September 16,
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
 |
| Rex Begonia in the Rain |
I am hopeful that the fog will lift and leave us with some
sun today. I can take chilly
temperatures but I need sunshine. We
just skipped frost Saturday night; the clouds coming in saved us, although it
got down to 38 here. I covered some
plants just in case but I am glad it was for only one night. Temperatures are supposed to slowly get back
to normal through the next few days.
I was sitting outside Saturday evening for the hour or two
of sun that we got that day, after covering my plants in case of frost. It started getting dark but the hummingbirds
still kept coming to the feeder along with honey bees and yellow jackets. I
guess they had to fuel up before the cold night. It was nearly 8 pm before the hummingbirds
left and when I went inside the bees were still at it. I’m surprised the
hummers haven’t left for warmer places.
Please keep your hummingbird feeders full so they can survive this
chilly weather.
People are starting to call this the year without summer but
it has been nothing like the year 1816 which held that title before this
year. In 1816 there was a volcano in the
Dutch East Indies over the winter and a red fog settled over the northern US,
Canada, Northern Europe and China for much of the spring and summer. The fog
reflected the sun and kept things very cool most of the year. There was ice on
the lakes of Pennsylvania in July and August and there was a killing frost each
month that year. There was snow and
frozen ground in upper New England in June.
Crops failed all through the north latitudes and thousands
died. While the weather was fairly
normal further south, there was not a good transportation system to bring food to
places without it. The weather caused a migration of people from New England to
places further south and west. It was also said to inspire Mary Shelley to
write Frankenstein when she was
cooped up due to cold and rainy weather in Switzerland.
So while we have had a cool, wet summer we can’t really say
we had no summer. We had a comfortable
summer, although not an ideal one for the garden. Let’s hope for a more average
summer next year.
State of the Birds Report-2014
 |
| Cedar Waxwing |
The U.S. Committee of the North American Bird Conservation
Initiative, a group composed of various private and governmental agencies has
issued a State of the Birds 2014 report.
The committee issued its first report in 2009 and this report details
the decline, and sometimes revival, of native bird species since then.
The committee has suggested a list of bird species that need
to be watched and targeted for conservation efforts. The greatest loss of population numbers and
species has occurred in desert and grassland habitats. Hawaiian bird species also account for one
third of the 230 listed species on the watch list.
Some birds that used to be common in our area are listed in
steep decline. They include the Bobwhite
quail, Meadowlark, Common Nighthawk, Grackle, and surprise- herring gull. The decline of quail, meadowlarks and some
species that used to be common in rural areas are directly linked to the loss
of dairy farms that graze cows outside.
Grazed pastures are ideal habitat for these birds.
The State of the Birds report does prove that conservation
can work however. Bald Eagles, condors,
brown pelicans and peregrine falcons are examples of some bird species that
have bounded back from a critical state because of conservation efforts.
Passenger pigeons went from some 3 billion in number to none
in less than 40 years so we must protect some of these species if we want them
to survive. So put the cows outside
please!
Nootkatone, a natural mosquito repellant
It’s got a funny name that sounds like it might come from
the North Pole but actually nootkatone is a substance derived from grapefruit
and clementine peel oil. It’s been used for flavoring foods and in perfumes for
several years and is approved by the USDA as generally safe.
Research done by U.S. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention found that nootkatone is also very good at
repelling and even killing mosquitoes, ticks, lice and bedbugs. It’s non-toxic
to humans and as effective as DEET. There was one problem with nootkatone, it’s
expensive. Only small amounts are used
in foods and perfumes so the expense isn’t great for those uses. But using nootkatone as a pesticide would
require great quantities and be too expensive to be practical.
Allylix, Inc., a renewable-chemical firm in Lexington, Ky. has
developed a way to produce nootkatone in vats of fermenting yeast and has
produced a much cheaper version of nootkatone.
Their findings were presented recently at a symposium was that was organized
jointly by the University of California, Iowa State University and the USDA Ag
Research Station which was seeking information on less toxic, natural methods
of pest control.
There is good reason to believe that new, non-toxic,
natural, (well sort of) pesticides for personal use will soon be on the market. Look for nootkatone in insect repellants
soon.
And here’s a funny fact I found out about mosquitoes- they
are attracted to the smell of limburger cheese.
Scientists found that the cheese produces a bacterium very similar to
that produced by dirty, sweaty human feet, so similar that it fools
mosquitoes. And since mosquitoes like
the smell of dirty, sweaty feet it might be good to keep your feet cool and
clean while gardening.
How honey could save us
Honey has been used as an antibiotic salve for thousands of
years. Modern researchers have confirmed
that honey has antibiotic properties and one type of honey, Manuka honey made
from the flowers of Manuka trees in New Zealand and Australia is included in
many modern wound care products.
Now however researchers have teased out some of the secrets
of honeys antibiotic properties and believe they may even have found a natural
solution to conquer antibiotic resistant bacteria. All types of honey have
several properties that make it deadly to bacteria; hydrogen peroxide, acidity,
an osmotic effect from its high sugar concentration and polyphenols. Honey also contains a protein called defensin-1
which attacks bacteria and that is produced by the bee’s immune system and is
added to honey by them.
Some of the latest research, done by Salve Regina University
in Newport, R.I., and presented at the 247th National Meeting of the American Chemical
Society (ACS) found that all honey has a broad range of antibacterial,
antifungal and antiviral properties. Some of these honey ingredients disrupt
the “communication” systems of bacteria and prevent the formation of biofilms,
which serve to protect bacterial colonies. Others destroy bacteria, fungi, and viruses
directly. Since honey has a number of
ways that it strikes at these pathogens there is little chance of any organisms
developing a resistance to honey.
Researchers are hoping find ways to use honey extensively in antibiotic
resistant infections and in day to day care of wounds and infections.
If you want to try honey as a home remedy on wounds make
sure you use raw honey that’s fairly fresh, preferably from a local
beekeeper. Honey you buy in stores has
been heated, and adulterated with various things and probably will not do any
good.
Growing crops may help prevent more global warming
In another about face on what could be causing global
warming, researchers have decided that removing forested areas and planting
crops on the land doesn’t cause global warming. That’s because trees emit
several gases that contribute to global warming and their dark color absorbs
and holds heat better than lighter colored crop plants.
Research done at the Yale School of
Forestry & Environmental Studies and recently published suggests that those
factors, gas emissions and heat absorption, effectively cancel out the
beneficial effects forests have on global warming by their trapping of
carbon. Therefore whether more crops or
forests are growing on earth has little effect on global warming.
That doesn’t mean forests aren’t important, forests are
valuable in many ways, for animal and plant habitat, protecting groundwater and
providing valuable resources. They should still be protected most experts
agree. But using the land to grow crops
is not contributing to global warming.
Toad lilies (Tricyrtis species)
 |
| Tricyrtis flower |
If you are looking for something different for a shady spot why
not try some toad lilies. These interesting plants with their dainty, exotic,
orchid like blooms in late summer add color to the shade when few other shade
plants are blooming. They are perennial plants and relatively easy to
grow. They are also deer resistant but
rabbits are said to eat them.
No one knows how Tricyrtis got the common name Toad
Lily. It might be because it likes to
grow in shady damp areas where toads might be found. Or it could be because of the splotched and
spotted flowers although they look nothing like the spots on toads. Despite the name Toad Lilies are charming.
They are relatively new to the modern garden scene- probably first seen in
garden stores in the early 1990’s.
Toad Lilies are native to Eastern Asia, China and Japan and
into the Himalayans. There is a great
deal of confusion still in the market place as to the proper labeling of the
different species, some 20-22 of them- and the many hybrids coming on the scene
don’t help matters. Toad lilies are members of the lily family (well, most
agree on that).
Tricyrtis likes cool, moist areas and does best in zones 5-7
(some species hardy to zone 4). It can be grown in warmer zones if it is in a
very shaded location and kept consistently moist. In the north partly shaded or lightly shaded
areas are ideal.
Tricyrtis sends up 1-3 foot stems from rhizomes just under
the ground. The oval leaves of trycyrtis clasp the stem and partially surround
it. Some species have leaves only on one
side of the stem; others look fuller, with leaves on both sides of the stem.
The leaves are dark green in most species but there are now many cultivated
varieties of Toad Lilies with variegated leaves. In some species the stems are slightly hairy.
Tricyrtis blooms in late summer and early fall and the
blooms appear at the end of the stems. The flowers of Toad Lilies are quite
interesting and most face upward so you can admire their beauty more closely. (Some
tricyrtis species also have dangling bell shaped flowers.) Despite the attempts of many catalogs to make
them appear larger, the flowers are only an inch to 2 inches long. There are
six long narrow petals. (Actually like
most members of the lily family there are actually 3 petals and 3 sepals which
look like petals.)
The toad lily flower stamens are fused together in a cone in
the center of the flower and three feathery pistils, or female parts are
prominent in the center, these are often forked or lobed at the ends and dotted
with color like the petals. Some flowers
are solid colors in white, lavender, yellow or pink but most Toad Lilies are
known for their speckled and spotted flowers.
An interesting new development links the spotting and blotching
in some varieties of toad lilies to a virus similar to Mosaic Bean virus. The University of Minnesota did some tests
on blotched and spotted Toad Lilies and found the virus. The infected plants seem to grow normally
otherwise and more work needs to be done to see how the virus affects the
various species.
Growing Tricyrtis
Toad lilies need a shady moist area to do their best. They prefer a rich, organic soil. They are
plants that need several years to fulfill their best potential. They normally bloom the first year but often
on only one stem. They may need several
years to spread and form a nice vigorous clump to make an impact. Heights vary from compact varieties about 8
inches tall to species ranging about 2 feet tall.
Toad Lilies must have consistent moisture or the leaves dry
on the edges and look ratty. Too much
sun will also cause the drying. They
benefit from the addition of compost and a good slow release fertilizer in the
spring and again in mid-summer. They are
best planted in the spring.
The plants can be propagated from cuttings, seeds or
dividing the rhizomes. Dividing takes some care, as a new growth bud must be on
each division of the crown. Tricrytis seeds
germinate easily if they are given a cold, moist treatment for several weeks
before planting. Most gardeners will want
to buy their Toad lilies as bare rhizomes or as potted plants. The plants
spread slowly in the garden and are not considered to be invasive.
 |
| Toad Lily |
Remember the flowers are small, and to be seen and
appreciated, Toad Lilies need to be close to the front of the bed or along a
woodland path. They are charming in naturalized settings.
Choosing Varieties
There are new hybrids, varieties and species being offered
each year as the plants become more popular.
Here are some named selections.
‘Togen’ is one of the oldest varieties on the market. It has white petals with lavender edges.
‘Taipai Silk’ has purple flowers with white edges. ‘Sinonome’ has white flowers with purple
specks and the leaves are on both sides of the stem, and the plant is compact.
‘Empress’ has the largest flowers of the Toad Lilies, they
are white dotted with purple. ‘Raspberry Mousse’ is a solid wine red. ‘White Towers’ has solid white flopwers.
‘Golden Leopard’ is a shimmering yellow with brown spots.
‘Moonlight Treasure’ has rounded, variegated leaves and large golden yellow
flowers. ‘Lightning Strike’ has tall arching stems of golden foliage with green
markings and light lavender flowers.
‘Imperial Banner’ is a sport of ‘Empress. It has the same flowers but the leaves have a
broad white streak down the middle and are slightly wavy. ‘Gilt Edge’ has leaves outlined in gold. ‘Lunar
Landing’ is a hybrid toad lily with silvery, velvet like leaves, each bordered
in dark green, reddish stems and purple flowers.
Caution : All parts of the Tricyrtis plant are poisonous.
This week’s weed- Common
reed
The Common Reed, (Phragmites australis), is found along
Michigan roadsides and ditches, wetlands and even in shallow flowing
water. It is often mistaken for Pampas
grass, which is not hardy in Michigan.
Phragmites is a perennial grass that returns each spring, forming large
colonies over the years. It prefers
sunny areas with damp or wet soil.
The Common Reed looks like a large sturdy grass plant,
which it is. They can grow to over 6
feet high in good conditions. The seed
heads have tufts of filaments on each seed which gives them a hairy, fluffy
appearance as the seed heads mature.
These picturesque seed plumes can persist all winter and are excellent
for dried flower arrangements. They are
a purplish gray in early fall that fades to silver gray.
Despite the lavish seed heads Phragmites rarely has
fertile seed. It spreads primarily
through the root system. Small pieces of
the roots carried on farm equipment or even shoes can begin plants in new locations.
 |
| Phragmites or Common Reed along the road. |
Phragmites is interesting because it represents
something biologists are just recognizing, the spread of foreign genotypes
which look similar to native species and therefore often go unrecognized. Phragmites, or Common Reed, is a native to
the Americas. However before the 1900’s
it was a relatively uncommon species confined to marshy lands along both the
east and west coast. In the 1900’s it
began to rapidly expand its range across the U.S. and became much more prevalent in wet areas
everywhere.
Biologists recently discovered that this is probably
because of genes introduced from Europe and Asia from the Phragmites that grow
there. Somehow the genes from these
areas made the Common Reed hardier and more aggressive in colonizing new
areas. This is remarkable because these
plants do not readily reproduce by seed, which is necessary to incorporate
genes from new locations. The genes that
did recombine produced remarkably adaptable varieties of the Common Reed, which
made the rapid spread of the plant possible.
Have a mug of warm spicy cider and relax today.
Kim Willis
“He who has a garden and
a library wants for nothing” ― Cicero
More
Information
What
apple is best for what use?
By Kim
Willis- previously published in Examiner
Its fall and apples are showing up at the farm
markets. Of course you want to buy
Michigan apples and help Michigan’s economy but what apples are right for each purpose? Do you like tart crisp apples or sweet soft
ones? All apples can be eaten or cooked of course, but some apples are better
for some purposes than others. Michigan
grows many varieties of apples commercially and the guide below will help you
choose from the 18 top varieties to get the best apple for your purposes.
.JPG) |
| Organic home grown Red Delicious apples. |
There are many other varieties of apples, including
some heritage apples, on sale in Michigan but the guide would be far too long
and confusing if all were listed. Taste is subjective of course, but an attempt
has been made to define the taste also.
Apple varieties are listed in alphabetical order. The color of apples can vary with growing
conditions to some extent.
Braeburn - red-yellow- green apple- sweet, crisp for
cooking or eating.
Cortland- greenish yellow, blushed with red apple -
sweet- good for cooking.
Empire- red and yellow, sweet-tart- crisp- good for
eating and cooking.
Fugi- yellowish with red blush, juicy, sweet-tart- best
for eating.
Gala- early red apple with yellow stripes, soft, sweet-
good for eating or cooking.
Ginger Gold- yellow, round, medium sized, early apple,
sweet-tart, best for eating.
Golden Delicious- bright yellow, oblong, sweet gingery
taste, good for cooking and cider as well as fresh eating.
Ida Red - red with a touch of yellow, tart, firm, juicy
eating apple.
Honeycrisp- red and gold apple, juicy but firm, sweet-
best for fresh eating.
Jonagold- yellow with a red blush, sweet, firm and
juicy, good for eating or cooking.
Jonamac - red and green, rich spicy taste good for
eating and cider.
Jonathan - mostly red - crisp, spicy and tart - good
for eating and cooking, cider.
McIntosh - yellow and red, very white flesh, juicy,
crisp, tart, eating, baking, cider.
Mutsu- red-yellow- sweet yet spicy, good eating or
cooking
Northern Spy- red and yellow- mildly sweet, juicy good
for cooking
Paula Red- yellow blushed red, Michigan’s earliest
apple, sweet-tart- eating or cooking
Red Delicious- bright red, oblong shape - sweet, crisp,
best for eating
Rome- mostly red, mildly tart and juicy, good for
eating or cooking.
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.
New-
Smart Gardening Roadshow, October 16, 2014 5:30 - 9 p.m.,
Kettunen Center, 14901 4-H Drive, Tustin, MI 49688
Two classes in one night! Bright and colorful gardens
using native plants in garden designs for eco-friendly gardening! Join Consumer
Horticulture Educators Mary Wilson and Rebecca Finneran from Michigan State
University Extension for an evening of fun! Bring your gardening friends,
neighbors and spouse to learn the latest in Smart Gardening!
Greening the Garden… A Smart Gardener’s Journey
If you love plants and garden design, but find yourself
making resolutions to “green your garden,” don’t assume that all things
beautiful must be put out to pasture. During Finneran’s presentation, you will
get ideas for plants and design that are water smart, pest free and low input!
Native Trees and Shrubs with Bling!
There are many reasons you might want native plants in
your garden, yet a common perception is that they are drab and boring. Not so,
as we’ll learn from Mary Wilson. Mary will share some of her favorites, both
native species and their cultivars, for a bright and colorful garden in various
seasons. No longer the step-children of the plant world, but those with
attitude and bling!
Registration fee is $25.00 by Oct. 9, 2014. No refunds
will be made after this date, but substitutions are welcome! On-site
Registration is $35.00. Contact:
Marybeth Denton: Denton.Marybeth@anr.msu.edu, 989-539-7805
New-
Flint River Wild Ones September Event -Thursday, September 25,
2014 - 2:30PM - 4:30PM at For-Mar Nature Preserve & Arboretum, 2142 N.
Genesee Road, Burton, MI
Discussion: Viewing of Urban & Suburban Meadows -
Bringing Meadowscaping to Big & Small Spaces Companion DVD (Total Running
Time: 60 Minutes) is an enticing introduction to meadowscaping. Author and
photographer, Catherine Zimmerman, combines her expertise in photography,
storytelling, environmental issues, horticulture and organic practices to offer
meadowscaping as an alternative to reduce monoculture lawns.
Please RSVP to Melville Kennedy at (810) 275-8822
(leave message) or via email at mkennedy60@charter.net.
Genesee
County Master Gardeners Fall into Spring Conference Saturday, October 4, 2014 -
8:00 am - 4:00 pm- Mott Community College Events Center, 1401
E. Court Street, Flint, MI 48503
Fall Into Spring - what a wonderful way to experience
tips and ideas to create a beautiful garden for next year. October 4th will be
a fun-filled, inspirational day full of ideas and guidelines to aid the
gardener from the basic to the most experienced.
The Garden Market will include MG Garden Stones, garden
art, herbal products, and gardening supplies. Please bring CASH or CHECKS for
your purchases. Speakers and Topics are subject to change. Open to Master
Gardener Volunteers and the general public. Master Gardener Volunteers will
earn 5 hours of education credit
Registration is $65.00 by September 26th. Registration
after September 26th will be $70.00. REGISTER EARLY AND AVOID AN ADDITIONAL
$5.00 FEE. Make checks payable to:
MGAGCM
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Download the registration trifold flyer at this link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByaD3jouRMNReFhKRnpYal9xdVk/edit?usp=sharing
Mail Registration To:
Genesee County Master Gardeners Fall into Spring
Conference
PO Box 34
Flushing, MI 48433
Phone: (810) 244-8531
Flint
River Wild Ones September Event: Thursday, September 25, 2014 - 2:30PM - 4:30PM
:
For-Mar Nature Preserve & Arboretum, 2142 N. Genesee Road, Burton, MI
48509–1209
Viewing of Urban & Suburban Meadows - Bringing
Meadowscaping to Big & Small Spaces Companion DVD is an enticing
introduction to meadowscaping. Author and photographer, Catherine Zimmerman,
combines her expertise in photography, storytelling, environmental issues,
horticulture and organic practices to offer meadowscaping as an alternative to
reduce monoculture lawns.
Please RSVP to Melville Kennedy at (810) 275-8822
(leave message) or via email at mkennedy60@charter.net.
MSU
Extension Workshops for Beekeepers September 19, 2014 1-4 pm,
Forgotten Harvest Farm 9153 Major Rd Fenton, MI 48430
Contact: Call or email MSU Extension - Saginaw Office
989.758.2500 or vanpopp8@anr.msu.edu
MSU Extension Specialist, Walter Pett, has placed two
demonstration honey bee hives at the Forgotten Harvest Farm, near Fenton, and
two at the Saginaw Valley Research and Extension Center, near Richville. Along
with Extension Educator, Ben Phillips, we would like to invite beekeepers of
all ages and experience levels to learn about the various methods for removing
honey from honey bee hives, inspecting the colonies for Varroa mites, and
wintering strategies. Bring protective equipment for interacting with
demonstration hives.
New- Cottage
to Commercial: Ingredients for a successful food business- Several locations
and dates
Michigan State University Extension and MSU Product
Center Educators will conduct four food business planning classes September
through November in Berrien, Muskegon, Ingham and Kent County, Michigan
locations.
The two-hour session addresses basic food processing,
regulatory requirements, business development resources, and related topics.
The program targets individuals who are interested in starting a licensed,
commercial food business.
The Niles session will be held 3-5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept.
30 at the Niles Entrepreneur & Culinary Incubator (NECI) 219 North 4th
Street/2nd Floor, Niles, MI 49120. NECI, a program of Niles Main Street, is
designed to help local entrepreneurs start and grow food businesses. There is a
$25 fee. Make checks payable to Niles Main Street, and mail to 333 N 2nd Street
Suite 303, Niles, MI 49120 by the deadline of Sept.26, 2014. For more
information call NECI at 269-687-4332.
The Muskegon session will be held 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 1 at the Muskegon County (South Campus) Building, 133 E. Apple
Avenue, Muskegon, Michigan 49442. The fee is $20, and registration is available
online through Sept. 26. For more
information, call 269-944-4126.
The Ingham County program will be held 10 a.m. - 12
p.m., Tuesday, October 16, 2014 at the Hilliard Building, Conf. Room B, 121 E.
Maple, Mason, MI 48854. The fee is $20, and registration is available online
through the Oct. 10. For details, call 517-526-7895.
The Kent County session is scheduled for 10 a.m. - 12
p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014 at Kent County MSU Extension 775 Ball Ave. N.E.,
Grand Rapids, MI 49503. The fee is $20 per person, and registration is
available online through Nov. 4, 2014.
The MSU Product Center helps aspiring entrepreneurs and
existing businesses to develop and launch new product and service ideas into
food, agriculture, bioenergy and natural resources markets. A statewide network
of Innovation Counselors is available to counsel individuals interested in
starting related business ventures. Last year the MSU Product Center assisted
647 clients with business planning.
Those who are unable to attend one of the offerings are
invited to request counseling with a field- based MSU Product Center innovation
counselor at www.productcenter.msu.edu , or by phone at 517-432-8750 This
article was published by Michigan State University Extension.
Workshops
for the Garden, Saturday, September 27, Seven Ponds Nature Center, 3854 Crawford Road, Dryden, MI
We are offering two projects to enhance your garden.
Sign up for just one or, bring a lunch and join us for both workshops. Each
workshop is limited to 10 participants. Must pre-register by September 23. To
register call 1-810-796-3200
Introduction to Rain Barrels: A Make It and Take It
Workshop
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Learn all about rain barrels and their importance to
water conservation with Karen Page, owner and Environmental Educator of Back
Track to Nature. Not only will you learn but will also have the opportunity to
make your own barrel. All supplies are included. Fee: $70.00.
Build a Backyard Hypertufa Water Feature
1:00 to 3:00 pm
Using 10″ leaves as a mold; we will create a lovely
container to hold water for toads, insects and more. This small water bath will
provide habitat and beauty to your garden. Fee: $15.00 (members $12.00).
Farm
& Gardens Fall Fair Sat, September 20, 10am-3pm, MSU Tollgate Educational Center,
28115 Meadowbrook Rd, Novi, MI
Family fun on the farm. Children's crafts, hayrides,
entertainment & more. FREE. www.tollgate.msu.edu, 248-347-3860.
Grow
it! Cook it! Eat it! Workshop, Oct. 1 or Nov. 12. MSU Extension Ingham County Lansing
Office and MSU Extension – Livingston County
Learn
how to grow, store and prepare a variety of fresh vegetables by attending one
or all of these mid-Michigan workshops.
Posted
on August 12, 2014 by Diane Brown, Michigan State University Extension
Home vegetable gardening is once again popular. In
addition to vegetables you grow yourself, a bounty of beautiful produce awaits
at farmer’s markets and from community supported agriculture (CSAs). But do you
know the best varieties to select for your home garden? Do you know how to tell
when a vegetable is ready to harvest, or what to look for at the market? How to
store them? How to cook them? Get answers to these questions and more during a
series of three Grow it! Cook it! Eat it! workshops from Michigan State
University Extension designed to help you make the most of fresh garden
vegetables. Cost: $20 for one session/$50 for all three.
Oct. 1, 2014, 6-8 p.m.
Root for the Root Vegetables – beets, carrots, kohlrabi, parsnips,
potatoes, rutabaga, sweet potatoes, turnips
Location: MSU Extension – Livingston County, 2300 East
Grand River,Howell, MI 48843
Nov. 12, 2014, 6-8 p.m.Pumpkins and Their Kin – winter
squash and pumpkins Location: MSU Extension Ingham County Lansing Office, 5303
S. Cedar St., Lansing, MI 48911
Register online for these exciting workshops, and save
$10 over individual workshop pricing when you register early for all three
events. Contact the Ingham County MSU Extension office at 517-676-7207 for more
information.
Annual
Herb & Gourd Fest, September 20, 2014, 10 am - 5 pm and September
21, 2014 -11am - 5 pm at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, 1000
East Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 4952 (888) 957-1580.
There is not a more enjoyable weekend anywhere that you
can attend where you can share your gourd art and meet guests from all over the
world in this magnificent setting.
Throughout the two days we will have members demonstrating and showing
some of the different techniques that they use on their gourds. We show examples of painting, pyrography,
chip carving, filigree work, coiling, weaving just to name a few, and as in
past years, we have vendors selling their creations of bowls, vases, sculptures
and gourd jewelry. $12 adult admission
to the park.
Kim’s note: The
Michigan Gourd Festival at Imlay City Fairgrounds will not be held this year.
Advance Garden Design 4-5-6 September
13, 2014 - September 27, 2014 9:00am-1:00pm Oakland County Executive Office
Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, 41W, Waterford, MI
This workshop is
$125. The fee includes light morning refreshments each day and instructional
handouts. There will be a wide variety of design exercises and a recommended
garden design book list and web site used in formal and informal gardens.
During this workshop, participants will develop skills in the layout of garden
beds and small landscape areas using the principles of floral harmony, balance
and color. The workshop takes the participants through a successive series of
training stages, from simple to advanced garden design planning techniques.
This is a comprehensive training class for advanced level gardeners who are
interested in learning to expand their garden design skills. It is recommended
that you have taken Garden Design 1-2-3 or have other garden design class
experience and understand of design concepts of plant layering, spatial balance
and axial symmetry. Master Gardeners will receive credit for twelve education
hours for attending this 3 day workshop. Contact Linda Smith at 248-858-0887
UP Smart Gardening Conference, Oct. 4
Learn to create
edible landscapes, Ramada Inn, 412 W. Washington St., Marquette, MI
Gardening
enthusiasts and those interested in learning more about this type of gardening
should consider attending this year’s UP Smart Gardening Conference – Edible
Landscaping with Smart Gardening on Oct. 4. This is a one-day conference full
of great speakers, a garden marketplace, door prizes and lunch. The early bird
registration fee is good until Aug. 30. Plan now to attend and avoid a fee
increase. Register online for the early bird reduced fee. http://events.anr.msu.edu/event.cfm?folder=UPSmartGardeningConference
Cost: Early
registration fee of $60.00 per participant by August 29th Late
registration fee of $70.00 from Aug. 30th to Oct. 2nd . Walk in
registration fee of $80.00 (Includes lunch, refreshments, door prizes,
handouts)
Kent/MSU Extension Grand Ideas Garden
10th anniversary celebration Saturday, October 4at 5:00pm
775 Ball Ave NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503
WOW!! Ten Years
Old!! Join the merriment and celebration of the tenth anniversary of the MSU
Extension Grand Ideas Garden at our annual fund raising auction! Open to everyone-bring your friends. Auction
items include new plants, garden tools and gadgets, beautiful local art,
pottery, services and so much more.
This event is sure
to please with great food, live music and “competitively fun” bidding. Get
involved in the bidding excitement as we raise money to support the ongoing
mission of the Grand Ideas Garden—one of Kent County’s hidden treasures!
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
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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
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