Master Gardener Enews 2014 AUGUST
Download Master Gardener Enews 2014-August-7
August 2014 JC Master Gardener E-news
August 7, 2014
Howdy all Master Gardeners!
I have a special request this month. Please be on the lookout for tansy ragwort. The Noxious Weed Control Board is trying to get this noxious weed under control. If it’s in your yard, on your street, or anywhere where you can reach it, please cut and bag all the flowers/seeds and pull the plant up by the roots. Most of them are easy enough to pull right now. If the plants are really large, you may have to dig them. The following document will give you more information on how to identify and control tansy ragwort. There are many plants that look similar, so please bring along this flyer with you to assist in identifying.
http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/WeedBoard/pdfs/FactSheets/TansyRagwort.pdf
Email me the location of the tansy ragwort if you can’t reach it.
Ok, it’s time to get your calendar out again to see what activities you might be interested in volunteering for and/or attending.
JCMGF MEETING
As usual, there is NO JCMG Foundation meeting in August. We will resume September 11, at 3:00, at the Tri-Area Community Center. I’ll send out another reminder closer to the date. Can anyone bring some snacks for that date? October and November snack providers are needed as well.
OUR THIRD MG FIELD TRIP OF THE YEAR
Our third MG field trip took place a few days ago. A group of 11 MGs participated in the Kala Point Garden Tour with a fantastic lunch afterwards, courtesy of Frances L. and Sharon G. A blog review will be posted soon. I’ll send you a notice once it goes live.
SPEAKING OF BLOG POSTS…
If you haven’t been to the JCMGF Blog lately, there have been four posted in the last month – https://jcmgf.org/mg2/blog/ We’d love to have even more participation from other MGs. It can be as simple as just a short blurb with a picture if you don’t have a lot of time to write. Or even easier, just submit an article that you find informative. And, if you don’t want to initiate a subject, feel free to comment on existing posts. blog@jcmgf.org is the email to use to submit information.
WE HAVE A FULL COMMITTEE FOR THE 2015 YARD AND GARDEN SERIES! Six Saturdays in January through February, 2015
Nancesca S, Roger M, and Barbara S, are heading up the Yard and Garden Series for 2015. They will be booking speakers, securing the venue, organizing volunteers and treats, publicity, etc. If you have any suggestions for speakers or ways to improve the event, please feel free to email suggestions to anyone on the organizing committee.
MG Hours: ALL hours are counted as program support (There will be plenty of hours available to volunteer for this series)
PLANT CLINIC AT WSU Every Monday, March 3 through September 29; 1-4pm
Plant clinic is still going strong. A lot of interesting gardening issues are coming in and keeping the MGs on their toes! We have had some very solid plant clinicians all season, but we can always use additional MGs to help out. There are seven dates left through the end of September. Please get some plant clinic hours in while you can.
Location: WSU Extension Office (380 Jefferson St., Port Townsend; Madrone Room)
MG Hours: 3/plant clinic (3 hours for each week you participate)
PLANT CLINIC AT CHIMACUM FARMERS MARKET 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month, through the season, 10-2
Mike M. and Ali D. will be staffing the plant clinic table at the Chimacum Farmers Market again this month (the 2nd and 4th Sundays). If this location is closer to you and you want to join in, let me know and I’ll put you in the schedule.
Location: Chimacum Farmers Market, Chimacum
MG Hours: 4/plant clinic (4 hours for each week you participate)
“APHIDS TO ZUCCHINI” BROWN BAG LUNCH LECTURES Third Monday of each month, March 17 through November 17; 12-1pm (next one is August 18)
Our August WSU Master Gardener educational lecture series subject this month is “How to Save Seeds and Other Late Summer Gardening Tips”. Save money and learn a new skill! Susan Ambrosius, Jefferson County WSU Master Gardener since 2004, welcomes the public to come learn how to save your own seeds. She will also give tips on starting various plants direct from seed. Susan will include some late summer survival gardening tips at this presentation as well. Questions and sharing personal seed-saving and growing techniques are encouraged throughout the lecture. Bring your lunch and have fun learning.
Location – WSU Extension Office, 380 Jefferson St., Port Townsend
MG Hours: 1/education
MG SUMMER PICNIC Saturday, August 16, 12:30
We have 20 people already signed up for the annual MG Foundation summer picnic. Let me know if you want to be added to the list. Bring your own bbq item (Mike will cook it for you), and a side dish and/or dessert to share. Please rsvp to me so I can tally up the expected guests. Add in a significant other or leave them home. Your choice! Directions and more details will be sent a few days before the event.
MG Hours: none; just fun, good company, and good food
BIG NEWS FROM THE “Q GARDENS”!
The MGs at the Q Gardens in Quilcene have some great news to share: The Regional USFS Annual Work Party picked the Q Gardens as their volunteer location for this year! About 30 Forest Service volunteers spent the day weeding, moving dirt, and preparing the orchard with them. This garden has turned out to be a very special project thanks to MGs, Juanita T. and Anita M. and property owner, Anne Ricker. Every week, large quantities of veggies are delivered to the Food Bank and this nutritious food disappears within minutes. Please enjoy the following PDN article about this wonderful place – http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2014307219993
UNCOMMON FRUITS FOR EVERY GARDEN WITH AUTHOR LEE REICH Saturday, August 9
The Western Washington Fruit Research Foundation (WWFRF) presents author Lee Reich speaking on “Uncommon Fruits for Every Garden” and leading a subsequent tour of the espalier in the WWFRF demonstration fruit garden. Hosted in cooperation with WSU Mount Vernon NWREC, Lee will introduce some fruits, such as pawpaw, medlar, Nanking Cherry, and persimmon that are not well known, but have delectable flavors and are easy to grow. These uncommon fruits are cold hardy, laugh off pests, and require little, in some cases, no, pruning. And if that’s not enough: some of these fruits—hardy kiwi, juneberry, and cornelian cherry, for example—are borne on ornamental plants, perfect for “luscious landscaping.” Lee’s presentation will be followed by a book signing and then he will then discuss espalier during a tour of one of the foremost espalier gardens in the area, the WWFRF Fruit Garden. For more information, see http://nwfruit.org/lee-reich-to-speak-in-august/
Location: WSU Mount Vernon Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center (NWREC), 16650 State Route 536, Mount Vernon, WA.
MG Hours: MG Hours: All hours count as continuing education
JEFFERSON COUNTY FARM TOUR Sunday, September 14th
No volunteers needed, but please put this on your calendar as a fun event to attend. Every year Farm Tour draws thousands of visitors eager to experience a working farm and connect with local farmers. See http://jefferson.wsu.edu/agriculture/farm-tour/ for locations and more details.
MG Hours: do not count
COME TO LEARN, STAY AND PLAY AT THE SOUND GARDENING CONFERENCE (WSU MG ADVANCED EDUCATION CONFERENCE) September 18-20
Don’t miss the 2014 WSU MG Advanced Education Conference in Tacoma (September 18th – 20th).
The Master Gardeners of Pierce County have planned a very full three days of activities for you this year. Attend all sessions, including the Friday lunch and dinner, and you will get twelve hours of Continuing Education credits. Take a tour, and pick up 2-4 more CE hours on Thursday morning and Saturday afternoon. See the complete listing at www.pc-wa-mg-conf.org
MG Hours: All hours count as continuing education
FALL ORCHARDING WORSHOP Friday, September 19
Cutting edge information in a dynamic 1-day workshop featuring a team of experienced professionals led by expert Western Washington Orchardist/Pomologist Gary Moulton.
Dr. Ines Hanrahan of the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission and Dr. Jay Pscheidt of Oregon State University will address the practical aspects of fall orcharding, as well as current trends. For more information please visit www.agbizcenter.org
Location: Skagit Valley Gardens, 18923 Johnson Rd, Mt. Vernon, WA 98273
MG Hours: All hours count as continuing education
WEBINARS TO LISTEN TO! Schedules dates below, but archived webinars can be watched anytime, anywhere
October 4 – All Bugs Good and Bad Webinar Series: Alien Invasions, Zombies Under Foot, and Billions of Decapitated Fire Ants at Learn.extension.org/events/1374
November 8 – All Bugs Good and Bad Webinar Series: Where Have All the Honey Bees Gone? Hope for the Future at Learn.extension.org/events/1375
For a list of all “eXtension” webinars, see https://www.extension.org/pages/70120/all-bugs-good-and-bad-2014-webinar-series
MG Hours: all hours count as continuing education
TOMATO AND TURF MD APPS
New ‘Tomato MD’ App Helps Users Diagnose and Treat Sick Tomato Plants
Tomatoes are one of the most common garden crops in the U.S. But while popular, they are not always easy to treat when affected by plant diseases or bugs. With such a wide range of pests that affect tomato plants, gardeners at all levels–and even professional growers–can have a difficult time identifying and treating them. Enter Tomato MD, part of the new “Plant Health” family of apps for the iPhone or iPad. Tomato MD is an interactive reference that helps gardeners, professional growers, and consultants identify and manage more than 35 key diseases, insects, and physiological disorders of tomatoes.
Tomato MD is unique in that tomato experts have peer-reviewed all content to ensure the images and information are accurate. And while the information was reviewed by scientists, it is very accessible and published in an easy-to-use, non-scientific format.
Specific features of this app include:
An index of more than 35 common diseases, insects, and mites that affect tomato plants. Once the disease or pest is isolated, users can learn more about causes and sources, symptoms, management strategies, other plants that may serve as host to the pest, and more useful information
A peer-reviewed photo gallery of insects and mites and the specific damage they cause
A diagnostic key of tomato diseases based on physical symptoms and the location of infection, including the leaves, stem, fruit, and whole plant
A tutorial on packing diagnostic samples for the identification of diseases, insect and mite pests, and other disorders
An updated list of U.S. diagnostic labs where samples can be sent
Fully downloadable content. No internet or cellular connection is needed to operate the app once it is fully downloaded
Tomato MD was authored and peer-reviewed by members of the American Phytopathological Society, a nonprofit scientific organization dedicated to plant health. Among the contributors were members Margaret McGrath, Gail Ruhl, Michelle Grabowski, Daniel Gilrein, Robert Wick, and Margery Daughtrey.
Tomato MD is based in part on two APS PRESS Books: Tomato Health Management, Edited by R. Michael Davis, Ken Pernezny, and Janet C. Broome; and the Compendium of Tomato Diseases and Pests, Second Edition, Edited by Jeffrey B. Jones, Thomas A. Zitter, M. Timur Momol, and Sally A. Miller.
The entire Tomato MD app can be purchased at the introductory rate of just $1.99 through August 17.
Users can sample Tomato MD via the APS Plant Health app. Users can also find and sample the app by searching “Tomato MD” or “Plant Health” in their iPhone or iPad App Store.
New Turf MD App: Literally What the Doctors Ordered for Turf Pros
At least $1.5-$2 billion is spent on turfgrass pesticides annually. Some of this money is lost due to misdiagnosis of diseases, misapplication, or the wrong control strategy for a given situation.
To help turf professionals get the most out of their disease management tactics, The American Phytopathological Society (APS) has introduced the Turf MD app, available for iPhone and iPad (iOS) devices.
Turf MD is part of the new “Plant Health” family of apps. It offers diagnostic and decision support tools designed for turf professionals, including golf course superintendents, sports turf managers, park and landscape managers, turfgrass producers, and anyone responsible for turfgrass health.
What sets Turf MD apart from other apps is its high-quality information. It is peer-reviewed by Ph.D.-level university experts on turfgrass diseases and management, so users can trust the app’s management recommendations, images, decision support tools, and other important information.
The app is laid out in a non-technical format and includes a photo gallery, identification tools, decision support tools, an index of turfgrass diseases, and recommendations to help users identify and treat diseases. Specific features include:
Scientifically peer-reviewed disease images
Decision support tools, including diagnostic keys that help users to identify diseases based on turfgrass variety, temperature, and physical symptoms
General guidelines and steps for disease identification
Control strategies for the management of turfgrass diseases
A directory of state turf extension resources for more information and to connect with local university specialists
Fully downloadable content. No internet or cellular connection is needed to operate the app once it is fully downloaded
Turf MD’s content is based on three APS PRESS Books: Compendium of Turfgrass Diseases, Third Edition, edited by Richard W. Smiley, Peter H. Dernoeden, and Bruce B. Clarke; A Practical Guide to Turfgrass Fungicides, by Richard Latin; and additional images and keys found in the Turfgrass Diseases, Diagnosis and Management CD-Rom, developed by Gail L. Schumann and James D. MacDonald.
Users can download Turf MD via the APS Plant Health app at the introductory rate of just $2.99 through August 17. Users can also find the app by searching for “Turf MD” or “Plant Health” in their iPhone or iPad’s App Store.
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE MG ADVANCED DIAGNOSTICS WORKSHOP October 10, 8:30-4:30
David Deardorff is coming to Skagit County for a Master Gardener Advanced Diagnostics workshop, Friday, October 10, 2014, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, at WSU-NWREC, Sakuma Auditorium, 16650 Washington 536, Mt Vernon WA 98273. For more information, a place to ask questions about the event, and to order tickets, visit www.brownpapertickets.com, and look for “What’s Wrong with My Plant”.
MG Hours: all hours count as continuing education
MG FOUNDATION BOARD MEETINGS First Thursday of each month, 3-5pm
The Jefferson County MG Foundation welcomes attendance at the monthly Foundation Board meetings.
Location: WSU Extension Office, 380 Jefferson St., Port Townsend (The date and location have changed for August. The date is August 14th at 6pm, and the location is Fiesta Jalisco in Port Hadlock)
MG Hours: Program support hours for Board members, intern member, and state rep
2015 MASTER GARDENER TRAINING
2015 MG Training is starting March 4th. Candice G. and Bob G. will be heading up the training, with help from many of you as guest lecturers.
KUDOS THIS MONTH GO TO:
Frances L, with help from Betty P., and Sharon G., for organizing our 3rd MG field trip
Mike M for his informative Brown Bag lecture on planting veggies for fall and winter
Lys B for working so hard on the PT High School Food Garden
Sonja H and Susan Y for finishing up the organization of the MG Library. Please come visit! It looks great.
Christina L. for her latest entertaining and educational articles in the PT Leader. Many of her articles (and older articles from other MGs) are available to read on the JCMGF site: https://jcmgf.org/mg2/news/garden-column/garden-column-table-of-articles/
Paula S – for posting all of our new MG Foundation Blog pieces – https://jcmgf.org/mg2/blog/
Mike M, Jacque B, Ali, Sarah F, Honey N, Lys B, Mary Anne D, and Ken C. for their expertise at plant clinic this past month
Happy rest of this beautiful summer to everyone!
ps – As of today, 2,329 hours were recorded in our Master Gardener Volunteer Database for 2014. If you haven’t recorded all of your hours for 2014 (or any months in 2013), please do so in order to get the credit. The link to enter hours is http://ext.wsu.edu/volunteers/logon.aspx Here’s a helpful tool to use if you forgot how to use the database – file:///C:/Users/Owner/Downloads/Volunteer%20Reporting%20(1).pdf
Jill Bacchieri Master Gardener Coordinator WSU Jefferson County Extension 380 Jefferson St. Port Townsend, WA 98368 360 379-5610 ext 210 mastergardenerjefferson@gmail.com http://jefferson.wsu.edu/gardening
WSU Extension employment and programs are available to all without discrimination.