Metro Master Gardener™ Newsletter March 2015

Metro Master Gardener™ Newsletter
March 2015
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OSU Extension Service
Metro Master Gardener™ Program
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/mg/metro/
Serving Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington counties in the metro
area since 1976.
Mission Statement
We provide relevant, research-based education and outreach to
the public of Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington counties
about horticulture and household pests. This information
promotes sustainable practices that minimize risks to human
health and the environment.
The OSU Extension Master Gardening Program™ is funded in part
by Metro, the elected regional government for the 25 cities and
three counties in the Portland metropolitan area.
www.oregonmetro.gov/garden
Program Staff
Weston Miller - Horticulture Faculty
[email protected]
(503) 650-3124
Pukhraj Deol - Horticulture Faculty
[email protected]
(503) 821-1124
Table of Contents
Jordis Yost - Program Coordinator
[email protected]
(503) 650-3118
Fruit Propagation Fair………………………………….4
Page
Master Gardener team ………………...…...………2
Chapter Intern Picnics…………………………………4
Margaret Bayne - Admin. Program Specialist
[email protected]
(503) 650-3126
Opportunities from Jordis……………………………5
Jean Bremer - Editor
[email protected]
Natter’s Notes: Weed Image Database……….7
Newsletter Volunteer
Garden Calendar………………………....................9
Heidi Nichols - Proof Reader
Educational Events Calendar…………….…….…10
[email protected]
Mailing Address
Clackamas County Extension Service
200 Warner-Milne Rd
Oregon City OR 97045
Oregon Forest Pest Detector Program…….....6
Recent Media Outreach………………………………8
Clackamas County Chapter Page….………......11
Multnomah County Chapter Page………..…...12
Washington County Chapter Page………..……13
Master Gardener team newsletter
March 2015
Wow! February sure has been nice and warm in Western Oregon. It seems like
spring might be coming early… many plants are already starting to leaf out or
bloom at least two to three weeks early. So, it’s time to sharpen up those tools
and get mentally prepared for the gardening season. Here we go for another
year of garden activities and yard maintenance! Think of the satisfaction of
hands-on work and the relaxation from getting your hands in the dirt as
inspiration for your 2015 gardening season.
Also, we are rapidly approaching the Master Gardener outreach season. Please read the information
below for updates about the 2015 MG training and volunteer program.
Contents
1) Message for metro area MG community
2) Information for 2015 MG trainees
3) Information for existing MG volunteers
1) Message for metro area MG community
We are nearing completion of the 2015 MG training and the MG program team (Weston Miller,
Pukhraj Deol, Jordis Yost, and Margaret Bayne) would like to extend a special thank you to three
groups of people that make our training program possible:
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Our fabulous corps of instructors including: Claudia Groth, Jean Natter, Jen Aron, Monica Maggio,
Dave Stone, Chip Bubl, Carl Grimm, Margaret Bayne, and Jane Collier.
Class coordinators. Thank you! We have a great group of dedicated MGs that keep things going
and provide exceptional hospitality at our three class sites. They are really indispensable and we
just couldn’t keep everything running without their many talents. Special thanks to lead
coordinators:
Beaverton (Tuesdays)-Trina Studebaker, lead coordinator. Diana Evans-Baxter, Co-coordinator
Oregon City (Thursdays)-Cindy Manselle, lead coordinator
Multnomah (Saturdays)-Beven Peters, lead coordinator.
Clackamas and Washington County Master Gardener Associations (Chapters) for contributing
money to pay the rent at our training facilities in Oregon City and Beaverton, respectively. (The
Multnomah County site is rent free.)
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Office hours for MG program staff by appointment
Also, if any 2015 trainee or existing MG volunteer (veteran) needs help with horticulture content,
quizzes, final exam, technology or anything else, the MG team is available to help you as follows:
Clackamas- Margaret Bayne Email; Phone: 503-650-3126 at the Clackamas County Extension Office
located at 200 Warner-Milne Rd., Oregon City, OR 97045.
Multnomah- Weston Miller Email; Phone: 503-706-9193 at the Master Gardener office at West
Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District, 2701 NW Vaughn St., Suite 450, Portland, OR
97210.
Washington- Pukhraj Deol Email; Phone: 503-821-1150 and also at the Washington County
Extension office on March 9th and March 25th. MG trainees or vets can call Katie Johnson (503-8211112) to reserve a meeting slot to see Pukhraj regarding any questions you have about online learning
resources, quizzes, exams and CERVIS event registration system. 155 N. First Avenue, Suite 200,
MS#48, Hillsboro, OR 97124
2) Information for 2015 MG trainees
For people enrolled in the 2015 MG training and certificate programs,
here are some important details for you to consider as we wrap up the inperson part of the training:
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Make sure to finish the quizzes for the four required training modules
by March 31, 2015.
The final exam will be available after the resource fair on March 16.
There are 80+ questions and you should allocate three to five hours to
complete this online learning experience. You are able to stop and start the exam, so it does not all
have to be completed in one session. You must get an 80 percent on the test in order to start
volunteering at MG clinic activities. You will receive a grade on the exam upon submission via
Blackboard. We allow two attempts to make sure that you are able to successfully complete it.
For those enrolled in the MG Volunteer Educator (with volunteer service), please make sure to
attend class during Week six (March 10, 12, and 14) so that you can get oriented to our volunteer
program. Here are the basics of the volunteer program. To maximize your learning and help
identify the volunteer niche(s) that best meet(s) your needs, we recommend the following
distribution of volunteer activities:
 OSU-Sponsored activities: 12 hours phone clinics and 12 hours remote clinics. (Individuals
interested in making formal gardening presentations in the community can substitute hours
spent training/mentoring with our Gardening Speakers Guild for clinic hours.)
 Partner-sponsored activities: MG chapters - 3 hours plant sales, 10 hours demo gardens, 3
hours chapter support; Public gardens - 10 hours; other partners - 6 hours.
Please complete your 56 hours of documented volunteer service by September 30, 2015. We will
provide a form for you to submit hours to the MG program office. Keep a running log of your
hours as you volunteer your time.
You will have access to the online content until September 30, 2015.
Look for words of wisdom about your volunteer experience below in the “Opportunities from
Jordis” section of the newsletter.
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3) Information for existing MG volunteers
We hope that you are interested in continuing to learn and volunteer with the Master Gardener
program. Below are the yearly requirements to maintain your status as an “active” Master Gardener
volunteer:
• Submit 2 OSU forms yearly (Conditions of Volunteer Service; Master Gardener Position
Description)
• 10 hours of continuing education for recertification
• 20 hours of documented volunteer service. The 2015 Volunteer Log sheet can be found at
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/mg/metro/forms
If you have submitted the required volunteer forms above, you have received an email from us with
instructions on how you can access the online content and the workshop series that are part of the MG
training in 2015. These are both new opportunities for you to get continuing education credit for
recertification.
Also, there are many opportunities in the 2015 Seminar series (events hosted by MG chapters) to get
recertification credit. See the full schedule here:
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/mg/metro/2015-mg-program-seminar-series.
We are excited that the Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington county MG chapters have created
many rich educational opportunities through the seminar series. Enjoy!
2015 Fruit Propagation Fair
Sunday, March 22, 2015
10 am – 4 pm
Clackamas County
Fairgrounds, Canby, OR
www.homeorchardsociety.org
Are you ready for the 2015 Master Gardener Intern Potlucks?
Chapter potlucks
Clackamas County – March 9
Multnomah County – April 14
Washington County – April 7
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4) Opportunities from Jordis
503-650-3118 or [email protected]
Coming this month…
Better Living Show
March 28 - 29, 2015
Portland Expo Center - Portland, OR 97217
Portland's green home show - The Better Living Show. It’s the largest sustainable lifestyle event in the
Northwest. Admission is free. Nearly a hundred seminars, electric vehicles, vegan food, fashion shows, and
more. There are gardening and natural living presentations all day long…kid's activities too.Veteran MGs can
sign up for shifts on CERVIS.
Phone shifts at MG offices
Spring always brings an increase in activity in the phone offices. Look on CERVIS to see the shifts available
for all three offices. This is also a great time for veteran MGs to get to know the new class of 2015!
Phone shifts available on CERVIS. http://www.metromastergardeners.org/CERVISreg.php.
2015 Trainees complete their classroom training…
March starts with training still in session, but March 21 is the last class for the year. This
prospect brings excitement and some anxiety as the new trainees transition into intern
teaching roles and support activities.
The best advice for new trainees is to jump in and relish the experience. You will soon
find out how much you can learn and grow during your year as an intern MG. You will
gain both knowledge and confidence as you progress and, remember….you have a large
program to support you and make sure that you are having a positive experience.
Quote was found at:
https://www.pinterest.com/tomatodirt/gardening-quotes/
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We have several ways for you to get involved:
 Volunteer Opportunities listed on CERVIS (via our website http://www.metromastergardeners.org).
CERVIS is our online volunteer management system and is where you can sign yourself up for
shifts for OSU-Sponsored Activities such as MG phone clinics, farmers’ markets, and other events.
You will learn more about CERVIS and these activities during Week 6 of the in-person training.
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Contact the event coordinator directly. Contact information for event coordinators can be found in
your resource fair handouts from Week 6. Stay tuned!
The best way to complete your hours is to be proactive. Call about events that interest you…get on
multiple lists…sign up with a new friend from class and have some fun! There are a lot of exciting
and educational events coming up for new trainees and veterans. Watch the newsletter and emails for
volunteer opportunities that are in your neighborhood or area of interest. We have something for every
gardener.
Do you want to help protect Oregon’s trees from invasive species?
Become an Oregon Forest Pest Detector!
This new course covers two invasive insects that threaten both urban and natural forests in Oregon: the
emerald ash borer (EAB) and the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB). Neither of these invaders has been
found in Oregon, yet. In other parts of the U.S., these two insects combined have killed millions of
trees and they continue to spread across the country. We need people who are skilled in recognizing
the signs and symptoms of EAB and ALB so that we can quickly eliminate them before they become
established in Oregon. Master Gardeners who have an interest in trees or insects and who are willing
to provide this expertise within their county MG program are needed! The OFPD training will teach
you how to identify these insects, their hosts, and their signs and symptoms; as well as how to file a
report to the appropriate authorities if you suspect a tree is infested. The training is free and consists of
a short online course followed by a workshop on Friday, April 10th (9am-12pm) in St. Johns. The
program is offered through OSU Extension and counts towards Master Gardener recertification credits.
For more information and registration, please contact Brandy Saffell at
[email protected].
Photo Caption: Emerald ash borer (left) and Asian longhorned beetle (right).
Photo credits: Nature Serve and US Department of Agriculture
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Natter’s Notes
Weed image database
Jean R. Natter
Weed identification is a common task for Master Gardeners. More likely than not, someone on your shift will
have a suspicion as to the ID of the client-submitted sample. In any case, the next step is to verify the ID by
locating images that match what you have in hand. Our offices already have several books and publications in
the files which are helpful. (See resource list on page eight. But sometimes we MGs wish for additional
resources to verify identifications.
One source that has enough overlap with Oregon that it can prove useful to local Master Gardeners is the Weed
Gallery website from the University of California which contains images and identification tips for more than
150 weeds common in California.
Home page of the UC IPM Weed photo Gallery (http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/weeds_intro.html).
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If you think you know the name of the weed, you can immediately search the available images by clicking List
Of all Weeds near the top of the page. Or, if you don’t know what the weed is, begin your search by clicking the
link to the appropriate group of plants: broadleaf; grass; sedge; or aquatic.
Let’s say you have a broadleaf weed to identify:
1. On the home page, click the link “Broadleaf List.” (http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/weeds_intro.html)
2. On the next page, click the link “Identification” to further sort your list by “Leaf Characteristic” or “Plant
Form.” Select the matching character (or plant form) to see possible matches.
3. Once you locate the image of a tentative match, click it to see multiple images of the plant’s life cycle as well
as descriptions of its habitat, flowers, seed, and similar plants.
Right now, you should probably check out the page on little bittercress (Cardamine species) as it’s certain to
appear in the MG office repeatedly over the next several weeks. In our region, this cool-season weed is most
abundant during late winter through spring but can sprout, grow, and bloom any time of year.
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/WEEDS/bittercress.html
At my place, I now have more than enough of the ubiquitous annual bluegrass (Poa annua;
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/WEEDS/annual_bluegrass.html) and seedlings of willowherb (Epilobium
species; http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/WEEDS/willowherbs.html) currently with healthy cotyledons – just
four glossy true leaves.
You can access this helpful Weed Gallery any time you’re on the UC IPM web site via this link
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/weeds_intro.html.
Additional resources:
- PNW Weed Image Gallery http://uspest.org/pnw/weedimages?weeds/id/index.html
- Weed Science Society of America http://wssa.net/weed/weed-identification/
- Pacific Northwest's Least Wanted List: Invasive Weed Identification and Management (EC 1563)
https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/files/project/pdf/ec1563.pdf
- Biology and Management of Knotweeds in Oregon: A Guide for Gardeners and Small-Acreage Landowners
(EC 9031) https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/files/project/pdf/em9031.pdf
- Perennial Weed Biology and Management (EC 8766)
https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/files/project/pdf/em8776.pdf
- Weeds of the West (9th edition; ISBN 0-941570-13-4) Organized by plant family.
- Weeds of California and Other Western States (University of California; publication 3488; ISBN-13: 978-1879906-69-3) An extensive two-volume set organized by plant family.
Recent media outreach
Here are Weston Miller’s recent media contacts including:
AM Northwest on KATU Television
 March 2, 2015 Spring into Gardening
 February 2, 2015 End of Winter Gardening
 January 5, 2015 Top Five Gardening Mistakes
Grow PDX on XRAY.FM Radio
Grow PDX is a show focusing on horticulture, urban gardening, community food systems and agriculture. This
call-in show is hosted by Weston Miller, Community and Urban Horticulturist. Listen in to get the real dirt!
Podcasts are posted for two week after each show. Show’s currently posted include:
 February 25, 2015- Vertebrates pests and wildlife with guest Chip Bubl, OSU Extension Service
 February 18, 2015- OSU Small Farms program and niche meat marketing- Lauren Gwin, OSU Small Farms
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March Garden Calendar
Sustainable gardening
The Oregon State University Extension Service encourages sustainable gardening practices.
Preventive pest management is emphasized over reactive pest control. Identify and monitor problems before
acting and opt for the least toxic approach that will remedy the problem. The conservation of biological control
agents (predators, parasitoids) should be favored over chemical controls.
Use chemical controls only when necessary and only after thoroughly reading the pesticide label. First consider
cultural, then physical and biological controls. Choose the least-toxic options (insecticidal soaps, horticultural
oils, botanical insecticides, and organic and synthetic pesticides — when used judiciously).
Planning
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Plan your vegetable garden carefully for spring, summer, and fall vegetables that can be eaten fresh or
preserved. If you lack in-ground gardening space, plan an outdoor container garden.
Use a soil thermometer to help you know when to plant vegetables. Some cool season crops (onions,
kale, lettuce, and spinach) can be planted when the soil is consistently at or above 40 degrees Farenheit.
Maintenance and Clean Up
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Lawn mowing: Set blade at 0.75 to 1 inch for bentgrass lawns;
1.5 to 2.5 inches for bluegrasses, fine fescues, and ryegrasses.
Compost grass clippings and yard waste, except for clippings
from lawns where weed-and-feed products or herbicides (weed
killers) have been used.
Spread compost over garden and landscape areas.
Prune gooseberries and currants; fertilize with manure or a
complete fertilizer.
Fertilize evergreen shrubs and trees, only if needed. If
established and healthy, their nutrient needs should be minimal.
If needed, fertilize rhododendrons, camellias, and azaleas with acid-type fertilizer. If established and
healthy, their nutrient needs should be minimal.
Western Oregon: Prune spring-flowering shrubs after blossoms fade.
Western Oregon: Fertilize caneberries using band fertilizer, broadcast fertilizer or a complete fertilizer
or manure.
Planting/Propagation
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Divide hosta, daylilies, and mums.
Use stored scion wood to graft fruit and ornamental trees.
Plant insectary plants (e.g. Alyssum, Phacelia, coriander, candytuft, sunflower, yarrow, and dill) to
attract beneficial insects to the garden. For more information, see Encouraging Beneficial Insects in
Your Garden (PNW550).
Central Oregon: Sow chard seeds outdoors. Plant seed flats of cole crops (cabbage,
cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts) indoors or in a greenhouse.
Western Oregon: If soil is dry enough, prepare vegetable garden and plant early coolseason crops (carrots, beets, broccoli, leeks, parsley, chives, rhubarb, peas, and
radishes). Plant onions outdoors as soon as the soil is dry enough to work.
Western Oregon: Plant berry crops (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries,
blackberries, currants, gooseberries, and other berry-producing crop plants). See OSU
Extension publications for berry varieties.
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Pest Monitoring and Management
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Spray trees and shrubs for webworms and leafrollers, if present.
Protect new plant growth from slugs. Least toxic management options include
barriers and traps. Baits are also available for slug control; use with caution
around pets. Read and follow all label directions prior to using baits or any
other chemical control.
Learn to identify the predatory insects that can help keep aphids and other pests
under control.
Spray to control leaf and twig fungus diseases in dogwood, sycamore, hawthorn, and willow trees.
Prune ornamentals for air circulation and to help prevent fungus diseases.
Western Oregon: Start rose blackspot control tactics at budbreak. Control rose diseases such as black
spot. Remove infected leaves. Spray as necessary with registered fungicide.
Western Oregon: Monitor for European crane fly and treat lawns if damage has been verified.
Monitor landscape plants for problems. Don't treat unless a problem is identified.
Houseplants and Indoor Gardening
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Trim or shear heather when bloom period is finished.
Start tuberous begonias indoors.
Western Oregon: Take geraniums, begonias, and fuchsias from storage. Water and fertilize. Cut back if
necessary. Move outdoors next month.
Educational Events Calendar
We have set up an events calendar through OSU such that we can post educational events sponsored by the
MG program and MG chapters. There are numerous links to the calendar system from the website. All MG
trainings classes, workshops, seminars, chapter meetings, plants sales, etc. for the season will be posted here.
Please note: This calendar is for educational events sponsored by OSU Extension Service and Master
Gardener chapters in Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Counties. These events should be educational
in nature (in-person classes, workshops, seminars) and be open to all Master Gardener volunteers and the
general public. Volunteer opportunities are not posted here, but in CERVIS.
For 2015, we are producing a series of workshops for new trainees through the course of the gardening
season. These events will also be available for existing MG volunteers and the general public. Registration
for these groups will begin on February 15, 2015.
Volunteers are able to post events pending approval from the MG program team here:
http://calendar.oregonstate.edu/metro-gardening/submit/
We hope that this calendar system will make it easier for you to find educational events focused on
horticulture and gardening. We clearly designate events that count for MG program education credit
for new trainees and existing MG volunteers.
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March 2015
Clackamas County Master Gardener Association™
in Cooperation with OSU Extension Service Master Gardener™ Program
Chapter Meeting
April Program
Monday, March 9, 2015 at 7 p.m.
Milwaukie Center, 5440 SE Kellogg Creek Dr., Milwaukie
Irises Demystified: Chad Harris mtpleasantiris.com
All plants do better in an environment that suits their needs.
Irises are no different. Bearded irises
tend to be less demanding in their
requirements, but different classes
and varieties can need distinct care.
Specializing in wet-land-loving iris
of Asia, Mt. Pleasant Iris Farm also
grows other iris species and garden
test many newer bearded iris that require less water.
Currently he and a handful of hybridizers worldwide are
using Iris ensata to create a new iris hybrid that is longer
blooming and more tolerant of cultural needs. *MG
Education credit
Potluck & Resource Fair
Monday, March 9, 2015 at 6 p.m.
Potluck at 6:00: This meeting will be our annual potluck
welcoming the 2015 Interns to the Chapter. Take some
time to meet our new members, and visit with old friends.
* Veterans, please bring your favorite dish to pass, and
your plate and silverware. The potluck will begin at 6:00
followed by the program.
Resource Fair: The Chapter Resource Fair will be held
before and after the meeting as well as during the break.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about chapter activities
Monday, April 13, 2015
The Challenge of Weeds: Chip Bubl *MG Education credit
This weed presentation will cover identification and
management of some of the more challenging garden
and home landscape weeds; a look at the effectiveness of
organic herbicides; and a brief discussion of ornamental
plants that wander too easily.
Chip has been an agricultural Extension agent with Oregon
State University for over 30 years. His areas of interest
include horticultural crops/landscape and invasive weed
management, vegetable production, and vertebrate pest
management. He has taught in the MG program since the
mid 1980’s.
Green Glove Award
Linda Nash, class of 2009, is our March Green Glove
Award winner. Linda is being honored for her work as a
class coordinator during MG training, the time she has
spent in the Grow an Extra Row gardens and for hours
logged at the phone clinic. Thank you for all you do, Linda!
Spring Garden Fair - May 2 & 3, 2015
It’s time for Spring Garden Fair online sign ups! You are
cordially invited to volunteer (with free admittance!) and
otherwise enjoy this exciting Clackamas County Master
Gardener event at the Canby Fairgrounds. Use the link
below to find the new and improved form via Cognito forms
secure site: SGF online sign ups. You can find a list of this
year’s jobs on our volunteers webpage:
www.cmastergardeners.org/SGF_Volunteer_Page.htm.
Please email your volunteer coordinators if you have any
questions: email : [email protected]
Garden Discovery Day, March 7, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Milwaukie Center
Free pH soil testing and Garden clinic! Tell your friends and neighbors and we will see you there!
Classroom A
9:00 Lawn Care
9:30 Mason Bees
10:00 Attracting Pollinators
10:30 Bugs
11:00 Early-Season Vegetables
11:30 Blueberries
Classroom B
Starting a Vegetable Garden
Slugs & Snails
Containers
Raised Beds
Weeds
Pruning
Displays on:
• Managing Moles
•
•
•
•
•
Managing Gophers
Gardening with Compost
Vegetable Gardening
Sheet Mulching
Bugs
* all sessions count as MG Education Credit towards your annual recertification
March 2015
Speaker Series
Tuesday, March 10,
7:00pm
Multnomah County Grapevine
In cooperati on with the OSU Extension Service Master Gardener Program
Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church
5441 SE Belmont Street,
Portland
Speaker: Gail Langellotto,
statewide coordinator, OSU
Master Gardener Program
Topic: “Sex on Six Legs”
Coming next month...
Tuesday, April 14, 6:00pm
“Welcome Potluck for 2015
Sex on Six Legs
Insects are capable of highly complex
courting, mating and parenting behaviors,
MG trainees”
despite having a collection of neurons in
place of a brain. Nuptial gifts, maternal
An evening to celebrate and
welcome the new 2015 class of care, male ornaments as honest advertisers
MGs.
of health and fitness, female choice and
Keynote Speaker: Riz Reyes, even traumatic insemination: insect sex is
“Travels of a
stranger than you could imagine!
Young Gardener”
Statewide Master Gardener CoordinaJourney near and far through
tor Gail Langellotto will enlighten us
the eyes of a young plant nerd.
about the natural world of insects with her
program “Sex on Six Legs”.
Our New Website
Photo
by Kev
in Mat
teson
Get Ready...for the Incredible Edibles Plant Sale!
It‟s a new year and we have a
fresh new website. Our site
offers a sleek design, great
reliable gardening information
and gorgeous photography that
should encourage everyone to
limit „screen-time‟, get out,
„Dig in, and grow‟!
With our new website we
strive to engage, inform, and
inspire Master Gardeners and
ALL who are interested in
gardening. Take a look around
and spread the word to friends
and family about this great new
resource for gardeners. Check
it out:
www.multnomahmaster
gardeners.org
It‟s time to envision your kitchen garden...harvesting fresh, nutritious, just-picked
produce for your table! Embrace homegrown goodness at the Multnomah County
Master Gardeners‟ Incredible Edibles Plant Sale on Saturday, May 2nd, 10am to
4pm, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, NE Hancock Street, between 16th
and 17th Avenue.
This will be your opportunity to buy organic herb and veggie starts for your home
garden, so you can harvest a nutritious bounty for your table!
Our grower will be delivering truckloads of premium veggie starts. You‟ll find both
heirlooms and hybrids among our proven varieties of tomatoes, cukes, peppers, eggplants, squash, greens, lettuces, herbs and more! Come early to get your favorites!
Get all the Incredible details at: www.multnomahmastergardeners.org/edibles
Chapter Website—www.multnomahmastergardeners.org
Chapter Email—[email protected]
Grapevine Editor—Lorna Schilling (503)334-5162, [email protected]
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Chapter Chat
Washington County Master Gardener Association in cooperation with
OSU Extension Service Master Gardener Program
MARCH 2015
Upcoming Chapter Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
6:30 social time, 6:45 meeting, 7:15 program.
First Baptist Church,
5755 SW Erickson, Beaverton.
Public always welcome!
TOPIC: Introduction to
Horticulture and Taxonomy
PRESENTER: Marilyn Alexander
PCC Landscape Instructor
Marilyn's early years found her working in
a wholesale greenhouse as she completed
her Bachelor of Science in Horticulture
from Washington State University. After
graduation, she gained practical experience
in nurseries, florists, and landscape
design...and most importantly raising her
two children. She has recently retired from
a full time 11 year position as a Landscape
Technology instructor at Portland
Community College. As a dedicated
educator, she hopes to continue part–time
teaching in landscape design. Designing
landscapes for clients in the greater
Portland area and volunteering for
landscape design organizations such as
APLD and ANLD. And, of course,
essential to her life will be time to have fun
in the garden, enjoy the great outdoors,
create beauty through textiles, and savor
moments with family and friends.
*MG Recertification program

Weed it and reap.
~Garden Saying

MARCH “In the Garden” Series Classes
(DG = Demo Garden Fairplex Hillsboro LG = Learning Garden Jenkins Beaverton)
March 4: (Wed, 9:30 am - DG) Be Water-wise with Irrigation - Loren Radford
March 11: (Wed, 9:30 am - DG) Seed starting – Daisey Parquet
March 12: (Thurs, 10 am - LG) Caring for Your Perennial Garden –M. Strohecker
March 18: (Wed, 9:30 am - DG) Bees in Your Backyard & Gardening for Bees Jerry Maasdam/Bob Falconer
March 21: (Sat, 10 am - LG) Pollinating With Mason Bees –Ron Spendal
March 26: (Thurs, 10 am - LG) Improving Garden Soil - Dr. Pukhraj Deol
March 31: (Tues, 9:30 am -DG) Ornamental Pruning: The Reaction to the Action
-Lyle Feilmeir
My green thumb came only as a
result of the mistakes I made
while learning to see things
from the plant's point of view.
~H. Fred Dale
How YOU can help the WCMGA:
Plant Sale –Keep those plant donations coming!! Bring them to the First
Baptist Church parking lot before the chapter meeting. Also, during March, we
take donations at the Fairplex demo garden in Hillsboro on Wed’s 9:30 – 12.
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In our Gardens!
Fairplex Demo Garden (DG)
Join us for MARCH work parties Wednesdays 9am-noon
Demo Garden garage sale, March 11, starts at 10 am. Excess items from the
demo garden offered to WCMGA members, on a ‘make an offer system’. We
plan to have a video of items available for viewing, before the garage sale.
Help needed pre-planning the Washington County Fair demo garden
experience. Contact Bill Klug, [email protected] 503 681-0143
Learning Garden (LG) Jenkins Estate – 8005 SW Grabhorn, 97007
Join us for work parties Thursdays 10 am – 1 pm
ANNOUNCING a contest to name the two main Learning Garden
gravel paths. Get creative! Become infamous! Winner(s) get a gift
certificate. Submit entries to [email protected] by April 1. A
subgroup will review and select winning entries. MGs and public
welcome to participate. Winners announced at April chapter meeting.
WCMGA Contacts: website: www.metromastergardeners.org
● ● ●
President Sue Ryburn (503)591-5247 [email protected]
Chapter Chat editor Sandy Japely (503) 644-2637 [email protected]
March 2015
MASTER GARDENER™ NEWSLETTER
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