Indymcmga.org May 2014 Greenery by wm@indymcmga.org

PLANT/BAKE/AUCTION

VOLUME 25, ISSUE 5 MAY 2014

WHEN: Monday, May 12, 2014 (rain or shine) WHERE: Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road NOTE: Please park in marked parking lots & observe the One Way and No Parking signs within the Park. Temporary parking in front of the Nature Center is for unloading & loading only.

VOLUNTEERS: ar r ive — 8:30am. MEMBERS: br ing plants — 9:15 am. SALE STARTS PROMPTLY — 9:30 am.

PURPOSE: This event raises money which supports our Assn’s. projects, including grants & State Conference. PLEASE BRING: Plants: Perennials, annuals, natives, trees, shrubs, evergreens, herbs, house plants, vegetables & pond plants. Large, quality, and rare plants will be auctioned. Baked Goods: Will be priced for sale and must be able to withstand warm temperatures. Available 9:15 a.m. to end of sale. Hardscape: Includes pots, tools, books/other garden/gardening-related items. Items priced for exchange or auctioned if unusually high quality. Pricing: Small, common plants $1.50; Larger specimens $3 or $5. Members: Members who contribute to the exchange may participate in the exchange. Member s who do not contribute to the exchange, and Guests may participate only when the exchange is opened and in the Auction. Don’t miss this opportunity for you and your guests to purchase members’ interesting and quality plants, delicious baked goods and garden related hardware items. 

THE GREENERY

MARION COUNTY MASTER GARDENER ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

TIME:

2014 MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION

NOTE: If you would like to participate in this program and have special needs, contact Steve Mayer prior to the beginning of the program, (317)275-9290 /email: MAYERSL@purdue.edu

Inside this issue: MG MINUTES PRESIDENT’S MUSINGS VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

2-3

RECOGNITION PLANT SALE INFORMATION UPCOMING EVENTS – MAY

4-5

PRINTABLE PLANT SALE TAGS HOSTA SOCIETY EVENT DIRECTIONS TO HOLLIDAY PK.

6-7

EXTENSION HORT. HINTS AUGUST COACH TRIP FORM THE QUESTION BOX

8-11

MORE PLANT SALE INFORMATION INSIDE! Plant Sale Directions Holliday Park Map List of Invasive Species (WHAT NOT TO BRING) Printable Plant Tags

MASTER GARDENER MINUTES — Jackie Sundboom President, Linda Furuness called the April meeting to order at 9:14 A.M. with 93 members in attendance. A motion was made to accept the minutes for the March 10, 2014 MCMGA meeting as published in the April issue of The Greenery. The motion was seconded and passed by voice vote. Treasurer, Nancy Snively presented the financial report with the Association having a checking account balance of $5,764.35 and the 2014 State Conference account having a balance of $42,004.19. Awards of $500 for the Demonstration Garden and $2000 for Purdue Extension Master Gardener program were presented to Steve Mayer. Vice-President, Karen Kennedy reported that today’s program will be on “Honey Bees and You”, presented by Jerry Zimmerman of the Indiana Beekeepers Association; he will have raw honey for sale.- Karen gave an update on the August 12 bus trip to Munchkin Gardens and Hidden Hills. Registration will open on May 1; cost is $25 per person; guests are welcome; meeting place for the buses is Greenwood Christian Church parking lot. The May 12 meeting is the plant sale. Membership Chair, Marie Koenig said that there are 225 paid members. Membership forms are in the back of the room. She would like ideas on boosting member retention and, for those who didn’t renew, she’d like to know why. Assistant Secretary, Carol Hooker distributed Master Gardener certificates, growth awards and badges and congratulated those receiving them. Carol said that she will be staying after the meeting to assist those needing help with entering their volunteer hours into the State database. Archivist/Historian: Kathy Hull presented tributes to Lorraine Kendrick and Les Niebrugge. Lorraine took the MG course in 2008 and was involved with the Answerline, MG class assistant, Decorator Showhouse, and the Tomato Juice Stand. A book will be purchased in her honor for the Answerline Reference Library. Les took the MG course in 2002 and served as an officer in the MCMGA, was active as a tour guide at the IMA as well as the Answerline. We’ll look into planting a Serviceberry (his favorite shrub) as a tribute. Media Chair: It was announced that starting in May, the Newsletter will be on the web site in the public section (no password required), with any private information removed; more public content will help people find our website on the internet. Sunshine Chair: Shirley Fry had contacted several members in the hospital. Hospitality Committee: Thanks for the food. There will be no food or drinks at the Plant Sale. 2014 MG Conference: Barb Jablonski said that early bird registration ends tomorrow, April 15. Garden-related items are needed for the Silent Auction. Volunteers are needed for: bus captains and docents at the gardens, moderators for the sessions, and general volunteers. Next meeting is Monday April 28 in the classroom from 1-3 P.M. Extension Educator, Steve Mayer reported that last week was National Volunteer Week and a thank you email was sent to the Marion County Master Gardeners. Master Gardeners in Marion County reported 22,747 hours in 2013, from 285 people, the most EVER! MCMGA reported 16,363 hours (186 people). We’re glad to see Steve after a lengthy absence. Plant Sale: Jackie Sundboom updated with detailed information on how the “lottery” will work and reminded about how the plants should be prepared. Old Business: Linda Furuness said the Debbie would send out a request for volunteers for Orchard in Bloom, which is the first weekend in May. We will be selling Atlas Gloves there. Linda also announced that Sue Arnold won a National Award (1 of 3 awardees!) at last week’s Herb Society Symposium. New Business: Linda Furuness announced that upcoming events will be presented on a Powerpoint presentation during lunch. With the introduction of new members and guests, the meeting was adjourned at 10:11A.M. Respectfully submitted, Jackie Sundboom Page 2

THE GREENERY

PRESIDENT’S MUSINGS — Linda Furuness I love irises. I have fond memories of them because my father proudly grew them by the side of our garage. He always had the latest in color combinations of the German variety. Irises have interesting flowers—shaped like few other blooms in the plant world. And, if you are of French heritage, you have to like them since the national emblem of France is the fleur-de-lis, the iris. I like to grow several different kinds of iris. There are the deep purple reticulated ones that bloom in the early spring with the crocuses (purchased from an MG bulb sale). Then there are the Siberians that bloom in May. I have quite a few of those: plum colored, white, light yellow. And although the blooms are smaller than the German or bearded irises, they more than make up for it in number. I also have several bearded irises, an intermediate deep purple one and a bright yellow one that has been named “Westfield Contraband” because it was rescued from along Westfield Boulevard one spring day by a fellow Master Gardener (who will remain un-named) and me. In addition, I have an antique variety called “Loreley” which is almost impossible to find today. It has lovely yellow and purple blooms, but its habit is pretty sprawling, so it needs to be planted where its leaves can be hidden behind some other taller perennials. Finally, the other “Iris” that I have is a bright blue Honda Fit who has held me in good stead by being not only a car, but my “truck” for hauling around mulch, retaining wall blocks, and plants, including irises. Iris is a strong, steady performer, rather like the plants for which she was named. Hooray for irises!

Your president, Linda

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES — Shirley & Arlene HOLLIDAY PARK — Shirley Fry May 9th & 23rd, 9 to 11 am, rain or shine: Holliday Park's FREE Learn & Labor Workshops, sponsored by The Friends of Holliday Park. On May 9th, Horticulturist Chris. Turner’s, topic will be ‘Container Gardening’. Wednesdays, May 14th & 28th; Saturdays, May 14th & 28th, 9 to 12 noon: Work Days with Katie Neill, Indy Parks. Tools, gloves, water provided or bring your own. No registration necessary. Details at hollidaypark.org/volunteers. Questions: please check www.hollidaypark.org/volunteers. All sessions qualify for Master Gardener volunteer hours. 

37TH PLACE — Arleen Bow Arlene Bow is coor dinating gar dening effor ts at 37 Place. She would like to put a r equest in for volunteers that like to work with Seniors in the area of vegetable gardening to get in touch with her via e-mail (see directory for contact information). The Master Gardeners work on Mondays starting May 19 from 10 12 noon. The Seniors are there from 11 - 12. If ther e ar e other gar dener s that ar e inter ested in a Satur day opportunity they can contact me also as there are gardeners there on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month with a start date for May 10th. The location of 37 Place is 2605 E. 25th Street, Indianapolis, 46218. 

VOLUME 25, ISSUE 5

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SPECIAL NOTE: NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR OUR OWN, BIG SUE! Saturday, April 12th was the Herb Symposium held at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds and many MCMGA members were in attendance. The Herb Society of Central Indiana hosts this fundr aiser event ever y Spr ing. Our own Big Sue was recognized by the National Herb Society of America with a 2014 Certificate of Achievement which is a very Special Award. Out of 2,400 NATIONAL members, only 3 were chosen for this award this year. SINCEREST CONGRATULATIONS FOR A JOB WELL DONE, SUE ARNOLD!

ADDITIONAL PLANT SALE INFORMATION NO INVASIVE PLANTS – PLEASE!

Invasive Plant Species - Sue Arnold What is an invasive species? One that is not native to the ecosystem, whose introduction causes economic or environmental harm by displacing native plants and nutrient cycles for birds and critters. 

INVASIVE SPECIES: Purple Loosestrife (Lythr um salicar ia), Dames Rocket (Hesper is matr onalis), Star of Bethlehem Bulbs (Or nithogalum umbelatum), Multiflower Rose (Rose multiflor a), Japanese Knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum), Creeping Jenny (lysimachia nummularia), Porcelain Berry Vine (Ampelopsis brevipedunculata), Bishop’s Weed Ground Cover (Aegopodium podagraria), Yellow Flag Iris (Iris pseudacorus), Lesser Celandine (Rannunculus ficaria)

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INFORMATIONAL LABELING is VERY important for potential buyers! Please label each plant to show: 1. Common name; 2. Scientific name (if available); 3. Height/spread; 4. Bloom season, color; 5. Growing conditions, i.e. sun/shade, moist/dry, etc.; 6. Any other information about the plant that might help the buyer. Downloadable/writable plant labels are available electronically and hard copies will be at the sale.

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Please make sure plants are sufficiently watered before bringing them to the sale; seal them in plastic or foil to prevent leakage. (Aids in cleanup).

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Please register on arrival at the Registration/Cashier’s table. Order of participation in the plant sale will be randomly determined (dot color on auction paddles). Payments may be made in cash or by check ONLY.

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No refreshments or beverages will be served at this event. BRING YOUR OWN WATER/COFFEE.

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Volunteers will be available to help with set-up, unloading and loading plants, the auction, the baked goods table and clean-up. If you have not yet signed up to volunteer and wish to do so, or have questions, please contact:



Judy Blanton: see directory for contact information

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Jackie Sundboom: see directory for contact information



Debbie Whitman: see directory for contact information

HOLLIDAY PARK is located on Spr ing Mill Road just South of 64th Str eet. The two par k entrances are located on Spring Mill Road. Follow the road to the Nature Center for the Plant Sale.

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THE GREENERY

UPCOMING EVENTS — MAY 2014 

Now thru May 10 Indiana School for the Blind & Visually Impaired Annual Spring Plant Sale Offering a variety of annuals, including scented geraniums, hanging baskets, planters; perennials, herbs; and tomatoes, peppers and other vegetable plants, including heirloom varieties. All plants are grown by the students. Proceeds benefit the horticulture program at ISBVI. Weekdays, noon to 5:00 p.m.; Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; closed Sundays. Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 7725 N. College, Indianapolis. Call 317-253-1481 for further information.

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Wednesday, May 7 Indiana Daylily & Iris Society This month’s meeting featur es a pr esentation on daylilies by Tom Polston of Pleasant Valley Daylily Gardens, Dayton, Ohio. Tom has been creating beautiful daylilies for about 9 years. He and Doug Sterling operate a 38-acre farm outside Dayton, where they also breed Clydesdale horses. Tom specializes in round, ruffled, bagel-type daylilies that will survive and thrive in the frozen north. A fixture on the “Northern Mecca” tour of Ohio hybridizers, he’s also known for his “toothy” introductions that are much sought-after. 6:30 p.m., Holliday Park Nature Center, 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, 317-327-7180. (Next month’s meeting is June 3, same time and place.)

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Thursday, May 8 Slow Food Indy Book Club The gr oup will discuss Bet the Far m: How Food Stopped Being Food by Frederick Kaufman. Food writer Kaufman sets out to discover the connection between the global food system and why the food on our tables is getting less healthy and less delicious even as the world's biggest food companies and food scientists say things are better than ever. To unravel this riddle, he moves down the supply chain like a detective solving a mystery, revealing a force at work that is larger than Monsanto, McDonalds, or any of the other commonly cited culprits—and far more shocking. Free online registration required. 6:30 p.m., IMA Cafe, 4000 Michigan Road, Indianapolis.

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Thursday, May 22 Friends of Heritage Gardens Program (Fishers) A Look at Basic Fresh Flower Arranging Techniques Want to cr eate a pr etty fr esh flower center piece or a vase ar r angement with the flowers blooming in your yard, or with a bouquet purchased at the grocery store? Ellen Elliot, Master Flower Show Judge for The Garden Club of Indiana, will give a demonstration using a variety of plant materials and vases to stimulate your creativity for your own flower arranging. Bring your cameras and take home the ideas Ellen shares. Free to Friends Garden Club members; general public welcome, $5 fee. Light refreshments served. 7:00 p.m., Historic Ambassador House, Terrace Level Meeting Room, 10595 Eller Road, Fishers. http://www.ambassadorhouse.org/

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Saturday, May 24 Indiana Daylily & Iris Society Iris Show Open to the public. 1:30 to 4:00 p.m., Holliday Park Nature Center, 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN 46260, 317-327-7180. Contact Peggy at dpmallen@tds.net if you have questions.

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Eat Local, Help the Economy My Local Indiana This gr ass-roots, volunteer-run initiative is working to connect Indiana farmers to each other and to the food-buying public. Indiana exports most of the food we produce here, and most of what we eat comes in from other states and even other countries. What’s wrong with this picture? According to My Local Indiana, if each household replaced just 10% of their current food purchases with local food, we would keep $1.7 billion food dollars from leaving our state. Want to take the 10% Pledge? Sign up at www.MyLocalIndiana.com.

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She’s Baaack! Rita’s Backyard Rita’s char ming tea r oom, gift shop, and gar den center has r eopened for the season. Special events include a May 11 Mother’s Day Brunch, a June 20 tour of Lavender Fields (see acres of lavender in bloom and tour the historic home of Indiana author and naturalist Jean Stratton Porter), and a June 22 Downton Abbey Tea. Details at www.ritasbackyard.com. Courtesy of HortusScope, an e-bulletin for the Central Indiana gardening community. VOLUME 25, ISSUE 5

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PRINTABLE PLANT TAGS FOR PLANT SALE

* You will find the link for printable plant tags online at: indymcmga.org on the Home Page.

UPCOMING EVENT: THE INDIANAPOLIS HOSTA SOCIETY (HIS) THE WINDOW BOX GARDENER MONDAY, APRIL 14, 2014 at 6:30 P.M. PROGRAM: “The Container Garden in Your Garden” HOLLIDAY PARK NATURE CENTER, 6363 SPRING MILL ROAD, INDIANAPOLIS

(Free and Open to the Public)

Mary Starnes and Gretchen Jacobs of the Window Box Gardener will demonstrate the best in container gardening. For more information go to www.indianapolishostasociety.org Page 6

THE GREENERY

DIRECTIONS & HOLLIDAY PARK MAPS ON PLANT SALE DAY  ENTER THE PARK FROM ONE OF THE TWO ENTRANCES OFF SPRING MILL ROAD. FOLLOW THE MAIN ROAD AROUND TO THE NATURE CENTER.) See map below  YOU MAY PARK IN FRONT OF THE NATURE CENTER LONG ENOUGH TO DROP OFF PLANTS. THEN MOVE YOUR CAR TO THE CLOSEST PARKING LOT.  NO PERMANENT PARKING ALLOWED IN FRONT OF NATURE CENTER.  IN FRONT OF THE NATURE CENTER IS THE AREA FOR DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP ONLY.

VOLUME 25, ISSUE 5

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EXTENSION HORTICULTURE HINTS by Steve Mayer May Garden Calendar Tips

New Purdue Website

 First Week: Black spot infection on roses occurs primarily during wet weather in May and June. Fungicide sprays during this time are essential for roses susceptible to black spot. For highly susceptible cultivars, begin applying fungicides as leaves expand.

The biggest change at the Purdue Extension-Marion County office this past month was the implementation of a new website. Pur due cr eated a new website template system for the county offices that went live this spring. For Marion County, this happened on May 1. Any previous online information had to be manually converted to the new website by each County Extension office. We also had to work within the parameters of the new template system. The following information is to help you get acquainted with our new website.

 Second Week: Plant snap beans. For a continuous supply, make a planting every 2 to 4 weeks until August 1.  Third Week: Fertilize the lawn in mid- to late May with a slow release high nitrogen fertilizer if no fertilizer was applied in April. Most of your lawn fertilizer should be applied in the fall.

Purdue Extension-Marion County has three domain names related to gardening. They have not changed. However , I  Fourth Week: Leaf galls are common on oak trees. No control is necessary for the health of the plant, and no control is possible once forwarded them to their new locations. So, for our main consumer horticulture page, you still go to: http://IndyHorticulture.org (can be the galls are formed. all lower case and no www is needed). For our local Master GardenFor more timely tips, follow me on Twitter @purduehortindy or go er page, go to: http://IndyMG.org. For information from our office to this address to view: http://twitter.com/purduehortindy. related to urban/community gardens, you go to: <http:// IndyUrbanGarden.org>. IndyHorticulture takes you to the following page titled YARD AND GARDEN:

IndyHorticulture.org takes you to this page.

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THE GREENERY

EXTENSION HORTICULTURE HINTS, continuedâ&#x20AC;Ś. The links on the right under The Education Store are all state links. The links at the bottom are all state links except for the Yard and Garden link. The links at the bottom are a repeat of the dropdown menu that appears when your cursor hovers over the bar of links near the top of the page (Home on the left to Youth on the right). Our local address is in small print at the bottom left of the page. The photo and feature story are from the state (appears on all county YARD AND GARDEN pages). Our local information is on the left under the YARD AND GARDEN title. Ther e is only room for 4 articles on this page. You have to click on Read More for the complete article. These articles never stay the same because they automatically change whenever a new article is added or there is a change in an existing article. So, the latest 4 YARD AND GARDEN articles appear on this page. To get to the rest of the local YARD AND GARDEN articles, click where it says More Articles. That displays the rest of the available articles. Unfortunately, right now it appears that county YARD AND GARDEN pages are limited to 10 articles. I am hoping this can change down the r oad. That means when a new article is added or updated, some other article (like Soil Sampling and Testing) is automatically booted from view. I would have to manually open and save a file for it to remain available to the public (and that would boot some other article from view because I have more than 10 articles).

It might take a little practice to find what you want because there is a mixture of state and local information. The screen shot at the bottom of this page shows the dropdown menu that appears when the cursor moves over the word Garden in the bar at the top. There are three parts to the Garden section: 1) Commercial Growers, 2) Yard and Garden, and 3) Youth. Commercial Growers and Youth both currently have all state information. Yard and Garden is all state information including the Master Gardener link, except for the following links. So the local pages are: Yard and Garden (takes you to our IndyHorticulture.org page), Master Gardener Lessons (takes you to the info for local Master Gardener class participants), and Master Gardeners-Marion County (takes you to our IndyMG.org page). The Master Gar dener s-Marion County link has information on our local Master Gardener classes, associations, reporting information, and the Master Gardener AnswerLine.

For general information on our office and other local current information, click on the Home or About links in the bar near the top of the various pages. If you click on CONNECT WITH PURDUE EXTENSION in the middle right-hand side of the page, you see contact information for staff at our office. Whenever I, or another local Educator at our office, creates a new article or updates it, it automatically appears on our main Marion County office Home page. This section is limited to the 7 most recent article additions or When you view an individual article, sometimes there are documents at the bottom of the page called Related Files. We cannot changes. Sometimes the articles change very rapidly. directly link our local documents (such as Adobe PDF) within the text on the page â&#x20AC;&#x201C; they have to appear at the bottom in this section.

VOLUME 25, ISSUE 5

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COACH TRIP TO HIDDEN HILLS NURSERY AND MUNCHKIN NURSERY & GARDENS Monday, August 11, 2014 from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

WHERE WE WILL GO: 7:30 a.m.

Meet at Greenwood Christian Church, 2045 Averitt Road, Greenwood, IN 46143, 317 881-9336

8:00 a.m.

Buses leave promptly for southern Indiana

12:30 p.m.

Lunch at

1:30 p.m.

Buses depart to swap directions

4:00 p.m.

Leave for return trip to Indianapolis

6:00 p.m.

Arrive back at Greenwood Church

Times are approximate TOUR INCLUDES:

Coach fare and lunch. Cost $25.00

WHO CAN GO?

Marion County Master Gardeners and guests. Reservations open on May 1. Reservations will close when we reach our limit of 110.

TO PARTICIPATE:

Fill out the reservation form below and give/mail to karen j. kennedy, 9212 North Park Ave. A check for $25.00 must accompany the reservation form. Make checks payable to MC-MGA.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Reservation Form for the August 11, 2014 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Master Gardener Trip Name _______________________________________________________________ E-Mail_______________________________________________________________ Phone________________________________________________________________ ____I Am A MCMGA Member ____I Am A Guest Choice For Lunch (Check One): ____REGULAR ____VEGETARIAN Emergency Contact____________________________________________________ Phone_______________________________________________________________ MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO MC-MGA. GIVE/MAIL THIS FORM WITH YOUR $25.00 TO KAREN KENNEDY, 9212 NORTH PARK AVE., Indianapolis, IN 46040

Common Name:

_____________________

Scientific Name

_____________________

Light: (Check One)

☐Full Sun ☐Full Shade ☐Part Sun/Shade ☐Other:

Height:_______________

Width:________________

Color:________________

Interesting Characteristics

_____________________

THE GREENERY PURDUE EXTENSION, MARION COUNTY, PUBLISHER Mail/e-mail your information by 20th of EVERY MONTH for INCLUSION next issue.  Judy Armstrong, Editor  See directory for mailing information E-mail: judyjudy@indy.net

Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/MCMGA.Indianapolis

STEVE MAYER Extension Educator—Horticulture Purdue Extension-Marion County 1202 E. 38th Street, Discovery Hall, Suite 201 Indianapolis, IN 46205-2857 Phone: (317) 275-9290; Fax: (317) 275-9309 E-mail: MayerSL@purdue.edu Marion County Consumer Horticulture:

http://IndyHorticulture.org Marion County Master Gardener Program:

http://IndyMG.org

THE QUESTION BOX by Steve Mayer Q. Why didn’t our blanket flower (Gaillardia ‘Arizona Sun’) establish well last year? A. Sometimes it’s due to poor plant mater ial. The photo below shows a severely restricted root system (probably from a plug) that easily separated from the rest of the larger soil ball when the garden was cleaned up this spring.

Purdue does not endorse nor disclaim information that appears in this newsletter. It is the policy of the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service that all persons have equal opportunity and access to its educational programs, services, activities, and facilities without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, disability or status as a veteran. Purdue University is an Affirmative Action institution. This material may be available in alternative formats.