february 2017 wsu spokane ounty extension master...
TRANSCRIPT
The Lowdown
WSU Spokane County Extension Master Gardeners February 2017 The Lowdown
Inside this issue:
Foundation News 2
Book Review 4
Fact Sheet Update 6
Self-study Quiz 8
Upcoming Events 10
Extension Information
Dr. Jeremy Cowan 477-2145
Regional Horticulture Specialist
Tim Kohlhauff 477-2172
Horticulture Program Coordinator
Anna Kestell 477-2195
Food Preservation/Safety
Jackie Sykes 477-2193
Clinic Coordinator
Master Gardener County Site
http://extension.wsu.edu/spokane/
master-gardener-program
Master Gardener Foundation of Spo-
kane County
http://www.mgfsc.org/
WSU Master Gardener Site
http://mastergardener.wsu.edu/
HortSense Fact Sheets
http://hortsense.cahnrs.wsu.edu/
Home/HortsenseHome.aspx
On Line Timelog Reporting:
http://ext.wsu.edu/Volunteers/logon.aspx
Why Social Media?
Why not just use email, snail mail, or phone calls to connect with our community? Well, it’s expensive to mail consistently enough to get out the word about classes, trainings and events to the public let alone send-ing out educational information. And, the mailing list has a finite quality to it without a great option for reaching additional people. Email has the same limitations. And, phone calls? How many of you actually answer your phone these days if you don’t recognize the caller’s number?
We are a non-profit organization with limited funds that keep getting more limited with each successive budget. Our mission is to serve as links between WSU research-based horticulture information and the pub-lic. We embraced Facebook over four years ago for the WSU/Spokane County page and three years ago for the Foundation page. We did so because
a) we are a growing organization and this is a way to keep
relevant,
b) the format lends itself to timely dissemination of information,
c) younger generations expect communication via electronic
format, and,
d) it’s free!
We fulfill our mission when we are successful in getting the word out.
That is where you come in.
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Foundation News
By Tim Stiess, President
This has certainly been an interesting winter for weather. The January board meeting of the Founda-
tion was cancelled twice. Both times caused in part due to weather related situations. Hopefully, the
Program’s Winter Meeting does not have this same fate. The first meeting of the Foundation board in
2017 will (hopefully) be in February, currently slated for the 13th at 10am.
Not much new news so how about some important oldish news.
Cabin Fever Gardening Symposium is just around the corner – March
11th. We have a great slate of classes lined up for the event. I apolo-
gize in advance – there are too many classes to choose from and you
can’t take them all. Visit mgfsc.org for more information and to pur-
chase tickets.
Foundation Membership – it is time to renew your membership, if you
have not done so already. This can also be done at mgfsc.org (what
doesn’t this website have?). If you have already done so, let me compli-
ment you on the efficiency at which you get things done. Kudos to you!!
I look forward to updating all of you in next month’s Lowdown of the amazing, interesting things the
Foundation has done. Until then… Enjoy those seed/plant catalogs.
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We are so glad you are with us!
Bumann Brenda 5-Feb
Luce Donna 5-Feb
Anderson Carol 6-Feb
Thayer Phyllis 8-Feb
Shinn Mary Beth 13-Feb
Mulvihill Susan 14-Feb
Johnson Ken 17-Feb
Meyer Kay 18-Feb
Hicks Kathy 20-Feb
Plummer Susan 20-Feb
Young Cathy 28-Feb
Master Gardeners Bake, Too!
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A Book review by Susan Mulvihill
Beaks, Bones & Bird Songs: How the Struggle for Survival Has Shaped Birds and Their Behavior
by Roger J. Lederer (2016, Timber Press, 280 pp., $24.95)
As most folks know, I am an avid birdwatcher. I love watching them, photographing them and land-scaping to attract them. I’ve also discovered that a large percentage of the gardeners I connect with are crazy about birds, too.
Most of us know the basics about birds, but there are so many intriguing facts we should all be aware of. Fortunately, there’s a book for that! In Beaks, Bones & Bird Songs, author Roger Lederer shares with us important details of how birds interact with each other and the world around them, how they’ve adapted over time based on environmental challenges and how we humans impact them on a daily basis. It makes for fascinating reading.
We can trust Lederer to know what he’s talking about. For 40 years, he taught courses in ornithology and ecology, has published six books on birds and numerous scientific papers. He’s also the founder of the authoritative website, Ornithology.com.
The author begins with an interesting discussion of how birds have evolved based on the types of food they eat: seeds and grains, insects, fruits, nectar, fish, meat and so on.
He then examines how birds use their senses to survive in this world. For example, it was fascinating reading how, while still in their eggs, young quail will communicate with their parents when the eggs need turning and with their unhatched siblings to coordinate when each is going to hatch.
Another example was how some birds use their sense of smell to find food, locate their mates or as a defensive technique to save themselves from predators.
I particularly enjoyed the chapter on flight, since that is the ability we all admire in our feathered friends. Think about how we frequently see geese flying in a “V” formation. Did you know they are essentially drafting behind each other -- just like cyclists do -- to save energy? And that they take turns leading?
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The chapter on migration was also intriguing. In it, I learned that Arctic terns fly 300 to 400 miles per day(!) during their migrations, with some birds flying as much as 66,000 miles in a year. That is mindboggling. Lederer covers the tools birds use to find their destinations, including landmarks, the sun and stars, geo-magnetic forces, smells and sounds we can’t hear.
Throughout the book, the author introduces the reader to terms they might not be familiar with --and de-fines them for us -- and cites applicable studies to back up the information he shares. While a book of ref-erences to scientific studies might be considered a cure for insomnia, the author does a great job of keep-ing us enthralled with information on these amazing creatures.
Another topic that has amazed me over the years is how birds deal with extreme heat and cold while we humans take advantage of air conditioning and woodstoves, as need-ed. I read how birds regulate their heat during winter through the addition of body fat, shivering, huddling, various postures and -- in some birds -- through torpor in which their body temperatures drop dramatically during nighttime.
In Lederer’s chapter on how birds live together, he discusses the niches birds live within based on what part of the ecosystem they inhabit, different species’ territories and predation.
The final chapter, “What We Do To Birds,” is sobering. Between climate change, habitat destruction, power lines or glass windows that birds crash into and predation by cats, it’s a wonder there are birds left on this planet. The author shares information on how some species have adapted to some of the challenges along with interesting solutions to help them out.
Lederer sums it up like this:
“Too often there is a disconnect between the natural world of birds and other organisms and our technology-obsessed everyday life. Birdwatching connects people to the environment and helps them understand why birds need protection from human activities. And the more we understand birds, the more we understand the environment from which they come and which they depend upon for survival, and the more likely we are to be able to protect them.”
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Fact Sheet Update
There are some great new fact sheets available for you and our clients to use in the garden! Let’s get
right to them.
County Fact sheets available on our web page:
C198 Landscaping by a Lake, River, or Stream. Last updated in 2005, this
fact sheet was long overdue. Many thanks to Mary Beth Shinn who virtual-
ly rewrote this page to incorporate 10 years of updated shoreline regula-
tions and resources. The page now includes multiple links to resources
with plant lists, regulations, and other resources. Thank you, Mary Beth!
Gardening in Washington (statewide publications):
Common Disease and Insect Problems of Roses (Home Garden Series) FS246E Roses are arguably the most attractive flowering shrub in Washington and a favorite of home gardeners. To keep your roses looking beautiful and healthy, fending off disease and pests is important. This publication outlines the common disease and insect prob-lems in Washington State, how to spot them, and corrective actions. Rose Diseases and Insects FS246E
Urban Canopy EM107E. A new publication is available that explains the benefits of trees in urban areas! This discusses environmental, economic, and social benefits of planting trees in our cities and towns. There is also a section on which types of trees do well in urban areas, including street trees. Urban Canopy EM107E
We cannot answer questions about food preservation and safety, but WSU does have some new fact sheets covering some topics that we can use our-selves: FS232E Making Jams, Jellies, and Fruit Spreads, and FS233E Pre-serving Berries, FS236E Low Sugar Fruit Spreads and FS238E Preserving Berry Syrups at Home
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That is where you come in. If you are a Master Gardener who participates on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram, we ask you to support our pages. We ask that you not only support our pages, but that you interact with the pages on a regular ba-sis. You have all heard about how Facebook uses algorithms to determine how many people actually see a post. We work hard on posting quality, informative, research-based information in a timely and consistent manner. But, if no one reads it, what’s the point? We did a little research and discovered that approximately 50% of the current Master Gardeners appear to have a Facebook account. Right now it appears that about 10% of the followers of the WSU/Spokane County page and 17% of the followers on the Foundation page are Spokane County Master Gardeners. That is a good news/bad news scenario. It shows that we have a much wider reach than just ourselves, which is one of the main points for maintaining a Facebook page. But, it also shows that we could definitely use a boost with more engaged Master Gardeners than we currently have. You can do your part by liking both pages and, especially, taking the time to share posts with your wider community. Think about it. If 50 Master Gardeners each have 50 friends and share a post, that translates into 2500 potential views for one post!
The Facebook team is on top of seasonally-appropriate horticulture topics, breaking research news and information about outbreaks of disease and pests that could affect crops. We also pro-mote our classes and those given by other agencies and events such as Cabin Fever, the Fall Banquet and the Plant Sale & Garden Fair (the money makers we depend on for our continued existence) mingled with great photos, inspirational quotes, monthly tips and fun ideas.
Keeping the Master Gardener program relevant and engaged is what will help the program contin-ue into the future. Facebook/Twitter/Instagram are just cogs in that wheel, but is becoming a vital link to the wider community. Please help us!
Facebook:
WSU/Spokane County Master Gardeners: search for “Master Gardeners of Spokane County-WSU”
Master Gardener Foundation of Spokane County: search for “Spokane Master Gardener Foundation”
Twitter: MGSpokane
Instagram: search for Spokane County Master Gardeners
There is also a closed Facebook group called Trugardeners. If you are a current or past Spokane County Master Gardener you can ask to be included. This page is more like a good garden blog sharing interesting ideas, asking questions and checking in. If you are interested in joining, contact Cathi Lamoreux, [email protected].
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FEBRUARY 2017 QUIZ
1. What does the MG program make use of that helps us stay current with our horticultural infor-
mation and reduces our information dissemination costs?
2. Does the MG program have a Facebook page? A Twitter account? An Instagram presence?
3. Does the MG program need you to participate in social media to help get our message out?
4. When is Cabin Fever?
5. Can you take every Cabin Fever class offered?
6. Name two things you can do at mgfsc.org.
7. What do we have photographic evidence of MGs doing, besides
gardening?
8. Roger Lederer is well known for his knowledge of what subject?
9. Can birds communicate with each other before hatching?
10. What are birds doing when they fly in the ‘V’ formation?
11. What is the term that refers to a creature’s ability to drop its body temperature dramatically
during nighttime?
12. Which county fact sheet has been updated that will be most helpful for those landscaping near
waterways or bodies of water?
13. Which February-important flower has a new statewide fact sheet available for diagnosing prob-
lems when you are growing them?
14. The new publication about ‘Urban Canopy’ provides information on the benefits of what in the
urban environment?
15. Can MGs provide information about preserving food to the public?
16. EXTRA CREDIT: When is the Winter Meeting for the MG Program?
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JANUARY 2016 QUIZ ANSWERS
1. New MG class and many opportunities
2. New logo
3. MG program
4. True
5. False
6. The tomato
7. Desirable appearance, smell and taste traits
8. Indeterminate, determinate, dwarf
9. Determinates
10. High ratio of fruit to leaves, less photosynthesis
11. Epic Tomatoes: How to Select and Grow the Best Varieties of All Time
12. NO!
13. Storey Basics
14. Basic rules of plant biology
15. NEVER remove more than 25% of a plant’s growth in a year
16. Timing of pruning
17. Yes
18. How to Prune Trees & Shrubs: Easy Techniques for Timely Trimming
19. Yes
20. Thursday, January 19, 9am to 3pm
Extension programs and policies are consistent with federal and state laws and regulations on nondiscrimination regarding race, sex, religion, age, color, creed, national or ethnic origin; physical, mental, or sensory disability; marital status, sexual orientation, or status as a Vietnam-era or disabled veteran. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local Extension office.
Calendar of Events
Thursday 2 MG Training/Hort. Class series 9 a.m.—3 p.m. (WaterWise Gardening)
Friday 3 Master Gardener Winter Meeting 8 a.m.—3 p.m. Classrooms
Thursday 9 MG Training/Hort. Class series 9 a.m.—3 p.m. (IPM & Plant health care)
Monday 13 MG Foundation Meeting 10 a.m. Extension conference room
Tuesday 14 MG Advisory Board Meeting 4 p.m. Extension conference room
Thursday 16 MG Training/Hort. Class series 9 a.m.—3 p.m. (Pesticides & Weeds)
Monday 20 President’s Day
Thursday 23 MG Training/Hort. Class series 9 a.m. –3 p.m. (Diagnosis -Cindy Deffe’)
Saturday 25 Fruit Tree Pruning 10am-1pm $10 charge Resurrection Orchard
Thursday 2 MG Training/Hort. Class series 9 a.m. –3 p.m. (Entomology –Jan Baker)
Thursday 9 MG Training/Hort. Class series 9 a.m. –3 p.m. (Woody Plants –Tim K) Sat-
urday 11 CABIN FEVER 7:30 a.m.—4 p.m. Center Place Spokane Valley
Monday 13 MG Foundation Meeting 10 a.m. Extension conference room
Tuesday 14 MG Advisory Board Meeting 4 p.m. Extension conference room
Thursday 16 MG Training/Hort. Class series 9 a.m.—3 p.m. (Plant Nutrition—Jeremy)
Saturday 18 Food Not Lawns 9 a.m.—noon Extension classrooms
Saturday 18 Growing Vegetables in the INW 12:30 p.m.—3:30 p.m. Ext. classrooms
Monday 20 Spring begins!
Thursday 23 MG Training/Hort. Class series 9 a.m.—3 p.m. (Turf -Bob Peregoy)
Saturday 25 Raised Bed Gardening 9 a.m. – noon Extension classrooms
Saturday 25 Home Greenhouses 12:30 p.m.—3:30 p.m. Extension classrooms