Master Gardener Update
August 2000
Tanana Valley Fair
Entry Information
Prez Sez:
Junior Vegetable Entry
Thursday, Aug. 3, 1-6 p.m.
Kiwanis Ag Hall
Our garden tour is scheduled for Sunday, July 30, starting from the University Park Building at 1:00 p.m. The tour is for Master Gardeners and
immediate family members and is not open to the general public. It will be
self conducted between 1:30 and 4:30 p.m., followed by a barbeque at the
Georgeson Botanical Garden at 5:00 p.m.
Adult Vegetable Entry
Tuesday, Aug. 8, 1-6 p.m.
Kiwanis Ag Hall
Final details will be available at University Park Building at 1:00 p.m. on
July 30.
Giant Cabbage Weigh-In
1st weigh-in:
Saturday, Aug. 5, 12-2 p.m.
Kiwanis Hall
2nd weigh-in:
Tuesday, Aug. 8, 4-6 p.m.
Kiwanis Hall
Classes continue at the Goergeson Botanical Garden. See the back page of
this newsletter to see a listing of August's classes. Call me at 452-1075 and
I'll sign you up to learn more about gardens, produce, and other interesting
related subjects. Brochures are available at the Extension Service office.
Nina Megyesi
MG President
(Both Giant Cabbage
weigh-ins are open to all
exhibitors, Adult AND
Junior.)
Land Resources Agent
Michele Hébert
Editor
Cindy Riddle
Design & Layout
Inside. . .
Dwarf Snapdragons ............. 2
Moose droppings fertilizer .. 2
Flower Farm Tour ................ 3
GBG Class schedule ............ 4
Mike Emers at his cut flower farm. Join us for a tour on August 14.
No endorsement of firms and products mentioned is intended, nor is criticism implied of those not mentioned in the Master Gardener Update.
Master Gardener Update, August 2000
Master
Page 2Gardener Update
Want to know about
pollinating and other
insects?
Dwarf Snapdragons—
A Popular Choice
Visit the web page developed by the Systematic
Entomology Laboratory.
You’ll find extensive information there about aphids,
bees, beetles, flies, scale
insects, wasps, and much
more. SEL scientists identify and classify insects and
maintain the national insect
collection at the U.S. National Museum of Natural
History in Washington, D.C.
Go to http://
www.sel.barc.usda.gov.
Snapdragons are favorite plants for many Alaskans. One of my
favorites is red rocket with its dark red flowers. A new choice on the
markets is dwarf varieties, which offer the spectacular color with a
shorter height. Instead of the 12 to 24 inches tall, the plants grow
from 6 to 10 inches. Varieties include Chimes and Bell.
Seeding
Sow seeds in a moist seedling mixture 6 weeks before the last
killing frost. Covered with plastic and place between 70-75˚F. This
temperature is found on top of the fridge. Light is not necessary for
germination. The seeds should germinate in 10 to 14 days. As soon
as the seeds have germinated, remove the plastic cover and place in
a cooler setting. Fertilize when the first set of true leaves appears.
Grow
Grow snapdragons in a well-drained site with good aeration. This
plant prefers a slightly acidic soil but will tolerate a higher pH found
in most flowerbeds. Deadhead or remove flowers when they start to
die.
Moose droppings as fertilizer
How deep to plant
asparagus?
In a 6-year study at the
Lincoln, Nebraska, Extension
Center, asparagus planted 2
inches deep moved to 4
inches deep six years later;
asparagus planted 8 inches
deep moved upward 2 inches
in the same period of time.
In Alaska planting depth
concerns are complicated by
cold soils. It is good to know
that asparagus will take care
of problems by themselves.
The asparagus will find their
own comfort zone.
Moose droppings have the following fertilizer value during the
months of May and June: Moisture 74%, nitrogen 2.5%, phosphate
(P2O5) 1.84%, Potash K2O, 1.2 % zinc 0.6%, calcium 1.6% and
magnesium 0.67%. Winter droppings have less than 50% of the
summer value.
It is important to remember that the moose “nuggets” you find in
the winter become “cow pies” during the summer months, which
makes collection more difficult.
Research has shown that manure will lose approximately 1/3 of its
fertilizer and organic matter value in three months. When exposed
to weather, ammonia gas washes away with the rain, phosphorous
is washed or drained away with the liquid portion, potassium is
either washed away or carried off in the urine, and organic matter is
rotted away.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service programs are available to all, without regard to race, color, age, sex, creed, national origin,
or disability and in accordance with all applicable federal laws. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in
cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Tony Nakazawa, Director, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Master Gardener Update, August 2000
Page 3
August Idea for
Gardening with
Kids
Write the name of kids on a
developing pumpkin with a
knife. The score will scab
over making the name more
obvious.
Storing carrots
Pick carrots as late in the
season as possible. Cut the
tops, leaving about an inch
of green. Let dry in the open
for one hour, then brush off
dirt. Pack side by side
standing up in a tub of clean
moist sand or sawdust. Do
not reuse sand or sawdust
from last year. These can be
put in the compost. Cover
with a moist towel and place
in storage between 32 and 40
degrees F.
How many insects
can a chickadee eat?
In a study by the Cornell
University chickadees ate
dozens of annoying insects.
Chickadees were titled the
“Most Beneficial Bird” for
gardeners. They will eat
more than a thousand aphids
a day.
2001 International
Master Gardener
Conference
May 28 - June 1, 2001
Orlando, Florida
Conference is being held during
the Epcot International Flower
and Garden Festival!
Everyone Is Invited
to...
Tour of
Rosie Creek
Perennial and Annual Flower Farm
August 14, 2000, 6:00–7:30 p.m.
Rosie Creek Farm is a small, locally owned farm at the confluence of
Rosie Creek and the Tanana River. It is owned and operated by Mike
and Joan. They provide and sell over 50 varieties of cut flowers in the
Fairbanks community. It operates on the principle of community
supported agriculture (CSA). Individuals subscribe to a weekly
bouquet throughout the growing season. In 2000 Mike had over 1000
potted perennials for sale.
Georgeson Botanical Classes for August, 2000
Interested in taking some classes? Call 452-1075 to pre-register and for further information
Using the Bounty of Your Culinary Herb Garden
Berry Blues, Wild Berry Foraging
Hand-Tied Bouquets for Adults
Bulbs and Tubers - Forcing and Overwintering
Cooking Up the Remains of Your Vegetable Garden
Cooking with Edible Flowers
Perennial Flowers for Fairbanks
What's That Ruining My Lawn?
Hand-Tied Bouquets for Children
Backyard Composting Workshop
A Natural Dyer's Workshop
How to Grow African Violets
Aug. 2, Wed.
Aug. 5, Sat.
Aug. 8, Tues.
Aug. 10, Thurs.
Aug. 15, Tues.
Aug. 16, Wed.
Aug. 17, Thurs.
Aug. 18, Fri.
Aug. 19, Sat.
Aug. 28, Mon.
Aug. 29, Tues.
Aug. 31, Thurs.
6:30-9:30 p.m.
10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
6:30-8:30 p.m.
7:00-9:00 p.m.
7:00-9:00 p.m.
6:30-9:30 p.m.
7:00-9:00 p.m.
6:30-8:30 p.m.
10:00-12:00 a.m.
7:00-9:00 p.m.
5:00-9:00 p.m.
7:00-9:00 p.m.
Official Business
Penalty For Private Use, $300
Alaska Cooperative Extension
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
University of Alaska Fairbanks
PO Box 756180
Fairbanks, Alaska 99775-6180
PRSRT STD
POSTAGE & FEES PAID
USDA
PERMIT No. G268