hours, this may be a
good volunteer opportunity for many people. Members of this committee visit other Master Gardeners,
who are unable to dig up and divide valuable plant stock in their gardens. The Chair would receive calls
from those who need shovel assistance and find a committee member who lives near and can lend a hand
for digging and dividing, and then potting up the extras for the Spring Fair. A bonus is the “diggers” get
to visit other Master Gardener gardens, and there are always extras for the diggers too! Volunteer Hours:
Unlimited! All digging up is done by the end of April, so we can pot the plants up for sale at the Fair.
Perennial Donations for The Plant Sale Needed! You can start to pot-up your extra perennials in March, as your plants
start to come up in the garden. Your contributions make a HUGE
difference for our Fair, and directly add to our bottom-line. Please hold
onto your houseplants until 2-3 weeks before the Fair. Please follow
our guidelines. We’re trying to work smarter, NOT harder, and it
is giving us great results!
We’d like a minimum of 6 of each variety from you, unless it’s a
rare plant. Please, all plants in the same size pots- 4 or 6 inch, and
no “Name Brand” pots like Monrovia, Instant Color, etc. This
makes it easy for us to sort and price. When you do pot up your
extras, try to create a pot that you would like to buy yourself –
nice full pots with healthy plants.
If you need pots or plant labels, they are available at the Demo
Garden; please call Norma Cohen at 908-464-1730, normainthe
[email protected] for when the sharing garden will be there.
Or, contact Joanne Krueger at 908-313-2734(cell) or
March is a Great Time to start to propagate your Houseplant Donations
for the Plant Sale! We are looking for the following types of houseplants:
Any small flowering houseplants are desirable, such as Begonias, African Violets, or Peace Lilies. Green
hanging plants (not too big) such as Swedish ivy, Wandering Jew, Pothos or ferns are popular. Small cacti
of any kind are big choices for kids. Large potted plants such as staked Philodendron, Schefflera, or
Norfolk Island Pine are also big sellers.
Large plants that can be 'prettied up' by being cutback or divided would be acceptable donations for the
fair. You can work on plants like these to make them sellable.
Old, overgrown or leggy plants do not sell, so please don't donate these for the plant sale.
Rule of thumb is: if you wouldn't buy a plant, neither will anyone else.
Plants also look attractive & sell well if they are presented in baskets or decorative pots. Any donated
baskets or decorative pots would be welcome & put to good use in selling the houseplants. Please start
propagating your houseplants, and bring us your baskets and cachepots in May. Thank you - Debra
Stuart, the Houseplant Committee Chair- any questions contact Debra at [email protected] or 732-
801-0430
GREENHOUSE SEEDLING CARETAKERS NEEDED for March, April and May
CONTACT: JOANNE KRUEGER 908-313-2734 or [email protected]
We start over 1,200 seedlings in our greenhouse that we sell at our plant sale, including tomatoes,
cucumbers, lettuce, and annual vines. I can use some help taking care of them for the 6 weeks prior to the
fair- Please call if you can spare a few hours to work with me.
Looking for Plant Sale Table Captains/Owners and Assistants for the
Spring Garden Fair
We have our plants arranged by category, just like at a commercial
nursery (Deer Resistant, Sun or Shade perennials, Vegetables,
Berries, Herbs, Annuals, Houseplants, native plants, Hostas and
ferns, ground covers, sedums, etc.)
If you are interested in learning about perennial plants, join the
Plant Sale committee, and consider either assisting or being a table
captain/owner at the Spring Fair. Contact Jane Manniello (908)
273-3231 [email protected] for more details.
Table Captain/Owner Responsibilities are:
Attend the Plant Sale Committee Kick-off meeting - Saturday, April 28, 12:30pm at the
Demonstration Garden. Refreshments will be available at 12:00pm. The meeting will be over by
2:30pm.
1) Help at least one day prior to the fair, at the end of April or in May to familiarize yourself with the
plants for your table, clean them up and price them. (We have 650 perennials in the winter-over plots at
the Garden already) This will take approx. 3 - 4 hours.
2) Work the Saturday pre-sale day (May 19) to set up your table, price plants, and put out plant signage.
Approx. 3 - 4 hours.
3) Work on Fair Day (May 20) at your table. Most volunteers
come for the whole day. You will need to talk to customers,
hand out flyers, clean up your table, put away your signs, and
sort empty flats. If we can get more volunteers, we can do
shifts. Any time you can give this day is a big help. Contact
Jane Manniello (908) 273-3231 [email protected] or
Susan Thomson (908) 313-1735 or [email protected] to
volunteer.
Master Gardener Members Only Pre-Plant Sale and Social
Saturday, May 19, 1:00 - 3:00 pm at the Demo Garden
NOTE the
TIME
All members will be able to purchase plants at full retail price prior to the plants being made available to
the public. This is a once a year opportunity for you to purchase plants that we have gathered from local
area nurseries - plus a chance to pick from over 1,000 perennials donated by fellow Master Gardeners!
We always have a selection of over 5,000 plants to choose from. Imagine the time you can save by
doing some of your shopping with us!
Items Needed for the Spring Garden Fair
Going to the Supermarket or the Liquor Store? We need boxes for the Fair! The fresh vegetable and fruit produce section has great flat sturdy boxes that we
can use for the Spring Fair-they are the shallow boxes that have strawberries or
tomatoes packed in them. Please ask your produce clerk if you can have one or
two every time you go to the store. Before you know it, you'll have 10-20 boxes
for the Fair--and we need at least 500 boxes each year for our customers. Going to
the liquor store? Wine boxes are very sturdy and if they have the top and bottom
lid, can be cut in half to make two shallow boxes. The cartons that a case of beer
or soda comes in are also great to carry plants. Of course, we'll take all types of
cartons for the Fair. Please store the boxes in your home until the weekend of
the Fair.
Plastic Mini Venetian Blinds Needed They make great plant tags-–and we use them all year. Please
drop off any extra old blinds you have at the Demo Garden or the Westfield RCE office. The blinds must
be plastic—we can’t use metal blinds.
Garden Odds and Ends Table - Garden Items Needed We will start accepting donated items in April at the Demo Garden.
Here is a list of the garden related items that we will be accepting for re-sale.
Items should be in new or very good condition, and not need to be cleaned, painted or refurbished
by the Committee. All items must be garden related.
We have been overwhelmed with the amount of items that have been donated. Most items have been great
- some are not so great. This has created extra work for Master Gardeners, having to sort through items
that either had nothing to do with gardening, were broken or in such poor condition they had to go into
the trash or recycling. We appreciate everyone’s generous donations, but please don’t make extra work
for your fellow Master Gardeners. We want to offer quality items to the public. Thank you for your
cooperation. Any questions contact Joanne @ [email protected]
These are the items we will accept:
Bird feeders (cleaned) Wire hanging baskets
Birdhouses Garden tools (in good condition)
Composters Plant stands (in good condition)
Decorative trellises Garden kneeler or Scooter seat
Rain Barrels Garden statues, figurines
Ceramic or decorative clay pots Wicker items (plant stands)
Strawberry jars Hose hanger
Window boxes or planters Potting tray
Rain gauge Plant supports (rings, linking stakes)
NEW Garden items you purchased and don’t need: Garden gloves, watering cans, hose nozzle, fertilizer
spreader, etc.
These are the items we will NOT Accept, so please don’t bring them!
Christmas or any other holiday items
Florist vases (you can recycle them)
Power tools (leaf blowers, hedge trimmers, etc.)
Old rusty garden tools
Old sprinklers
Faded plastic pots
Picture frames
Framed pictures or paintings
Bent or rusty wire fencing
Old hoses and old hose carts
Kitchenware, cookware, etc
Knick-knacks that have nothing to do with garden.
NO Chemicals, insecticides, herbicides or fertilizers (these can be safely disposed of at the Household
Special Waste Collection days run by the County - schedule here: http://ucnj.org/recycling/household-
special-waste.
The Book Sale has been discontinued due to declining sales. We thank everyone for his or
her generous donations in the past. WE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTING ANY DONATIONS of
gardening books or magazines. Please donate your books to your local library during their annual book
sales. Thank you for your cooperation.
Each year the Perennial Plant
Association chooses a tried-and-
true plant to recommend to home
gardeners. The Perennial Plant
Association is proud to
announce Allium 'Millenium' the butterfly magnet, as its 2018
Perennial Plant of the Year™
Photo courtesy of PPA
Hardiness USDA Zones 3 or 4 to 9
Light - grows best in full sun. In very hot climates partial shade may be best.
Soil - Grows best in well-drained soils,
Uses - Allium ‘Millenium’ is a perfect selection for full-sun gardens where its sleek structure can complement many
other growth habits. Cut flowers retain a blush of their summer color.
Unique Qualities - Allium ‘Millenium’ is a butterfly magnet. The plant is interesting through multiple seasons for
both foliage and large, gorgeous blooms. Reseeding is much less a problem than in other alliums. Fortunately
‘Millenium’ exhibits 50% reduced seed production, raising less concern for self-sown seedlings.
Maintenance - Allium ‘Millenium’ is subject to no serious insect or disease problems. Deer and rabbits usually
avoid ‘Millenium’.
This herbaceous perennial, relative to the common onion, is a workhorse of the late summer garden. Bred
by Mark McDonough, horticulture researcher from Massachusetts, ‘Millenium’ was introduced through
Plant Delights Nursery in 2000 where it has proven itself year after year earning rave reviews.
The genus Allium contains more than 900 species in the northern hemisphere, but is perhaps best known
for a dozen or so species of culinary vegetables and herbs: onion, garlic, leeks, shallots, scallions, and
chives. The genus is also known for a few dozen ornamentals that grow from bulbs and sport tall stems
with big globe-shaped blooms in spring. The vast majority of the genus is little known and absent from
horticulture, yet possesses significant ornamental potential.
Allium ‘Millenium’ has a fibrous root structure forming an ornamental herbaceous clump easily
propagated by division. Once in the garden, ‘Millenium’ can easily be lifted and divided in either spring
or fall. Cut back foliage in late fall.
Pollinators will flock to Allium ‘Millenium’! Butterflies and bees will thank you for adding ‘Millenium’
to your garden. This low-maintenance dependable perennial will not disappoint! Blooming at a time when
most of our garden begins to decline in the tired excess of the season, ‘Millenium’ offers much needed
color. It is truly an all-season plant that offers attractive shiny foliage spring through summer and caps
off the season with its crown of perfectly round rose-purple flower umbels!
Go to http://www.perennialplant.org/ to view all the perennial plants of the year since 1990. The
Perennial Plant of the Year™ (POY™) began in 1990 to showcase a perennial that is a standout among
its competitors. Perennials chosen are suitable for a wide range of growing climates, require low
maintenance, have multiple-season interest, and are relatively pest/disease-free.
We will have the PPA Winners (Perennial Plant Association) table again this year at the Spring
Garden Fair and Plant Sale.
