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INSIDE: Local Master Gardener News - 2 Upcoming Events – 3 Bits and Pieces - 7

/ February 2008 April 2017

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THE BIOTIC LIFE OF SOIL by Nina Logan On March 21 Gordy Petschow spoke to us about the natural life of soil. How do we try to achieve this goal? We can use either natural or mechanical methods. Mechanical methods such the use of chemicals to achieve our goal of beautiful lawns and more productive crops can be used. However these methods are short lived and must be repeated year after year destroying the natural life of the soil. Ecology is the understanding of the living organisms and their relationship with their environment and with other species. It must be understood that this process takes years in the making. It takes 500 years to raise the topsoil levels 1 inch. The use of farm and garden practices of plowing and spading can reduce that level in one season. By using chemicals along with these practices, that topsoil can be washed away with irrigation, rainfall and wind. Using chemicals also reduces groundcover by exposing the soil to erosion leaving only compacted sandy clay nutrient poor. This forces farmers and gardeners to use more chemicals to try to enrich the soil. It takes about 3 years to return the soil to it’s natural state. Residues from chemical use takes that long to dissipate. We can build toward self sustaining lawns and fields over time by reducing tillage, using cover crops and using natural nutrients such as mulches, manures to replace natural nutrients which have eroded away over time. I think Gordy’s presentation gave us pause to think of ways we can help keep healthy gardens and lawns. Treats were served and after the presentation door prizes were awarded. If you missed this event mark your calendars for the April 18 when Erin LaFaive will be showing how to start seeds. The event will be held at the Altoona Library. Check out the details on page 5 of this newsletter.

Picture by Paula Bonnin

Page 2 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener New April 2017

Eau Claire Area Master Gardeners and Northern Wisconsin Hosta Society Plant Sale

Sunday, June 11 from 10:00 am-2:00 pm Phoenix Park

Our sale day is arriving quickly, so there a few things to keep in mind: If you are starting spring seeds or splitting some plants—Save some for the sale. We will be selling perennials, annuals, herbs and vegetables plants. Please mark your plants with its type, name and sun requirements. If you can, add a picture of the blooming plant. Customers will pay more for a plant if they know what it is. If you are interested in working the day of the sale, please email me at susmerten@wwt.net or call/text me at 715-271-1259. Please also let me know if you can bring tables for the day of the sale. We will have two shifts: 7am-11am and 11am-3pm. Any time you can give will be a help. Also, save your cardboard carriers and bring them to the sale. We will be selling gently used garden items and house plants that pruned and potted in an appropriate sized pot. We are trying to keep the spread of jumping worms to a minimum so I need you to take some precautions to take when potting up your plants from your yard. I have updated information from Bernie Williams at the DNR.

-After you dig your plant up, remove the dirt from the roots. Dip the roots into a COLD bucket of water with a few drops of bleach(no more that 5%). -Rinse the plant in regular water and pot up the plant in sterile dirt. -If you are recycling pots, please sanitize them first. -Before disposing of your bleach and rinse water, please add more bleach to each and let the buckets sit (continued on pg. 6)

Local Master Gardener News

NOTE: The ECAMGA Board minutes no longer appears in the newsletter. You may access them by going to the website at

http://www.eauclairemastergardeners.com/forms.html

Changing e-mail? Moving? If you do, please remember to notify the ECAMG and the newsletter editor of your new e-mail address and/or mailing address so you don’t miss any Eau Claire Area Master Gardener happenings! Email your new information to Carol Cox at c7w6c2200@charter.net or notify her by snail mail at 1908 Hogeboom Ave., Eau Claire, WI 54701 (or call her at 715-783- 0016 - cell).

ECAMGA Board ECAMGA BOARD MEMBER CONTACT INFO

Name E-mail address Phone number

Erin LaFaive Erin.lafaive@ces.uwex.edu 715-839-4712

Mary Jane Griffin mgriffinhlaa@gmail.com 715-835-6979 Dick Lienhardt

dicklienhardt@yahoo.com 715-286-9917 Nancy Spak

nancyspak@gmail.com 715-835-6546 Ede Strand

edestrand@aol.com 715-8326775 Jerry Richards

richardsleeann@hotmail.com 715-456-7232 Carla Pelzl jcpelzl@gmail.com 715-835-6628 Nina Logan

ninalogan@centurylink.net 715-878-4585 Ellen Terwilliger

terwilset@gmail.com 715- Lori Kempen

lorikempen@charter.net 715-832-8088

MGV Bulletin Board Postings Stories and Opportunities!!!! Bulletin Board Postings Stories and Opportunities!!!!

ECAMGA 2017

Calendar All meetings at UW-Extension Office unless otherwise noted

April 18, Erin LaFaive, “Starting

Seeds,” Altoona Public Library

May 2017: 2017: Darrell Reed – “Gardening 1,2,3” – Altoona Public Library

June 11, 2017: ECAMGA Annual Plant Sale

July 18, 2017: Paula Bonnin, “Growing Roses”

August 15, 2017: Backyard Beekeeping -tentative

September 19, 2017: End of Season Harvest Potluck

October 17, 2017: “Healthy Houseplants” – Kelly from DTE Garden Center

November 7, 2017: Ellen Terwilliger - “Costa Rica Cocoa Plantation”

December 2017: Annual Christmas Party and Election of Board Members.

Page 3 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener News April 2017

Dear gardening friends: Chippewa Valley Growers

is inviting members and friends of Eau Claire Garden Club and

Eau Claire Area Master Gardeners to a 2017 New Variety Plant Preview

Tuesday, April 25, 2017 6:00 - 7:00 PM

(Rain or shine!) This is a special evening to receive a personal tour of their greenhouse and learn about

12 new perennials and 12 new annuals for the 2017 season!

Purchases will be allowed that evening. All those attending will

receive a coupon for $ 10.00 off a $ 50.00 purchase. (Coupons will be good for that evening or a later

date.) Chippewa Valley Growers 7825 Prill Road, Eau Claire

Chippewa Valley Growers is located 3 miles East of Eau Claire at the intersection of Highway 12 and Prill Rd.

Upcoming Events & Other Things

In search of my m

Learn to be an observer in all seasons. Every single day, your garden has

something new and wonderful to show you.

~Author Unknown

Frog Fest - Wednesday, April 26, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. at the Wise Nature Center Frog Fest 2017 is an annual event not only at Beaver Creek, but throughout Wisconsin each spring as the ponds begin to thaw. The Wisconsin Frog Fest circuit hosts 11 frog performers and 1 toad. Join Reserve naturalist Ruth Forsgren as she helps you to identify by sight and sound our local performers. Weather and trail conditions permitting, the evening will end with a hike down to Beaver Creek’s own frog chorus marsh. Dress appropriately for cool evening weather and possible muddy terrain. A flashlight may also prove helpful. Program is appropriate for school age children through adults. Registration and full payment required by April 24. Friends Adult $5, Child $3 Nonmembers Adult $8, Child $5 Acoustic Bat Monitoring Wednesday April 26, 7:30-9:15 p.m. Citizen Science Center Wisconsin has seven species of bat, four of which are threatened and three are listed as Species of Greatest Conservation Need. With White-nose Syndrome threatening bats across much of the United States, there is no better time to assist in this citizen science opportunity. Join us to learn about Wisconsin’s bat species and how to conduct acoustic monitoring and bat roost monitoring surveys in the Chippewa Valley. To end the program we will step into the night and learn how to use the Citizen Science Center’s portable acoustic bat monitoring device to assist state bat biologists with collecting data about these misunderstood night flyers. Registration and full payment required by April 25. Friends $5 Nonmembers $8 Phenology Hike for Elder Explorers Three Date Options: Thursday, April 20, 9:30-11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 18, 9:30-11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 8, 9:30-11:00 a.m. Wise Nature Center This naturalist-led, 60-minute hike on reserve trails will document the changes taking place in the woods at Beaver Creek. The hike will be capped off with coffee and a treat and further discussion about the changes and things we’ve seen on the hike. Hikers should expect about a mile-long hike with uneven terrain and stairs to negotiate. This program is targeted for adult nature lovers 55 and older. Participate monthly or register for one week at a time — the choice is yours. Pricing is per hike, register for one or all! Registration and full payment required by April 18, May 16, and June 6 respectively. Friends $3 Nonmembers $5 p a

Page 4 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener News April 2017

Classes:

Saturday, April 1st 10:00 am - Veggie & Herb Gardening 101 New to growing your own food? This class is for you. Everything from planning the layout of your garden or container to what to plant and when. We will also cover companion plants and harvesting. Growing your own food is a much healthier way to live. Find out how to get started at this class.

Saturday, April 15th10:00 am – 5:00 pm Rain or Shine - Down to Earth Easter Egg Hunt Springtime Family Fun! Hundreds of eggs will be hidden throughout the grounds, greenhouse and store. Each egg has candy for the kids, and some eggs also have coupons for parents. Kids can paint and plant a mini pot to take home with them for an additional $2 charge. * Limit 3 eggs per child - please. Plus, parents can enter a drawing to win one of several prizes including a $50 Down To Earth Gift Card. Saturday, April 29th 10:00 am (preregistration required) - Straw Bale Gardening With Ellis Stewart Cost : $25 Includes Book & Class - Learn about the newest , interesting way of garden growing Pre registration is not required for most classes but is appreciated.

6025 Arndt Lane Eau Claire WI, 54701 715-833-1234 E-mail - home@dwntoearth.com http://www.dwntoearth.com/index2.html

Call 715-836-8220 for more information or go to: http://www.maysfloralgarden.com.

Insects in the Landscape: from the Back Woods to the Back Yard

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College 15618 Windrose Ln #106

Hayward, WI 54843 April 6th, 2017

10:30am - 12:00pm PJ Liesch, Entomologist and Director of the UW-Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab and Paul Cigan, Forest Health Specialist for the WI DNR will present a short program on insects in our gardens and the back woods. No Cost to attend. For more information contact: Sue Reinardy (Phone: 715-462-3361 or Email: sreinardy@centurytel.net.

“One of the worst mistakes

you can make as a gardener is to think you're in charge.”

~Janet Gillespie

Page 5 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener News April 2017

Plant Some Seeds Now For Fall Harvest…. Join the Eau Claire Area Master Gardeners (ECAMGs) and get started on your gardens by learning indoor seeding techniques Tuesday, April 18, 2017 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Altoona Public Library. Individuals will learn how to start and care for seeds indoors, "Starting seeds indoors is a great way to get ahead of the growing season" comments Erin LaFaive, Horticulture Educator for UW-Extension Eau Claire County. In addition, participants will get hands-on experience starting seeds. This session is free and open to the public. Limited seating, registration is required. Please register by calling the UW- Extension Eau Claire County office 715-839-4712. Bring a friend or two. A light lunch will be served and doorprizes awarded.

Partial Sun and Partial Shade Vegetables

“Partial Sun” are vegetables that require at least four hours of sunlight per day, but often thrive with less than six hours of direct sunlight. “Partial sun” usually means that the plant could still do well with more sun, and “partial shade” often means that the plant would do better with four to six hours as a maximum. Vegetables That Grow in Partial Shade or Partial Sun:

1. Salad Greens 2. Herbs – mint (grow in container to prevent

aggressive spreading), chervil, coriander/cilantro and parsley

3. Peas and Beans –(at least five hours of sun), you might be able to grow some peas and beans. Choose bush and dwarf varieties

4. Broccoli and Cauliflower –partial sun encourages tighter heads and slower flowering. Cut off the large central head, leave the plant in the ground so smaller heads can form. With cauliflower, limiting sunlight to under 6 hours daily means tighter heads of cauliflower.

5. Cabbage and Brussels sprouts —do well with limited sunlight.

6. Radishes –prefer a bit of shade during the heat of summer,

7. Leafy Greens – Super nutritious greens like spinach, Swiss chard, collards, mustard greens and kale only need about three or four hours of sun each day.

8. Root Vegetables – Beets, carrots, potatoes, rutabaga and turnips will do OK in partial shade, but you’ll have to wait longer for a full crop.

9. Leeks and Onions thrive in cooler, more moist environments, and need less sun in order to encourage below-ground growth.

For more information see the March 2017 issue of the ECAMGA Newsletter – page 5 or call the L.E. Phillips Library (715-839-5004)

Page 6 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener News April 2017

Something to look forward to – hardy hybiscus. Don’t forget where you have it planted as it comes up late.

Plant Sale continued from page 2… for a couple of days. This should take care of any worm cocoons in the water. If you know you have jumping worms in your yard, please do not donate plants. Thrift sale items or maybe some starter plants is a great donation. We will not accept plants for the sale that have not been repotted in sterile soil. Any plants you started and have not been in contact with your garden soil would be a great donation! I hope every one is having a great spring! Susan Merten Plant Sale Chair susmerten@wwt.net 715-271-1259

Aquilegia vulgaris -native to Europe -“Granny’s Bonnet” is a common, old fashioned name (Picture by Dana Cox)

Cucumbers like it hot; lettuce likes it cool and shady so try this combo. For more info check out “How To Grow Cucumbers” on http://bit.ly/2mKp1DG.

An interesting use of an old door and an

old table courtesy of Pinterest.

Spheres, circles

and uneven numbers add

focal points and interest in the

garden landscape.

Page 7 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener News April 2017

Page 7 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener News April 2013

Bits and Pieces

A tub of tulips! Spring! Welcome back!

Whooooo, me? Do you ever feel you are being watched? A “blue” iris is a happy thing!

Nothing beats a giant hosta! ‘Hawarthia cooperi’

Eye Candy

“Who loves a garden still his Eden keeps; Perennial pleasures plants, and

wholesome harvest reaps. ~A. Bronson Alcott, "The Garden," Tablets, 1868

Page 8 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener News April 2017

EAU CLAIRE AREA MASTER GARDENER NEWSLETTER A newsletter for the Eau Claire Area Master Gardener Association members.

For more Eau Claire County UW Cooperative Extension information

go to our website: www.uwex.edu/ces/cty/eauclaire

Phone: 715-839-4712 Fax: 715-839-6277

M-F 8AM-5PM

Unless otherwise noted, articles for this newsletter are submitted and/or written by ECAMGA members or the newsletter editor, Carol W. Cox. Unless otherwise noted, graphics are from clipart. Newsletter layout by Carol W. Cox

The University of Wisconsin Extension provides affirmative action and equal opportunity in education, programming and employment for all qualified persons regardless of race, color, gender/sex, creed, disability, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital or parental, arrest or conviction record or veteran status.” If you need an interpreter, materials in alternate formats or other accommodations to access this program, activity or service, please contact Erin LaFaive at 715-839-4712 as soon as possible preceding the scheduled event so that proper arrangements can be made in a timely fashion

Eau Claire County

Extension Office

227 First Street West

Altoona, WI 54720

It may not be a “succulent bird” but it is a succulent birdcage planter!! An interesting use for an old birdcage and while you have to water it you don’t have to clean out bird poop!

“A cloak of loose, soft material, held to the earth's hard surface by gravity, is all that lies between life and lifelessness. “ ~Wallace H. Fuller, Soils of the Desert Southwest, 1975