Clinton County Newsletter

Volume 10 Issue 2 March 2019

Editor: Carol Machael, cmachael@gmail.com; 563-357-7537

Published on the first Monday of the month except during January and December.

To submit an article it must be sent by E-mail as a Microsoft Word attachment -

Over the Garden Gate

Thinking big is what the committee did, and it paid off! Chad Pegracke inspired attendees with his

impassioned keynote speech. Funny and engaging, he discussed the realities of attempts to clean up

US rivers, and encouraged all to recycle in their own way. The audience was surprised to hear that

he believes he will mee his goal of reclaiming 1,000,000 55 gallon drums from America’s waterways

by the end of this year.

Among the approximate 150 attendees of the conference were interested participants from a 60 mile

radius of Clinton—from Muscatine, Anamosa, Bellevue and more.

Right. The Garden Shop, organized by Deb Monroe, and featur-

ing benches, bird houses, gourds, bee houses and more!

A Successful Hort in the Heartland!

Thanks to Tom Powell, Mike Meyer and Loren Andresen for

bird houses that were sold in the Garden Shop!

Garden Shop helpers. Thanks to them and especially Deb

Monroe for coordinating this effort.

Chad Pegracke

signs books..

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach does not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, genetic information,

marital status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or status as a U.S. veteran. (Not all prohibited

bases apply to all programs.) Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Ross Wilburn, Diversity Officer, 2150 Beardshear Hall,

515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, 515-294-1482, wilburn@iastate.edu. EOADV.15.04W November 2016

Clinton County Master Gardeners Advisory Board Meeting

Bickelhaupt Arboretum, February 19, 2019, 9 a.m.

Roll Call- Deb M. Loren A., Deb N ., Margo H., Willard L., Gayle P., Dave M., Mary M., Linda L., Bonnie M., Mark

S., Carol Y.

Approval of January Minutes - Motion to approve with one correction made. A motion to approve the amended

minutes Loren A., second Bonnie M.

Financial Report - Mark S. There is currently a balance of $3,698.85

County Extension - Mark S., presented a hand out published by Adam Janke, assistant professor and wildlife

specialist at Iowa State for a Leopold bench and a bluebird house. Mark explained a new procedure and form

for reimbursement for anyone who might spend personal funds on behalf of the Master Gardeners program.

Mark also stated that the office was working on an updated list of approved tax exempt vendors for those pur-

chases made for the Master Gardener program.

Bickelhaupt Arboretum - Margo H., asked that Master Gardeners be available for “Horticulture in the Heart-

land”. She also asked for volunteers to meet on February 28th at 10 a.m. at the Arboretum to sort and wrap

trees for distribution at the program. MG’s are to come to Arboretum at 3 p.m. March 1 to load and deliver gar-

den shop items to Clinton Community College and then prepare for the event on Saturday. Master Gardeners

are to wear name tags and green shirts, and be available to assist visitors.

OLC - Willard gave several options for areas of responsibility, and more ideas for elevated growing tables and

exhibition areas. Willard will also request that the fair board assist with the cost of annuals for the large dis-

play containers at OLC.

Publicity - Deb N., presented a draft of upcoming events. The Spring Social will be April 4th. A motion to give

Social planning committee $60.00 for decorating was made by Bonnie M., and second by Mary M.

Horticulture in Heartland - All Master Gardeners are to wear green shirts and name tags, be available to as-

sist all visitors and help in clean up. A motion to donate $500.00 to the ”Horticulture in the Heartland” program

to cover expenses was made by Mary M. and second by Loren A.

Old Business - Building to be reserved for plant sale in Dewitt. A chairperson is still needed for this event.

By-Laws review/changes - To be tabled at this meeting.

Fundraising - Pizza Ranch is booked for this season.

Scholarships - Willard has sent out information to area schools.

Respectfully Carol Y. secretary

Put This One On Your Calendar ! MG Spring Social

April 4th at 6 pm

It’s a potluck at the Outdoor Living Classroom – Fairgrounds Auditorium in

DeWitt. Please bring a dish to share. Table service, lemonade, coffee and water will

be provided.

Our 2019 activities and events will be highlighted. It’s an opportunity to meet

other Clinton County Master Gardeners & spend an evening reconnecting.

Everyone is welcome! This is always a fun event!

Another One for Your Calendar! “Let’s Get Growing”

April 28th, time TBA County Fairgrounds at the Outdoor Living Classroom

The Clinton County Master Gardeners will again be hosting an informal open

house to answer garden questions, display and demonstrate assorted horticulture topics. Topics for this year’s event include best practices for vegetable gardening, identifying best plant varieties, growing vegetables in containers, support require-ments for certain plants, and plant site selection. Everyone is welcome. Please spread the word to your family, friends & others. It is a drop-in event.

If you have additional event topics or would like to volunteer for the event, please contact Deb Monroe at monroe@iowatelecom.net or by phone at (563) 659-8592.

Idea for Small Space Gardening

Plant fiberglass planters with with Japanese

maples, Acer palmatum 'Sango-kaku', Dichonrda

argentea, Carex flagellifera, and Calibrachoa.,

OR

A colorful blend of 'Illumination' begonias, Di-

chondra argentea, ‘Sedona’ coleus, and Carex

flagellifera. The thriller is large leaves hanging

from a Brugmansia (angel’s trumpet), laden

with large, trumpet-shaped flowers that are

especially fragrant in the evening. (not pic-

tured)

Clinton County Master Gardener Events for 2019

(dates are set; details will be updated)

April 28 “Let’s Get Growing”: Clinton County Fairgrounds,

Outdoor Living Classroom; topics may include choosing the best

plant varieties, mulching, watering techniques, tomato planting,

supporting/pruning plants and much more

Hours TBA

May 18 Plant Sale: Clinton Co. Fair Grounds, DeWitt

May 18 & 19 Lyons Square Park, Clinton; perennials, vegetables, herbs, annuals, houseplants

Hours TBA

June 23 Garden Walk: Private gardens in Clinton County

Hours: Noon – 4pm

July 17 Master Gardener Day at the Fair: Clinton County

Fairgrounds; open to everyone; workshops, outdoor container & vegetable contests

Hours: 9am – 4pm

Aug 24 Monarch Migration Day: Clinton County Fairgrounds;

Milkweed seed balls, view butterfly garden, caterpillar observa tions, and demonstrations

Hours TBA

From “Garden Design”..Lighten Up With

Whites

From crisp to snowy, ivory to ‘dirty whites’, particular shades

of white—white groundcover roses, white hydrangea, white

peonies, white astilbe, white anemonies—offer a clean, fresh,

optimistic lightness.” When every plant in the garden has to

work hard, white adds a crispness that works well with warm

or cool hues, stands out at night, and creates a calmness that

encourages a relaxed mind.

How Weird Is This?

We all know Sansevieria, or the Mother-in-Law's Tongue / Snake Plant as it's commonly

known, is a truly remarkable and striking easy care houseplant. It belongs to the family As-

paragaceae, native to the tropics of West Africa. It's an ever increasingly popular indoor plant

and much of this has to do with its near indestructible qualities.

Some believe the name comes from "Sand Snake", with its cacti like properties and appearance

of a rising snake .. However it was actually named in

1794 by the Swedish naturalist Carl Thunberg after

Raimondo di Sangro (1710-1771), Prince of San Seviero.

In Florida, this is a very common outdoor landscaping

plant. Note how hardy it is as it pushes its way through

asphalt, which apparently softens in the summer sun.

Furthermore, in Iowa my potted Sansevieria (which I

love!) survives 5 months of late fall and winter without

water in a 55 degree condo, showing no ill effects from

the deprivation of TLC.

Propagation of these plants is easy by either leaf cut-

tings or division . Be aware that with leaf cuttings, the

interesting color variation or yellow margins will be lost.

And by the way, if you don’t plant the end in the way it’s

been growing it won’t grow.

Plant Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’ (hyssop) this year

This is a European hybrid known for its cold hardiness, vigor

and adaptability. The vivid blue bottlebrush-like flower spires

bloom from midsummer to early fall. They are a magnet for

butterflies and other nectar-seeking insects, plus they offer a

structure that works against the looser blooms of other mid-

summer perennials. The large green leaves are striking with

their silver undersides. Later in the season, as the plant ma-

tures, it develops a light mint scent to the flowers. Mature

height is 36” tall.

Agastache need lean, well-drained soils, prefer gravel mulches,

and appreciate deep but infrequent watering after their second growing season.

Raised Bed Gardening

I love raised beds—no need to bend over to get up close and personal—and my curiosity was

piqued by reading the MG board minutes on page 2 about the prospect of even more raised

beds at the OLC! After all, what’s better than a raised bed for us older folks with compro-

mised knees and agility that isn’t what it used to be! A plus—no rabbits or deer munching on

your produce or flowers.

So here are some things to get you started in the event you’d like to try this.

1. What size would you like it to be? Raised beds are usually 3-4 feet wide by 6-8 feet

long, making for easier access for planting and weeding. Decide on a height, with an appro-

priate allowance for roots—at least 10-12 inches deep.

2. Where do you plan to locate it? It could be anywhere—front, back or side yard. What

IS important is that it gets enough sun, 6-8 hours a day. Real heat-seeking plants need

plenty of afternoon sun. Additionally, are there trees that will shade the garden as they

spread in a year or two?

3. What kind of soil will you need? If you'll be filling more than one raised bed, you may

want to buy your soil in bulk — by the cubic foot or cubic yard. For most situations,

these proportions work well: 60% topsoil, 30% compost and 10% soilless growing mix.

4. What are the planter’s maintenance needs? Be sure to rotate the crops each year, and

replenish with new compost or organic nutrients regularly. Be sure that you have al

lowed for adequate drainage. If you are using wood, be sure to use wood that won’t

leach toxic chemicals to your edibles.