OSU Extension ServiceMetro Master Gardener

http://extension.oregonstate.edu/mg/metro/

Serving Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington counties in the metro area since 1976.

Mission Statement

We provide relevant, research-based education and out-reach about horticulture and household pests to the public of Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington counties. This information promotes sustainable practices that minimize risks to human health and the environment. The OSU Extension Master Gardening Program™ is funded in part by Metro, the elected regional government for the 25 cities and three counties in the Portland metropolitan area www.oregonmetro.gov/garden.

Program Staff

Weston Miller - Horticulture Faculty weston.miller@oregonstate.edu (503) 650-3124

Pukhraj Deol - Horticulture Faculty pukhraj.deol@oregonstate.edu (503) 821-1124

Jordis Yost - Program Coordinator jordis.yost@oregonstate.edu(503) 650-3118

Jean Bremer - Editor jean.bremer@oregonstate.edu

Newsletter Volunteer

Heidi Nichols - Proof Reader heidinichols@comcast.net

Mailing AddressClackamas County Extension Service 200 Warner-Milne RdOregon City, OR 97045

Metro Master GardenerTM NewsletterSeptember 2016

Table of Contents Page

Master Gardener team ..............................................2

Opportunities from Jordis..........................................4

Natter’s Notes: Invasive Asian Worms........................6

Master Gardener Study Group..................................8

Garden Calendar........................................................9

Fall Into Gardening...................................................10

Clackamas County Chapter page..............................11

Multnomah County Chapter page ...........................12

Washington County Chapter page...........................13

Master Gardener team newsletter- September 2016 Greetings metro area Master Gardeners. We hope that you’ve had a relaxing summer with plenty of time in the garden. Thank you for including the Master Gardener program in the mix of your summer activities. We appreciate your time and energy toward OSU’s public outreach mission!

Contents 1. Renew your annual Master Gardener certification2. Master Gardener™ certification guidelines3. Opportunities from Jordis4. Fall recertification training

1. Renew your annual Master Gardener certification(October 1 – September 30 each year)1) Submit the OSU Conditions of Service form for the 2017 volunteer season

• Print, sign, scan, and email to: Weston.miller@oregonstate.edu• Print, sign, and mail to: OSU Master Gardener, 200 Warner-Milne Rd., Oregon City, OR,

97045. 2) Document at least 10 hours of on-going education Recertification/education credit and at least

20 hours of Volunteer service. Please include your volunteer hours from CERVIS. • See log sheet 2016 Volunteer Log Sheet (Excel); 2016 Volunteer Log Sheet (PDF)

Print, enter data, scan and email to: Weston.miller@oreognstate.edu. Print, enter data and mail to: OSU Master Gardener, 200 Warner-Milne Rd., Oregon City,

OR, 97045.• Complete a web form to enter your Recertification and

Volunteer hours and upload a scanned copy of the logsheet from above.

For 2017, MGs that complete steps one and two above will receive a sticker that says “Recertified 2017,” which should be placed on your plastic MG name badge like the example to the right:

2. Master Gardener™ certification guidelinesMaster Gardener trainees become certified through the following steps:

1) Submit required paperwork (see page four for details).2) Complete the initial Master Gardener training course.3) Pass a cumulative assessment with a score of 70 percent or higher.4) Document required volunteer service hours (Minimum of 56 hours).

Upon completion of these steps, Master Gardener trainees receive a certificate of achievement and permanent name badge.

September 2016 Metro Master Gardener™ Newsletter 2

Recertification requirements (October 1 – September 30 annually) Master Gardeners who continue past their first year of volunteer service must complete annual recertification requirements in order to remain a certified OSU Extension Master Gardener.

Annual recertification is REQUIRED to deliver direct educational outreach to the general public as an OSU Extension Master Gardener. Examples of direct educational outreach are: answering gardening or pest management questions; providing gardening or pest management advice; teaching a class or workshop, writing a newspaper column or social media post, etc.

Certification as a Master Gardener volunteer is valid for one year and recertification is an annual requirement for participation as an OSU volunteer.

Recertification/education credit (Self-report information to document participation in approved educational programs that support a volunteer's ability to deliver research-based and objective information to the general public). Here are examples of Recertification/education credit events:

• Annual recertification training in November (six hours).• Classes from the yearly MG training (February and March) (three hours credit education credit

per module).• Online modules with passing grade on quiz (one hour education credit per module).• MG chapter and OSU MG Study Group events from our Events Calendar designated with “Counts

toward Recertification/education credit” text.• Classes at the annual Master Gardener Mini-College.• Pass recertification exam.

Volunteer Service Hours (minimum of 20 hours) with a balance of volunteer service hours toward OSU’s public outreach mission:

Because the mission of the OSU Extension Master Gardener Program, as well as the National Extension Master Gardener Program, is to educate others about sustainable gardening practices ~ Master Gardener Volunteer Service Hours which support this mission should be given highest priority.

• At least 10 hours or more for OSU MG PROGRAM ACTIVITIES (formerly “Direct” hours) includingtelephone helplines; educational tabling at farmers markets and community events; leading educational tours like Pittock Mansion, Rose Garden, and demo gardens; Ask an Expert; and making gardening presentations to the community (Speakers’ Bureau, 10-Minute U, Seed to Supper through OFB, Community Garden or School Garden educators).

• Up to 10 hours or more PARTNER ACTIVITIES (formerly “Indirect” hours). Includes all othereducational or support activities by OMGA Chapters or other partners that are pre-approved by the Metro area MG program staff.

September 2016 Metro Master Gardener™ Newsletter 3

Required OSU volunteer forms Master Gardeners must have up-to-date versions of the following forms signed and on file with their OSU Extension Office:

1. Conditions of Volunteer Service: OSU form must be signed annually for anyone volunteering inany capacity for OSU. Applies to all volunteers (not just Master Gardeners).

2. Volunteer position description: must be completed before your first volunteer activity and thenupdated when there are certain changes in your volunteer roles, such as when OSU requires a criminal background history check (e.g. working in an unsupervised capacity with youth). Applies to all volunteers (not just Master Gardeners).

3. MG Code of Conduct: Must have a current version (2011) on file.4. MG Pest Control Agreement: Should have been signed when you joined the MG program.5. Use of the Title MG Agreement: Should have signed these when you joined the MG program.

These forms can be accessed online: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/mg/metro/forms. If you are unclear whether you have updated forms on file, please contact the Extension Office.

Who can possess, and wear, the MG badge? There are differences between having a MG badge, being an MG volunteer, and being a certified MG volunteer.

• Anyone who has completed the MG program may possess an MG badge, and we don’t typicallyask for it to be returned if you retire from volunteer service.

• If you wear the MG badge, you are representing yourself as an OSU volunteer and must meetOSU’s requirements. You must have current volunteer paperwork on file with your Extension office and must follow the MG Code of Conduct and other terms of your volunteer position.

• If you want to provide home horticulture information to members of the public, whileidentifying yourself as a Master Gardener, you must be up to date on your certification. This is needed to ensure you are providing current and correct information. This year we are piloting a way to visually identify volunteers who are up to date on their certifications – via a sticker that attaches to the badge.

3. Opportunities from Jordis503-650-3118 or Jordis.Yost@oregonstate.edu

The two events on the next page fall after the hour log sheets are due. MG participants can count the hours on the 2016 forms and indicate ‘forecasted’ on those dates or hours may be reported in 2017: 1) Fall Home and Garden Show2) Portland Apple Tasting Festival

September 2016 Metro Master Gardener™ Newsletter 4

Fall Home and Garden Show October 6 - 9 at the Expo Center. This is one of the most popular garden shows and MG volunteer opportunities. It comes at a great time to capture some of those last remaining volunteer hours for the season. It is a clinic, so hours are Program. Thursday – Saturday 11 am to 2 pm, 2 to 5 pm, 5 to 8 pm. Sunday 11 am to 2:30 pm, 2:30 to 6 pm. Sign up on CERVIS or let Jordis know you are interested in working a shift: http://www.otshows.com/pfhs/

Portland Apple Tasting Festival (on 50th and SE Stark). This event goes for two weekends... October 8-9 and October 15-16. Shifts are 10 am to 1 pm and 1 to 4 pm. There are still shifts available…see CERVIS or contact Jordis to schedule. This is a clinic and is held at one of Portland’s liveliest nurseries. Good food, good music, great plants! http://www.portlandnursery.com/events/appletasting.shtml

4. Fall recertification trainingThe planned date for the fall recertification training is Saturday, November 12 and will be held at Portland Community College Rock Creek campus. Get this date on your calendar and plan to join us for a great day of learning and re-connecting. Presenters will be:

• Gail Langellotto- OSU MG Program Leader, Pollinator Protection• James LaBonte- Oregon Department of Agriculture, New Insect Pests• Weston Miller- OSU metro MG Program Leader, MG appreciation and graduation• Pukhraj Deol- OSU faculty, Urban and Community Horticulture, Soils and Heavy Metals

We will be presenting certificates of completion for the 2016 trainees and their new orange permanent badges starting at break (around 10 am). Veterans that would like to receive a certificate and have indicated such on their log sheets may pick theirs up too.

See Weston’s message about picking up a ‘Recertified for 2017’ sticker if you turned in hours and forms and completed 10 hours of recertification training during the 2016 season.

September 2016 Metro Master Gardener™ Newsletter 5

Natter’s Notes: Invasive Asian wormsJean R. Natter

Jumping worm. Crazy worm. Snake worm. What-ever you call it, Amynthas agrestis, is an invasive earthworm native to Korea and Japan which is quite widespread in the eastern US. Last month local news reports said it has been identified in samples from Josephine and Clackamas Counties and was previous-ly known to be in eastern Oregon.

Here’s the story, briefly The worms in local soils are considered beneficial. They aerate soil and release plant nutrients as they digest organic refuse. Night crawlers (Lumbricus ter-restris) pull organic matter deep into their burrows, enriching the soil and creating drainage. Some people deliberately confine red wrigglers (Eisenia foetida) in plastic bins as a free captive workforce to compost kitchen scraps into castings, a grand fertilizer.

Amynthas agrestis worms are different. They live and feed on the surface where they deplete the litter layer. In all, soil pH changes, while popula-tions of normal soil micro-organisms and common earthworms decline. In forests, understory dies and, because seedling trees are the only browse available to deer, mature trees may, literally, stand alone. Long-term impact of Amynthas has yet to be determined.

Key ID points of normal worms already in OR: - Worms reddish.- Clitellum is white. (Clitellum is a thick, light-col-ored ring in the skin of a worm important in reproduction.)- Clitellum raised slightly above worm’s body.- Clitellum does not go all around body; has a small gap on underside.

Key ID points of Asian jumping worms:- Worm grayish and slender, to eight inches long.- Worm very active. - Clitellum a dirty gray. - Clitellum smooth and level with worm’s body.- Clitellum encircles the body.- Worm may lose tail when handled.

Asian worm activities: - Extremely active when compared to normal earthworms. (Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ca7n3Gf3xX4) - Live and feed in surface leaf litter. - Rapidly modify the leaf litter into what resem-bles dry, crumbly worm castings.- Feeding changes soil pH; populations of com-mon soil micro-organisms and earthworms de-cline and die.- Understory plants fail. - Worm eggs survive winter temperatures in Minnesota.

Clitellum of an earthworm, the light-colored area near top of the image. (http://www.biologyjunction.com/earthworm_dissection.htm)

Jumping worm, Amynthas agrestis (http://blog.uvm.edu/jgorres/amynthas/)

Devastating effects on a forest understory from an Asian worm infestation. (http://blog.uvm.edu/jgorres/amynthas/)

September 2016 Metro Master Gardener™ Newsletter 6

Asian worm reproduction:- Populations build very rapidly.- Two generations per year.- Hermaphroditic; both worms of a mating pair produce fertilized eggs.- Also parthenogenetic; that is, just one worm can start a new population. - Over-winter (survive the winter) as eggs in cocoons too tiny to be seen with the naked eye.- Adults not seen until late June.

How Asian worms spread:By human activities such as mulching; trading, sharing, and/or purchasing plants; soil movement on shoes, boots, and tools. Everyone will need to be on the alert; gardeners, large scale growers, wholesalers, and retail-ers.

Management of Asian worms: Oregon hasn’t yet defined management guidelines to reduce the spread of jumping worms. In the meantime, consider these simple steps, adapted from those published by the State of Wisconsin. (See http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/forestmanagement/documents/pub/FR-550.pdf) - Educate yourself and others to recognize jumping worms. (Recall “the teachable moment.”)- Watch for jumping worms and signs of their presence.- Arrive clean, leave clean: Remove soil and debris from vehicles, equipment and personal gear (shoes and tools) before moving to and from a work or recreational area, or demo garden.- Only use, sell, plant, purchase or trade landscape and gardening materials and plants that appear to be free of jumping worms.- Only sell, purchase or trade compost that was heated to appropriate temperatures and duration following protocols that reduce pathogens.

Bottom line for action in the MG offices: If you suspect a client’s sample is an Asian jumping worm,1. Take focused pictures and upload to MG computer.2. Verify the ID as well as you can.3. If you verify the ID as an Asian worm, or are uncertain, email images and client’s information/history toWeston (Weston.miller@oregonstate.edu) and copy me (j.r.natter@aol.com).4. Contact Weston (cell 503-706-9193) to say you emailed the above information; and to ask what to do next,as in where to submit the specimen and how to package.

Resources:- Asian Worm ID card from Wisconsin http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/forestmanagement/documents/pub/FR-550a.pdf - Jumping Worm Field Guide – Describes how to recognize Asian worms and prevent their spread.http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/forestmanagement/documents/pub/FR-550.pdf - Fact sheet http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Invasives/fact/jumpingWorm/index.html - Pest Alert: Amynthas agrestis (Chicago Botanic Garden) http://my.chicagobotanic.org/horticulture/crazy-worm-or-jumping-worm/ - Earthworm dissection (http://www.biologyjunction.com/earthworm_dissection.htm)

September 2016 Metro Master Gardener™ Newsletter 7

HIGHLIGHTS OF OSU MG STUDY GROUP DIAGNOSTIC SHOW-AND-TELL: JULY 18 & AUGUST 1, 2016 BY ELIZABETH PRICE

Marchantia polymorpha/Liverwort weed Joann brought in this weed, which at first seems charming but quickly becomes troublesome. In either case, it is interesting. There are two types of liverworts, thalloid and leafy. This is the thalloid type, which lies flat on the ground and grows in liver-like lobes. Liverworts reproduce asexually through gemmae (pieces of tissue), which reside in

Male sexual part: Antheridiophore (1/8”)

gemmae cups (charming). Rain splashes gemmae out of the cups to a new location where they can develop into separate plants. In Marchantia the male and female sexual parts look like tiny parasols (more charm). The male parasol, called an antheridiophore, has a scalloped edge; the female

Area of magnification

Sample is 4” wide

Gemmae cups

parasol, called an archegoniophore, is deeply divided. To the touch, M. polymorpha feels like plastic and once established can cover large areas of your garden (troublesome). Like mosses, liverworts are among the first land plants but do not have a vascular system including roots. Because of this the herbicide glyphosate is typically not effective, as it is translocated from the leaves to roots. To get rid of this weed you can scrape it up or cover it with newspaper and then mulch or compost.

For more information: http://oregonstate.edu/dept/nursery-weeds/weedspeciespage/liverwort/liverwort_control.html

Female sexual part: Archegoniophore (1/8”)

Torreya californica/California nutmeg tree Eric brought in a sample of this usual conifer in Taxaceae or the Yew family. It is endemic to the Coast Ranges and Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. The sharp-tipped needles are glossy green on top with two bright stomatal bands separated by a raised midrib below. The needles are 1-3” long and widen at the base. The green fleshy cones, called arils, are up to 1½” long. The

Stomatal bands

Tree at Hoyt Arboretum

images of the cones and tree were taken at Hoyt Arboretum. For more information: www.conifers.org/ta/Torreya_californica.php

Prunella vulgaris ssp. vulgaris/Self-heal

Arils to 1½” Needles to over 3” (l)

Elizabeth brought in this perennial weed in Lamiaceae or the mint family. All plants in this family have opposite leaves, square stems and irregular flowers with bilateral symmetry (as opposed to the radial symmetry that flowers like daisies have). Plants in this family are often aromatic and include many common herbs.

This weed is from Eurasia but looks a great deal like the native self-heal, P. vulgaris ssp. lanceolata. The native plant has a more upright growth habit and narrower leaves at mid-stem (three times as long as wide) than the weed (two times as long as wide). However, the native plant is also known to be weedy in certain parts of the country. Both are typically easy to pull out manually. As the common name suggests, Self-heal has many medicinal uses.

Bilateral symmetry

Opposite leaves

For more information on both subspecies: https://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_prvul2.pdf

2x long as wide

Grows flat

September Garden CalendarProduced by OSU Extension, each month provides reminders of key garden chores, such as fertilizing, pest con-trol, planting, and maintenance. Recommendations in this calendar are not necessarily applicable to all areas of Oregon. For more information, contact your local Extension office.

Sustainable gardeningThe Oregon State University Extension Service encourages sustainable gardening practices.

Preventive pest management is emphasized over reactive pest control. Identify and monitor problems before acting and opt for the least toxic approach that will remedy the problem. The conservation of biological control agents (predators, parasitoids) should be favored over chemical controls.

Use chemical controls only when necessary and only after thoroughly reading the pesticide label. First consider cultural, then physical and biological controls. Choose the least-toxic options (insecticidal soaps, horticultural oils, botanical insecticides, and organic and synthetic pesticides — when used judiciously).

Maintenance and Clean Up• Harvest winter squash when the “ground spot” changes from white to a

cream or gold color.• Pick and store winter squash• Mulch carrot, parsnip, and beets for winter harvesting.• Protect tomatoes and/or pick green tomatoes and ripen indoors if frost

threatens.• Reduce water on trees, shrubs, and vines east of Cascades to harden them

for winter.• Stake tall flowers to keep them from blowing over in fall winds.• Dig, clean, and store tuberous begonias if frost threatens.• Harvest potatoes when the tops die down. Store them in a dark location.• Optimal time for establishing a new lawn is August through mid-September.• Aerate lawns.• Early-September: Apply 1 pound nitrogen per 1,000 square feet to lawns. Reduce riskof run-off into local

waterways by not fertilizing just prior to rain, and not over-irrigating so that water runs off of lawn and ontosidewalk or street.

• Willamette Valley: Stop irrigating your lawn after Labor Day to suppress European crane fly populations.• Recycle disease-free plant material and kitchen vegetable and fruit scraps into compost. Don’t compost

diseased plants unless you are using the “hot compost” method (120 degrees to 150 degrees Fahrenheit).

Planting/Propagation• Divide peonies and iris.• Plant or transplant woody ornamentals and mature herbaceous perennials. Fall

planting of trees, shrubs and perennials can encourage healthy root growth over thewinter.

• Plant daffodils, tulips, and crocus for spring bloom. Work calcium and phosphorusinto the soil below the bulbs at planting time. Remember when purchasing bulbs,the size of the bulb is directly correlated to the size of the flower yet to come inspring.

• Western Oregon: Plant winter cover of annual rye or winter peas in vegetable garden.

Pest Monitoring and Management• Apply parasitic nematodes to moist soil beneath rhododendrons and azaleas that

show root weevil damage (notched leaves).• Control slugs as necessary. Least toxic management options for slugs include barriers

and traps. Baits are also available for slug control; use caution around pets. Read and follow all labeldirections prior to using baits, or any other chemical control.

• Monitor trailing berries for leaf and cane spot. Treat if necessary.• As necessary, apply copper spray for peach and cherry trees.• Spray for juniper twig blight, as necessary, after pruning away dead and infected twigs.• Continue monitoring late-season soft fruits and berries for Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD). If SWD are

present, use an integrated and least toxic approach to manage the pests. Learn how to monitor for SWDflies and larval infestations in fruit.

• Coastal and Western Valleys: Spray susceptible varieties of potatoes and tomatoes for early and late blight

Houseplants and Indoor Gardening• Clean houseplants, check for insects, and repot and fertilize if necessary; then bring them indoors.

This event is offered in partnership with the Oregon State University

Extension Service Master Gardener™ program and

North Clackamas Parks and Recreation District and the Milwaukie Center.

CLACKAMAS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS™ INVITE YOU

Fall into GardeningOctober 8 • 9 am to noon

Milwaukie Center, 5440 SE Kellogg Creek Drive, Milwaukie

10-Minute University™ Classes (25 minutes each)

Soil Testing (9 – 11:30 am): We will test your soil pH and give advice on amendments. Up to 6 samples per client. For step-by-step instructions,

obtain a “Testing Soil pH” handout at www.cmastergardeners.org under the “10-Minute University™” tab.

Clinic (9 – 11:30 am): Master Gardeners are available to answer gardening questions.

Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made by September 30 to Jean Bremer, 503-655-8631, jean.bremer@oregonstate.edu

9:00-9:30

9:30-10:00

10:00-10:30

10:30-11:00

Common Pests & Diseases in the Home GardenFall Gardening in the Vegetable PatchSoils and CompostingPutting Your Ornamental Garden to Bed

Oregon State University Extension Service offers educational programs, activities, and materials without discrimination based on age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran’s status. Oregon State University Extension Service is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Keynote Speaker, Bob Denman of Red Pig Tools (11:00-Noon) The Ergonomics of Garden Tools: How to Dig, Hoe and Cultivate without Trashing Your Body.

Education Displays: Seed Saving; Extend the Growing Season for Vegetables; Raised Beds; Sheet Mulching; and Composting.

Chapter Meeting: Monday, September 12 at 7 p.m. Milwaukie Center, 5440 SE Kellogg Creek Dr., Milwaukie

Sex on Six Legs: Gail Langellotto-Rhodaback, OSU Extension Master Gardener Program Coordinator.Insects are capable of highly complex courting, mating and parenting behaviors, despite having a collection of neurons in place of a brain. Nuptial gifts, maternal care, male ornaments as honest advertisers of health and fitness, female choice and even traumatic insemination: insect sex is stranger than you could imagine!

Gail earned a B.S. in Biology and M.S. & Ph.D. in Entomology, from the University of Maryland. Since 2007, she has served as the statewide coordinator of the OSU Extension Master Gardener Program. She currently studies garden bees, but used to study spider cannibalism and planthopper sperm, among other topics. Gail is helping to develop a better research-based understanding of how to design and sustainably manage gardens and parks to maximize ecosystem services. Her Extension and Outreach efforts are focused on communicating these and other research-backed management practices to home gardeners, commercial landscapers, and others. *MG Education Credit http://horticulture.oregonstate.edu/content/gail-langellotto-rhodaback

We will also announce the nominations for our 2107 Officers and Executive Board during the September meeting.

October Program: Monday, October 10. Northwest Plant Evaluations: Plant Trials & the Results - Neil BellIn 2000, Neil Bell began research to identify a palette of shrubs suitable for low-input, un-irrigated landscapes in the Willamette Valley. Since 2000, he has conducted many studies of landscape plants for drought tolerance and cold hardiness, collaborating with Heather Stoven. Studies on Ceanothus, Halimium, Hebe and Grevillea have concluded and results continue to inform the nursery industry and home gardeners in plant selection. Neil is currently evaluating 75 selections of Arctostaphylos (Manzanitas). *MG Education Credit http://horticulture.oregonstate.edu/content/neil-bell

Green Glove Award: Eve Freeman, Class of 2014In 2015 Eve joined the Grow an Extra Row Giving and Learning Garden Team, logging in 131 volunteer hours by planning and coordinating activities. She has served at many plant clinics: The Rose Garden, Milwaukie Farmers Market, and on the phones. She has served as a cashier at the Green Market of the Yard Garden & Patio Show, assisted with set-up for the Early Edible Plant Sale, helped assemble Sustainable Gardening MG Handbooks for the 2015 student classes and made phone calls to welcome Clackamas County interns. Thank you Eve for all you do for the Master Gardener program!

Honoring our Members The CCMG Awards and Nominations Committee is proud to present the following state and chapter awards and recognition to the membership. These members will be honored at the September chapter meeting. Congratulations to these shining stars!

Clackamas County Master Gardener of the Year: Dee Linde, class of 2010. CCMG Behind the Scenes: Paul Baker, class of 2008.Spring Garden Fair Behind the Scenes: Will Hughes, class of 2008.Statewide Nominee for Master Gardener of the Year: Jane Collier, class of 1996. Statewide Nominee for Behind the Scenes: Sharon Andrews, class of 2009.

Upcoming Programs and Events *see the webpage for complete program info www.cmastergardeners.org

• October 8 - Fall into Gardening• October 10 - Plant Trials & the Results: Neil Bell

• November 14 - Missoula Flood: Dr. Scott Burns• December 12 - Therapeutic Gardens: Brian Bainnson

September 2016 in Cooperation with OSU Extension

Service Master Gardener™ Program

Multnomah County GrapevineIn cooperation with the OSU Extension Service Master Gardener Program

September 2016

Speaker Series Tuesday, September 13 7:00pm Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church 5441 SE Belmont Street Speaker: Greg Sweeting, OSU Master Gardener, ‘farm and forest-inspired’ chef. Topic: Harvest to Table (see accompanying article)

Chapter Website—www.multnomahmastergardeners.org Chapter Email—multmastergardeners@gmail.com

Grapevine Editor—Lorna Schilling (503)334-5162, lornaschilling@yahoo.com

You’ve toiled all summer caring for your veggie plot, now you’re harvesting bushel loads! What is a dedicated gardener to do to bring this fresh bounty to the table in tasty, new ways? Join us on Tuesday, September 13th, as fellow OSU Master Gardener and professional chef Greg Sweeting offers a bounty of wisdom, guidance and inspiration on how we can all bring our harvests to the table in a delicious, healthy, fresh style! Greg Sweeting is a ‘farm and forest-inspired’ chef. He has trained in both the Bay area and Europe, and has been a restaurant owner/chef/operator. Currently Greg enjoys a variety of catering and

personal chef work paying special attention to growing and using culinary herbs. Greg is also a certified health coach and offers cooking skill instruction, and mini-workshops for a variety of cooking and nutritious meal subjects. For a preview of Greg’s harvest prep inspiration visit our Plant. Grow. Eat. blog where a few of Greg’s tasty recipes have been posted from his Incredible Edibles Plant Sale participation.

Our Community Demonstration Garden Time spent in the Multnomah County Chapter’s Community Demonstration Garden is a great learning experience for all, Intern and Veteran MGs, and visitors alike. The garden is located at 6801 SE 60th Avenue, on the Learning Gardens Laboratory , 12-acre site in SE Portland. The garden features different growing methods, square-foot-gardening, tomato vari-ety comparisons, trellising options and methods for attracting pollinators. Along with the chance to practice gardening techniques, learn new skills, and keep up with the various experi-ments going on at the garden, our volunteers contribute to the food security of the communi-ty. This year bountiful boxes of produce have been delivered to the Kelly Sun School program and Meals on Wheels. Everyone is welcome to drop by for a visit or to dig-in and lend a help-ing hand to this important community outreach project. Garden work days are Monday and Thursday, 9am to 12noon. Questions? mcmgdemogarden@gmail.com

Coming next month: Tuesday, October 11, 7pm Amazing Urban Apples and Pears Growing your own apples and pears at home in a urban environment can be a re-warding and delicious experi-ence—if you know what you’re doing! Join us as Monica Maggio of Core Home Fruit shares how to select the best site, best trees, and give the best care for an abundant harvest!

Harvest to the Table

Washington County Chapter ChatSeptember 2016

Chapter Meeting Agenda

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

6:30 pm Social Time6:45 pm Chapter Meeting7:15 pm Speaker Series Program

Location: First Baptist Church,5755 SW Erickson Avenue Beaverton, Oregon

Topic: Culinary HerbsPresenter: Bob Falconer

Bob Falconer has been working in the fields of horticulture and agriculture for over 50 years. Since becoming an OSU Master Gardener in 2009, he has served as Chapter President, served as Question Monitor on “Ask an Expert” - a program which he helped launch, and in the Speakers Guild. He is also an OSU Master Beekeeper. Bob's talk will include: *Growing herbs and the culinaryuses of herbs in different cultures * The essential oils in herbs andusing these oils in home cooking*Using herbs to attract pollinatorsand as fertilizer

2017 WCMGA Plant Sale

It's not too early to begin planning the 2017 Spring Plant Sale. The annual sale is WCMGA's main fundraiser. See what you can do to help now:

Got extra plant pots? The chapter needs one gallon black plastic pots. Bring your extra pots to an upcoming Chapter Meeting or drop them off at the Learning Garden at the Jenkins Estate any time.

Got too many plants? Bring divisions of your garden lovelies to Chapter Meetings beginning October 4. No need to pot them up: just dig them, bag them and bring them! We will pot and care for them over the winter so that they are ready for the April sale. Questions? E-mail or call Marilyn Berti at mcberti@gmail.com or 503-866-0759.

***** September Learning Opportunities *****• September 15 (Thursday, 10 am -11 am) Backyard Composting *,

Jenkins Garden, 8005 SW Grabhorn, Beaverton (In The Garden Series)*MG Education Credit

****News from the Gardens****The WCMGA Learning Garden at Jenkins Estate is hosting an Open House on Thursday, September 15, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm. Come and visit the garden and see how it has flourished over the past 2.5 years. The event is open to the public as well as our Chapter Members. Master Gardeners will provide tours of the garden from 12:15 pm - 1pm. Light refreshments will be provided. Location: The Learning Garden at Jenkins Estate in Beaverton is near the Gate House. Jenkins Estate is at 8005 Grabhorn Road, Beaverton, Oregon 97007. Map

The WCMGA FairPlex Demo Garden hosted 3,973 visitors (a new attendance record) for the four days of the Washington County Fair held July 28 -31. 1,535 visitors came to the garden on Sunday, the final day of the fair. Forty-four Master Gardener's donated 410.5 volunteer hours and six Spanish speaking volunteers helped us reach a wider audience on Sunday.

**** Volunteers Needed ****There are many volunteer activities now available to interns and veterans. They include the Phone Clinic, Farmer's Markets and many more. See the CERVIS site via the Volunteer Portal to view and register. Also come join us at the weekly work parties at the two gardens below.

****WCMGA Gardens****FairPlex Demo Garden (DG) – Hillsboro Fairgrounds, Hillsboro

Join us for Work Parties Tuesdays 9 am - noon.Learning Garden (LG) - Jenkins Estate, 8005 SW Grabhorn, Beaverton

Join us for Work Parties Thursdays 10 am -1 pm

WCMGA Contacts: website: www.washingtoncountymastergardeners.orgPresident: Sue Ryburn (503) 591-5247 sueryburn@comcast.net

Chapter Chat Editor: Nancy Wilson (503) 524-4840 nancyawilson@frontier.com

September 2016 MASTERGARDENER™NEWSLETTER

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