February 3,
2015 Kim’s Weekly Garden Newsletter © Kim
Willis
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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| Getting around in the winter. |
Hi Gardeners
We got about 8 inches of snow here, I know some of you
got a lot more. I was really dreading it but my driveway is cleared thanks to a
neighbor, I have my path shoveled to the barn and our road was plowed by Monday
noon so things aren’t too bad. In fact
our road was plowed again today – why I don’t know- maybe there was drifting
somewhere. I listen to all the people complaining down in the cities about
their roads not being plowed and kind of chuckle. It’s the cities that have the hard times
getting around when it snows, out here our people get the job done.
It does annoy me that people think their roads should be
plowed two hours after a storm stops.
Everything must be immediately done anymore. When there is a big storm it takes time to
get it cleaned up. I may be old but I
remember a time when people didn’t get upset when it took a few days to get out
after a storm. Modern technology just doesn’t have a good fix to produce more
plows and plow drivers in a snap after a storm then get rid of them a few days
later.
And another sign of getting old is I can’t believe how
often they close schools any more for weather.
I never once remember a school closing because it was too cold when I
was young or even when my son was in school. My sister lived in Alaska for a
while and they don’t close schools there for the cold. If kids dressed in
something appropriate for the weather it wouldn’t hurt them to stand outside to
wait for a bus for a few minutes. It might be a way to curb the wearing of
shorts and mini-skirts. We had very few
snow days in earlier times too and it wasn’t because we had less snow. (Yes I did walk two miles to high school
through deep drifts of snow, that’s the truth, although it wasn’t uphill both
ways.)
Remember to feed the birds in this cold and snowy
weather. On Sunday when it was snowing
there were easily 30 birds at my feeders all day long and 30 waiting to be
seated. We have two seed and two suet feeders plus a tray feeder for ground
birds and I am thinking of adding another feeder. I think the most numerous species I am seeing
this winter is the purple or house finch. They are out numbering goldfinches
and chickadees this winter, usually the most numerous birds at my feeders. There are a healthy number of cardinals this
year too.
Garden classes and events are popping up all over now
that the holidays are over. Make sure to
check the classes and events list at the bottom of the newsletter if you have
cabin fever.
Idea
for rooting cuttings
Here’s another way to get rid of cabin fever. Putter around and do some inside gardening.
About two years ago I netted a tiny baby fish from our pond and kept him in a
jar to see what type of fish were spawning in the pond. It turned out to be a
goldfish. When he outgrew his jar I bought a small aquarium and for two years
he lived in the living room. Before Christmas I felt sorry for him and decided
to buy him two friends from the pet store. Bad move, he and the new friends
died.
Now I had an empty aquarium sitting in the living room.
It does add humidity to the room so I decided to leave it. I was going to add
some water plants but they are hard to find at this time of year. So I decided
to root cuttings in it instead. I took
some plastic lids from various things and melted holes in them by holding a
knife blade in the stove burner flame until it was red hot and then pushing it
through the lids.
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| My aquarium garden |
I took some cuttings from various plants from sweet
potato to rex begonia and inserted the bottom of the cutting through the
holes. I then floated the lid gardens on
the water in the aquarium. Some of the lids sank too much so I broke off little
pieces of Styrofoam from some packing material and put them under the
lids. If you dip the pieces in water
they will stick to the lids and not float off.
This keeps the lids above water.
The plants seem to be rooting well in this way and
maybe when I transfer them to pots I’ll add water plants or new fish to the
aquarium. But for now I have an
interesting experiment to occupy me.
Check stored bulbs
If you have stored summer bulbs such as cannas, dahlias and
glads, now is the time to take a look at them. If they seem reasonably firm and
plump everything is fine. If they are
moldy or soft feeling you need to spread them out somewhere moderately warm and
let them dry out a bit. Pack them back up in clean material such as wood
shavings after a day or two.
If the bulbs look shriveled and dry when you check them you
need to moisten the material around them slightly. Then check again in a few
days. If the packing material again
feels dry add a little more moisture. If it feels slimy or mold has started you’ll
need to remove the bulbs and change the packing material. Bulbs that have
shriveled may not regain plumpness but if you catch the drying out stage early
enough these bulbs still have a chance to sprout when it’s warmer.
If you see signs that mice have been nibbling your bulbs you’ll
have to move them to another storage spot or put them in a wire or metal
container. Don’t seal bulbs up too tightly though, they are living things after
all and they need circulating air. Tightly sealed containers usually lead to
mold and decay.
Check trees for damage
Another thing to check now that we have had a good deal more
snow is the trunks of your trees and shrubs. Thin barked trees like fruit
trees and maples are especially prone to being gnawed by rabbits, mice and
voles. Rabbits work above ground but
mice and voles tunnel under the snow to the trunks of trees. If they gnaw
around the trunk they will kill the plant, but even a small amount of nibbling
weakens the trees. Look near the base of the tree or shrub, you may have to
move the snow away if its deep against the tree.
Circles of wire mesh with ¼ inch openings or less are the
best protection but plastic spiral wrap or tubes you slip over small trees will
also work. If you use mesh it shouldn’t touch the trunk of the tree. These
protective devices should extend 3 feet high or more above ground.
Another thing to watch for is the splitting of young trees
bark on the south or west side of the tree. When sun hits the bark it warms it
up and expands it a bit. But a quick
drop of temperature at night causes it to contract and split. In spring these
splits can leak sap and attract insects, as well as weakening the tree and
making it look unattractive.
In the late summer or fall tree trunks can be painted white
to help reflect sunlight but in the middle of winter painting isn’t a good
plan. Instead you can apply white plastic spiral tree wrap or simply lean something
light colored against the tree trunk on the south and west side to reflect
heat. White paper wrap sold for tress may also work. Don’t apply anything like duct
tape to the trunk. Once the tree is older and has heavier bark the winter sun
seldom affects it.
Answers to flower quiz, January 20 newsletter
I forgot to give the answers to the flower quiz from the
January 20th newsletter.
Thanks, readers for reminding me and here they are.
Wide Brim, Venus and Red October are variety names of what
popular perennial used for its foliage? Hosta
Rudbeckia is another name for what? Black eyed susan
Meconopsis is the formal name of what rare blue flowered
plant? Himalayan Blue
Poppy
Wake Robin is a common name for what woodland plant? Trillium
Culvers root has what colored flowers? violet or purple
Thunbergia, Cathedral Bells, and Love in a Puff are all
what? Vines
Chrysler Imperial, Josephs Coat, and Mr. Lincoln are all
named varieties of what? Tea rose
From what garden flower was a common heart medication
derived? Foxglove-
digitalis
Aruncus has what common name? Goatsbeard
Dinner plate, cactus and anemone are all flower types of
what plant? dahlia
February Almanac
The names for the full moon in February, (which is today, February 3rd
), reflect the bleakness associated with the month. It is called the Full Snow moon, Hunger moon
and Bone moon among other things. This
full moon is the only time the moon will be seen entirely after dark in the
month. All through the month Venus and Mars will be seen together in the
western sky just after sunset. The
bright star near the moon most of the month is Regulus.
Good days for planting above ground crops are 14th -15th
and 27th, 28th, below ground crops, 10th, and
11th. If you want to go ice fishing try
the 18th through the 28th.
February is National Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month, American Heart Month,
Marijuana Awareness Month, National Bird Feeding Month, National Cherry Month,
National Grapefruit Month, and National Bake for Your Family Month.
The 2nd was Candlemas day as well as Groundhog Day. It is the half way point through winter and
also the beginning of housecleaning for spring. The 5th is National Pancake Day. The 12th
is Lincolns Birthday, Darwin Day and also Plum Pudding day. The 14th is Valentine’s Day as
well as National Condom day, and for those who don’t celebrate Valentine’s day,
it’s also National Library Day. The 15th is Susan B. Anthony’s
Birthday. Then we observe Presidents Day
on the 16th. This year the 17th
is the start of Mardi Gras. The 19th
is Chinese New Year. Tortilla Chip day
is the 24th, National Pistachio day is the 27th. National Public Sleeping Day is the 28th
, have fun with that.
The February birth flower is the violet, which symbolizes faithfulness,
humility and chastity. African violets
are being featured in many stores in February and make a good gift for a
gardener. The February birthstone is the
Amethyst.
Add Sweet Potato leaves
to your salad
Are you over-wintering a sweet potato plant indoors? They do make good houseplants. They are also
easily sprouted by suspending a sweet potato from the grocery in a glass jar.
If you do have a sweet potato plant inside you may want to harvest some of its
leaves for your next salad.
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| Two types of sweet potato vine. |
A study done by Louisiana State University and recently published in
Hort Science found that sweet potato leaves are very nutritious, being high in
Vitamins C, B6, and riboflavin as well as containing other vitamins and
minerals. The leaves and young shoots of sweet potato are as nutritious as
broccoli, carrots, bananas and other fruits and vegetables.
Unlike the leaves and stems of white potatoes sweet potato leaves and
stems are not poisonous and can be added to any salad or eaten alone. Sweet
potato leaves and stems can also be eaten as cooked greens, just like spinach
and just as nutritious. Just make sure that the sweet potato leaves you use
haven’t been treated by pesticides.
Sweet Potatoes grown for ornamental use come in a variety of colors and
even varying leaf shapes. While researchers tested common varieties grown for
their roots for edible foliage qualities, there is no reason ornamental varieties
would not be great salad plants. Sweet Potato plants will grow in sunny windows
inside during the winter. They do need to be kept in warmer rooms and kept
moist to grow well. You could use them for a salad plant all winter and then
put them back out as an ornamental container plant. It’s also easy to start
cuttings of sweet potato over the winter simply by putting pieces of stem into
a jar of water.
Ants may control
pollination of some plants
A recent study published in the American Journal of Botany found that
some ants may change the sugar content of a flowers nectar, and that may change
what pollinators are interested in visiting the flower. The ants carry yeasts
on their body which when introduced into nectar change the composition of its
nectar.
While many gardeners aren’t aware of it, ants are pollinators of many
types of flowers. Flower nectar is a reward for pollinators and attracts them
to the flower. Nectar is composed of 3 sugar types, fructose, sucrose and
glucose. The amount of each type of sugar in the nectar varies according to
plant species and what pollinators the flowers are designed to attract. For
example hummingbirds are attracted to flowers whose nectar is higher in sucrose. But when ants introduce yeasts to nectar the
yeast colonize it and change the sugar make-up to higher fructose content.
When researchers keep ants from visiting flowers the flowers don’t have
any yeast colonies in the nectar. Research is continuing to explore this ant
and sugar content relationship but it suggests that ants are manipulating the
nectar of flowers to make it less desirable to other pollinators and to keep
more for them. This is just one more example of how ants manipulate an
environment to make it more favorable for them.
Growing African Violets
African violets are popular houseplants because they give us
something blooming to look at in winter. Because they are small potted plants
they fit easily into most living arrangements and one can have several plants
on a windowsill. African violets are generally inexpensive to buy, although for
serious collectors some varieties can get quite pricy.
African violets have the reputation of being difficult as a
houseplant but new varieties are much easier to grow. While they don’t thrive
on neglect as some houseplants do, with a little attention to their needs
African violets will reward you with beautiful blooms in a wide range of
colors.
.JPG) |
| African violet. |
Light and temperature
If you turn down the heat at night your African violets will
be happy-unless it gets below 60 degrees. African violets like the temperature
at night to be 60-65 degrees F and the day temperatures to be 70-80 degrees
F. Don’t let the leaves of African
violets touch cold window glass. If your window sill gets very cold at night in
the winter you may want to move the plants out of it at night.
African violets like bright light but direct sunlight
shining through a window may burn the leaves. A north or east facing window is
best in the summer. If you have gloomy winters the African violet can do well
in a west window or even a south window if set back from the window a few
inches.
African violets can grow and even bloom in artificial light.
You can use grow lights suspended over them but some plants will do just fine
in a brightly lighted room, especially if the walls are light colored to
reflect light.
You’ll know if your African violets are getting too much
light if the leaves turn reddish, get thick and wrinkled looking, with new
leaves being smaller and having short leaf stems. If they are in hot, direct
sun the leaves will turn yellow, and the edges will turn dry and look scorched.
Too little light will cause the leaves to be large, thin, and light green with
long floppy stems. Plants with too little light will not bloom.
If they get strong enough light African violets will bloom
with 8-10 hours of daylight but a goal would be to provide 12-14 hours of
daylight. They should have at least 8
hours of darkness to do well.
Be sure to dust the hairy leaves of your African violets
from time to time with a soft toothbrush and gentle strokes. This allows the
maximum amount of light to reach the leaf surface.
Soil and fertilizer
There are special mixes sold for potting African violets but
any good soil-less potting mix will work. Soil-less mixes are composed of peat,
vermiculite and shredded bark. They are light weight and drain well. Don’t use
garden soil for African violets or buy cheap, heavy potting soil.
The pot you use for your African violet can be clay, ceramic
or plastic but it must have good drainage. Don’t use too large of a pot as
large pots cause watering problems. Small plants will grow well in 4-5 inch
pots, as the plant increases in size it can be transplanted into 6-8 inch pots.
African violets should be fertilized from March to
September. If the potting soil you used had fertilizer mixed into it, (check
the label), you will not need fertilizer for several months. Use a special
African violet fertilizer or a houseplant fertilizer and carefully follow
directions. Too much fertilizer will cause more problems than too little. If
the plant has dark green healthy looking leaves and blooms regularly it is
getting enough fertilizer.
Water and humidity
Most older books call for African violets to be watered by
pouring water in a saucer and setting the pot in it so it draws water up. With
modern, well draining potting soils you can just as safely water from the top.
Just make sure to keep water off the leaves or it will spot them.
Don’t water on a schedule, water when the pot feels dry to
the touch. Use distilled water or rainwater for best results. If you use
chlorinated water let it sit a day or so for the chlorine to dissipate. Use
mildly warm water to avoid shocking the plant roots.
Both hard and softened water may cause a build up of mineral
salts in the soil. If you use either, watch for yellow-white crusts on the top
of the soil or sides of the pot. You should re-pot the plant in new soil if
this happens.
African violets are jungle plants and appreciate high
humidity, which most homes don’t have, especially in the winter. If your home
doesn’t have a humidifier you can sit your African violet pots on a tray filled
with marbles or decorative stones and some water. The stones or marbles should
hold the pot bottom out of the water, so the pot isn’t continually soggy, which
would kill the plant. Do not mist your African violets, water will spot the
leaves.
.jpg) |
| African violet |
Flowering
African violets flower in repeated cycles if they have all
their needs met. That is they will flower for a month to 6 weeks and then rest
before repeating bloom. Some varieties are more free blooming than others.
Remove dead flowers to make the plant look nicer and encourage more blooming.
African violets come in many colors from white to pink to
deep purple. Some are bi-color. There are double flowered African violets,
fringed and star shaped blooms and a whole range of leaf shapes and sizes.
African violet growers often enter their plant pets in shows and get involved
in developing new varieties. For more information on types of African violets
you can go to the website of the African violet society of America at http://www.avsa.org/Home.html
Keep that snow shovel handy.
Kim Willis
“He who has a garden and
a library wants for nothing” ― Cicero
More Information
Garden
planning at its best
Old advice can be new advice for
beginning gardeners.
Posted on January 8, 2015 by
Gretchen Voyle, Michigan State University Extension
In the late
1800s, a professor by the name of Liberty Hyde Bailey wrote and lectured
extensively about a new field called horticulture. He is considered to be one
of the founders of the Extension Service and the father of modern horticulture.
Bailey was the first superintendent of the Horticulture Department at Michigan
State University in 1886. He wrote: “A garden is half-made when it is well
planned. The best gardener is one who does the most gardening by the winter
fire.”
Siting
The months
of the winter fire are upon us and so is the season of planning for your coming
growing adventure. Whether it is a vegetable garden or flowers, this is the
time to consider a location if this is a new garden. When plans are on paper
and you have an eraser, changes are easy. Vegetable gardens need a good eight
hours of direct sunlight to flourish. Consider surrounding trees and where
shade will fall during the day. If the garden is close to a sidewalk or where
people pass by, some vegetables could be damaged or disappear. Ripe cherry
tomatoes tempt the more honest of people.
Watering
Consider
how easy it is to get water to this location. If vegetables are to be grown, it
is a good idea to have potable water available. That essentially means the water
is suitable for drinking. If it is not, extra time and care will be necessary
to wash vegetables, especially if they are to be eaten raw. If more hoses are
needed to connect your water supply to the garden, start hunting now. At
slightly over 8 pounds a gallon, carrying water sounds exciting but gets very
tiresome, unless the garden being grown is the size of a card table.
Soil test
If the
garden area has not had a soil test within the last three years, get one. You
want to know before the first seed is planted if you need to add fertilizer or
adjust the soil pH. You are aiming for a soil pH of around 6.5 and at least 5
percent organic matter. There will be a recommendation for nutrients in most
cases and now is the time to locate the fertilizer. Michigan State University
Extension has soil test self-mailers available at www.msusoiltest.com for $25.
Use and keep your results and in another three years, test again and see what
has improved through your efforts.
Buying
seeds or transplants
Many seed
companies have free catalogs if you request them – this is the time of year
many gardening magazines are filled with blow-in cards to fill out and mail
away for catalogs. You can also go online and start deciding what you would
like to grow. There is nothing like looking at vegetables and fruit to motivate
you to grow something new or different. It is good to order early before what
you want has been sold out. More people than ever are gardening, so there are
more buyers. Certain plants can be purchased as transplants to give them more
weeks in the garden, such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, head cabbage and
giant pumpkins. Find a local source.
Tools
needed
Now is the
time to check and see if you have all the tools needed for your garden. This
includes enough stakes and strings for rows. Owning a flat hoe for small
weeding jobs and a triangular hoe for making small seed trenches can be handy.
Having a tiller to turn over soil and incorporate compost is a back saver. This
is the time to price and talk to those who own them. Almost all of them will
suggest a tiller with the tines in the rear rather than at the front. With the
tines in front, you have to lift the handles on most tillers to get the tines
into the soil. This can be very tiring on the arms.
As the snow
blows by the windows and the wind whistles around the corner of the house,
planning your garden by the winter fire can make the smart gardener believe
spring is coming and tasty vegetables are on the horizon.
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. Kimwillis151@gmail.com
Attention Beekeepers!!! We are looking for individuals to
participate with a state-wide apiary registry. We are currently developing the
website/database for this project and we are looking for beekeepers who will
come in on the ground floor of this project and help us get it launched. Not
asking for any money, only your time and/or input. Please send us an e-mail if
you are interested in helping the bees or want to know more.
In specific, we are
looking for people with beekeeping experience to be board members for the
organization, inspectors for different areas around Michigan and volunteers to
help us get the word out at different clubs, festivals, etc. Please consider
helping us and the bees too! Visit our website and let us know if you can help!
www.MichiganApiaryRegistry.org
New-17th Annual
Conference ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL GARDENERS Saturday, March 7, 2015, 8:30
a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Waldenwoods Banquet and Conference Center, 2975 Old US-23,
Hartland MI.
Drawing Inspiration from Japanese
Garden Design
Our Guest Presenter for the day will be Greg Afman,
Head Horticulturist for the Japanese Garden at Frederik Meijer Gardens in Grand
Rapids, Michigan. This phenomenal new garden will debut in June 2015, and as
part of his presentation, Greg will share a first-hand review of its
progress. Greg is a knowledgeable,
enthusiastic, and engaging speaker, whom we discovered last August, when he led
APG members on a tour of the future Japanese Garden.
His presentations
will cover:
The Evolution of the
Japanese Garden
Applying Japanese
Aesthetics to your Garden - This presentation conveys how Japanese design
principles are universally applicable to all gardens especially here in
Michigan.
Create Your Own
Bonsai Planter - In the afternoon Greg will facilitate a hands-on workshop, in
which all Conference attendees will create and take home their own Bonsai. All materials will be supplied with the
exception of wire cutters and a small pair of scissors or pruners, which we ask
you to bring.
Cost: APG Member
$60; Non-member $80. Includes Continental breakfast, lunch, conference materials,
and workshop supplies. Registration Deadline: Friday, February 20, 2015.
Seating is limited, so please register early! Registration at link below or
call/email Sue Grubba, president, (248) 535-4940, or suegrubba@sbcglobal.net
New- Bringing Birds &
Bees Through the Use of Native Plants Fri, February 27, 10-11:30am Meadow
Brook Hall, Rochester, MI,
Laura Zigmanth
shares what native plants bring in butterflies & native bees. Sponsored By
Meadow Brook GC. Cost: $5. Coffee at
9:15. For more information call 248‑364‑6210.
New- Never Stop Growing Tue, March 3, 2015, Ypsilanti
District Library, Ypsilanti, MI
Join Garden A to
Z.com's Janet Macunovich for tips on gardening as the years add up. Part of a new series. Call 734-482-4110 for more information.
New- Backyard Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop Saturday
morning, March 28, 2015 from 10am to 12:30pm, Greater Holy Temple C.O.G.I.C. ,
6702 N. Dort Hwy, Flint, MI
Bob Tritten, MSUE
District Fruit Educator will give an outdoor demonstration workshop at two
community orchards. We will also visit the Uni-Corn Community Garden to cover
pruning of older fruit trees. Participants will learn the basic methods of
pruning young and bearing fruit trees. Pre-registration required by 3/25/15. Workshop
to be held rain or shine (walking required)
Contact: Deb
Hamilton at 810-244-8547 or email: hamiltod@anr.msu.edu Cost per person: $10.00 Make check payable to edible
flint Mail to: MSU Extension, 605 N. Saginaw Street, Suite 1A, Flint, MI
48502. Please include NAME, ADDRESS,
PHONE # AND EMAIL ADDRESS.
New- Spring 2015 Symposium
by the Master Gardeners of St. Clair County, Saturday, March 21, 2015 - 9:00 a.m.
– 4:00 p.m., Cornerstone Church,
4025 North Road, Clyde, MI 48049 - (Two miles west of Port Huron, MI)
Keynote speaker
Sean Hogan Portland,
OR. Cistus Nursery. Class topics:
Richard Bitner- “Designing with
Conifers”, Panayoti Kelaidis, “Rockgardens”,
Susan Betz: “Magical Moons &
Seasonal Circles”, Sean Hogan: “More Than Meets the Eye”.
Early bird
registration: $80.00, includes all speakers, continental breakfast, lunch, and
snack break. Late registration,(after February 20, 2015), $90.00. Make check
payable to MGSCC (Master Gardeners of St. Clair County) Checks or money orders
only, to be cashed upon arrival in the mail – no refunds can be made after
February 20.
Mail registration
to: Sandy Billings, 99 Richman Rd., St. Clair, MI 48079, call Sandy at (810)
367-3399; E-mail: sanderan51@yahoo.com or Lisa Sharrow at (810) 329-3722. More
information and Registration forms are also online at www.mgoscc.org
New- The MSU Hort Club 2015
Spring Show and Plant Sale Saturday April 18th 2014, 9am-6pm and Sunday April
19th 2014, 10am- 4pm located in the head house of the Plant and Soil Sciences
Building (PSS) at Michigan State University, 1600 Bogue St, East Lansing (located
on the corner of Wilson and Bogue.)
No information is
given about what the show entails or whether there is a fee to enter but if you
want to see the list of plants they are selling you can go here.
There is parking in
the 4H Children’s garden parking lot just south of the PSS bldg, in the vet med
lot across Bogue and the Horticulture Department lot to the west of PSS.
(*Note: locations are marked on the map with 'Parking') Be sure to read parking
signs as parking tickets are common on MSU's campus. Please enter through
either the south door of the head house or through the greenhouses.
Growing Bee Friendly Plants Workshop February 12, 2015, 1:00pm - 3:00pm-
Tollgate Conference Center, 28115 Meadowbrook Road, Novi, MI
Are you concerned
about all of the media hype around pollinator health or buyer restrictions on
growing plants without neonicotinoids? Do you want to ensure that the plants
you produce will be bee-friendly? Dr. Dave Smitley will share his research
results from recent studies on the effects of neonicotinoid insecticides on
bumblebees and share best management practices in order to grow bee-friendly
plants. Topics to be covered include: • Overview of neonicotinoid and bee issue
• Biorational products • Alternatives to neonicotinoids • Biological control as
an alternative pest management practice • Bee-friendly insecticides • Safe use
of systemic drenches • New products available • Best management practices for
producing bee-friendly plants Cost: FREE! But it does require an RSVP* by
February 9, 2015 to Kristin Getter at 517-355-5191 x1341 or getterk@msu.edu *If
fewer than 10 attendees are registered by February 9, 2015, this workshop will
be canceled.
MSU Horticulture Gardens’ Spring
Program: Can You Dig It?, May 2, 2015 8
a.m. - 4 p.m., Plant and Soil
Sciences Building, 1066 Bogue Street, East Lansing, MI
Sessions include: Woodland wonders from the wild, Art
of Gardening, Joy of Propagation,
Cultivating the recipe garden, lunch from Grand Traverse Pie Company
included. Rare plant sales. Early registration (on or before April 21)
for MSU Horticulture Garden Member $69 Early registration (on or before April
21) for non-MSU Horticulture Garden Member $79 Registrations received after
April 21 $89
Register
online: http://events.anr.msu.edu/register.cfm?eventID=F981110CAB81205F®isProcessID=78A6375F6399E682
Contact:
517-353-0443, hgardens@msu.edu.
Gardening and All That Jazz –
Innovation and Sustainability For Your Garden, Saturday, April 25, 2015 – 7 am –
4:15 pm, Oakland Schools Conference Center 2111 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford
Sessions
include: Will Allen – Growing Power and the Good Food Revolution: A visual
story of how Growing Power came to be and of Will Allen’s personal journey, the
lives he has touched, and a grassroots movement that is changing the way our
nation eats., Will Allen – How To Put “Growing Power” in Your Backyard: How to
make your own compost bin, outdoor and indoor worm bins and raised beds.
Matthew Benson – Growing Beautiful Food: Cultivating the Incredible, Edible
Garden - Kerry Ann Mendez – Gardening Simplified for Changing Lifestyle:
Exceptional Plants and Design Solutions for Aging and Time-pressed Gardeners
Lunch and snacks
included in cost. Garden marketplace and
jazz musicians. Early Bloomers Registration Fee: $70 After March 14, 2015 Fee:
$80 Registration at the door is not available. Registration Deadline:
Wednesday, April 20, 2015 Registr by
going to http://www.mgsoc.org/2015Conference_registration.pdf
For more info: Nancy Strodl, Phone:
248-552-5095, E-mail: nancy_strodl@comcast.net
Horticultural Therapy: Connecting
People and Plants-March 13, 2015 - March 14, 2015 Plant and Soil Sciences
Building, 1066 Bogue St., East Lansing, MI 48824
The Michigan
Horticultural Therapy Association is excited to present two events 36th Annual
Conference ‒ Friday, March 13, 8:30 a.m. ‒ 4 p.m. and a workshop ‒ Saturday, March
14, 8:30 a.m. ‒ 12:30 p.m. in conjunction with Agriculture and Natural
Resources Week at Michigan State University. Join us for presentations,
networking, vendors, books sales and more as we learn more about using
horticulture as therapy.
For complete program
and registration information, go to www.michiganhta.org or contact Cathy Flinton at cathy@michiganhta.org.
Michigan Herb Associates Annual
Conference- March 13, 2015 - March 14, 2015 Eppley Center and Business College
Complex/Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, MSU Campus, East Lansing MI.
The theme of the
28th annual Michigan Herb Associates (MHA) Conference is “Sensational Savory.”
The Michigan State University (MSU) Department of Horticulture and Michigan
Herb Associates sponsor the conference. The two-day MHA conference is filled
with programs of interest to beginning and advanced herb gardeners and crafters
who enjoy growing and using herbs as a hobby.
Lectures and
demonstrations will take place at the Eppley Center and Business College
Complex. A market of vendors will offer herbal plants and topiaries, herbal
food-related items, decorative garden ornaments and jewelry, and many other
gift items. MHA will have a small gift shop along with speaker book sales and
signings. A live plant auction will take place Friday and Saturday.
Organic Farming Intensives Initiative
Classes March 12, 2015 - 9 am- 4 pm - Michigan State University, Brody Complex, East
Lansing MI.
The Organic Farming
Intensives Initiative will offer three to four all-day classes of single topics
with a focus on organic farming. Possible topics include vegetable production,
fruit tree management, soil health, transplants, pest management, farm-plan
building and organic certification.
For more
information, contact Vicki Morrone at sorrone@msu.edu or 517-282-3557. To learn more about
the Organic Farming Exchange, visit http://www.michiganorganic.msu.edu/.
Michigan Beekeepers Association
Spring Conference Friday, March 13, 2015 and Saturday, March 14, 2015 at the
Kellogg Center on the Michigan State University campus, East Lansing, Mi.
There will be
break-out sessions on both days covering a wide range of topics that should be
of interest for both the beginner and advanced beekeeper alike. And, of course, the ever-popular vendor area
will be back so that you can see all of the latest beekeeping equipment in one
place. Also, this year we will be
expanding the vendors to include a “beekeeping” trade show. The trade show will feature major
manufacturers of beekeeping equipment and gear.
Here will be your opportunity to see what’s new in the beekeeping world
and meet the folks who actually make your stuff!
Pre-registration is
available on-line and we encourage all attendees to do so. When you pre-register you get a discount
too! We encourage all conference
attendees to pre-register. If you
pre-pay when you pre-register, your conference material will be available for
immediate pick-up… no waiting in line.
For more information go to http://www.michiganbees.org/2015-spring-conference/
MSU Tollgate Maple Tapping and
Pancake Celebration March 15, 2015-10 a.m. - 12 p.m. or 1 - 3 p.m. 28115 Meadowbrook Rd, Novi, MI,
Celebrate
the Maple Tapping Season with Pancakes at MSU Tollgate! With a full-on pancake
breakfast or lunch!
Identify
and tap a maple tree, tour the sugar shack with ongoing evaporation, take a
wagon ride, taste maple syrup, and tackle historical tools! Prior to the 2-hour
program, enjoy a pancake celebration in the historic, 19th-century barn.
Pancakes, coffee, cocoa, and of course, real maple syrup will be provided!
Eat your
fill of yummy food and grab a cup of coffee 9 - 10 a.m. before your 2-hour
program. Enjoy entertainment in the 19th century barn while you eat and relax.
Need to
sleep in? Join us at 12 p.m. for a pancake lunch before heading out to the
sugar bush at 1 p.m.
Cost is
$12.00 per person. If cancellations are needed, please do so before March 11,
2015, to avoid cancellation fee of $5 per person registered.
The last
day to register online is March 11, 2015.
Landscape Design Workshop Sat,
February 14, 1 pm
at All English Gardens locations- see below.
FREE. We
provide the supplies & suggestions you need to plot an area & create a
successful design. www.EnglishGardens.com.
Sign up
in-store or on-line: www.EnglishGardens.com. Locations: Ann Arbor, Maple Village Shopping Center, 155
N. Maple Rd., Ann Arbor, Phone: (734) 332-7900, Clinton Township, 44850
Garfield Rd. at Hall Rd., Clinton Twp., MI, Phone: (586) 286-6100, Dearborn
Heights, 22650 Ford Rd., Dearborn Heights, MI
Nursery: (313) 278-4433, Eastpointe, 22501 Kelly Rd., Eastpointe, MI,
Phone: (586) 771-4200, Royal Oak, 4901 Coolidge Hwy, Royal Oak, MI , Phone:
(248) 280-9500, West Bloomfield, 6370 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield, MI,
Phone: (248) 851-7506
Grand Rapids Smart Gardening
Conference March 7, 2015- 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monroe Meeting Rooms DeVos Place, Grand Rapids,
Michigan
Classes include: “Smart Design of the Living
Landscape-Putting back the Layers”, Rick Darke, “Tapping the Smart Gardener’s
Work Force—Predators, Parasitoids and Pollinators!”, Elly Maxwell, Entomologist,
Dow Gardens, Vegetable Potpourri for the Smart Gardener”, Rebecca Krans, “Grow
More with Less-a Smart Approach to Gardening!”, Vincent Simeone Horticulturist,
Author, Lecturer, Oyster Bay, New York.
Cost: Early Bird Registration by Feb. 13 - $59 Late Registration - $70 Must pre-register. Enrollment
deadline is Friday, Feb. 27, 2015 or until full. More info and online
registration http://events.anr.msu.edu/event.cfm?folder=smartgardening2015 or
Contact: finneran@msu.edu, 616-632-7865
28th ANNUAL MICHIGAN WILDFLOWER
CONFERENCE- Sunday
March 8 and Monday March 9, 2015- Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center , MSU
campus, East Lansing MI.
$65 for one
day, $120 for both until 2/25/2015, after that $75 and $140. WAM membership required, add $15. Laura Liebler, Registrar Phone:
734.662.2206
MSU offered a variety of on line
seminars for those who were interested in beginning farming topics of various
types. Some of those are now available
free to watch at the address below.
Gardeners may be interested in topics like organic pest control. Get the list of topics and links here.
Dow Gardens winter beekeeping series at Dow
Gardens, 1809
Eastman Avenue, Midland, MI
Discover
the amazing world of honey bees and beekeeping in this 3-part winter
series. Spots are limited! Call (989)
631-2677 to register or email entomologist Elly Maxwell maxwell@dowgardens.org
with questions.
February
12, 6-8PM Snelgrove Board and Advanced Frame Workshop
At Dow
Gardens, we use the Snelgrove method to manage our hives in the spring. The
Snelgrove method was designed to prevent strong hives from swarming, to cull
old frames, make splits, to replace mature queens, and other benefits. Join us
in this workshop to construct a Snelgrove board and learn the technique.
Additionally, we’ll explore the option of harvesting comb honey from your hive.
Cost of equipment $25, per board. Signup deadline: February 2, 2015
E-mail
Elly at maxwell@dowgardens.org for more details. Call 989-631-2677 to signup.
Dow Know and Grow Seminar February 21, 2015
Bullock Creek High School, 1420
Badour Rd. Midland, MI
This
seminar consists of 3 classes, “Creating
Your Perennial Plant Community:The Know Maintenance Approach”, “Living Soil: How it Works”, and “Year-Round
Vegetable Gardening”. There will be a
vendor’s area. Lunch is included. The early registration fee is $60.00. Registration
after February 6, 2015 is $75.00.
To
REGISTER BY PHONE call Dow Gardens at 631-2677 or 1-800-362-4874. Please have
your credit card information ready.
To
REGISTER BY MAIL send the form in this brochure with a check or credit card information
to: Dow Gardens, 1018 W. Main St., Midland, MI 48
To look
at a brochure, get more information and register on line please use this link.
Conifer Propagation Seminar at Hidden Lake
Gardens, March 7, 2015 – 9am – 4pm, 6214 Monroe Road (M-50),Tipton, MI
Join us
as we share what we know about some of the rare plants of the Harper Collection
of Dwarf and Rare Conifers. Now condensed into one day!
Learn
the art and science of making more conifers (cone-bearing plants). Staff and
volunteers will share their extensive knowledge and experience on the nuances
of propagation. Seminar includes:
Hands-on
grafting of 6 different plants*
Cuttings
of at least 16 plants*
Lunch,
and
Tour of
Harper Collection or propagation facility
*
Species will likely include Thuja, Juniperus, Pinus, Picea, and Abies.
Extensive care instructions provided.
Designed
for the beginning propagator, this seminar will share techniques even
experienced propagators will appreciate. Advance registration is required, but
experience is not.
Cost:
$100 per person early registration ($90 per person for Friends of HLG) $125 per
person after Feb 21. Registration is limited and will close on March 1st.
Registration is required. Hidden Lake Gardens - www.HiddenLakeGardens.msu.edu (517)
431-2060
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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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
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