News for Delaware County Master Gardeners

Vol. 11 No. 3 March 2006

I spent a week of the short month of February in Antigua, had a great time in a beautiful place. Consequently, the month really went by quickly! We have, as of March 1, 103 registrations for our Home Gardeners' School. We are well ahead of last year's registrations for this date. If you are intending to register, but haven't, please don't wait too late. If you have door prizes to donate, bring them to the March 21st meeting, or to the office.

First quarter hours are due at the end of March. If you wish to enter them on line, the address is on your new membership directory. If you have any problems accessing the site, please let me know.

The Speakers' Bureau is getting more and more popular. Joe Daniels and Jesse Crew are the co-chairs. Please contact them if you are available to assist with any of the presentations. Thanks to those members of the committee who have agreed to present at the many sites that have been scheduled.

Hortline is now operating two mornings a week. We have a very enthusiastic group of new members signed up for March and April shifts, but need some veteran volunteers to work with them. Please email Liana Bauerle if you have any of those mornings free to help.

I have received some corrections and additions for the 2006 Membership List. Please make these changes.

We all have some aspect of our gardens/ properties that we habitually wring our hands and "crab" about. For me, it is deer and possibly dry shade but that can be dealt with easier than the former. As in life, nothing is perfect and this is quite the case in a garden. We should always be grateful for what we have since others might have it much worse, such as; deer, shade, black walnuts, rocky soil and bad neighbors! You get the picture. This is all leading to a great story about a little garden next to the Pemaquid Point Lighthouse in Maine.

When we were in Maine in January, I made my usual pilgrimage down to the Pemaquid Point Lighthouse but in all the times I went there I never read the sign regarding the "garden" next to the lighthouse. The story was a wonderful testament about what people will endure to garden and also to my surprise the author was a Master Gardener. Mary Stevens of Pemaquid Point researched the garden as part of her certification in 2000 for the Master Gardener program for Maine Cooperative Extension.

I will give you a summary of her research.

The Pemaquid Point Light was built in 1827 and from that date until 1934 a lighthouse keeper lived there. From the accounts found in books about lighthouse keepers and their families in Maine, one can assume that at least some of the keepers at Pemaquid had gardens. Because of the many tasks at a lighthouse, a flower garden would be small-not demanding an enormous amount of time and energy. A convenient place for a flower garden would be outside the back door-easy to get to, sheltered from the sea, and winds.

Quoted comments from some of the lightkeepers and their wives about their gardens.

"We couldn't grow food on Avery Rock because of the lack of soil, but something in me wanted some kind of growing thing at our home, some kind of life besides ourselves. So one day we took all the pails and boxes we could find and my washtubs and went to Chance's Island. I knew we could fill our containers with rich loam. Back on Avery, Elson (her husband) made a long box along the fence and I planted marigolds, geraniums, and petunias, all of which flourished. I was so proud of my garden!"

John F. Grant who tended the Matinicus Rock Lighthouse scraped together enough soil from the crevices to make a little patch of ground and he planted a flower garden- the beauty of which was noted far and near. Captains of steamers would lay abreast of the rock long enough for Captain Grant to put off a dory with a large bouquet from his garden, and the captain of the steamer would reciprocate with a bundle of newspapers.

"In the days when the keeper and his family lived on the rock (Mount Desert Rock), it was the custom each spring for the people on the mainland to carry bags of soil out to the lighthouse. They stuffed the soil into all the nooks and crannies of the rocks and then planted flower seeds so that, for a short time in the summer, the bleak rocky landscape would blossom out in patches of brilliant color. Every winter the wind would blow away all the sod, leaving nothing but bare rock again."

This garden is dedicated to the men and women who took care of the lighthouses in Maine. Their lives were filled with hard work, and with loneliness and isolation. Grappling with this loneliness and isolation, some of them turned to the beauty of flowers. Even though a few of them had to go to extra effort-importing soil yearly to make their gardens-these gardens brought a sense of calm and beauty to the stark landscapes where they lived. Even those who were not able to plant gardens, were often aware of wild flowers in their surroundings.

So the next time we lament some issue regarding a challenge in our gardens, think twice. At least we do not have to replace our soil every year and replant it!

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Volunteer Opportunities

Hazardous Waste Information Days will be held on May 6, June 3, Sept 16, Sept 29 from 9am-3pm.

Penn State College of Agriculture department of Pesticide Education and the Department of Environmental Protection are coordinating these events. We will need several teams of volunteers for each of the sites. Master Gardener volunteers will give out information to the residents who come to dispose of their hazardous materials. The information is provided by Penn State and DEP. We receive a donation for the Master Gardener organization of $120 for each of the days. If you are available and interested, please contact Linda at the MG office. We will also circulate a sign-up sheet at the monthly meeting.

The following sites and dates are scheduled:
May 6th Marple Transfer Station, Marpit Dr. & Sussex Blvd., Broomall
*June 3rd Emergency Services Training Center, 1700 Calcon Hook Road, Sharon Hill, Darby Twp.
September 16th Covanta of Delaware Valley, 2nd and Harwick Sts., City of Chester
*September 29th Rose Tree Park, N. Providence Road (Route #252), Media, Upper Providence Twp.

Friday, June 9th, 10 am - 1 pm
"Senior Expo" at Neumann College, sponsored by state senator Dominic Pileggi.
Master Gardeners will have an exhibitor table, and we would like to have a team of volunteers to represent us. The purpose of the expo is to inform senior citizens of the services available to them from state, federal and local providers. If you are interested, please contact Linda Barry.

Volunteers needed for the Home Gardeners' School

Registration packets have to be put together in preparation for the Home Gardeners' School. We need about eight of you to volunteer for this. Date is March 29 at 9:30am in the environmental center (our meeting room.) The coffee pot will be on. Please call Barbara Meahl at 610 328-9963 if you plan to come. (If there is a last minute snow storm and we have to postpone I'll let you know).

Bird House Making Workshop...

Where: Marcus Hook Library
When: March 30, 2006
Time: 6-8 PM
Who: Karen McLoughlin/master gardener
We just need some volunteers to help set up and be there for backup support.

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Dear Fellow MGs:

On Friday, February 3, 2006, the National Wildlife Federation celebrated its 70th anniversary as a US environmental organization dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and other natural resources. During this anniversary year, it is attempting to encourage homeowners and communities to establish their backyards or park areas as certifiable wildlife habitats, complete with a water source, a diverse food supply, and shelter for various creatures and the raising of their young. Their goal is 70,000 backyard habitats by the end of the year. They are currently close to 60,000. I think we as an organization and as individuals can help.

Alyce and I have discussed completing the paperwork necessary to establish our MG teaching gardens at Smedley as a certifiable backyard wildlife habitat at the community level (all it will cost is $15 for processing the application). We believe we have all the necessary components and with a little housecleaning, we will be able to take some nice pictures this spring to send in with the application. All of the required documents can be downloaded from the NWF website at www.nwf.org/backyardwildlifehabitat/.

As a homeowner, I believe I also have the required components. My back yard includes a bird bath and several bird feeders, which count for a water source and part of the food supply. I've planted a number of native woody and herbaceous species, including Arrowwood and Sassafras along with Purple Coneflower, Bee Balm, and Milkweed to encourage not only birds but also butterflies and bees. The greater the variety of species and growth forms of vegetation, the more wildlife species will be attracted.

The benefits of participating in this program are many:

1. the satisfaction of helping to encourage wildlife in your backyard and ensuring their survival;
2. an increased enjoyment of your home environment, one that is alive with more than just human beings and domestic pets; and
3. the opportunity to encourage your neighbors, friends, and relatives to create a wildlife habitat, as well. Furthermore, the NWF will also give you a certificate of achievement (suitable for framing), a lifetime subscription to its Habitats newsletter, an option to send a press release to your local newspaper to tell of your achievement, and the opportunity to buy a permanent NWF sign for your yard that designates it as a backyard wildlife habitat.

So, if you don't already have a designated NWF backyard habitat at your home, I hope you will consider helping this organization meet its goal of 70,000 by the end of 2006.
Kathy Hornberger, VP

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TURFGRASS WEBSITE UPDATE:

In the January newsletter, we printed a website for your turfgrass questions. There was a problem with our instructions, so try this:
Go to http://turfgrassmanagement.psu.edu/. When you get to that site, click on 'home lawns' on the right hand side.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

The July 18th monthly meeting will take place at Styers Garden Center in Concordville this year. The time is from 6:30 to 8 PM. They are giving us a 25% discount on all cash and carry items. So remember to attend and do some shopping. We are also allowed to bring family members to help us shop and buy also. Start saving that cash and pick up those plants you forgot to buy in the spring rush. The garden center will only be open to us that night, and remember they also have a brand new "Coffee Bar", come buy and socialize with your gardening friends.

DON'T FORGET TO CHECK YOUR FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER FOR IMPORTANT DATES THAT THE SPEAKERS BUREAU WILL BE IN YOUR AREA......STOP BY WITH YOUR SUPPORT AND HELP AND ADD SOME HOURS ON YOUR ALREADY GROWING NUMBER......REMEMBER YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME......Joe Daniels

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I Want The Unwanted…
By Elsie Mueller

I have a gardener's confession. I cheer for the underdog plant, those not wanted,. Some of my favorite garden dwellers are tagged as weed, or invasive or enemies. But I'm gushy about them. I can depend on them-because nature is trustworthy. They lift my spirit, empower my soul and connect me to life.

For instance, the beauty and nutritional benefits of the dandelion (Taraxacum officinalte) impress me. I side with those who label it as a herb. Why not? Every part of the lowly dandelion- from flower to root-is healthful.

My passion is for the leaves which I pick soon after they sprout in spring and toss them in a salad. Older leaves are delicious stir-friend with vegetables. As long as they come from a chemicalfree yard, these leaves are beneficial, high in Vitamins A, B and C, iron and phosphorous.

Every spring I'm thrilled to see those stunning golden flowers standing proudly in the lawn. Ever take a close look at the glorious color of the perfectly shaped pedals? Reportedly, flower heads are good dipped in batter and fried, or used to make dandelion wine. Have not tried either of these-yet.

The roots have a parsnip flavor and can be cooked. A powerful diuretic and blood purifier, they help the liver, gall bladder and kidneys cleanse toxins out of the body. T read the entire plant is good in soups and casseroles and the reward is your body that will get potassium and increased blood and lymph circulation. Who dares to call this super herb a weed?

Another underdog thriving in my garden will appear later this spring. This is the annual Perilla (Perilla Frutescens) which grows easily, adds color in the garden and can spice up many gourmet dishes imitating basil. Yet it is often rejected.

Fascinating purple foliage tinged with green and a metallic sheen lured me several years ago to sneak a plant from my neighbor's yard and transplant in mine. Talk about easy to grow. That one plant self-sowed the next year and multiplied extravagantly. Two to three fee high, this herb abounds in sun and part shade. For some gardeners this is reason to avoid it. So it requires thinning out, manageable with effortless pulls.

Perilla's tiny lavender flowers attract various butterflies all summer. In the fall they become browned seed heads attached to sturdy stems. I promote the prolific population because I allow them to winter over, except those which end up world. It's native habitat extends from the Himalayas of India through China, Korea and Japan. In China for centuries it provided oil, taken from the seeds, for medicines and cooking, and still does.

The Chinese call it bai su zi. They introduced it to the Japanese who adopted it heartily and grew it as shiso. How did it end up in Pennsylvania? Blame it on the Japanese who settled in the USA. They cultivated the green perilla for their sushi rolls, tempura butter and garnishes.

My variety is crispa considered more ornamental with ruffled leaves that start out green and turn purple in the summer. Other varieties include the purple aka-shiso and a spicier green leaved ao-shiso.

Eaten fresh, the picoteed perilla leaves hint of licorice, lemon, mint and I think, basil. Sometimes, clove and cinnamon flavors are mentioned. I treat myself to refreshing summer meals after tearing the washed leaves into last minutes of cooking to retain its oil.

Perilla plants were popular during the Victorian era and now can be bought in bunches at the area Asian markets, but trying growing your own-you may like it.

My gardening philosophy, not based on control and strict order is more like a saying attributed to Buddha: "If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly our whole life would change."

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A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO GET SOME UNUSUAL PLANTS

The Providence Garden Club of Pennsylvania will hold its 58th Annual Plant Sale on Saturday, May 6, at The Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades, 106 South Middletown Road (Route 352) Middletown Township from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

If you pre-order between April 1st and April 30th, you have an opportunity to come on Friday, May 5, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. where you can pick up your order and purchase additional plants for your garden. Order Forms will be available at the March meeting, the Home Gardeners' School or call Karen Barnes, Plant Sale Co-chair.

Providence Garden Club is working closely with local growers to offer many hard -to-find species of annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs. A selection of choice plants for containers is included in the sale. Be sure to mark your calendar for this date and plan to come early, as many varieties sell out early in the day.

Another feature of the sale is the opportunity to purchase a wonderful selection of time -tested perennials that come from the gardens of club members.If you are looking for reasonably priced plants that are sure to do well in your garden, then be sure to visit the "Hort Table," where you'll find these plants. As you know, the excitement of this sale is not only the unusual plants the club is able to order because of its long-term connections with suppliers, but also the special items that come from the gardens of club members. Two weeks in April are spent potting up those special plants that have been heeling in their gardens or are in need of division so you can choose plants that you know will thrive in your garden. Friends who are older and depend on the club to help with the division of the plants in their gardens also contribute wonderful selections. Members will also share some of the secrets for growing these plants.

If you have some perennials in your own garden that are in need of dividing and that you'd be interested in donating to the Providence Garden Club Sale, please call Sallie Anderson. Donations are tax deductible.

All proceeds of this sale benefit local non-profit organizations, including The Helen Kate Furness Library, The Thomas Leiper House, The Scott Arboretum, Tyler Arboretum and others.

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Master Gardener Apparel

We have had some requests from the class of 2005 for MG apparel items. We will have a larger selection of clothing items this time - including long and short sleeved denim shirts, polo shirts, tee shirts, cap, fleece vest, and sweatshirts. The order forms will be available at the March meeting.

Linvilla Orchards Flower Festival - Saturday and Sunday - April 29th and 30th, 11am - 4pm
May 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28 - 12 noon-3pm

Linvilla has asked us to set up an information table again this year. The first week-end is their Flower Festival. We have also been asked to be available during the week-ends in May to answer questions from customers shopping for plants. We will need several teams of volunteers for each day. Please contact Gordon Jungbluth or Linda Barry if you are interested in volunteering for any of these days.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

I'm looking for Master Gardeners interested in part-time garden work. I've a small business - In The Garden Design, Care & Workshops. We do design, installation, and maintenance mostly for residential ornamental gardens in Mt. Airy, Chestnut Hill, Center City, and Narberth. My approach is "environmentally harmonious," that is, organically oriented. Have just moved to Wayne and would like to expand the business there.

Candidate Qualities: dependable, energetic, and enthusiastic about gardening, willing to learn and/ or already skilled, flexible (time-wise, but body wise would be great too), strong, prompt, follows directions but also willing to offer ideas and suggestions.

We work individually and in pairs so having initiative and a sense of teamwork are helpful.
Hours part-time and flexible. Pay starts at $10/hr with opportunity for increase according to expertise and on-the-job performance. Starting April 3 or shortly thereafter.
Please contact me by email.
Charlotte Kidd, M.Ed.

Esbenshades Garden Centers will be overseeing the outside garden center at Boscov's in Granite Run Mall. They are looking for full-time and part-time sales associates as well as a manager for April-June. If you are interested you may contact Greg Minnich or Charles Kemberling or by e-mail.

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Hazardous Waste Project - Rick Johnson from Penn State, in collaboration with DEP, has need of volunteers to hand out hazardous waste material brochures to the public at various sites on 4 different dates. Two groups of 2 are needed for each of the 4 dates. Contact Linda Barry if you have interested in volunteering your time.

The Organic Way - Resource Guide for Organic Insect and Disease Management
Elsa Sánchez, Department of Horticulture, Penn State University

A new publication is available for organic growers and growers in transition to organic production, extension personnel, and farm advisors.

Resource Guide for Organic Insect and Disease Management contains information on cultural strategies and materials in compliance with the National Organic Standards based on published research for insect and disease management of vegetable crops. Crops included in the guide are brassicas, cucurbits, lettuce, solanaceous crops and sweet corn. The guide also contains color photographs of many insects and symptoms of diseases for these crops. Material fact sheets containing references and appendices are also included. The guide is available in its entirety online at http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/pp/resourceguide/index.php. Additionally, a limited number of copies are also available for purchase $5 plus $4 shipping and handling by contacting Gemma Osborne, NYSAES by mail at 630 W North Street, Geneva, NY 14456 or by e-mail gro2@cornell.edu or by telephone at cornell.edu

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