June 10,
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.
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| Can you guess what this is? |
Hi Gardeners
Once again I am waiting for rain. Even the grass is starting to look dry. I have heard from people south of I69 that
say they have had plenty of rain last week but that’s not the case here. I have been watering and watering and that
takes time from things like weeding and planting that I would like to do.
My strawberries are beginning to ripen but I am not getting
many of them. It’s hard to say whether they
just aren’t producing many berries or if something is eating them before
me. I surrounded the patch with netting
but yesterday I saw a chicken inside the netting, which makes me wonder. In case you are wondering she got yelled at
and my chickens know to run when I yell at them.
The peonies and iris are just gorgeous right now and of
course if it rains the peonies will get all bedraggled and droopy, but hey we
still need the rain. The corn poppies
are flamboyantly beautiful. The babtisia
is blooming and spirea is spilling over lawns everywhere. The Black Locust trees are blooming with
their lovely fragrance. Hosta and
astilbe are beginning to bloom.
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| Graduation or Harrison's Rose. |
My June “Graduation’ rose is covered in bloom. The bush is an old variety probably “Harrisons
Yellow”. This variety was carried
throughout the US by early pioneers and is incredibly hardy and vigorous. My bush came from my grandmother’s old
yard. Every one of my siblings and I, and
even my mother and her sister, had their picture taken in front of her rose
bush, which was trellised in the very front of her yard, when they graduated.
The cottonwood fairies are drifting through the air and my
pond is covered in white fluff. Now
there will soon be hundreds of cottonwood seedlings to join the hundreds of
maple, catalpa and oak seedlings I am pulling from all my flowerbeds.
New Mosquito carried virus
Everyone is talking about how bad the mosquitoes are this
year and I can testify that they are real aggressive this year. There is a concern that some new mosquito
carried diseases may be getting started in the U.S. Just yesterday the Indiana Health department
confirmed a case of Chikungunya virus in Fort Wayne. Florida has also had at least one case. In both cases the infected person had
recently been to the Caribbean area.
Chikungunya virus is also common in Africa, India and Southern
Asia. It causes headache, fever, rash
and severe muscle/joint aches and pains. Treatment of the virus is basically the same
as treatment for the flu. It is rarely fatal and people generally recover in
about a week, although some people have lingering joint pain. Some people also have relapses of joint pain
months later. Chikungunya virus doesn’t
spread from human to human, just like West Nile virus you need to be bitten by
an infected mosquito to get it. Once you
have had the disease you are protected from getting it a second time.
Chikungunya virus is very similar to dengue virus and is
carried by the same mosquitoes.
Incubation period after a bite is 1-12 days. People who have the virus should be kept
where they cannot be bitten again by mosquitoes because this can result in a
rapid local outbreak of disease. This is
why the recent US cases are worrisome- local mosquitoes could have bitten the
infected people.
The CDC recommends these mosquito repellants be used
whenever you are outdoors to help prevent mosquito bites.
DEET (Products containing DEET include Off!, Cutter, Sawyer,
and Ultrathon)
Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin
products containing picaridin include Cutter Advanced, Skin So Soft Bug Guard
Plus, and Autan [outside the US])
Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or PMD (Products containing
OLE include Repel and Off! Botanicals)
IR3535 (Products
containing IR3535 include Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Expedition and SkinSmart)
Of course it’s best to avoid peak mosquito flying times in
early evening and early morning, avoid marshy areas, weedy areas and wear long
sleeves and pants. Re-apply mosquito
repellant often and apply it to thin clothing as well. Don’t rely on citronella products. The electric killer/repellant devices are not
considered very effective. Some newer carbon
dioxide based attractants/killers may attract more mosquitoes to the area, just
like many other insect traps.
Gardeners should also protect themselves from mosquito bites
to prevent getting West Nile Virus, which kills people almost every year in
Michigan. There are also several other
rarer mosquito borne viruses that can be deadly. Believe it or not malaria was once a big
concern for Michigan residents. (Malaria
is carried by mosquitoes.) In its early
history MSU sometimes shut down because of malaria outbreaks.
Mosquitoes need water to breed in and you have probably
heard this before, try to remove any standing water that they can breed in- and
it doesn’t take much water to hatch a crop of mosquitoes. Empty anything that collects water at least every
other day, including pet dishes and even stock tanks if mosquito larvae are
ever noticed in them. Clean out
gutters. Get rid of trash and old tires
that collect water.
If water can’t be emptied use treat it with Bt powders or “doughnuts”. These insecticides kill only mosquito larvae
and are safe for humans, wildlife and pets.
Avoid treating with other insecticides, especially those sprayed on land
as they kill helpful insects as well.
However if a mosquito borne disease outbreak takes hold in your area it
may be required.
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| Ground Ivy |
Ground Ivy
Ground Ivy is not a native plant; it was introduced from
Europe as an herbal remedy and as an aid to brewing beer. Another common name “Gill Over the Ground”
refers to a French word for brewing beer.
Michigan gardeners may also know this plant as Creeping Charlie. Ground ivy is a common lawn and garden weed
in Michigan landscapes.
Ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea), has pretty, scalloped heart
shaped leaves that are attached opposite to each other on the plants square
stems. Leaves and stems may have a
reddish-purple cast in early spring.
When any part of the ground ivy plant is bruised or cut a strong but
pleasant mint smell is released. Ground
ivy leaves can be used in salads and are high in vitamin C.
Ground ivy stems sprawl on the ground and anywhere they
touch the ground at a node they send out little roots. Ground ivy can cover large areas by creeping
and rooting in just a few months. Small
pieces of the plant that are broken off root easily in moist conditions and
pieces of the plant are often carried to new locations by farm and garden
equipment.
Ground ivy prefers shaded to partly shaded moist areas but
will grow in full sun if the area is moist.
Starting as early as April in Michigan, ground ivy sports many small
blue-purple flowers. The flowers are
composed of 5 petals fused into a tube at the base, leaving two fused petals on
the bottom and 3 separated petals on the top, at the end of the tube. The throat of the tube is a lighter color
with speckles of reddish purple and orange stamens. Ground ivy rarely produces seeds, but when it
does the seeds are small, brown, hard, triangular ovals, flat on 2 sides,
rounded on the third.
Ground ivy can withstand mowing and even light foot
traffic. It has been used as a ground
cover in shady areas with some success, but it is difficult to control ground
ivy to a specific area once it gets established so use care if adding it to the
landscape.
Cosmetic uses of the rose
Long before the rose was used as a decorative landscape
plant, people had developed all sorts of cosmetic uses for the rose. It is of course widely used in perfumes. But rose water or oil is a very old remedy for
smoothing and soothing the skin. Every Victorian
lady had her bottle of rose water to use on her face and hands. Combined with
witch hazel rose water was used for acne.
Ointments and lotions were made with rose water and rose oil
and were the basis of the first “cold creams” for cleaning and moisturizing the
face. Rose preparations are used for sunburn and minor skin irritations. Rose
water and rose oil are also used as massage oils. In aromatherapy rose oil is said to relieve depression,
symptoms of grief and anger and help headaches.
Rose oil/water was said to be discovered in the Otto Empire
in the late 1500’s. A newly married
royal couple was rowing a boat in a canal filled with rose petals when they
noticed rainbows caused by rose oil floating on the water surface. They collected some and were fascinated by
the strong rose aroma. The oil probably
developed from the water being heated in the sun.
The Persians took the discovery of rose oil and water to
commercial success. Attar or Otto of
roses became a precious commercial commodity.
Later the Romans had a thriving rose industry both for rose oil and
water and for roses that every well to do Roman had growing in and around their
homes. They grew roses in greenhouses
and learned to force blooms out of season.
Horace was said to joke that the amount of land devoted to roses would
cause a shortage of grain.
After the fall of the Roman Empire only the monastery gardens
preserved cultivated roses and carried on the processes of making rose oil and
water. It wasn’t until the Renaissance period that rose oil and water and roses
as a garden plant once again became popular.
Rose oil and water can both be made at home. For both the best roses to use are older
types that are very fragrant and preferably deep pink or red. This includes damask, centifolia, moss and
alba roses. But any fragrant rose can be
used including modern tea roses. The
roses must absolutely not be treated with pesticides however and this includes systemic
products. Keep in mind it takes a lot of
rose petals to make only a modest amount of rose oil or water and the plants
won’t be so attractive after they are harvested.
Rose buds are harvested just as they begin to open. Harvest is best done in the morning just
after the dew has dried. Plan to use the
roses the day they are gathered. Some
people insist that the small white triangle at the base of each petal be
removed but that is tedious work and not essential. Make sure there are no insects in your rose
petals.
The rose oil you make at home is not the same as commercial
essential rose oil but it can be used in many of the same ways. There are several methods but basically you
are steeping rose petals in some form of neutral smelling oil. Grape seed oil and extra virgin olive oil are
two examples. Place the rose petals in a
glass or ceramic container. Metal
shouldn’t be used because it may react with the oil and plastics absorb the
scent and some of the oil.
Bruise or crush the rose petals with the back of a spoon or
a pestle. Then cover the petals with
oil. Cover the container and set the container
in the sun or another warm location. You
can place a glass container in a crock pot and heat it on low. Never get the oil to the point of bubbling or
“frying”. Rose petals added directly to
the crock pot may “flavor” it.
After a few days strain out the rose petals and keep the
oil. The best, most fragrant oil occurs
when you add fresh crushed petals to the oil and repeat the process one or more
times.
Rose water is made by distilling rose petals with pure
water. There are many methods but just
putting rose petals in water and not using a form of distillation will probably
result in a moldy mess. Use rose petals
above as described for making rose oil.
The water you use should be distilled water or clean rain water.
Here’s one method of making a homemade “still” for rose
water. Find a glass or ceramic container
that will fit inside a big pot, like a canning kettle or big soup pot leaving a
few inches between it and the wall of the pot. A tall, heavy container is best. A shallow container may need to be elevated
off the floor of the pot a bit with a rack or even some flat stones, so there
is some depth around it for rose petals.
The outer pot needs a lid that has a dome shape for best results.
Place crushed rose petals in the outer pot, all around the
center container, as deep as possible.
Pour in the distilled or rain water until it just covers the rose
petals. Place the lid on the pot upside
down. Place the pot on a heat source and
heat until it is gently simmering. Then
place ice cubes in the upside down lid of the pot. Keep simmering.
What should happen is that the steam from the heated rose
and water mixture should condense on the lid of the pot and then fall back into
the container in the middle of the pot. If
the pots lid doesn’t slope to the center where water will run to the middle
before dripping in the center container the still won’t be as effective.
Don’t let the distillation process go on for more than 30
minutes or after the water is all gone from around the petals. That will weaken the fragrance of the rose
water. More ice cubes may be needed from
time to time. Don’t add more water to
the pot after distillation begins.
After the pot has cooled remove the center container with
your rose water. It should smell like
roses and it may be pink in color if you used red or pink rose petals. Discard the rose petals after one
distillation period. There probably won’t be a lot of rose water from one
distillation but you can make more from fresh rose petals. Keep the rose water you collected in the
refrigerator.
Your rose water or oil can be used as a skin toner and
conditioner, as a fragrance spritz or even in cooking. I’ll discuss some culinary uses of rose next
week.
Rose chafer beetles
It’s June and in Michigan that means it’s time for the rose
chafer beetle invasion. If you live on
sandy soil your garden may be particularly hard hit. The name rose chafer is misleading. While they are very attracted to rose
flowers, they’ll eat the leaves and flowers on many kinds of plants.
Rose chafer beetles are tan, sometimes with a greenish cast,
with reddish orange legs and short antennae.
They are about a 1/2 inch long when mature and are strong fliers. In June they emerge from the soil where they
have been pupating and begin feeding on everything in sight. Plants are sometimes covered with the
beetles.
Damage to plants is mainly cosmetic; the plants do recover
when the beetles stop feeding and die, near the end of June. But the loss of flowers and the sight of
leaves with only the veins remaining make many gardeners ready to fight. In June lots of chewed up leaves and flowers
may mean a rose chafer invasion is taking place.
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| Rose Chafer beetles. Photo daBinsi Flickr.com |
For those who grow grapes, rose chafers mean more than
cosmetic damage. Grapes are generally
blooming at the time the rose chafer emerges and the hungry beetles love to eat
grape flowers and buds, which means the loss of the grape crop.
The life cycle of the rose chafer begins when adult beetles
lay eggs in sandy soil in June. Tiny
grubs soon hatch and burrow deeper into the soil. Unlike the European chafer beetle grub the
rose chafer grub does not damage turf grass roots. It grows all summer, and then goes deep into
the soil to rest for winter. In the
spring grubs move toward the surface, eat for a short time then turn into pupae
for a couple of weeks, before emerging from the soil in June to start the cycle
over.
Since female rose chafer beetles prefer to lay eggs in sandy
soil, higher numbers of the beetles are found in gardens planted on sandy
soil. But the beetles can fly quite a
distance to feed.
To control rose chafers gardeners can hand pick the beetles,
dropping them into a container of soapy water.
Shaking a plant lightly will often dislodge dozens of the beetles. On sturdy plants a hand vacuum can be used
with the dirt cup full of beetles emptied into soapy water.
Common garden insecticides such as sevin and malathion will
kill the beetles. But insecticides will
need to be re-applied after each heavy rain and every 10-14 days. Systemic insecticides, like those found in
rose care products, will work but the beetle has to take a bite of the plant
before it is poisoned, so some damage continues to occur.
Whenever using a pesticide, read and follow the label
directions for mixing and applying the product exactly. Make sure the plants you want to protect and
the insects you want to kill are listed on the label. Different insects or different plants can
have different application and mixing instructions.
Plants could be covered with row cover material while the
beetles are heavy. It must be securely
anchored to the ground so beetles don’t crawl under it. Grapes though, need to have visits from
pollinators to make fruit so a row cover won’t work. Pesticides may also kill some pollinators but
are the best option for grapes if beetle numbers are high.
Some early studies by the USDA have found that spraying the
kaolin clay based product called Surround® on grape vines helped repel rose
chafer beetles. That product could also
be sprayed on trees and shrubs being eaten by rose chafers but be aware that it
gives sprayed plants a whitewashed appearance.
There is a lure scent that has been developed for rose
chafers that can be used in Japanese beetle traps. If you use a product like this put it far
away from the plants you want to protect.
Otherwise it will draw more rose chafers to the area which may feed on
plants before entering the trap.
One thing you do not want to do is to encourage your
chickens or other birds to eat the beetles.
Rose chafer beetles contain a toxin that can sicken or kill birds and
small animals. That’s why they are so abundant and damaging; they are not eaten
by other wild things.
The good news is that the invasion is short lived. By the end of June in most areas of Michigan
the adult rose chafer beetles are gone, leaving behind eggs for next year’s
beetle crop.
Ah June, strawberries on the lips, roses in the hand,
cottonwood fairies in the air.
Kim Willis
“He who has a garden and
a library wants for nothing” ― Cicero
More
Information
Bumble flower beetles:
Not your typical grub
“Little brown bumble bees” buzzing
around low to the ground are actually beetles that pollinate flowers and
decompose organic matter.
Posted
on May 9, 2014 by Ben Phillips, Michigan State University Extension
On a farm
visit this week for Michigan State University Extension, I was asked to look at
a bee infestation around the base of a tree that flared up when a mower came
through. Much to my surprise and delight they were not angry wasps or bees, but
bumble flower beetles (Euphoria inda).
I had just
seen bumble flower beetles in a garden in Cincinnati two weeks previous,
visiting flowers and buzzing around the ivy. These beetles are related to other
white grub beetles, such as June beetles, Japanese beetles and chafer beetles,
but are not a pest of major concern. They are furry with yellowish brown hairs
on the front of their backs and undersides, with a mottled gray and brown
shell. They are roughly the diameter of a nickel and are unique among beetles
in that they do not lift their hard protective shell when flying. This lends
them the appearance of a flying rock or clod of dirt.
 |
| Bumble Flower beetle. Photo by J. Berger, Bugwood.org |
As grubs,
these beetles feed on dead and decaying plant matter. Once they molt into
adults, they exhibit very convincing bumble bee behavior and sounds as they
search for pollen, nectar, plant sap, fruit juices and mates. Once mated, they
lay their eggs around dying vegetation. They can sometimes be found feeding on
secondary injuries to trees and herbaceous plants that cause sap flows, and
also on over-ripe, damaged or dying fruit and vegetation.
Typically,
they are not of economic consequence in crops or turf, and live more of a
gleaning lifestyle, taking advantage of damage done by other causes. They do
not transfer any known diseases.
The grower
was pleased that he did not have to treat and to know that these beetles were
likely assisting with nutrient turnover and pollination on his property, and
not hurting.
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- Rochester
WNF&GA- Garden walk Thursday, June 19, 2014, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Rochester Hills Museum, 1005 Van Hoosen Road,
Rochester Hills.
The Garden Walk is an intimate look
at the unique and private gardens in our community. It is co-hosted annually on
the third Thursday of June by the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm and
the Rochester Garden Club. You are
invited to attend a program at 2:00 pm in the newly renovated Calf Barn. Kathy
Miller from Fogler’s Greenhouse will present, Creative Container Gardening.
This is your opportunity to learn how to spice up your containers with
interesting combinations of flowers.
The Open Aire Garden Market will
feature vendors on the grounds of the Rochester Hills Museum from 10:00 a.m. to
4:00 p.m. And don’t miss the Cookie Room
in the Dairy Barn for delicious refreshments. Tour tickets can be purchased at the Rochester Hills
Museum Dairy Barn Wed-Sat 1:00-4:00 p.m. in advance and on the day of the
Garden Tour - In advance – $10 for
Museum members, $12 for non-members, $14 the day of the Tour. Museum Phone: (248) 656.4663
New- Crocker House
Garden Walk Saturday, Jun 21, 2014 9am-4pm, Crocker
House Museum, Union Street, Mount Clemens, MI,
Sponsored by the By Macomb County
Historical Society at Crocker House Museum. Cost is $15.which includes the walk,
breakfast & presentation. More info
contact www.crockerhousemuseum.com.
New- Monarch
Butterfly Conservation Kickoff Saturday, Jun
21, 2014 1-3pm, Leslie Science &
Nature Center, 1831 Traver Road, Ann Arbor, MI
Help us develop our "Monarch
Waystation" & learn how to create your own. Register: 734-997-1553. Cost is $38/family, $11/person.
New- Summer Solstice Concert- Sun., June 22, 3 pm
Matthaei Botanical Gardens 1800 N. Dixboro Rd., Ann Arbor
Join us for a free outdoor concert of
live music at Matthaei in celebration of the year’s longest day. Headed by
local musician and composer Robert Spalding Newcomb. Free.
New- Walking Tour of the Herb Garden, Mon., July 7, 7 pm
Matthaei Botanical Gardens 1800 N. Dixboro Rd., Ann Arbor
Description: Presented by Evening
Herb Study Group July is a peak month for the Alexandra Hicks Herb Knot Garden
at Matthaei. Meet outside in the Gateway Garden prior to 7 pm. Free
What
is Popping in the Ponds?, Sunday, June
29, 2:00 pm Seven Ponds Nature Center, 3854
Crawford Road, Dryden, MI (810) 796-3200
Wetland plants will be blooming and
birds will be singing on our walk to see what is popping.
Build
a Hypertufa Leaf Birdbath, Saturday,
July 5, 10:00 am Seven Ponds Nature Center,
3854 Crawford Road, Dryden, MI (810)
796-3200
A hypertufa birdbath nestled into a
garden space will attract a myriad of bird species. In this class we will learn
the process using a real leaf as a mold. Please bring a blanket to cradle your
project on the way home and a bag lunch. Please call to preregister for this
adult (12 and up) class. Fee $15.00 (members $12.00).
Rose
Show Sat, June 14, 1-5 pm, Meijer
Gardens, Grand Rapids, MI,
Sponsored by the Grand Valley Rose
Society at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. See a variety of rose blooms--hybrid teas,
miniatures, floribundas and old-fashioned types, all locally grown and
carefully prepped for this judged show. Vote for the most fragrant rose and see
lovely rose arrangements. Grand Valley Rose Society members will be available
all weekend to answer your questions and provide growing tips. Anyone can enter
roses in this show--a special section will be reserved for "novice"
entries. Bring your finest roses (along with their names) to Meijer Gardens on
Saturday between 8 am and 10 am. Rose Society members will provide guidance and
encouragement.
24th
Annual Ann Arbor Garden Walk Sat, June
14, 10am-4pm, Ann Arbor, MI,
Winter has been brutal this year, but
Spring has arrived, and that means it will be time for Ann Arbor Farm &
Garden's 24th Annual Ann Arbor Garden Walk on Saturday, June 14th, from 10 am
to 4 pm. We have six unique private gardens lined up in the Ann Arbor Hills
area and one public garden at Arbor Hospice.
Waterfalls and ponds; arbors and
pergolas; hillside plantings; terracing and hardscaping; evergreen borders and
an extensive array of perennials -- all this and more awaits you. Come find the
next idea or inspiration for your own green space!
Proceeds from the 2014 Garden Walk
will benefit two organizations: Leslie Science & Nature Center (LSNC) and
Edible Avalon. At LSNC, Garden Walk funds will support rejuvenation and
expansion of the Center’s landscaping using native grasses, plants, and shrubs.
These native plantings will provide educational and demonstration opportunities
for visitors. Edible Avalon, a non-profit program of Avalon Housing, develops
community gardens tended by residents, along with nutrition and health-related
programs and youth programs focused on local food and sustainable gardening.
Tickets are on sale now; cost is $15
per person. Tickets can be purchased at any of the gardens on the day of the
event, or in advance at these locations: Dixboro General Store, Downtown Home
& Garden, Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Nicola's Books. You can also purchase
tickets online using PayPal through June 4 (a small handling fee is added to
each ticket) For more information and
online tickets www.annarborfarmandgarden.org.
The
Lapeer area Horticulture Society is looking for new members. There are no
education or experience requirements to join; only a love of gardening is
needed. The Horticulture Society meets
the third Monday of each month for socializing, networking and a brief
educational presentation. Next meeting
is at Swoish’s Greenhouse, North Branch, May 19th 6:30 pm. Everyone is invited to join. Dues are only $15 a year. For more information on joining or meeting
locations contact Bev Kobylas at bkobylas@yahoo.com
The
3rd Annual Michigan Honey Festival- Saturday, July 12, 2014 10am - 5pm at The Harvey Kern Pavilion in Frankenmuth,
Michigan.
Attend educational seminars and learn
all you need to start beekeeping! Purchase all
your beekeeping supplies from a variety of vendors. Lots of Michigan honey for sale. Learn how to
brew honey beer and mead and attend the many cooking with honey
demonstrations. There is a children’s
craft area and a demonstration garden done by Master Gardeners. Watch a bee beard demonstration. There will be lots of interesting products to
sample and buy made from honey or bee’s wax.
This year’s festival is all indoors,
so no weather worries. Admission is $5
for adults, children 12 and under free.
More information ? http://www.michiganhoneyfestival.com/contact.html
Master
Gardener College (open to
public) June 20-21, MSU, East Lansing, MI
This year’s event features exciting
full day tours and hands-on workshops on Friday followed by a delicious dinner
at the University Club in East Lansing. Saturday features two entertaining and
educational keynote speakers, as well as eighteen exciting sessions to choose
from in order to feed your mind with science-based gardening knowledge. And, of course, there will be plenty of buying
opportunities.
Key note speaker Charlie Nardozzi will
speak on Foodscaping...A Growing Revolution
Almost a third of American households now do some kind of food gardening.
While everyone wants to grow their own
food, many are unwilling to give up precious yard space or have their yard,
perceivably, look unruly.
You do not have to be a Master
Gardener to attend. Re-certified MG get a discount. There is a wide variety of
pricing options for this event starting at about $65 for a single workshop to
about $200.00 for the 2 day event.
Please go to http://events.anr.msu.edu/event.cfm?folder=mgcollege14 for more
information and to register.
You must pre-register. Registration
fees are refundable until May 31, 2014, less a $20 cancellation fee. After May
31, refunds are no longer available. For
more information, contact Betsy Braid at 517-884-7081 or braidbet@msu.edu.
Garden
Day August 2, 2014, 8 am – 4:15 pm,
Michigan State University Department of Horticulture, East Lansing Mi.
MSU’s annual garden day is on
Saturday this year. The keynote speaker
is Amy Stewart, author of Wicked Plants,
Flower Confidential, and The Drunken Botanist and other books. Ms Stewart is also the concluding speaker and
you can also stay for a reception after the event where she will discuss the Drunken Botanist. You can choose from a
number of excellent workshops/classes, 1 morning and 1 afternoon session.
Classes include Herbal housekeeping, Best Herbaceous perennials, Creative
Containers, Dividing Perennials, Herbs at Home, Pruning Basics, Gardening in
the Shade, Unusual Trees and Shrubs, Creative Edge, and Going Native.
Cost of the event is $85 until July
22nd , $95 after. Lunch and free parking
included. Additional $39 for evening reception.
Go to hrt.msu.edu/garden-day-2014
for class
descriptions and to register.
2014
MASTER GARDENER ASSOCIATION - GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN GARDEN TOUR – June 22nd
2014.
Celebrate spring by enjoying a stroll
through beautiful gardens in Genesee County's east side. Each site has its own
unique features. The homeowner or a Master Gardener would be delighted to
answer any questions. Although each garden looks very different, all of the
homeowners share the passion of watching their garden grow and expand each
year. Much thought has been put into every loved plant or garden art. The
gardeners believe that the garden is an expression of them. Fortunately for us,
they want to share their masterpiece with us.
Please join us in touring nine
outstanding gardens on Genesee County’s east side Sunday, June 22 10:00AM -
5:00PM.and visit the For-Mar Truck Farm at one of the sites. Mark your calendar
for the easy self-guided tour. The total tour is 16.3 miles with easy access
from I-69 to start at site #1 and I-75 to end at site #10 home. There are no
rules where you start or finish, but the routemoves nicely goingfromnorth to
south or south to nor
Advance tickets will be available on
May 23rd at the MSU Extension office for $10.00, $2.00 for children under 12.
Advance tickets will also be available on May 23rd from the following
merchants:
Bordine Nursery 9100 Torrey Rd, Grand
Blanc - (810) 655-5588
Jenny B’s Garden Party 9063 Clio Rd.
Clio - (810) 687-7742
Piechnik Greenhouse,13172 McCumsey
Road, Clio - (810) 686-9211
Walker Farms & Greenhouse 5253
Atherton Road, Burton (810) 743-0260
Tickets may also be purchased the day
of the tour (Sunday, June 22rd) at any of the garden sites. Site addresses will
be posted on the web page the night before the tour. The photo on the ticket
cover was by a student that won the coloring contest at one of Swartz Creek’s
elementary schools.
Gardens will be open for viewing on
June 22 from 10A – 5P, Rain or Shine.
Visit the web site for driving
directions/questions: http://GCgardentour.weebly.com/
NOTE: Gardens open only on this
specific day and time. PLEASE BE CONSIDERATE!
Accommodations for persons with
disabilities may be requested by calling Jim Harrow, Plant & Pest Hotline
(810) 244-8548 two (2) weeks prior to the event to ensure sufficient time to
make arrangements. Requests received after this date will be met when possible.
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
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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 hobby, basically. I hope you enjoy it. If at any time you don’t wish to
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