Roots & Shoots Master Gardener Society of Oakland County December 2007 / January 2008 December 5, 2007 @ 6:30pm MGSOOC Holiday Potluck Charles Bower Farm - 1219 East Square Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills Farm Activity Building Entertainment: Barbershop Quartet called "Antique Roadshow" Optional: If you wish, bring an unwrapped toy for donation January 2, 2008 @ 6:30pm MGSOOC General Society Meeting & Location MSU Extension Office, 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Pontiac, Building 26 East, Lower Level Classroom Speaker : Nancy Dillingham–Education: “Genesee County Rest Stop” A business meeting will take place, prior to the start of our Educational program. February 6, 2008 @ 6:30pm MGSOOC General Society Meeting & Location Location to be announced in the Oakland Gardener Speaker : Annick Hivert-Carthew–Education: “Emily Dickinson's Garden” A business meeting will take place, prior to the start of our Educational program. Carol’s Corner Oakland County MSUE wishes all of you happy, healthy, and safe Holidays We measure the hours you put in every year because this can be quantified and the number is always impressive. What we can’t measure is the heart you put into whatever your volunteer niche is. In my mind, this is even more impressive. You may come home tired and even sore after some of your volunteer efforts, but I hope you can see the impact you are having on the population you serve and you sleep well those many nights. Master Gardener Volunteers are such a special group of people. You give and give and give until you just can’t anymore. Your own gardens suffer, your fingers are blistered, your clothes are all “garden clothes” and you say “I’m done, I’ve put in the hours I need to Certify or Re-certify”. But then something comes up and you’re out volunteering again. You’ve all came into the MGV Training Program as passionate gardeners and then something happens as you complete those first 40 volunteer hours. You become just as passionate about community service, whether you take the leadership on a project or not, you’re there. No matter the weather or time of day or night you’re there. I’ve been at sites when it starts to rain and have never even heard you complain! The only reason I can come up with is that like me, your heart sings when you’re sore, tired, and covered in dirt but you’ve completed some project that really needed you. Thank you for all you’ve done this past year to extend the reach of Extension to people in Oakland County and beyond. I hope you get as much in life as you give. Winter Training Class The Winter 2008 Master Gardener Training Class will be starting the 2nd week in January. This is a Thursday evening class (6:00pm-10:00pm) which will be held in a conference room in the New Executive Office Building located at 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, building # 41 West. The Executive Office Building is just east of the Oakland Farmers Market. DATE SUBJECT January 10, 2008 Introduction/Native Plants January 17 Plant Science January 24 Soils and Composting January 31 Water Quality/Invasive Plants & Pests February 7 Flower Culture February 14 Plant Health Care/Diagnostics February 21 Household Pests February 28 Backyard Fruit March 6 Lawn Care March 13 Indoor Plants and Propagation March 20 Vegetable Culture March 27 Woody Ornamentals April 3 Volunteering April 10 Snow Day There should be plenty of seats available in the classroom if you’d like to sit in on any given topic. If you sit in on a class, you can submit 2 (full credit) educational hours on your volunteer reports. You might want to call Linda the week you plan on attending to make sure the schedule hasn’t been revised due to bad weather. She can be reached at 248-858-0887 or smithlin@oakgov.com . USEFUL WEBSITES Master Gardener Volunteer Record Keeping System (to report your hours online): https://mi.mgrecord.com Oakland County MSU Extension Website: http://msue.msu.edu/oakland MSU Educational Bulletins: http://web2.msue.msu.edu/bulletins/ Turf/Lawn: www.turf.msu.edu Weeds: www.msuturfweeds.net U.S.D.A. Plant Database: http://plants.usda.gov/ Michigan Master Gardener Volunteer Program Website: http://web1.msue.msu.edu/mastergardener/ Master Gardener Shopping Mall: http://www.mastergardenershoppingmall.com/ American Horticultural Society: http://www.ahs.org/index.html Minutes of the August 20, 2007, Board Meeting Call to Order: 7:06 p.m. In Attendance: Tom Hershberger, Jean Gramlich, Ruth Vrbensky, Carol Lenchek, Clay Ottoni, Dick Wanat, Sandie Parrott , Guests: Diane Rix, Susan Tatus McLarty Absent: John Humphrey, Sherry Jones, Pat Banaszek, Sheri Trout, Martha Humphrey, Janie Grissom Quorum present Secretary Report. • Motion: R. Vrbensky moved to accept minutes of May 21, 2007. J. Gramlich support. Approved Treasurer Report: J. Gramlich presented • Motion: R. Vrbensky moved to approve the Treasurer report covering period May 23 through August 20, 2007. T. Hershberger support. Approved Gramlich reported the trips were very profitable. Summary is available for preview. Team Administrator: S. Jones absent. No report Master Gardener Coordinator: C. Lenchek presented. Master Gardener class began the previous Wednesday. IT building will not be used for MGSOC general meetings. Hospitality: P. Banaszek absent-no report Programs: J. Humphrey absent. Tree Care is program for Sept. Newsletter: Dick Wanat presented. He requested more articles with a deadline of Sept 9. He could print now, but would prefer more. Bower’s Farm: M. Humphrey absent. S. McLarty presented. A regular group of volunteers have been meeting Saturday’s in July and Aug. The first harvest of veggies was delivered to Yad Ezra food bank-18.2 pounds. Membership: T. Hershberger presented. 3 new memberships were received. Membership is approx 150. Project Support: C. Ottoni presented. • Recipe requests are being submitted weekly to the Oakland Gardener on line newsletter. • Fallen Heroes Memorial: Ceremony will be Sept 11. The county is seeking donations for woody ornamentals to plant before hand. • The team has created a meal cycle for each month of the year. • Trips and Tours: S. Parrott presented. All trips were successful and fun. She will send a survey in Nov/Dec for ideas for next trip. She gave a special thank you to Jean Gramlich and Susan McLarty for their articles in the newsletter. Raffle Items: J. Grissom absent. No report. Old Business: • C. Ottoni submitted drafts of by-law changes & an equipment reservation procedure. T. Hershberger is possession of only copy and he will forward copies to board members. • Used Book Sale: Diane Rix: This summer event was not very successful, but she will try again in November to request books for a February 2008 sale. She would like to do this once a year. • Website pictures: S. McLarty will contact Sylvia Schult to obtain recent pictures to upload onto the website. Carol expressed concerns that photo releases must be obtained first. Carol will forward us a copy of the photo/media release used by the conservation steward’s program. New Business: • Motion: R. Vrbensky moved to appoint Diane Rix as the Corresponding Secretary and to utilize miscellaneous budget funds for purchasing cards and postage. • Motion: J. Gramlich moved to adjourn. R. Vrbensky support. Approved Adjourned: 8:23 pm. µ All reports and submissions are available to every member, upon request, from the Secretary Education: 0 hours Meeting: 1.50 hours Wanted: Recipes, Recipes, Recipes! The Project Team of the MGSOOC is still asking all Master Gardeners for recipes of potions, rubs, beverages, crockpot concoctions, soups, desserts, salads, preserves, herbals, vegetables, pickles, roasts - - - whatever your specialty or tip is, please share it by sending it in for publication in the Oakland County Master Gardener Cookbook. We really want to create a cookbook that showcases good gardeners cookin’, so include your tried and true culture tips with your special recipes. There can’t be a cookbook without YOU, so please send your tips and recipes to Clay Ottoni, at ceottoni@juno.com. Include the recipe title in the subject area of your email and be sure to put your name at the bottom of your recipe. If you don’t have access to the web, you can mail your hard copies to Susan Tatus McLarty at the address in the MG Directory. AFRICAN VIOLETS Steve Turner, his wife and a friend came together in October to give us an excellent presentation on growing African violets. They brought with them numerous examples from their own collection and brought a whole box of samples to be given away as door prizes. They were the first prizes to be chosen. African violets were discovered in Tanzania in 1894 by a German baron There are several sizes of African violets, measured by the diameter of the plant. They range from micro-mini, mini (6. or less), semi-mini, and standard to large (24.!). They displayed an example of the latter called Buckeye Seductress hybridized by Pat Hancock. Hybridizing has produced different colors of blossoms including chimeras (2 colors in pinwheels or stripes) and variegated foliage. Trailing violets are grown in hanging baskets and have 3 crowns coming from one source. African violets thrive in certain conditions: 65-75 degree temperature and 40-60% humidity. Steve uses a soilless mix of equal parts sphagnum moss, perlite and vermiculite. They like 12 hours of light but no direct sunlight. Steve uses fluorescent lights, but if you are using natural light, the plants should be rotated. Steve uses a 24/7 watering/fertilizing system with an acrylic yarn wick in a reservoir of water using ¼ teaspoon of a 20-20-20 fertilizer per gallon of water. If water gets on the leaves, they should be air dried out of direct light. If watering from the bottom, leave water in the saucer for 15 minutes. Violets like being rootbound, and the rule of thumb is that they need 1. of pot for each 3. diameter of the plant. Steve propagates violets by cutting a leaf at a 45-degree angle with a sharp knife leaving about 1-1 ¼ . petiole. He puts the leaf in a 80/20 mix of vermiculite and perlite and puts the leaf at the edge of the pot which he places in 3/8 . of fertilized water. When the leaf is rooting (give it a little tug to find out), cut the leaf in half so that the plant will put its strength into the babies. When the babies are big enough, carefully tease them apart and only use the two or three sturdiest plants. Most commercially grown African violets are grown from tissue culture. Hybridizing is done by snipping the anthers, collecting pollen with a flat toothpick and putting it on the pistil. A seedpod will develop in about 2 weeks and will take 6-8 months to turn brown. Harvest the pod and dry the pod for about 2 months before harvesting and planting the dust-like seeds. Chimeras are propagated by cutting a bloom stalk at a 45-degree angle, disbudding it and putting it in the rooting mixture. African violets are susceptible to several different pests, so when you buy a new plant, you should isolate it for up to 2 months. Soil mealy bugs result in pale leaves, no bloom or discolored blooms. The roots will show a white residue. Cut off all the dead roots, rinse all the soil off and use a systemic insecticide when repotting. Foliar mealy bugs can be treated with an alcohol swab or a systemic. Thrips cause spilled pollen on the blossoms and are treated by disbudding, spraying or using a systemic. Mites leave the leaves curled and the crown distorted and brown. Toss it or isolate it and treat it with a miticide every 10 days for one month. The African Violet Society of America was founded in 1946 and publishes a beautiful magazine. The website, www.avsa.org, has links to resources. The local African violet group meets in Bloomfield Township. For more information e-mail lynnallen@peoplepc.com. —Jean Gramlich WINTER SOWING Just as we were about to put our gardens to bed and sit in front of the fire for a few months, along come Vickie Hale and Ron Rudd tell us that we can start gardening again on December 22nd and plant right through March. By setting up mini-greenhouses outside, we can mimic nature with no washouts, wind, birds, animals, insects or drought. We don’t need special containers, grow-lights or room in the basement. Natives, annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs can all be started this way. First of all, use a good quality potting mix (not seed starter mix which dries out too fast). Poor quality potting soil will simply turn into a brick under these conditions. Any recyclable container with a top will do. Milk jugs make excellent containers if partially cut in half and then taped together after sowing, or you can cut a door in the side for easy access. Clamshells from take-out foods and salads and other small plastic containers also work well. Newspaper pots can be placed inside plastic containers. Even a zip-lock baggie closed 3/4s of the way will work. They do not recommend using peat pots or pellets. Drill holes in the bottom and top for proper drainage and aeration. Put at least 3” of soil in the container and leave enough headroom for the new plants. Then label! How many times have we all told ourselves that we would remember what was in a particular place only to be scratching our heads later? Aluminum tape, found in the plumbing department, is ideal. No need to stratify seeds because you are following nature’s way. Perennials, trees and shrubs should be planted anytime between the winter solstice and the end of February. March and April are the best time for annuals. Perennials should be planted out when the second set of true leaves have emerged. Wait till after the last frost to set out annuals. It is important to maintain moisture in the greenhouse, though when it is very cold, there is little evaporation. Seedlings need to be protected from heat – even in the winter the sun can fry new seedlings in a protected environment. Dappled sun is ideal. Winter sowers are a friendly, helpful bunch of people. There is a seed database and useful information on the website www.wintersown.org. There is a winter sowing forum on the Garden Web, and there is always someone willing to answer questions. —Jean Gramlich Organic Gardening Notes Notes from the Continuing Education Committee The committee has been working on classes for 2008 and wishes to announce that registration is open for Growing Vegetables Organically. This is a 3-week series that will meet Saturday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to noon on January 19, 26, and February 2. Saturday, January 19 The 1st week will be on Organic Principles and Practices. Learn what the term “organic” really means and explore the benefits of growing organically. Discover how to rotate your vegetables and why it is important. Gain exposure to soil management techniques. This class will be taught by Peter Bray. Saturday, January 26 The 2nd week will be on The Gardening Year, a month by month guide, also taught by Peter Bray. Learn about common vegetables cultivars for the organic garden. Find out how to garden organically month by month in Michigan. Guidance will include planning your garden, record keeping, seeds vs. plant starts, seed saving, and extending the growing season. Saturday, February 2 The 3rd week will be The Organic Consumer, divided into 2 topics: Dale White from Uncle Luke's Feed Store will discuss the organic products used in vegetable gardens. Next, Michelle Lutz from Maple Creek Farm, a CSA in Yale, MI., will be talking about organic certification, sustainable agriculture, the slow foods movement, and subscription farming. Classes will be held in the basement classroom off the MSU Extension office. Class Fee: $40 for all 3 classes. The class will be limited to 30 participants, so register early. The registration deadline is January 8. The brochure is posted on the MSUE-Oakland County website. www.msue.msu.edu/oakland For more information, please call Linda Smith at 248-858­0887 or mailto:smithlin@oakgov.com You will receive 9 hours full credit education for attending this series. Election Results Our recent election yielded the following results: President: Tom Hershberger Treasurer: Jean Gramlich (re-elected) Team Administrator: Susan Tatus McLarty The MGSOOC board also made the following appointments: John Grant was appointed Vice President to serve out the remainder of Tom Hershberger’s term (through 2008) and Susan McLarty assumes the duties of Team Administrator immediately as requested by Sherry Jones (see note below). Except for Susan who starts immediately, the officers assume their posts January 1, 2008. Please extend welcoming support to your new officers. A Note From Sherry Jones Dear Master Gardener Society of Oakland County, As you may know, I made the decision not to run for Team Administrator again this year due to my unpredictable and ever-changing hours at work. I have resigned effective immediately. What a pleasure it has been to have served as a board member and work along side some truly great people such as yourselves. Gardeners really are special people with a passion for what we do and share with each other, and our universe; all with the common goal of making our world a better and prettier place to live. In August I asked Susan Tatus McLarty if she would consider running for Team Administrator and as you know she said yes. I knew she would be perfect for the job, which she has already shown by jumping in with both feet. I welcome her and her fresh new ideas, a wonderful sense of humor and her ability to get the job done. Let’s all help to make her transition as smooth as possible. I wish you all a wonderful and blessed New Year filled with promise and hope. I look forward to seeing you all at our Holiday Party. Please remember the children in need by bringing an unwrapped toy on December 5th. I’d like to leave you with some of my favorite “Points to Ponder”: • When facing a difficult task, act as though it is impossible to fail. If you are going after Moby Dick, take along the tartar sauce • Be grateful for all you have, even if it’s not enough • When you are worried, give your troubles to God; He will be up all night anyway • Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms I Peter 4:10 With warmest regards, Sherry D. Jones Team Administrator Brighten Your Winter Here is the schedule for the next few months at Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park http://www.meijergardens.org/ in Grand Rapids, MI. DECEMBER 2007 George Rickey, September 28 - December 31 Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World, November 20 - January 6 Gardens Holiday Express Train Exhibit, November 19 - January 6 Holiday Shopping; Horse and Carriage Rides JANUARY 2008 Art of Africa, January 25 - May 4 Gardens and Broadway Package, Lerner & Loewe's, "CAMELOT" Jan 29 - Feb 3 FEBRUARY 2008 Art of Africa, January 25 - May 4 Orchid Show, February 2 - 3 Gardens and Broadway Package, Lerner & Loewe's, "CAMELOT” Jan 29 - Feb 3 MARCH 2008 Foremost's Butterflies Are Blooming, March 1 - April 30 Butterflies and Broadway Package, "TWELVE ANGRY MEN” March l9 - 23 APRIL 2J08 Art of Africa, January 25 - May 4 Foremost's Butterflies Are Blooming, March l - April 30 Tram Tours MAY 2008 Art of Africa, January 25 - May 4 Michigan All-State Bonsai Show, May 3 - 4 Tulip Time Festival (Holland), May 3 - 10, See over 6 million tulips on display. Great Gardens Plant Sale, May 10 - 11 Gardens and Broadway Package, Monty Python's, "SPAMALOT," May 20 - 25 Iris Show, May 24 - 25 Degas: The Sculptures, May 30 - August 31 Tram Tours JUNE 2008 Degas: The Sculptures, May 30 - August 31 Spring Rose Show, June 21 - 22 Tram Tours JULY 2008 Degas: The Sculptures, May 30 - August 31 Daylily Show, July 12 Tram Tours Notes from Nutcase Nursery Winter 2007 Being humbled as usual by Michigan weather, we have been closing the season with the ritual mad dash to ready the beds, lawns and gardens for winter. Even though it is a given that not every chore on the list will get done, we trudge onward with hope for the future in the tasks that have passed. The promise of spring is made all the more exhilarating by knowing we’ve accomplished what’s necessary for the new season. Hope for the future fueled the body when it was time to plant all those bulbs you bought this year. So enthralled by the pictures in the catalogues, you never realized until October hit that you would have to dig so many holes. Looking forward to a fifty-foot long curving stream of daffodils will be the medication you use (in addition to some anti-inflammatory potion) to help you over the aches and pains of planting forty dozen bulbs. Of course every bone in your body will forget how it ached when you see the gorgeous blooms come April and May. And all winter, when the snow cover doesn’t obscure the pristine edges you created along the beds, you will look out a window and smile at how sharp and neat the yard looks. You will forget how bruised your foot felt from hopping on the spade you used to make them. And in the spring, the edges will still be there, crisp and clean, while the refuse you dragged to the compost pile is well on its way to its next life as gold. By tackling this job in late fall, you will have exposed a lot of roots living on the edge to desiccation and hopefully death. Next spring when your neighbors are asking when to fertilize and what to use on their lawns, yours will be the pride of the county because you gave it the most critical of all feedings. You won’t remember making the face you used to make in kindergarten to help you color inside the lines as you dispassionately pushed and plodded behind the spreader trying to evenly cover every inch of grass. You won’t remember the drudgery of hauling all the bags of slow release fertilizer either. When April comes and it’s time to start the vegetable garden, you will also forget the monotonous bagging and bending ordeal you suffered through to shred and till in bag after bag of the begged and borrowed (and stolen) leaves. You will turn over a shovelful of soil and marvel at the color and scent of it, proud of yourself and the helpful critters that worked to enrich the environment. And you can really pat yourself on the back for submitting your soil test at the end of the season, avoiding the spring rush. When the winds of March bring ice storms and damaging hail and bough breaking snow, you will be able to sit safely inside, warmed by the fact that you were the good gardener who pruned and trimmed the trees and shrubs even though you nearly froze your fingers off doing so during their height of dormancy. You might even smile because you were wise enough to use the clippings to cover the more tender treasures for the winter. Even though the yard waste pickups have ceased, the trimmings have been given a new life as winter cover for the birds, or repurposed as potential pea fence supports for the coming season. Keeping an eye out for such useful recycling as you prune can make the job a little more fun. Whoa! Did I just use the f – word? Who said there could be FUN in Chore Land? How else could I get the neighborhood kids to help with stuff if I didn’t put the fun in function? (Actually, if you can find them you have to pay them nowadays.) But there are all kinds of games you can play while gardening. One of my very favorite ones is played with quackgrass. While weeding the beds, the goal of the game is to dislodge and display the longest intact specimen of quackgrass. So far the record is almost nine feet. And although I have never officially named the game all these years, a couple of possibilities come to mind. Considering the options, though, it’s better left unnamed. You need to entertain yourself out there. So what if the neighbors talk about you. It’s completely harmless to make yardwork a little lighter. Years back, my neighbor and I were the talk of the ‘hood because when it came to gardening and yardening we were always up to something. It was not unusual for us to wrestle a rototiller down the sidewalk to her house for a project or join forces with implements of destruction to completely trash a shrub that no longer seemed to fit the picture. At the time we were also the only women who mowed the lawns. One afternoon on a trip to Shipshewana we decided to buy matching outfits to wear when we were on a mission. They were basically just shorts and tee shirts but they were gymnasium gray with sparkly pinkish red roses with green leaves on the tops and the bottoms. We wore them regularly. Nobody talked about us after that. Or to us. But really, the more enjoyment you get out of a project the more you might get done. And then you might have time to glimpse the future not only in the tasks that have passed, but also in the seeds and scenes of the quickly receding season around you. As I’m cleaning up I can recall the vivid sweep of a lavender and pink orchestra brought to life by the music of an Anthony Waterer spirea, the raspberry spires of foxglove ‘Mertonensis’, a ‘Summer Glow’ tamarisk feathered in pure pink, with purple phlox and coneflower, and astilbe chinensis running down the side of the drive. I hate pink but it was so beautiful you would have thought it was planned. Granted, the color rules for that bed happen to be pinks to purples but I don’t recall ever seeing such chromatic cooperation among the residents. It lost just a little magic when the bright orange nasturtiums bloomed, seeds of which some zombie tucked in the soil after the packet wound up floating in a liner on the potting bench. In a not so magnificent showing, yet brilliant in its simplicity, the reblooming iris ‘Kansas City’ had the grace to do what it doesn’t always get a chance to do. It rebloomed. And late in October, still before a frost, what a delight it was to enjoy the symphony of burgundies in the woodwinds of the seven-sons (Heptacodium miconioides), with its star-like raspberry calyxes that followed the tiny white flowers in September. Accompanying this shrub-like tree in its vibrancy were the rose burgundy stems and seed pods of the castor beans and the 8-inch feathers on the two Miscanthus ‘Morning Light.’ Even in the background, the burning bushes echoed those same rich magenta notes. And like cherries that top your favorite sundaes, the late-blooming cardinal vine flowers and the matching berries on the ever- dependable yews were the finishing touch. These things I will remember when the days are too gray to be just depressing, or the wind is howling so hard that the snow diligently refilling the just-shoveled paths is from two counties over, or the only shows on the telly are holiday specials, because these treasures are stored in my mind’s eye and my gardener’s heart. Nutcase Nursery wishes you a happy and fertile, weedless and wonderful New Year, plentiful beauty to remember and even more of it to see in the future. Master Gardener Greeter Needed Since the doors to the North Office Building are typically locked after 7 PM, a volunteer for the new position of “Greeter” is requested. This person would be positioned near the door to open it for latecomers. Used Book Sale Society members are invited to join Diane Rix of the Master Gardener Society of Oakland County Project Support Team in a Book Sale to be held 6pm, March 5 before the general meeting at the MSU Extension bldg. lower level classroom. Members are asked to donate their gently used gardening books by bringing them to the November 7th meeting where Diane will collect them in preparation for the sale in March. If everyone would donate just one book this would be a huge sale. The books will be sold at very, very reasonable prices. This is a wonderful opportunity to continue the fund-raising endeavors of the Project Support Team. All proceeds from the sale will be used to aid the Society’s fund-raising, education and grant activities. For more detail please contact Diane Rix at calrix1@comcast.net. 2008 Calendar January PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGES THIS MONTH - DUE TO HOLIDAYS Deadline for Roots & Shoots (Feb/Mar issue), includes calendar from Secretary and program schedule from Programs team leader for Feb/Mar/Apr Calendar Published for newsletter and website 10 Classes for New Master Gardeners 2 General Meeting: 6:30 p.m. Extension Office-basement classroom Education: Genesee County Rest Stop with Nancy Dillingham Soup Selection: Tomato & Cream of Chicken 28 Board Meeting 7:00 p.m. Extension Office (This is a date Change) Directories to be mailed out February Roots & Shoots mailing Calendar submissions for Mar/Apr/May due to Secretary Calendar Published for newsletter and website 6 General Meeting: 6:30 p.m. @ Extension Office-basement classroom Education: “Emily Dickinson's Garden” with Annick Hivert-Carthew Soup Selection: Pea & Stew March Deadline for Roots and Shoots (Apr/May issue), includes calendar from Secretary and program schedule from Programs team leader for Apr/May/Jun Calendar published for newsletter and website 5 General Meeting: 6:30 p.m. @ Extension Office-basement classroom Education: Clematis with Cheryl English Soup Selection: Broccoli Cheddar & Chili Used Book Sale sponsored by Project Support 8 MSUE-spring conference 17 Board Meeting: 7:00 p.m. Extension Office April Roots & Shoots mailing Calendar submissions for May/Jun/Jul due to Secretary Calendar published for newsletter and website General Meeting: 6:30 p.m. @ Bower’s Farm, Alternative School Bldg Education: “Tulips” 2 Soup Selection: Mushroom Barley & Minestrone Oakland Master Gardener Banquet May Deadline for Roots and Shoots ( Jun/Jul issue), includes calendar from Secretary and program schedule from Programs team leader for Jun/Jul/Aug Calendar published for newsletter and website Master Gardener Recognition Event 7 General Meeting: 6:30 p.m. at Bowers Farm, Alternative School Bldg Education: “Hydrangeas” with Joel from Goldner-Walsh Soup Selection: Asian 19 Board Meeting: 7:00 p.m. Extension Office June Roots & Shoots mailing Calendar submissions for Jul/Aug/Sep/Oct due to Secretary Calendar published for newsletter and website 4 General Meeting: 6:30 p.m. at Bowers Farm, Alternative School Bldg Education: Food: Hot and cold Tuna and Chicken Salads July Deadline for Roots and Shoots (Aug/Sep issue), includes calendar from Secretary and program schedule fro Programs team leader for Aug/Sep/Oct Calendar published for newsletter and website 2 General Meeting No Meeting-enjoy the summer Education: No meeting August Roots & Shoots mailing Calendar submissions for Sep/Oct/Nov due to Secretary Calendar published for newsletter and website 6 General Meeting: 6:30 p.m. at Bower’s Farm, Alternative School Bldg Education: Food: Salad Bar 18 Board Meeting 7:00 p.m. Extension Office September Deadline for Roots and Shoots (Oct/Nov issue), includes calendar from Secretary and program schedule from Programs team leader for Oct/Nov/Dec Calendar Published for newsletter and website 3 General Meeting: 6:30 p.m. at Bower’s Farm, Alternative School Bldg Education: Food: Salad Bar Nominations for Vice-President, Secretary and Team Admin. - 17 - October Roots & Shoots mailing Calendar submissions for Nov/Dec/Jan due to Secretary Calendar published for newsletter and website General Meeting: 6:30 p.m. at Bower’s Farm, Alternative School Bldg Education: 1 Soup: Harvest Vegetable and Squash Nominations for Vice-President, Secretary and Team Administrator closed at conclusion of meeting. Ballots mailed within 10 days. Membership renewals will be sent with ballots. 20 Board Meeting: 7:00 p.m. Extension Office November 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 5 General Meeting: 6:30 p.m. @ Extension Office-basement classroom Education: Soup: Pumpkin soup and Chili 17 Board Meeting: 7:00 p.m. Extension Office December Roots & Shoots mailing Calendar submissions for Jan/Feb/Mar due to Secretary Calendar published for newsletter and website 3 General Meeting: 6:30 p.m. Education: Holiday Potluck Society Membership applications and dues deadline — Submitted by Ruth Vrbensky New Appointment: Diane Rix as Corresponding Secretary When anyone hears of a death, birth, retirement, etc. of a fellow MG or their family member, contact Diane Rix at calrix1@comcast.net who will send out a card in the name of the MGSOOC. Some Information You Should Know MGSOOC Board Members (effective January 1, 2008) President: Tom Hershberger ………………..…. (586)573-3954 Vice President: John Grant……………………….(248)852-3758 Secretary: Ruth Vrbensky ……………………….(248)969-6904 Treasurer: Jean Gramlich …………………..….. (810)714-2343 Team Administrator: Susan McLarty ……… (248)673-8092 MSU Extension Oakland County Coordinator Advisor: Carol Lenchek ………………………… (248)858-0900 lenchekc@oakgov.com Team Coordinators Bowers Farm: Martha Humphrey mlhgrows@ameritech.net Project Support: Clay Ottoni ………….. ……..(248)454-9800 Hospitality: Pat Banaszek …………………. (586)677-2048 Membership: Tom Hershberger …………… (586)573-3954 Programs: John P. Humphrey ………….(248)542-8213 Trips & Tours: Sandie Parrott ………………..(248)394-1532 Web Site: Sheri Trout …..................... (248)328-0557 sheri@oaklandweb.com Corresponding Secretary: Diane Rix calrix1@comcast.net Web Site Address: www.mgsoc.org Currently Available Opportunities: Communications, Education, Project Support, Volunteer Activities Mission Statement It is the Master Gardener Society of Oakland County’s Mission to assist, enable, and encourage its members to use their horticultural knowledge and experience to help the people of their communities, enrich their lives through gardening and good gardening practices. Michigan State University Extension- Oakland County “Bringing Knowledge to Life” North Office Building, #26 East Office Hours: 1200 N. Telegraph Road Monday through Friday Pontiac, MI 48341 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Beverly Terry…248-858-0885 Carol Lenchek…248-858-0900 County Extension Director Master Gardener Program Coordinator E-Mail: terryb@oakgov.com E-Mail: lenchekc@oakgov.com Mary Wilson…248-858-0887 Linda Smith…248-858-0887 Horticulture Educator Horticulture Secretary E-Mail: wilsonm1@msu.edu E-Mail: smithlin@oakgov.com Yard & Garden Hotline…248-858-0902 Cathy Morris….248-858-1639 Charlene Molnar, Horticulture Advisor Clerk & Contact for Certification Hours of operation vary with seasonal needs. Of Volunteer & Education Hours E-mail: morrisc@oakgov.com Food Safety Hotline…248-858-0904 Robin Danto, Extension Educator 4-H Youth Programs…248-858-0905 Water Quality Education…248-858-5198 Tom Schneider, Extension Educator Bindu Bhakta, Extension Educator Lois Thieleke….248-858-0888 Children, Youth & Family…248-452-9726 Extension Educator- Food & Nutrition Saneya Hamler, Extension Educator 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 newsletter. Roots & Shoots is a joint publication of MSU Extension-Oakland County and Master Gardener Society of Oakland County. Submit articles for publication by suggested deadlines below. January 1 for February/March Issue March 1 for April/May Issue May 1 for June/July Issue July 1 for August/September Issue September 1 for October/November Issue November 1 for December/January Issue Effective January 6, 2006, postal rates are increasing. With this in mind, if you have Internet access we encourage you to read Roots & Shoots online at the Master Gardener Society website www.mgsoc.org. 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.