Newsletter of the Jackson County Master Gardener™ Association

August 2016

Monarch’s Are Back!

However, the Monarch

population has declined by 90% in the last 20 years!

Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus in the family of Nymphalidae) have returned and started laying eggs on milkweed Rogue Valley residents have been planting in gardens and parks. There have been many reports of Monarch sightings this summer and some chrysalises have even hatched and

the butterflies have been tagged. Several of the Monarchs tagged in the Rogue and Applegate valleys last summer were spotted along the

central California coast last winter. The host plant for the caterpillars is milkweed. However, the adults need nectar plants to feed on, milkweed is just one. Metamorphosis of the Monarch starts with its larva or caterpillar, shedding or molting its skin an amazing five times before the pupa stage. Monarch butterflies go through four stages during one life cycle, and through four generations in one year. As there is a succession of butterfly generations migrating north during early and mid-summer and south during late summer and early fall a butterfly garden needs to supply flowering nectar plants throughout the migrations. A ‘Three Season Garden’ provides nectar for the entire

season. Deadheading spent blossoms will extend the season for many annuals and perennials. A list of nectar plants for butterfly gardens can be found at the Jackson County Master Gardener Plant Clinic. A list of plants that do not create nectar is also available. Contrary to what we have read and heard, there are a lot of predators in the world that will eat Monarch butterflies and their caterpillars. Spiders, wasps and birds do eat them or feed them to their young. Several species of wasps lay eggs on or in the caterpillars so their larva will have food when they pupate. Even a large Monarch caterpillar may accidently eat a smaller caterpillar. Less than 5% of eggs that are laid will reach maturity

and mate. A popular method to increase the number of butterflies surviving from egg to butterfly is to raise the caterpillars in a terrarium.

The caterpillars are collected and placed in the terrarium with fresh milkweed. The milkweed must be replenished every day and the caterpillar frass (poop) removed daily. After the chrysalis forms the

terrarium needs to be checked daily so the butterfly can be given access to fly when it hatches. We all love watching the Monarchs flutter around our gardens we have worked so

hard in to make them inviting to wildlife. With just a few steps we can help bring the Monarchs back from the brink of extinction.

Glenn Risley Master Gardener 2010

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This is PICNIC MONTH!

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Monarch Butterflies Front Page

President’s Message SUMMER PICNIC

page 2

The Literary Gardener page 3

Coordinator's Corner

page 4

Oh What a Peach You Are Page 5

Editor

Peggy’s Propagation page 6

Children’s Garden

page 7

SUMMER PICNIC CONTEST page 8

Gardening Advice “In the Garden”

page 9

Things to do in August page 10

Land Stewards

page 11

Board Minutes page 12

SUMMER PICNIC

Back Cover

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Soil science will be a focus of our Winter Dreams/Summer Gardens symposium in November. It’s a more complex

subject than I realized! On the macro level, I just read Holistic Management’s recent article on “Grazing and Soil Health,” reporting that;; “Up to 40% of this sugar is leaked out of the roots [as root exudates] to feed the life in the soil. The life in the soil, bacterial and fungi in particular, give back to the plant: water, nitrogen, phosphorus, a host of other nutrients and functions. In addition to feeding the plants, the soil life produces a glue called glomalin that sticks soil particles together to form aggregates. This is critical because the aggregates create spaces in the soil to hold water and air and allow for root penetration. Also, the life in the soil is what breaks down plant

residues and most anything organic into useable plant and soil life nutrients. The soil life then puts this carbon based “stuff” back together again as organic matter. The organic matter holds the water for future plant use. In fact, an increase in 1% of organic matter will generally increase water holding capacity by almost 1 acre inch or 20,000 gallon/acre or more.” On the micro side, I came across Carbon availability triggers the decomposition of plant litter and assimilation of nitrogen by an ectomycorrhizal fungus, which explores the actual mechanism by which plants feed the fungi which break down organic litter. Please let me know your thoughts, questions, suggestions, requests and criticisms regarding our activities and goals. And, get involved. Contact me at eweisberg1@gmail.com or phone (541) 708-3792 Eric Weisberg President 2016 Master Gardener 2012

Thought’s from our President

Friends, Food and Fun Will it be Burgers or Ribs?

MASTER GARDENER ASSOCIATION’‛s

SUMMER PICNIC

Saturday August 27, 2016 5:30

OSU Extension, Hanley Road

RSVP to Kate Hassen, President Elect at roseknitter1@gmail.com or 541-531-6633

Please bring a side dish, salad or dessert. The Master Gardener Associa on is providing the main dish and non-alcoholic beverages. And don’t forget your

own table service including beverage container.

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The Heavily Nuanced Nasturtium

“Nasturtiums, who colored you, you wonderful, glowing things? You must have been fashioned out of summer sunsets.” ~ Lucy Maud Montgomery, Emily Climbs, 1925 Yes, indeed, the bold, bright colors of nasturtiums (Tropaolum spp.), so praised by Lucy Maud Montgomery (who is best known for her “Anne of Green Gables” novels of the early 20th century), make these flowers a popular annual for late summer- and fall-blooming gardens. Kin to the watercress, nasturtiums are also widely grown because they provide a splash of whimsical color and a fresh peppery taste to summer garden salads. Another common name for nasturtiums is Indian cress, so named by the Spanish conquistadors who brought the native species back from the New World around 1550, after conquering the Aztecs and Incas living in what is now Mexico and Peru. To the Spanish conquerors, nasturtiums were symbolic of battle victory - the round leaves are shaped like shields and the flowers (the native species’ were yellow) resemble a gleaming soldier’s helmet. There are about 85 species of nasturtiums, mostly annual plants that bloom from mid-summer all the way to the first hard frost, although a few nasturtium species bloom in the springtime. The most common garden variety is T. majus;; this summer, I’m growing a cultivar of this species called ‘Tip Top Mahogany’. While some nasturtiums retain a vining growth habit from the native species, others have a more modern compact shape that mounds rather than sprawls. The ‘Tip Top’ cultivar series is semi-trailing, making it a good choice for either garden beds or containers. Nasturtiums are now available with

single, double, large, and dwarf-sized flowers in a vast range of oranges, yellows, reds, browns and peaches. Foliage colors include dark green, yellowish green, and variegated. A few yummy-sounding cultivar names are: ‘Black Velvet, Peach Melba, Strawberry Cream and Salmon Mousse.’

Before nasturtiums gained popularity as an ornamental plant, they were likely to be found growing in the kitchen garden, not only as an edible crop but also as an herbal remedy for colds, coughs, and flu, as well as a natural antiseptic, antibiotic and antiviral medicine. The leaves and flowers contain 10 times more Vitamin C than lettuce;; thus, eating nasturtiums was recommended to relieve scurvy. However, nasturtiums play only a cameo role in my favorite poem that mentions the flower, “Locked Out,” written by Robert Frost for his children in 1914. With so much to its credit, little wonder Frost selected the nasturtium from all other garden flowers to include in his verse.

Always when we lock up at night We lock the garden flowers outside Cut off from even window light. To think! The night the door was

tried And brushed with buttons upon

sleeves, The flowers were out there with the

thieves Yet nobody molested them. We did find one nasturtium

Upon the steps with bitten stem. I always blamed myself for that:

I always thought it must have been Some flower I played with as I sat At dusk to watch the moon down

early.

Sidebar: Nasturtiums aren’t difficult to grow from seed, just be aware that hot temperatures will inhibit germination, and be sure to soak the seed’s hard coating overnight or scarify with the tip of a sharp knife. Either plant the seeds in compostable pots or direct sow in the springtime as the roots of nasturtiums resent transplanting. The plants grow best in poor, well-draining soil and full sun, but they can’t take a lot of heat, so I grow

mine where they get a respite of afternoon shade. Another option is to plant them out when temperatures drop a little in fall and grow as an autumn-blooming annual. Nasturtiums bloom better if they aren’t fertilized very often and if they are regularly deadheaded. Also trim back the stems occasionally if planted in containers. Keep in mind the trailing varieties usually produce larger flowers and leaves, but they’re fewer in number than bushier types produce.

Harvest nasturtium leaves and flowers when they are young and tender. Pick them at mid-morning when the stems are fully turgid and the flowers, kissed by dew, are at their freshest. You can harvest the large seeds by allowing them to dry on the vine and then collecting them after the first frost and storing over the winter. During mild winters, seeds that drop on the ground will overwinter, especially if protected by a layer of mulch. For something different, try growing a perennial nasturtium species, Tropaolum tuberosum, a vining plant with attractive foliage that grows to 15 feet and produces 2-inch orange or yellow flowers, depending on the cultivar. Lift the tubers in the fall as you would with dahlias, store them over the winter, and set out again in spring. Rhonda Nowak Master Gardener, 2011

The Literary Gardener

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Hello Friends! I hope you and your gardens are doing really well this month. If you are on the Extension grounds, come by the new sign for the demonstration gardens (near the rose garden) – map coming soon! We hope to have more public tours of the gardens because it is looking beautiful out there! This month I am going to focus on the Brassicaceae family, informally known as the mustard family, the crucifers or the cabbage family. Members of this family have four free petals, so the ground beneath the plants is generally littered in petal confetti, as the petals fall individually as they wilt. This family has four free sepals, remember what they are? They are small, often green, leaf-like structures beneath the petals of the flower. The Brassicaceae family is also characterized by six stamen (male parts of the flower that contain pollen), but these stamen do not all look alike;; four of the stamen are long and easy to see, while two stamen are shorter and can be harder to identify. Usually when folks

first look at a Mustard flower, you would note that it has four stamens, but look closer, there are two tucked further into the flower. Some of the members of the Brassicaceae

family are weedy, such as weedy Mustard (Brassica vulgaris) (pictured), but Brassica rapa (i.e. turnip, Chinese cabbage), Brassica napus (rapeseed), Raphanus sativus (common radish), Armoracia rusticana (horseradish), and the beloved garden, wall flowers (Erysimum linifolium) including perennial wallflowers such as 'Bowles' Mauve' (pictured) are also part of this family. However, the most well-known members of the Brassicaceae family are all the same species: Brassica oleracea (i.e. broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower). Brassica oleracea is a testament to what incredible morphological

changes can occur with breeding programs that select for specific traits like reduced stems in cabbage, larger flowering heads in broccoli, or lack of chlorophyll in the florets like in cauliflower. Very interesting! The other very cool thing to know about the Mustard family is that the seedpods or fruits of the plant are called siliques. They are narrow and burst open to disperse seeds when dry. Well, Friends, I hope to see you at the Master Gardener picnic on August 27. Please participate in the Goods from the Garden Taste Off! It will be so fun!

Rhianna Simes Jackson County OSU Urban Horticulture Coordinator Master Gardener 2007

Coordinator’s Corner

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Oh What A Peach You Are!

With the onset of August and all those

fragrant blushed orbs hanging heavily from their branches, it’s no wonder this month was declared National Peach Month. This fruit has traveled the world to where it’s loved by all who indulge its flesh. Its dedicated month all started way back in 1982 when the US congress and president Ronald Reagan approved Proclamation 4947 claiming this as National Peach Month. It was also recommended US citizens incorporate this most delicious-nutritious fruit in their daily diets. But that’s not even close to when things actually began. Originating in China, peaches have been cultivated since at least as far back as 1000 B.C.E. As with apricots and plums, peaches are members of the rose family (Rosaceae) and distinguished by its velvet skin (except for the nectarine). It’s known as a drupe given it has a hard stone in its center. Aside from their delicious flesh, in Chinese culture peaches have been considered to have mystical attributes supposedly bringing abundance, protection and good luck. It’s also considered a tree of life being a symbol of immortality and unity. Chinese brides carry peach blossoms at their wedding

ceremonies. Not always known as a peach, the Romans deemed them “Persian Apples” after the country that introduced them to the West. The Spaniards brought them to South America;; the French bestowed them upon Louisiana;; and the English shared them with Massachusetts colonies as well Jamestown. Columbus even produced them on his second and third voyages to America. Today China is the largest peach producer worldwide with Italy coming in second. California produces more than 50% of the US peaches (over 175 varieties). Of course since Georgia grew so many peaches it became deemed as the “peach state.” Aside from cultivated peaches, the true wild peach is only found in China. Its not one so tasty though as like many plant predecessors it’s quite small with sour flesh and having very fuzzy skin. The nectarine with its smooth skin is a peach variety not a plum/peach cross. Given all of that, peaches just taste wonderful. And isn’t it also wonderful how nutritious they are as a good source of fiber A, B, C and E vitamins. They’re also a good source of riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin B-6, niacin, folate and pantothenic acid. One peach has less than 70 calories and is fat free! The only part, the pit of the peach, should not be consumed since it contains the

poisonous substance hydrocyanic acid. However, given all the juicy offerings that seems a small offense. For a bit of fun: The term “you’re a real peach” was coined when a friend gave a peach to another friend they liked. Peaches are third most popular fruit cultivated in the US The US provides nearly 25% of the world’s supply of fresh peaches There are over 700 peach varieties Most peaches have been cultivated with grafts of different combinations of scions and rootstocks

The world’s largest peach, a water tower that’s over 10,000 pounds built in Gaffney, SC in 1981. Two story books about peaches are James and the Giant Peach,

later became a movie and a Japanese fairy tale, Momotaro, the Peach Boy So pick yourself up and pluck a plump peach to please your fruitful passion. Sydney Jordan Brown Master Gardener 2000

Gold Medal Glacier This frozen treat is just right for a long summers day reward 6 or 7 fresh ripe organic peaches (preferably locally grown) ¼ cup frozen white grape juice concentrate 2 tablespoons honey Juice and zest from one fresh organic lime 1 tablespoon peeled and finely minced fresh ginger root ¼ cup amaretto liqueur or ½ teaspoon almond flavoring 1 cup of lime flavor Greek yogurt (I use Chobani or Tillamook) Fresh berries of your choice Whipped cream Mint sprigs Peel peaches by placing in boiling water for about 2 minutes. Plunge in to ice water then slip skins off after cool enough to handle. After pitting peaches, puree in processor or blender with grape juice concentrate, honey, lime juice, amaretto or almond flavoring and yogurt. Stir in minced ginger and lime zest. Freeze in ice cream freezer according to directions or place in a bowl in freezer until soft frozen but not totally hard. Beat with electric mixer until fluffed then freeze until firm. Scoop golden peach glacier in to tall-stemmed glasses and top with whipped cream, fresh berries and mint sprig. Keep remaining peach glacier in freezer. Softening before serving is recom-­mended as well lets one taste more complex flavors.

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Ok, I must ask if anyone is tired of watering, picking weeds or watching the tomatoes go from one shade of green to another? If you answered yes then you are human and need a break, if only for the day from being responsible Master Gardeners. The Southern Oregon Magazine’s spring issue showcased Crater Lake Zipline. My sister was in town celebrating her 70th birthday so starting at 9 am Melissa and I drove her 50 minutes out of town on Highway 140 for a surprise. Rangers help you into your harness in preparation for ground school and zipping. You are shown how to use your gear, hand brake and procedures for the course. Plus, you will practice ziplining and braking at ground level. There are nine runs, two suspended bridges, one rappel, and a surprise at the end. The weather was clear and you could see for miles in all directions. Of course at the end of the three hour experience we were famished and stopped at Harriman Springs Resort at Rocky Point in Klamath Falls for fresh salads and hamburgers and were home by 5. Don’t you just love Oregon? Cindy Williams Master Gardener 2014

The curiosity in our garden this month is the spe-­cies Impatiens (I. glandulifera). Even we can't be-­lieve how tall they have gotten this year: sort of like Jack And The Beanstalk proportions. Must be all that extra rain and sunshine. If you look WAY UP you will now see the blooms on top of the stalks, and don't miss looking down at those humongous roots peeping out of the ground.

I saw some shorter versions in Monet's Garden in France last year. It seeds itself, so once planted ..... But it has shallow roots so it is not hard to pull up. The next bit of fun comes in the fall when the seeds rip-­en. One touch of your hand prompts them to burst open unexpectedly & twirl seeds every which way. I suspect that's why it's called "Touch Me Not". But what a lot of fun! Don’t forget our Wednesday plant sale! I urge people to come by often & check us out, be-­cause we add to our sale items weekly. Peggy Corum Master Gardener 1989

Editor…

Peggy’s Propagation GARDEN

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The Children’s Garden is up and running! Thursday mornings the extension is a buzz with the happy sounds of 64 children from five to twelve years old. Half of the group comes on alternate Thursdays for 2 ½ hours of gardening, lessons and activities. The last session for each group is a Pizza Party where veggies they have grown are part of their pizza ingredients.

This year, so far, busy hands have prepared and planted 10 rows of raised beds as well as both sides of our newly painted picket fence with vegetables and flowers from beans, radishes, lettuce, squash, sunflowers and zinnias to tomatoes and marigolds and more. Lessons for the older youngsters include how earthworms help us, why do we compost and how, why is recycling important, how do we sort recycled materials and what uses can be made from recycled material. A worm house, compost in a bottle and imaginary beetles made from

recycled materials are part of the activities. Meanwhile, the younger groups of children learn about tool safety, lizards, plants in their lives, the butterfly life cycle,

pollinators and how they can help

Mother Earth. Along the way, they build lizard habitats in the garden, plant a boot with a marigold to take home, learn how dyes can be made from plants and use those dyes to tie-dye a flag for home. They make butterfly and paper bag bee puppets, learn the bee dance and a variety of songs and activities to show how they can help Mother Earth. Who helps these youngsters? We have a very busy group of volunteers

who are right in the thick with the children. Without their dedication, Children’s Garden would not exist. They can be found planting with their group, leading a lesson or activity, helping prepare the snacks or in quiet conversation with a child or group of children. It is a beautiful thing to see and we send a great big “Thank You” to each of them. Volunteers usually begin in March when the garden is awakened from its winter sleep. This year, the job was a bit different. We came together at the end of last year to build 14 new raised beds. Thank you to Matt Epstein for his generous monetary donation for the materials that made this possible. Fifteen

yards of soil were delivered this spring. Seven of those yards were donated by Southern Oregon Compost and Don Rowlett from Nitro-Boost donated 48 bags of 80/20 compost for the raised beds. The volunteers came together several Saturdays to get the beds and grounds ready. Some of the volunteers could be found in the

garden during the week quietly getting more things ready for the children. Starts were grown at volunteer’s homes so the youngsters could learn how to transplant. Some beans were transplanted multiple times thanks to critters and a hungry army of worms and insects. Harvesting goes on during the 12 weeks of the classes as well as into September. All extra veggies are donated to local organizations when the garden is put to bed for the winter. The Children’s Garden depends on all of us to help make it a success. We need volunteers every year. The number of children who can participate in this wonderful program depends on how many volunteers we have. Each group of six youngsters has a volunteer leader. Volunteers may also help with the lessons, projects, help to prepare the garden for Spring and Winter, and help as needed during each of the sessions. You don’t have to be a child expert to join us in the fun. Please consider volunteering in order to continue this program from year to year. Roberta Heinz Master Gardener 2016

The Children’s Garden Program: Growing Gardens, Growing Minds

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Goods from the Garden Taste Off

Master Gardener Picnic August 27, 2016

5:30 Share samples of veggies and fruit from

your garden!

Vegetable Categories Tomatoes Peppers (Sweet, Hot) Corn Squash Green Beans Other Category – random

veggies we did not think of Annual Herbs Fruit Categories Melons Tree Fruit Cane Fruit Bush Fruit Strange or Exotic Show & Tell Category (not sampled) Ugliest potato, tuber, or Root crop Strangest tomato Biggest ____ Weirdest ____

Each entry should include a whole sample for demonstration, 3 cups of cut samples for tasting, a bowl, and label indicating the type of veggie/fruit and the variety name.

Enter as many veggies and fruits as you like! All entries will have a code so they are anonymous

(but identifiable by entrants). All picnic attendees will have a card to rate

entries: 1-10 for taste, and 1-10 for appearance. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place, as well

as Grand Champion, and People’‛s Choice for each type of vegetable. Results will be published in the Garden Beet,

submitted to the Mail Tribune, and entitles winners to 1 year bragging rights!

Send RSVP to Kate Hassen, President Elect at roseknitter1@gmail.com or 541-531-6633

Category Favor-­ite by Taste (Entry #)

Favorite by Ap-­pearance (Entry #)

Example: Corn 6 3 Vegetables: *** ***

Tomato (Cherry, Roma, Pear)

Tomato (Large and Med)

Peppers (Sweet) Peppers (Hot) Green Beans Squash Corn Other: Other:

Fruit: *** *** Melon Tree Fruit (i.e. Apple, Peach)

Cane or Bush Fruit Exotics: *** ***

Strange Tuber / Root

Don’t sample

Strange Tomato --- Biggest: Don’t

sample

Weirdest: -- Strange Other: ---

Sample the various entries for each category and record the Entry Number of your favorite, judging taste and appearance.

“Grand Champion” by TASTE

“People’s Choice” by APPEARANCE

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Weeds—They are the bane of every gardener’s existence. After winter’s rains, they pop up again, even after

the erstwhile gardener has toiled all summer long hoeing and pulling to be rid of them. When the gardener becomes frustrated at this drudgery, he, or she, may be tempted to try to smother the weeds with so-called landscape fabric. Beware, gardener. This can lead to perils. Well, what could be the problem with putting down some semi-permeable cloth over sections of the garden where the dreaded weeds are prone to rear their heads? Just cover that ugly stuff with some nice bark mulch, punch some holes for plants, and voila: Weeds be gone. Not so, say I. Landscape cloth has numerous drawbacks. Probably the most significant drawback is that it is not truly permeable, especially the black plastic sheeting most widely used. Even with more cloth-like woven products, much of the moisture that would otherwise percolate into

the soil runs off to some lower point, beyond the edge of the cloth. The soil beneath never gets the moisture that it needs.

Without air or moisture, microbes that keep the soil healthy die, and any plants in that environment will suffer as well. Besides, have you ever tried to plant more plants in an area that

some yahoo has covered with landscape cloth!? What to do instead? As we Master Gardeners know, the answer to that is MULCH! Really, weed barriers of any type will only work for a short period of time and are bad for your soil’s health. They are a shortcut, but they do more harm than good. Laying on a good organic mulch will cover the soil, impede some weed seeds from sprouting, and will make removal of those that do sprout easier. Besides, you will be feeding your soil and using one less petroleum

based product. A word to the wise…. Sherri Morgan Master Gardener 2008

Our fabulous “In the Garden” speakers presented 9 lessons on KDRV-TV in July for our local community to enjoy. The speakers and their subjects were as follows: Laurin Parker “Grasses” Erin Krenzer “Edible Weeds” Robin McKenzie “Flowers for Hummingbirds” De Davis-Guy “Dehydrating Produce and Homemade Fruit Leathers” and “Garden Hands Sugar Scrub” Kari Gies “Growing Squash” and “Harvesting and Storing Potatoes and Onions” Maxine Cass “Fire Resistant Plants” Ronnie Budge “Tips for Harvesting Vegetables” “In the Garden” airs during the newscast each Wednesday and Friday at 11:00 AM on channel 12 and segments then are posted to the station’s website at www.kdrv.com/features/in-the-garden. Please give a shout out to these dedicated, hardworking speakers to let them know you appreciate the work they’re doing! Linda Holder, Co-Chair Master Gardener 1998 Laurin Parker, Co-Chair Master Gardener 2012 Community Impact: Jesse Hodgdon, a local Massage Therapist, left a comment on the KDRV website praising the hummingbird segment: “Connor, thank you so much for another well-presented, informative and entertaining Master Gardener segment! I find Robin's knowledge vast and her delight with the subject matters palpable! For all of us providing habitat and food for ourselves and fellow planet cohabiters, these pearls of wisdom give us reminders and an inside scoop on how to maximize our efforts! Keep up the good work.”

Gardening Advice: THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE DEBATABLE “IN THE GARDEN”

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Wow…here we are at the peak of the season already! August can be a busy gardening month, much like April. There is a lot of work going towards the production of quality fruit and vegetables. Things we would like to put into the freezer or in jars for the winter months. On top of growing, cultivating and putting up foods for winter, it’s time to consider planting that fall/winter garden! As much as is becomes extra work to do during a time so full of gardening, why would someone want to pile on more work now? I’ll tell you my biggest reason why: Fresh produce through the coldest months of winter is SO REWARDING! A little bit of effort here goes a long way. In order to have enough sunlight and warm temps to germinate, seeds for these plants need to be in the ground no later than the end of the month. Remember, our days as of June 22nd are getting shorter. If you are a nut like me, and love to direct seed your garden, now’s the time to act. What to plant? There are all kinds of veggies to plant for fall and winter, most of them from the brassicae family: broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbages, collards, cauliflower, kale, kohlrabi, mustard greens and the list here is limitless!

Choose those things you love, they become more sweet tasting with the cooler months of winter. There are hearty lettuces you can plant, and there’s nothing like fresh salad greens from your garden during winter. I really enjoy arugula, but there are green-mixes you can buy that are recommended for the fall/

winter garden. Do a little bit of your own reading (I love consulting the Territorial Seed Co. catalog for additional information) and don’t be afraid to experiment! That’s what we gardeners are, after all – Back-yard Scientists! You can plant carrots, beets, onions, endive, peas, rutabagas, turnips, spinach, Swiss chard, not to mention all the fresh herbs you could plant now, too! Think about all the fresh produce for your Thanksgiving table this year.

The trick is, get started with clearing out a bed or plot where your

summer produce has had its day already. Once cleaned out, enrich your soil with ample amounts of compost. These nutrients are necessary for a healthy harvest later;; do not skimp on the compost! Once worked into the soil, you’re ready to plant your fall/winter garden. One tip: if you choose not to plant the direct-seed way, and desire bedding plants instead, you may have to think about shade cloth to cover

your baby plants. If it gets too hot in August (like it does, usually!) your babies may decide to bolt. This will produce a great crop of new seeds, instead of a harvest…this is just something to consider. If you choose not to plant a fall/winter garden, consider planting a

cover crop. A cover crop does two excellent things for your garden. It allows nitrogen-fixing plants to grow in your otherwise fallow beds or

plot, keeping weeds out. When you are ready to plant next spring, simply turn under the cover crop. These plants “fix” nitrogen from the atmosphere, and once turned into the soil, you have just added your mulch! Either style of gardening you do it will be beneficial to your garden plot. You may find this style of continuous gardening to be so rewarding, that next you’ll dedicate an area just for fall/winter crops. As much as it seems like extra work now, come cold winter months when you are harvesting onions and sweet kale, you will thank yourself for taking these extra steps now. Happy Gardening! Julie Engleson Master Gardener 2012

Things to Do in August for your GardenThings to Do in August for your GardenThings to Do in August for your Garden

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It is high summer in southern Oregon complete with hot dry days and blue skies, for the moment. We all know that blue could pretty easily turn to smoky brown under the right conditions. For land owners in rural parts of our region, the delight of country life: tall conifers, oak savannahs, chaparral and meadows, can fade to anxiety as the fire danger warning meter swings up from blue and green and over into yellow and red. Not for Becky Owston however, she is a graduate of the Land Steward Program of OSU Extension. Becky and I walk up a trail under a newly thinned stand of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir as a brown wood creeper whistles “trees-trees-beautiful-trees.” I have to agree with the bird. Things are looking good in Becky’s forest. Following the information she learned in class and using her new connections, including local fire prevention experts, she and her husband Jeff secured a matching grant to thin a section of their forest. As we walk, I ask Becky if the thought of fire in her quiet paradise makes her nervous. “Of course it’s on my mind,” she replies, “but I’m hopeful that the long-term steps we are taking will make a difference.” Dense, brushy growth will be removed by ongoing fuels reduction work, leaving the forest healthy and open. Should a wildfire occur here, the hope is that it will remain low to

the ground rather than destroying the trees. In the long run, fire would do the forest good, actually helping nutrient cycling and benefiting native plants. Becky and Jeff’s home site has had similar care. The porch area

has been screened to exclude any blowing embers and they have removed fire prone plants too close to the house, among other measures. In early 2015, Becky and Jeff bought nearly 82 acres in the Applegate Valley. She was new to rural living but it had always been a dream. The Extension Land Steward program lead her class on an in-depth tour through the landscapes of southern Oregon while helping them understand how to best manage the kinds of land they might have. They visited properties with forests, streams and pastures, learning how to increase the health of their land and reduce the risk of damaging wildfire, flood or invasive weeds. On agricultural property visits, owners with small farms and rural businesses shared their challenges and successes offering Becky’s class inspiration and insights. They dipped into how to trouble shoot rural infrastructure like septic systems and irrigation ponds. In addition, the

class met professional resource managers from the county water master to the Oregon Department of Forestry and learned what help and advice they have to offer landowners. Becky has a balanced view of the landscape she sees herself a part of. She points out a dead oak snag as a good feature, creating habitat for birds and other wildlife. She knows they have coyotes, bears and even cougars as neighbors. Their solution is to have robust fencing, shelters and energetic dogs to protect their chickens and goats. As we talk, it doesn’t feel like “woman against the wild,” but woman within the wild. Understanding good stewardship, Becky and Jeff own a resilient niche within our southern Oregon wild lands. The Land Steward program is

designed for new and experienced landowners. Classes run September to December. Early bird registration ends August 9. Call OSU Extension 541-776-7371 for information. Rachel Werling OSU Extension

Living Within the Wild: OSU Land Stewards

Max Bennett shows what tree rings can tell you about the health of your forest.

Becky Owston visits with her Muscovy ducks.

12

Jackson County Master Gardener Association Board of Directors Meeting – July 8, 2016

NEW BUSINESS: Spring Garden Fair — Much of the July Board meeting was spent discussing our biggest fundraiser. After the great success we had in 2016 our team is tired and looking for new faces to help with many important positions for the event. These positions include an assistant SGF chair, two vendor coordinators, a publicity coordinator, two volunteer coordinators, and a door monitor coordinator. Each of these positions will have a mentor available to help them get the swing of things. Jan Carlson has agreed to step up as SGF Chair, at least temporarily. You may see some new benches appearing around the garden. Steve Gies, Kari’s husband is making these and donating his time. Thank you Steve and Kari, they look great! Barbara Davidson asked if we would like to donate a decorated bicycle to the International Master Gardener Conference. It was agreed that this would be a fun project. A bicycle has already been located and volunteers are eager to begin. One of our veteran Master Gardeners, Pam Pearson from the class of 2015, passed away this past month. She volunteered each week in the propagation garden. Pam had started making a small English garden in the propagation area. This garden will be continued by the propagation garden volunteers. REPORTS: Apprentice Program – We started with approximately 25 Apprentices in the demonstration gardens but that number is decreasing. The Herb Garden does not have an apprentice and we do not have a head gardener for the Rose Garden. Peggy Corum is selling plants on Wednesdays but we also often have plants on our free table. We had a small group visit the gardens the week of June 29th. They were from California. They were very impressed. We had a visitor from Japan and a painter painting in the Lavender Garden. Children’s Garden — In their first class, the younger children created a lizard habitat after learning about lizards and how to make them

welcome in the garden. They learned the life cycle of onions and seeds and they planted marigolds and rows of vegetables. The older children also learned about seeds using the seed packets and planted sunflowers, pumpkins and gourds. The children are learning how to protect plants from the critters that visit the garden. Thanks to Roland and Sue Kretschmann our watering setup is working great. The New greenhouse will be set up for 2017. Community Outreach – Three speakers for the Speakers Bureau in June were Rosenelle Florencechild, Robin McKenzie and Sherri Morgan. Fred Marken donated a Royal Weeder to the Food Security Garden and the Grange Co-op donated $300. This year’s vegetable crop has been planted and includes about 100 sweet peppers, 100 hot peppers, 200 tomatoes and 100 egg plants. The rest of the plot is being planted with buckwheat to build the soil, feed native pollinators, and provide an habitat for other beneficial species. Documents for school grants are ready for inclusion on the JCMGA website under Community Services. OSU Coordinator – The Master Gardener Get-A-way was productive with a lot of great feedback and ideas were gathered. The “Geek-Out” sessions are well attended. Head gardeners have clarified several goals for the next 6 months. One goal is to label all plants on the grounds with botanical and common names. Gardens and Grounds – Victor has spent many hours improving our irrigation system and his next project will be the poles for the mash signs. In the Garden – We have aired a total of 29 segments this year with 9

in June. Segments can be viewed at www.kdrv.com/features/in-the-garden. Membership – Pam Hillers spoke to the volunteers during Wednesday’s break in the gardens. She outlined the useful information found in the directory and spoke about the nomination process for Board positions. Practicum — Plans have been completed for the greenhouse and we are waiting for approval from the Building Department. Once we receive approval we will order the greenhouse. It is expected to take about a month and then we can begin construction in September or October. Jane Moyer and Virginia Brown continue to work with Rhianna Simes to plan changes in the curriculum, lesson plans and the program for 2017. Winter Dreams — The Winter Dreams is making progress. A number of sub-chairs have been recruited. The speaker coordinator team, consisting of Sherri Morgan, Pam Hillers, Sandy Hammond and Yvonne Fried, have begun to contact about 50 potential speakers. James Cassidy from OSU and Kristen Ohlson are confirmed speakers. Kristen Ohlson, just published a book titled Soil Will Save Us (http://www.kristinohlson.com/books/soil-will-save-us). Ed Hansen, from the 2016 class, will help with marketing and Laura Huntington is exploring Square and a program called Event Brite as a way to facilitate on-line registration and pay. At this time, we anticipate having a complete speaker and course list by late July or early August. We will post on-line registration materials by early September. Pam Hillers has provided an extensive list of folks who have indicated that they are willing to volunteer as registrars, greeters, etc. for Winter Dreams. Laurie Nielsen is again serving as volunteer coordinator. ADJOURNEMT/NEXT MEETING: August 5, 2016 at 10:00 am. Respectfully submitted, Pam Mooers Recording Secretary Master Gardener 2014

13

Friends, Food and Fun Will it be Burgers or Ribs?

MASTER GARDENER ASSOCIATION’‛s

SUMMER PICNIC

Saturday August 27, 2016 5:30

OSU Extension, Hanley Road

RSVP to Kate Hassen, President Elect at roseknitter1@gmail.com or 541-531-6633

Please bring a side dish, salad or dessert. The Master Gardener Associa on is providing the main dish and non-alcoholic beverag-­‐es. And don’t forget your own table service including beverage

container.

JCMGA

:// . . / OSU EXTENSION

:// . . /

Calendar of Upcoming Events

BEET BOX Editor/Layout Cindy Williams cindy@clwnet.com Photography Kenda Swartz kenda@nr4g.com Proofreading Linda Holder lholder@charter.net

Susan Kiefer skief2155@earthlink.net Carolyn Wolf carwolf@sonic.net

Mailing Lead Pam Harmon The Garden Beet is published monthly by the OSU Jackson County Master Gardener Associa on, Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center, 569 Hanley Road, Central Point, Oregon 97502. Phone: 541-776-7371

Publishing Informa on: All ar cles and photos are due by the 15th of the preceding month. Ar cles should not exceed 600 words. One- me ar cles should be emailed to the editor for review. If a photo needs to be taken, please contact Kenda Swartz at the email address above. Photos submi ed cannot be less than 600x800. Oregon State University Extension Service offers educa onal programs, ac vi es, and materials without regard to race, color, na onal origin, sex, or disability as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Educa on Amendments of 1972 and Sec on 504 of the Rehabilita on Act of 1973. Oregon State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All informa on provided by the Garden Beet is believed to be accurate. Readers must assume all responsibility for their own ac ons based on this informa on. Occasionally a product or company may be named in an ar cle but this does not cons tute an endorsement of said product by JCMGA.