Master Gardener Fall Activities

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach

September/October 2014

The Potting Shed

Official Jones County Master Gardeners Newsletter

FALL 2014 Riverside Gardens

Barb Ahlrichs flower bed—

see article on page 2

September—Monticello

Farmers Market

Display table promoting

the Jones County

Master Gardener program

Coordinators

Column

Well fall is definitely

here. I hope everyone

has a chance to enjoy

the crisp fresh air,

warm sunshine and

beautiful fall colors.

Looks like are growing

season will be over this

weekend with colder

temps. I have an article

on cleaning garden

tools. Continue to

water trees, shrubs and

transplants since pre-

cipitation has been

sparse this fall. I would

like to thank Pam,

Misty, Jim and Betty

for overseeing

Pumpkinfest this year.

Watch for details on

our Fall Harvest

Potluck in November.

Kim

Story—page 2

Monk

Orchard

Tour

Pumpkinfest

2014

My garden was inspired by one picture among many of a set of pictures from the 'International Mosaiculture Exhibition Montreal - 2013' sent to me by my sister. After seeing that picture I started imagining how I could create my own version of a display showing three flowers made up of flowers. I chose Profusion zinnias because they form tight mounds of flowers and they bloom continuously. I chose 3 different colors for the 3 flowers' petals, yellow for the centers, and parsley for the stem and leaves. I graphed it out on paper so I would know how many plants I would need.

The Anamosa State Penitentiary started the seeds and Judy Tuetken helped me plant the final 2 flow-ers. The colors I chose were double fire, double hot cherry and double golden yellow ( a yellow orange). I had to go back two times to trim off the few plants that sent up too tall of stems.

The next problem was plants turning brown and dying. I called Kim to help analyze the problem. It was deter-mined the flowers had powdery mildew, most likely caused by the 'close' planting and the wet and humid conditions during the spring/summer. I cut out or pulled out the dying plants which helped some. Despite the mildew problem the flower bed looked fantastic from the road.

Barb Ahlrichs Riverside Garden Flower BedBarb Ahlrichs Riverside Garden Flower BedBarb Ahlrichs Riverside Garden Flower Bed———Article Article Article

Submitted by Barb Ahlrichs

Monk Orchard Tour

The tour started at Doug’s shop or as he called it his “all purpose room”. Apple crates made

from pallets, cooler and old fashion (crank type) apple press where in the shop. His cooler has a movable

wall for expansion if needed.

Doug explained how and when he began his orchard. Planted a few apple trees in 2000 and 2001. The

following years he planted 50 more apple trees, chieftain, Cortland, red delicious, ginger gold are just a

few; 10 different varieties are in the orchard. This now consists of 100 apples trees on one acre. Produc-

tion really began only 5 years ago.

50 to 75 % of his business is from the stand (wagon) which sets off of Highway 151 on weekends. Apples

are sold by weight with hanging scale attached to wagon and an honesty jar. (note the sign on the

wagon—Monk’s Farmacy) Other marketing tools used for surplus apple crop is Craig’s list and word of

mouth. (inexpensive advertising)

Doug does use some chemicals for cedar rust and other issues but prefers other method for controlling

diseases, insects etc. Deer and rabbits are a really problem also. He has an 8 foot fence around the

orchard now.

Doug prunes the apple trees in February and invited us to come for a demonstration.

The 2015 Annual Garden Calendar, “Whimsy,” is now available to

purchase from the Jones County Extension office. This playful look

at gardening was the idea of Richard Jauron, ISU Extension and

Outreach horticulture specialist. Cost is $6.00

Fall Cleaning Includes Garden Tools

Many gardeners have done their fall cleaning by remov-ing annual garden plants and dead foliage on perenni-als. However, a gardener's cleaning chores are not over until the tools are cleaned, sharpened and put away for winter so that they are ready the moment spring ar-rives. Fortunately, this last garden chore isn't weather dependent - it can be done anytime indoors.

Garden tools will last for many seasons if they are main-tained properly. Clean, sharp blades on spades, shovels, hoes, and shears will make garden work much easier. Although tools should be cleaned after every use, most gardeners are busy and usually just return them to the shed or garage. By the end of the season, tools don't work as well, which makes pruning and digging more difficult.

Fortunately, neglected tools can often be rejuvenated. The first step is to remove caked on soil from hoes, shovels and spades. It may be necessary to use a forceful spray of water, a stiff brush, and soapy water. When most of the residue is gone, go over the blade with steel wool to create a clean, smooth and shiny surface. Rub naval jelly on the metal surfaces to remove rust spots.

Sharpen the edges of garden tools, such as hoes, shovels, and spades, using a sharpening stone or a #10 bastard mill file. Hold the file at a slight angle over the original beveled edge, which is the top or front side of shovels and spades. In a sweeping motion from one side to the other, push the file along the edge in a one-way stroke away from the blade. After the edge has been sharpened, turn the tool over and lightly file the back the blade to remove the thin "burr" that formed when the front side was filed.

After the blades have been cleaned and sharpened, wipe or spray them with a petroleum-based lubricant and rust-inhibitor, such as WD-40. Wooden handles on tools also need attention to pre-vent them from drying out and cracking. Remove soils residue and wipe the handles with a soft cloth moistened with boiled linseed oil.

Soil and sap accumulated on pruning equipment along with frequent use results in dull blades on pruning equipment. Remove dried sap with turpentine and use a flexible, abrasive emery cloth to remove residue from tight places.

Many pruning tools are designed so they can be taken apart to sharpen the blades. Sharpen the cutting blades on shears with a ceramic stone held at a slight angle and pushed across the edge, away from the blade. Turn the blade over and gently file off the burr. After sharpening, reassemble the shears and coat the metal parts with an aerosol lubricant to reduce friction between moving parts and prevent rust.

Keeping garden tools clean and sharp extends their life span and improves their performance. Get your tools in shape so that the garden season doesn't "spring" up and catch you unprepared.

4-H Judges Training - November 8 in Mt. Pleasant · Flyer

· 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM at the First United Methodist Church, located at 309 N. Main Street in Mt. Pleasant

· Learn from Iowa State University Extension 4-H staff as well as experienced 4-H judges about how to how to evaluate, educate and encourage youth at county fairs

· $40 full day or $30 half day, payable at the door

· Participants will receive a 4-H judge’s handbook, lunch, and have the opportunity to enter their name into the statewide 4-H judges database. The full day is required for new 4-H judges.

· Session descriptions & Agenda **Session Agriculture and Nature Resources session offers horticulture**

· Register by October 31 If you are interested in educational hours and judges training for county fairs, here is an opportunity

for you. If you have any questions, contact Kim or Monica at 319-465-3224.

October 8th issue of the Iowa Farm Bureau Spokesman - the Jones County Master Gardeners are

featured with photo of members that attended the September meeting held at the Farm Bureau

building in Anamosa.

Pumpkinfest

photos submitted

by Jim Christianson

Garden Tips

Early Fall October

Lawn

•apply broadleaf herbicide to lawns.

Fruits

•Harvest apples and store at 32 to 35◦F in humid areas (PM 1078) Trees and shrubs •Plant deciduous trees and shrubs Flowers •Dig gladiolus corms and dahlia and canna roots for winter storage (RG 311, RG 315, RG 323) •Harvest seed from cleome, poppies, zinnia, marigold and other flowers to scatter next spring •Plant tulip, daffodil and other spring-flowering bulbs before the ground freezes (RG 312) •Take cuttings of coleus and geraniums to grow indoors for the winter (RG 320) Herbs •Before frost, pot up tender herbs (such as sage and rosemary) to grow indoors through the winter Houseplants •Inspect plants for pests or disease •Bring plants indoors before the first frost Vegetables •Harvest pumpkin, winter squash and gourds as vines die from frost

Late Fall November

Lawn

•Fertilize lawns (1 pound N per 100 square ft) to promote root growth and encourage early green-up in the spring

Fruits

•Cover strawberries with several inches of straw mulch to protect flower buds during winter.

Trees and shrubs

•Protect young trees from rabbit damage with chicken wire or hardware cloth fencing.

Flowers

•Remove diseased foliage from iris and peonies to prevent problems next year.

•Protect hybrid-tea roses with several inches of soil and straw over the winter (RG 310).

Houseplants

•Stop fertilizing houseplants until spring.

Vegetables

•Apply and incorporate 2 to 3 inches of manure or compost into the soil (PM 820).

You and your spouse/guest are invited to

the

Fall Harvest Master Gardener PotluckFall Harvest Master Gardener Potluck

Tuesday, November 18th

5:30 pm

Youth Development Center

800 North Maple Street, Monticello (fairgrounds)

Tableware and beverages will be provided

Please bring a main dish and/or a side dish

Special recognition of members and new interns

Please RSVP by November 12th 4 pm

319.465.3224

Calendar of Events

2014

Tuesday, October 14—Animal Ecology—class

Tuesday, October 21—Fruits—class

Tuesday, October 28—Turf—class

Tuesday, October 30—

Sustainable Landscape Design—

class

October 31st—Halloween

November 4—Election Day

Fall Master Gardener Classes end November

4th

November 11—Veteran’s Day

Tuesday, November 18—Fall

Harvest Potluck—5:30 pm

Youth Development—-Monticello

Election of Officers and

Recognitions

November 27—Thanksgiving

Office will be closed November 27 and 28

Tuesday, December 9—Monthly meeting—seed

orders due–6:30 pm - Youth Development—-

Monticello

Website

www.extension.iastate.edu/jones/

October 23rd, 2014 new moon

November 2nd—daylight saving time ends

November 6th, 2014 full moon

November 22nd, 2014 new moon

October 22nd, 2014 rake and compost leaves and

October 26th, 2014 remove leaves and other debris from

gutters; November 5th water recently planted trees and

shrubs before the ground freezes. This information is

from the ISU Extension and Outreach Wonder of Trees

garden calendar 2014.

Just a friendly

reminder to

record your hours.

Phone: 319-465-3224

Fax: 319-465-3312

E-mail: kmiller5@iastate.edu

Jones County

800 North Maple Street, Ste # 2

P O Box 28

Learn it

Grow it

Teach it

If you want to happy for a year, plant a garden; if you want

to be happy for life, plant a tree. English proverb