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.
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| Star of Bethlehem or wild onion. |
Hello Gardeners
We got about 4 inches of unwanted snow overnight but the sun is now
shining brightly. I am a bit worried
about the warm up coming this week- never thought I’d say that. But heavy rain on top of this snow and frozen
ground will create a major mess, especially since it isn’t supposed to stay
warm and it will all refreeze.
If the snow melts off our plants and then we get another deep freeze we
could lose a lot of plants, even normally hardy ones. The snow is insulating them from the
cold. As the days get longer it takes a
shorter amount of warm weather to make plants start coming out of dormancy and
then they winter kill when it goes into deep freeze again.
On the other hand there is no telling what is going on underneath this
snow in terms of damage to plants, roots and bulbs by voles, mice and other
critters. Because the snow is so deep this
year rabbits may be able to chew tree trunks above any protective wire or
plastic wrappings. If you can get out
during the warmer weather you may want to check your most valuable trees and
shrubs and see if there is anything you can do to protect them. Like most people I just wish this winter
would get over.
One sign that spring is coming is the sheer number of educational events
that are being offered in the next few weeks.
Check out the list below. This
isn’t everything of course. If you know
of a class or event that isn’t listed and would like to share that info let me
know.
Houseplant
fertilization
As the days grow longer and the sun shines more frequently it’s time to
give the houseplants a little attention and maybe some fertilizer. Beginning in March most houseplants respond
to the lengthening days and brighter light by putting on some new growth. They’ll often require water more frequently
and they may require fertilization.
Whether you need to fertilize houseplants depends on many things. If the plant is already growing vigorously
and too much growth could be a problem, then fertilizer probably isn’t
needed. Remember plants make their own
food from the process of photosynthesis.
The fertilizer we supply them is more like us taking vitamins, it
replaces certain minerals that the plants may be lacking because they are not
growing in natural soil. Some plants
seem to be able to exist very well without much supplementation.
If a plant is already touching the ceiling and sinking it into the floor
isn’t an option, then it’s probably not a good idea to fertilize it. However if the plant isn’t growing well,
appears weak and sparsely leafed, then fertilizer may be needed. If you have flowering plants like African
violets, geraniums, or begonias, fertilization will allow them to put on a good
bloom show.
Fertilization may also increase the plants resistance to disease and
insects, just as vitamins boost our immune system. If a houseplant is struggling with an insect
infestation like scale or spider mites, or a disease, fertilization may allow
it to survive.
To fertilize houseplants use a water soluble fertilizer formulated for
houseplants or a general purpose plant food that includes houseplants on its
label. Read and follow the label
instructions carefully for mixing the fertilizer with water. There are even organic houseplant fertilizers
such as fish emulsion on the market.
Do not make the fertilizer solution too strong! Most commercial fertilizers are formulated
with various “salts” and these build up
in the medium or soil of houseplants over time.
You may notice the buildup as a crusty whitish-yellow substance on the
soil surface or on the pot. After a
while this accumulated salt will harm the plant roots and cause the plant to
grow poorly or die.
To get rid of accumulated salts you can re-pot the plant in clean
potting medium or you can leach it.
Leaching is placing the plant in its pot in a sink or bathtub and
letting warm water gently flow through the soil continuously for an hour or
two. The water needs to drain out of the
pot at the bottom. When you water your
plants and catch the water that drains out of the pot in a saucer that saucer
should be emptied a short time later. If
the water is sucked back up into the pot the salts that were leached out will
be re-absorbed too.
Houseplants need fertilizer once or twice a month from March until the
beginning of September. After September,
most houseplants slow their growth because of lower light intensity and shorter
days. Fertilizing then may cause more
salt build up in the soil. There are
exceptions to this rule, usually for flowering houseplants or plants under
intense artificial light.
Lush, beautiful houseplants are usually carefully fertilized by their
owners. Your houseplants may only need
that little extra boost to really shine.
Oregano may help
kill Norovirus
Next time you go on a cruise, (if you are brave enough to chance your
life on one), you may want to carry several bottles of oregano essential oil
with you. Oregano oil contains a
compound chemical known as Carvacrol, which breaks down the hard coating that
Norovirus particles surround themselves with.
Norovirus is not killed readily by standard cleaners and anti-microbials
and lasts a long time in the environment.
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| Oregano Zorba Red |
Research published February 12, 2014 in the Society for Applied
Microbiology's Journal of Applied Microbiology found that when carvacrol was
used to clean before or in conjunction with another cleaner such as common
bleach, the Norovirus was killed much more effectively than without carvacrol. Carvacol is safe, non-toxic, and non-corrosive
and because it works on the surface proteins of the virus it’s unlikely the
virus would become resistant to it.
Carvacol itself will eventually kill norovirus after it breaks through
the hard shell but it works slowly, so researchers suggest using it combined
with another anti-microbial. Carvacol kills
other viruses and bacteria too, so oregano oil might be an excellent cleaner
for your sinks and counters. Just be
aware that there is another chemical in oregano oil- thymol, that can be toxic
to your liver and kidneys if you ingest it or absorb a lot of it through your
skin. Use gloves when cleaning with
oregano essential oil and don’t drink it if you come down with a stomach virus.
There is a product called Oil of Oregano on the market that mixes
oregano oil with a little olive oil in a gel capsule that you are supposed to
take when you feel you have any kind of infection, stomach virus or food poisoning. There is no doubt oregano oil could kill some
of those microbes. But this supplement
is not regulated and carvacol- the safe component of oregano oil is not
isolated in the product. You could
damage your liver and kidneys if you use it.
Black Raspberry
gummy candies
Black raspberries have a lot of good nutritional qualities and
scientists wanted to see if they also had medicinal uses. The problem with testing so called
superfoods- foods with nutritional and disease altering qualities is that it is
hard to standardize the foods dosage. And
with things like raspberries the fresh market time is limited and seasonal and
storage is difficult.
Yael Vodovotz, PhD, a food scientist with The Ohio State University
Department of Food Science and Technology
and Kristen Roberts, a nutrition PhD candidate in the College of
Education and Human Ecology, Ohio State University were asked by a group
studying prostate cancer to come up with a standardized form of black raspberry
they could use in their studies, that could be taken as a food.
The food scientists came up with two black raspberry products to fit the
bill. First they quickly freeze dried perfectly ripe black raspberries, and then
they ground them into a powder, seeds and all.
The powder was turned into a concentrated fruit juice and a gummy bear
type candy. The candy and juice were
tested extensively and found to retain 75% or more of the chemicals in black
raspberries that were known to be helpful.
The trial involved men undergoing surgery for prostate cancer, seeing if
various foods would change post-surgical outcomes. The men in the study loved
both products but were particularly fond of the gummy candy. They asked their
doctors where they could purchase the candy.
The results of the trial have not been published yet but researchers are
very happy about the new process of standardizing potentially helpful food
compounds for medical use. Maybe your
doctor will soon be prescribing yummy gummy pills for you.
Datura and
Brugmansia - Beautiful but Dangerous
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| Brugmansia- wikimedia commons |
You will see the beautiful Angel’s Trumpets advertised in many garden catalogs
or you may see a plant called Devils Trumpets or Moon Flower being grown in
gardens or even along roadsides. The
plants have pretty trumpet or funnel shaped flowers that are often fragrant. These plants are either Brugmansia or Datura,
two pretty but very poisonous plants often grown for their ornamental
qualities. Of the two, Brugmansia
makes the better ornamental plant and is not likely to become a dangerous toxic
weed like the Datura’s. But how do you
tell the difference?
Brugmansia and Datura are plants belong to the Solanaceae ( nightshade)
family, the same family that tomatoes and potatoes come from. For a long time the two genera Brugmansia and
Datura were lumped together. Modern
botanists have separated them into the two genera, with Brugmansia generally
regarded as having 9 species and Datura 7 species although those alternate and
change as arguments over genetics get resolved.
Brugmansia and Datura both originate in South and Central America,
although they can come from many different climates in those countries. Some Datura may have originated in Tunisia,
this is being studied. Datura’s however,
have long been naturalized in many warm climate countries. There are literally hundreds of named
varieties of Brugmansia with many hybrids between the species. Daturas have far fewer named varieties. The two genera do not hybridize naturally
although breeders are attempting to do so with modern genetic manipulations.
Brugmansia species go by the common names of Angel’s Trumpet or Devil’s
Trumpet. Datura, owing to its ability to
naturalize easily in many areas of the world has many common names, Thornapple,
Jimson Weed, Locoweed, Devils Trumpet, Angels Trumpet, and Moon Flower are just
a few. (Do not confuse them with the
morning glory like vine also called Moon Flowers). Datura seed may also be offered under the
name Toloache. In catalogs Brugmansia
and Datura are often confused.
Brugmansia species are semi-woody perennials, forming bush or small tree
shapes. In the wild some species are 30
or more feet high. Datura species are
either herbaceous annuals or short lived tender perennials. Both have similar long oval leaves, sometimes
toothed, that can get quite large.
Datura leaves are often fuzzy or hairy. The stems of Datura often have a touch of reddish purple. Brugmansia foliage tends to be a darker green
than Datura foliage and there are Brugmansias with variegated foliage.
The flowers of Brugmansia typically dangle downward although some face
out horizontally. Datura flowers
typically face upwards. Brugmansia
flowers come in a wide range of colors from white to peach, rose, pink,
lavender orange and recently red. There are many double flowered Brugmansia
varieties. Datura flowers are usually
white, sometimes lavender or pale pink and usually single flowered, but double
flowered varieties exist. Both Datura
and Brugmansia have scented species, the smell is strongest at night. Datura flowers open in the late afternoon and
evening hours and close during the day.
Datura flowers are self- fertile and will grow true from seed. The flowers produce a round, four chambered
seed capsule that is covered in spines in most Datura species. When the pod is ripe it bursts and throws
seed over a wide area. Those seeds can
survive cold winters and sprout in the spring.
Brugmansia flowers are not self – fertile and they do not come true from
seed. When breeders find a Brugmansia
plant they like they propagate it by cuttings. Brugmansia seed pods look like a bean pod with a corky covering in some
species. Brugmansia seed rarely survives
a cold winter.
Culture of
Brugmansia and Datura
Brugmansia are usually purchased as rooted cuttings. Most catalogs show large plants loaded with
beautiful flowers but be aware that it can take two years for that little
potted plant to get to blooming size and many years before it makes a large
plant. They are generally kept as tub
plants and overwintered inside.
Temperatures must be kept above 40 degrees F. In zone 8 and above they can be planted
directly in the garden. (Some zone 7
gardeners have had success overwintering Brugmansia outside. The plants die to the ground and then are
heavily mulched.)
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| Brugmansia as a tub plant. Credit Julie Corsi |
For tub plants use a non-soil potting medium and do not plant the
cutting in too large of a pot, let it nearly fill the pot with roots, then
transplant to a larger pot. Indoors the
plants should be in as bright of light as possible, preferably a greenhouse or
sun room. Plants are moved outside after
all danger of frost has passed and the nights are reliably warm. Brugmansia prefers a dappled or partly shaded
area when outdoors.
Brugmansia likes moist, well drained potting medium and should be
fertilized with a dilute flower fertilizer every other watering or have a slow
release flowering plant fertilizer worked into the planting medium. Evenly watered, well fertilized plants in
warm conditions and good light usually bloom almost continually once they start
blooming.
Datura plants are generally started by seed. It can be hard to find the seed because it is
poisonous and in some places Datura seed or plants are illegal, but a few
catalogs offer seeds. You will see some
double flowered Datura plants offered for sale.
Because the seed overwinters and pops up in warmer weather, Datura can
become a noxious invading pest and gardeners should think carefully before
planting it in gardens. It should not be
grown where children, pets or livestock can find the seeds or handle the
plants.
Start seed inside 6 weeks before the last frost or directly in the
ground after all frost has passed.
Datura likes to dry out between watering and shouldn’t be fertilized unless
the soil is very poor. Datura prefers
full sun. Keep the seed pods cut off so
the plants cannot spread to unwanted places.
Datura is killed by the frost.
While plants growing in zone 8 and above may last more than a year
outside, Datura does not overwinter well in pots inside and most species are
considered to be annuals.
Dangerous
qualities of Brugmansia and Datura
All parts of the Brugmansia or Datura plant are extremely
poisonous. Wear gloves when handling the
plants and keep plants where they are not likely to be brushed or touched. Keep the plants away from children and pets.
It has been reported that long exposure to even the scent of the plants can
cause poisoning symptoms. Just a small
amount of the plant or seed being ingested can cause serious damage or death,
even to large livestock.
Both Datura and Brugmansia contain 3 poisons, atropine, scopolamine and
hyoscyamine. Indigenous peoples used the
plants various parts in religious and divination ceremonies. In ancient South American cultures a mixture
of Datura and beer was used to sedate or kill wives and slaves of a deceased
person so that they could be buried with him. Disassociation from reality, a
trance like state and amnesia of events occurring under the influence made
Datura/Brugmansia one of the original “date rape” drugs. One of the old names for Datura translates to
“zombie cucumber.”
Modern attempts to use the plants as a recreational drug usually end
tragically and the “high” caused by the plants is not pleasant. There is a very thin line between “divining”
and death. How hydrated you are, the
place where the plant was grown, weather
during which the plant was grown, how the drug is prepared and numerous other
factors will determine whether you will live or die after ingesting Datura or
Brugmansia. Lingering mental and
physical problems often occur if a person survives the dose.
Audio hallucinations are common,
which is why some cultures used Datura to “speak to the dead.” Violent behavior and self-mutilation under the
influence of the drugs in the plant are also common, with one recent case of a
man cutting off both his penis and tongue after ingesting either Datura or
Brugmansia tea. Vomiting, diarrhea,
foaming at the mouth, heavy sweating, racing heart and difficulty breathing
occur. Other symptoms include dilated
pupils, severe headache, hyperthermia(high fever),dry mouth and paralysis of
smooth muscles. There have been
thousands of deaths from
Datura/Brugmansia poisoning or overdose across the world. At one point in the 1990’s India had a
serious problem with Datura/Brugmansia being used for suicides.
Any person or animal who has ingested any amount of Brugmansia or Datura
should be immediately taken to a hospital.
A drug called physostigmine can counter the effects of Brugmansia/Datura
poisoning if given promptly. Cardiac and
respiratory support may be needed and the stomach will be pumped. The patient may need restraints to prevent
harm to him/her self.
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| Jimson weed, (Datura) naturalized. |
The Brugmansia and Datura plants are both beautiful and dangerous, an
alluring combination for some people. It
is strongly recommended that people with children and pets not have either
plant in their home or garden. If you do
choose to grow them make sure you care for them responsibly. Do not let them form seed, especially
Datura. Don’t keep them where the public
can touch or take pieces from them easily.
The flowers should not be picked or used as cut flowers. Also be aware that some places have laws
against owning the plants.
Get your ark ready
Kim Willis
“He who has a garden and
a library wants for nothing” ― Cicero
More Information
The short, sweet life of cilantro
Cilantro is a delicious but misunderstood herb to invite
into your garden.
Posted on February 5, 2014 by Gretchen Voyle, Michigan State
University Extension
When creating your garden party list of vegetables and herbs
to grow this year, consider cilantro. This herb has gotten a bad reputation
from some gardeners as being difficult to grow. It isn’t once you understand
how to grow it. The struggling gardeners assume cilantro will grow just like
parsley and a few other leafy herbs and vegetables, expecting it to be there
for the entire growing season. But smart gardeners have learned what assuming
can do.
Cilantro is one of those two-for-one plants. The leaves are
used to top many dishes, especially Mexican food. This herb does not withstand
being cooked; it loses its flavor. But the seeds were the original reason the
plant was grown. The seeds are called coriander. They are crushed or ground
into Indian curry and in Asian, Mediterranean, African and Middle Eastern
cuisines.
Cilantro is a cool season herb. It grows best in the spring
and fall and can even withstand light frosts. It cannot tolerate the heat of
summer. When temperatures rise, the plant bolts. This term means that the plant
rapidly begins flowering and making seeds and dies. As it begins to bolt, it
loses its unique leaf flavor. To keep a steady supply of cilantro coming from
the garden, plant seeds every two to four weeks. You don’t have to use the
entire packet of seeds. After all, this is a flavor enhancer, not a main dish.
Garden growing conditions for cilantro are very similar to
almost all other vegetables and herbs. A soil that is light and well-drained
with a generous amount of organic matter is beneficial. The plants need full
sun for most of the year. The soil pH should be 6.5, which is slightly acidic.
Keeping plants well-watered and mulched with straw keeps moisture in and soil
temperatures lower. When it is too hot for cilantro to do well in the garden,
find a location that has afternoon shade. This will allow the plants to grow as
long as they are mulched and watered well.
When the plants bolt and go to seed, you now have a choice.
You can leave the seed pods on until they ripen and turn brown, or the seeds
can be replanted for more cilantro. Each seed pod contains two seeds. The pods
can be removed and rolled in your hand to get off the outside hull. The seeds
are coriander to be used for another culinary adventure. If you leave the seed
pods on the plants, this will happen naturally.
Each growing season, Michigan State University Extension
hotlines around the state get calls from frustrated gardeners about cilantro.
Once they understand how the plant grows, success can be theirs. Just because
the herb is used in hot and spicy dishes does not mean the growing conditions
should be the same!
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| Cilantro. Credit Howard Swartz |
If you need to get a soil test before the growing season
begins, go to www.msusoiltest.com.
Photo credit: Howard F. Schwartz, Colorado State University,
Bugwood.org
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-
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.
New-
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!
New-
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
New-
Michigan
Beekeepers’ Association Spring Conference: The Wonder of Honeybees- Friday, March 7 and Saturday, March 8 Kellogg
Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing Mi
Why are bees
important to us? What is local honey? How can I become a beekeeper? What do I
need to get started? Are there any beekeepers near me? Find out the answer to
these and many more questions at the Michigan Beekeeper’s Association Spring
Conference. If you’d like to talk to a beekeeper, become a beekeeper or just
find out about honeybees, this is the place to get started.
Beekeeping supply
vendors will be on hand, and breakout sessions will cover the many aspects of
beekeeping.
The public is
welcome. Register online or at the door. For further information, please
contact us at Michigan Beekeepers’s Association. http://www.michiganbees.org/
New-
Michigan Wildflower Conference: “Becoming Native to the Place” March 2 & 3- 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Kellogg
Center, Big Ten Wing, Michigan State University, East Lansing Mi
The Michigan
Wildflower Conference, sponsored by the Wildflower Association of Michigan, is
open to all who are interested in Michigan native plants and their habitats.
General and concurrent sessions take place both days. The keynote speaker will
be Rick Darke, author of The American Woodland Garden: Capturing the Spirit of
the Deciduous Forest and co-author with William Robinson of The Wild Garden.
Find additional program information and a registration form at the Wildflower
Association of Michigan. Lunch is included with pre-registration.
New-
Horticultural
Therapy: Connecting People and Plants
-Friday, March 7- 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Plant and Soil Sciences Building,
Michigan State University, East Lansing
Mi
The Michigan
Horticultural Therapy Association’s (MHTA) annual conference is an opportunity
for those interested in learning about using horticulture as therapy to gain
understanding and skills.
Nancy Chambers,
HTR, and Gwenn Fried will present the keynote address “Horticultural Therapy: A
Continuum.” Breakout sessions will cover a variety of topics related to
horticultural therapy practices. This event includes displays, exhibits and
door prizes. Registration: Early Bird Special (postmarked by Feb. 27): $60 for
MHTA members, $80 for nonmembers. Regular registration (postmarked after Feb.
27): $70 for MHTA members, $90 for nonmembers. Registration includes lunch.
Membership is $20 per year and is open to all.
Contact Cathy
Flinton, HTR, at 517-332-1616, ext. 16238 or John Murphy at 269-345-6039 for
more information; or visit the Michigan Horticultural Therapy Association for a
brochure, registration form and membership information. http://www.michiganhta.org/index.php/35th-annual-conference
New-
Michigan
Herb Associates 27th Annual Conference: A Sensory Approach to Herbs Friday, March 7, 8:15 a.m. ‒ 5 p.m.- Eppley
Center and Business College Complex -Michigan
State University, East Lansing Mi
The theme of the
27th annual Michigan Herb Associates (MHA) Conference is “A Sensory Approach to
Herbs.” The Michigan State University (MSU) Department of Horticulture and
Michigan Herb Associates sponsor the conference.
A market of vendors
will offer gardening tools, herbal topiaries, herbal oils and vinegars,
decorative garden-related jewelry and other garden-related items, and many
other gift items. MHA will also have a gift shop featuring a variety of items.
A live plant auction will take place Friday and Saturday.
On Friday morning,
Janet Macunovich will open the conference with “Designing for All Five Senses.”
She is a professional gardener, author and educator, recognized for her
engaging how-to presentations, innovative hands-on workshops and down-to-earth
writing and speaking style. She will be followed by ethnobotanist, garden
author and lecturer Sharon Ackland, who will present “Aromatic Plants: The
Power of Scent.” She will explain and demonstrate how to extract fragrant and
healing plant chemicals for at-home perfumery, medicine and cosmetics.
On Friday
afternoon, two concurrent sessions will take place: 1) Susan Betz, a charter
member and past president of MHA, will present “Native Treasures: Tales from
the Plant Kingdom,” a research project she’s conducting with the Michigan
Department of Natural Resources (DNR). It focuses on land owned by Susan and
her husband, a virtually untouched historical landscape located in southern
Hillsdale County. 2) Coleen French, owner of French Garden Creations in
Portland, Mich., and the MHA membership chairperson, will present “Herbal Housecleaning.”
Coleen will demonstrate how to make at-home “green” cleaning products while
having fun doing it.
Friday’s daytime
program will conclude with Dr. John Biernbaum, professor of horticulture and
faculty director of the MSU Student Organic Farm (SOF), lecturing on “Culinary
Herbs at the Liberty Hyde Bailey Greenhouse and Urban Farm.” He will explain
this new SOF project: how it supplies fresh organic herbs and produce to the
Brody Cafeteria, and how it helps students learn more about herbs. Friday night’s
banquet address, “Myths, Mugs, Worms & Green Fairy!” will be presented by
Carolee Snyder, owner of one of the Midwest’s largest retail herb farms where
she grows more than 2,000 varieties of herbs, perennials, everlastings and
old-fashioned flowers. She will briefly introduce the lore and members of the
artemisia family, and the history and uses of artemisia.
Saturday’s program
will begin with “Hot Herbal Trends,” Carolee Snyder’s take on the hottest and
latest herbal trends. She’ll let us know which plants and herbal topics are
getting the most attention now and promise to be “hot” in the coming year.Later
in the morning Sharon Ackland will present on “Aromachology: The Power of
Healing Herbs.”
On Saturday
afternoon, two concurrent sessions will take place: 1) Susan Betz will present
“Landscaping with Herbs,” detailing how to incorporate herbs into the landscape
for greatest impact and enjoyment. 2) Physical therapists Mary Thiel and Gayle
Durnin of the MSU Rehabilitation Medicine Clinic will present “Don’t Let Your
Green Thumb Feel Blue: Gardening Shouldn’t Hurt!” They’ll show techniques to
prevent injury and increase tolerance for gardening.
Saturday’s program
will conclude with “Every Gathering Should Have a Theme.” Annie Gruber will
give expert advice on planning a relaxed, meaningful and fun gathering for
family and friends. Annie, long-time MHA member as well as creative and expert
cook and party planner, will demonstrate favorite recipes with tastings all
around.
Nonmembers of MHA:
$75 for one day or $110 for both days MHA members: $50 for one day and $85 for
both days. ALL walk-ins will be charged
an additional $10 fee over the pre-registration rates.
The fee for the
Friday evening banquet and program is $35. A delicious lunch provided each day
is available at $12 each. Advance registration is required for all meals and
must be received by Friday, Feb. 28.
To register for the
conference, visit the MHA website at http://miherb.org/ to register online or download the
registration form. Send completed forms with payment to Dolores Lindsay,
Mid-Michigan Mechanical Contractors Assoc., 901 S Cedar Suite 200, Mason, MI
48854 or call 517-676-0390 to pay by credit card or contact one of the
following to request a registration form: Coleen French, 517-647-7814; Marilyn
Ferguson, 616-754-9652; Karen Beekman, 517-349-1709. Note: the Friday night
banquet is open to everyone; you do not need to attend the conference sessions
to attend the banquet.
New
- Birding 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Birding- Saturday,
March 1, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m MSU Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education, Michigan
State University, East Lansing Mi
Michigan Audubon
and the Quiet Water Symposium sponsor this workshop. The morning portion takes
place indoors and includes use of binoculars and field guides, and bird
identification and habitat. It also helps participants discover when, where and
how to find our feathered friends. After a lunch break, participants will meet
with the instructor to put their newfound knowledge to use on a birding walk
around the MSU Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education. In case of
inclement weather, participants will spend the afternoon birding at a nearby
nature center.
Register through
the Michigan Audubon website at www.michiganaudubon.org. The workshop
fee, which includes price of admission to the Quiet Water Symposium, is $35 for
Michigan Audubon and Quiet Waters members, $40 for nonmembers and $25 for
students (must provide student ID). Lunch is not included in the fee.
New-
A Matter of Balance: Approaches to Soil Health and Water Quality Friday, March 7 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(Registration opens at 8:00 a.m.) Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, Room
103AB
Soil health and
water quality are intrinsically linked. Management of these resources faces
great challenges due to emerging ecological, economic and climatic pressures.
Now more than ever, we must support soil’s natural ability to filter water that
moves across and through a landscape. Establishing conservation practices that
support a balanced relationship between soil health and water quality is a
proven best management practice in agricultural production. Management choices
that fail to recognize and protect the physical, chemical and biological
attributes of healthy soil have the potential to jeopardize water quality and
ecological productivity.
For more
information, agenda, speaker biographies, presentation abstracts and
registration information, go to Michigan Chapter of the Soil and Water
Conservation Society at www.miswcs.org/Local_Events.html.
Registration includes lunch.
New-
Smart
Gardening Conference-
Saturday, March 8, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm Ballroom
C/D DeVos Place, Grand Rapids, Michigan
To bring home the
message about smart plants, nationally-known entomologist and author Douglas
Tallamy is lending his expertise to help gardeners choose plants that make wise
ecological sense as well as being easy on the pocketbook. Tallamy’s message
connects our everyday actions at home to the balance that sustains nature’s
food webs. Tallamy believes that humans generally think of themselves as
“outside” the system that keeps our planet green and yet our actions, no matter
how small, can affect just how green we are— and will be.
To get more
information about how to enroll in the 2014 Smart Garden Conference in Grand
Rapids, Mich., contact MSU Extension’s Ginny Wanty at wanty@msu.edu or download
the brochure.
Cost is $59
Enrollment Deadline is Friday, February 28, 2014 or until full
New- Perennial
Gardening 101
Saturday, March 8 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
New- Make
it & Take it Workshop: Kitchen Herb Garden Saturday, March 15 at 2:30
p.m All English Gardens stores FEE: $19.99
Enjoy fresh herbs
from your windowsill. Select your choice of four herbs to plant in a stylish
container. We’ll provide everything you need to make and take this garden home!
Container may vary.
Click here for a
store near you and to sign up on line http://www.englishgardens.com/shop-online/workshops.html
New-
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
New- 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.
2014 Know and Grow Seminar- Saturday, February 22nd, 2014 -
8:15AM, Bullock Creek High School Auditorium, 1420 Badour Rd. Midland, MI
48640. Early registration fee: $60.00,
After February 7th, 2014 $75.00
This seminar is
hosted by the Midland Master Gardener Association. It includes speakers Rick
Darke “Balancing Natives and Exotics in the Garden”, Dan Heims “Garden Gems”,
and Janet Macunovich “Pluses and Minuses of Gardening in Zone 5” . There
is a garden marketplace and lunch is included in the cost.
Get a registration
flyer and more info at http://media.wix.com/ugd/a6644a_813a73b611d74331a99e3e7512baa553.pdf
To REGISTER BY
PHONE call Dow Gardens at 631-2677 or
1-800-362-4874. Please have your credit card information ready.
Getting Started with Selling at Farmers
Markets Webinar- February
19, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Cost $10.00
This two-hour Adobe
Connect webinar is part of the ongoing “2014 Beginning Farmer Webinar Series.”
MSU Extension educator Julia Darnton will present information for those
interested in selling their product successfully at a farmers market. Topics
covered will include: choosing farmers markets at which to sell, negotiating
the rules and regulations of a market, market governance, creating a connection
with customers, setting up a stall as well as resources for practical tips on
tents, tables, displays, and cash handling. Questions and discussion will take
place through the webinar ‘chat’ function. Supporting written materials will be
available for download during and after the webinar. A recording of the webinar will be made
available to registered participants.
Visit the Getting
Started with Selling at Farmers Markets registration page http://events.anr.msu.edu/event.cfm?folder=GettingStartedFarmersMarket
for more information. Or you can contact Julia
Darnton: darntonj@anr.msu.edu or 989-758-2507
Newsletter information
If you would like to pass
along a notice about an educational event or a volunteer opportunity please
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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
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