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Price Farms Organics Joins with Delaware County Organizations to Reduce Food Waste in Our Landfills
August 2024
One million pounds of food waste is sent to a landfill every day! Our friends at Price Farms Organics; Keep Delaware County Beautiful, DKMM Counties Solid Waste District, Delaware Public Health Department, and the City of Delaware are doing their utmost to reduce this number by working with county residents to compost food waste.
Residents may obtain a food scrap bucket at Price Farms Organics (PFO) or the City of Delaware Public Works Office, 440 E. Williams St., and then drop it off at PFO once the bucket Is full.
Any food scraps, Including raw or cooked meat or bones, oil, coffee grounds, and dairy, can be composted, as well as paper towels and napkins. However, do NOT add coffee filters, compostable utensils, plastic, glass, or metal: If In doubt, give PFO a shout (740-369-1000).
A good Idea Is to line the bucket with newspaper to make It easier to empty and to keep your bucket In the refrigerator or freezer so It doesn't attract fruit flies.
When you bring your full bucket to PFO, consider taking home a bucket of compost for only $2! What a deal!
AMGS - OH Trees Class
August 2024
Bexley Public Library was the host of our August class, and provided a great venue for the day. Paige Bilotta, Director of Advancement and Community Relations, spoke about the library.
Our first speaker, Dr Andrea Brennen of ARbNet at the Morton Arboretum, used Zoom (our first!) for her presentation.
Dr. Brennen explained that an arboretum Is a living museum with a commitment to care for and educate the public about their trees and other woody plants. She went on to explain that ArbNet Is an Interactive community of arboreta and tree-focused professionals that share knowledge, experience, and other resources to help arboreta meet their Institutional goals and work to raise professional standards.
The Morton Register of Arboreta has a database of over 2,400 arboreta In 100 countries and that the arboretum accreditation program Includes over 700 accredited arboreta In 40 countries. This a a free program designed to recognize standards of excellence; foster professionals; enable collaboration; and to advance planting, study and conservation of trees.
Benefits include recognition of specified levels of professional practice; milestones, benchmarks, and models for further levels of achievement; exert leadership and influence by serving as a model; earn distinction in your professional and local communities (helps with gaining grant funds); identify opportunities for collaboration.
Jim Wilson of the Bexley Tree Commission joined us next to speak on the purpose and benefit of making Bexley an arboretum. Bexley Is the first municipal arboretum In the US. In 1998, the city established a Tree and Public Garden Commission and eventually formalized stree tree requirements and species selection and became an advocate for planting in other public spaces. In 2013, Bexley became certified as an arboretum by the Morton Register of Arboreta.
Jim said that administration Is easier If your city code supports your work as an arboretum, and includes street tree selection and replacement authority, planting and maintenance plans, stump grinding, and a mulch volcano ordinance (cheers erupted from the class when this was announced).
Our next speaker was Todd Hutchinson of the USDA's Northern Research Station in Delaware, who spoke on Ohio's oak forests. Most of the oak forests are In southeastern Ohio and are usually second and third growth forests. Todd spoke of "witness trees" which were used in surveying land and identifying property distinctions. The land deed would describe the species and diameter of two witness trees and their distance to a post.
An Ohio land survey conducted in 2019 by Todd and a fellow USDA employee located a number of the witness trees used in old deeds. Most of these were white oak.
Oaks are important as they are keystone species and so support other species. Thjey are monoecious (both male and female flowers) and flowering begins at age 15 to 25 years; the annual flower crops are typically In May. Pollen Is dispersed by wind over a two to three day period and weather conditions are critical.
Acorn enlargement and embryo development occurs In mid-summer and the white oak (WO) acorn will sprout in the ground the first year while the red oak (RO) acorn must over-winter in the ground and then sprout in the second year.
Next up was Chad Hoff of the Columbus Parks and Recreation, Chad spoke on Columbus' Urban Friendly Master Plan, whose purpose is to increase the overall canopy to 40% from its current 22%. They only have authority over trees In city parks, roadways, and other public lands. They are prioritizing on areas with less tree canopy.
Our final speaker was Trenner Wile of ODNR, who talked about trees as hosts. The class was amazed at the photos he showed of many types of fungi growing on trees, both saprophytic, that lives on dead or dying trees; parasitic, that forms a relationship with trees, usually through the roots but will actively harm the tree; and mycorrhizal, that forms a symbiotic relationship with the tree and Is found In 80% of plants and, without which, most trees would die.
Cindy Howe of Franklin County won a copy of The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohllenben. Nancy Reynolds topped off our lunch with her Maple-Apple Bars (yum!).
OSUE Southern Research Center
August 2024
It was an excellent day for a drive to Piketon, Ohio, to visit the OSUE Southern Research Center. We were greeted by Dr. Gary Gao who provided collegiate-level instructions on how to grow blueberries. The most common blueberry Is the Norethern High Bush, but It Is difficult to grow. Blueberry novices may want to begin with Blue Ray, which Is much easier to grow. Two good hybrids are Sweetheart, which fruits from mid-June to -July and so is considered an early fruiter, and Legacy, which fruits from July to August, and is deemed a mid-season producer.
There are numerous blueberry producers In Ohio, and the Blueberry Patch in Bellville is the largest.
Blueberries require a low pH of 4.5 and so are very well-suited to growing in containers in our neck of the woods, which has a higher pH level. You can mix your own soil with 60% aged pine bark (frequently referred to as a "soil conditioner") and 40% peat moss In a 10 gallon container. You can use larger containers, but the 10 gallon Is optimal, according to Dr. Gao. For nutrients, you want to apply Top Dress Special by Scotts plus Micro Max twice a week. Blueberries require a high quality water, so rain water is your best bet. To handle our winter weather, you can either tip the pot onto Its side and cover with lots of leaves or two layers of row cover, or you can store ot in an unheated garage or shed.
It takes a blueberry bush about seven years to mature when grown in the ground, but only 3 to 4 years when grown in a container.
Next Dr. Rafiq Islam provided great Information on climate-smart agriculture, specialty crops, food quality, and public health. By 2050, global food security needs to be doubled, which will make existing farming practices oncreasingly dependent on more chemicals, water, and energy inputs. According to Dr. Islam, agriculture must be transformed to "C-based system", for which C stands for Conservation or Carbon agriculture.
Research indicates that salicylic acid, which Is the active Ingredient in aspirin, is a plant's natural remedy when attached by Insects, drought, underfed and Imbalanced fertilizers. Three low-dose aspirins crushed with a pinch of baking soda and added to one gallon of water will improve a plant's immune system.
Dr. Islam also spoke about the antioxidant Lycopene, which helps lower LDL (the bad cholesterol), blood pressure, and so reduces the risk of hearth disease. Flavonoid will reduce Inflammation and risk of hearth disease and cancer. Anthocyanin will reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, and improve cognitive function. All of these are found In many vegetables and colored fruits.
We next boarded the tractor-pulled wagon and toured the experimental growing areas. We taste-tested the difference between raspberries grown under a row cover to those that were not and verified that the shaded raspberries were significantly sweeter. There were a number of other test sites that we viewed, but unfortunately were not able to test.
We were then given a tour of the laboratories and the greenhouses.
As If all this weren't enough, we were gifted a pint of fresh raspberries (from the shaded bushes) and a raspberry plant! All agreed that the trip was well worth it!
Therapeutic Horticulture
August 2024
The DCMG Therapeutic Gardening Team(aka Gardening Goddesses) had a wonderful Lavender party this morning with the residents at The Avalon of Lewis Center! We started off with our own Herb Specialist Susan Liechty sharing lavender facts while she demonstrated and mixed the batter for Lemon Lavender Olive Oil cake. Each resident was able to make their own cake in the cutest flower shaped muffin cups. While the cakes were baking, everyone made their own lavender sachets. Just touching and smelling the lavender was heavenly. We finished off the party with yummy cakes and lemon lavender popsicles. We all look so forward to our gardening related activities, and this one was a lot of fun!
Delaware County MGVs help Scioto Gardens Nursery with Its Grand Opening!
July 2024
Delaware County Master Gardener Volunteers were on-hand at Scioto Gardens new site, 2870 Curve Road, Delaware, for their grand opening on Saturday, July 27. The new grounds provide a greatly expanded space for more trees and plants, most of which are locally-grown natives, and allow for wetland and prairie demonstration areas. The MGVs provided information on pollinator plants and raised bed planting. It was clear from the constant stream of visitors that the Nursery will do well in its new location!
DCMGA Plant Sale
July 2024
The DCMGA 2024 Plant Sale on July 21 and 22 was a rousing success! Great thanks go to Jan Irwin, Regina Lach, and Barb Butt as the overall coordinators, and Jim Cline, Treasurer; Nancy Freeland, Treasures; Cynthia Buettner, Native Perennials; Susan DeVol, Holding Area; Carol Champa and Donna Reynolds, Highlight plants; Larry Hohman and Steve Ryenolds, Trees and Shrubs; and Gretta Kumpf and Suellywn Stewart, Raffle. Were these the "only" people who made this sale a success? NO! A large number (too many to count) of Delaware County MGVs worked on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It was an exhausting weekend, for those who were there all three days, but the pay-off was great: the public was ecstatic with the plants as well as the planning.
The plants, especially those donated by MGVs, were abundant; the check-out lines ran smoothly and rapidly; MGVs were extremely helpful to shoppers who had questions; and even the weather was beautiful!
We couldn't have pulled this off without the beneficence of our partners: Straders Nursery, First Impressions Landscaping, Lettuce Work, Millcreek Gardens, Sambuca's Country Market, Hoover Gardens, Leaves for Wildlife, Natives In Harmony, adn Thorsen's Greenhouse. We also want to thank those companies who donated to our raffle: Franklin Park Conservatory, Oakland Nurseries, Columbus Zoo, Columbus Clippers, COSI, Groovy Plants Ranch, Price Farms Organics, A Proper Garden, Stratford Ecological Center, HyrBrix, Champion Feed and Supply, The Old Bag of Nails, Just Pies, and Central Avenue Eye Care. (MGVs - please be sure to tell these retailers that you are a Master Gardener, when you shop with them.)
Garden Tour at Diane Harris' Home
July 2024
July 14 brought rain, sun, and loads of MGVs to Diane Harris' garden. The theme was Tantalizing Trellises and Magical Fairy Gardens, and Diane had plenty of both to share with us. Additionally, we were enchanted with Diane's creative garden designs and crafts. Her garden was filled with perennials, annuals, and vegetable gardens, and all within the confines of the HOA's regulations. Diane's education (in the Bourbon Barn, but no bourbon was offered) was on why and how to use trellises and art In the garden.
This tour wrapped up the 2024 DCMGA Garden Tour program, which was a rousing success!
July 11, 2024, AMGS-OH Trees Class
July 2024
It was a wonderful day at Dawes Arboretum in Newark, Ohio, and the staff did themselves proud when welcoming our class to their beautiful campus. We were greeted with coffee, juice, and (healthy) snacks, as well as very warm and welcoming smiles.
The day began with Shelby Seas, director of the Dawes Arboretum, who introduced us to the history of the arboretum which was established in 1929 by Beman Dawes and his wife, Bertie. The idea for an arboretum came to Beman during his youth in Marietta, Ohio, where his father’s lumber business supported the family.
In 1918, he purchased 140 acres of the old Brumback farm in Licking Township. The farm, known as “Woodland,” offered gently rolling hills and several acres of mature trees native to central Ohio. Beman felt that the farm was well situated; it was located practically in the center of the state with diversified soils and good climate for hardy trees. Today it includes over 16,000 trees and shrubs.
Our next speaker was Peter Lowe, Dawes Senior Coordinator of Horticultural Education and Community Impact, who spoke on Ohio trees. Peter began his presentation with the reminder that gardens are not meant to be work but joy. He sees Dawes as a green inspiration. Woody plants are among the oldest living organisms on earth and the Methusala tree, a Great Basin Bristlecone pine in California which is recognized as the oldest surviving trees, is around 4,855 years old.
Peter said shade trees should be at least 10 feet from a house to ensure their roots don't take advantage of moisture or cracks in the foundation to work their way between the foundation blocks. Most roots are in the first 8 to 12 inches of soil.
When purchasing a tree in a five-gallon pot, you should prune 2" around the entire root ball, then tickle the remaining roots so they grow out into the soil and not around the root ball. After that, prune dead, dying, and diseased branches any time during the year, but never prune more than 20% of the tree. If you prune suckers, more will probably reappear. Too much pruning can produce water sprouts.
Peter said that a tree can be "limbed-up" with no problem but it’s important to perform the pruning during the late fall, winter, or very early spring. It is strongly recommended that you remove any stakes in the opposite season. If you staked the tree in spring, remove them in the fall; if you staked in the fall, remove them the following spring as it is important to allow the tree to develop the ability to sway with the wind. You should remove all staking after 1 1/2 years. Peter then took us on a 60-minute tour of the arboretum and talked about many of the trees and identifying characteristics.
Terri Litchfield provided a presentation on her class project, “Classification of 100_ Common Ohio Trees”.
Next Holly Latteman, Science and Conservation Manager at Dawes, spoke on “Ohio Natives We Can't Live Without”.
Peter Lowe returned to discuss “The Truth about Leaf Waste”. Leaf waste is a great alternative to commercial mulch but should be shredded with a lawn mower or other process before applying to the garden. Only one inch of leaf waste will kill grass, as the grass won't be able to photosynthesize. Leaf litter should be coupled with other organic mulches. Mice, rats, and ticks love a good pile of leaf litter, but the population is reduced when the leaves are shredded. Peter suggests you put shredded leaf litter around woody plants and use other compost on your perennials.
Nancy Reynolds treat for the class was walnut coffee cake, which she remembers her grandmother making for holidays.
The giveaway was The Nature of Oaks by Douglas W Tallamy and was won by Shirley Kindrick of Madison County.
AMGS - OH Trees Project
July 2024
Alison Circle and Shunessy Everett and joined for a second year in a row to develop their special project for the Advanced Master Gardener certification requirement. Their project for Ohio Trees was a garden party at which most of the comestibles and drinks were made from parts of trees (think gin from the juniper berry - what a great reason to drink!). Their first garden party was on weeds (that menu must have been interesting!).
At the party, attendees were educated on Ohio trees. There was also a quiz that incorporated much of what we had learned during our classes.
Held at Shaunessy's garden, the afternoon was an absolute delight to those fortunate enough to be invited (I had to whine, cry, and throw a tantrum to get an invite!). Her gardens, designs, art, fountains, and new garden shed (in which she proudly displays the wooden plaque on trees she won at the June 27 class) are stunning!
June 27, 2024, AMGS-OH Trees Class
June 2024
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Columbus, Ohio, was the venue for our eighth class. This exceptional parkland in central Ohio was a wonderful spot for a great day.
Our first presenter was the great Jim Chatfield, OSU Professor Emeritus, who spoke on the need to know the Latin binomial for plants (so we can use the same language regardless of which country we are in). He talked about Linnaeus as the originator of the classification system ("God creates; Linnaeus organizes"), which was based on flowers and not genetics (before his time, doncha know). Classifications were later based on floral characteristics and plants are now characterized by the science of cladistics, which classifies according to the proportion of measurable characteristics they have in common.
Tim Fleischer and Matt Guthrie, horticulturists with the City of Dublin, introduced us to the conifers, with their presentation titled "Spruces and Firs and Pines, Oh my!" The conifer, which Is a gymnosperm (naked seed), was a precursor to the angiosperm. The conifer has needles or scale-like leaves and some even have wide leaves (ginkos and cycads); however, they do not have flowers, like the angiosperms do. And please don't call them "evergreens" as some of them actually lose their needles (bald cypress, larch, and dawn redwood).
A few tricks to make it easier to differentiate the conifers are:
pines have needles arranged in bundles of 2 (Austrian, Scotch, Red, and Jack), 3 (Ponderosa and Loblolly), or 5 (White and Timber);
Fir has flat, soft, two-sided needles that grow on the underside of the stem and curve around to the top side (think Fir = Flat);
(most) Spruce has sharp, square needles (think Spruce = Sharp and Square);
Hemlock has needles ranked in twos that give the branch a flat look and have two parallel, white lines on the underside of the needles (as does the balsam fir - go figure!);
Douglas fir (which Is not a fir but a Pseudotsuga, aka false hemlock) has single, flat and soft needles attached to the stem;
Junipers or red-cedar has two distinct needle structures: awls or scales; and
Arborvitae or white cedar have flattened, scale-like needles.
Tim and Matt then discussed a number of common pests and diseases that affect our conifers.
For more information on identifying conifers, check out: https://www.portland.gov/sites/default/files/2022/deciduous-conifers-cheatsheet-updated.pdf
Class concluded with a presentation on bonsai by Mark Passerrello, president of the Columbus Bonsai Society. Mark brought a number of his bonsai as inspiration for the class. Bonsai is derived from the root words "bon" which means container and "sai" which means planting.
Any shrub, tree, or vine can be pruned into a bonsai, and those plants that plants that can produce roots from a cutting or have small leaves are good candidates for bonsai. The end result is to create an impression of a tree that looks natural and old. Topiary does not meet this criteria.
You should select plants that are either 1) hardy and can grow in the same or a similar climate as you and can be outside all year long; 2) tropical, which can only be taken outdoors during warm weather; 3) semi-hardy, which must be moved indoors during Ohio winters but are not considered tropical plants (crepe myrtle Is a good example) but can overwinter in a cold greenhouse or unheated garage.
Bonsai need repotted annually and the roots need to be pruned at that time. The bonsai soiless mix will provide good drainage and gas exchange but you need to water the entire interior of the pot. You can use LED lights to promote growth.
The class was given a bonsai pot, soilless mix, and a beginning bonsai tree (ficus) to begin their journey as bonsaists (is that even a term?!?). We concluded with a tour of the Franklin Park Conservatory's bonsai collection. During our roaming, we spied the Titan Arum. The plant is commonly known as the corpse plant for It horrendous odor when It blooms. Thankfully, It only blooms about once every four years.
The winner of a lovely wooden plaque about trees was Shaunessy Everett. The plaque had been donated by Karen Edgington, a Wayne County MGV who was, unfortunately, unable to attend the classes.
Nancy Reynolds' class treat was a little sugar bomb made with pine nuts, a pignoli cookie. Quite tasty, even if the photo doesn't do it justice.
AMGS-OH Trees Class on June 13, 2024
July 2024
The Secrest Arboretum in Wooster, Ohio, was the host of our seventh class. The Arboretum is a lovely, 110-acre venue filled with a large variety of trees, shrubs, and perennials.
We began the day with a presentation by Secrest Curator Jason Veil, who spoke on Tree Selection. The basic message is "The Right Plant in the Right Place," which is using available knowledge to choose a tree or tree-type that is compatible with both your environmental conditions and your planting objectives.
It's important to consider the tree's physical traits (size, shape, growth rate) as well as the benefits of the tree: think of energy conservation (shading and screening), aesthetics (color, texture, and structure), ecological benefits (wildlife habitat, pollinators), wind regulation, rainwater capture and stormwater management, etc. Also look at the cons of the tree: liabilities (poor branch structure and strength), insect vulnerability, disease susceptibility, falling parts (foliage and fruit), aggressiveness/invasiveness, and intolerances (most broadleaf evergreens don't do well In Ohio because of moisture evaporation and high winds
Dr. Kayla Perry, an entomology professor at OSU, spoke on Heterogeneity in Forest Landscapes. Heterogeneity is the state of consisting of dissimilar or diverse elements - such as the layers of a forest.
Habitat heterogeneity is the number of different habitats within an environment or ecosystem. Forests have both horizontal and vertical habitats. From top to bottom is the canopy, the understory, shrubs, herbs, and then the ground itself. A stream can add a second habitat. The more habitats there are, the more niches are available for different species.
A few of the many interesting facts Dr Perry shared were that the forested land cover in Ohio has increased over the last century, that nothing feeds on multiflora rose, and that leaf-litter and soil layer provide the highest non-plant diversity and support plants and animal diversity in all other layers of the forest through decomposition.
Our final speaker was Paul Snyder from Secrest Arboretum. Paul spoke on Tree ID and brought a multitude of tree and shrub limbs and leaves for us to see the different identifiers, such as alternate, opposite, sub-opposite, or whorled branching; the different leaf margins; and the variety of venation. His presentation was concluded by a walk in the Arboretum discussing the traits seen in several of their trees.
Upon return to the classroom, we played a Tree bingo game that Nancy Reynolds had. She challenged our class to develop a bingo game of the trees that are native to Ohio. Her black walnut cookie was a family recipe that she recalls eating every holiday.
The book giveaway, Bark: A Field Guide to Trees of the Northeast, by Michael Wojtech and Tom Wessels, was won by Charlotte Niceswanger.
We concluded the class with close to 40 classmates reporting on their class project. It was amazing that there didn't seem to be a duplicated project in the bunch! Our respective counties are really going to benefit from the knowledge we are gaining in this class!
AMGS-OH Trees Class on May 23, 2024
May 2024
It's hard to believe that we are half-way through this program! Yes, this was our 5th of 10 classes and, just like all the others, it was a doozy!
We began our day with Pam Bennett, OSU Extension and statewide MGV coordinator, who gave an excellent presentation on proper tree planting techniques. Some takeaways are that you should always tease out the roots before planting, regardless of whether you are dealing with a balled-and-burlapped (B&B) or container-grown tree. B&B trees should have the top 1/3 of the burlap removed after the tree Is In the hole and the wire container cut and folded down so It does not girdle the roots. Pam believes in the catharsis of using a machete to cut off the bottom roots and pruners to remove any circling roots or roots that have grown above the root flare. The hole should be deep enough to ensure that the root flare is about one inch above the soil but up to eight times the width of the pot or root ball. If you have heavy clay soil, you may want to create a well at the bottom of the hole so that the ball sits on a higher, dryer mound of soil and the water can gather in the well.
The only pruning to be done on a new tree Is to remove a co-dominate leader, rubbing branches, narrow crotch angles and water sprouts, broken branches, and suckers. Do NOT prune the terminal leader of branch tips. Don't stake the tree unless you are dealing with strong prevailing winds or the root ball is very loose.
Our next speaker was Chris Ahlum, president of Ahlum and Arbor Tree Preservation Company. Chris spoke to the why, when and how of tree pruning. It's Important to prune to ensure the tree is structurally sound, aesthetically pleasing, healthy, does not create an unsafe environment, and to improve flower or fruit production. With trees that flower on current season wood, prune during the dormant season or just before growth will occur In the spring. For trees that flower on last season's wood, prune just after the bloom. Only prune oaks between October and March to prevent oak wilt.
Pruning should only occur next to the collar, as the callus tissue that heals the wound comes from collar. Use a three-cut method but first cutting under the branch one to two feet from the trunk (this will prevent the bark from peeling), then cut from the top just slightly beyond the first cut, and finally cut at the collar.
For conifers, the best pruning technique is to pinch off the candles (new growth).
Our final speaker of the day was Laura Deeter of Chadwick Arboretum, who spoke on identifying trees and basic care. Laura began by reminding us why it is important to know the botanical name: the common name for a plant can and will change from one area to another and, regardless of what language you speak, the botanical name remains the same.
Laura also shared that an 80 year old oak is the equivalent of a 13 year-old child; In the 1800s In Austria, they excavated tree roots and found them to be up to 30 feet beyond the drip line; you can water a tree a night If you water from the ground; and that dyed mulches are often from pallets and you have no idea what had been stored on that pallet.
Laura then led us on a trek around the Secrest's rear parking lots to identify numerous trees and answer questions.
Nancy Reynolds baked Mulberry muffins as our tree taste-treat for the day. And Chris Ahlum brought a number of copies of his book, The Guide to Ohio Trees: Forty Trees, Forty Years, and generously donated four copies that were won by Marlene Dorko of Madison County, Karen Jensen of Franklin County, Karen Lewis of Franklin County, and Christy Pearl of Madison County. Emma Barth-Elias of Summit County won the Sibley Field ID book and flashcards.
Therapeutic Gardening
May 2024
We can’t even describe how much our May activity warmed our hearts. It was a very hot day, and we were scheduled to plant the raised beds at the Avalon. We figured no one would show up due to the heat. We were scurrying to get the beds ready to plant when we looked up and saw a line forming as our group of friends entered the courtyard ready and raring to go! They patiently waited while we wrapped up spreading the soil and gathering the plants for each bed. Finally one of our friends said “I’m ready to get my hands dirty” and with that the planting commenced!
A big thanks to the following…Lettuce Work Nursery for the donation of herbs for the sensory garden, individual DCMG's for donating plants to the pollinator bed, the residents for their successful winter seed sowing and the Avalon for all the plants they purchased. Look at the smiles!
AMGS-OH Trees Class on May 9, 2024
May 2024
It may have been raining outdoors, but we were snug as a bug at the US Army Corp of Engineers' Visitor Center at Alum Creek!
Our day began with Jim Chatfield, OSU Extension, who provided a wonderful presentation on flowering trees. He mentioned the four deciduous conifers (dawn redwood, bald cypress, larch, and, new to many of us, the pseudolarix (golden larch)) as examples of gymnosperms that have closed fruit that doesn't flower and are usually pollinated by wind, as opposed to the angiosperms that are tru flowering plants and usually pollinated by insects. In February we begin seeing hazelnut and forsythia blooms, followed in March by silver and red maple, cornelian cherry dogwood, pawpaw, beech, oaks, maples, and crabapples.
Dr Chatfield graciously donated his copy of The Tree Book by Michael Dirr and Keith S Warren to the Delaware County Master Gardeners.
Our next speaker was Heather Sheets with ODNR's Project Learning Tree program. This environmental educational curriculum can be used by teachers, educators, parents, and community leaders who want to work with pre-school to grade 12 youths. There's something here for everyone who wants to work with kids. We concluded this section of class with some tree yoga (check out the photos!).
Dr Gary Gao was our final speaker and entertained us with his stories and quips, not to mention his vast information on fruit trees. One would think that growing apple trees would be easy - but not so! You need to address pruning, fungicides, Insecticides, timing of application, coverage (hence why most commercial growers select dwarf trees), rain Issues, fertilization (which requires soil testing), fruit thinning (too many fruits and flowers are a bad thing - who knew!) to ensure consistency in size. Many grower will seal the apple In a brown paper bag as an insect control.
He recommends the Midwest Home and Fruit Production Guide, which is available through the OSU Extension website.
Dr Gao also gave insights Into growing grapes and stone fruits. He concluded with Information on pathogens and diseases.
Today's tasty treat from Nancy Reynolds was redbud jelly on biscuits. The recipe was pretty simple (redbud flowers, sugar, pectin, and water) but gathering the flowers was a quite a chore! Not to be outdone, Dr Chatfield reminded all of Secrest's Arbor-eatum that will be held in the fall (watch our Calendar for the date).
The book Bark: A Field Guide to Trees of the Northeast by Michael Wojtech and Tom Wessels was won by Sue Cline of Madison County.
Therapeutic Gardening
May 2024
Our new class of 24 Master Gardener interns joined us May 6 at The Avalon of Lewis Center for a Therapeutic Horticulture Presentation followed by a tour of their fabulous greenhouse and raised bed gardens.
Meanwhile our friends were patiently waiting inside for the pansy palooza/herb extravaganza to get started! We had a packed house with 7 tables full of residents. Everyone played guess the herb scents, planted pansies in old fashioned tea cups and enjoyed lavender lemonade, pansy cup cakes and lemon lavender cookies. It was a stimulating morning to say the least!!!
We are so thankful to Theresa Eddy and The Avalon of Lewis Center for embracing us. We can't believe it's been a year already! They are the Best!
Sheedy Sanctuary
May 2024
Donna Reynolds shared a newly found wilderness area full of lovely sites and wonderful walking trails: the Sheedy Sanctuary, which is part of the Morrow County Park District. The sanctuary is located at 189 County Road 204, Centerburg, Ohio. Although it has a Centerburg mailing address the sanctuary is in the south east corner of Morrow County, just east of County Road 204 and approximately one mile south of County Road 15 In South Bloomfield Township. And, as a special treat, you can stop by Groovy Plants Ranch on your way to or from the sanctuary. Enjoy the pictures that Donna took of some spring ephemerals she found there.
Garden Tour at Marlene Suter's Home
April 2024
Sunday, April 28, was a breathtakingly beautiful spring day that was absolutely perfect for the first DCMGA garden tour of 2024 at Marlene Suter's home. Her gardens were so full of color and variety that they gladdened the heart and perfectly pleased the eye. Marlene's obsession (her word) is daffodils, followed closely by any other blooming plant. She likes to arrange her plantings to gain a balance of color, texture, and Interest, and spends many months planning improvements for the following year, as well as buying bulbs and plants. Marlene also enjoys employing trees as a foil in her gardens and along the edges of her woods (the Bloody Fingers Japanese maple was a standout).
Marlene provided a short course In how she developed her gardens over time and how to plant bulbs in containers.
There were around 50 MGVs and a number of their guests who ambled throughout the property during the day.
Marlene's team consisted of Gretta Kumpf, Trude Brinley, Pam Bobson, Charlotte Niceswanger, Patsy Kaschalk, Sandy Lauer, Tina Weller, and Mia Torres.
AMGS-OH Trees April 28 Class
April 2024
Sixty plus MGVs met again at Highbanks Metro Park for the third AMGS-OH Trees class. We were led off by Dr Erika Lyon, OSU Extension, who provided great detail on wood rot fungi. These fungi require moisture, the right temperature, oxygen, and food from the rotting wood (carbon and other nutrients), the amount of each is dependent on the species of fungi.
There are white rots, which are spongy, soft or stringy, that are usually found In flowering and deciduous trees; brown rots, which are cubical rots that remove carbohydrates and leaves oxidized Iignin and no fibrous texture; soft rots are typically associated with chains of cavities forming within the cell walls of the wood; heart rot and sap rot affect, as you'd expect, the heartwood and sap wood; and root, butt (short for buttress), and trunk rots which often progress from the crown and trunk; and weeping conk, which has a sickly sweet odor and only forms on oaks. Who knew fungi were so varied and interesting?
Next Carrie Jaggers of the Morrow County Extension Office provided facts on the newer invasive insects, including the Elm Zigzag sawfly which is a shiny black wasp with white legs that is about 1/4" long. As the name implies, the larvae only affect elms and can cause defoliation. Happily, there are no reported tree deaths due to the insect. Elm Zigzag sawfly eggs are laid on the leaf margin and fall to the ground to overwinter. The larva, which Is green with brown markings In a distinctive T shape, eat a zigzag pattern on the leaf. The insect reproduces without a mate and completes its life cycle within 29 days.
The box tree moth, in the caterpillar stage, can defoliate a boxwood which, If not checked, will die within a few years. It produces two to five generations per year and can survive temperatures of at least -22 degrees. Its secondary host are burning bush, Japanese euonymus, purple holly, and orange jasmine. Only treat for this insect if you can see it; don't treat as a preventative measure. Mechanical removal is good for small infestations (burn the removed foliage, though).
The viburnum leaf beetle feed, as expected, on viburnum. Larvae eat this plant from midspring to early summer and then the adults eat it from summer to fall. It can defoliate the plant and, if this continues for two to three years, will kill the plant.
Dr. Curtis Young, OSU-Extension, completed our day with information about how to spot a healthy (and unhealthy) tree. The most important detail is knowing what to expect from the tree (which requires you to know which tree you're dealing with). Once you know what to expect, you then consider whether the canopy is full, the size and color of the leaves are usual, whether the growth rate and seed production appear normal, its sturdiness during a storm, and whether there are few to no pests. If it is a flowering tree, another identifier is whether the flowers it produces are within the norm for size, shape, and amount.
Dr Young stressed using the Plant Fact Sheet titled Twenty Questions of Plant Diagnostics (https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/plpath-gen-3) when diagnosing problems.
Often the homeowner is concerned by a visible issue (such as fall web worm) that, upon research, one realizes is not a threat to the tree as it eats the foliage late In the year after the tree has already stored sufficient food.
We completed the day with Dr Young leading a walk around the parking lot looking at and discussing trees of interest.
We enjoyed Nancy Reynold's newest culinary treat: maple acorn torte. Members of the committee also baked sugar cookies for the class as an early celebration of ArborDay. The daily give-away, How to Read a Tree by Tristan Gooley, was won by Delaware County MGV Laurie Fomby.
Earth Day at The Zoo with the Delaware County Master Gardeners
April 2024
April 20 and 21 were cool and blustery days, but that did not stop our dedicated Master Gardeners from sharing their knowledge of pollinators at Earth Day at The Zoo. Lots of adults and children stopped by to visit the exhibit and obtain information that will benefit their gardens.
AMGS-OH Trees April 11 Class
April 2024
Almost 70 MGVs gathered at Highbanks Metro Park on April 11 for the class on Tree Identification. We led off with a presentation on Tree Champions by Colleen Berg and her colleague, Don, of ODNR. What makes a tree the champion of its species? Points are assessed for height, circumference, and crown spread (yeah, math is involved in horticulture - who knew?). The National Champion Tree Program was started by the American Forest, a non-profit organization, and is now hosted by the University of Tennessee - Knoxville. The focus today is on direct conservation of endangered species, research for forestry and large trees, preservation, and public education. Don mentioned that just because a tree has been designated the champion of its species, that designation doesn't protect it. ODNR's website contains a list of Ohio champion trees at https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/safety-conservation/about-ODNR/forestry/champion-trees/champion-trees. Because many are on private land, the website only cites the county the tree is in, not the coordinates.
Next Connor Clark of Davey Tree Service provided an in-depth presentation on i-Tree (https://www.itreetools.org), the app they helped develop with USDA, Arbor Day Foundation, Urban and Community Forestry Society, International Society of Arboriculture, Casey Trees, and SUNY College of Environmental Services and Forestry. Most of the tools are only available online but MyTree, which is the best tool for homeowners, can be downloaded and used on a smart phone. The data you enter in the apps help to calculate the impact trees have on heating and cooling, air supply (that factors In volatile organic compounds and carbon dioxide), and the carbon and water savings. Another tool on the app for the homeowner is I-Tree Species that provides a list of trees for you to consider based on the criteria you enter.
Connor mentioned that the US Forest Service has a free, online booklet titled Field Guide to Native Oak Species of Eastern North America that Is his go-to for Identifying oaks. It can be downloaded from this website: https://urbanforestrysouth.org/resources/library/ttresources/field-guide-to-native-oak-species-of-eastern-north-america-1.
Our day ended with Kathy Smith, OSU Extension, who talked about different tree species' growth behavior, such as the difference between a leaf and a leaflet; the fact that honey locust has both bi-pinnately and pinnately compound leaves; terminal buds are always in a cluster but leaf buds are either alternate, opposite or whorled; all maple trees produce a seed called a samara, usually in a pair and usually only one of them is viable; an oak usually won't produce an acorn until it is 18 to 20 years old; the Ohio Buckeye is one of the first trees to leaf out; and redbuds are the only tree that flowers anywhere on the tree and not just on the branches.
Because of the rainy weather, we were not able to go outside to practice using the book Leaf Identification Key to Eighty-Eight Ohio Trees that Kathy co-authored.
Nancy Reynolds introduced her class project: making foods from trees! She baked cookies for the class using chestnut flour, which were well-received. William Reiser's class project of creating quizzes on Kahoot, an audience participation app, to tests participants' ability to do tree ID would have been great - had the Internet only been able to manage 70 log-ins! Finally, the committee raffled off the book "Identifying Trees of the East" by Michael D Williams, which was won by Judy Rodgers of Franklin County.
Guided Wildflower Walks at Emily Traphagen Park
April 2024
DCMGA and their friends at Preservation Parks of Delaware County will again offer guided tours of the wildflowers - this time at the Emily Traphagen Park, 5094 Seldom Seen Rd, Powell, OH. On the trail you will explore spring wildflowers marked by signs with an illustration of the plant, its common and botanical names, and a QR code so you can learn more about the plant on your smart phone. The QR code will link you to the DCGMA website (delcomga.org).
Delaware County Master Gardeners will guide you on these wildflower walks at 1:30 pm on:
Saturday, 4/6/24
Friday, 4/12/24
Thursday, 4/18/24
Friday, 4/19/24
AMGS-OH Trees Kick-off
March 2024
Thursday, March 28, we held our first AMGS-OH Trees class, and boy was it a success! We were with our friends and partners at Stratford Ecological Center and with 59 class registrants (one person had to miss the first class) plus 4 volunteers from Stratford. We were a tight fit! However, this just added to our enjoyment of the day.
Our first speaker was Carrie Brown, Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator for OSUE-Fairfield, who brought her in-depth knowledge of trees to us for a presentation on What Is A Tree. She did more than review the basics of tree biology and botany; she went deep into the xylem and phloem with us - it was truly a course for a master class!
Next Stephanie Downs, Cooperative Forest Management Administrator for the Ohio Division of Forestry in the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). Stephanie related how our national and state forests came about, after being almost wiped out by the early 1910, when only 10% of our nation was still forested compared to the 95% Native Americans managed prior to the arrival of Europeans. This year Ohio has re-opened a tree nursery that will grow trees to restore land mining sites. It is expected, in the future, to produce 1 to 2 million native tree seedlings, at which time it is hoped they will be able to sell seedlings to the public.
The day ended in an hour and a half walk around the woods, guided by Jeremy Scherf and three others from ODNR plus Carrie Brown. We broke up into five groups and learned to identify many of the trees found In Stratford's woods.
Winter Weed and Tree ID Hikes
March 2024
Nancy Reynolds and Jon Kerr continued their Weed and Tree ID Hikes on Friday, March 23, on the Acorn Trail at Gallant Woods. Folks not only enjoyed the weeds and trees, they got a peek at some of the spring wildflowers that are making their appearance.
The next Weed and Tree Hike will be April 5 and 6 at Char Mar Preservation Park in Westerville from 9:30 to 10:30am.
DCMGA Therapeutic Gardening Project
March 2024
Our Therapeutic Gardening Team just wrapped up a very festive Spring/Easter activity focused on carrots, carrot trivia and carrot deserts! We are making progress moving our gardening paraphernalia in to the Greenhouse at The Avalon of Lewis Center. Vanessa Bartos created a beautiful collage of us highlighting almost a years worth of our activities with the residents that will hang by the Greenhouse entrance doorway. Our plan this summer is to use the 4 raised beds in their courtyard as Sensory, Pollinator, Cut Flower and Vegetable/herb gardens. The Winter seed sowing that we did in February looks promising. In April, we plan to make bamboo Windchimes for the sensory garden and surrounding landscape. The Bamboo was donated by Hope Taft! We are looking forward to showcasing this wonderful partnership in May to our new class of MG interns who will be joining us for a presentation on Therapeutic Horticulture followed by a sensory activity. May will be a busy month purchasing plants( paid for by The Avalon) and planting with the residents.
2024 DCMGA Banquet
March 2024
What a lot of fun was had at our 28th annual banquet! There were about 90 of us at the Scioto Reserve Country Club in Powell and we made the room rock and the halls sing! Although the food was yummy, the surroundings beautiful, and the wine flowed merrily, it was all about the people! Members began arriving even before the 6:00 opening, which only added to the joy of the evening.
After greeting people we hadn't seen for months (or maybe days), we began buying raffle tickets and entering our names and bids for silent auction merchandise.
Our wonderful members donated so many great items for the raffle and auction that the tables groaned from the weight! In addition, local businesses showed their appreciation of our volunteer time with their generosity. These businesses were Amato's, COSI, Fresh Start Bakery, Groovy Plants Ranch, Oakland Nursery, Paul Pfeiffer of Northpoint Financial Services, Powerhouse Junk Removal, Price Farms Organics, Seasons Home and Kids, and Son of Thurman. Next time you visit one of these businesses, tell them you are an MGV and appreciate their support!
It should be noted that Susie Snow is on the hunt for some people who won at one of the raffle tables but failed to pick up their goodies. Thankfully the silent auction didn't have that bother.
Our dear president, Margo Hick, was not able to attend, so our 1st VP, Linda Shepard, stepped up to share memories of what we accomplished in 2023. Kenzie Johnston took the podium next and introduced the 2023 Interns who are now officially certified MGVs. Congratulations to them and their hard work. Kenzie then shared with the group how much she appreciates their willingness to work together on our common goals.
The Banquet Committee was pleased that their many hours of organizing ensured that their fellow MGVs had a wonderful evening. The Committee was comprised of Diana Dierkes, Suzan Nobis, Mary Sandberg, Sandy Schaadt, Susie Snow, Susan Vetter, Steve Walton, Sandy Workman, Andy Zakrajsek, and co-chairs Pam Foster and Susan DeVol.
Gallant Farms Budding Beginnings
March 2024
Our Budding Beginnings program on March 9th was a resounding success thanks to our Master Gardener Volunteer team pulling together for the morning. Attendees were hungry for information on starting seeds. We provided a general overview followed by a room full of seed starting way stations. Information was provided for a variety of growing aspects by Kim Steele (aerogardens), Susan Schmidt (budding/starting from existing plants), Jane Collins and Regina Lach (hands-on starting seeds), Gina Gryswalski and Mia Shea-Torres (kids' hands-on seed starting /origami pots) and Dennis Julian (ask-a-seed-starter). The format was well received with a little something for everyone to take away including a better understanding of seed starting, their own tray of planted seeds, extension information, and/or seeds. Appreciation goes to all the Master Gardener Volunteers for tackling their program areas with zeal! In addition, thanks to Alisha Smith on the Facebook/publicity front and Kathy Blevins for Extension/Master Gardener supplies and program help.
Winter Weed and Tree ID Hikes
March 2024
Nancy Reynolds and Jon Kerr are conducting tours of the local parks for DCMGA members. The purpose Is to Identify and learn about trees and weeds that are found at the parks. The first event, scheduled for March 1 and 2 at Shale Hollow Park, was snowed out on the second day (the park even locked the gate!). The second event was held on March 8 and 9 at Hogback Ridge Park. Nancy and Jon will be at the Picnic Shelter at Gallant Park on March 22 and at Char Mar (meet at the picnic tables by the parking area) on April 5 and 6. Here are some photos from the March 8 and 9 hike. (In one of them you will see Nancy trying to save her 4th worm from being run over).
2024 Tree and Shrub Sale
Our friends at the Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District have announced the 2024 Tree and Shrub Sale. They are offering the following evergreens: American arborvitae, Canaan fir, Colorado blue spruce, Eastern white pine, Norway spruce. You can also order American hazelnut, American sycamore, swamp white oak, pawpaw, persimmon, shagbark hickory, sugar maple, spice bush, Eastern redbud, black gum, or white flowering dogwood. All are bare-root seedlings that come in packs of 5 or 10 and range In size from 3" to 18", depending on the species. Orders are filled on a first-come/first-served basis, so don't delay in ordering! You must pick up your order between April 16 to 19, from 8am to 4:30pm, at their new Byxbe Campus office.
Here's the link to the order form: https://files.constantcontact.com/940d1a09801/12c888e8-5cd4-4be3-8e02-1b795aed6990.pdf?rdr=true
DCMGA Horticultural Therapy Project
Another great DCMGA activity took place today with our friends from The Avalon of Lewis Center. Today we did winter seed sowing.
The residents/fellow gardeners reminisced about their gardens and shared their memories and love of gardening with all of us! The jugs are securely located out in the garden courtyard where they can see them from their windows! When it is warmer they will enjoy watching them sprout! 🤞🤞🤞
We couldn't end our time together without some dirt pudding and mini valentines cookies! One of our friends had a Valentines Card for us addressed to the Gardening Gals and two other friends expressed their gratitude and called our activities Special! We love our friends at The Avalon.
Advanced Master Gardener Specialization - Ohio Trees Course
January 2024
The Advanced Master Gardener Specialization on Ohio Trees (AMGS-OH Trees) Planning Committee opened registration on January 8, 2024, at 10am. Well before 10pm, over 60 MGVs registered!
Registrations are from Clark (1), Delaware (19), Franklin (37), Madison (4), Miami (1), Morrow (2), Ottawa (1), Summit (2), and Wayne (2) counties. We have closed the online registration platform as more kept dribbling in! We currently have ten people on the waiting list!
The Planning Committee began work in August 2023. Early on, the committee broke up into subcommittees to contend with the host of decisions that must be made to ensure an excellent program. The subcommittees included Curriculum and Speakers, Schedule and Venues, Certification, Technology, and Marketing and Attendee Experience. Committee members are Alison Circle and Lisa Craddock-Thitoff of Franklin County MGVs and, from Delaware County, Cynthia Buettner, Susan DeVol, Margo Hicks, Gretta Kumpf, Sandy Lauer, Terri Litchfield, and Lisa Reiser (with technical help from William Reiser).
Classes are scheduled for March 28, April 11, April 25, May 9, May 23, June 13, June 27, July 11, August 8, and September 12. Venues are Stratford Ecological Society, Highbanks Metro Park (twice), US Army Corp of Engineers at Alum Creek State Park, Chadwick Arboretum, Secrest Arboretum, Franklin Park Conservatory, Dawes Arboretum, the Jeffrey Mansion in Bexley, and Grange Insurance Audubon Center.
Friends of the Ohio Heritage Garden Holiday Tea
December 2023
DCMGA volunteers at the Ohio Governor's Heritage Garden enjoyed a lovely Holiday Tea with the First Lady and members of the Friends of the Ohio Governor's Residence and Heritage Gardens. This annual event is provided to show appreciation of volunteers and supporters.
This year one of the highlights was classical music performed on the piano by 9 year old Hudson Seerden. He started taking lessons duirng the pandemic and has already won an international competition!
Another highlight of the event Is to see the live Christmas tree decorated with hand-made ornaments created by the women of the Marysville Reformatory. Their decorations come from the many plastic bags, scraps of fabric and ribbon donated by many of us. They are extremely creative!
Congratulations to Our 2023 OSUE State Award Winners!
November 2023
We are excited to announce that Delaware County Master Gardeners’ nominations for “Outstanding Master Gardener Volunteer of the Year” and “Outstanding Friend of Master Gardeners Volunteer” were recognized and honored at the 2023 OSU Extension Annual Master Gardener Volunteer State Conference.
We all give in so many ways in so many amazing projects, paying forward to our community and to each other. This year, we recognized Nora Hiland as one of the State’s Outstanding Master Gardener Volunteers and Debra Knapke as the State’s Outstanding Friend of Master Gardener Volunteers. We are thrilled that they were acknowledged by the State as being the “best of the best”.
Nora Hiland – Outstanding MGV
Nora is a caring and tireless ambassador for the Master Gardener Program. She is a mentor, a leader and a highly respected expert in many fields at both local and state levels. Wildflowers, invasive plants, native plants and children’s garden education are just a sampling of the subjects Nora joyfully shared with our community in 2022. As the Life Science Program Coordinator at Stratford Ecological Center said, “It is a pleasure to observe Nora's joy as she helps her students tend their own flames of appreciation of the natural world.”
A gifted instructor, Nora has devoted her life to horticultural education. Self-guided wildflower walks, wellness in gardening talks, gardening classes for tots to seniors, bee friendly flower presentations, Nora is a leader who is bubbling with ideas and who made them happen last year. She is a constant source of support and inspiration, always generous with her time, always available to help and answer questions. Nora’s willingness to listen and lead have only intensified over her 15 years as an extremely active MGV. She is an innovator of new educational programs that attract MGVs and draw in the community. She empowers MGVs to educate others and to never cease learning.
Master Educator, sounding board, invaluable horticulture resource, intrepid gardener, Nora has touched (and taught) our community and our organization. Thank you Nora for all that you have given us and all you have given to our neighbors.
Debra Knapke– Outstanding MGV Friend
Debra Knapke is a gem, not only for the Delaware County Master Gardener Association (DCMGA), but for the entire state of Ohio. “Ohio’s Garden Sage” is a respected author, an associate professor of Plant Sciences, an avid horticulture educator and a friend to all gardeners. She has been sharing her wealth of knowledge and experience to countless master gardeners and gardeners, not only in 2022, but has been doing so for many years.
A committee member on the Advanced Herb Specialist Program from 2019 through 2022, Debra was key in the development of the thirty-two (32) classes that made up this program which was held in 2022. Debra taught four (4) of these classes: Herbs in the Landscape; Sensual Gardens; Maintenance of your Herb Garden; Understanding Our Native Herbs and GreenBridges.
Debra also served as the Interim Manager at the Ohio Governor’s Residence and Heritage Garden in 2022. This project has weekly volunteer workers by not only the DCMGA but also master gardeners and interested gardeners from all over the state of Ohio. Debra would plan and direct the work needing to be accomplished in the Heritage Garden and would always take the time to provide instruction about gardening or about a specific plant, stopping to provide learning opportunities for anyone working in the Heritage Garden.
A Keynote Speaker at the 2022 Master Gardener Conference in Cleveland, Debra also moderated and served as a panelist for the “Kiss the Ground” movie at the Drexel Theater in Columbus. She presented classes at the Ohio Craft Museum on The Sustainable Garden Describe and the Sustainable Garden Designer. Debra also opened her personal garden to the public for the Simply Living Sustainable Garden Tour.
Debra Knapke has positively touched our lives. She shares her vast knowledge and expertise with countless gardeners, and her enthusiasm and love for gardening inspires all who are fortunate enough to be associated with her. She has inspired us to learn, to never be afraid to ask questions, and to achieve the full potential of our gardens.
Delaware County Master Gardeners honor Debra as much more than just a ‘Friend’ of our organization but also as an invaluable resource for gardeners throughout the country. We are so very proud that you have been recognized as 2023’s “Outstanding Friend of Mater Gardeners”.
Platinum Level Standard of Excellence Award (Highest Level of Excellence)
DCMGA and the Delaware County Extension Office were granted the Platin um Level Standard of Excellence Award for meeting at least nine criteria of the Master Gardener program. Requirements include submission of membership data including CEUs and hours volunteered, adherence to state policies, internal financial review, offering of a community education program, and submittal of award nominees.
Congrats to Debra and Nora for some well-deserved recognition!!
And a big thank you to the State Awards Committee of Barb Petrella, Gayle O’Sullivan, Lisa Reiser, Margo Hicks and Tracy Burger for writing and editing these award winning nomination essays.
Advanced Master Gardener Specialization on Ohio Trees Course Announced
November 2023
Master Gardeners from Delaware and Franklin counties have been developing our next Advanced Master Gardener Specialization - this time on Ohio Trees.
This 10-class course will run from March through September 2024. Most months will have only one class but there will be two classes per month in April, May, and June. Topics include Tree Identification, Tree Health, Fruit and Ornamental Flowering Trees, and many more. A number of experts have been confirmed to speak, as have the different venues where we will meet.March 2024
The cost to attend will be dependent on the final expense of the course. The committee is making every effort to keep costs to a minimum.
To be certified as a Tree Specialist, you must be an MGV in good standing in your county, attend all classes, and present an educational project in your own county based on the knowledge gained through the course. Others may attend but will not be eligible for certification.
You can use your smart phone to click on the QR code on the right (preferred) or email amgstrees@gmail.com to indicate your interest. In late December, an email will be sent to those who have expressed an interest indicating that the registration process will open on January 2, 2024.
The cost to attend will be dependent on the final expense of the course. The committee is making every effort to keep costs to a minimum.
To be certified as a Tree Specialist, you must be an MGV in good standing in your county, attend all classes, and present an educational project in your own county based on the knowledge gained through the course. Others may attend but will not be eligible for certification.
You can use your smart phone to click on the QR code on the right (preferred) or email amgstrees@gmail.com to indicate your interest. In late December, an email will be sent to those who have expressed an interest indicating that the registration process will open on January 8, 2024.
DCMGA Therapeutic Garden Team Fall Activities
October 2023
Monday, October 23 was a beautiful fall day for the raised bed clean up and pumpkin activities at the Avalon of Lewis Center. Our group cleared the four raised beds in no time at all. We are already envisioning a Sensory, Pollinator, Cut Flower, and Pizza garden for next year, and we look forward to input from the residents during the planning process. Theresa Eddy, Lifestyle Enrichment Director is excited that we want to bring their greenhouse to life! Relationships are developing and our attendance is growing.
This month, our group of 14 enjoyed crafting their own pumpkins, followed by a ring toss game with prizes and “stump the residents.” There was no stumping them! These previous gardeners really know their pumpkin facts! Pumpkins are a fruit and are 90% water, but they were all surprised to learn that canned pumpkin purée is made with Dickinson pumpkin/squash and other brands are a mixture of winter squash, like Butternut, Hubbard, Boston Marrow and Golden Delicious. It’s not the classic orange pumpkin everyone thinks of which is a good thing because the others are more flavorful! Our friends enjoyed the fruits of their labor with some homemade “Dickinson Pumpkin” cookies.
Stratford Ecological Center Harvest Festival
October 2023
Stratford's Harvest Festival was drizzly and cloudy, but lots of fun nonetheless! Gretta Kumpf and Susan DeVol hosted a table that provided information on Soils, Compost, and Mulch. At least 70 adults and children stopped by the table.
Note: children's parents approved the use of their child's photo on our website
October Weeds Class Held at Stratford Ecological Center
October 2023
The Advanced Master Gardeners Weed Specialization class met on October 12 at the Stratford Ecological Center. This month we were joined by two Stratford volunteers. The theme of the day was how to eat, medicate, and kill people with weeds (huh?!?).
The morning began, though, with a final exam, requiring us to identify at least 30 of 37 weeds. Thanks to Nancy Reynold's design (and pity for us), she included little hints in the descriptions of many weeds. I think that almost everyone got all 37 of the weeds correctly Identified!
Abbe Turner led us off with information about foraging for food - specifically in the weed patch. Abbe demonstrated how to make an appetizer of goat cheese with pink cosmos petals and shared other dishes and drinks that she had made with weeds, flowers, and mushrooms. They were quite delicious!
Heather Colyer of Stratford Ecological Center shared her knowledge of the medicinal properties of ten common weeds. Much of the information was gathered from Native Americans, who had an extensive pharmacy growing wild around them (I wonder who "volunteered" to test all those weeds). Who knew that the dandelion could do so much!
Susan DeVol then shared her research on which weeds in Ohio could kill people. This was followed by a video on an garden in England that is full of killer plants: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oCWAiqL0i0
Lunch was especially fun, with participants bringing samples of food and drinks made with weeds. Most were quite tasty while others...not so much. For some reason, the Autumn Olive wine seemed to be a hit (oops! let's hope no one got picked up for drunk weeding!). We want to thank Kathy Blevins, OSUE worker of the week, for helping plate up the foods.
November 9 is the final Weeds Specialization class.
DCMGA Volunteers Work with Students at Schultz Elementary School
October 2023
On October 5, Jeanne Engelking, Nikki Sparks, Stephanie Merick, and Gretta Kumpf assisted the 5th grade students of Mrs Kristin Wilder with planting 11 flats of native plants. The plants were placed In the school's water retention area near the playground and helped the students connect their gardening experience to their curriculum.
This was the second phase of their work to create a prairie landscape consisting of Ohio native plants. Phase one occurred in the spring of 2023.
The volunteers agreed that it was a great day to work In the garden, and nature capped off the day by providing an evening rain shower. Gretta said the students were engaged and excited about the process.
Westerville Arborfest and Delaware County Master Gardeners
September 2023
Saturday, September 23, was a beautiful day for those visiting the Westerville ArborFest! Many exhibitors (both old and new) were there to greet them, Including DCMGA.
Susan Alexander and Jon Kerr met many adults and children and provided answers to numerous questions on trees. While the parents were talking, the children were happily engaged in hammering black walnut nuts to find the hidden fruits Inside (or just because hammering them is fun!).
This is the fifth year DCMGA has hosted a table at the event.
(Note: parents gave permission for child's photo to be displayed on our website)
Delaware County Master Gardeners Are at The Delaware County Fair
September 2023
DCMGA has made an even greater presence this year at the Delaware County Fair, with a booth in the Merchants Building as well as a table in the Junior Fair tent.
This year's theme is all about the bugs that are bugging you: spotted lantern fly, bag worms, cabbage worms, tent caterpillars, and tomato hornworm, to name just a few.
Master Gardeners were available to answer questions from the many visitors to the booth. We talked about vegetables, flowers, flowers for shade, bugs, planned gardens, fertilizers, soils, how to become a Master Gardener, and many more topics.
Larry Hohman (seen with Master Gardener Pam Foster) and his team set up a great display! Also featured are Master Gardener Gretta Kumpf and Intern Kevin Kelly.
Delaware County MGVs Judge 4-H Vegetables
September 2023
Gretta Kumpf and Susan DeVol spent a delightful Saturday morning at the Delaware County Fair's 4-H building with a large group of youths who spent the year planting and growing vegetables, fruits, nuts, and sunflowers. Their ages ranged from six to 19 and their experience varied from first year gardeners to those who have grown more vegetables in their short lives than Susan has! A third judge helped keep the youth moving through the process.
The youngsters were evaluated on the marketability of their produce, their presentation, the size and condition of the vegetables, and whether they completed their program booklet and community projects. Each vegetable was graded between an A and C (thankfully, no Cs were given) and special effort was awarded with an Outstanding ribbon.
The three judges then reviewed the vegetables as a whole and selected the Best of Show In nine categories: Best Vegetable Exhibit, Largest Pumpkin, Best Seed Picture, Best Decorated Pumpkin, Largest Sunflower Head, Tallest Sunflower, Best Garden Display, Best Fruit or Nut Exhibit, and Best Vegetable Exhibitor.
The judges were exhausted at the conclusion and the kids seemed to be exuberant. So, it was judged that a great time was had by all!
(Note: parents of children gave permission to have their photos displayed on our website)
September MGV Advanced Certification Program - Weeds Class
September 2023
September saw us welcomed by Stratford Ecological Center staff and volunteers again. We began the day with an Informative presentation by JEnny Adkins, professional wetlands scientis with MAD Scientists. Jenny's wetland botany primer led us through what defines a wetland; Introduced us to Google Earth Pro, through which you can access aerial photos (some as far back as the late 1980s); as well as the good and bad plants In wetlands.
Next came Andrew Boose, aquatic ecologist with MetroParks, who helps care for 3,700+ acres of wetlands and 200 ponds and lakes. Andrew provided Information on how to ensure your wetlands stay healthy and what can be done If they are ailing. Of special Importance to some was his notes on how to discourage geese from your sit (don't mow to the edge of the pond/lake, put large rocks near the edge of water, get a dog, frighten them with machinery (just don't kill them!).
The class took a short break to practice weed Identification using an online quiz developed by William Reiser. Debra Identified the most weeds In the fastest amount of time!
Dale Miller of Miller's Country Gardens discussed greenhouse pests (fungus gnats, shore flies, caterpillars, slugs and snails) and how to prevent or eradicate them. He stressed that your growing medium should be allowed to dry completely, even to the point of plant wilt, between watering to lessen possible Issues and to help prevent plant legginess. He recommended a peat moss-based potting mix that Includes lime, vermiculite, and perlite.
Our final speaker was a repeat performance by Dr Tim McDermott, DVM, OSUE. This month Tim discussed agricultural crop and pasture weeds. A 2022 survey Identified the five most common crop weeds to be (in order of most to less): giant ragweed, waterhemp (Includes palmer amaranth, aka pigweed), marestail, grass/foxtail, and volunteer corn In soybean fields. Tim stressed not allowing a pasture to be overgrazed, as It leaves ample opportunity for weeds to grow, especially the highly toxic cressleaf groundsel, multiflora rose, autumn olive, and spotted knapweed.
August MGV Advanced Certification Program - Weeds
August 2023
This month, we again met at Stratford Ecological Center. In the morning session, Tim McDermott from OSUE taught weed management in vegetable gardens and we were fortunate to have a beautiful day outside as he talked about the impact of weeds in pasture management. He emphasized the important principles of IPM (Integrated Pest Management), which is a sustainable approach to managing pests by combining biological, cultural, physical, and chemical tools in a way that minimizes economic, health, and environmental risks. Cover crops, crop rotation, and the importance of reading labels (if utilizing chemical controls) were all key takeaways.
The afternoon topic was about climate change and the impact on weed management, taught by Dr. Aaron Wilson from OSUE and Debra Knapke. Dr. Wilson, the State Climatologist of Ohio, presented several fascinating timelapse satellite images illustrating the interconnectedness of global weather systems. From an agricultural standpoint, increased temperatures can mean lower food productivity, reduced quality, and increased weed pressure.
Debra led us through discussions of changes observed in our own gardens, including the opportunity to grow more warm weather plants (crepe myrtle, etc.), weed pressure, and changes in insect emergence. Debra shared the CSR Theory (competitors, stress-tolerators, and ruderals), a model for classifying plants within a framework of adaptability to various stresses and environments, which can prove useful in determining which plants - in our discussion, weeds - may perform well as environmental stresses change.
Many thanks to our presenters this month for sharing their knowledge and expertise on these important topics.
Delaware County Master Gardener Plant Sale
July 2023
We held our 17th Annual DCMGA Plant Sale July 22-23 in the Sheep and Swine Barn at the Delaware County Fairgrounds and it was our most successful sale ever!
Thank you to everyone who attended. It was so fun to see repeat customers as well as meeting first-time buyers. The funds we raise are for education and beautification projects in our county.
We are so grateful to our donors including 1st Impressions Landscape & Garden Center, Ach Nursery, Champion Feed & Pet Supply, Dannaher Nursery, Groovy Plants Ranch, Hoover Gardens, HyR-Brix, Leaves for Wildlife, Lettuce Work Nursery, Millcreek Gardens, Miller’s County Gardens, Natives in Harmony, Oakland Nursery, Price Organics, Sambuca’s Greenhouse, Scioto Gardens Nursery, Strader’s Garden Center, and Thorsen’s Greenhouse.
We appreciate everyone who helped make our sale a tremendous success, including our Master Gardener Volunteers who worked tirelessly planting and tending to the native plants, and also donating a wonderful and wide selection of their own plants, shrubs, bulbs and trees.
We'll see you again next July!
July MGV Advanced Certification Program - Weeds
July 2023
This month, we met at Highbanks Metro Park and our theme was Weeds in Woodlands and Public Lands. We learned about invasive species, including Tree of Heaven, Japanese Honeysuckle, Japanese Barberry, Autumn Olive, Privet, Multiflora Rose, and Asiatic Bittersweet to name just a few. We went on two walks and our instructors helped us to identify many of these common species found in Ohio.
We learned that an invasive species is an introduced organism that negatively alters its new environment. Although their spread can have benefical aspects, invasive species adversely affect the invaded habitats and bioregions, causing ecological, environmental, and/or economic damage. Invasive species can be a plant, animal, pest, insect, disease, virus, fungus, etc.
Many thanks to our presenters: Rebecah Troutman from the Holden Arboretum Forests and Gardens, Adam Komar from ODNR/Forestry and Carrie Jagger from OSUE.
DCMGA Therapeutic Garden Team host garden tour
July 2023
On July 8, volunteers from the Delaware County Master Gardener therapeutic gardening team hosted a small garden tour at Diane Harris' home for a few of the residents from Storypoint in Powell.
It was a beautiful morning to stroll through her gardens touching, smelling and learning about her flowers and vegetables. Our tour included a surprise visit from the darn rabbit who wreaked havoc while she was out of town. With many seating areas throughout her gardens, the residents were able to sit and watch the bees and birds feast on nectar while we enjoyed delicious treats of lemon lavender popsicles, pineapple cake, cucumber water and lemonade.
The ladies ended their visit with a hand sugar scrub before heading home. But before leavin, they all agreed to come back in the fall. We've already heard that more want to come.
Master Gardeners Present Weeds Grab and Go Kit at Olentangy River Fest
June 2023
Nancy Traub, Gretta Kumpf, Susan DeVol, and Jon Kerr presented their newly created Weeds Grab and Go Kit at the Olentangy River Fest In Delaware on Saturday, June 10. Close to 200 people visited the display and the foursome answered many questions about weeds. Children had fun using one of five matching games created by Gretta and Illustrated by Master Gardener Patti Sharpe. Included in the visitors was Gretta's son, daughter-in-law and granddaughters, which was a treat for all. The tri-fold board, sadly, became a bi-fold board when a sharp wind sent It toppling.
Another Successful Advanced Master Gardener - Weeds Class
June 2023
Master Gardeners are always ready to learn more about the plants - even weeds! This month was focused on weed botany and using a weed key to identify weeds.
Nancy Reynolds used samples of weeds collected at Price Farms Organics, Delaware, to determine the various leaf margins, shapes, and arrangements. She then had the class break into groups and use Weeds of the Northeast to name five different weeds. Truth be told, some of us had some difficulties. Who knew the difference between a lanceolate and a linear shape! Stratford Ecological Center again hosted this event.
DCMGA Scholarship Committee
May 2023
Working with the Delaware County Foundation, the DCMGA Scholarship Committee completed another great award year. Competition was at a high level, attracting 23 applicants for our two $2,500 scholarships. The selection committee carefully evaluated the top applicants and awarded the scholarships to Shannon Barr and Hannah Plank.
Shannon Barr graduated from Olentangy Orange High school and is headed to Ohio Wesleyan University to study Botany and Pre-Medicine.
Hannah Plank, a graduate of Delaware Area Career Center (DACC), is headed to Bowling Green to study Nutrition Science and Dietetics.
The scholarships are for post-secondary programs in agriculture, botany, food science, horticulture, environmental science, or a relate field at an accredited college, university, or technical school in the United States.
Many thanks to our DCMGA volunteers for all you do to benefit these talented and focused young people in their academic pursuits.
Containers Planted at Law Library
May 2023
Vicki von Sadovsky, 2023 Intern, and Susan DeVol spent a fun morning selecting, purchasing, and planting flowers In the pots at the Law Library. They had to elbow others shoppers at the ever-busy Oakland Nursery who were intent on making purchases for Mother's Day. Visitors at the Law Library will see a lovely display of Mrs Pollock geraniums, New Guinea Impatiens, and a variety of coleus.
April 2023 Advanced Master Gardener - Weeds Class
April 2023
Master Gardeners from around the state gathered at the Stratford Ecological Center In Delaware for the fourth AMG-Weeds class. The day began with a presentation by David Listerman of the Ohio Invasive Plants Council (OIPC) on a variety of Invasive plants and replacement plants that have similar characteristics. David was followed by Jennifer Windus, OIPC president, who continued the discussion on Invasives. The afternoon was spent investigating weeds and invasives on the grounds of Stratford Ecological Center. The walk was led by Stratford representatives Jeff Dickerson (aka Farmer Jeff), who was very capably aided by Buddy the dog, Heather Colyer, who shared her vast knowledge of which plants are edible and have healing properties, and Nora Hiland, who is also a volunteer at Stratford.
Shale Hollow Park Guided Wildflower Walks
April 2023
Delaware County Master Gardeners partnered with Preservation Parks again this year to celebrate Ohio Native Plant Month in April by creating a self-guided trail spotlighting the variety of spring ephemerals on display throughout the Shale Hollow Preservation Park natural play area. Master Gardeners also led two spring wildflower hikes that showcased the natural beauty of this gorgeous park.
Ohio’s spring weather was pleasant, cool and cloudy, but it didn’t rain or snow for our two walks so we considered that a huge win. In our wildflower meanderings, we discussed invasive species, concretions and the history of Shale Hollow Park. Saturday’s walk even included a sighting of two water snakes sunning themselves by the creek, easily viewed from the bridge.
The new metal signs supplied by Preservation Parks are in place and have QR codes for scanning which link to our website (www.delcomga.org) to give detailed information about each posted wildflower. The wildflowers put on a nice show with spring beauties, trout lilies, cutleaf toothwort, dutchman’s breeches opening up the show and wild geranium, wild ginger, mayapple, violets and wild blue phlox all blooming for the following week’s guided walk. Beautiful Virginia bluebells put on a show for both walks.
We love sharing the stories and the beauty of these early harbingers of spring with our community and we look forward to continuing this wonderful partnership with Preservation Parks. Our fellow ephemeral enthusiasts are delightful and we always learn something new. Thank you to our MG Wildflower Leaders Donna Reynolds and Nora Hiland for welcoming and teaching all of us about these woodland gems.
Make a Mother Day's Gift at Sambuca's
April 2023
Sambuca's Country Market and Greenhouse and DCMGA will help customers select the right plants for a sweet planter for Mother's Day on May 3 from 6 to 8pm and on May 6 from 1 to 3pm.
Tickets are $45 and are available at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/planting-with-master-gardeners-tickets-619325859317
Sambuca's Country Market and Greenhouse, 577 Walnut St, Galena, OH 43021
Native Plants at Powell Women's Garden Club
April 2023
On April 24, the Powell Women’s Garden Club was pleased to have DCMGA volunteer Terri Litchfield present “Sustainable Beauty and Biodiversity: Gardening with Native Plants”. Terri brought her Native Plants Grab & Go display board as well as Ohio Magazine’s latest issue, which highlights the beautiful pollinator playground of native plants that Terri and her husband Randy have labored to create. (Congratulations Terri and Randy!)
Native plants are generally those plants considered to be present prior to European settlement. Armed with several native plant resources and slides showcasing some of her favorite spring ephemerals and later-blooming species, Terri guided us through the benefits of planting native. Highlights include:
The immeasurable importance of native plants to insects and other wildlife. Native plants support the 90% of plant-eating insect specialists which rely on a specific family of host plants.
Therefore, they support the 96% of North American terrestrial birds that feed insects to their young.
Native plants are 4x more attractive to pollinators than non-native plants, possibly because of their higher quality pollen and nectar.
Oaks are the top keystone trees; they are critical to the food web and necessary for many wildlife species to complete their life cycles. Oaks are the host plant for 532 species of moth and butterfly caterpillars, which are an important source of protein for baby birds.
There are some native “thugs” to avoid, such as the pretty cream-colored flowered Scurf-pea and lavender-flowered Smooth Petunia.
Terri ended with slides showing the evolution of her landscape from a 1.3-acre plain turf yard to a pollinator playground. Terri and Randy planted over 200 native species of forbs, grasses, ferns, shrubs, and trees, and now - just 10 years later - they have a haven of native plants of which Doug Tallamy would be proud. Thank you, Terri, for graciously giving us a glimpse of your backyard paradise and for sharing important native plant information with us.
Shawnee Hills Blooms
April 2023
Shawnee Hills Blooms is an America in Bloom Community. The program encourages volunteer community leadership in coordination with municipal efforts, in an ongoing commitment to community vitality, beauty, environmental stewardship, and the celebration of heritage. Delaware County Master Gardeners agreed to be part of the monthly educational programs that the Shawnee Hills Blooms organization provides to its members and to the general community of Shawnee Hills. Nora Hiland presented programs on “Identifying and Removing Invasives” and “What to Plant after the Invasives have been Removed”, and Margo Hicks talked about organic lawn care in “Yard Care Alternatives."
April’s program was “My Back Yard Garden” – fresh ideas from designing and planting containers to fun gardening ideas to native plants and pollinators. Master Gardeners Connie Emerson, Jeanne Engelking and Gayle O’Sullivan packed 90 minutes with a bounty of information and handouts. Gayle’s colorful slides covered Windowsill Microgreens to Runner Bean Teepees, but it was the “Winter Seed Starting in Milk Jugs” idea that won the coveted “this idea covers the cost of the program!” award by the Blooms members. Jeanne gave an overview of “What are Native Plants and Their Importance”, “What are Pollinators”, and “Ways to Get Native Plants and Pollinators into your Landscape”. Connie got to have some real fun as she got down and dirty by planting a container and demonstrating the design principles of a cohesive planter. Looking for “instant gratification”, she combined fillers, thrillers and spillers in a beautiful arrangement that I wish had made its way to my car.
So many “Bloomers” came up to thank us and tell us how much they enjoyed this and the previous months’ presentations. We wish our Bloomers happy planting, continued cheerful camaraderie and beautiful blooms, and remember that your Master Gardener Volunteers are here if you have any question.
Third Month of AMG - Weeds
April 2023
Master Gardeners from six Ohio counties attended the third of 10 months of the Advanced Master Gardener Weeds Specialization class.
This month the class learned more about pre- and post-emergent weed control from Dr David Gardner and Identifying grassy weeds with Dr Pamela Sherrat. The afternoon Included a walk around the lawn and ball diamond at Brown Township Hall to Identify weeds up close and personal.
Ohio Victory Garden Seeds Packets Available
April 2023
It's never too early to start thinking about your garden! Several OSU Extension Offices, Including Delaware and Licking counties, have free Ohio Victory Garden seed packets to get you started. These free seed packets contain carrot, cucumber, lettuce, and sunflower seeds. Packets are available during normal business hours while supplies last.
Thanks to Ohio Heirloom Seeds, Walnut Creek Seeds, and Holmes Seed Company for donating the seeds for this program.
Visit http://u.osu.edu/ohiovictorygardens/sowing-the-seeds/ for more Information on the seed varieties and for tips on getting your seeds off to a good start.
DCMGA Public Gardens Weed Free
April 2023
The Public Gardens Project completed weeding the Extension Office gardens on April 8, with the help of three of our newest class of Interns. Pictured are Erin Reins and Sheena Metzger, in their cool sunglasses, and Eamon O'Brien, braving the sun light, who pitched In on this cool but sunny day.
Twelve members and Interns have signed up to tend the three public gardens (Extension Office, Historic Courthouse, and Law Library) throughout the growing season.
DCMGA Garden Tours Kick-off
April 2023
The Garden Tour Committee met on April 4 for its Kick-off. Three Garden Tour hosts were announced and recognized. They include Nancy Freeland, Terri Litchfield and Charlotte Niceswanger. Garden teams met with each garden host to discuss plans and garden preparation.
The first Garden Tour will take place June 25 at Nancy Freeland’s from 2-4 pm.
A Save the Date card will be provided at our upcoming DCMGA meeting on April 11 for all members attending.
Note: Garden Tours In 2023 are only available to DCMGA members and Interns; we hope to open this to Delaware County residents In 2024.
Public Gardens Kick-off
March 2023
Eight MGVs and one intrepid Intern turned out on Saturday, March 25, to learn how and then prune shrubs at the Extension and Law Library Gardens (the Historic Courthouse Is still on the agenda). The weather cooperated with cool temps, just a small amount of precipitation, and manageable winds.
The morning began with a presentation by Nora Hiland and Susan DeVol on why, when, and how to prune shrubs. After eating lots of cookies and drinking hot cocoa and coffee, we went to the gardens for a demonstration by Nora and Instructions on how to prune each shrub. Then the work began! We still have more work to do (lots more of those early-rising weeds to pull) and the volunteers for the Public Gardens Project will be hard at work this spring and summer.
The slideshow (Shrub Pruning 101) Is available In the Member's Only section of In the Garden Patch.
Hydrangea Presentation at the Powell Garden Club
March 2023
“Introduction to Hydrangeas” was the second class our Master Gardeners presented to the Powell Garden Club. Vicky Zipfel was contacted by the Garden Club early this winter to see if Delaware County Master Gardeners would be willing to give an hour gardening presentation every fourth Thursday of the month. How could we pass up an invitation to spread the good news of gardening? Last month’s topic was birds and feeders to attract our wintery feathered friends. March’s topic was an Introduction to Hydrangeas. Old wood, new wood, blue or pink, sun or shade, pruning, hydrangea trees, best choices for Ohio, where to find them … so much to learn, so little time.
Fourteen garden club members listened intently as Vicky walked them through the basics of hydrangeas. Yes, some hydrangea cultivars can take more sun than others, though most are typical woodland plants that prefer a cool morning sun and afternoon shade. Nora offered tips on soil: what is loam; pH determines bloom color – blue for acidic, pink for alkaline; peat has acidic properties when added to the soil; and did you know that the soil west of the Olentangy River is alkaline, but the soil east of the river is acidic? Gayle had dried panicles from Limelight and PG (panicle grandiflora) hydrangea “trees”, which are not trees at all but highly pruned hydrangea shrubs. And of course, she talked about deer (always) and hydrangea as deer candy.
Nora demonstrated pruning techniques on hydrangea branches that Vicky brought in. (Someday, ask her to demonstrate opposite and alternate leaves.) We even had one intrepid volunteer from the garden club try her hand at pruning under Nora’s tutelage. The club had so many questions and stories and observations to share with us. One member told the disturbing story of the climbing hydrangea that “ate” her garage!
Thank you Vicky for creating this fun, educational hydrangea class for the Powell Garden Club. So many members came up to thank us and tell us how much they enjoyed this and last month’s presentations. And thanks also to our MG Helpers and presenters – Nora, Gayle, Stephany and Nancy who all support the good works that Delaware County Master Gardener Volunteers do.
DCMGA Banquet
March 2023
Tuesday, March 14, saw 83 MGVs, Interns, and spouses in attendance at the DCMGA Banquet at the Scioto Reserve Country Club In Powell. Talk filled the room as friends greeted one another and we took the opportunity to meet many of our Interns. During this time, a slideshow of a number of events In 2022 ran on two large screens.
Advanced Master Gardener Weeds Specialization Kick-off
February 2023
The Delaware County Master Gardener Association hosted the first Advanced Master Gardener Weeds Specialization (AMG-Weeds) class on February 9. There are 30 registrants from six counties.
Nancy Reynolds, Chair, welcomed attendees and opened the event with program details. John Cardina, professor of Agronomy at The Ohio State University, presented An Overview of Weeds that included information found In his book Lives of Weeds. Each participant received a copy of the book. Dr Cardina was actually a speaker at the very first AMG-Weeds sponsored by OSUE-Wooster twenty years ago! We were very pleased when he agreed to travel from his home In Pennsylvania to be part of this kick-off!
To conclude our first day, we had Debra Knapke, well-known Ohio author and authority on all things horticultural. Deb spoke on the Botany of Weeds and clearly explained a complex subject. Deb also participated in and helped organize the AMG-Herbs specialization that DCMGA hosted last year.
Our next class will be March 9 and speakers will include focus on herbicides, organic pesticides, and organic weed control.
The AMG-Weeds program will run through November 2023. Master Gardeners who haven’t enrolled in the program may opt to attend an individual class or a group of four classes (either April through July or May through August). For more Information, please contact AdvancedMGWeedSpecialization@gmail.com.
Shawnee Hills Blooms
February 2023
The Village of Shawnee Hills has joined America Blooms and its Growing Vibrant Communities Program. They have had regular meetings since the fall of 2022. Recently, they elected a Board of Directors and began work on 501(C)3 status as a non-profit organization.
Projects include updating the town’s Veteran’s Memorial Garden and turning vacant lots into green space. Plans include applying for a number of grants once tax status is fianlized.
Educational meetings are held in the Shawnee Hills Municipal Building on Dublin Road on the second Thursday of the month. Nora Hilliand began the series in the fall with a talk on invasive non-native plants followed by a presentation on what to plant In place of the removed Invasives. Margo Hicks spoke at the February meeting on Organic Lawn Care and Lawn Alternatives. Future speakers include a naturalist to talk about Pollination and Pollinators In March and three of our Master Gardener Volunteers on back yard gardening in April.
DCMGA Offers Two Scholarships for Delaware County Residents
January 2023
The Delaware County Master Gardener Volunteers announce two $2,500 scholarships for Delaware County residents pursuing post-secondary education in agriculture, botany, food science, horticulture, environmental science, or a related field at an accredited college, university, or technical school in the United States.
Applications must be submitted by February 28, 2023
Complete eligibility requirements, and additional information can be found at:
https://www.delawarecf.org/scholarships/delaware-county-master-gardener-association-scholarship/
Delaware Soil and Water Conservation District Annual Tree Sale
January 2023
The Delaware SWCD is holding its annual tree sale. Tree quantities are limited; orders are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Orders can be picked up between April 11 through the 13, 2023, at the Delaware SWCD, 557 Sunbury Rd, Suite A, Delaware, OH.
Order form can be found at:
Master Gardeners Teach Hypertufa Workshop at SourcePoint
October 2022
On October 27, Vicky Zipfel taught a hands-on hypertufa planter workshop at SourcePoint in Delaware. There was lots of enthusiasm as folks - ready to get a little dusty! - donned their gloves and masks, and then got to work. After preparing the molds with cooking spray, equal parts of Portland cement, peat, and perlite was mixed with water and gently patted into the molds. Participants then tapped the molds on the countertop to remove air pockets, thereby increasing the cohesion of the mixture’s particles and strength of the planter. Decorative stones were available to add a dash of color. In all, 15 molds were completed and gently placed in individual plastic grocery bags to begin the curing process. No spills and minimal mess equals success! All participants left happy and looking forward to planting their creations next week.
Many thanks to Vicky for her hard work in preparing for and offering this creative and fun workshop for the seniors at SourcePoint. Thanks also to Cathy, Jackie, Nancy, Pam, Stephany and Trude who stepped up to help support the good work that our Delaware County Master Gardener volunteers do in the community.
Master Gardeners Work with Students at BrightPath Children's Center
October 2022
Lizzy Burton, a teacher at BrightPath Children’s Center in Westerville, contacted the Delaware Master Gardeners for help with the addition of native plants to the center’s newly established nature area. Lizzy had applied to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for an education grant that funded the purchase of the native plants. Master Gardener Cynthia Buettner met with Lizzy in September to answer questions about the site, and then Cynthia and Nikki Sparks joined center staff, children, and their parents on a workday in October when the native plants and shrubs were installed. It was a lovely fall Saturday and the children were very happy to help with the digging. Lizzy, who is the nature teacher for the center, will use the plants in her outdoor nature sessions with the children.
Shale Meadow Students Investigate with Delaware County Master Gardeners
October 2022
Karen Rissmeyer and Stephany Merrick spent the afternoon of October 19 with the budding third grade scientists in Mandy Robek's Shale Meadows classroom. All year they have been investigating how to welcome monarch butterflies to the Shale Meadows new monarch garden because the mascot of Shale Meadows is the monarch. Today these scientists spent time investigating and trying to prove what the brown "mystery substance" Miss Karen dug from the garden really is. Current hypotheses include soil, dirt, and clay; but more investigating will take place tomorrow.
Delaware County Master Gardeners Partner with US Army Corp of Engineers at Delaware Dam
October 2022
Three Delaware County Master Gardeners, Nora Hiland, Susan Logan, and Susan DeVol, spent a lovely Saturday morning identifying trees, invasives, and poisonous plants on the trails at the Delaware Dam park. This effort was at the request of the US Army Corp of Engineers, located at the base of the Delaware Dam, as they will be providing signs so that hikers can learn more about what they are seeing as they trek through the woods.
A total of 16 trees, five non-native invasives, and our native poison ivy were identified for the future signs.
Groovy Plants Ranch Tour and Planting Event
October 2022
Groovy Plants Ranch is a plant oasis full of botanical oddities for everyone to experience. Co-owners Jared and Liz Hughes created an amazing growth story from Jared propagating succulents in his spare time as a fulltime college student to the thriving garden center that Groovy Plants Ranch has now become. As the business grew, so did Jared’s collection of different and unusual plants from around the world.
Liz invited Delaware County Master Gardeners for a “peek behind the pots” to see the working areas of Groovy Plants Ranch and to browse among the too many to choose from pots and plants so that each of us could create our own planter masterpiece in the Ranch’s Potting Shed.
The colors, the cornucopia of plants, the joyous “groovy” touches everywhere were almost a sensory overload on the sun drenched day we visited. Mums, pumpkins, perennials and planters of every shape, size and color are what one expects at a garden center. But the groovy 60’s VW bus and small airplane, the hobbit house, and the hardy banana trees … wait, did I say outdoor banana trees in Ohio? … those were definitely not expected.
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Liz led us behind the “Danger Velociraptor” sign to the potting sheds and the rooting/warming tables to see where the magic begins. Here was the birthplace of Jared’s “Canary Wings” begonia, which won the Retailer's Choice Award at the Cultivate 2018 trade show. She led us through the rare plant greenhouse that is definitely a “no touch” zone, complete with security cameras and a $500 variegated Monstera or Swiss cheese plant. There was a houseplant house, succulent house, tropical house, perennial house, and more that I know I am missing.
There were bromeliads, cacti (Cereus forbesii spiralis for $100 anyone?), succulents galore, even a “bundle of sticks” plant – which truly looked like a dry bundle of sticks. So many plants, so little time. And to make it even more of a Sisyphean task, we had to choose a planter from shelves and rows and sheds of colorful containers.
Liz gave us helpful suggestions of which plants played well together and we gathered our treasures and completed our projects in the Potting Shed. It was a fun, educational hour or two on a lazy Saturday afternoon.
Thank you Liz for inviting us into your whimsical oasis of groovy plants. We will definitely be back!
P.S. For those of us old enough to remember, in 2011 Jared was the DCMGA’s 1st scholarship recipient while he was working on his Bachelor of Science degree at the OSU. We are so very proud of all that you have done Jared and Liz!
Delaware County Master Gardeners and OSUE Receive State Awards
October 2022
Delaware County Master Gardeners and OSUE once again received a Pandemic Perseverance State Award for our activities in 2021. This one was for our collaboration with Preservation Parks to identify and label wildflowers at their Hogback Ridge Preserve. Nora Hiland worked with Rich Niccum, Education Services Manager, and Liz Neroni at Preservation Parks on this project.
Wildflowers growing at the park were identified and our own Patti Sharpe created a sign for each wildflower that contained an illustration of the wildflower (painted by Patti) with its scientific and common names, a description, and a QR code. The QR code was linked to a page on our website that had detailed information on that wildflower. Hikers with smart phones could walk the trails in safety and learn about the spring ephemerals that abounded in the park in March and April. At least 110 people accessed the QR code information on our website. The wildflower information is still available on the website (in the Community Outreach menu, select Wildflower Trail).
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This project was so well received that Nora replicated it in 2022 at the Gallant Farm Park - but this time with the addition of master gardeners leading tours on specified days. The signs were always available, though, for those hikers who were out on their own.
In addition, the OSUE-Delaware Office received the state’s highest award, Platinum, for their diligence and dedication in ensuring the continuation of the Master Gardener program. This level is not easily attained and few counties received it for 2021, so we are vastly proud of their achievement. Thank you, Kenzie Johnston, Kathy Blevins, and Rob Leeds, for all your time and attention to us Master Gardeners!
And a special note of appreciation goes to Barbara Petrella who wrote the winning submssion for the Pandemic Perseverance Award!
Nature Knows Best: Best Practices for Supporting Biodiversity
October 2022
On October 5, Terri Litchfield was the featured speaker at the monthly luncheon for the volunteers who work in the Heritage Garden at the Ohio Governor’s Residence in Bexley. Debra Knapke, Interim Garden Manager at the Heritage Garden, offered brief introductory remarks about the importance of native plants before introducing Terri.
Terri shared her knowledge of native plant propagation which includes drying, stratification, scarification, and other necessary steps required for pretreating native seeds in preparation for planting. These steps serve to mimic the conditions of winter for dormant seeds which allows for successful germination in the spring. These requirements vary according to species.
She also shared information about the more traditional methods of seed starting practiced by the Delaware County Master Gardener Association (DCMGA) Native Plant Propagation (NPP) Committee. The early years of the project had mixed results for success, as the process could be laborious, requiring knowledge about each species' requirements and implementation of numerous steps.
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Next she talked about winter sowing, a more reliable method of starting native seeds for herbaceous perennials, which the NPP Committee used last year with great success. They started seeds in one-gallon milk or juice jugs. In early January, the jugs are cleaned, prepared for planting, seeds are sown, and taped shut to preserve moisture and protect the seeds from predators and other disturbances. The jugs are then placed outside where nature provides the necessary cold temperatures and the gradual warmth and increased light in spring. This method reduces labor, expense of materials, the need for indoor space to grow seedlings, and also the need for grow lights and meticulous monitoring of moisture levels.
Terri emphasized the need to grow and sustain 'Keystone Plants' which are critical to support native species such as native bees and butterflies. Oak trees top the list for butterfly and moth caterpillars as an extremely beneficial keystone plant. Gardeners should work to provide a sort of 'soft landing' beneath the tree for insects in all of their various life stages to safely hide and develop. This allows more of them to overwinter and grow to maturity. Some examples are moths and butterflies, bumble bees, beetles, lacewings, and fireflies. Examples of soft landings include herbaceous plants, leaf litter and dormant or dead plant debris. Such soft landings are beneficial in all native plant scenarios. To support this effort, gardeners are encouraged to delay cleanup in these and other garden areas until spring.
For those interested in starting their own native plants, native plant seeds can be purchased online. Searching "Prairie Moon Nursery Cultural Guide" for the specific seed treatment required for various native species provides a wealth of information. With permission, native seeds can also be obtained from the wild, but Terri cautioned prudence and conservation by gathering a very small percentage of wild seed, being sure to leave a minimum of 90% of the seed in place to maintain wild populations in that area, which is already proven to be suited to the growth of that species.
Terri Litchfield is the Delaware County Master Gardener Association's native plant expert and the winner of the 2021 Ohio State Award for Outstanding Master Gardener Volunteer. Since 2018, Terri has led the DCMGA's Native Plant Propagation Committee, mentoring volunteers on propagating native plants. The majority of the native plants grown by the group sell out at the annual plant sale, an important fundraiser for DCMGA.
Dividing Houseplants Workshop
September 2022
On September 29, Delaware County Master Gardeners held an interactive workshop on dividing houseplants at SourcePoint in Delaware. Nora Hiland led the hands-on activity where participants learned how to separate and repot their plants for their continued enjoyment at home.
Class began with removing the plants from their pots. The group then cleaned the pots and washed the plants, making sure to remove all of the soil. Soil mix was discussed as well as how to prepare the soil for planting. Watering and fertilizing instructions were given before our happy indoor gardeners headed home with their newly invigorated plants.
Autumn Arborfest 2022
September 2022
This is the fourth year DCMGA has participated in the Autumn Arborfest held at Alum Creek Park North in Westerville. This was the best year so far, thanks to the City of Westerville bringing in more organizations and nurseries for the event. Susan Alexander, Susan DeVol and Susan Logan were available to answer really interesting questions from the public. Susan Schmidt dropped by for a visit too! Do you sense a Susan theme?
The Trees Grab and Go Box Committee developed the display, which was well received and generated lots of questions from attendees. Children were engaged with leaf rubbings and the "Whack a Walnut" game. What’s that, you ask? Well, a walnut or hickory nut is placed in a shallow divot on a thick plank and kids hit the nut with a hammer. Not exactly educational, but it sure was fun!
It was a fun day dedicated to all things trees. Remember, if you have any tree or garden related questions, submit them here. We're always happy to help!
DCMGA Hosts Booth at Delaware County Fair
September 2022
The Delaware County Fair had another great year! Once again, our Delaware County Master Gardeners hosted a booth in the Merchant building with over 1000 adults and hundreds of children visiting throughout the week.
Visitors learned about ways to attract and provide habitats for pollinators, including the use of plants native to Ohio. Master Gardeners also answered questions about lawn care, vegetable gardening, creating meadow gardens, and other topics. Those who stopped by the booth were given vegetable seeds for next year's produce and children received labels for their insulated water mugs or tablets.
Kenny Cummins Wins 2nd place for Best Home Landscaping!
September 2022
Delaware County Master Gardener Kenny Cummins won 2nd place for Best Home Landscaping in the 2022 Columbus Dispatch Backyard Garden Awards. Her garden was one of over 300 entries. Kenny's garden is named "Shaded Serenity." In her entry description, Kenny reflects:
Creating a garden in full shade in our back woods has been quite a challenge and has taken several years. For color and texture I used various hostas, ferns, astilbe, brunnera, bleeding heart, coral bell and several ground covers. For additional color I added impatiens to the log, the heart shaped stone bed and the inverted tree trunk along with a few coleus and caladiums.
Kenny Cummins' garden, "Shaded Serenity"
Exotic Invasive Plants Workshop
Gayle O’Sullivan August 2022
Dig it up, throw it out! That was the not so subtle theme of Nora Hiland’s open to the public Exotic Invasive Plants presentation at the Powell Parks and Recreation facility. Some of us sat quiet and guilty in our seats as the integrity of our landscaping was ruthlessly attacked. Yes, I do have a burning bush and I may have one or two barberry, luckily the wintercreeper died on its own. In my defense, they were planted long before my Master Gardening days. I heard others mumbling about the miscanthus or Callery Pears gracing their yards. In this case, some of the choir definitely needed a little preaching.
We learned where these pesky invasive plants came from, some intentionally, others as hitchhikers. Some started with good intentions like the original sterile Callery Pear that then ran amuck as cross pollination created super power fertile trees. Nora told us about the clogged waterways, deformed tadpoles, elimination of native plant food sources for our wildlife, and so many more devastating environmental consequences of these exotic invasive plants.
Some of the most heinous of Ohio’s invasive species were passed around the classroom - Tree of Heaven, Callery pear, Honeysuckle, Barberry (green and red leaf), Privet, Wintercreeper and Chinese Silver Grass. The better for us to be able to identify these thugs of our woodlands, meadows and forests.
Nora ended the workshop with a walk outside along a short treed hillside. Canadian Thistle (which is not from Canada), honeysuckle, miscanthus, and the ever present Callery pear – all present and accounted for. Dig it up, tear it out!
Thank you Nora for such an entertaining and informative workshop. And thank you Gina Kolp for inviting Delaware County Master Gardeners to Powell Parks and Recreation to spread the word to try to stop the spread of these dangerous invaders to our Ohio landscape.
Shale Meadows Elementary School Summer Workshop and Garden
Gayle O’Sullivan Summer 2022
Students have been running through sprinklers this summer while Master Gardener Karen Rissmeyer has been busy at Olentangy’s Shale Meadows’ Monarch garden. Appropriately, the monarch is the mascot of Shale Meadows. Karen has been digging milkweed out of her yard, her friends’ yards, even roadside ditches under construction (with the help of Jennie Arbona, third grade SMES teacher) to transplant this monarch caterpillar food source into the school’s namesake garden.
In true “Give a Mouse a Cookie” fashion, this all began with a January visit where Karen taught third graders to sow milkweed into milk jugs as a winter seed sowing project. The milk jug seedlings were joined by black-eyed susans, anise hyssop, zinnias and stiff goldenrod. Soon they all grew into beautiful blooms, along with a healthy crop of oxalis/wood sorrel, honeyvine milkweed, crab grass and flower of an hour weed.
Marshalling the troops, Karen asked principal Greta Gnagy to send out a Shale Meadows all-parent alert and 12 families signed up to tend the garden over the summer months. Karen held a “This is a weed, this is not a weed, this is how to physically remove it” family workshop for all the volunteers, where they also learned a little bit about monarchs and the plants in the garden.
The Monarch garden is an ever changing learning adventure and will be incorporated into Shale Meadows’ school curriculum. Thank you Karen for sharing your love of gardening and monarchs. By gifting this unique outdoor learning space to your little buddies, you have given them the gift to personally observe and experience the wonder of nature and of all of its cycles.
Gardening for Specialist Bees and Other Pollinators
Terri Litchfield June 2022
Nora Hiland and Terri Litchfield presented a program on June 18 to an audience at Stratford Ecological Center as part of a day of activities in anticipation of National Pollinator Week, June 20-26. They were asked to focus on gardening for specialist bees with content suitable for a range of gardeners, from beginner to experienced.
Specialist bees, most of which are native bees and don’t include honeybees which are a non-native species, usually rely on one or two plant genera when collecting pollen for provisioning their nests. If these plants aren’t in the landscape, these specialist bees will not find a home there. Gardening for specialist bees helps bring diversity to the landscape and provides resources needed to sustain populations of these native bees.
The presentation included examples of fifteen native plants upon which certain species of native bees are dependent. Spring-, summer-, and fall-blooming plants were included to demonstrate that different bee species require these pollen resources at different times through the gardening season.
Want to learn more? The basis for the presentation was the Guide to Ohio Specialist Bees. This resource page was provided to participants as well.
Delaware Master Gardeners Celebrate 2021 Accomplishments at Banquet
Master Gardener Plant Swap
Gayle O’Sullivan
May 2022
Could we have gotten a more beautiful May evening to mingle, talk shop and swap out unloved plants for plants that we hope to love? Our annual (we hope!) Master Gardener Plant Swap was blessed with sunny skies and warm breezes. Cars lined up in the Stratford parking lot with trunks popped open overflowing with plants of all stripes. Shasta daisies, hosta, canna and iris tubers, a plethora of native plants and even an arborvitae or two – it was a treasure hunt for plant lovers, and it was free!
A HUGE thank you to Nikki Sparks and Jan Irwin for planning such a wonderful evening for us all. Even those who didn’t take home any new treasures got to enjoy the simple pleasure of being together, reconnecting and making new gardening friends.
Guided Wildflower Walk at Gallant Woods Park
Charlotte Niceswanger
May 2022
Sunday, May 1st was a beautiful day for a guided Wild Flower Walk through Gallant Woods Park with Master Gardeners Susan DeVol and Charlotte Niceswanger.
Introductions were exchanged at the Acorn Loop Pavilion. Armed with our cell phones and prepared to scan the QR codes on the Wildflower Signs, we set off on the Acorn Trail. There were a few surprises along the way. The group identified an emerald ash borer who traveled along the path with us, discovered a few morel mushrooms and learned about 10 different wildflowers including wild violets, phlox and May apples.
What should have been one loop on the Acorn Trail turned in to two loops because our group was so engaged that we lost track of where we were!
We were so fortunate to meet a Girl Scout Troop leader and her daughter who shared with us their plans to build a pollinator garden this summer on a plot of land approved by their neighborhood association in Lewis Center. Needless to say we had an attentive audience grateful to learn about all of the resources available through the Delaware County Master Gardener Association. We parted ways excited and encouraged by everyone’s interest and with a few more steps than originally planned.