October has given us a beautiful fall foliage show. I hope you’ve been able to get out and enjoy the wonderful colors. Now we can look forward to collecting all of those leaves for our compost areas!

Fall is also the time to begin planning for the new year. We will need any address, email, or telephone changes for the 2009 Membership Directory. Please be sure to have all volunteer hours and educational update hours recorded. If you are requesting inactive status for 2009, let me know as soon as possible. Check the 2008 list and mail or email me the changes that should be made. We are also preparing our Volunteer Opportunities listing for next year.

Committee chairs should send any changes in the committee descriptions to Marty Roelandt. New committees will require a brief description of the project, meeting times and name of chairperson. The deadline for these additions and changes is December 1st.

Master Gardener apparel orders should be given to Holly Thorpe. Ordering deadline has been extended until our November 18th general meeting..

We have once again been awarded with a $1,000 US Airways Gift Card. The card is valid for travel anywhere in the US Airways route system. Four tickets for the door prize drawing have been included in this mailing. If you need additional tickets, they are available at the office. The card was donated on behalf of Tracey Carson in conjunction with the US Airways “Flights for 50” program. The program recognizes US Airways employees for contributing at least 50 volunteer hours in a calendar year to a nonprofit organization. This has been a very profitable fund-raiser for us for the last two years. The card will be awarded at the Holiday Party on December 7th. Many thanks to Tracey for her contributions to the Master Gardener program.

You also have an invitation to the Holiday Party in this mailing. You are welcome to bring a guest to the party. We will award certificates for new members, certificates for volunteer time in multiples of 500 hours, and 10 and 15 year membership pins at the party. Hope Jones-Gary and the Social Committee ask that you send your RSVP by November 21st.

The gardening season is coming to an end, as is the year 2008. Even though my term as MG President is also soon to be over, my commitment to this organization is not.

One issue I am thankful for having the opportunity to talk about is that of exotic invasive plants. Proliferation of non-native plants (and other kinds of organisms) is the second (after habitat destruction) leading cause of native species decline and extinction. It is vital that our organization continue to make every effort to educate our families, friends, neighbors, community members, and legislators at all levels about the harm these organisms pose to our native plants and landscapes, and to encourage their eradication and replanting with native species.

This initiative can benefit from partnership with other Delaware County institutions. I have obtained permission from the president of the Delaware County Institute of Science in Media, as well as verbal support from several other DCIS board members, to hold workshops at the Institute starting in spring 2009 to educate the public about exotic invasive plants. A former student of mine from Widener has agreed to help me collect and prepare herbarium specimens as teaching tools, to be housed at the Institute. MGs are welcome to assist with the workshops and “field work” days that will provide hands-on experience for recognition of invasives and proper eradication methods. Please let me know if you are interested.

Removing invasive exotic species needs to be added to the list of chores for MGs when they gather at Smedley for garden maintenance sessions (including April work nights). Removal particularly of perennial exotic invasives such as English ivy, oriental bittersweet, periwinkle, multiflora rose and Japanese honeysuckle in our teaching gardens and especially around the Environmental Center will show the public attending our programs that we practice what we preach.

For those of you who have spent years trying to remove exotics from your own properties or from local stream banks or park lands in assisting non-profit organizations, you know it won’t be easy, nor will it happen overnight. But it is necessary if we are going to preserve any semblance of the forests and fields that were here before Europeans arrived. Furthermore, with time, dedication, and a spirit of determination the Master Gardeners of Delaware County can make a difference in the landscape of Smedley Park by promoting the use of native plants in our teaching gardens and removing exotic invasives in the area.

Best Wishes for a Joyous Holiday Season !!!

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Smart Flower Bulbs...by Joe Daniels

Its breaking news----at least to gardeners: Spring bulbs may be smarter than we are...and I'm sure we can all relate to that at times!  Apparently some spring bulbs including tulips and lilies have the ability to adjust themselves to the correct depth if planted at a depth that is too shallow (aka human error).....of course that has never happened to any of us.
 
The ability of plants to survive never ceases to amaze me. According to this article in Science Daily, a recent study published in the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science proved that bulbs can adjust their planting position by moving deeper into the ground, apparently in search of moister, more conducive growing conditions. They do this through the use of contractile roots that actually move the bulbs deeper into the soil.  They do this in response to light perceived by the bulb.
 
In the article, Dr. A. Carl Leopold, William H. Crocker Scientist Emeritus at the Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research at Cornell University, says that movement of the bulb in the soil is achieved by a hydraulic shift in cortical cells and is evidenced by the presence of epidermal wrinkles (sounds like I need to do some research to find out what that means).
 
Unfortunately for us as gardeners, the converse is not true. If bulbs are planted too deep, more than 15 cm or about 6 inches, they will not move to a shallower depth.  So remember when planting bulbs, planting shallow is better than deeper...unless you enjoy digging deep holes...I've done that a few times, and it was hard to get out of them.

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Hints from Delilah
 
 When plants look anemic mix one tablespoon of cider vinegar in one gallon of water and use it to water your houseplants, as it makes nutrients more available to the plants.

White vinegar and water in equal parts can be swabbed on mealy bugs to remove them from plant leaves.

  Using a little powdered gelatin around your houseplants helps to retain moisture in the soil and the sugar in the gelatin feeds the microbes in the soil to feed the plants. Also, if your club soda goes flat, feed your house plants with it. The minerals in it are good for the plants. Dried, crumbled egg shells add calcium to the soil.

Apply milk to plant leaves to make them shiny.
 
Many communities do not collect some numbers of plastic containers for recycling. One M.G. checks each of her purchases to make sure that the number on it is one collected by her community.

Packing peanuts give many of us headaches. They can be placed in plastic bags and used in the bottom of large planters to elevate plants that do not need the full depth of the pot. This also contains the peanuts for later disposal. Some peanuts are made from corn waste and are biodegradable. To determine whether it is a corn product, or not, place one in some water and let it sit for a while. If it dissolves, or at least softens, it is a corn product. Some people can tell the difference by touch.

If you have not finished planting your spring bulbs, do so soon. Plant them with some bulb food in the planting hole or for established bed, sprinkle some on the soil around the bed, scratch it in and water them well. Water all newly planted trees, shrubs and perennials to help them winter over.
 
Spring catalogs will be coming soon, so take a cup of tea and dream on.

   
In January you have a chance to select a different volunteer project. Consider working with children to teach them the joys of gardening. At Main Street School in Upland there a large area of flowers and a small vegetable garden. Help is needed in early spring to plant and less help in the summer to maintain weeding, watering and deadheading. Any help you would give would be greatly appreciated if only four times during the summer. We meet once weekly, on Wednesday, from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. In the summer we meet at 10: to 12: noon. The children range from 3rd to 5th grade.

Earth Notes
by Marion Yaglinski

When we weren’t looking, PSU went green in a big way. Now the MG Environmental Stewardship Committee is working hard to catch up! We have a multitude of projects in the works.

Since one of the Committee’s responsibilities is to be a resource for MGs, we prepared a survey to find out what information you needed. We asked--you spoke—we listened. And now we’re busy planning various types of educational opportunities based on your requests.

The big three were (1) environmentally friendly lawn care, (2) native plants and invasive plants (tied for second place) and (3) sustainable gardening. Biodegradable products and xeriscaping were a close fourth and fifth place request. We’ll be addressing those requests in the future. In the meantime, ask me for information.

Some MGs requested information on PSU’s environmental initiatives, so here are some web sites to get you started while we’re busy preparing other info for you.

PSU’s Center for Sustainability
Describes Penn State’s environmental strategies and processes. Includes updates and general information about what Penn State is doing to build a more sustainable future.
http://www.cfs.psu.edu/.

PSU Focus the Nation Event
Did you know that PSU is a leader in climate research? Check out Penn State’s national event (offered yearly) that features global warming solutions for America.
http://www.pennstatefocusthenation.org/

Penn State Extension Renewable and Alternative Energy
Offers online information about understanding energy usage, conserving energy, and choosing energy alternatives.
http://energy.extension.psu.edu

ES Committee Tip of the Month

Conserving energy is not only good for the environment, it also saves you money. The best place to start is with an energy audit of your home. You can do it yourself or hire a professional energy auditor. For more information, check out the EPA’s Energy Star web site at http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_improvement.hm_improvement_audits

To watch a video and learn how an energy audit is done, go to http://www.savewithces.com/What%20is%20a%20CES%20Energy%20Audit%20-%20Video.html

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Words To Weed Through…
By Tracey L. Carson

The Master Gardener “organization” is a pool of talent-filled volunteers that are always worker-bee busy creating and trekking new paths to making the world a greener place.

The Master Gardener “group” is an eclectic bunch of delightful gardeners sharing green thumb information, wisdom, and even lore with each other, and with those that are still a little garden-green behind the ears.

The Master Gardener “family” is a priceless collection of the most sincere, nurturing, caring, and compassionate people that were ever put on God’s green earth.

There are not a million words that could describe the level of pride I experience in being a member of this organization.

There are not a billion words that could fully express the everyday joy I feel about being a member of this group.

But for the cards, gifts, phone calls, emails, and most importantly the prayers that have been showered upon me as a member of this family going through a recent tragedy, there are two words that I have for all of you. They come from the deepest part of my heart.

THANK YOU!!!

The fire may have knocked me down, but with all of you in my corner it was unable to knock me out. Because of all of you, I am going to be absolutely fine!

Attention Master Gardeners!
Help is needed at the Grange in Havertown on Saturday December 6th at 10:00 AM
 
The Grange has been kind enough to offer us free choice on their property to prune greens for our wreath making workshop.

We will meet at the Grange at 10:00 on December 6th to prune. We will then transport our bounty back to Smedley.

As you know it is a challenge to have enough greens every year for both workshops. This is NOT a replacement for trimming and bringing greens from your own properties, but rather additional insurance.

The Grange is located at 143 Mrytle Avenue in Havertown 19083

Contact Janae Alberts or Joe Daniels for more info.

COOKBOOK MANIA!

Holidays are fast approaching! Wouldn't a reasonably priced ($10.00) Master Gardener cookbook make a great gift!

They will be available at the November member meeting and at the Holiday Party. (If you need one (or more!) before these events, they are at the Environmental Center and I would be more than happy to get them for you.

Thank you for your continuous support,

Chantal

Reminders:
 
1. We will be needing greens from your gardens for our Second Saturday program on December 13. Prune those evergreens and drop them off anytime up to that day. We are also accepting other dry materials, ribbon, holiday type picks, balls, berries and the like for adorning the wreath when completed. If you are available on Dec 6, meet us at the Grange in Havertown at 10AM to help prune their evergreens and bring them to Smedley and then let's go out to lunch.

2. If you have any natural materials ( pine cones, milkweed pods, teasels, acorns and similar items), could you please drop them off at the Environmental Center before our Second Saturday in November. I would greatly appreciate any of your donations to make our workshop a success. If any questions please call Joe Daniels.

3. Request: We could use some dried Hydrangea flowers for table decorations at the Holiday party on December 7.

Please contact me if you have some to share. Delilah

NEWSLETTER STAFF:

Editor: Barbara Smith

Committee: Linda Barry, Tracey Carson, Joe Daniels, Carolyn DiPaulo, Marianne Martin, Elsie Mueller, Marion Nelson, Cynthia Sabatini, Mary Sambor, Carl Pfeiffer & Arlene Pugh

Cooperative extension e-mail: DelawareExt@psu.edu
Blog Address: http://go.philly.com/gardenerjournal