The 10th anniversary of Plant a Row for the Hungry (PAR) is being celebrated at Our Lady of La Salette Catholic Church (OLLS) in Berkley, Michigan by planting a Three Sisters Garden. The Iroquois Three Sisters Garden grows the trio of corn, pole beans, and squash. This Native American tradition, based on the “circle of life”, emphasizes the concept that living things rely on each other for survival. This is companion planting at its finest. It shows that each plant supports and helps the other two. For example, the corn stalks provide a “living trellis”; the transpiration from its leaves provides gentle cooling for the twining legumes. The beans are nitrogen-fixing plants, returning important and valuable nutrients to the soil. Squash is planted between the mounds of the other two and serves as a “living mulch”, providing shade, helping to conserve moisture, and discouraging weeds, and perhaps, raccoons. The First Nation peoples viewed these vegetables as the circle of life providing important staples to their diet: Corn for grain and carbohydrate, Beans for protein, and Squash for Vitamin A. Sometimes pumpkins are substituted for squash as they have been this year in the OLLS Three Sister's Garden. Often, gourds and sunflowers are added as well. John Clare, OLLS garden coordinator, and Chuck Tyrrell, Advanced Master Gardener, created OLLS' first PAR garden in 2001. Now, into its fourth year, our PAR gardens are going strong. Parishioners contribute each summer to the PAR gardens by planting, tending, and harvesting the vegetables to be used in local soup kitchens. John Clare grows his own plants, starting the vegetable seeds under grow lights in January and February. He moves the seedlings into portable greenhouses in March and April. In May, he offers them to parishioners at the OLLS Plant Sale. A Three Sisters Cookbook, (Oneida, NY), features many recipes that use corn, beans, and squash. Checkout its recipes for cornbread stuffing, succotash, winter squash soup, chunky vegetarian chili, and Three Sisters corn casserole and stew. Bon appetite! OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2004 The Three Sisters Garden By Catherine Connelly Stepping Stones 2 Meeting Highlights 3 Organic Gardening 4 Forget-me-Nots 5 Moments to Rember 7 Board Meeting Highlights 8-9 Gardening Events 12 Inside this issue: Roots & Shoots ROOTS & SHOOTS, PAGE # ROOTS & SHOOTS, PAGE # North Office Building, #26 East 1200 North Telegraph Road Pontiac, MI 48341-0416 248/858-0880 Fax: 248/858-1477 This story can fit 175-225 words. If your newsletter is folded and mailed, this story will appear on the back. So, it's a good idea to make it easy to read at a glance. A question and answer session is a good way to quickly capture the attention of readers. You can either compile questions that you've received since the last edition or you can summarize some generic questions that are frequently asked about your organization. A listing of names and titles of managers in your organization is a good way to give your newsletter a personal touch. If your organization is small, you may want to list the names of all employees. If you have any prices of standard products or services, you can include a listing of those here. You may want to refer your readers to any other forms of communication that you've created for your organization. You can also use this space to remind readers to mark their calendars for a regular event, such as a breakfast meeting for vendors every third Tuesday of the month, or a biannual charity auction. If space is available, this is a good place to insert a clip art image or some other graphic. AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2003 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2003 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2004 ROOTS & SHOOTS, PAGE # Meeting Highlights By Jean Gramlich August Meeting - Bittersweet Farm Bob McGowan from Bittersweet Farm graciously filled in for our August speaker who was unable to come. Bob is a Master Gardener who bought a 150-year-old former dairy farm in Clarkston and turned it into a community-supported agriculture project. The purpose of community-supported agriculture is to grow and distribute fresh, flavorful and varied produce within the local community. Bittersweet Farm began 13 years ago as a garden club and has since become a sanctioned project for Master Gardener certification. The farm is affiliated with Plant-A-Row For the Hungry; the Food Bank of Oakland County picks up its harvested produce. The garden covers 20,000 square feet. The average harvest is 1600 pounds per year. Each Memorial Day weekend a group of volunteers gathers to plant eggplant, peppers, summer squash, winter squash, tomatoes and cucumbers. Over the years, the area has been double-dug, and manure, compost, worm castings and leaves have been added with newspaper and hay used as mulch. The garden is designed for low maintenance. A commercial weed barrier that lasts about four years is rolled out over the beds. The garden is organically maintained and tilled using farm and gardening equipment. A solar-powered electric fence has been added to minimize critter damage. A teaching and learning experiment, the garden is supported by donations and grants. Oakland Technical School, Wo-Jo's, Bordine's and friends donate various items. Seeds come from America the Beautiful Fund. Master Gardeners and friends donate the labor. September Meeting - Japanese Gardens Dianne Hilborn spoke about Japanese gardens for our September meeting. Dianne who works for Telly's had the opportunity to spend three months in Japan, mostly in Kyoto, studying Japanese gardens. Some of those Japanese gardens are hundreds of years old and show Chinese, Buddhist and feng shui influences. Japanese gardens are designed to be serene, encouraging the viewer to meditate. They are often walled off from the outside world, although sometimes the scenery, such as a mountain, outside the garden is used as a backdrop enabling the visitor to have a framed view. The symbolism of Japanese gardens is often difficult for Westerners to understand. Some gardens specifically refer to Japanese poetry. Rocks are often placed in groups of three and can symbolize ideas like transformation, bliss and law or heaven, man and earth. Contrasts are very important in Japanese gardens. The counterpoints can either be light and dark, informal and formal elements (such as very clipped bushes against more natural forms), man-made materials intermixed with nature's plants. Texture, shape, sheen and color also can be contrasted. For example, different leaf patterns and shadows can be quite striking on a light-colored stone walkway. The Japanese consider asymmetry intrinsically beautiful. Water is a basic component of most Japanese gardens. Reflections in ponds, for instance, are very much a part of the garden design. Bridges often cross the water and are subject to many interpretations. Fences help to establish boundaries, making the gardens secluded. They are used as internal screen structures to break up the gardens and provide backdrops for plants. Low, lightweight fences suggest separate spaces. Sand gardens can be made from crushed granite applied to beds. It is raked into patterns around plants and man-made materials like lanterns. Sometimes the patterns change with the seasons. Seasonality is also important in Japanese gardens. The color of autumn leaves contrasts nicely with evergreens; grasses also show their full beauty in autumn. Spring flowers such as azaleas and irises are used in Japanese gardens. Twelve different plants are basic to Japanese gardens, including: evergreens, shrubs, trees, irises, azaleas, bamboo and mosses. Dianne brought many beautiful slides with her to illustrate design elements of in Japanese gardens. She also displayed these books: Japanese Garden Design by Marc P. Keane; A Guide to the Gardens of Kyoto by Marc Treib and Ron Herman; The Art of Zen Gardens by A.K. Davidson; and, The Gardens of Japan by Teiji Itoh. OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2004 ROOTS & SHOOTS, PAGE # Stepping Stones/From the President By John Humphrey, President of MGSOC Good Day Everyone! As has been a recent tradition, I am writing my contribution to this issue prior to the Labor Day Holiday. Cheboygan and environs will be my temporary home as I look forward to the 47th annual 5-Mile Mackinac Bridge walk. Participating in this event is easy. With a captive audience normally averaging close to 65,000 people, I'm bound to run into a few fellow gardeners. I hope all of you had a good summer and a bountiful harvest. This year's temperatures and rains rewrote a decade's worth of records. Bloom times varied, though low degree days delayed the onslaught of the West Nile virus. Thankfully. Year after year, Mother Nature always finds a way of catching up. This year, we've been treated to an outstanding array of beautiful colors, shapes, textures and contrasts that never fail to amaze me. If you ever have the opportunity, observe the various growth stages of Sedum 'Autumn Joy'. On a recent September afternoon, I took some seasonal downtime to watch a portion of the symbiotic relationship between bee and plant. The bees displayed discipline throughout their intricate interaction with the plant, ignoring my presence at this front row performance. Interpretation allows for implementation of opportunities. Volunteering strongly motivates and is in itself a self-rewarding motivator to others. As we head into October, the special program for our Society meeting is to help motivate and encourage you to participate in the November election. Living in the United States of America is a privilege. As a United States citizen we are obligated to exercise our right to vote. Even though we are overwhelmed by the weeding-out process of candidates and issues, we should look ahead knowing that “my vote makes a difference." The November program speaker will be Donald Elwood from the Chrysanthemum Society. We would like to thank him in advance for switching from October, to accommodate our special meeting. I wish all of you a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving. As always, I want to thank you for volunteering your time and commitment. OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2004 ROOTS & SHOOTS, PAGE # Forget-Me-Nots By Linda Hamilton I've already seen grocery stores and nurseries set out chrysanthemums in anticipation of the fall season. It's still August, as I write this, and I know we've had a cool summer, but those mums are a sure signal that cooler days and crisper nights are on their way. Autumn would not be the same without these sturdy little mums bringing yellow sunshine, or pretty purple hues, to compliment the reds and oranges of falling leaves. So, didja know . . .: The chrysanthemum is depicted on Japan's imperial weapon and flag. Japan also has a national festival devoted to the flower (Sept 9th). Some countries (such as Malta) think it is unlucky to have the flower indoors. It is associated with funerals and All Saints Day. In Germany, people put white chrysanthemums in their homes at Christmas, to welcome baby Jesus. Feng Shui adherents believe the chrysanthemum brings laughter and happiness to your home. The chrysanthemum flower has been known since before 5000 BC in a small yellow form. One of China's greatest poets, T'ao Ch'ien (365-427 AD), did not pick chrysanthemums solely for aesthetic purposes. He would drop the petals in wine, an infusion believed to increase longevity. For centuries, all chrysanthemums were yellow. During the T'ang dynasty (618-902 AD) Chinese horticulturists developed a white variety. The official flower of the city of Chicago is the chrysanthemum. In one cup of chopped chrysanthemum leaves, there are 12 calories, .03 grams of total fat, 1.5 grams total carbohydrates and 1.7 grams of protein. Edward Sprague Rand, in The Window Gardener (1873), advises: The best way to obtain a fine mum specimen is to set out in the garden in the early spring a small plant; give it constant attention during the summer, and pinch out the shoots so as to make lateral branches. About the first of September let it set for bloom, and on the approach of frost, pot it and remove it to the parlor. It will bloom for two months or more. Then dry it off for the winter in the cellar, and by the spring it will furnish you with plenty of young plants. The small-flowered pompon varieties are very desirable; the larger flowers are best seen in the garden. Now, since it is football season and I am a fan, I have to mention Chrysanthemum morifolium, also known as the Football Chrysanthemum. (And the crowd roars!) Football mums are popular corsages during homecoming season. It's traditional to give your girlfriend or mom a football mum to wear at the "big homecoming game." It might be wise to purchase a wrist corsage, I mean, consider the size of those flowers! Since we're talking about football, here's one last piece of neat information: Wrigley, the gum maker, uses both spearmint and peppermint in flavoring its products. According to the company, “a vast area of farmland is required to raise all the mint the Wrigley Company needs. If added together, this farmland would equal 53 square miles, or approximately 30,550 football fields.” Wow. OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2004 ROOTS & SHOOTS, PAGE # OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2004 ROOTS & SHOOTS, PAGE # OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2004 ROOTS & SHOOTS, PAGE # Website Review: Horticultural Myths Reviewed by Peter Bray http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/~Linda%20Chalker-Scott/Horticultural%20Myths_files/ This website, run by Linda Chalker-Scott Ph.D., Extension Horticulturalist and Associate Professor, Washington State University, challenges opinionated gardeners (which doesn't include you and me of course) to think again. This site contains monthly articles going back to 2000. For example: “Healthy soil has high organic content”. This title immediately raised my hackles because, as an organic gardener, I believe it is essential to replenish soil organic matter. But, once I actually read the article, it seems to me that organic gardeners can agree with it. Dr. Chalker-Scott criticizes the practice of adding large amounts of compost when making permanent landscaping installations. Certainly, if you're preparing a hole for a tree, it doesn't help matters to mix lots of compost into the soil you return to the hole. This achieves something like the “bathtub” effect, but for fertility rather than water. The tree's roots will thrive in the nutrient-rich hole but will be slow to penetrate the less fertile native soil, which is where it needs to establish itself. Dr. Chalker-Scott allows that top-dressing landscapes with compost is a good idea. I think that you and I would agree. With respect to lawns, a compost top-dressing is essential for a healthy lawn if you are unwise enough to remove the clippings - and therefore fertility -- when you mow. And even if you do let the clips lie where they fall, a top-dressing of compost before winter will improve a lawn. And, Dr. Chalker-Scott notes, in situations where one removes fertility - such as by harvesting and eating vegetables - it is essential to replenish the lost soil organic matter. She suggests maintaining 5% organic matter. I might add “at least”. In the example cited, Dr. Chalker is talking good sense. And the same is true of the other “myths” that I read. One can offer the minor criticism that the title of the article cited overstates her case. Published bimonthly for Oakland County Master Gardeners and Master Gardener Society members OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2004 ROOTS & SHOOTS, PAGE # OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2004 ROOTS & SHOOTS, PAGE # OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2004 ROOTS & SHOOTS, PAGE # Wyandotte Octoberfest Date: Saturday, October 2nd The Wyandotte Garden Club in conjunction with the City of Wyandotte Octoberfest is hosting its annual plant exchange and potpourri sale of garden-related items. The event takes place from 10 am to 4 pm on Biddle Avenue (Jefferson) north of Eureka near the city hall (east side of Biddle). Municipal parking is available behind the buildings, along the riverfront. Novi Garden Club Date: October 11th There is a new evening Garden Club in Novi for the Gardeners of Northville & Novi. Our meetings alternate between the two communities.  Our October 11th  meeting will be at the Northville Library,212 W. Cady St. at 6:30p.m. Judy Cornellier will present "Fall Projects for Spring Success". Everyone is welcome to all our meetings. Contact Yvonne (248) 348-1946for more information or go to our website www.gardenersofnorthville-novi.org   The Great Gardens of England & The Chelsea Flower Show Date: May 22 - 29th, 2005 2005 This year gardens that are outstanding in their size, scope and layout. Will be included in this tour. Some are large while others are intimate - and all are gardens that previous groups have raved about. For more information, contact Sandie Parrott at rsbirdy@comcast.net or at 248-394-1532. Society Officers President: John P. Humphrey.....……............248-542-8213 Vice President: John Grant..… ………….......248-852-3758 Secretary: Ruth Vrbensky...… ………............248-969-6904 Treasurer: Julie Bird...……… …...................248-358-3277 Team Administrator: Sherry D. Jones……….248-442-9866 MSU Extension Liaison Carol Lenchek....…..……………….................248-858-0900 e-mail...………….………….......lenchekc@co.oakland.mi.us Team Leaders Bowers Farm: John Grant…………..………..248-852-3758 Deeann Bauer...........…………..........248-828-7385 John Humphrey..........…………. ......248-542-8213 Martha Humphrey e-mail……………….…...babylon6@ameritech.net Education /Volunteer Committee: position open Hospitality: Sylvia Schult...........…….........586-992-0944 Membership:Tom Hershberger....……........586-573-3954 MGSOOC Newsletter: Marilyn Citron.......…........……........248-645-5515 e-mail...…..………............mcwrites@sbcglobal.net Nomination Committee: Tom Hershberger.......…...…..............586-573-3954 Programs: John Humphrey.……......…........248-542-8213 Trips & Tours: Sandie Parrott.....……........248-394-1532 Website Administrator: Sheri Trout..…..248-328-0557 e-mail................................sheri@oaklandweb.com Volunteer Opportunity Contacts Oakland County Farmer's Market Info Booth Royal Oak Farmer's Market Info Booth Rochester Farmer's Market Info Booth Farmington Farmer's Market Info Booth (April 1st through September 30th) Ruth Parulis…….....………...............248-682-2909 e-mail…………………....ruthparulis@sbcglobal.net Bowers Farm Manager: Mark Seeley.......248-341-6475 e-mail.......………….........mseeley@bloomfield.org Ask a Master Gardener...Helping People Grow: Denise Jones..….....586-944-8543 Continuing Education Committee for Oakland County: Jody Roeder.........………................248-642-7375 Tollgate Gardens: Rene Cottrell................248-398-2562 e-mail..........................................tyrenee@aol.com Calendar General meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Bowers Farm, 1219 East Square Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304 from April through October. From November through March, General Meetings held at MSU Extension Office, lower conference room, 1200 North Telegraph Road Pontiac, MI 48341 October 1, 2004: Roots & Shoots mailing October 1, 2004: Calendar submissions for Nov/Dec/Jan due to Secretary October 6, 2004: General Meeting - 6:30 PM at Bowers Farm. Education: “Run for the Rose Garden”. Nominations for Vice-President, Secretary and Team Administrator closed at conclusion of meeting. Ballots mailed within 10 days. October 18, 2003: Board Meeting at 7:00PM at the Extension Office, 1st Floor instructional conf. room November 1, 2004: Deadline for Roots and Shoots (Dec/Jan issue), includes calendar from Secretary and program schedule from Programs team leader for Dec/Jan/Feb. Calendar published for newsletter and website November 3, 2004: General Meeting - 6:30 PM at Extension Office-Lower Level conference room. Education: Donald Elwood will speak about “Chrysanthemums” November 15, 2004: Board Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Extension Office- 1st Floor instructional conference room MASTER GARDENER SOCIETY MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION - OAKLAND COUNTY Bringing Knowledge To Life ROOTS & SHOOTS, PAGE # OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2004 North Office Building, #26 East 1200 North Telegraph Road Pontiac, MI 48341-0416 248/858-0880 Fax: 248/858-1477 Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Dr. Emma Brooks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248/858-0885 County Extension Director E-mail: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . brookse@co.oakland.mi.us Carol Lenchek... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .248/858-0900 Extension Program Coordinator E-mail: ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...lenchekc@co.oakland.mi.us Cathy Morris . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248/858-1639 Clerk & Contact for Certification Volunteer & Education hours E-mail . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . morrisc@co.oakland.mi.us Yard and Garden Hotline…………….…….248/858-0902 Charlene Molnar, Horticulture Advisor Hours of operation vary with seasonal needs. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, or family status. MSUE-Oakland County Office Contacts Food Safety Hotline Sylvia Treitman 248/858-0904 4-H Youth Programs Tom Schneider 248/858-0889 Michigan State University Master Gardener Program Mary McLellan, State Coordinator 517/353-3774 Building Strong Families Dawn Koger 248/858-0897 Youth and Community Development Christy Hicks-Bowman 248/858-0889 Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program Matt Dykstra 248/858-5198 Roots & Shoots is a joint publication of M.S.U. Extension - Oakland County and MGSOC. Deadlines for submitting information or articles to Roots & Shoots are: Submission Deadline Issue Dates January 1 February/March Issue March 1 April/May Issue May 1 June/July Issue July 1 August/September Issue September 1 October/November Issue November 1 December/January Issue The Oakland Gardener only accepts submissions via e-mail. E-mail needs to include a description of request, contact person's name, phone number and e-mail address. This info will be “cut and pasted” into this online newsletter. Map to Bowers Farm OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2004 ROOTS & SHOOTS, PAGE # Organic Gardening Notes: Loss of Soil Carbon “Restoring soil carbon is essential to enhancing soil quality, sustaining and improving food production, maintaining clean water, and reducing increases in atmospheric CO2.” Managing Soil Carbon by Lal, Griffin, Apt, Lave, and Morgan in Science, Apr.16, 2004. Loss of Soil Carbon Tilling requires drainage and aerates the soil. These changes lead to accelerated decomposition of soil organic matter. Soil carbon is oxidized by the action of soil microbes and escapes to the atmosphere in the form of CO2. As a result, more carbon is lost than is replaced by recycling plant matter. This situation is made worse when no priority is given to returning crop residues and manure to the soil. Reduced Fertility Loss of soil carbon reduces soil fertility. Humus is the fully decomposed portion of soil organic matter. The minutely fine particles of humus are negatively charged and attract the positively charged mineral plant nutrients. (Clay particles do the same, but humus holds a greater volume of minerals.) So loss of soil carbon means loss of plant nutrients. Secondly, partly decomposed soil organic matter is, naturally, the home of decomposers -- bacteria, fungi, and invertebrates. These are vital agents of fertility because they reduce organic matter into the basic components that are usable by plants. Also, they congregate into dense populations in the root zone, which provide protection against plant pathogens. Finally, carbon absorbs water, so that its loss reduces the ability of soil to retain moisture and reduces plants' drought resistance. Artificial Fertility Loss of natural fertility led to a search for artificial sources of fertility. Enter two Germans: Justis Liebig and Fritz Haber. In the mid 19th Century, Liebig analyzed plant ashes and determined that what plants need most is nitrogen, phosphorus, and, potassium. Thus began artificial or NPK fertility. (To this day the USDA requires fertilizer labels to show how much NPK is in the fertilizer, but nothing else.) In the early 20th Century, Haber devised a process to fix nitrogen artificially. Nitrogen is critical for plant growth. About 80% of the air we breathe is nitrogen, but plants can't use it in its atmospheric form. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the roots of legumes (e.g. beans, peas, and clover) convert atmospheric nitrogen into a useable form (as does lightning). This is “fixing” nitrogen, naturally. The Haber process uses lots of natural gas to fix nitrogen in the form of ammonia. The process was used in Germany to produce munitions in Wo! rld War I. (The Oklahoma City bomb disaster made us aware that ammonium nitrate is explosive.) Large-scale production of nitrogen fertilizer took off after World War II. Toxic Rescue Chemistry Readily available artificial fertility allowed growers to disregard the return of organic matter to the soil. Furthermore, concentration on NPK reduced concern for trace minerals, which are no less essential for fertility. Availability of cheap nitrogen led to over-use, with many unwanted results. Importantly, nitrogen provides energy for soil-microbe decomposers' organic matter so that excess nitrogen further accelerates loss of soil carbon. Sucking pest insects prefer plants high in nitrogen. And excess nitrogen reduces vitamin C and amino acid production in plants -- a concern for human nutrition. These factors, together with the loss of soil microbes and loss of the protection they provide for plants, resulted in weaker plants. Weak plants are less able to resist insect pests and disease. Also, loss of fertility encourages weed infestations because most weeds prefer poorer soil. Again chemistry came to the rescue. The response to plant pes! ts and weeds was insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides. The environmental and health consequences of toxic rescue chemistry (Charles Walters of Acres USA coined the phrase) are well known. Some agronomic consequences need to be stressed here. Insects, fungi, and - to a lesser extent - weeds become resistant to pesticides; the more pesticide is used, the quicker resistance develops. The answer is either to increase the dose or to invent new, stronger pesticides. In either case a toxic treadmill is the result. In addition, some popular herbicides (not all) kill off some soil bacteria (not all kinds), which reduces natural fertility and plant protection still further. Natural Mulches, Sheet Composting, Green Manures, and Compost The easiest way to put carbon back into the soil is to use natural mulches: shredded leaves, straw, hay, whatever comes to hand. These decompose quickly; for example, a bushel of shredded leaves applied in spring is reduced to less half by fall. And one can incorporate the remaining leaves when preparing the soil in the fall. Sheet composting is an alternative technique for incorporating leaves into the soil. One spreads shredded leaves sparingly over the soil and incorporates them into the topsoil with a garden fork. If you have a mulch of shredded leaves (and who wouldn't?) the spreading is already done. The benefits of natural mulches are so many that it is difficult to imagine why any gardener wouldn't use them. They prevent soil moisture from evaporating; they prevent weed seeds from germinating; they keep the root zone cool in mid-summer; and they promote earthworm populations. All this is in addition! to restoring soil carbon, which increases soil fertility and its ability to retain moisture. It is a good practice to cover soil before winter, either with natural mulches or with a green manure crop. Cereal rye and clover work well as over-winter green manures (often called cover crops). There are several others: winter wheat, barley, oats, and purple vetch (all winter hardy) and buckwheat (dies with the first frost). Green manures extract carbon from the air in the form of CO2 and they sequester it in the soil when they are buried in the spring. Last, but not least, composting is the most effective way to return crop residues, manure, and weeds to the soil. If you're not recycling, you're throwing it away! Compost all garden waste, include lots of leaves to increase the fungal content of the compost, and rake in at least ½ inch of compost into your soil every fall. Minimum Till and No-till It's necessary to prevent carbon that has been returned to the soil from escaping. Accomplish this by minimizing tillage or by not tilling at all. After all, it was tilling the soil that led to loss of soil carbon in the first place. Some gardeners seem to have a gene that makes them dig the soil every year. Resist it. Garden soil should certainly be loose, but it needs to be loosened once and only once. After loosening soil, keep it soft for ever after by using natural mulches and by never stepping on it. True, raking in compost, forking in leaves, and burying green manures all disturb the soil. But they add more organic matter to the soil than is lost by disturbing it. Program Highlights - October At our next general meeting, Run for the Rose Garden, on Wednesday, October 6th, we have three surprises in store for you. First, a video of the White House gardens, Upon These Grounds. Secondly, President Abraham Lincoln will talk about the election campaign of 1864. Mrs. Lincoln will also present some interesting facts about the White House gardens. And lastly, the Master Gardener Singers will perform special music for an eventful, informative, and fun-filled evening. Master Gardener Society of Oakland County Highlights of Board Meeting - May 17, 2004 Call to Order: 7:00 p.m. In Attendance: J. Humphrey, J. Grant, R. Vrbensky, J. Bird, S. Jones, Patti Salter for C. Lenchek, Martha Humphrey, Sylvia Schult, Tom Hershberger S. Parrott Excused: DeeAnn Bauer, Terry Ohrstrom, Marilyn Citron Quorum present Secretary Report: Motion: R. Vrbensky moved to approve the minutes of March 24, 2004, May 5, 2004 and highlights from March 24, 2004 as presented. J. Grant seconded. Approved Treasurer Report: Motion: J. Bird moved to approve the treasurer report dated March 23, 2004 - May 17, 2004 as presented. R. Vrbensky seconded. Approved. Team Administrator: Still do not have a team leader for Education. Do we want to continue the search for a leader? The SEB responded with “Yes, organize those interested and find leader among the group.” Team Reports: Bower's: Martha Humphrey. Two Farm orientations were held. with . The rain garden is progressing on schedule with SOCCRA supplying compost. Program Support: T. Ohrstrom. Submitted report via email to Secretary. Communications: S. Jones see Old Business Hospitality: Sylvia Schult filed report. See secretary for details of activity and expenses. Programs: John Humphrey reviewed the upcoming months confirmed speakers and subject. To date he does not have speaker for the November 3 meeting. Membership: Tom Hershberger stated that we have 205 paid members. Motion: S. Jones moved to reduce the membership fee to MGSOOC to $15.00 for new members and renewals beginning with 2005 membership year. J. Bird seconded. Approved. Trips and Tours: Motion: S. Jones moved to offer any further trip/tours offered/sponsored by the MGSOOC to MGSOOC membership first with a deadline before the trip was offered to outside groups or Oakland master gardeners. J. Bird seconded. Approved. Grants: Clay Ottoni not present Newsletter: Marilyn Citron. New members will be listed in the next issue of newsletter. Website: Any team leader can have a mailbox within the MGSOOC web page. Contact Sheri Trout directly if you are interested. Coordinator: Carol Lenchek not present Old Business: No new information on Tax identification number due to Clay Ottoni's absence. Reviewed Draft #2 of brochure New Business Reviewed a draft of a sign in sheet to use at general meetings. J. Humphrey felt this was necessary due to the number of non-members attending and not paying. John will make suggestions and have for next general meeting. Motion: John Grant moved to adjourn the meeting. Sherry Jones seconded. Approved. Adjourn: 9:54 p.m. Moments to Remember By Sylvia Schult Master Gardener Society of Oakland County Highlights of Board Meeting - June 2, 2004 Call to Order: 8:17 p.m. In Attendance: J. Humphrey, J. Grant, R. Vrbensky, J. Bird, S. Jones, C. Lenchek, DeeAnn Bauer, Terry Ohrstrom, Sylvia Schult, Tom Hershberger S. Parrott, Clay Ottoni Martha Humphrey, Marilyn Citron, Diane Rix, Dave Thompson, Janie Grissom Quorum present Old Business: MGSOC sponsored trip to England in 2005 as proposed by Sandie Parrott, Trip and Tours Team Leader. Do we agree to go ahead with this trip? Discussion/concerns: After much discussion, the group decided that since the state Master Gardener coordinator already sponsored such a trip that offering another one was not prudent. Grant Request Form C. Ottoni presented a grant request form. C. Ottoni also spoke with Mary McClellan to determine their position on Master Gardener group “independence”. MSUE wants to be aware of what the groups are doing, but also wants distance, thus requiring that all groups obtain their Tax Identification number. S. Schult offered that active member, Denise Jones, was the founding Treasurer of the MGSOOC. C. Ottoni agreed to contact her to see if she remembers how she completed the form for the Tax Identification number for the state. J. Bird: Regarding Grants, do we still want to consider projects in just Oakland County, or to just Society members? Once we decide this, we can decide how much to give and this amount can change on an annual basis, i.e. education, soup kitchen, etc. Then the committee decides on criteria parameters. S. Jones: Suggested that we schedule another board meeting to discuss the criteria. C. Ottoni offered that all criteria suggestions be forwarded to him. He will filter them and prep for July meeting. Then he will prepare and present at August Board meeting. Brochure M. Citron: presented brochure draft. All stated it looked good with the minor changes suggested. D. Rix stated that the phrase, “Check enclosed for_______________,” must be included, otherwise people will forget to include the payment. MOTION: S. Jones moved to print a minimum run of the brochure with the dues being $24.00. When the membership team leader has moved and has new phone number, to order reprints with the new phone number and the dues being $15.00. J. Bird seconded. Approved. Motion: J. Bird move to adjourn. S. Jones seconded. Approved. Adjourned: 9:50 p.m. Writers Wanted We are looking for Master Gardeners who not only enjoy putting hoe to ground, but fingers to keyboards. If you are interested in writing a column or occasional article for Roots & Shoots, please contact the editor with your ideas at mcwrites@sbcglobal.net or 248-645-5515. Time put into researching and writing an article counts as MG volunteer hours. Looking forward to hearing from you... Marilyn Citron Family, Traveling, Accounting, Gardening = Happiness Who is the special thread running through the Mary Thompson Farm, the Master Gardener course, traveling, accounting, gardening, and cross-stitching? Why, it's Julie Bird, MGSOC's Treasurer! When Julie bought her home seven years ago, it had one rose bush, and many wonderful neighbors who have lived in the area for 30 or 40 years. One of her neighbors, Kevin Warner, lives across the street, and introduced her to the Mary Thompson Farm in Southfield. It was there that Julie learned about the Master Gardener program. Kevin talked Julie into taking the program with him. The day she came back from a vacation in Texas, she hurried to get to class on time. Tired and looking for her friend Kevin, she had to endure that first class all by herself because he didn't show up. When she saw the thick MG book, she convinced Martha Ferguson, then the Program Coordinator, to give her Kevin's book. Julie was sure that something awful must have happened to him because he hadn't shown up. What she actually wanted to do was hit him over the head with it, because he hadn't come. When Julie learned that Kevin was ill, she forgave him. But, this was the start of their gardening rivalry which they enjoy to this day. Julie received her MG certificate in 2000 and her Advanced MG certificate in 2001. Many of her volunteer hours have been spent at the Mary Thompson farm. Working in the garden, closing it at night, putting away the tools, and talking with all the people there was, and continues to be, a very relaxing and enjoyable time for her. In the fall, the farm has a festival, and she helps at the MG question and answer booth. The Michigan State Fair also counts Julie as one of their great gardeners and a MG booth helper. Bowers Farm also benefits from Julie's gardening experience, as she works in those gardens as well.. The traveling instinct comes naturally to Julie. Her father is from England. He was a pilot and a flight instructor, stationed in Canada. He and friends would often travel by train to the Detroit officers club, where he met Julie's Aunt and Uncle. They took him to their house for Christmas Eve and he met Julie's mother. The couple eventually eloped and took off for England. Her father thought travel and independence were important, and always stressed this to his children. Julie is the youngest of seven children and, as the only girl was, Loved - yes, Spoiled - no, Independent - yes. Even though her brothers are living in Michigan, West Virginia, Texas, and Colorado they get together quite often , maintaining family ties. Being together is a fun time for everyone. Julie graduated from Central University with a Bachelors Degree. She spent a summer traveling in Europe. Upon returning, she obtained a job at a seasonal resort and traveled between Florida, in the winter, and Lake Champlain, Vermont in the summer. It wasn't hard to work among the 750 acres of great views of upstate New York and the Adirondacks. When Julie's father became ill, she moved to Traverse City to help at home. Her father was a great and wonderful man, full of the joy of living. His passing was quite hard for everyone in her family. Julie is now Director of Accounting for a real estate company in Bloomfield Hills. She coordinates 15 different companies and audits them each year. When not working, Julie still puts her accounting experience to work as treasurer, for the third year, for the Master Gardener Society of Oakland County. She also belongs to an investment club. Golfing is Julie's favorite sport which she just loves. Fortunately she has a golf course quite close to her home and can spend time there with friends. When her brothers come into town, they head for the golf course and enjoy a great time together. Cross-stitching is something Julie also enjoys, creating items for family and friends. A favorite one she made for her parents, while living in Vermont, said, “Your feet may leave, but your heart always stays in your families home”.  Although Julie began with only one rose bush in her yard, her garden is now full of beautiful flowers and vegetables. In the spring, her yard is aglow with 800 tulips and daffodils. She plans to redesign her front garden, adding yellow, orange, and white colors to her plantings, better balance the backyard by moving plants, and, perhaps, add a shade garden. You know how gardeners always like to move things around. When Julie used to visit her Mother, Mimi, in Traverse City, she always returned with plants for her garden. When her mother visited Julie's home, she told Julie that many of the perennials she gave her are older than Julie. Julie has many special stories of her family, and learned almost everything about gardening from her Mom. “After my Mom passed away, working, spending time with friends and gardening, gave me a wonderful connection and feeling with friends and neighbors”, Julie remembers. Now, when the flowers bloom, it's like her mother is visiting her all over again. Julie remembers her with the “Mimi” coral bells, five different shades of “Mimi” bearded Iris, “Mimi” double Shasta Daisy, “Mimi” grape hyacinth, several different types of “Mimi” daylilies, and many other “Mimi” flowers. Julie shares these plants with her brothers and in doing so, shares with them many wonderful moments of their mother. Place: PAR Project at McCord Farm in Clarkston Required Hours Be part of an exciting new Plant-a-row project in Clarkston! With recent approval from Independence Township, Master Gardeners can help design, plant, and harvest a new PAR crop. We've started peas, radishes, beans, and squash. We've installed donated starts of peppers, tomatoes, and cabbage. We have approximately 1000 sq. ft. to work with this year and hope to make an impressive contribution towards the Oakland County Foodbank. We'd like Master Gardeners to help work with other community volunteers to help make this garden a success. For more information and directions contact Elizabeth Egan 248-620-4621. Place: Friendship Park, the Charter Township of Orion Personal Choice Hours A project is being proposed at Friendhship Park which includes landscaping and installing flower beds around the Park's gazebo and waterfall. The project would also include maintaining these areas. If you are interested in working on this project, please contact Rock Blanchard, Director of Parks & Recreation at rblanchard@oriontownship.org. or call (248) 391-0304 ext. 143 Place: Rising Star Community Garden in Pontiac Personal Choice Hours The Women's Survival Center is looking for Individuals and groups to maintain the award-winning Rising Star Community Garden located near downtown Pontiac. The mission of the garden is to demonstrate the benefits and feasibility of gardening in an urban setting. We are looking for people to commit one to two hours per week. One-time gardening projects are available for groups. For more information, contact Helen Beamer Volunteer Coordinator, omen's Survival Center, at 248-335-2685, extension 229. Place: Bittersweet Farm Required Hours Bittersweet Farm PAR Community Garden needs your help. The garden has been expanded and has improved its horticultural practices. MGs are needed during the week as well as every Saturday morning from 9:00 to noon. While working, learn about advanced planting techniques, IPM, soil conditioning, bed construction and other gardening techniques from Jim Tesnar. For more information and directions contact Bob McGowan at 248-620-01111 after 6:00 pm. Organic Gardening By Peter Bray In addition to the Three Sisters Garden, OLLS parishioners harvest large amounts of squash and cucumbers every Sunday night for pick up by Forgotten Harvest on Monday. Occasionally OLLS produce is donated to Yad Ezra as well. The garden is also yielding a bumper crop of tomatoes as well as lots of pole beans, corn and pumpkins. The OLLS PAR gardeners are asking for donated vegetable seeds for their 2005 garden. Please contact Catherine Connelly at cathyconelly@comcast.net if you have any resources for leftover 2004 seeds. Gardening Events Master Gardener Association Officers Meeting by John Humphrey On Friday, September 17th, Ruth Vrbensky and I, attended the first Master Gardener Association Officer's meeting, held at the Lapeer County Medical Care facility. Society officers from across the state assembled to attend this interactive forum. MSU Extension, Master Gardener Program State Coordinator Mary McClellan spoke on, then solicited questions for, a number of MG issues. Each participant was given the opportunity to speak about each one's unique situation. These are some of the issues discussed: By-laws and Financial Accountability State calendar of MG Association events An annual meeting of State Association Boards Member retention and involvement Fundraising ideas Work exchange events My thanks to the wonderful MG Association volunteers of Lapeer County for hosting this event. We were warmly greeted, fed a hearty meal, and treated to an outstanding garden display. Thank You Carol... ... for helping me obtain Master Gardener referees for our annual landscaping competition. We had four excellent volunteers on August 28th: Marlene Adelman Mellisa Felzien Barbara Near Mark Reuter They were professional, patient, and had a great spirit of cooperation. What a great team to work with! We hope to have them back again for next year! Arik Dvir, on behalf of the Potomac Village III Homeowner Association, West Bloomfield. Who can endure a cabbage bed in October? Jane Austen, Sanditon, 1817 (Continued on page #) (Continued from page #) Education Hardy Plant Society Date: October 4, 2004 Time: 7:00 pm Topic: Fall Maintenance Place: Congregational church of Birmingham Gail Morrell who owns her own landscaping business and also teaches at the Michigan School of Gardening with speak at the Society's October meeting. Contact Barbara Johnson at mzbj@sbcglobal.net for more information. Goldner Walsh Date: October 1, 2004 Time: 7:00 pm Topic: Palms Won't Grow Here and Other Myths Fee: $15.00 Dr. David Francko, author of Palms Won't Grow Here and Other Myths and a professor of botany at a Midwestern university, is convinced, “plants don't read the Plant hardiness Zone information on the nursery tags.” For more information, contact Julia Janiak at 248-332-6430. North Oakland Headwaters Land Conservancy Date: October 9, 2004 Time: 1:30 pm Topic: Fall is time to Get Ready Place: Kimball Nature Preserve in Clarkston Join Naturalist Ann McInnis on a colorful walk in a quality lowland hardwood forest. Discover clues that tell the stories of Nature's fall activities as she prepares for the winter ahead. For more information and directions, contact Karen Krigbaum, NOHLC Administrative Director at 248-846-6547. Volunteer Opportunities May everyone enjoy a bountiful and peaceful Thanksgiving with family and friends.