Master Gardener Enews 2014 March
Download JCMGF Enews 2014-Mar-6
Dear Master Gardeners,
It’s time for our county to collect all the Master Gardener Re-Applications. I’m attaching two forms that we need to have filled out and returned. One is the Master Gardener Program Re-Application. The second form is the Pest Management Recommendation Agreement. You can drop them off or mail them back to the WSU Extension Office (380 Jefferson St. PT 98368). Another option is to scan and email them back to (mastergardenerjefferson@gmail.com . We will have them at the next few Foundation meetings as well if you’d like to do them in person.
Speaking of Foundation meetings….
JCMG FOUNDATION MARCH MEETING March 13, 3-5pm
The March Foundation meeting is back at the Tri-Area Community Center this month and throughout the rest of the year. Our presentation topic will be “Spring Vegetable Gardening” by local gardening expert, Tinker Cavallaro.
Diane Threkeld and Susan Cronshaw have volunteered to bring snacks for this meeting. Thanks Susan and Diane!
Please remember to bring raffle items to add to the table. Plants are always a hit, but anything fun will be welcomed.
Location: Tri-Area Community Center, Chimacum
MG Hours: 1/education and 1/program support
RENEW AND REFRESH YOUR MG SKILLS!
As mentioned in an email earlier this week, we still have a few spots open in our 2014 Master Gardener Training Course. We’re opening these spots up to current and/or expired MGs for $70. (The regular price for non MGs is $250.) The $70 pays for the online sign up component of the class (new registration and new disc). Classes start on March 19 and run through May 28. Two MGs have already signed up. We have room for two more. You are not required to do the 100 hours of trainee volunteer work. You would just continue with the yearly 35 hours (25 program; 10 continued education)
Please email or call me as soon as possible to reserve your spot. First come, first serve.
UPDATE!! …. Class is postponed until this fall….
WSU BEACH WATCHERS
Another great program that is run through WSU Extension is our Beach Watchers Training. We encourage you to ask your friends and neighbors to become Beach Watchers. Or do it yourself! It’s an amazing deal for 11 full days of professional programs and guided field trips. See http://jefferson.wsu.edu/nrs/beachwatchers/Training/ for more details. The application deadline is March 14.
PT COOP “BEANS FOR BAGS” PROGRAM BENEFITS JCMG FOUNDATION
When you shop at the PT Co-op the next two months, please pick the Master Garden Foundation as your “Beans for Bags” choice. If you’re not familiar with this program, Beans for Bags allows Co-op members the choice of receiving a 5-cent refund for each container or bag they bring for their groceries, or a bean worth 5 cents that they can drop in their choice of glass gallon jars designated for three local nonprofit organizations. Thanks for your support!
PLANT CLINIC IS HAPPENING! Every Monday, March 3 through September 29, 1-4pm
Plant Clinic started up on March 3 at WSU Extension. We need volunteers, so please email me directly if you’re willing and available any Monday from now through the end of September.
Location: WSU Extension Office (380 Jefferson St., Port Townsend; Madrone Room)
MG Hours: 3/plant clinic (3 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
Please mark your calendar for our first presentation of the year, “WIMBY (Worms in Your Back Yard)”. This lecture will be presented by Jefferson County Master Gardener, Linda Pfafman. Linda will give tips on how to raise and care for compost worms, and how they benefit the environment and your garden.
Location – WSU Extension Office, 380 Jefferson St., Port Townsend
MG Hours – 1/education
HOME CANNING ADVICE Third Monday of each month, March 17 through November 17, 1-4pm
Get answers to all your food preservation questions from Jefferson County Food Safety/Preservation specialist and Master Gardener, Dianna Wiklund. Whether you are just getting started or would like to update your knowledge of home food preservation, join us and learn. Pressure gauge testing will also be available for $5.
Location – WSU Extension Office, 380 Jefferson St., Port Townsend
QUILCENE VEGGIE GARDENING CLASSES Every Monday at Noon
MGs, Juanita Thomas and Anita McCue invite everyone to join in on their vegetable gardening classes. These classes take place every Monday at noon. Seven participants came out for their last class. The subject was crop rotation. They also shared the triumphs and tragedies of their seedlings starts. Head on over to learn some new vegetable gardening tips!
Location: Corner of 101 and Old Church Road, Quilcene (meet at the church)
MG Hours: 1/education; demonstration garden hours can be accrued if you help them prepare the gardens and/or organize lectures
4H/MASTER GARDENER/BEACH WATCHER AFTER-SCHOOL EXTENSION PROGRAM Every Tuesday through the end of July, 3:30-5:30
Sharon Garrels and Nita Wester are having a lot of fun running the Master Gardener segment of this after-school Extension program. The kids are now experts on soil! Please spread the word and invite other children to join in. 4H, Beach Watchers, and MGs will continue to present exciting, interactive programs, through July.
Location: WSU Extension Office, 380 Jefferson St., Port Townsend
MG Hours: all preparation and teaching hours/youth outreach
MASTER GARDENER PLANT SALE Saturday, May 10, 9:30am-12:30pm
Mark your calendar for a day of purchasing a wonderful variety of plants, including a large selection of native plants. Arrive early for best selection!
Location: HJ Carroll Park, 9884 SR 19, Chimacum.
MG hours: Roger McPherson is looking for help for this event. All hours are considered program support.
MG FOUNDATION BOARD MEETINGS First Thursday of each month, 3-5pm
Here’s another reminder that the Jefferson County MG Foundation welcomes attendance at the monthly Foundation Board meetings. The minutes for the February 2014 Board meeting are attached.
Location: WSU Extension Office, 380 Jefferson St., Port Townsend
MG Hours: Program support hours for Board members, intern member, and state rep
YARD AND GARDEN TICKETS SALES
Stay tuned for a summary of our Yard and Garden Lecture Series results!
RAIN GARDEN TRAINING WORKSHOP
Four Master Gardeners took advantage of the “Rain Garden Training for Professionals” workshop. The consensus was that it was VERY worthwhile! Our goal now is to help spread the word about the benefits of rain gardens, to offer on-site mentoring (when possible) and to provide manuals for homeowner’s to build their own rain gardens. If you’re interested in joining us in this effort, please email me directly.
If you haven’t seen a rain garden in our area, please visit the LID Demonstration Site in Quilcene (corner of Old Church Rd / 101). They have two beautiful new rain gardens on site. Sarah Fairbank also has one that’s a year more established (look for the rain garden sign on the corner of Lawrence and Monroe).
Please note that we also have some outstanding new rain garden manuals in the office, if you’d like to come by and pick one for your very own rain garden installation planning.
WHIDBEY GARDENING WORKSHOP Saturday, March 8
This workshop was really good last year! I’m sure it will be worth attending this year too. There are 18 brand new classes and over 40 classes total to choose from. Registration is closed online, but you can still register in person. See link for location and more information: http://whidbeygardeningworkshop.org/
MG Hours: all hours are continuing education
2014 SPRING GRAFTING SHOW Saturday, March 8; 10-4
The Peninsula Fruit Club, a chapter of Western Cascade Fruit Society, presents the 2014 Spring Grafting Show in Silverdale. Choose from many antique and modern varieties of apples, pears, and plums. Stock up on scion wood, rootstock, grafting knives, footies, mason bee houses, miscellaneous potted and bare root trees and berries, and other supplies. Learn how to graft and make your own tree or have a WCFS member make one for you. Learn about common pests and diseases and what to do about them. Take in a lecture or video about micro-farming in small spaces, pruning, anthracnose, or helpful mason bees. Learn how to root a fig, grape, or kiwi, and take some home to try. Find out all about our native mason bees and how to care for them.
Location: see link for more information and location – http://wcfs.org/pfc-2014-spring-grafting-show-4/
MG Hours: education for lectures/videos
FRUIT TREE GRAFTING AND WOODY PERENNIAL PROPOGATION Saturday, March 15; 10-3
In this one day class, students will be introduced to woody plant propagation, grafting theory and several grafting techniques, and become proficient enough to graft 5 fruit trees to bring home.
Visit http://cedarrootfolkschool.org/classes for more information and to register
Location: Spring Rain Farm, Chimacum
MG Hours: education hours for lectures
2014 WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE CONFERENCE Saturday, March 15; 8-4
Those that participated in the event in Port Angeles last year know that it is a valuable conference that is filled with practical information for farm operators and a great networking opportunity for farmers in our area. This year, the North Olympic Peninsula conference site will be held in Port Townsend. To learn more or register, go to http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/509494
Location: WSU Extension Office, 380 Jefferson St., Port Townsend
UNDERSTANDING YOUR MAGICAL, MYSTERIOUS, MAGNIFICENT SOIL WITH ROGER SHORT Thursday, March 20; 5:30-7:30pm
The Jefferson County Conservation District is offering a fascinating workshop about soil microbes and the importance of proper nutrient ratios in building your best soil to support crop production, animal health, minimize erosion and contribute to a healthy environment. Roger has a BS in dairy production from WSU, was a dairy farmer from 1970 to 2003 and, after an “epiphany” in 2005 has shifted to a “beyond organic” approach to raising grass fed beef,
creating magical compost and sustainably caring for his land in Chimacum Valley.
Location: Chimacum Grange
MG Hours: 2/education
INTERESTING PEST SIGHTING INFORMATION
Red Lily Leaf Beetle Pest Watch
During your springtime activities, there are a few different insects that you should be aware of. One of those that will be emerging soon, is the red lily leaf beetle. Sharon Collman, WSU Extension Educator for Horticulture/IPM, has been tracking the development of this pest as it has only been found in King County. Please keep your eyes open for this pretty beetle, which has a very ugly (or cute!), snotty larvae. You won’t confuse it with anything else on your lilies.
To learn more, you can download the factsheet, Pest Watch: Lily Leaf Beetle FS084E http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/FS084E/FS084E.pdf
MG, Juanita Thomas, would also like to share this “mole” link with all MGs – http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/moles.html
Here’s an interesting article on biochar –
Please read this article about the benefits and myths of using coffee grounds in your garden/compost –
The following link brings you to an excellent new publication by Dr. David James called “Beneficial Insects, Spiders, and Other Mini-Creatures in Your Garden; Who They Are and How to Get Them to Stay”
http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/EM067E/EM067E.pdf
The following recommendation is from Roger McPherson: “I just finished reading “Turn Here Sweet Corn” by Atina Diffley. It is this year’s community read book for Port Townsend during the month of March. It should be of real interest to all organic and sustainable gardeners, farmers and Co-Op members. This well written book gives a clear picture of Atina Diffley’s path to organic gardening and she and her husband, Martin’s, difficult, but rewarding, life. You will probably also want to participate in many of the related special events in the community during the month of March. You can pick up the book and brochure at the PT Library. This book will really make you a fan of our local organic farmers and our wonderful Farmer’s Market and Co-Op.”
MASTER GARDENER KUDOS GO TO…
-Candice volunteering to be our Master Gardener Foundation state representative
-Mike McFadden and Linda Pfafman for tabling the JCHB Home and Garden Expo.
-Mike McFadden for his “Crops in Pots” presentation at the JCHB Home and Garden Expo.
-Christina Lacie for her latest entertaining and educational articles in the PT Leader
-Vicky for her continued work on our Jefferson County Master Gardener Foundation web site: https://jcmgf.org/mg2/ and to Bob Grindeland for being the filtering liason (so we don’t overwhelm Vicky!)
-Sharon Garrels and Nita Wester for continued help organizing the after-school WSU Extension program. The kids are learning a lot about gardening and are looking forward to the March lesson plan!
-Sonja Henderson and Roger McPherson for their continued work on the 2014 Master Gardener Plant Sale.
-Kathi Boyker’s son for winning the Founder’s Cup award (Best in Show) at NW Flower and Garden Show
-Sarah Fairbank and all the teaching assistants (Mary Pat Griswold, Barbara Schultz, Denise Pranger, Ken Clatterbaugh, Bettie Petrie, Barbara Arnn, and Michelle Olsen) for all their MG Training Course preparation time.
-Sonja Henderson and Susan Yadon for organizing the MG library.
-To all the MGs who staffed the “Plant Clinic/Ask Me” table at the Yard and Garden lectures (Jacque Brandon, Ali Dyche, Lys Burden, Sarah Fairbank, Barbara Arnn, Mary Anne Desfosses, and Sonja Henderson)
-Candice Gohn and Linda Pfafman for organizing merchandise sales at the Yard and Garden lectures
-ALL the Yard and Garden volunteers in general! More information is coming on the event results and the list of great volunteers in a separate email.
Please enjoy the welcomed warmer weather for gardening (as volunteers and in your personal lives),
Jill
Ps – The MG Volunteer Database shows that we have 665 hours already recorded for 2014 (as of March 4). Our total for 2013 went up to 4,326. If you haven’t recorded hours for January or February (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
Jill Bacchieri
Master Gardener Co-Coordinator WSU Jefferson County Extension 380 Jefferson St. Port Townsend, WA 98368 360 379-5610 ext 210 mastergardenerjefferson@gmail.com