Tuesday, March 25, 2014

March 25, 2014 Kim's Weekly Garden Newsletter



These weekly garden notes are written by Kim Willis, unless another author is noted, and the opinions expressed in these notes are her opinions and do not represent any other individual, group or organizations opinions.

Hi Gardeners
Redneck container garden.
I have heard and seen the Red Winged Blackbirds so spring must be coming- although when I look outside today with the snow floating down, you sure can’t tell it.  The snow is slowly melting though, and I am a little anxious about the plants now exposed.  It’s amazing how some areas are down to soil and others have 5 foot snow banks.

It’s supposed to get to 50 this weekend and it almost makes me feel giddy.  Of course it’s going to rain, which will make it a real mess- but hey 50!  I’m hoping to get out and check out the whole property.  Many people are telling me about terrible girdling and damage to plants and trees done by rabbits and voles.  Last summer I removed some tree shelters from some young trees that had been protected for a few years and I hope I don’t regret that.

The greenhouses and garden shops are opening everywhere.  I don’t know if I’m ready to buy yet but I am sure ready to wander around in a warm sunny area filled with plants!

Want to order chicks?
I am going to be ordering some ISA brown pullet chicks (baby hens) at the beginning of April.  They will be delivered at the beginning of May ( 5th -6th ).  ISA browns are the best layers of large brown eggs that there is.  They do great free ranging and are calm and friendly. They are a proprietary hybrid which a lot of hatcheries can’t sell.   I am ordering from Townline Hatchery one of the few places which can sell them.  If you want a few chicks share the order with me and a couple other people and save on shipping.  Cost will be $2.80 each – maybe less if several more people order so I can increase the number ordered for a discount.  The chicks will be vaccinated.  You will need to pick them up from me.  I am only ordering ISA pullets and Cornish x Rock meat type chicks ($2.66 ea.)  at this time but if you want 12 or more of another breed let me know and I will see what I can do.  Send me an email for more information.


Maple syrup and tapping black walnut trees

I guess as they say, any publicity is good publicity.  There was a woman on the local morning show this morning who was talking about maple syrup- supposedly an expert- who sure didn’t know what she was talking about.  She said March was maple syrup month because that was the only month maple syrup could be made.  I got news for her.  Many years a lot of maple syrup gets made in February and this year I bet we will be making some in April.   (Maybe May at the way this weather is going.)

This year maple syrup season has been very slow and not too productive.  I was talking to several people who make maple syrup in the area and there are several problems this year.  One is of course the weather, which hasn’t been right for sap flow except for a few odd days.  Then there is the problem of getting to the trees to tap them through snow drifts and lots of broken branches from our ice storm.  And the storm damage from early winter is another problem.  Damaged trees lose a lot of sap through broken limbs and if a tree had a lot of damage it shouldn’t be tapped because it will need all the remaining sap to repair itself. 

Maple trees are tapped for syrup in late winter/early spring whenever there are sunny days where the temperatures rises above freezing to about 40-45 degrees but drops down below freezing at night.  On a mild day sap stored in the trees roots rises through the phloem tubes to the buds of the tree.  Cold nights halt the flow.   Once the buds get swollen and ready to open the sap flow is pretty much done.  Depending on weather this can take just a few days or be stretched out over weeks. 
Pouring hot maple syrup on snow to make candy.  en.wikipedia.org
  
People tap into the trees cambium layer and collect the sap that seeps out.  The sap is a mixture of water and sugar.   It has to be boiled and the water evaporated off to become syrup.  If you boil it until almost all the water is gone it becomes maple sugar.  Different types of trees and even individual trees have sap of varying sugar percentage.

Here’s something a lot of people don’t know.  While maple trees, particularly sugar maples, offer a sap high in sugar that makes distinctive tasting syrup, many other trees can be tapped for their sap and the sap made into syrup.  In Alaska they make syrup from spruce trees, in some states syrup from birch is made.  Birch syrup is made after maple syrup in some places because the sap flow starts later.

Recently two universities- University of Kansas and Cornell University did some research on making syrup from black walnut trees.  A few people have been making it for years and the universities wanted to see if consumers liked it and if it could be profitable to make.  The research found that most people liked the taste of black walnut syrup; it’s lighter in color and has a slightly nutty taste along with the sweetness.  It’s a bit more time consuming to make as black walnut sap has more water than maple sap.

 The same equipment and procedures that are used to make maple syrup are used to make black walnut syrup.  It’s collected at the same time too.  The bottled syrup is being offered in a few places now but it sells for about twice the cost of maple syrup.  The two universities say there is no reason that black walnut syrup couldn’t become a profitable niche product.  By the way- it’s totally safe to eat black walnut syrup.  And the new Farm Bill extends crop incentives to maple syrup production and probably to syrup production of any type.

I got a little excited when I read about black walnut syrup because we have a lot of the trees on our property which until this point I considered were pretty much a nuisance.  I am seriously considering tapping them.  Maybe I’ll make just a tiny bit of syrup to see how it tastes.

If you are considering making syrup from the sap of any trees do it outside.  The steam produced from boiling sap leaves a sticky residue on walls and ceilings.  You use a candy thermometer in the sap and try to keep it boiling at around 219 degrees.  Wide stainless steel pots that allow more surface room for steam to escape from the syrup are best.  People use turkey fryers now to make syrup- that seems like an excellent use for them.  Electric or gas sources of heat are much easier to adjust than old fashioned wood fires.  Grills and camp stoves work well.  Sap needs to be stirred, especially as it nears the syrup point so you will need to be close by while the sap is boiling.

Chocolate is loved by gut microbes

Here’s another reason to like chocolate.  The good microbes in your gut, the ones that boost your immune system and keep your bowels working correctly love the flavonoids of dark chocolate.   They feast on chocolate and ferment it, producing anti-inflammatory compounds that circulate in your blood and help protect your heart. 

Cocoa powder contains the compounds catechin and epicatechin and a small amount of fiber.  When it reaches the large intestine good microbes like Bifid bacterium jump on it and in the process of “eating” it turn it into small particles of polyphenolic polymers, which circulate in the blood, reducing inflammation and the chances of stroke and heart attacks.   Chocolate also boosts the population of good microbes which allows them to “overpower” bad microbes like E. coli that cause many intestinal ailments.  Dark chocolate is definitely a health food.  Everyone should eat a few pieces every day.

This new research was done by Louisiana State College of Agriculture and reported at the 247th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS).

Help the monarchs survive

Researchers and naturalists are very worried about the future of the monarch butterfly.  Their numbers have been falling each year but this year the numbers of butterflies overwintering in Mexico has fallen to alarming lows.  Ten years ago Monarchs covered about 45 acres of land in their Mexican winter home, where they mostly rest in trees.  This year monarchs covered only about 1.6 acres of land.

Monarch on Butterfly bush.
As they work their way north this year the unusual cold weather, drought and loss of habitat are going to whittle down the returning flock.  Monarchs usually stop somewhere in the southwest to reproduce and then the new generation proceeds to more northerly areas, where they reproduce the generation that will return to Mexico.  The first wave of butterflies comes through Texas which has had a drought and numerous wildfires that have drastically reduced milkweed for reproduction and flowering plants the adults need.

There’s an effort in the southwest to plant milkweed and preserve areas which monarchs like to help restore populations.  We need to take up the cause here for the survivors who make it through, so they can successfully reproduce the generation that will return to Mexico.  You can do so by planting ornamental milkweeds in the garden , but most importantly by allowing native milkweeds to grow, even though they might not be as pretty as some cultivated types.  The Queen butterfly, rare in Michigan, also requires milkweed for reproduction.

Consider not mowing that whole acre in front of the house and let some of it revert to native plants.  Do one mowing very early in the spring to keep shrub growth down then don’t mow so milkweed can grow.  Milkweed is not good for cows and horses to eat but they seldom touch it so leaving some in pastures shouldn’t hurt unless your animals are hungry.  Allow a few common milkweed plants to grow in the back of the flower border or in a corner of the yard.

Milkweed is a perennial plant.  You can dig up plants and transplant them but they have extensive root systems and transplanting young plants is easiest.  You can harvest the distinctive seed pods and scatter the fluffy seeds over your property to start plants from seed.  While greenhouses offer some ornamental varieties of milkweed, some non-native- that do attract butterflies I have rarely seen monarch egg clusters on them.  Instead monarchs seem to prefer the common milkweed Asclepias syriaca or swamp milkweed Asclepias incarnate.  The Butterfly Weed, Asclepias tuberosa is a pretty decent garden plant that also attracts monarchs.
Asclepias incarnate.  


It’s also important to leave some favorite nectar sources for Monarchs growing so that they can fuel up for their journey south.  Goldenrod, thistles and Joe Pye Weed are all late summer nectar sources Monarchs love.   

Another way to help all butterflies is to reduce pesticide use on your property.  Lawn pesticides are especially hard on milkweeds which are broad leaved plants and insecticides can kill butterflies on contact or when they sip nectar from plants treated with systemic pesticides. 

Monarchs are iconic butterflies; even school children can identify them.  It would be a shame if we lost this species but a concerted effort by humans and a little bit of luck with the weather may keep them from disappearing.

Frozen in time- 1,500 year old moss is brought back to life.

As more Antarctic land area is uncovered by the warming climate scientists are racing to uncover new insights into life there in earlier ages.  One expedition by the British Antarctic Survey cut slices of frozen moss from deep within a bank of recently exposed tundra and took it back to the lab.  In isolated containers they exposed the moss to the typical warmth and light conditions that it would have grown in at one time.  In just a few weeks, the moss, carbon dated to at least 1,530 years old began to grow.  The moss was also estimated to be several decades old before it was buried and frozen.

The mosses were very similar to mosses growing currently in more hospitable regions of the Antarctic.  It proves that some forms of life can survive for very long times of unsuitable climate before resuming growth and re-colonization after climate changes for the better. 

Life can exist in amazing places. This research caught my eye because I had just discovered the existence of some islands called the French Antarctic Islands which are just north of Antarctica.  I was looking at satellite images around where the Malaysian plane went down and wandered a bit farther south and saw the green and browns of a land mass.  These islands have the climate of Greenland or Iceland and there are buildings and even a sheep farm.  About 150 researchers live on various scattered islands manning radar installations and other scientific projects.  There’s even a small hospital and a pub.

The actual photos I saw on line show green mossy, shrubby covered land along some gorgeous rocky bays and coves with white glacier covered mountains in the distance.  Satellite photos show little deep blue lakes inland which I read had trout introduced into them that were doing well.  Seals and penguins have large breeding areas on the shores and introduced sheep and reindeer graze inland.   As the climate warms this might be just the place to move to!

Trout lily

Trout Lily.
The beautiful Trout Lily, Erythronium americanum, is found in dappled sunlight in moist Michigan woodlands and throughout the north eastern states in the early spring.  (The USDA plant database does not list them as growing in Michigan, although the photo used here is from a wild stand found not far from my home.  I have seen them in several other locations too.)   Trout lilies are close relatives of the Dogtooth Violet, which is very similar except the Trout Lily has a yellow flower and the Dogtooth Violet flower is white. 

The Trout lily is named for its leaves.  Some fanciful person thought the leaves looked like the coloring of a trout.  The blade-shaped leaves are silvery green on top, with mottling of purple and brown.  Leaves may be held pointed upwards or spread out along the ground.  The Trout Lily plant consists of only a few leaves, usually just two, which can persist through much of the summer in the forest undergrowth.  Plants grow to about a foot high in good locations.

Trout Lilies have a single tiny 3/4- 1 inch nodding yellow flower on a leafless stalk rising a few inches above the leaves in early spring.  The flowers are like tiny tiger lily flowers, with the petals-tepals swept backward and the flower facing downward.  The backside of the petals is reddish.  Some flowers are speckled with orange or brown near the center.  The flowers close at night and are pollinated by ants. 

Growing trout lilies in the garden

Trout lilies make good plants for shaded or woodland gardens.  You can find sources to purchase Trout lilies and they should always be purchased rather than collected from the wild.  Trout lilies arise from a small corm, a bulb-like structure.  New corms grow from seeds or as off shoots from older corms.  It can take 6-7 years for a corm to mature enough to produce a flower shoot when grown from seed, slightly less time to blooming from small corms.   When you are purchasing Trout lily corms try to buy from companies that list the age of the corm.  Pink and lavender flowered non- native species of Erythronium are often listed for sale more frequently than the native species.  The corms should be planted as soon as you receive them, as they deteriorate rapidly.  Here are some sources for Trout lilies;

www.mzbulb.com ( cultivated species)
http://www.easytogrowbulbs.com/  cultivated species

Plant Trout lilies in a shaded location, preferably under the shade of deciduous trees where they will get some sunlight as they emerge in the spring.  They like a rich, organic soil so add compost before planting.  Plant the corms 4-5 inches deep.   Keep them moist, especially in spring.  Leaves may disappear in the heat of the summer, so mark the location so you won’t overplant on top of them.  Mulching with shredded leaves is an excellent soil conditioner for Trout lilies. Trout lilies in a good location will form a slow spreading groundcover.  Large clumps can be gently divided a few weeks after blooming with divisions immediately replanted.

Trout lily seeds can be collected about 6 weeks after the flower has faded.  The pod is oval shaped and light green to tan.  The pod should be starting to split when collected for seed. You must plant the seeds immediately in a moist, humus rich potting mix as they do not store well.   They will not germinate until next spring as they need a period of cold stratification.  The seedlings look almost grass like when they appear and will take several years to bloom.

Trout lilies are listed as both edible and medicinal.  Both leaves and corms are said to be edible although no one should be harvesting them for food, as they are becoming scarce.  Besides the medicinal qualities attributed to the Trout lily are said to be emetic- which means they make you throw up.  So there are two good reasons not to eat them. 

Trout lilies, like many woodland wildflowers, suffer greatly from deer browsing in our deer devastated Michigan woodlands.  Obviously deer don’t get sick from eating them.  They are more likely now to be found on wooded roadside ditches where deer don’t stop to graze.  Trout lilies are a protected plant and should not be picked or removed from their natural homes if you do come across them.

If they are left alone Trout lilies are long lived and colonies can be as old as the deciduous trees sheltering them.  The flower show is short-lived however and requires a walk in the woods or garden in the very early spring to enjoy it.  Good companions in the home garden are cyclamen, hellebores, trillium, bloodroot, toad lilies, pulmonaria, violets and violas.

Get out your garden hat and sunscreen!

Kim Willis
 “He who has a garden and a library wants for nothing” ― Cicero

More Information

While harsh winter wreaks havoc on Michigan greenhouses, growers remain optimistic for spring sales.

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Heidi Wollaeger, Michigan State University Extension

he almost record-breaking snowfall and subzero temperatures have been wreaking havoc on Michigan greenhouse businesses and those throughout the Midwest who are currently in the spring production rush. Michigan, the third largest producer of floriculture crops in the United States, has an industry grossing $400 million in sales in 2012 according to the USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service. The height of spring production season, from January through June, includes some of the coldest months of year. Greenhouse growers are no strangers to Michigan winters, but this winter has been particularly difficult. Challenges faced by greenhouse growers include damaged greenhouse structures from heavy snow loads, high heating bills, increase in labor to remove snow, chilling or freezing damage on vegetative cuttings, and disruptions in production shipping and scheduling.

Numerous greenhouse structures have been damaged as a result of the heavy snow throughout Michigan. Michigan State University Extension surveyed greenhouse growers throughout the state and 36 producers responded with their experiences from this winter. Of those who responded, 49 percent of greenhouse operations reported having structural damage due to snow load, including more than 14 acres of greenhouses. Some owners avoided heavy snow damage by heating their greenhouses to at least 50 degrees to melt the snow. Their reported increases in heating costs ranged from none to 300 percent. The variation can be contributed to many factors including whether the producers had a contract for a fixed price for natural gas and how much greenhouse owners heated their structures to melt the snow.

While some plants are grown from seed, others are shipped to growers as plugs, liners or unrooted cuttings. Shipping the young plants has been challenging for suppliers as a result of the extremely cold temperatures. Sixty-five percent of growers reported receiving a shipment of cuttings with either chilling injury (sub-lethal damage) or freezing injury. While suppliers have been diligently replacing the losses, they have also been forced to delay shipping product for sometimes extended periods to prevent further losses. The unavoidable delays in the shipments of plant materials have altered production timing of crops. Ornamental plant producers often have tight scheduling and 53 percent of growers who responded reported that their scheduling has been disrupted by the extreme cold.

Despite the many challenges, growers remain optimistic that when spring finally comes, consumers will be excited to buy plants to beautify their gardens and homes. As many people throughout Michigan have grown tired of the relentless winter, there is no question that spring will be especially enjoyable this year.
This article was published by Michigan State University Extension.

Events, classes and other offerings

Please let me know if there is any event or class that you would like to share with other gardeners.  These events are primarily in Michigan but if you are a reader from outside of Michigan and want to post an event I’ll be glad to do it.
Master Gardeners if you belong to an association that approves your hours please check with that association before assuming a class or work day will count as credit.

Do you have plants or seeds you would like to swap or share?  Post them here by emailing me at kimwillis151@gmail.com

New-Growing and Cooking with Herbs- April 5, 2014 10 am – 1 pm Heavenly Scent Herb Farm, 13730 White Lake Road, Fenton, Michigan.
Steve Mathews will give you tips on growing and cooking with a wide variety of herbs.  There will be lots of taste testing.  Reservation required, $28.75, call 810-629-9208

New- Come Hang with Steve- April 12, 2014 10:30 am – noon. Heavenly Scent Herb Farm, 13730 White Lake Road, Fenton, Michigan.

Learn all about hanging baskets, window boxes and cascading containers in this class.  It’s free, no registration required.

New- Detroit Garden Works Spring Fair – April 12- 9-5 pm, April 13 – noon to 4 pm.  1794 Pontiac Drive, Sylvan Lake, Michigan

Local growers will be offering plants, garden art and supplies.  Snacks and drinks provided, free admission.  Detroit Garden Works was named in 2004 one of the top 25 garden stores in America by Garden Design Magazine, we are equally as pleased to be included in The Garden 50: 50 favorite products, projects and places inspired by the world of gardening in the March 2011 issue of Martha Stewart Living Magazine. (248) 335-8089.
   
The Sensual Garden of the Night -Wed, April 9, 12am –2:30 pm at Big Beaver United Methodist Church, 3753 John R Road, Troy.

Troy Garden club presents a session on planting a garden that will be beautiful at night and appeal to the senses.  $7 includes lunch.


Gardening in Containers & Raised Beds Saturday, April 12 at 10 a.m. All English Gardens stores

Just about anything can be grown in a container. We’ll share tips and information to make you successful when growing plants and vegetables in containers and raised beds.  Free.  Click here for a store near you. http://www.englishgardens.com/shop-online/workshops.html

Woodland Wildflower Workday Friday, April 4, 1:00 pm Seven Ponds Nature Center, 3854 Crawford Road Dryden, MI  (810) 796-3200

Come help us ready the Woodland Wildflower Area for the beautiful array of blossoms that will be coming our way soon. Fulfill Master Gardener Hours.

Botanical Easter Eggs- Sunday, April 13, 2:00 pm- Seven Ponds Nature Center, 3854 Crawford Road Dryden, MI  (810) 796-3200

Sign up to learn this old-fashioned way of coloring Easter eggs. Wrapped in flowers and leaves and soaked in a natural dye, these beautiful eggs are sure to become a yearly tradition in your house. Pre-registration is required. Ages 12 and up. Fee: $5.00 ($2.00 members).

Vertical Gardening- Bringing Walls to Life – Friday, March 28 – 10 am  Meadowbrook Hall, Rochester, Mi

Learn all about the history and art of planting on walls and vertical surfaces.  Meadowbrook Garden Club.  $5 Call 248-364-6210 for more info.

Shiawassee Master Gardeners Plant sale Monday March 31- 10 am -2pm 1534 N. Hickory Rd, Owosso Mi.
A lot of great plants for sale, great prices.  More info  at timnjenhes@aol.com.

Perennial Gardening Day- SATURDAY  March 29TH (2 classes) Telly’ s Greenhouse-Pontiac 559 Orchard Lake Rd. (248) 724-2300
 To register, please call (248) 689-8735
New Perennials for 2014- 1:30 pm and  Flowers in the Shady Perennial bed- 3 pm

Tea Time and Tannins- Sunday, March 30, 2:00 pm- Seven Ponds Nature Center, 3854 Crawford Road, Dryden, MI

Try out some natural teas and munch on a scone before we explore the uses of tannins in nature on a walk. Please call to pre-register. (810) 796-3200

Gifts from the Herb Garden, April 5, 2014, SMITH FLORAL, 1124 E. Mount Hope Ave, Lansing, MI from 10am until noon.

Coleen French will be showing you how to make Layered Fragrant Bath Salts, Personal Perfumes, Herbal Dryer Sachets, Room Sprays, Car Fresheners, and More! Recipes and handouts included. $10 per class, pre-registration is REQUIRED. Sign up by calling 484-5327 or 484-6085 or stop in and register in person.

“Gardening and All That Jazz!”  Saturday, April 26, 2014, 7am to 4:15pm-Oakland Schools Conference Center, 2111 Pontiac Lake Rd., Waterford, MI. 

Speakers include Allan Armitage "Buying the Right Plants", Stephanie Cohen "Native Plants", David Perry, Garden Photo Magic" and Stacy Hirvela "Shrubs, Making your Dream Garden Reality".  Sponsored by the Master Gardener Society of Oakland Co. Jazz concerts at morning check in and lunch.
$70 before March 15, $80 after March 15.  Pricing includes continental breakfast, lunch, snacks, and program materials. 

Register at. http://www.mgsoc.org/registration.htm  Direct conference registration questions to: Registrar Phone: 248-770-0524  E-mail: registrarmgsoc@gmail.com

Captivating Combinations How to Artfully Combine Plants March 29th 2014, 9 am -noon. Oakland County Executive Office Conference Center - 2100 Pontiac Lake Rd, Waterford MI

Stunning plant combinations are the building blocks of a great garden. Join us to explore the basics of successfully combining plants, discover how creative plant combinations can perk up an existing garden or provide the foundation for a new garden. View many captivating combinations appropriate for a wide variety of Michigan garden conditions.   Carol Lenchek, MSU Extension Educator, Barb Near, Advanced Master Gardener- Cost: $20 (Includes handouts and snacks) Space is limited. Advanced Registration Only.   Contact:  Linda Smith at 248-858-0887.

Naturalizing the Home Garden: A Native Garden Design Workshop for Beginners, Monday March 31, 2014- 6pm t0 7:15 pm Cranbrook Institute of Science, 39221 Woodward Ave, Bloomfield Hills

Help improve the Rouge River by gardening with native plants. Learn how to design a garden with native wildflowers. The workshop is intended for those with little to no experience gardening with native plants. Optional Assistance: Experts will be available to assist a limited number of workshop attendees immediately following the workshops. Preregistration is required for this one-on-one session. Participants are encouraged to bring a Google map or sketch of their yard and photos. Questions?  Please call 313.792.9621. to register go to therouge.org

Spice Up Your Garden with Herbs April 9, 2014:  Oakland County Executive Office Conference Center - 2100 Pontiac Lake Rd, Waterford MI
Come join us to learn how to use herbs to spice up your garden! Janet Downey will teach you how to grow and use herbs to flavor your meals. Cost is $15 and advanced registration is required.  Questions?  Call 248-858-0887

Garden Design 1-2-3 May 3, May 17, May 31, June 7, 2014:  Oakland County Executive Office Conference Center - 2100 Pontiac Lake Rd, Waterford MI

This is a 4-week how to series on garden design.  The workshop will present the basic elements of design used in formal and informal gardens.
  
Participants will develop the necessary skills to layout garden beds and small landscape areas using the principles of design.  There will be plenty of hands on exercises to help you understand the steps necessary to end up with a pleasing design for your landscape beds.  Questions? Contact Linda Smith at 248-858-0887.

Bring Your Lawn to Life- March 29  Bordines Rochester Hills & Clarkston locations at 10:00 AM  Rochester- 1835 S Rochester Rd • (248) 651-9000 or Clarkston 8600 Dixie Hwy • (248) 625-9100  Free

After such a harsh, cold winter you are probably wondering if you will ever see a blade of green grass again.  Fear not!  The warm weather of spring is coming. Let our lawn care experts give you the tools and knowledge to bring your lawn back to life.  We will cover fertilization, watering, insect and disease control and even how to keep those pesky Moles away!  You will leave with all the information you need to have the greenest lawn on the block!

Spring Into Gardening Sat., March 29 Sat., March 29 Knights of Columbus Hall Knights of Columbus Hall 1038 S. Van Dyke (M- 1038 S. Van Dyke (M-53), Bad Axe, MI

Day-long gardening classes including a catered lunch, Goodie bag and door prizes Also includes Free admission to Yard & Garden Expo.  $50 registration/person ($60 after March 1)  For details on this seminar you need to request a flyer from Marie at 989-859-1294

How & When to Prune Trees & Shrubs Saturday, March 29 at 1 p.m. All English Gardens stores- Free

Keep the garden healthy by regularly dividing perennials and pruning trees and shrubs. We’ll tell you what needs to be done and when. Plus, we’ll show you how to do it. Click here for a store near you. http://www.englishgardens.com/shop-online/workshops.html

Newsletter information
If you would like to pass along a notice about an educational event or a volunteer opportunity please send me an email before Tuesday of each week and I will print it. Also if you have a comment or opinion you’d like to share, send it to me. Please state that you want to have the item published in my weekly notes. You must give your full name and what you say must be polite and not attack any individual. I am very open to ideas and opinions that don’t match mine but I do reserve the right to publish what I want.
Once again the opinions in this newsletter are mine and I do not represent any organization or business. I do not make any income from this newsletter. I write this because I love to share with other gardeners some of the things I come across in my research each week. It keeps me engaged with local people and horticulture. It’s a hobby, basically. I hope you enjoy it. If at any time you don’t wish to receive these emails just let me know. If you know anyone who would like to receive these emails have them send their email address to me.  KimWillis151@gmail.com


Tuesday, March 18, 2014

March 18, 2014 Kim's Weekly Garden Newsletter

Kim’s Weekly Garden Newsletter March 18, 2014


These weekly garden notes are written by Kim Willis, unless another author is noted, and the opinions expressed in these notes are her opinions and do not represent any other individual, group or organizations opinions.

Hi Gardeners


I could smell spring this morning, even though the soil had only begun to thaw.  Soil warmed by the sun promotes bacterial activity which makes that delightful spring smell.  I call it percolating the soil. It makes me feel alive again, just like when some people smell coffee percolating.  The soil has only thawed a few inches down but with a mild south wind you could sure smell spring.

True spring, the spring equinox happens on Thursday.  We are supposed to have some ups and downs in temperatures this week, but there is a slight chance of freezing rain tonight north of I 69 so if that’s you, keep an eye on the evening weather reports.  Also watch the weather forecasts for the weekend as there is the chance we could get some major snow- like we really need it.  Personally I do not care anything about breaking records for snowfall- I just want spring!

I am anxious to see just what damage winter has done to my plants.  My holly is totally browned, I am hoping for new leaves to pop out later.  Some previously buried plants have had the snow melted away from them and I worry they may have survived the hard winter only to be zapped by the next polar vortex that over runs us.  When you can get out to look at your plants don’t be too quick to prune off any parts you think are dead.  Some parts may actually recover and even if they don’t dead wood protects wood farther down the stem from the next bitter cold period.

You can prune off any split or broken branches from our winter storms.  Most do not need pruning paint, although some trees will bleed from the stub when sap begins to flow.  Do paint the stubs of oaks, to prevent oak wilt in the spring.  It’s carried by beetles that feed on leaking sap.  You can use tree paint or any latex paint.  I use a blue latex spray paint as it’s fast and easy.

I hear that some people are out trying to collect maple sap.  It’s been a difficult year so far for that process.  Let’s hope spring evens out and it warms slowly but surely from now on. 

Irish moss

Yesterday was St. Patrick’s Day and this is Irish American month.  I wrote about shamrocks and lucky clovers last week this week I am going to mention another Irish plant- Irish moss.  If you need a ground cover of emerald green this low growing Iris moss may be just the thing.   Or if you need something to thicken your ice cream or pudding another Irish moss may be what you need.   That’s right, there are two types of plant with the common name of Irish moss. 

Chondrus crispus, called Irish moss or carrageen moss is actually an algae that grows on the rocks of the seacoast of Ireland and northern Europe.  It ranges in color from yellow to purple, most often being a shade of red.   When this Irish moss is boiled in water it becomes a thick jelly.  In Ireland it was boiled in milk, then sweetened and flavored to form a type of pudding.  For a long time carrageen has been used as a commercial food thickener and stabilizer, imparting a creamy texture to foods like ice cream and puddings.  Check the labels in your pantry and you’ll probably find something with carrageen in it.  Carrageen is also used in beer brewing; the “moss” attracts solids in the brew so they can be removed.

Iris moss in bloom.  wikimedia commons.org
But as a gardener you may be more interested in the emerald ground cover Irish moss.  Sagina subulata is actually a flowering plant not a moss.  Another common name is Pearl Wort.  There are a couple of sub-species on the market- one is often referred to as Scottish moss but to the naked eye they are almost identical.    These Irish mosses form a thick emerald green carpet of tiny rounded leaves only a few inches high.  In spring and early summer they are covered with tiny white flowers.  Gardeners will usually buy Irish Moss as rooted plantlets from dividing established plants.


Irish moss likes gravely, sandy, well-drained soil.  It will grow in sun or partial shade, but it must be kept moist, particularly in sunny areas.  It is best used in rock gardens between the rocks or in the spaces between paving stones.  It does not require fertilization as in its natural range it grows in soils with low fertility.  Irish Moss is an evergreen perennial, hardy from zones 3 -7.  It doesn’t appreciate being covered with matted leaves in the fall and wet winters or hot dry summers so it often a one season plant unless it finds the right niche.

When it’s happy Irish Moss forms a slowly spreading mat of beautiful soft looking green.  Its very eye pleasing in the garden when grown well.  Some people with sandy soil have complained that it will spread into the lawn but mowing would probably keep it from becoming a problem and if this plant spreads into grassy areas the areas probably aren’t suited for growing grass.

Some catalogs have claimed that Irish Moss will take a lot of foot traffic but I have found that not to be true.  In between pavers where the plant doesn’t take the full brunt of traffic it will do well for moderate use, but as a groundcover – lawn substitute it won’t take more than light foot traffic before looking ragged or disappearing. 

Irish moss is sometimes used in containers especially in fairy gardens and bonsai scenes where it makes a lovely lawn.  It can also be used in terrariums, as long is care is used to keep the soil from becoming water logged.
 
Those lovely plant names

Don’t you just love the inventive names that plant breeders and sellers give plants?  I sometimes think it’s the name of a plant that makes me want to buy it.  And research has said that a great plant name can make one plant variety sell better than another very similar one with a less appealing name.  Plant names are often trade- marked or registered but when those trademarks or registered names expire inventive plant sellers often rename old varieties with new, more glamorous names to increase sales.
 
Let’s do a short game here.  Look at the plant names in the list below and see if you can guess what type of plant they are, such as day lily or hosta or dahlia.   These are all plant names that have caught my eye this spring, some of which I may buy.   The answers will be way down at the end of the newsletter, after classes and events.

Eyeliner
Sweet Summer Love
Earth Walker
Who Dun It
Pop Socks
Knowlians Black
Out Of Africa
Secret Affair
Eight Miles High
Mango Salsa
Twynings Smartie
Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
Sweet Lord
Fragrant Fire

Agave may help diabetes

Agave, the plant that gave us tequila, may soon be used in the fight against diabetes and obesity.   Researchers have isolated a substance in agave called agavins, which is a form of fructose.  Unlike high fructose corn syrup, agavin fructose is found in long branched chains of molecules that the human body can’t digest and treats like fiber.  Do not confuse agavin with the agave syrup now found as an alternative sweetener on store shelves.   Agave syrup has been treated to make it sweeter and the complex chains of molecules have been broken down.  Agave syrup acts in your body much like corn syrup.

Researchers from  Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados, Biotechnology and Biochemistry Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico, reported their findings this week at the 247th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society in Dallas, Texas.   The findings suggest agavins, which are inexpensive and have no known side effects, could become a new treatment for diabetes and weight loss.

When animals were given agavins they ate less, their blood sugar was lowered, and they lost weight on a normal diet as compared to animals fed a diet supplemented with other forms of fructose or sucrose.   Agavins seem to work by making an animal feel fuller, slowing the emptying of food from the stomach and increasing the production of insulin, which controls blood sugar.   They also increase healthy bacteria in the gut.

Research is now being done to see if agavins could be developed into an artificial sweetener, although they are not as sweet as other forms of fructose or sucrose.  Don’t go out and buy a bottle of tequila to try and lose weight though.  When agave is fermented the agavins turn into not so healthy alcohol.

Leeks, shallots, scallions and ramps

If you do any cooking you have probably seen references to one of these onion family members.  Maybe you have dispensed with fancy and just used an onion in the recipe but these plants do have different tastes and are botanically different from one another also.  They are good cool weather garden crops and some are quite expensive to buy so experimenting with a few in the home garden might be a great idea.  Here’s how to tell the difference between these delightful and delicious plants.

Leeks
Leeks (Allium ampeloprasum), are an old world vegetable.  While the Irish identify with shamrocks (and potatoes) the Welsh use the leek on their national emblem.  The leek has a mild taste, somewhat like onion with a subtle twist.  It can be eaten raw, it’s crisp and sweeter than onion but most often leeks are used in soups and other dishes.  Leeks do not store well and are generally used fresh.
Leeks.  Flickr .com

The leek does not form a bulb, rather the edible part consists of tightly packed leaf sheaths, which are white or pale green and form a cylindrical shape just above the roots.   The upper or green portion of the leek leaf is flatter and broader than an onion leaf.  Usually soil is pushed up around the base of leek plants to make the edible portion paler.  They can be harvested at any stage but are generally left to grow to an inch or so in diameter.
   
Leeks can be started from seed but if you can, try to find small transplants.  In the US this can be difficult so you may want to start your own seed inside 8 weeks before the last frost in spring or in flats outside in late summer for transplanting.  They need at least 6 hours of sun and well drained, fertile, organic soil that is slightly acidic.  Leeks can be planted as an early spring or fall crop as they do not like hot weather.  You can plant leeks in the spring quite early, when there are still light frosts. They can be left in the garden for a long time in the fall for a gradual harvest but harvest before a freeze. 

Leek maturity ranges from 70-100 days, pick a variety that will be mature either before hot weather in the spring or a hard freeze in the fall in your area. Giant Musselburgh is a heritage leek, Autumn Giant, Carentan, Megaton and Lancelot are a few other varieties.  You may have to search for seed.  Territorial Seed, www.territorialSeed.com and Seeds of Change www.rareseeds.com are two sources.

Shallots
Shallots, ((Allium cepa var. aggregatum) are not to be confused with scallions.  They are separate onion sub-species with different flavors and growing styles.  You will sometimes see them advertised as potato onions or multiplier onions.  Unlike scallions, shallots form small bulbs or cloves each with its own “papery” skin in a cluster at the bottom of the plant.  The shallot leaf is like an onion leaf, narrow and hollow. 
Shallots.


Shallots originally came from South East Asia where they are still widely used in cooking but they also became popular in France and the Netherlands as cooking staples.  Different countries favor different bulb colors of shallots from reddish colored to grayish.  Shallots have a sweet, mild onion flavor and most good cooks will tell you that there is a difference in flavor of a dish cooked with shallots or onions. Shallots have more calories than onions and slicing them will make you cry just as much as an onion does.

Shallots like the same conditions as leeks, spring or fall growing times. At least 6 hours of sun and fertile, well- drained soil.  Keep them well watered to develop the sweetest taste.  They also withstand light frosts.  Shallots are ready for harvest when the leaves turn yellow.  

Shallots are almost always planted as sets, (small bulbs) - which are more expensive than onion sets.  You can however, save sets for next seasons or next year’s planting as shallots store as well as onions in a cool dry place. Plant sets 6-8 inches apart.  Either plant in early spring for early summer harvest or mid- summer for fall harvest.  While some shallots that are left in the ground may over winter and return in the spring it is better to save some sets inside through the winter for spring planting.

Shallot seed is also available.  Seed is generally sown outside where the plants are to be grown in early spring and thinned to about 6 inches apart through the summer until you harvest a single “clove” in the fall.  Some of those cloves could be saved for spring planting.  Each clove or set planted usually will return you 4 or more shallots in a cluster.

Many shallots are sold just by color, such as gray or red shallots.  You can also look for Ambition, Sante, Camelot, or French Red.  Shallots can be found at Gurneys www.gurneys.com  or Territorial Seed, www.territorialSeed.com

Scallions
Here is where there definitely is some confusion.  Some people consider scallions to be a separate variety of onion- a non- bulbing onion ( Allium fistulosum).  Others say scallions are simply immature onions of any type, ( Allium cepa) eaten before they make a bulb.  The fact is both types can be called scallions and any onion can be eaten at an immature stage as a “green onion”.    Scallions are generally eaten fresh although they can be cooked as well as any onion.

Some scallions look like thin leeks, others have a small bulb. Scallions can be red, white or yellow in stem and bulb color.  Scallions taste like onions and there are variations in the strength of the onion flavor depending on the variety.  Scallion leaves are long, narrow and hollow. You can eat a scallion any time the stem is large enough for you.

Scallions can be planted from seed or sets or even from small plants, although that seems rather a waste of time if you are planning to harvest them at green onion or non-bulb stage.  You can always use the thinnings from any garden onions as scallions.   If you plant sets and harvest them as scallions there will be a soft remnant of the set left on the new scallion stem that you will need to pull off as you clean them.  Scallions planted from seed will not have this, although they will take longer to be ready to eat.  If you are planting seed for use as green onions or scallions use types that don’t make bulbs.

Scallions can be planted early in the spring and all through the season until late fall.  It’s best to make several small plantings through the season to have a long harvest.  You can pop in onion sets wherever you harvest something like early peas, or the first cabbages.  Seeds take somewhat longer than sets to mature to eating size and in summer you will need to keep the rows well weeded as they don’t tolerate weed competition when small.  Like shallots and leeks scallions need 6 hours or more of sun, moist, but well drained fertile soil.  They will tolerate light frost and more heat than leeks and shallots.  If you are going to harvest them as scallions plant sets about 4 inches apart.  If you want some of your onions to grow bulbs, pull out every other scallion, leaving plants 8 inches apart.

Onion sets and seeds can be found in almost every garden store, at least in the spring.  You can store sets for summer and fall planting by keeping some in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator or in a cool, dark place.  Good varieties that do not produce bulbs and make great scallions are Evergreen, Guardsman, Lisbon, Shimonita.

Ramps
You may know of ramps from fancy restaurants or a backwoods festival in the Appalachians.  Ramps (Allium tricoccum) are wild perennial members of the onion family native to North America.  They are also called wild onions, wild garlic or wood leek.  They were eaten by Native Americans and the city of Chicago is named after them – shikaakwa is the Native American name for ramps.
Ramps.  Seth Anderson

Ramps have become very trendy in foodie circles.  Long a spring favorite in some areas, so much that spring festivals are centered on them; they have become so popular that many states have made them a protected plant and limit or forbid harvest from the wild.  They are now being grown commercially, but are harder to grow than most onion family members.  It’s hard to find a source of plants or seeds but this could be a lucrative small crop if one was located near a city where fine restaurants would feature them.  Ramps sell for just under $20 a pound.

Ramps have a single flat broad leaf, similar to the leaf of the Lily Of the Valley.  It is sometimes tinged with purple.  The stem is similar to a leek or scallion and is the part generally eaten, although the leaves are sometimes used too.  Ramps taste like a very strong mixture of green onion and garlic.  They are generally cooked before being eaten and frying them in lard or bacon grease and eating them with beans and cornbread or in scrambled eggs are common uses.  They are also exchanged for onions or garlic in many recipes.   Many gourmet recipes have been built around them too.

It’s hard to find a source to buy ramp seed, the most common way to get plants.  Try www.prairiemoon.com  or www.seedman.com.    If you want to harvest wild ramps or ramp seeds check to see if your state has any restrictions first.    Make sure you know what you are harvesting too; lilies of the valley for instance, are poisonous.   Ramps grow in patches in rich moist areas, usually in partial shade, generally along wetlands or forest edges.   Ramps are primarily a spring crop, although some people are experimenting with growing them as a fall crop too.   Ramp seed usually requires a period of cold before it germinates.

There you have it – the onion cousins.  Why not try something different in the garden this spring?

I hope you have many green mornings this week.

Kim Willis
 “He who has a garden and a library wants for nothing” ― Cicero

More Information

Frost cracks in trees
Posted on March 12, 2014 by Bob Bricault, Michigan State University Extension

Subzero weather is hardly anyone’s favorite time to look for problems in the landscape. Often we do not see damage that happens over winter until spring. Below zero temperatures can create some unique problems for landscape plants. One such problem, frost cracks, can permanently damage trees. Very low temperatures in Michigan this winter have left some trees with vertical cracks. These longitudinal openings referred to as frost cracks can extend deep into the wood of the tree. Certain trees tend to be more prone to this disorder. Most commonly it is seen in sycamores, but it also occurs in maples, apples, cherries, horse chestnuts, lindens, walnuts and willows.
Frost crack on Horse Chestnut.  en.wikipedia.org

Frost cracks are often found on trees that are out in the open where sun shines directly on the bark. Cracks are first initiated on a winter’s day when sunlight warms the bark and inner wood on the south or west side of the tree, especially on young trees with thin bark. As the sun sets or is hidden by clouds, the temperatures drop quickly causing shrinkage in the bark while the inner wood takes longer to contract. This unequal shrinkage or contraction between the bark and the inner wood causes the bark to split and along with it the wood directly below the bark. Scientists believe it actually results from water moving out of cells and freezing during sudden drops in temperature. The wood closest to the surface shrinks as water is lost quickly while the inner wood is not affected. The sudden change creates pressure between these two zones resulting in the wood cracking. The sudden splitting causes a loud report or bang.

Old sycamore trees that are wounded when young by this type of injury can have cracks that reopen each winter during periods of extreme cold. A sycamore on the campus of Michigan State University had a frost crack wide enough to fit your hand well into the wood in the winter and when weather warmed, it would close. Over time these wounds may develop a raised area where callus tissue develops, attempting to close over the wound.

The Michigan State University Extension garden hotline has received calls on frost cracks over the winter. Homeowners contacting the hotline at 888-678-3464 were concerned on what they could do to help their trees. Once cracks have occurred in the bark, there is not much that can be done. As weather warms, these cracks close over, but can still be an entry point for decay fungi and also insects. Smart Gardening practices that focus on maintaining plant vigor such as watering during droughty conditions, alleviating compacted soils and fertilizing trees that have poor growth can help to prolong the life of the damaged trees.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension.

Events, classes and other offerings

Please let me know if there is any event or class that you would like to share with other gardeners.  These events are primarily in Michigan but if you are a reader from outside of Michigan and want to post an event I’ll be glad to do it.
Master Gardeners if you belong to an association that approves your hours please check with that association before assuming a class or work day will count as credit.

Do you have plants or seeds you would like to swap or share?  Post them here by emailing me at kimwillis151@gmail.com


New- Gardening in Containers & Raised Beds Saturday, April 12 at 10 a.m. All English Gardens stores

Just about anything can be grown in a container. We’ll share tips and information to make you successful when growing plants and vegetables in containers and raised beds.  Free.  Click here for a store near you. http://www.englishgardens.com/shop-online/workshops.html

New- Woodland Wildflower Workday Friday, April 4, 1:00 pm Seven Ponds Nature Center, 3854 Crawford Road Dryden, MI  (810) 796-3200
Come help us ready the Woodland Wildflower Area for the beautiful array of blossoms that will be coming our way soon. Fulfill Master Gardener Hours.

New- Botanical Easter Eggs- Sunday, April 13, 2:00 pm- Seven Ponds Nature Center, 3854 Crawford Road Dryden, MI  (810) 796-3200

Sign up to learn this old-fashioned way of coloring Easter eggs. Wrapped in flowers and leaves and soaked in a natural dye, these beautiful eggs are sure to become a yearly tradition in your house. Pre-registration is required. Ages 12 and up. Fee: $5.00 ($2.00 members).

New- Vertical Gardening- Bringing Walls to Life – Friday, March 28 – 10 am  Meadowbrook Hall, Rochester, Mi

Learn all about the history and art of planting on walls and vertical surfaces.  Meadowbrook Garden Club.  $5 Call 248-364-6210 for more info.

New - Shiawassee Master Gardeners Plant sale Monday March 31- 10 am -2pm 1534 N. Hickory Rd, Owosso Mi.
A lot of great plants for sale, great prices.  More info  at timnjenhes@aol.com.

New- Perennial Gardening Day- SATURDAY  March 29TH (2 classes) Telly’ s Greenhouse-Pontiac 559 Orchard Lake Rd. (248) 724-2300
 To register, please call (248) 689-8735

New Perennials for 2014- 1:30PM and  Flowers in the Shady Perennial bed- 3 pm

Dessert and Discover : Composting Sunday, March 23, 2:00 pm- Seven Ponds Nature Center, 3854 Crawford Road Dryden, MI

It’s time to start thinking about getting our gardens into order, and this afternoon we will learn all about composting while enjoying a delicious dessert. Come on out and let’s get your soil situated. Please call to pre-register. (810) 796-3200

Tea Time and Tannins- Sunday, March 30, 2:00 pm- Seven Ponds Nature Center, 3854 Crawford Road, Dryden, MI

Try out some natural teas and munch on a scone before we explore the uses of tannins in nature on a walk. Please call to pre-register. (810) 796-3200

Gifts from the Herb Garden, April 5, 2014, SMITH FLORAL, 1124 E. Mount Hope Ave, Lansing, MI from 10am until noon.

Coleen French will be showing you how to make Layered Fragrant Bath Salts, Personal Perfumes, Herbal Dryer Sachets, Room Sprays, Car Fresheners, and More! Recipes and handouts included. $10 per class, pre-registration is REQUIRED. Sign up by calling 484-5327 or 484-6085 or stop in and register in person.

“Gardening and All That Jazz!”  Saturday, April 21, 2014, 7am to 4:15pm-Oakland Schools Conference Center, 2111 Pontiac Lake Rd., Waterford, MI. 

Speakers include Allan Armitage "Buying the Right Plants", Stephanie Cohen "Native Plants", David Perry, Garden Photo Magic" and Stacy Hirvela "Shrubs, Making your Dream Garden Reality".  Sponsored by the Master Gardener Society of Oakland Co. Jazz concerts at morning check in and lunch.
$70 before March 15, $80 after March 15.  Pricing includes continental breakfast, lunch, snacks, and program materials. 

Register at. http://www.mgsoc.org/registration.htm  Direct conference registration questions to: Registrar Phone: 248-770-0524  E-mail: registrarmgsoc@gmail.com

Captivating Combinations How to Artfully Combine Plants March 29th 2014, 9 am -noon. Oakland County Executive Office Conference Center - 2100 Pontiac Lake Rd, Waterford MI

Stunning plant combinations are the building blocks of a great garden. Join us to explore the basics of successfully combining plants, discover how creative plant combinations can perk up an existing garden or provide the foundation for a new garden. View many captivating combinations appropriate for a wide variety of Michigan garden conditions.   Carol Lenchek, MSU Extension Educator, Barb Near, Advanced Master Gardener- Cost: $20 (Includes handouts and snacks) Space is limited. Advanced Registration Only.   Contact:  Linda Smith at 248-858-0887.

Naturalizing the Home Garden: A Native Garden Design Workshop for Beginners, Monday March 31, 2014- 6pm t0 7:15 pm Cranbrook Institute of Science, 39221 Woodward Ave, Bloomfield Hills

Help improve the Rouge River by gardening with native plants. Learn how to design a garden with native wildflowers. The workshop is intended for those with little to no experience gardening with native plants. Optional Assistance: Experts will be available to assist a limited number of workshop attendees immediately following the workshops. Preregistration is required for this one-on-one session. Participants are encouraged to bring a Google map or sketch of their yard and photos. Questions?  Please call 313.792.9621. to register go to therouge.org

Spice Up Your Garden with Herbs April 9, 2014:  Oakland County Executive Office Conference Center - 2100 Pontiac Lake Rd, Waterford MI

Come join us to learn how to use herbs to spice up your garden! Janet Downey will teach you how to grow and use herbs to flavor your meals. Cost is $15 and advanced registration is required.  Questions?  Call 248-858-0887

Garden Design 1-2-3 May 3, May 17, May 31, June 7, 2014:  Oakland County Executive Office Conference Center - 2100 Pontiac Lake Rd, Waterford MI
This is a 4-week how to series on garden design.  The workshop will present the basic elements of design used in formal and informal gardens.  

Participants will develop the necessary skills to layout garden beds and small landscape areas using the principles of design.  There will be plenty of hands on exercises to help you understand the steps necessary to end up with a pleasing design for your landscape beds.  Questions? Contact Linda Smith at 248-858-0887.

Oh Deer! Saturday, March 22nd  Bordines Rochester Hills & Clarkston locations at 10:00 AM  Rochester- 1835 S Rochester Rd • (248) 651-9000 or Clarkston 8600 Dixie Hwy • (248) 625-9100  Free

Oh, Deer!  Protecting Your Landscape - Wildlife in the garden is part of nature.  We enjoy watching the rabbits hop across the lawn or the deer trot through the yard.  But when they start using the landscape as their personal salad bowl something has got to give!  Our expert Purple People will provide you with the tips and products you will need to protect your landscape from the munching of these cute little critters so you can, once again, enjoy their presence in your yard.

Bring Your Lawn to Life- March 29  Bordines Rochester Hills & Clarkston locations at 10:00 AM  Rochester- 1835 S Rochester Rd • (248) 651-9000 or Clarkston 8600 Dixie Hwy • (248) 625-9100  Free

After such a harsh, cold winter you are probably wondering if you will ever see a blade of green grass again.  Fear not!  The warm weather of spring is coming. Let our lawn care experts give you the tools and knowledge to bring your lawn back to life.  We will cover fertilization, watering, insect and disease control and even how to keep those pesky Moles away!  You will leave with all the information you need to have the greenest lawn on the block!

Spring Into Gardening Sat., March 29 Sat., March 29 Knights of Columbus Hall Knights of Columbus Hall 1038 S. Van Dyke (M- 1038 S. Van Dyke (M-53), Bad Axe, MI

Day-long gardening classes including a catered lunch, Goodie bag and door prizes Also includes Free admission to Yard & Garden Expo.  $50 registration/person ($60 after March 1)  For details on this seminar you need to request a flyer from Marie at 989-859-1294

The Secrets to a Beautiful Lawn - Saturday, March 22 at 1 p.m. All English Gardens stores.  Free In-store Presentation.  Click here for a store near you. http://www.englishgardens.com/shop-online/workshops.html

How & When to Prune Trees & Shrubs Saturday, March 29 at 1 p.m. All English Gardens stores- Free-

Keep the garden healthy by regularly dividing perennials and pruning trees and shrubs. We’ll tell you what needs to be done and when. Plus, we’ll show you how to do it. Click here for a store near you. http://www.englishgardens.com/shop-online/workshops.html

"Practical Knowledge for the Avid Gardener"  St. Clair County Master Gardeners Annual Spring Symposium Saturday, March 22, 2014, Cornerstone Church, 4025 North Road, Clyde, MI 48049.

Speakers include Dan Heims, Pearl Fryar, David Culp & Fergus Garrett. Early Bird Registration is $80.00 and includes all speakers, breakfast, lunch snacks and shopping. After February 21 the cost will be $90. Contact sanderan51@yahoo.com. for a brochure.

Game answers
Eyeliner- Lily hybrid
Sweet Summer Love - clematis
Earth Walker- sunflower
Who Dun It- dahlia
Pop Socks- Cosmos
Knowlians Black- morning glory
Out Of Africa- nasturtium
Secret Affair- Echinacea
Eight Miles High- daylily
Mango Salsa- rose
Twynings Smartie- dahlia
Yesterday, Today and Tommorrow- viola
Sweet Lord- Asiatic lily
Fragrant Fire- hosta

Newsletter information
If you would like to pass along a notice about an educational event or a volunteer opportunity please send me an email before Tuesday of each week and I will print it. Also if you have a comment or opinion you’d like to share, send it to me. Please state that you want to have the item published in my weekly notes. You must give your full name and what you say must be polite and not attack any individual. I am very open to ideas and opinions that don’t match mine but I do reserve the right to publish what I want.
Once again the opinions in this newsletter are mine and I do not represent any organization or business. I do not make any income from this newsletter. I write this because I love to share with other gardeners some of the things I come across in my research each week. It keeps me engaged with local people and horticulture. It’s a hobby, basically. I hope you enjoy it. If at any time you don’t wish to receive these emails just let me know. If you know anyone who would like to receive these emails have them send their email address to me.  KimWillis151@gmail.com