Extension Master Gardener

While February is only a few days shorter than the other months, it sure seems like there is much more to pack into this short month, and that’s exactly how February played out on the Extension Master Gardener blog this month.

Below we tried to make the monthly update easy to read and scan, so you can quickly keep up with EMG gardening news from across the United States.

EMG Garden Research and Volunteer Stories

• The  2012 CenUSA Bioenergy Biochar Test Gardens  is coming to a close, but that’s not the end of the biochar test gardens story!   We’ll share the final report from 2012 in a few weeks, and shortly after we’ll cover the 2013 biochar test garden story as it happens.

• Ohio EMG Adventure in Ecuador 2013.  Thanks to Pam Bennett, Ohio State EMG Volunteer Coordinator.  All their hard work never looked so enjoyable or rewarding, as they planted seedlings down a mountain by a fire line, looked for native plants seedlings to restock the seedling nursery, and labeled their hotel’s courtyard plants, while still managing to tour some beautiful locations, celebrate Carnaval,  and visit the Octavo markets and a private garden.

Exploring New Plants and New Themes for 2013

Amaranth ‘Love Lies Bleeding’ a grain that makes a statement in the garden – and on the plate.

• John Porter got our attention with great “grains”, and how we may consider growing them, this month. Would you like to join John in growing these grains in your garden this summer? Leave him a comment on his post.

• Carla Albright escorted us through the Portland Oregon Yard, Garden and Patio Show, sharing with us new and “tried and true” trends on display.  I’m sure many avid and Extension Master Gardeners can be excited that tried and true plants were being celebrated!

• Armenian cucumbers were the stars of Connie Schulz’s vegetable garden last year, but she wants to know, “What was yours? Did it surprise you? Will you be able to share it with others this year?” You can leave her comments on her post.

• Terri James shared the 2013 Pantone color of the year – Emerald Green, and 2013 All-America Selection Winners.  We’d like to know: Will you try some new plants or color trends for 2013 in your garden?

News EMGs Are Discussing

• Colorado Master Gardeners in Pueblo County taught a class on building cold frames in a local school garden. After seeing this, another EMG group commented that they’d like to pursue a similar project. How about you?

sample QR code

• Ray Eckhart at the Penn State Franklin County MG blog has continued a discussion on Using QR Codes for providing plant information at plant sales and demonstration gardens.  Stay tuned, because this prompted another post we’ll share with you later this March!

• Mary Ann Ryan, a Penn State Master Gardener from Adams County, spoke to the value of community gardening, as she says,

“Not only is this garden a place to grow food and flowers and meet new people. It has become an ever-changing educational tool for the community.”

This quote had many of us at ‘hello,’ since many involved in community gardens know this oh so well.

Continuing Ed and On-Demand Learning Opportunities

Looking for on-demand and online learning opportunities? Available to all gardeners,  view or share the following options:

Blogs and Websites to Check Out:

Backyard Chickens

• We had a lot of interest in backyard chickens this month. First by sharing the eXtension Small and Backyard Flocks site……and then greenroof chicken coop we mentioned in Raising Backyard Chickens? Take the Backyard Chickens Survey.

• Did you enjoy Edy and Pat’s phenology training and adventures with Nature’s Notebook?  If so, check out Lorianne Barnette’s new Phenology education blog through the USA Phenology Network.

• Extension Master Gardeners tell us they like to keep up on pollinator news….well, there’s a blog for that. Check out The Buzz@OSU,where Denise Ellsworth shares stories, news, and updates from the World of Pollinators.

Not sure how to take in all this information in an organized fashion? You may like to see Subscribing to Science-based Resources with Feed Readers.

Webinars and Online Modules

Downy Mildew on Basil is one of six IPM online modules available through U of I (Photo: Margaret McGrath)

Growing Healthy Shade Trees with IPM Webinar (recording).  Learn about shade tree care, insects, and diseases in several recorded sections.  While designed with North Central EMGs in mind, a number of hosting locations and individuals from the east coast, west coast, and southern United States also participated in this Webinar .

6 Integrated Pest Management Modules on Bacterial Leaf Scorch, Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, SOD, Thousand Canker Disease, Spruce Problems and Downy Mildew on Basil and Impatiens are now available for Extension Master Gardeners.

Each module takes a half hour to complete. Check with your local coordinator to see if the modules and 1/2 hour continuing education credit will apply in your local program.

Until Next Month

Until next month, send us a note to emg@extension.org about a blog story you’d like to contribute or join us in the following spaces:

Here – Extension Master Gardener Blog: http://blogs.extension.org/mastergardener/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/extensionmastergardener
Twitter: https://twitter.com/eXEMG

…Or simply like to appreciate these “low-tech” Wordless Wednesdays: Desert “Podcast”, and A Rose by Any Other Name.

Desert podcast

Upper left to right: Pink Pet; Citrus Splash; Scentimental; Citrus Splash (photo credit Connie Schultz)

-Karen Jeannette

-Editorial Reviewer
Linda Brandon, Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator
NC Cooperative Extension/Guilford County Center