Master Gardener’s Quarterly Digest
NEWSLETTER DIGEST Season 20xx Issue x Summer is fast approaching and it is filled possibilities and so is this proposed newsletter! Because it is unofficial, I welcome you to read and think about how it can benefit the Master Gardener community as well as the general public. If you are reading this online and in .pdf, {click here} to read it in flip view.
Dear Master Gardeners, I hope that this document finds you in good spirits. A few days ago when I was flipping through my high school alumni and college alumni magazines and it suddenly occurred to me that formal periodic updates really do serve a vital function for the continued development of a group of individuals who share common ideas and goals. Even the digital alumni newsletters that I receive from my graduate school offers me the same sense of connectedness and inspiration. The magazines I get from my fine academic institutions keeps me connected to the like minded friends and colleagues who are making great service, academic or professional contributions to communities and organizations big and small. For the past two years (perhaps even more), there has been a call for someone to coordinate the Master Gardener newsletter for the alumni and for the public. Sadly, there has been no serious expressed interest. Fortunately, I feel inspired. I would like to share my inspiration with you. I am pushing the newsletter issue a bit stronger. How about a mini-digest??? Ok, it’s a newsletter. I really wish I had the energy to produce an eye-catching magazine for our Master Gardener group; however my garden needs my time. This proposed newsletter, should be considered an internal message and to be shared with the public. It includes important information for you to read. Please read the messages carefully and give them consideration. In addition to reading the important messages, please consider what it would be like receiving this kind of newsletter three or four times a year. Likewise consider how it could potentially benefit the greater Shasta County community. I am wondering if this is a useful means of developing connectedness amongst fellow Master Gardeners. If you find this to be a worthwhile project, I am hoping that that this endeavor will inspire at least 15 or so people to actively participate in this project either directly or indirectly. No pressure at this point. Just take your time and read. The hard sell comes later. Wishing you the best of weekends,
Ajen
New Board Elected Here is the list of the current board members for the Shasta College Master Gardeners Association: • Phillip Baldwin • Ajen Busher • Shirly Flynn • Steve Ganger • Peggy Towle • Leimone Waite • Susan Wilson
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Speakers Bureau OK a few years ago at a dinner event someone had said to me, “So you are a Master Gardener, what exactly are you a master of?” Taking sometime to pause before responding to this person who had just met me, I said that as a Master Gardener, I know that the garden is a living laboratory where one can ask questions of what is going wrong and ask questions of what is going right… and with this understanding I encourage others to seek out the truth of their garden. When I think about it, I guess my response was vague because he looked at me with a puzzled face. You know I gave this response because of something that teachers, instructors and professors have stated in my presence. “The most important thing one can do to problem solve is to ask questions.” As Master Gardeners we are called to do just that. I ask myself many questions when I am in my garden. Life can give us many opportunities to practice saying to family member, a friend, or a colleague “I do not know how to solve your problem; however, I believe we can come to a workable solution if we both use our knowledge
and our resources.” I am amazed how this opportunity abounds in my garden of life. “
The master of the garden is the one who waters it, trims the branches, plants the seeds, and pulls the weeds.”~Vera Nazarian
By being a perpetual student of psychology, I resonate with the school of thought that it is better to help the person to discovering the answer by guiding them through a series of questions. To do this, one must have knowledge to ask the right questions as well as wisdom to refrain from offering a myriad of advice by saying “this is what you need to do… or here is what you did wrong”. As Master Gardeners we are working with individuals to help them seek answers for their own garden. With much practice, the people that you help will offer gratitude eventually- even though the process
might be frustrating for those who are used to having others spoon-feeding over-generalized answers to them instantly. This is truly a humbling experience that one can face daily. However, it is an experience that offers you the opportunity to encourage and empower others to ask what is going wrong and what is going right as well as celebrate in the discovery of beneficial solutions that are specific to their garden of life experience. This is how we can potentially grow the body of knowledge in our Shasta County community as Master Gardeners! Because I believe that having the knowledge to ask the right questions begins with the practice of seeking knowledge I ask you…
...many questions. Have you ever wanted to know more about herbs, butterfly gardens, or why tomatoes are such prima donnas? Have you had thoughts on how to prevent certain pests from overtaking the garden or how to install a water efficient autumn garden? Are you in need of refreshing your memory of how to identify common pests? Have you come across really good information on the IPM site that seems worthy of sharing to your colleagues? Did you recently rediscover a passage
in the big ol’ Master Gardner book that provided new garden insights? Are you sitting on a bank of knowledge as your profession or hobby relates to growing certain types of plants or managing certain types of bugs? If you have had similar lines questions or experiences to the above, please consider offering a presentation to the group that demonstrates your findings from your research! The benefits are many... • This is a great way to help your colleagues keep up to date in the latest research provided by UC Davis; • This is a great opportunity to become apart of a developing list of Master Gardeners who can present research supported material to the Shasta County Community; • By being a part of the Speaker’s Bureau, you can encourage individual community members to become a Master Gardener who, in time, will know how to ask the right questions; • By having a hand in developing the base of Master Gardener volunteers, we can encourage people to seek our support more readily as well as adequately staff our information booths, hotline desk and the public information network that contributes information to our website and local newspapers; • In addition, with your help in inspiring perspective Master Gardeners to become active volunteers and certified. As a result, we can expand our support of local community projects and contribute 5
to the economic development of our county while doing so. • ...Oh, did I mention that you get a speaker’s gift??? It is a gift basket loaded with lots of goodies! ...and so while your are considering this special request, please note that we are looking for four presenters or four groups of presenters to present the following topics listed below. Take a look at the list on page 9 to consider possible topics. I highly encourage you to consider offering a presentation to your colleagues. We have had Master Gardeners who have presented to our colleagues in the past. Doug Mandel offered a presentation on edible landscapes, Martin van Orso presented on year-round gardening in Redding, Benita Moore offered a presentation on Square foot gardening, and Paul Stockton offered a presentation about Integrated Pest Management.
Now its your turn! Those interested in doing it in a group please consider a presentation where you can divide up talking points or perhaps talk about two three or four different topics. If you are interested in this, I can put out a special call for presentation partners. ...thinking about this option, what great way to get to know your colleagues! So here are some guidelines: your presentation should be between 45 minutes to and hour and you are highly encouraged to make it interactive… that means bring in live plants, bugs, animals or interesting
diagrams to illustrate your talking points. For those interested in doing a powerpoint, keynote or Prezi presentation where one’s talking points can be projected by the overhead and do not know how to go about doing this, please contact me. I can meet with you and organize your slides or storyboard. I love setting up presentations. It is always good practice for me! For those who have the tiniest consideration to present however is not keen on public speaking, I encourage you to contact me. I have a personal story to share. Thank you all for those who had the stamina to read to the very end. I hope you consider offering a presentation to the group. Go outside and take a look at your garden today and discover those amazing questions! Please send me an email (ajen.ninety@gmail.com) or give me a call (415.722.8778). I look forward to working with you who wish to help further develop this aspect of our organization for the benefit of supporting our external and internal community volunteer projects!
Recipes KIWIFUIT
KIWI SORBET RECIPE
Well bbq season is well underway and there is nothing like autumn bbq’s. After hearty courses of meats and dairies served up hot, consider winding down the even with a cool bowl of kiwi sorbet. You may find it to be a welcomed treat for not only your tongue‌ the rest of your digestive tract may benefit as well.
Ingredients
The kiwifruit is rich in actinidin, a protein-dissolving enzyme which is sold commercially as a meat tenderizer. The kiwifruit is typically in season from October to May in Northern California. For more information on kiwifruit, contact us by calling 530. 242.2219
2 pounds tender ripe green kiwifruit 3/4 cup superfine granulated sugar
Equipment An ice cream maker
Preparation Peel and chop kiwis, then pulse with sugar in a food processor until smooth. Chill until cold, about 1 hour. Freeze in ice cream maker, then transfer to an airtight container and put in freezer to firm up, at least 1 hour. ____________________________________ Credit for images and recipe: epicurious.com
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Upcoming Events
Plant Sale
Plant Show
Work Party
Imagine sharing MG projects or projects of our partnering organizations. Think about the community building we can contribute to by helping to get the word out to the public.
What a great place to add updates on the next Ichibana Show or perhaps Bonsai Bonanza!!!
Do you belong to an organization that schedules regular work parties? Consider announcing it here! Give the date, time, place and mention what tools one should bring.
Training
Workshop
Conference
Got pruning shears ready to go? How about your clippers? Hmmm‌ all we need now is a training event to go to and learn best practices in pruning fruit tress, roses, or ornamentals.
Looking for a way to support your fellow Master Gardeners? Consider looking here to see who is offering a workshop in the county.
Never again, will you forget about that annual conference you have been meaning to go to for the last 4 years. Think about it! That information can be right here waiting to remind you.
Speaker’s Bureau Topic Ideas The Backyard Fruit Basket Present the varieties of fruit trees, vines and other fruits suitable for backyard growing and how to plant and care for them. Bulbs Present the differences between true bulbs, corms, tubers/tuberous roots and rhizome: how to plant them, including soil preparation and depth – and which ones become naturalized and which will need some refrigeration in our area. Butterflies in Your Garden Present how to maintain an ecological partnership with flowering plants, eliminate the use of harmful pest control methods, unnecessary fertilizers and additives. Discuss the types of butterflies, what they like, and provide examples of native and other nectar flowers that attract them. Composting Series - Composting Basics Present the importance of recycling organic waste, about the right balance of greens, brown, air and water. Composting Series - Vermiculture (Vermicomposting or Worm Composting) Present how to set up the vermiculture system, maintain proper temperature, harvest and do a little troubleshooting. Drought Tolerant Gardens Present the various kinds of Northern California climate and provides tips for designing and planning the drought tolerant garden including steps to implement the garden design: how to select, plant, water and maintain the right plants to thrive in their gardens. Fairy Gardens Present the basics of container gardening
including supplies, containers, theme, plants and creativity. Gardening Month by Month – The Busy Gardener Present the list of top garden jobs for each area of the garden month by month. Gardens for Small Spaces Present creating a year round, no fuss vegetable or herb garden or a place to grow your favorite flowers. Herbs Present growing herbs in containers – even in a pumpkin! – for use in cooking or for enjoyment in your garden. Least Toxic Pest Control Methods – Integrated Pest Management Present multiple techniques for effective pest control that are the least toxic for your home environment: provide the latest information on a variety of methods to keep those bad pests away, and encourage the beneficial insects, all while protecting the environment. Rose Series - Beginning Rose Care Present basic rose care: selection, planting, care and feeding, integrated pest management and pruning. Learn which rose is right for you and how to care for it. Rose Series - Advanced Rose Care Demonstrate pruning and present on specific types of roses such as shrubs, miniature and old garden roses. Smart Gardening Series - Overview Present what does it take to be a Smart Gardener? Knowledge – and application of that knowledge – about soil care, irrigation, energy conservation, pest control and wildlife.
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Smart Gardening Series - What’s in Your Soil – Soil Basics Present the components of soil, how to evaluate your landscape soil, and the steps you can take to enrich your soil to produce a bountiful, sustainable landscape and garden. Smart Gardening Series - Water Better Not Wetter Present managing water and gardening smartly. Learn irrigation tricks that will save you money and time while helping the environment. Smart Gardening Series - Energy Smarts for the Garden Present what smart gardening energy is all about what you plant, where you plant, and how you care for your garden. Smart Gardening Series - What’s Bugging Your Plants (IPM) Present how to ‘outsmart’ the bad insects and attract the beneficial ones. They will give you tips on prevention, avoidance, suppression and responsible pest control Smart Gardening Series - Create a Wildlife Habitat in Your Yard Present how to restore a natural balance, then reap the benefits as you enjoy watching these small creatures right in your own backyard. Succulents Present the history and origin of succulents, their care and feeding and propagation. It also covers pests, diseases and recommended remedies. Learn how to grow succulents in pots, in the landscape as art and as houseplants. Many pots of succulents will be on display to show the vast variety of ways to plant succulents. Tool Time Present, discuss and demonstrate tools for home gardens. Vegetables Series - Edibles in the Landscape Present how to transform your garden gradually with various garden themes or
styles. This presentation can cover soil, water, integrated pest management, care and feeding and harvesting. Offer information about containers or raised beds, accent plants and trellises or support for vines. Vegetables Series - Giant Pumpkins Present how to grow a giant pumpkin by addressing site selection, soil preparation, germination, and transplanting, watering, fertilizing and general care. Vegetables Series - Grow it NOW: Cool Season Vegetables Present everything one needs to know about starting and growing vegetables that you can harvest in fall, winter and early spring. Vegetables Series - Grow it NOW: Warm Season Vegetables? Present how to grow warm season vegetables to feed your family over the summer months. Vegetables Series - Raised Bed or Container Vegetable Gardening Present some of the advantages are that you can have homegrown vegetables by using less space and water, cut out the backbreaking work – without weeds. Vegetables Series - Tomatoes Present the many varieties, their culture, diseases and pests, growing in the ground vs. growing in containers – and finally, how to use them. Basic Gardening Present a basic overview of gardening by highlighting the basic requirements to establish a vegetable garden to grow healthy food for the family, such as sunlight, quality of soil, water availability and good drainage. Also provide discussion on location, selection of vegetables, time of the year to plant, and integrated pest management. __________________________________ The above has been adapted from the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Master Gardeners of Orange County Speakers Bureau speaker’s list.
Upcoming Speakers or Speakers in Review
Beginning Rose Care Join on us February 1, 20xx! Jane will offer a presentation on basic rose care: selection, planting, care and feeding, integrated pest management and pruning. Learn which rose is right for you and how to care for it. For this presentation, emphasis will be given to pruning techniques and winterizing rose bushes for those who live in higher altitudes.
Smart Garden Panel
Work Party
Please join us on March 1, 20xx as we will have a panel presentation on smart gardening! John, Jane and Jackson will discuss soil management, as well as water and energy conservation. You will learn how to evaluate your landscape soil, and the steps you can take to enrich your soil to produce a bountiful, sustainable landscape and garden. You will learn water management tips and tricks that will save you money and time while helping the environment and you will learn about the kinds of plant and where to plant them.
On April 1, 20xx Jane will offer a presentation how to maintain an ecological partnership with flowering plants, eliminate the use of harmful pest control methods, unnecessary fertilizers and additives. She will lead a discussion with her fellow Master Gardeners different types of butterflies commonly found in the Shasta County area and what they like. She will also provide examples of native and other nectar flowers that attract them.
MG Project Update | Redding Public Library
Photo credit: Redding Record Searchlight
Master Gardener, Philip Baldwin working on the library’s rooftop garden. Currently the next step is to solarize the remaining weeds that are there during the summer. Be sure to keep an eye out for our call for volunteers on this project during August. Then we will provide you an up to date overview of needs for this project .
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Master Gardener Coordinator Updates Get the latest updates from our Master Gardener Coordinator, Leimone Waite. She can provide us information about statewide programs and events that best meet our interests as well as share new evidence based research from UC Davis.
• • •
Did you know that San Francisco is listed among the top 10 most infested cities in America? {click here if viewing online} Attention! The UC IPM Releases Management Guidelines for Golden spotted Oak Borer... {click here if viewing online} Did you hear the reminder about updating our volunteer agreement? {click here to log into your account if viewing online}
Special Event: Progressive Dinner WHEN:
Thursday, June 13, 2013
WHERE:
6pm Appetizer and Salads at Lynne Wonacott’s Garden Address: 6782 Hemlock Street, Redding 7pm Dinner and Dessert at Kate Reynold’s Garden Address: Anderson
WHAT TO BRING •Master Gardeners with last names beginning with A-M please bring appetizers and salads. •Master Gardeners with last names beginning with N-Z please bring dinner and desserts.
Progressive Dinner Driving Directions 6PM @ LYNNE WONACOTT’S HOME & GARDEN Head south on Market St toward Shasta St Turn right onto CA-273 S/Tehama St Take the 2nd left onto California St Turn left onto Gold St Take 1st Right onto S. Market St Slight right on S. Market St Turn left onto Girvan Rd Turn left onto Hemlock St Destination: 6782 Hemlock St.
Redding, CA 96001
7PM @ KATE REYNOLD’S HOME AND GARDEN Head south on Hemlock toward Hemlock Ct. Turn right onto Girvan Rd. Take the 2nd left onto S. Market St/ CA-273 S Take the 1st right onto Redding Rancheria Rd Turn left onto Canyon Rd/Redding Rancheria Rd Continue onto Happy Valley Rd Turn right onto Hawthrone Ave Turn left onto Saddle Trail Turn right onto Blue Horse Rd Destination: 16533 Blue Horse Rd. Happy Valley, Anderson, CA 96007
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Garden Photos | Karin Swanson & Kate Reynolds
Karin shared pictures of veggies & passion for tropical plants.
Kate shared pictures of grapes, lady bugs, and future flowers.
Garden Photos | Paulette Blackstone & Shirly Flynn
Paulette shared lovely images from her garden in Bella Vista
Shirly shared brilliant pictures of square foot & container gardening!
To see Ajen’s garden photos, see page 19 15
?
So a lot of questions were asked in this newsletter. Did you get a chance to read it all? What are your thoughts? Feedback by email or phone is appreciated. Depending on interest, there is a possibility for us to get the speakers bureau and newsletter up to speed and running by the fall. The newsletter, in particular has the potential to be a great addition to our community; however, it does not have to be 20 pages (5 sheets of paper). It can be four pages (1 sheet of paper). All what really matters is that talented Master Gardeners are working together to share information in a unique way. That’s you!!! With that said, take some time to view the human resource needs list on the next page.
CALL FOR CONTRIBUTORS Speakers: For more information, see pages 4-6! Writers: If, all is a go we will have updates from the Master Gardener Coordinator, Leimone Waite and other contributions from our colleagues. There may be writing opportunities for general garden musings; quarterly care of plants (ex. Oct-Dec); special plant topics (roses, irises, orchids, bromeliads, succulents, etc…); sustainable gardens, soil management; IPM; recipes, a review of an event, upcoming events, MG Project updates, and Farmer’s Market Updates. The length of your article can range between 250-750 words. Musings that add some teaching moments in the end can have a range between 750-1000. Perhaps we can include a 50 word bio to share a little bit about you with the public. Editors. Who is willing to read though the entries and suggest corrections to the guest writers? If by chance you found yourself making corrections while reading this newsletter, do not deny us your gift! Give me a call. Photographers: It may be possible of all of us to contribute pictures. It would be nice to see pictures of prize winning orchids, cucumbers, and grapes. How about pictures from the farmer’s market and even MG supported projects? Dedicated Readers: Yeah, so what is the point of writing all of this if no one will read it??? It is important for us to support each other. As volunteers we make great sacrifices to give our time, talent and skill to a project that we believe in. Do you believe in us as a group? I hope so!
kers Spea ed Need ter slet w e N tors u b i r t Con ed Need
Let’s get started!!! Be sure to send you feedback and thoughts...
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Garden Meditations and Interactions Individual: Welcome the positivity into your life by getting rid of the negativity by letting go of the past and detaching from the uncertainties of the future. As you prepare a lovely hole for the next perennial plant to grace your garden, consider writing down, in pencil, all of your troubles on pieces of paper. Place that paper right below the roots of that plant. As you tend to that plant to help it get established in the garden, just be. Be in the present and be grateful for the opportunity to give your plant life. If any of those worries try to visit you, breathe, acknowledge any useful information it needed to convey and then let go of the rest by smiling and saying out loud that their place is in the soil as compost. Couple: Find some time to give a love-filled 3 minute hug when you are in our around your garden. Close your eyes and listen to your breathing… and then try to listen for the heartbeats. With Family and Friends: The next time you have the honor of being a gracious host of a dinner party in your garden, consider opening a discussion about appreciation. Tell everyone how you appreciate them for coming and ask each person to describe his or her favorite fruit and vegetable and then to explain why; however there is something you must encourage. You must encourage listening and positive statements. After one person states their favorite and explains why in one word, the next person, before stating their favorite must turn to the previous person and say, “You like things that are/that have ______ (the word that they stated)!”. See where the discussion takes you. See what you learn about your friends and family. For some, this may seem silly, but believe me it is a simple activity to get people out of their shell and have fun. Inspirational Quotes “If you wish to make anything grow, you must understand it, and understand it in a very real sense. ‘Green fingers’ are a fact, and a mystery only to the unpracticed. But green fingers are the extensions of a verdant heart.” ~Russell Page
Last minute photo insert... Some have asked to see my pictures because I had mentioned that I would show them at May’s MG meeting. Being busy finding wifi service that would load the Prezi, I was more concerned about uploading fellow MG pics in time for the meeting. Well, as promised, here are my early spring pictures.
THE MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR THE QUARTER…. Wouldn’t it be great to see what kinds of questions are called into the Master Gardener hotline? Keep track of the trends gives us an insight to what local gardeners are doing and helps us to access if there is a growing concern in the community. How would you answer the following... • • • •
“My tomatoes stopped growing! What did I do wrong?” “Is pig manure safe to use in the garden?” “My pistachio tree is not producing good kernels. What is going wrong?” “I have centipedes in my house! What can I do to get rid of them?”
What are these???
What happened???
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Progressive Dinner Map
You are welcomed to join us! Master Gardeners meet on the 2nd Thursday of each month with the exception of June, July and August. Our meetings start at 6:30pm and we meet in room 8222 located in the Downtown Shasta College Campus. This is a great time for you to bring samples of plant problems or pests to be identified.
Shasta College Master Gardener Association PO Box 496006 Redding, CA 96049-6006
This Could Be You! Mailing Address Redding, CA 96003