O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 V O L U M E 1 3 , I S S U E 1 0

Queen Anne’s County Master Gardener Newsletter

The Watering Can I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

Coordinators

Corner

2

2011 Monthly

Meetings

3

Holiday Luncheon 3

Educational

Opportunities

4

Bay-Wise 4

Upcoming Meetings

5

Volunteer Hours 5

Grow It Eat It 6

Farm to Table 6

Reflections on Tomatoes

7

Volunteer Opportunities

8

MG Intern Classes 8

Corsica Awareness Day

9

Arbec’s Fieldtrip 9

Calendar 10-11 MG of the Month: Kate Greer Kate, a resident of Queenstown joined the Queen Anne’s County MG’s with the class of 2008. Since joining Kate has been an active member of our Annual Garden Affair committee, the Bay-wise committee and most recently the St.

Martins Garden Commit-tee. Kate is a very dedicated member of the Queen Anne’s County Master Gardener Program and we are very fortunate to have her on our team. Thank you Kate for all of your hard work and dedication!

October 19th MG Meeting from 9:30 am to 11:30 am: Bring One Get One, Bring Two

Fall is the perfect time to thin, split, or divide flora in our gardens. Would you like to share some extra mature plants or babies? If so come to the October 19th meeting at Tilghman Terrace in Centreville. Things to remember:

Favorite houseplants can be propagated Plants rooted and potted in paper cups, pots, tin cans or any type container. They can also be wrapped in paper or plas-tic. Every size plant is acceptable, from seedlings to monster mature plants, bulbs, rhizomes, seeds, bushes, shrubs, trees, vegetables, perennials, annuals, herbs, vines, succulents, water plants and houseplants. If you’ve got it, bring it! REMEMBER TO LABEL YOUR PLANTS.

Healthy plants, labeled with the Latin and common names, color of bloom, bloom time, growing conditions (sun/shade) Labels can be masking tape, plastic tabs. Tabs can be made easily by cutting milk cartons or clear soft drink bottles up into short lengths with a pointed bottom, use Magic Marker or Sharpie to write on them. Offering plants on the invasive list (English Ivy, Nandina, Ajuga, barberry for example) is strongly discouraged. Of the plants that you are bringing, try not to water them immediately before the event. It makes the pots heavier and in-creases the chances of them leaking and making a mess in someone's vehicle. Everyone values already rooted plants over fresh cuttings, so it is a good idea to start rooting your cuttings a few weeks before the event. Have fun! Directions on page 2

Submitted by Julie Tompkins,

with additions by Neenah

P A G E 2

T H E W A T E R I N G C A N

UPDATE YOUR

CONTACT INFO!

Please send any changes

to Rachel Melvin at

rmelvin1@umd.edu,

505 Railroad Ave,

Suite 4,

Centreville, MD 21617

or fax: (410) 758-3687

Rachel Melvin,

Master Gardener

Coordinator

Denise Miller, Lynn Wait, Linda Doub, Jack Doub, Karen Wimsatt, Jane Chambers, Kit Forster, Betty McAtee, and Debbie Pusey from being Hostess to our MG Intern Class.

Nick Stoer and Jim Persels for helping with the Corsica Awareness booth. Carol Jelich for helping with the Adkins Booth. John Ittu, Annie Ittu, Vida Morley, Dick Crane, Alice Macnow, Nancy Robson, Ruth Menefee, and Sarah Bradham for being MG Representatives at the Ice Cream Social. John Ittu and Jim Persels for helping with the Stink Bug talks. Debbie Pusey, Susan Seth and Jackie Kelly for helping with the Rain Garden workday. As always, thanks is due to all of you, but if we missed a deserved thank you or if you wish to express your appreciation to someone, please let Rachel know and it shall be acknowledged in the next newsletter.

Thanks To:

Coordinator’s Corner After the heat of July and August, I am really glad that fall is here. All summer I have been patiently waiting for October! Since our last monthly meeting in July the MG program has been as busy as ever. We started training our 2011 MG Interns. So far our speakers, interns (15 from Talbot, Queen Anne’s, Kent and Caroline Counties), and hostesses, have done a fantastic job. Many more subjects are left to be taught and our interns are eager and enthusiastic to learn. Just a few reminders for the upcoming months….

Our last rain garden clean up for

the season will be on Thursday, October 20th at 9:30 am. The normal volunteer crew has done a fabulous job with the garden, but they will need some extra help to get the garden ready for the fall. As the saying goes “Many hands make for light work.” All 2010 Intern hours are due by Friday, October 28th if you wish to be recognized at the Holiday Luncheon in December. RSVP’s & payment for the Holi-day Luncheon are due by November 23rd.

Directions to October Monthly Meeting

104 Tilghman Ave Centreville, Md. 21617

From South of Centreville

Follow 213 N. into town. Turn right at first

light onto Water street and **pass the PNC bank on your right. Tilghman Ave will be

on your right. Turn right onto Tilghman Ave.

Street Parking is available as well as in the

back.

From North of Centreville

Follow 213 S. into town. Turn Left on E.

Water St. **Follow directions above.

Tilghman Terrace

P A G E 3 V O L U M E 1 3 , I S S U E 1 0

Date Topic Time Place

Wednesday, October 19, 2011 Bring One Get One, Bring Two Get Two

9:30am to 11:30 am Tilghman Terrace

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Planning 2012 9:30am to 11:30 am Tilghman

Terrace

Wednesday, December 14, 2011 * Week early due to Holiday*

Holiday Luncheon 11:30 to 2 ish SEE Below!!!!

Wednesday, December 14th, Molly’s Inn in Galena, MD

Cost will be $22 per person made payable to QACEAC .

PLEASE RSVP before 4:30pm on November 23rd.

Payment must accompany your RSVP by November 23rd.

Guests are welcome!

I, ,WILL ATTEND TOTAL number of guests, including myself TOTAL enclosed ($22 x number of guests) Other health concern with meal –contact Rachel

Come celebrate a productive year and the joy of the season with your fellow Master Gardeners. This year we will hold our annual event at the Molly’s Inn in Galena, Md., on Wednesday, December 14th at 11:30, lunch being served at 12 noon. Lunch will be a choice of either broiled crab cake with wild rice and pecans or grilled vegetable ravioli in garlic oil with roasted red peppers & medley of seasonal vegetables. The cost will be $22 per person. A salad of Sliced Apples, Blackberries, Strawberries, Dried Cranberries, Candied Chestnuts, Crumbled Farmer's Cheese, Mixed Greens, Wild Berry-Honey Vinaigrette will also be served. Desert will be a brownie sundae! Special thanks goes to MG Sandy Simonson for planning this wonderful event.

Choice of Entrées: Please Choose one Entree

Broiled Crab Cake with Wild Rice and Pecans

Grilled Vegetable Ravioli in Garlic Oil with Roasted Red Peppers & Medley

of Seasonal Vegetables

Salad: Wild Orchard Salad: Sliced Apples, Blackber-

ries, Strawberries, Dried Cranberries, Candied Chestnuts, Crumbled Farmer's Cheese, Mixed Greens, Wild Berry-Honey Vinaigrette

Dessert:

Brownie Sundae served with coffee or tea

T H E W A T E R I N G C A N

P A G E 4

The Bay-Wise Committee has had a productive year with

a number of landscape consultations and certifications. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend the last Bay-Wise committee meeting of 2011 on Wednesday, October 19, at noon at the Extension office, following the monthly meeting. We will review our activities for this year and look forward to the next, focusing on areas for improvement and ways to broaden our outreach to the public.

Our next Bay-Wise meeting

will be on Wednesday, October

19th at 12pm at the Extension

Office

Congratulations to MG’s Jim Persels & Susan McRae for having their landscape

certified as being Bay-Wise

general public

Sunday, October 23, 2011 Foraging from 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm pm Fee: $15 members, $20 general public

Wednesday, October 26, 2011 Clyburn Ar-boretum and Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory Bus Trip from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Fee: $85 members, $105 general public

Saturday, October 29, 2011 Macro and Close-up Photography from 8:00 am - 12:00 pm Note: Bring ALL photo equip-ment, including a digital memory card, ex-tra batteries, and camera manual. A tripod is optional but is highly recommended. While point-and-shoot cameras are wel-come, please be reminded that these cam-eras have limited options but can work quite well for close-ups. $35 members, $45 general public

To register for classes www.adkinsarboretum.org or call 410.634.2847, ext. 0

Educational Opportunities Akins Arboretum:

Wednesday, October 5, 2011 Adventures in Plant Propagation from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm $15 members, $20 general public

Thursday, October 6, 2011 describe Your Forest from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Fee: $15 members, $20 general public per program; $35 members, $45 general public for all three programs in the series

Thursday, October 13, 2011 Woodland Native Plants from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Fee: $15 mem-bers, $20 general public per program; $35 mem-bers, $45 general public for all three programs in the series

Friday, October 21, 2011 Mammals of the Arbo-retum Walk from 10:00 am - 11:30 pm Free with admission. Admission ($5 adults, $3 students ages 6-18, free for members) may be paid the day of the program.

Friday, October 21, 2011 Mushrooms and More from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm $125 members, $155

Fourth "Turning a New Leaf" Conference Friday, December 2, 2011 Double Tree Resort by Hilton in Lancaster, PA

The Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council announces its fourth sustainable landscaping conference. This conference brings together landscaping professionals,

environmental non-profits, and government agencies to exchange information and network. From the science of storm water management to native plant marketing techniques, this conference focuses on innovative practices to improve your business and the health of the environment and the Chesapeake Bay. Early Registration through October 15: $89 members; $99 non-members; $49 Student Registration after October 15: $109 members; $119 non-members; $59 student For more information visit: http://www.chesapeakelandscape.org/2011leaf.htm

P A G E 5 V O L U M E 1 3 , I S S U E 1 0

QACMG News –Volunteer Hours Needed

Upcoming Meetings

St. Martins Garden Wrap Up: Thursday,

November 3rd at 9:30am at

Extension Office

Garden Affair Planning

Meeting: Thursday,

November 3rd at

11:30 am at Extension

Office

Grow It Eat It Planning meeting for

2012 Monday, November 14th at

9:30 am at the Extension Office

Intern Welcome Potluck Luncheon: Friday, November 4th at 12pm at the Talbot Ag

Center (directions to follow in November Newsletter)

Looking Ahead-

2012: Monthly

Meeting,

Wednesday,

November 16th at

9:30am at Tilghman

Terrace in Centreville

Thanks to all who have gotten their time sheets in since our last newsletter. If you haven’t done so yet, please take time to do so right now and record your hours for 2011. Even if you have completed your 20 hours (active MG) or 40 hours (Intern), please report any additional hours. Showing our hours is how we demonstrate the impact our program has on the surrounding community. As of right now, we only have 1263 hours turned in where as, last year, we had over 4,000 hours turned in by December. Note for 2010 Interns—To be recognized at the Holiday Luncheon you have to reach the 40 hour mark by Friday, October 28th. If you need help filling out time-sheets or have questions regarding codes please contact Pat Bowell or me, and we can help in anyway possible. You can mail timesheets to the office (University of Maryland Extension, 505 Railroad Ave, Suite 4, Centreville, MD 21617) or email them to Pat Bowell at bowell74@verizon.net or Rachel at rmelvin1@umd.edu .

All Volunteer hours for 2011 must turned in by

December 22, 2011

October

Continue to dig potatoes and to harvest pumpkins and winter squashes

Carrots, turnips and parsnips may be over-wintered by covering the bed with a deep straw or leaf mulch. Harvest, as needed.

Plant lettuce, spinach, radishes and corn salad through the middle of the month. Protect with row covers or a cold frame.

Dig up small herb plants, pot them in soil-less mix and bring them indoors for winter use. A sunny window, or cool, white fluorescent lights will help keep them productive. Keep them away from excessive heat or drafts, and turn down the thermostat at night.

Build new garden beds by sheet mulching: cut grass low, cover with sections of newspaper, then with layers of organic matter, such as compost, leaves, garden clippings, kitchen scraps; top with a thick layer of straw or other mulch.

Start collecting newspaper, and paper bags for sheet mulching in the spring.

T H E W A T E R I N G C A N

Grow It Eat It P A G E 6

Students attending the Kent County Middle School (KCMS) have been getting “down and dirty” the past two years planting and harvesting the Victory Garden at the KCMS. The garden was established in April of 2010 under the leadership of Sabine Harvey, Master Gardener and Horticulture Program Assistant with University of Maryland Extension, Kent County. Under Sabine’s leadership students, parents, volunteers and partners have created a garden that has sown many benefits in the commu-nity. Since inception nearly 1,200 pounds of produce have been harvested and donated to the local food pantry, summer camps and the backpack program for KCMS families in need, as well as garden volunteers. Students will experience the full cycle from seed to harvest to table when they provide some of their produce for the October dinner series of Farm Dinners on the Shore, themed “Farms & Food: Next Generation,” at Lockbriar Farms in Chestertown. Farm Dinners on the Shore pairs re-gional chefs, local foods and upper Eastern Shore farms to create fine dining events right on the farms. Students will participate in the Sunday, October 23, farm dinner — a late afternoon cookout at Lockbriar Farms — along with Sabine Harvey. The KCMS Victory Garden will receive a portion of the proceeds from the Lockbriar Farms signature dinner on Saturday, October 22, as well as the Sunday cookout. Wayne and Marcella Lockwood, owners of Lockbriar Farms, are well versed in multi-generation farm families, and their children, Jacqueline and James, play an active role in the opera-

tion of the farm. Jacqueline is a familiar face to shoppers at the Chestertown Farmers Market, running the stand on Saturdays and Wednesdays. The dinner theme “Farms & Food: Next Generation” recognizes the contribution that children make to the family farm’s vitality. Menus and pricing for the October dinners are at www.farmdinnersontheshore.com. For more information on the University of Maryland Extension and the Victory Garden access University of Maryland Extension (Kent County) at www.kent.umd.edu.

Middle School Victory Garden Students and Produce

Featured at October Farm Dinner on the Shore

submitted by: MG Intern Nancy Carter, Cecil County

Did you know: Broccoli has as much calcium per ounce as an ounce of milk

V O L U M E 1 3 , I S S U E 1 0 P A G E 7

Which tomatoes performed best during this challenging season? We planted 9 different varieties at the Victory Garden (I had an additional 2 varieties at home). We covered 1 bed with red plastic mulch and one with straw. The first observation is that the bed with the plastic mulch did indeed do a lot better, as the experts claim, than the bed covered with mulch. In fact, at this moment, the vines in the bed with the red plastic mulch are still doing okay, whereas several plants in the other bed have died already. Now for the cultivars: as always Celebrity Hybrid and Early Pick performed steadily and well. They both produce nice size tomatoes. They start early and they keep going after other tomatoes are done. I have never liked beefsteak tomatoes but I thought I should give them a try. After this season I must say, I still don’t like beefsteak tomatoes. First of all, they took forever to turn red; not just in my gardens, but this was a complaint all over the county. Secondly, they take so long to grow that between the hot tempera-tures, downpours and insects, we actually did not harvest many edible tomatoes of these plants. Sure the ones that we did get were gigantic, but I think over the entire season they produced a lot less than other plants. Heirlooms. We tried three different varieties: Amish Paste, Mr. Stripy (like Striped Ze-bra) and Black Krim. I wish I had something good to say, but Mr. Stripy and Black Krim were an abso-lute bust. The tomatoes went from not ripe to rotting in no time, or they started to rot before they were ripe. They also seem to have been the favorites of all the critters that like to munch on tomatoes. Since heirlooms don’t have much disease resistance, the plants got sick fairly early in the season. As for the Amish Paste the verdict might still be out. The plant in the bed with the straw died in mid July. The plant in the bed with the red plastic is still doing pretty well. The problem with this plant was that the

bottom part of the tomatoes would be very ripe, while the top part stayed green. Eventu-ally we got all red tomatoes, but that was at about the same time that it didn’t stop rain-ing: all the tomatoes cracked severely. Maybe it is just me! So far I have not grown a paste tomato that does well. If you have grown paste/roma tomatoes successfully, I would love to get some suggestions! Big Boy/Better Boy. They both seemed to per-form pretty well, all things considered. Perhaps Better Boy did a little bit better, but there was not much of a difference. Long Keeper. This plant produces tomatoes that you can keep in your house for a long time. The tomatoes are a nice small size and there were a lot of them. The problem is the taste, in particular the skin. I guess you can save these tomatoes longer because they have a really thick skin, kind of unpleasant. To an extend these tomatoes reminded me of the ones you buy in the store. So, although the plant performed well (and is still producing), I am not sure I will plant it again. I had two more varieties in my own garden: Tomosa and Juliet. I have grown Tomosa for three years now and I so want to like this plant. It makes beautiful 4 oz tomatoes, it pro-duces early in the season, then it slows down and keeps producing until frost. What is not to like? Well, it is more suitable for a European climate and ultimately I am not sure it can really withstand the high humidity and crazy rain. I haven’t gotten an edible to-mato of this plant in over 6 weeks. When it is happy, it makes great tomatoes. The ques-tion is, is it happy here. Last but not least, Juliet. Yes, I did save the best for last. This is a keeper!!! This is a grape tomato and it was recommended by our state Master Gardener. Well, he was right! The tomatoes are about twice the size of a cherry tomato and they are possibly the sweetest tomato I have ever eaten. The vine produces all summer long, but not in the overwhelming crazy way that a cherry tomatoes. It is still producing beau-tiful tomatoes! This variety was the success of the season; it will become a regular in my garden! Now I am curious whether you grew any tomatoes at home this year. If so, do you have any observations/recommendations you would like to share? I would love some suggestions for next year.

Reflections on Tomatoes-2011 by MG Sabine Harvey

St. Martins Garden : The Garden at St. Martin’s is in it’s final sessions. If you would to help put the garden to bed on Saturday, October 22nd at 10:30 am please let Bonnie Conner know Bon-joe3@yahoo.com

Volunteer Opportunities

Demo Gardens in Centreville: All hands on deck. The Library Rain Garden is in need of all of our help to get it ready for the winter. If you would like to help put the Rain Garden to bed please come to the October 20th cleanup day.

Make sure that you bring your own tools with you.

October 20 – Rain Garden at 9:30 November 17 –Millstream Garden at 9:30

The locations may change if we feel one garden or the other needs more or less attention.

The schedule is set, the speakers and host-esses are confirmed and the interns are ready for the start of Master Gardner Intern Train-ing. The course is to run 9 weeks, ending on Friday, November 4th. Classes will generally be held from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. All classes will be held in the Todd Performing Arts Center Building 11, room number 01. We have also scheduled a few field trips for the interns.

Training Schedule:

T H E W A T E R I N G C A N

P A G E 8

October 7

9-11: Nevin Dawson—Trees

10:30-11:30: Plant Clinics –

Sabine Harvey

11:30-12: Lunch

12:30: -3:30- Abiotics – Bob Stewart

October 14

9-11:30: Ecology –

Sylvan Kaufman

11:30-12: Lunch

12-1:30: Bay-Friendly Turf –

Heather Buritsch

1:30-3: Pruning –

Andrew Ristvey

October 21

9-11:30: Intro to Bay-Wise

11:30-12: Lunch

12-3: Presentations

October 28

9-11:30: Presentations

11:30-12: Lunch

12-3: Review

November 4 – Ag Center

9-12: Final Exam

(Open Book & Notes)

12-2: Luncheon

Class of 2011 MG Interns take a tour of Environmental Concern in St. Michaels to learn about wetland plants

and living shorelines.

V O L U M E 1 3 , I S S U E P A G E 9

The 6th annual Corsica River Awareness Day sponsored by Corsica River Conservancy (CRC) took place on Saturday, September 17, 2011 at Bloomfield Farm in Centreville. Queen Anne’s County Master Gardeners participated by having a booth dedicated to educating the public on the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug and the importance of soil testing. Master Gardeners educated over 183 Queen Anne’s County residents and children on the importance of proper soil testing and identifying invasive species in our environment. Additionally, many children loved the board that Edith Lewis and Bonnie Dixon painted and a slew of pictures were taken. Bright sunny skies added to the wonderful fall atmosphere of great music, food, and fun family activities.

Corsica River Awareness Day

MG Jim Persels, talks to people about the BMSB and ways to reduce it from overwintering in homes.

In place of a formal September meeting, Queen Anne’s County Master Gardener Volunteers visited Arbec Greenhouse in Queen Anne, MD. Arbec Greenhouse is operated by Orchid enthusiast Roger Cole. Roger, has been actively growing orchids for over 30 years and his knowledge on orchids is bounding. His greenhouse, houses many different varieties of orchids but his favorite to grow is Cattleyas. Cattleyas grow in strong sun and need 4 to 6 hours of strong sun on their leaves. An east or west window with sunlight at noon is good. Although, they should be gradually moved into stronger sunlight. He also grows about 5 other varieties. If you would like more information on orchids you can visit Roger at the Easton Farmers Market on Saturdays.

MG Gayle Jayne examines scale on an orchid

Cattleyas orchid grown by Roger Cole at

Arbec’s Greenhouse

Roger Cole (Right)

explains the different

varieties of orchids to

Master Gardeners

Arbec’s Greenhouse Tour

Upcoming Meetings and Trips

P A G E 1 0

T H E W A T E R I N G C A N

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

3 4 5 6 7 MG Intern

Class see page 8

8

10 Extension

Office Closed

11 12 13 14 MG Intern

Class see page 8

15

17 18 19 MG Meeting See

Cover

Bay-Wise Meeting See

Page 4

20 Demogarden-Rain

Garden 9:30 am see

page 8

21 MG Intern

Class see page 8

22 St. Martins

Garden 10:30

am see page 8

24 25 26 27 28 MG Intern

Class see page 8

29

31

October 2011

Friday, Oct. 7th: MG Intern Class see page 8

Monday, Oct. 10th: Extension Office Closed

Friday, Oct. 14th: MG Intern Class see page 8

Wednesday, Oct. 19th: MG Meeting See Cover

Wednesday, Oct. 19th: Bay-Wise Meeting See Page 4

Thursday, Oct. 20th: Demogarden cleanup -Rain Garden 9:30 am see page 8

Friday, Oct. 21st: MG Intern Class see page 8

Saturday, Oct. 22nd: St. Martins Garden 10:30 am see page 8

Friday, Oct. 28th: MG Intern Class see page 8

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University of Maryland Extension

Queen Anne’s County

505 Railroad Ave.

Suite 4

Centreville, MD 21617

Vision Statement: A healthier world through environmental stewardship

Master Gardener Coordinator,

Queen Anne’s County

QACMG Website:

http://queenannes.umd.edu/QACMG/

index.cfm

University of Maryland Extension

505 Railroad Avenue, Suite 4

Centreville MD, 21617

Phone: (410) 758-0166

Fax: (410) 758-3687

http://queenannes.umd.edu/

November Newsletter Deadline:

Monday, October 17th

Send submissions to Rachel:

rmelvin1@umd.edu

It is the policy of the University of Maryland and University of Maryland Extension, that no person shall be

subjected to discrimination on the grounds of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital or parental status, or disability. Equal opportunity employers and equal access programs.

Q: What song does Dracula hate? A: “ You are my

sunshine”