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GARDEN CONFIDENTIAL
NEWS FOR U OF MN EXTENSION MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEERS IN HENNEPIN COUNTY
May 2015
Monday, May 4th Update Meeting
“Landscaping for Bees & Birds
Julie Weisenhorn, Extension Educator
**NEW** Location:
St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church
_
“Butterflies are not insects,' Captain John Sterling
said soberly. 'They are self-propelled flowers.”
― Robert A. Heinlein
The Cat Who Walks Through Walls
_________________________
We are enablers of all.
We might not note our audience is doubtful of
their capacity to garden. They may feel they are
too weak or young, or just not able to try.
There is a myriad of possibilities for the special
needs gardener. Peruse this article from HGTV
which covers alternative ways to garden: The
Accessible Garden. This covers easy care
plantings, and low cost methods, too.
Gardening with arthritis pain and special tools has
a whole section devoted to gardeners detailing
grabbing tools, arm straps, and power planters.
Disability special tools for the garden has a
terrific listing, too.
Debility is not a reason to be initiated in - or to
abandon - the joy of gardening. There are
possibilities for everyone if we just know where
to look for answers.
Great Hall, 3450 Irving Ave S, Minneapolis, 55408
Church is located just north of Lakewood Cemetery
and east of Lake Calhoun. There are parking lots on
either side of the church, plus on-street parking, but
do consider riding with a friend or taking public
transportation.
Mini-Session, 6:30 p.m.: The Evolving Garden – learn
about one of our newest PowerPoint presentations, by
the volunteers who created it, Kate Netwal and Theresa
Rooney! Program begins at 7:00 p.m. We’ll also have a
short presentation on the Wasp Watcher Program!
Learn more about landscaping for our flying
friends from Associate Extension Professor, Master
Gardener Emeritus, and former State Master Gardener
Program Director, Julie Weisenhorn! Julie was the
project lead for the Sustainable Urban Landscape
Information Series (SULIS) -http://www.sustland.umn.edu. Julie received her
Masters of Agriculture in Horticulture form the
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities in 2002.
**********************************
Next Update Meeting
EarthKind Trials: Hydrangea & Ninebark
With Kathy Zuzek, Extension Educator
Monday, June 1, 2015
Ice Cream Social
6:00 – 7:00 pm
Mini-Session: Adult Education/Speaker’s Bureau, 6:30 p.m.
Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka
Boulevard, Minnetonka, MN 55345, United States
(map)
2015 Calendar of Events
GARDEN CONFIDENTIAL
NEWS FOR U OF MN EXTENSION MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEERS IN HENNEPIN COUNTY
May 2015
COMMITTEE UPDATES
What’s Happening with the Plant Sale Committee?
PLANT SALE Q & A
Q. I’ve started some seeds for the plant sale – now what?
A. Contact Vicki Young ([email protected]) for labels. Bring to Hopkins Pavilion Friday, May 15th
between the hours of 7 and 4. This is the set-up day of the sale. No plants will be accepted the day of the sale.
You should not drop off plants prior to Friday, May 15th they will not be cared for nor will they be protected
from being pilfered.
Q. I dug or am planning to dig some plants from my garden - now what?
A. Bring these to a potting day. All plants from our yards (and seedlings we grow) are potted in uniform pots
with consistent labels. There will be many hands ‘on deck’ to help you pot up what you’ve dug. Once your
plants are potted and labeled leave them at the ‘host site’ where they will be cared for and brought to the plant
sale. No plants will be accepted the day of the sale.
Q. I am working plant sale set-up. What do I need to know?
A. The Master Gardener Volunteers in charge of sale set-up have plenty of experience and will provide
guidance as to your responsibilities. There is a wide variety of tasks to get the Hopkins Pavilion set up and
ready for our plant sale. These tasks may include: unloading and moving plants to predetermined locations in
the pavilion; labeling mis-labeled plants; cleaning up plants so they look great for day of sale; hanging signage;
and a whole host of ‘other duties as assigned’ to be ready for Saturday. Please follow the instructions you are
given. If you have suggestions for set-up for future plants sales, please provide suggestions on the post-sale
survey.
Q. I am working the day of the sale. What do I need to know?
A. There are no pre-sales to Master Gardeners and no pick-up and hold will be allowed. This preserves the
integrity of our sale. If you are working the morning shift, you will be able to shop and purchase plants at your
first break. There are no discounts for Master Gardeners and there are no reductions at the end of the sale. Any
left-over plants are donated to Habitat for Humanity, Metro Blooms, and others.
Q. Are there still volunteer opportunities available?
A. Yes! Please check out SignUpGenius.
GARDEN CONFIDENTIAL
NEWS FOR U OF MN EXTENSION MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEERS IN HENNEPIN COUNTY
May 2015
Below you’ll find the list of plants we already have too many of as well as the links for Digs or Potting Days. If
you’re confused about the difference between a Potting Day and a Dig, that explanation is there too. Bottom
line – we need your help and your plants!
Digs: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c094eadad2ca7fd0-digs1
Potting Days: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c094eadad2ca7fd0-potting
Plants We Already Have Enough of: Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’, Daylilly ‘ Happy Returns’, Sedum ‘Angelina’,
Campanula, upright pink, Calamogrostis ‘Karl Foerster’, Alchemilla mollis aka Lady’s Mantle.
And we reserve the right to refuse J Stella d’ Oro and Hosta lancifolia!!!
Suggested Plant List: You’ll find the suggested plant list on either of the Potting Day or Dig Sign-ups
What is a Dig Day? The day of the dig some Master Gardener volunteers will dig up perennials in the Major
Donor’s garden. Other Master Gardener Volunteers will then divide, pot, label and water these plants. Please
bring garden gloves, garden shovel, garden knife/scissors and a pruner. Please do not bring your plants to a
Dig Day. If unable to make your volunteer commitment you must find a substitute.
What is a Potting Day? A potting day is when Master Gardener volunteers will bring their own plants from
their gardens to a host's house where they will pot and label their plants with the help of other volunteers. You
should check the suggested list, then dig your plants and label them clearly with as much information as
possible (i.e. name, color, size) You must stay and pot your own plants - dropping off plants is not
allowed. If you are unable to fulfill your commitment you must find a substitute.
How do I donate plants if I am not attending a Dig or Potting Day? First, you need to check the list of
suggested plants. Second, you need to call or email Vicky Young, [email protected]/vicki , (952-470-6854)
with the name of your plant(s) so she can make the necessary labels. You can pick up your labels at the Master
Gardener Office. Third, you need to stop by a potting or dig day and pickup pots and soil. Fourth, after you
have potted your plants and labeled them, then you can drop your plants off at Charlene DeStefano’s home
4500 Willow Oak Lane Minnetonka, MN 55343 (952-933-4447) no later than May 12. Do not drop them off
at the Pavilion.
What’s Happening with the Garden Tour Committee?
"Oh, my gosh…I see green!” And it’s not envy….. Spring has sprung!
Save the date now for the Annual Extension Master Gardener Program – Hennepin County Learning Garden
Tour on July 11th. Sign ups to work the day of the tour are coming in early May. All lead garden guides,
mentors and hosts will have a final planning meeting in June to ensure we are all on the same page.
Ticket sales begin in May. Keep in mind that the price for 10 tickets is $125!! If you are a member of a garden
club or other group, consider buying a pack of 10 for a discount. Otherwise, the ticket prices are $15 in advance
and $20 the day of the sale.
GARDEN CONFIDENTIAL
NEWS FOR U OF MN EXTENSION MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEERS IN HENNEPIN COUNTY
May 2015
What’s Happening on the Diversity Subcommittee?
Strategy Statement: The Hennepin County Extension Master Gardener Program will improve its ability to serve
our diverse community. We will accomplish this by significantly increasing the number of Master Gardener
volunteers who are underrepresented in our membership, and by enhancing the cultural competencies of our
membership through training and communication activities.
See the links on page one of this newsletter for garden ideas to enable those who need it. We ALL need to be
included.
What’s Happening in Community Programs?
We need YOU!!! Community Program volunteer opportunities are off the charts and we need some help filling
them. We have openings for Farmers Markets, Garden Centers, Information Booths at Community Events, and
Community and Giving Gardens.
The Habitat teams are working on their landscaping plans for the May 30 and June 27 planting dates.
Everything is going well!
New opportunities for the Farmers Markets, Garden Centers, and Information Booths continue to flow in and
are posted on SignUpGenius. Check back frequently. If you haven’t found your preferred slot at a Farmers
Market, check again because there has been some shifting in folk’s schedules and things are opening up again.
This is a reminder that you can scroll through the tabs to get to all of the opportunities in those categories. Feel
free to leave some of the slots for others to sign up (instead of taking all the slots) as there will still be plenty of
more opportunities coming.
There are even more new postings for Community Garden Support on SignUpGenius. Click HERE to see the
postings (scroll through the tabs from Aeon to Wooddale). Click HERE to see the updated tracking list. Look
for the NEW! icon for the latest requests; the items in purple have sign ups posted. The featured items this
month are Adopt-A-High-rise (community gardens at public housing high-rises) and the Soo Line Community
Garden.
See the In-The-Garden support programs at Aeon Alliance (contacts are Lynn Meyer and Mette Nielsen).
Hope Community (Pam McMurry and crew), and Aeon Crest are going well. Crest is a brand new
community garden that was built because we were coming to help the residents garden. They had confidence
that they would have good results with our help. What a testimonial.
Mike Slinkard is reporting great attendance at the "Edible Landscaping” presentations at churches and
businesses. These venues may replace libraries for preferred places to reach our constituents.
This is the first year we are supporting the St Louis Park Community Gardens. The VGB series is very well
attended, and we expect this to lead to an increased demand for our presence in supporting the six community
gardens that the city administration manages. Thanks for reading. For more details about any of these
opportunities, email Del at [email protected].
GARDEN CONFIDENTIAL
NEWS FOR U OF MN EXTENSION MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEERS IN HENNEPIN COUNTY
May 2015
What’s Happening in Youth Education?
As you greet and nurture your new plants at this time of the year, consider also sharing your passion for
gardening with our younger gardeners this spring/summer. There are many interesting and rewarding youth
educational opportunities on SignUpGenius. Two opportunities we’d like to feature this month are:
Mishkiikii Gitigan / Good Earth: this should be a very interesting opportunity! This program will include
diverse youth in grades 3-12. This is a collaboration of several Native organizations. We are seeking someone
who is interested in and respectful of Native culture and is willing to honor and be guided by indigenous
principles. You would also work with a team of really great young adult leaders and teen interns. Program is
scheduled to run from June through Labor Day on Tuesday afternoons, from 12-2pm at the garden at the corner
of 24th St. and 13th Ave S, Minneapolis. Sign up for one or several weeks during the summer. Think of all
you’ll learn!
PPL Youth program in New Hope - Living Roots & Reading: this program runs in the evenings
(Wednesdays from 5:30 to 7:30 pm) so may be a really good option for those of you interested in youth
education, but who work during the day. This program was so well attended last year that we plan to offer two
sessions every other week, one for kids ages 6-8 and another for kids ages 9-12. Each lesson will consist of a
15-30 min. lesson inside, 15-20 min. outside activity and then 5-10 min. reading a garden related story. The
time will really fly by! Click here to sign-up!
If you are interested in youth education, but not sure you’re suited for it, or don’t know what might be a good
“fit” for you, feel free to contact me (Mary Cichon at 612 789-1002 or [email protected]) Thanks!
What’s Happening in Adult Education?
Vegetable Growing Basics Update: There has been strong interest in the VGB program this year. As of this
writing, three classes have been completed at the each of the sites and we have two to go. MLKing and St
Louis Park have 30 participants each and Heritage Park has 18. This year, Heritage Park is focusing on
growing vegetables in containers on the residents' patios and balconies. It looks like St Louis Park is going to
request running multiple VGB series next year because demand for the curriculum is that high.
Speakers Bureau Update: Did you know we list our various library presentations on the HCMG website? Did
you know you can get continuing education credit if you sit in on these classes? The Speakers Bureau educators
would love to have you check out our new material and let us know what you think.
On April 23rd, the Speakers Bureau team leaders met for a planning session. Now that the Speakers Bureau is
in its second year, we're working on refining and improving some processes in order to do an even better job
teaching gardening content around the county. If you'd like more information, please contact Sue Ponsford:
[email protected]
GARDEN CONFIDENTIAL
NEWS FOR U OF MN EXTENSION MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEERS IN HENNEPIN COUNTY
May 2015
What’s Happening in Communications?
As we head into May and look forward to a crazy summer season, we may lose touch with all the exciting
things our Master Gardener volunteers are involved in! With that in mind, for the September update session we
will again be featuring a ‘fair’. This will showcase many of the events that our volunteers participate in, such as
the Plant sale, Garden Tour, Community gardens, Habitat for Humanity, to name just a few. So please look for
that at the update session and bring your questions and interest. And for those who would like a ‘table’ at the
update session, please contact Theresa Rooney . This way we won’t forget any of the great programs we have
available to our Master Gardeners.
Enjoy the wild summer, and be on the look-out for information on the 2 great tours that we will be taking
instead of regular update sessions in July and August.
In early September the In-Service Education Committee will be meeting to plan the educational events for the
next year. Anyone is welcome to join this group, or if you happen to hear a great speaker or have a great topic,
you can share this with anyone on the committee or with Committee Chair, Theresa Rooney. Stay curious.
HELP! What kinds of questions are people in the community asking you? Please tell Kathy Frederickson so we can find answers
and post them on Facebook or herein!!
SignUpGenius has a new feature which allows us to set when opportunities go “live.” With the exception of
Adult Education presentations, any new opportunities that come in during the week will go live the following
Monday at 6:00 p.m. Be sure to check your “invited” box Monday evenings at 6:00 p.m. to see the latest
additions and sign-up. Look for the different tabs. As usual, let Terry Straub know if you are having issues
with SignUpGenius.
Newsletter Article Due Date Schedule in 2015
For your convenience, here are the hard deadlines for newsletter articles for the next three months:
Newsletter
June
July
August
Articles due to Kathy Frederickson
Friday, May 22
Friday, June 26
Friday, July 24
GARDEN CONFIDENTIAL
NEWS FOR U OF MN EXTENSION MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEERS IN HENNEPIN COUNTY
May 2015
MAY CULTURAL OBSERVANCES
As we interact with Hennepin County’s diverse audiences through our volunteering, we learn more about each
other. Understanding the holidays and events of a culture provides one opportunity for insight. The Diversity
Committee would like to share several May cultural observances and encourages Master Gardeners to check out
additional ones at:
http://www.adl.org/assets/pdf/education-outreach/CALENDAR-OF-OBSERVANCES-2015.pdf
May
Full Month
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Recognizes the contributions and celebrates the culture of Asians and Pacific
Islanders in the United States.
May 4
Buddha Day
Also known as Vesak or Visakha Puja, it marks the occasion of the birth, spiritual
awakening and death of the historical Buddha
May 5
Cinco de Mayo
In 1862 Mexican forces defeated French occupational forces in the Battle of
Puebla.
May 10
Mother's Day
Children of all ages show appreciation for their mothers
May 21
World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
Recognizes cultural diversity as a source of innovation, exchange and creativity,
as well as the obligation to create a more peaceful and equitable society based on
mutual respect.
May 25
Memorial Day
Initiated originally to honor the dead of the Civil War, this observance now pays
homage to the dead of all U.S. wars.
GARDEN CONFIDENTIAL
NEWS FOR U OF MN EXTENSION MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEERS IN HENNEPIN COUNTY
May 2015
NEWS TO KNOW AND THINGS TO DO
*Hot Tip of the Day*
A big question to answer for our gardeners is “What kind of soil do you have?” Here’s the updated link to the
U of M Soil Testing web site:
http://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/how-to-submit-samples/
The sample submission form and instructions are found here: Soil Testing Submission Form The cost is now
$17 for garden and lawn sampling test. Checks, no cash.
DUE TO TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN THE AREA, IT IS BEST TO MAIL THE SAMPLE
Enclose the information sheet along with a check made out to the University of Minnesota .and mail to:
Soil Testing and Research Analytical Laboratory
University of Minnesota
135 Crops Research Building
1902 Dudley Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108
Phone: (612) 625-3101
U of MN's Monarch Larva Monitoring Project (MLMP) newsletter may be found here: MLMP Project
Upcoming Events:
•
May 2, 2015 - Class: Smart Gardening - Maintenance, Maintenance, Maintenance! MN Landscape
Arboretum
•
May 6, 2015 - Webinar: Looking for Native Pollinators
•
May 13, 2015 - Webinar: Landscaping for Pollinators
•
May 21, 2015 - Class: Pollinators/Part 3, MN Landscape Arboretum
•
June 26-27, 2015 - 2015 Minnesota Extension Master Gardener State Conference, MN Landscape
Arboretum
•
July 31-Aug. 1, 2015 - 2015 Wisconsin Master Gardener Association Conference, La Crosse, WI
•
Sept. 22-25 - International Master Gardener Conference; Council Bluffs Iowa
GARDEN CONFIDENTIAL
NEWS FOR U OF MN EXTENSION MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEERS IN HENNEPIN COUNTY
May 2015
More Lunchtime Webinars heading your way.
Review the instructions in advance to make sure you have the necessary plug-in. Busy on Wednesdays? No
worries! Webinars are posted online to view at your convenience 5 to 10 days after the air date.
View webinar instructions, schedule and archive
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Contact Terry Straub, Program Coordinator, at 612-596-2130 or [email protected] to sign-up for volunteer
opportunities unless otherwise noted.
Landscape Arboretum
The University of MN Landscape Arboretum has many volunteer opportunities. Learn how to help at
http://www.arboretum.umn.edu/volunteer_opportunities.aspx. There are ways to work with both youth and
adults! Training is required for most opportunities. Check them out today!
Volunteering for the Yard & Garden Desk and Hotline
Please help staff the Hennepin County slots at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum’s Yard & Garden Desk on
Saturdays. The hotline needs staffing, too. It’s a good way for interns to complete their required 15 researched
calls. Visit the State Master Gardener website at www.mg.umn.edu and click on “For Volunteers.”
Answering the Yard and Garden Line Info – Reminder! Accessing the phone line messages your computer
is here and outlines the steps: http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/master-gardener/volunteers/yard-andgarden-line/gophermessaging_instructions.pdf.
These directions are pretty clear, but the account number should be: 31426 (five digit code) not
[email protected]. This PDF is located on the Master Gardener site
(http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/master-gardener/) in the ‘For volunteer’ section under ‘Yard and Garden
Line’. Under ‘Training’, volunteers can click on ‘Tutorial: Answering questions from your computer’.
Visit www.mg.umn.edu to sign-up for a shift. Thanks!
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Be sure to review the Hennepin County web site for educational opportunities at
http://hennepinmastergardeners.org/educational-opportunities/
Opportunities Coming Up at the MN Landscape Arboretum
The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is proceeding apace with their 2015 schedule. Classes and registration
information may be found online at http://www.arboretum.umn.edu/gardeningclasses.aspx.
GARDEN CONFIDENTIAL
NEWS FOR U OF MN EXTENSION MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEERS IN HENNEPIN COUNTY
May 2015
Coming Up from the Minnesota State Horticultural Society
Classes are sponsored by the Minnesota State Horticultural Society, but are held at various locations.
Enrollment is limited, and pre-registration is required. You can find a list of classes on their web site at
http://www.northerngardener.org/classes/mshs-classes. Click on the class title to register. If you have any
difficulties with registering online, please call their office at 651-643-3601 or 800-676-6747. Member =
MSHS member
Introduction to Tree ID
Research Fellow Eric North will give you the tips and tricks for leaf-on or leaf-off identification. Learn to
identify trees common to Minnesota forests and urban forests. This is an introductory course meant for people
new to tree identification or those looking for a refresher in introductory tree identification.
This course will be hosted May 30, 2015 from 9:00 a.m. to noon on the St. Paul Campus in Room 19 in Green
Hall, 1530 Cleveland Avenue North, St. Paul 55108. This will mainly be an outdoor course so please dress
appropriately for the weather that day.
The cost is $35 for volunteers which include folks like Tree Care Advisors, and Master Gardeners.
To register click here.
Best Planting Practices
Minnesota Tree Care Advocate presents Best Planting Practices, where you learn about different nursery stock
options available (bare rooted, containerized, balled and burlap) and how to handle these various types of
nursery stock. Learn how to manage pot bound plants and how to avoid stem girdling roots. Get an
understanding of planting depth and width, and how to deal with wire baskets, strings, burlap, pot-bound plants
and roots buried deep in the soil ball. You will also learn which mulching and watering practices are good for
trees along with staking methods and materials.
This course will be offered early June throughout the state in St. Paul, Shakopee, Elk River, and Rochester.
Click here to register.
GARDEN CONFIDENTIAL
NEWS FOR U OF MN EXTENSION MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEERS IN HENNEPIN COUNTY
May 2015
RESOURCES FOR MASTER GARDENERS
The 2015 Program Manual and 2015 Volunteer Directory are now available. To protect your privacy, the
directory is not posted on-line, but you’ll find the Program Manual, a pdf of our calendar of events AND a
Google calendar on the Administration page of our website:
http://hennepinmastergardeners.org/administration/
Contact Terry Straub for a pdf file of the Volunteer Directory should you need it.
Our own State University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener Volunteer web site has a very extensive list
on the page “Find gardening answers online.” Sign into the site as a volunteer to access the page. To find it:
• Sign in as you normally would to report your hours.
• You will come to the “For volunteers” page
• The page has a number of resources for master gardeners. Here is where you will find the gardening
answers on line section.
HCMG LEADERSHIP TEAM 2015
Mary Cichon (Youth Education)
Del Hampton (Community Programs)
Tina Falkner (Fundraising)
Shanelle Fernandez (Membership)
Carol Garner (Secretary & Treasurer)
Melinda Mattox (Communications & Marketing)
Kate Netwal (Chair)
Sue Ponsford (Adult Education)
Deb Revier (Chair-Emeritus)
Theresa Rooney (Member Education Chair)
See the HCMG Directory for contact information.
The University of Minnesota, including the Minnesota Extension Service, is committed to the policy that all persons shall
have equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national
origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, or sexual orientation.
GARDEN CONFIDENTIAL
NEWS FOR U OF MN EXTENSION MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEERS IN HENNEPIN COUNTY
May 2015
Garden Confidential is available online each month at http://hennepinmastergardeners.org/administration/newsletters/. To
receive the newsletter electronically, notify the Program Coordinator at [email protected] and a link will be sent to your
e-mail address every month.
479 Prairie Center Drive
Eden Prairie, MN 55344-5378
8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
Program Coordinator: Terry Straub
612-596-2130 and [email protected]
Phone: 612-596-2130
Fax: 612-466-9947
Yard & Garden Line: 612-301-7590
HCMG website: http://hennepinmastergardeners.org/