wsu master gardeners, master recycler composters, …

Sometimes there comes a time in ones life when you choose to make difficult changes and that time has come for me. Some of you may know that my family has been challenged with a sig-nificant illness over the past two years. Recently we learned the status of this illness was less controllable than we believed. After serious consideration and concentrated family discussion, I have decided to step down as President of the Master Gardener’s Foundation effective September 30th. Toni Ghazal will assume this position for the remainder of the my term. I wish the Board every success and I will be there to assist them whenever I’m available. I plan to continue as a Master Gardener and be a part of this organization of great purpose. I spotted a quote that reminded me of the importance to prioritizes ones life that I would like to share with you. Life is not a dress rehearsal, live everyday as though it were your last.

Seeds know just the way to start I wonder how they get so smart

They could come up in beds feet first-by standing on their heads.

They could forget if they should grow Like sunflowers high, or pumpkins low.

They could forget their colors too, And yet they never, never do.

~The World of Christopher Robin

From the Foundation President by Jackie White

October/November 2011

Volume 11, Issue 5

Helpful Websites:

Thurston County Extension: http://county.wsu.edu/thurston Master Gardener Foundation of Thurston County website: www.mgftc.org Compost Bin Sales: www.compostbinsthurstoncounty.com WSU Publications: http://pubs.wsu.edu

“Like” us on Facebook

WSU Master Gardener Program of Thurston County

Blog: wsumgtc.wordpress.com

The Common Sense Gardener

W S U M A S T E R G A R D E N E R S , M A S T E R R E C Y C L E R C O M P O S T E R S , A N D M A S T E R G A R D E N E R F O U N D A T I O N O F T H U R S T O N C O U N T Y N E W S L E T T E R

Seeds

The Common Sense Gardener Volume 11, Issue 5

Year you became a Master Gardener: 2007 Where did you grow up? Oklahoma How long have you lived in Thurston County? 20 years Family or Pets? Husband and 2 sons, 1 fantastic grandson, 2 cute dogs, 3 adorable goats Hobbies: Gardening, propagating plants, cooking, reading, cross stitching and needle point. My favorite part of being a Master Gardener? Socializing with other gardeners. It’s fascinating to discover new gardening techniques. What works for some may not work for others. Other comments: Staying active in the MG program gives me access to meeting new people. It’s an ongoing learning curve and my advice is to get involved. Photos from Toni’s garden:

Spotlight Volunteer: Toni Ghazal, our new MGFTC President


Cori’s Corner by Cori Carlton, Program Manager

Fall is here, but because things have been super busy I haven’t fully welcomed it yet. As it gets closer to Halloween I’m sure I’ll be in full celebration mode...I need to find my Halloween Crocs. Since I did not get to share some of my summer highlights...here they are. Thanks for making this summer so educational & exciting!

I had so much fun making these raised bed cookies with

candy “carrots” and a yummy “compost” cake for

the annual appreciation picnic.

I am so thankful for all the volunteer support

that made Slug University a slimy

success. Snaps!!

Presenting a workshop on slugs at the Advanced Education Conference was so fun! These slugs were having some of their own fun (mating) before my presentation.

By filling out our Recommitment form we now have the pleasure of wishing our fellow Master Gardeners and Master Recycler Composters a Happy Birthday. October

BJ Matthews, Oct. 4th Bret Beardslee, Oct. 10th Mary Cullen, Oct. 10th Ron Casebier, Oct. 11th

Wanda Cross, Oct. 11th Bill Cather, Oct. 12th Margot Milburn, Oct. 12th Gale Cypher, Oct. 14th Bev Postman, Oct. 16th Curt Rosler, Oct. 17th Dan Gadman, Oct. 18th Susan Emley, Oct. 26th Mary Williams, Oct. 31st Deborah VanHorn, Oct. 31st November Christopher Duchaine, Nov. 2nd Shirley Erickson, Nov. 4th Becky Biondi, Nov. 8th Evelyn Stewart, Nov. 10th Penny Locke, Nov. 11th Carol Pedigo, Nov. 13th Pat Huntsman, Nov. 18th Cheri Johnson, Nov. 20th

Robyn Tsuji, Nov. 20th Rebecca Allen, Nov. 21st Rick Finch, Nov. 23rd John Perez, Nov. 24th Lauren Langley, Nov. 25th Mary Snyder, Nov. 25th Cathy Stolberg, Nov. 28th Tim Erickson, Nov. 29th Bobbie Liberty, Nov. 30th

Wishing you a year full of health, happiness, and gardening bliss!

If your birthday is in October or November and you don’t see your name of the list please contact Cori so we can update our files.

A birthday is just the first day of

another 365-day journey around the sun.

Enjoy the trip!

Birthdays for October and November



Nominations are open for positions on the Master Garden Foundation Thurston County (MGFTC) board for the year 2012. The MGFTC, under the leadership of prior boards, has matured into a fiscally healthy organization with a solid infrastruction. Our comprehensive Policy and Procedure Handbook and well developed web site are considered to be a model by many other Master Gardener foundations in the state. In many ways, the hard work has been done and now the board is well positioned to focus on new and creative activities to help further its mission to support the Master Gardener and Master Recycler Composter programs. The board is looking at ways the foundation and programs can be more visible in the community, broaden membership and expand funding in the upcoming years. Due to unanticipated factors there are an unprecedented number of opportunities to contribute to this effort and help shape the future direction of the foundation. We ask that you look into your heart and give serious consideration to joining this worthwhile venture. Nominations are open for the following positions for the 2012 board: President Elect, Vice President, Treasurer Elect, Member-at-large and State Representative. You would be joining current board members Toni Ghazal who is stepping into the President position for the remaining term, Diane Stanger who is serving her second term as Treasurer and Penny Locke who is serving her first term as Secretary. They are strongly committed to the MG, MRC programs and looking forward to a productive year. Prior members have expressed how rewarding and enjoyable their experience on the board has been. In addition to the satisfaction you gain from making a significant contribution to the organization, you learn new skills and form lasting friendships. Board job descriptions with responsibilities and desired qualifications are listed in the MGFTC Policy and Procedure handbook on our website and can be found on this link: http://www.mgftc.org/offdocs.html. The board meets monthly for approximately two hours with occasional special meetings and is flexible so meeting times can be adjusted to meet members’ schedules. Please do not feel that you need to be a long term WSU Master Gardener, Master Recycler Composter or Foundation member to serve on the board. New ideas and ways of doing things are always welcome. The most important qualifications you can bring are enthusiasm and appreciation for the contribution these programs make to the well being of our community. If you are interested in any of these positions, please contact Nancy Mills at [email protected]

Master Gardener Foundation Nominations

1. As always, there are some things that we already have an abundance of, including: Bleeding heart (Dicentra Formosa – we can definitely use some spectabilis!) Asiatic lilies, yellow and orange Astrantia (Masterwort) unnamed (We’re happy to take known varieties) Bee Balm (unnamed) Bluebells (bulb type) Calla Lily (unless what we have goes belly up over the winter – see #2) Common lilac unnamed Daylilies including Stella D’oro, Joan Senior and unnamed varieties French Pussy Willow Fringecup Geranium, Hardy, Pink Iris unnamed Joe Pye Weed Lemon balm Loostrife, Gooseneck and purple Mahonia Mint, Chocolate Pinks (Dianthus) Saxifrage (Both plain and London Pride, other varieties welcome) Sea thrift Sedge, unknown varieties Sedum Autumn Joy Strawberry, Beach or Coastal and Pink Panda – we can use known edible varieties Vinca or Periwinkle 2. Some things that we’ve found, with the recent weather pattern, which should stay in the ground until the spring include: Bears Breeches Calla Lily Cape Fuchsia Crocosmia Miscanthus grasses if dug in the fall Monkshood Poker plants (Kniphofia) 3. Some things we really cannot ever use since they don’t sell well include: Maples, Big leaf and unknown varieties (Japanese and Vine Maples are OK!) Native trees such as Doug Firs, Cedar, Hemlock, Hazel (unless they are medium sized and well developed – please ask before bringing) Salal (it’s so hard to keep alive and make to look good in a pot)


MGFTC 2012 Plant Sale Update

Handicrafts For The Holidays The Handicraft Committee appreciates all the support you have given during the past year. In addition to sales at foundation meetings and events, we had a very successful booth at the Lacey Community Market and so far have added almost $2300 to the foundation treasury. We continue to look for new members and for new ideas for garden themed items. If you are interested in joining us or have ideas to share contact us at [email protected]. We’re excited to have been accepted for the 20th annual Homemade for the Holidays bazaar being held Nov 4 from 4 to 8 pm and Nov 5 from 9 to 4 at the Thurston County Fairgrounds. Look for our booth in the Hobbies and Crafts Building and stock up on great holiday gifts. The picture shows our recent table at the State Master Gardener Foundation advanced education conference. It’s just a small sample of items we will have at the bazaar.

Hope to see you there!

Penny Locke and Nancy Poultney, co-chairs.


MGFTC Handicraft Fundraising Committee

General Foundation Events are blue “Activities and Events” are green Board or Committee meetings in orange Deadlines are in red Master Recycler Composting in pink 2012 MG Training Information

October 1st 2012 Intern Applications are now available 5th Master Recycler Composter Training Class 6pm 6th Foundation General Membership Meeting Potluck 6pm to 9pm 7th OFM garden steering committee meeting 12th Foundation Board Meeting 10am 12th Master Recycler Composter Training Class 6pm 15th Master Recycler Composter Training Class 9am 18th 2012 MG Pre-Orientation Session 5:30pm 19th Master Recycler Composter Training Class 6pm 22nd Master Recycler Composter Training Class 9am 26th Master Recycler Composter Training Class 6pm 28th 2012 MG Pre-Orientation Session 5:30pm

November 2nd Foundation Board Retreat 9am to 1pm 2nd Master Recycler Composter Training Class 6pm 5th Garden Committee Planning Retreat 10am to 3pm 9th Foundation Board Meeting 10am 10th 2012 MG Pre-Orientation Session 5:30pm 16th Annual Awards Potluck-6pm to 8pm 18th-newsletter deadline for Dec-Jan Edition 18th Vol. Service Hour Entering Help 1-5pm 29th 2012 MG Pre-Orientation Session 5:30pm

November 30th Foundation Board Budget and Annual Meeting Preparation

December 5th Vol. Service Hour Entering Help 9am-1pm 7th 2012 MG Pre-Orientation Session 5:30pm 8th Foundation Annual Meeting & Elections 6:30pm-8:30pm 13th Vol. Service Hour Entering Help 1-5pm 14th Foundation Board Meeting 10am

January 2012 5th 2012 MG Mentor Training 10am to Noon

February 2012 2nd 2012 MG Training 5:30pm to 8:30pm 7th 2012 MG Training 5:30pm to 8:30pm 9th 2012 MG Training 5:30pm to 8:30pm 23rd 2012 MG Training 5:30pm to 8:30pm 25th 2012 MG Training 9:00am to 1:00pm

2011 & 2012 Master Calendar Dates


For the first time no one entered the trivia contest so the $20 gift card to The Barn Nursery will be used for another contest prize at a later date. Don’t miss out winning the chance for a great gift card all for learning something new! Here are the answers:

1.) Characteristics that contribute to insects’ successful existence over time include their (select all that apply)?

A. Reproductive rate & C. Adaptability

2.) Continuous blooming shrubs that bloom in late summer should be pruned: B. Any time during dormancy

3.) Plant adaptations to low water situations include: A. Protective leaf covering, B. Large taproots & D. Highly dissected leaves 4.) Leaf browning on rhododendrons can be caused by: A. Hot, dry weather, B. Winter injury, C. Root rot, or D. All of the above 5.) An important lawn mowing technique is to:

C. Remove no more than 1/3 of the grass blade

You can find the answer to this little quiz on page 15.


Answers to Sustainable Gardening Handbook Trivia Quiz-Part Six

What is This?

What to Do in Your Garden in October and November OCTOBER

Garden essentials: • Sharpen shovels and tools--it's a great planting month! • Divide and add new perennials, plant ground covers, shrubs and trees. • Transplant from now through March. • Choose and plant crocus, daffodils, and tulips. Veggies year-round: • Plant garlic cloves now for a pungent harvest next summer. • Compost garden wastes as you tidy for winter. • Sow a green manure crop such as crimson clover, vetch or field peas, in empty spaces. • Green manures suppress weeds and add nitrogen and organic matter when dug in next spring. Lawn care: • Thatch, aerate and install sod. • Top dress with a light layer of sift compost if lawn was planted with very little organic matter. • Turn off irrigation system.

NOVEMBER Garden essentials: • Finish garden cleanup and weeding; leave some seeds on flowers for birds. • Mulch roses but don't prune severely now. • Move container plants into winter shelter. • This is a good time to take cuttings from rhododendron, camellia, photinia, and laurel (see PNW 152, Propagating Deciduous and Evergreen Shrubs, Trees, and Vines with Cuttings). Veggies year-round: • Plant out onion transplants sown in July; they'll be ready next June. Garlic, onion sets, and peas can still be planted. • Spread dolomite lime over beds that haven't received lime or wood ashes for the past two years. • Pile fall leaves over unplanted areas and over any root crops saved for winter eating. • Don't remove the foliage and stems from rhubarb, asparagus, and artichokes if they are still green and healthy. Wait until the really cold weather comes. • Blueberries, currants, gooseberries, grapes, kiwis, and caneberries can be planted now and through the winter so long as the soil is not frozen. • Cut raspberry canes to 5 feet and tie them to a trellis. Cut off the top sections of everbearing raspberry canes that fruited this fall. The lower parts of the canes will fruit again next summer. Lawn care: • Fertilize your lawn at the end of November to help retain a deep green color through the winter. Use a fertil-izer with approximately a 3-1-2 (N-P-K) ratio. For late fall use, choose a fertilizer that contains mainly a slow-release form of nitrogen. Highly soluble nitrogen can leach away rapidly, not only being lost to the grass, but possibly contributing to groundwater pollution. • If moss is a problem in your lawn, you may apply an iron compound to kill it. But unless you correct the excess shade, soil compaction, or poor fertilizer practices, it will return. Contrary to popular belief, lime will not control moss, though it may benefit your grass. • Mow when ground condition permits. Grass grows slowly throughout the winter. • It is best to withhold fertilizer from houseplants from mid-November to mid-March unless they are actively growing.

Visit http://gardening.wsu.edu for more helpful tips.


Give your best guess to the following questions and send them by Monday, November 21st to: Mail: WSU Extension Office Email: [email protected] or Attn: Master Gardener Trivia 5033 Harrison Ave. NW,

Olympia, WA 98502 Please include your name with your answers. Of those who answered them correctly one winner will receive a $20 gift card to Lael’s Moon Garden Nursery in Rochester. Happy Guessing!

Sustainable Gardening Handbook Trivia Quiz-Part Seven


Take a guess or you can find the answers in your Sustainable Gardening Handbook/MG Manual.

1) Uniform damage problems tend to be the result of non-living causes A. True B. False

2) The following is always true of organic pesticides vs. synthetic pesticides A. They are safer B. They are less expensive C. They must undergo the same federally required screening D. They can be used on any pest

3) Use of thinning cuts while pruning will not A. Decrease wind resistance B. Retain natural growth habit C. Create a denser, more compact plant D. Minimize sprouting

4) Which of the following is not important in a vegetable garden site? A. 8 hours of sunlight per day B. Loose, well-drained soil C. Trees nearby to provide shade D. An available water source

5) Amending soil with organic matter improves A. Water-holding capacity B. Soil structure C. Nutrient retention D. All of the above


What’s Wrong with this Plant?

A new feature for the newsletter will highlight a photo of a plant problem. First identify the plant and then the problem. The answer will be listed in the next issue of the newsletter. Have fun problem solving and in the process learn something new too! Answer to last issues question: Sunscald Biology Sunscald is caused by environmental conditions. Foliage may become bleached, chlorotic or necrotic. The bark of trees can be susceptible to damage by strong sunlight. Newly planted trees or trunks and branches recently exposed by heavy pruning are most at risk. Brown patches may appear on damaged bark, or the bark may split and form canker-like patches. Damage usually occurs on the south-facing portions of the plant. Damaged tissue may be more susceptible to attack by disease or decay-causing organisms. Management Options Select Non-chemical Management Options as Your First Choice!! • Wrap trunks of recently transplanted trees with a white or light-color bark-wrap in the fall, especially younger trees or ones with dark bark. • Avoid planting next to south- or southwest-facing walls. • Choose the right plant for the location. Some plants can tolerate more sun exposure than others. • Proper irrigation during hot weather can increase the plant's resistance to sunscald. • Provide partial shade with other plantings or move the plant to a less-sunny location.


Closed Loop Park Update Gardening In The Fall Fall is a special time at CLP. The cool nights bring the changing of the leaves: the golden yellows of the native big leaf maple, the witchhazel and viburnum, the vibrant reds of the vine maple, Japanese maples,

and euonymus “burning bush” and even the beautiful pink and red blooms of sedums such as “autumn joy.” However, fall is also a busy time as we get ready for the dark, wet winter months ahead. Once the beautiful leaves start falling, we have leaves to rake, perennials to cut back and general clean up in the flower beds. We can still prune dead and diseased branches from shrubs and trees while it is easy to tell them from the bare branches of winter. Lavender needs to be cut back now that it has finished blooming. The peonies can be cut back and the leaves removed in preparation for winter. And always there is weeding to do!!

Fall is a good time to plant in the garden. Shrubs that are planted in the fall have all winter to establish roots before the spring brings a spurt of new growth and need less water come summer. Spring bulbs are planted before it is too wet and cold to venture out in the garden. Fall is also the perfect time to divide or transplant some plants such as peonies and iris. Divided in the spring they often sulk for a year without blooming. Even though the fall brings some rain, we still need irrigate and make sure the plants are well watered. Our often sudden cold spells in early winter wreak havoc on plants that are stressed from too little water. At CLP we often have problems with water runoff in the winter since the garden is built on top of the landfill, so straw bales are placed along the hedgerow to slow down and reroute the runoff. The compost bins are emptied of finished compost, and the new leaves and clippings are added to make a new supply for the spring. We have last minute painting of the sheds. Tools are cleaned and sharpened before being put away for the year. All too soon the end of October arrives and we are finished in the garden for the year. Everyone is ready for a much needed rest! Written by Dorothy Seabourne-Taylor CLP Steering Committee Member

Olympia Farmers Market Garden What is the first thing that pops into your mind as you look forward to fall? The turning of the foliage? The smell of woodsmoke? Whatever your images or memories, fall is a great time to enjoy your garden. Hopefully everyone is out enjoying the beautiful weather we have been having, the fall colors are just starting to show and the market garden is a wonderful place to visit for examples of what to plant for fall and winter interest. The Beautyberry, Hydranga and Smokebush are all showing off. We have several plants that have gone into hibernation but look wonderful with their seed heads swaying in the breeze; Astilbie and Russian Sage for example and the Lucifer Crocosmia has very interesting seed heads as well. The late blooming Asters in the front corner of the garden are worth the wait as they will come to life with butterflies when they bloom in October. As always, we want to thank all the volunteers that came down this season to help maintain the garden. The positive comments we receive from our visitors really make us know we are doing a good thing and creating a special place. The market will be open Thurs-Sunday until the end of October, than only weekends until it closes at Christmas.

This is Armenia maritima Common name: Thrift


What is This Answer? from page 9


Photos from the Foundation Appreciation Picnic in August!

THANK YOU to everyone for sharing your time and talents with our program!


Over 300 Master Gardeners attended the state WSU Master Gardener Advanced Education Conference in Ocean Shores, WA. Thurston County was well represented with 28 in attendance. The days were filled with informative sessions, inspirational speakers, fabulous prizes, meeting new friends, shopping in the MG conference store and of course plenty of eating. A grand time was had by all! Next year the state conference will be in the tri-cities area…Pasco. Hope to see you there!!

2011 Master Gardener Advanced Education Conference


2011 Master Gardener Advanced Education Conference… Garden Party at MG Bob Findlay’s Beach Home


Welcome our new AmeriCorps Member….Julia Palmer

Hello all! My name is Julia Palmer and I am the new AmeriCorps member and Program Coordinator for the MG & MRC programs of Thurston County. I am so excited to be here in Olympia and to start working with this year’s upcoming Master Recycler Composter volunteers as well as the 2012 Master Gardener volunteers, and of course to go through the trainings myself. I have even started brainstorming ideas for workshops and garden projects to be held this spring, which I’m very excited for.

Just a little background information about me: I have lived here in Thurston County for two whole weeks! I moved here from New York’s Hudson River Valley, about 1.5 hours north of the craziness that is Manhattan. I have lived there for the entire 22 years of my life, and I must say that not many places have rivaled its beauty. Washington, though, is offering some serious competition. This past May I graduated from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (otherwise, and more efficiently known as SUNY-ESF), with a degree in Conservation Biology. My favorite courses were environmental literature, soil science, limnology, and moss ecology, my formal introduction to the often overlooked world of all things miniature.

However, what really led me here was a permaculture design course I completed in the summer of 2010, during which I lived at an “ecovillage” called Sirius Community in Massachusetts. I was introduced to so many new ideas, new kinds of people, and new ways of thinking, as well as so many really amazing ways to create self sustaining food systems, and everyday life systems that are healthy and healing for the Earth and all that live here. That experience has permanently altered my worldview and has given me a new sense of direction and responsibility for our planet. That said, I look forward to sharing what I’ve learned and putting it to action!

For fun I love to be outside, especially in the woods or along flowing water and look forward to exploring the Washington wilderness. I also love to sing and play the guitar and banjo.

Thanks for reading, and I look forward to working with you all in this upcoming year!


By Kirsten Peters, College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences Out of sight, out of mind. (At my age, alas, I no longer live within the confines of that dictum. I can forget, misplace and overlook things that are smack in front of my face. But I digress.) What many folks can’t see they can indeed overlook. And all too many Americans have never seen what hap-pens to the water that flows down the kitchen sink and out of the house. But with each load of laundry or flush of the toilet, we create wastewater that’s mingled together and heads toward treatment plants. The average American makes 100 gallons of wastewater per day. While it’s natural to think that sewage water is icky, it’s also a fact that sewage is natural — and it’s even interesting from a biological point of view. I’ve toured a couple of sewage treatment plants, and I’ve taken college students through one of them. As a ge-ologist, I have long noted that such facilities are typically built on floodplains. That’s partly so sewage can flow by the force of gravity down to them from surrounding houses and schools, and partly because their large pools for processing water require flat areas. Of course, when a river floods the sewage treatment plant can be inundated, one of the greatest disadvantages to putting them in floodplains.

Blowing bubbles Treatment plants start to process sewage by blowing air bubbles through it. Oxygen in the bubbles helps sew-age decay, an important first step in treatment. Sewage next enters tanks where sediment or sludge can accumulate on the bottom and scum on the top. The sludge is processed in tanks called digesters. The area around the digesters is often the smelliest part of the plant. (And I do mean pungent!) Digesters use heat and bacteria to break down the fundamental essence of our poop. One goal is to get rid of microorganisms that would cause disease. The solids that emerge from the digesters are often sent to landfills but are sometimes used as fertilizer.

Methane gas Another product of treatment plants is methane gas that’s created in the digesters. Methane is the main ingredi-ent of what the utility company sells you as "natural gas.” A few treatment plants make use of the methane, burning it for heat or to generate electricity. The liquid portion of wastewater is often filtered through sand. This helps get rid of bacteria and fine solid par-ticles still lingering in the water. In some places carbon filtration is used, a step that helps remove fine organic particles. Finally, chlorine is often added to kill remaining microorganisms. Cont. on the next page…….

What Happens to Water When We’re Done With It?


Those of us who exercise in swimming pools and snort chlorine up our noses know that it’s a serious chemical. So all remnants of chlorine in the water must be neutralized before the treated water flows into a river.

Septic tanks If you want an indoor toilet where you don’t have a hookup to a municipal wastewater system, you can create your own little disposal system in the form of a septic tank. Inside the tank are bacteria that can live without oxygen. Septic systems are far from perfect, but they do help break down sewage. Water flows from the tank out under the soil, usually via a bed of gravel.

Composting toilet For the nontraditional, it’s also possible to have indoor convenience with what’s called a composting toilet. I had such a toilet for several years in a travel trailer, and it worked well for me. I had quite an animated conversation about that toilet at a sewage treatment plant one day. The supervisor of the plant and I both shared an interest in how sewage is broken down by microorganisms. (You meet good people at treatment plants.)

Water bills and storm water Lately my water bill roughly doubled – and yours may have, too. What’s at issue is better handling of storm water run-off from streets and parking lots. Such water contains oil and the like, at least in trace amounts. As you wash a greasy frying pan tonight or start a load of laundry, take just a moment to consider that the wa-ter that leaves your home goes back to the Earth. We face different choices about water treatment, but the con-dition water is in when it reaches local rivers is our ultimately our responsibility. Kirsten Peters, a native of the rural Northwest, was trained as a geologist at Princeton and Harvard. Follow her on the web at rockdoc.wsu.edu and on Twitter @RockDocWSU. This column is a service of the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences at Washington State University.

What Happens to Water When We’re Done With It (con’t)


Giant House Spider

Genus Tegenaria

Species gigantea (Giant House Spider)

Other Common Names: Greater European House Spider

Size: All measurements are for only the body, and do not include the legs.

Females: approximately 16-18 mm.

Males: smaller, approximately 10-12 mm.

Identification Giant House Spider © Bugguide.net

No banding on the legs, but proportionally longer legs than its cousins T. agrestis or T. domestica.

Range

Tegenaria gigantea is mostly restricted to the Georgia Lowlands / Puget Trough area west of the Coastal (BC) and Cascade (US) mountain ranges from south coastal BC to mid-coastal Oregon. Isolated outlier populations are found in towns across southern BC and in Edmonton (Leech & Steiner 1992) and Lethbridge AB (Dan Johnson and Robb Bennett pers. obs.) and in Saskatoon SK (Buckle & Randell 1995). Although at least on the BC south coast T. gigantea may be very common around beaches and other open, natural areas, populations in the BC in-terior are apparently always isolated. (Taken from: Internet Link #2, See Internet Reference section below.)

This spider is commonly mistaken for the………

..continued on the next page

Do You Have a House Guest?


The Giant House Spider’s less welcome relative……... Hobo Spider: Tegenaria Agrestis Other Common names: Aggressive House Spi-der This spider is thought to have a necrotic venom, similar to the brown recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa). However, the "jury is still out" on this fact; the research results that were used to report the necrotic effects of the venom have not been consistently reproduced. It may or may not be as dangerous as people have been led to believe... just be mindful and use caution when dealing with these spiders. For more information visit www.bugguide.net Hobo Spider © Bugguide.net

Q: What does the “P” in “P-Patch” stand for? A: Picardo, as in Rainie Picardo, whose family lent their farm for Seattle’s community garden in the 1970’s. In the 30 years since the City of Seattle bought the Picardo Farm and started the P-Patch Program, thousands of gardeners and volunteers have put untold amounts of hours, work and love back into the program that today includes more than 60 gardens, with over 1,900 plots on 12 acres of land. Read more at http://www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/ppatch/aboutPpatch.htm

Do You Have a House Guest? (con’t)

Did you Know?


Effective immediately, paper milk cartons, juice cartons, and frozen food boxes are now prohibited in your yard waste/organics bin. This is due to changes at Silver Springs Organics, the commercial composting facility where all yard and food waste collected in Thurston County is sent. Silver Springs has discovered that certain paper items that have a thin plastic coating called polycoating do not break down completely during their composting process. After the paper composts, this plastic layer is left over, and contaminates the finished product. The majority of commercial composting facilities prohibit these items for this reason. Please examine paper products closely. If they have a slick, shiny surface, they most likely have a plastic coating and should not go in the yard waste/organics bin. In addition, many items sold as "compostable" such as bioplastic bags, plates and cutlery do not break down. Silver Springs has created a list of products that successfully compost in the time and temperature of their composting process and these will be the only bioplastic products accepted.

Visit www.silverspringsorganics.com for a full list of accepted items and approved compostable bioplastic bags and service ware products. Additional information on these changes are featured in the fall edition of the Talkin' Trash Newsletter, which is mailed to every residence in Thurston County by Thurston County Solid Waste. Here are the PLASTIC items that go in the commingled recycling - at home - in Thurston County: BOTTLES (such as water bottles - neck narrower than the bottom) JARS (such as peanut butter) JUGS (such as detergent - neck narrower than the bottom) YOGURT CUPS (all sizes and brands) DAIRY TUBS (refrigerated dairy products such as sour cream, cottage cheese, etc. This does not include clear deli or salsa containers)

At home, you can gather plastic bags and take them to many of your local stores that offer re-cycling or at the WARC recycle center. They cannot go in the commingled because they tan-gle up in the sorting machinery - where staff has to shut off the equipment and manually cut the plastic pieces out.

So, all other plastics go in the trash: plastic cups, clamshells, lids, pudding cups, blister packs, deli tubs, frozen food trays, etc. The numbers in the chasing arrows on the bottom only indicate what type of plastic it is - not if it can be recycled through our local recyclers. And most important: when in doubt - leave it out........or check out website at http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/solidwaste/

Thurston Co. Changes in Yard Waste/Organics Collection


Spread the word…. The new 2012 applications are available online at our website (http://county.wsu.edu/thurston). An email alert has been sent to everyone whose name is on our interest list. We will also be mailing them to folks who requested it.

Applicants accepted into the WSU Master Gardener Training Program attend twenty two weeks of classes either in person or by using the on-line training program. For 2012, training will begin on February 2, 2012 and finish on June 14, 2012. Half of these weeks they will be doing their assignments at home on their own time. The other half of the time they will be meeting to hear a presenter speak, take a field trip or to do a hands-on activity/lesson. They will be expected to take bi-weekly on-line quizzes. These quizzes are not for grading purposes but for retention of new material learned.

For the first time since 2003 classes will be held in the evening/Saturday morning on the following 2012 dates: February 2, 7, 9, 23, 25 March 6, 8, 22, 24

April 3, 5, 19, 21 May 1, 3, 17, 19, 29, 31 June 2, 12, 14

The Tuesday/Thursday classes will be from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. The once a month Saturday class will be from 9am to 1pm.

Volunteer Service Internship: In addition to class and on-line training time all interns are required to complete 60 hours of volunteer service within their internship period. Interns who attend all training sessions, complete on-line training sessions, and complete their volunteer service hours will become a certified WSU Master Gardener. These conditions are not applicable for those in the Non-Volunteer Track.

Training Materials: All training materials are included in your $275 class fee. This includes your on-line class registration fee, WSU Master Gardener online manual, and other publications/handouts. This fee also covers all room rental fees, speaker fees, bus fees and lesson supplies. You will also receive a name tag that we ask you to wear at all times during training and other WSU Master Gardener functions. Computer Technology: The use of computer technology is now a mandatory element of the WSU Master Gardener Training Program. Trainees must have access to the internet (including an e-mail address), preferably with high-speed connection.

2012 WSU Master Gardener Class Training Information


Applicants will be asked to fill out an application and bring it with them to one of five pre-orientation sessions in Oct/ Nov/Dec. These pre-orientations will explain what it means to be a WSU Master Gardener, the time commitment involved, and to see if the our program is a right fit for you. After attending a pre-orientation they can decide if they want to turn in their application or not.

Pre-Orientation Sessions October 18th from 5:30pm to 7:00pm October 28th from 5:30pm to 7:00pm November 10th from 5:30pm to 7:00pm November 29th from 5:30pm to 7:00pm December 7th from 5:30pm to 7:00pm No pre-registration needed. Sessions are held at the WSU Extension Office conference room. See application for directions.

Once we review their applications we will contact those who best fit our program needs and interests. Since a good portion of the class will be on-line, having computer access will be a determining factor if they will be part of the 2012 class. This will be stated in the application.

Applications are due to the office by Friday, December 16, 2011. MENTORS NEEDED

I will be posting the mentor job description, in the Friday Flash, for those who may be interested in becoming a mentor for the 2012 MG training class. Mentors are an essential part to the new class training.

Think about what it meant for you to have a mentor through your initial training process. What did you enjoy about your mentor and what would you have had them do differently?

Mentors are asked to participate in an orientation session so that we are all on the same page. This training will be done on January 5, 2012 from 10am to Noon.

You will have an opportunity to make a difference in the life of an intern and have lots of fun doing so. If you are interested please contact Cori.

2012 WSU Master Gardener Class Training Information


THE MASTER GARDENER FOUNDATION OF THURSTON COUNTY wants you and yours to grow with us! Join the Master Gardener Foundation of Thurston County and assist us in supporting

environmental health through advocating sound and sustainable horticultural practices for Thurston County.

Who we are: The Master Gardener Foundation of Thurston County (MGFTC) is a non-profit [501(C) (3)] organization committed to supporting and raising funds for: • WSU Master Gardener Program and Master Composter Program in Thurston County • Diagnostic Clinics • Our three Demonstration Gardens • Gardening workshops and educational programs Members receive:

• Bimonthly news letter (via email)

• Notice of garden activities and events

• Educational and travel opportunities through our Activities and Events program at reduced prices

• Master Gardener CE units for attending educational events

• Great opportunities to cultivate friendships with other like-minded gardeners and composters Foundation voting privileges Membership: Membership is open to all who have an interest in supporting the purposes and goals of the MGFTC. You do not have to be a Master Gardener or Master Composter to be a member of the foundation. Pick the membership that’s right for you and return the attached application form with dues to MGFTC Membership, 5033 Harrison Ave., NW, Olympia, WA 98502. Do not send cash. Or you may drop off at the WSU Extension Office at the above address. Remember, enclose the completed membership forms and payment for yourself and any one else that you know who would like to join us. Forms are available on-line at www.mgftc.org and click Membership and Meetings on the left side bar….it’s that easy. A membership application is on the following page. Help us support a network that cultivates knowledgeable gardening and promotes economic well-being and quality of life for Thurston County citizens. Deborah Welt, MGFTC Membership Chairperson

Master Gardener Foundation Membership News


Master Gardener Foundation of Thurston County

“Helping Gardeners Grow”

5033 Harrison Ave. NW

Olympia, WA 98502

Membership and Sponsor Application

___I wish to be an Individual (MG/MC) or Associate Member of the Master Gardener Foundation of Thurston County.

Dues of $10 PS calendar year (Jan-Dec) are enclosed. Individual and Associate members may vote and hold

elective office. They may attend Member Meetings, classes and events at no or reduced charge.

___I /we wish to be a Business Member of the Master Gardener Foundation of Thurston County.

Dues of $25 per calendar year (Jan-Dec) are enclosed. Business members may vote and hold elective office. They

may attend Member Meetings, classes and events at no or reduced charge.

___I /we wish to be a Sponsor of the Master Gardener Foundation of Thurston County at the level designated below.

A check is enclosed. Sponsor names will be mentioned in the next issue of the newsletter unless otherwise

specified. Sponsors will receive a letter acknowledging their tax-deductible contribution.

___ Friend: $50 - $99

___ Donor: $100 - $249

___ Patron: $250 - $499

___ Benefactor: $500 - $1000+

The Master Gardener Foundation of Thurston County is a non-profit

501(c)(3) corporation organized and existing under the provisions of

the Washington Nonprofit Corporation Act (Chapter 24:03 of the

Revised code of Washington) with Tax ID# 91-1898726. Your

contributions are fully tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Today’s Date: ____________

Name/Business Name: ______________________________________________________ Year MG______ Year MC ______

I prefer to have my/our name listed as: ________________________________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________ City, State and ZipCode_______________________

Telephone: ___________________________ E-mail Address: _____________________________________________

I prefer to be contacted with Foundation business information (newsletter, notification of special meetings, etc.) by:

___ E-mail ___ Letter

Make checks payable to: “MGFTC” Mail to: MGFTC Attn. Membership

5033 Harrison Ave. NW

Olympia, WA 98502

Interests: Please tell us the areas which interest you:

___ Plant Sale ___ Foundation Board ___ Newsletter ___ Composting

___ Publicity ___ Website ___ Fundraising

Skills: Please let us know of any special skills or interests you have and may like to share: ______________________

__ Computer __Accounting __ Grant Writing __ Legal __ Crafts __Artist __ Leadership __ Teaching __ Design

__ Heavy Machines __ Plumbing/Irrigation __ Electrical

Master Gardener Foundation Membership Application

The Common Sense Gardener WSU Thurston County Extension 5033 Harrison Ave NW Olympia, WA 98502

Master Gardeners and Master Recycler Composters have many talents to share with the public and with each other. One of those talents is photography! Whether it’s a hobby or a profession, you all have fabulous garden photos to share. If you would like to have one of your photo’s highlighted in one of the upcoming newsletters please send a print to the office or by email at [email protected]. If you want submit a short caption with your photo to describe the im-age. If you submit a print please make sure you have your name on back of the photo and state if you would like it returned or not. Thanks! This image was taken by Cori Carlton (my cats helped me carve a pumpkin that looked like them :)

All WSU Extension programs and policies are consistent with federal and state laws and regulations on nondiscrimination regarding race, sex, religion, age, color, creed, national or ethnic origin: physical, mental or sensory disability; martial status, sexual orientation, and status as a Vietnam-era or disabled veteran. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local Extension Office.

Volunteer Snapshot - October/November

wsu master gardeners, master recycler composters, …

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