ovember 2016 - university of maryland...the stone walls of a former horse stable frame the garden....
TRANSCRIPT
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LOOSELEAF
A Publication of the University of Maryland Extension Howard County Master Gardeners
3300 NORTH RIDGE ROAD, SUITE 240 • ELLICOTT CITY, MD 21043 (410)313-2707 • FAX (410)313-2712
http://www.extension.umd.edu/mg/locations/howard-county-master-gardeners
NOVEMBER 2016 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
UPDATE FROM GEORGIA
The weather on Saturday, October 8, was rainy and cool, which was not good for the outdoor event held at the Central MD Research and Education Center on Folly Quarter Road. In spite of the uninviting weather, MGs were there! Thank you to Ann Coren, Richard Freas and Sharon Smith who staffed the Bay-Wise exhibit. In addition, Greg Jones, Clare Openshaw, Barbara Smith and Lenore Studt provided information to visitors at the Ask a Master Gardener (AAMG) table. Hats off to these folks who volunteered their time on a rainy day. The AAMG group will be meeting Friday, October 28, to review the 2016 season and make plans for next year as they continue helping Howard County residents.
A note of acknowledgement to Tina Grot who offered to explore the issue of diversity in relation to our MG programs. She and I met to discuss some ideas that she will be exploring. Tina welcomes support and help! Please share your ideas with her at [email protected]
Preparations are being made for next year’s interns! The 2017 Master Gardener Training begins January 23 and concludes on March 29. Please consider helping by providing morning snacks and/or assisting with classes by setting up the laptop and distributing materials. Remember that you are welcome to attend classes on topics of interest to you. Your attendance may be counted toward your requirement of ten hours of continuing education for 2017.
Before the end of the year, take time to evaluate your 2016 garden. And enjoy the holidays!
— Georgia Eacker, MG Coordinator, WSA Liaison, 410-313-1913, [email protected]
INSIDE —
2 Native vs Invasive & MPEA news
3 Oella Pilgrimage Tour
4 Calendar Highlights
4 Seed Swap & Rake 'n Take
5 Continuing Education & Ground Hog
6 Latin for Gardeners: American Holly
7 Patuxent Research Refuge SYH
8 Landscape Lessons
LooseLeaf • November 2016 • page 2
NATIVE VS INVASIVE AT THE MPEA
A determined crew of Master Gardeners, Master Naturalists, MPEA employees and civilians is trying to help the native red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) resist being overcome by the very aggressive autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) by planting new cedars and rescuing existing cedars in the Middle Patuxent Environmental area (MPEA).
The red cedar is the most widely distributed eastern conifer and can survive for more than 450 years. While fairly hardy, its growth is often limited by lack of available sunlight, since young trees do not tolerate shade. Also, it usually takes two years for the seed cones to germinate. That time is reduced if seeds pass through the digestive system of various birds and mammals.
The threat to this native sometimes comes from autumn olive, an East Asian import that was introduced in 1830 as an ornamental, for windbreaks, to restore degraded lands, and for wildlife habitat. The USDA Soil Conserva-tion Service actually developed and distributed several cultivars of this plant, which has some value because it can grow on bare mineral substrates and is useful for restoring degraded land. Unfortunately, it displaces and out-competes our native plants, creates dense shade
(not good for cedars), interrupts the natural plant succession, and interferes with nutrient cycling. Within three years of germination, it can produce as many as 66,000 seeds (which are also dispersed by birds and mammals) and will re-sprout vigorously when burned, cut, or mowed.
Although both plants have benefits, only red cedar really belongs here and is ultimately more beneficial because it does not harm native plants or dominate the landscape. This is why MGs and others have decided to get involved in the struggle on the side of this native conifer.
—Aylene Gard, MG1998, [email protected]
!! Last Call—Join us at the MPEA for Conservation Stewardship
November 22 (Tuesday, 9-11:30a) will be the day of our Autumn Olive Annihilation #2 at the Middle Patuxent Environmental Area (MPEA). We have been fighting invasive olive since the park opened. This Tuesday morning we will continue our efforts to rid the MPEA of this woody pest. We’ll be in the same area as our October effort. Visible progress at this particular site means that we should be able to plant natives in place of the unwanted olives next year!
Wear long sleeves and a hat. Bring water and your favorite gloves. We’ll have tools. Park on the street near the South Wind Circle trailhead.
—Aylene Gard, MG1998, [email protected]
A summer’s growth of mile-a-minute obscures a cedar planted last year.
Consulting on appropriate hole depth.
Red cedar planting crew survey the site and test the soil.
LooseLeaf • November 2016 • page 3
OELLA PILGRIMAGE TOUR
Former Howard County BayWise Garden Needs Help
One of the stops along the Oella Pilgrimage Tour is a former Howard County BayWise garden, intriguingly set within the confines of stone wall ruins of the horse stable that once served the Oella mill. The garden was lovingly designed and maintained by former Howard County MG Lisa Baum, who opened her beautiful garden for an annual Howard County BayWise Tour.
New owners purchased the property a handful of years ago, and while they fully appreciate the amazing riverside setting of the delightful modern home, they admit they aren’t gardeners at heart. The ravages of deer, weather, and time have taken their toll on the garden.
The Oella tour committee is seeking MG assistance this fall/winter to revive this garden in time for the May tour. MGs willing to help guide the owners in selecting site-specific, hopefully readily available, deer-resistant, low maintenance, primarily native plants should contact MG liaison Lisa Wingate at [email protected].
It’s a very specific project that in turn will benefit the greater community, as proceeds from the Oella MHGP tour will be reinvested in enhancing the Ellicott City/Oella Entrance Garden, the Trolley Trail and the Oella Cemetery. The first Oella MHGP in 2008 provided the initial funding for creation of the Entrance Garden. Along with community and local government assistance, MG expertise and labor continue to maintain The Entrance Garden adjacent to the Ellicott City bridge.
Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage (MHGP) Tour Returns to Oella in May
The MHGP has opened homes, churches, museums, and gardens to the public annually since 1930. On May 13, 2017, the Pilgrimage tour returns to Oella, the historic community across the Patapsco River from Ellicott City’s Main Street. An eclectic mix of historic and modern structures are nestled into the steep and rocky river banks, creating a unique community full of charm and surprises. Please mark your calendar to volunteer for, or participate in, the Oella Pilgrimage tour.
The Ellicott City/Oella Entrance Garden was significantly damaged by the July 30th flood. After MGs and other community volunteers removed multiple wheelbarrows full of silt and planted replacement native plants, Lauren's Garden Service renewed the grassy areas. This garden was created initially with proceeds from the 2008 Oella Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage, and it will be a stop on the 2017 Pilgrimage as well.
This former Howard County BayWise garden will be open during the Oella Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage in May. The stone walls of a former horse stable frame the garden. Photo credit: Geoffrey Baker Photography
The Ellicott City/Oella Entrance Garden
LooseLeaf • November 2016 • page 4
MARK YOUR CALENDAR! View the MG electronic calendar in your preferred format: Month, Week or Agenda. Click here for the calendar. You will find times, locations, and contact info for these events in November.
HIGHLIGHTS FOR NOVEMBER: 7 Bay-Wise Meeting
8 Continuing Education - MG Training Programs
15 Compost Committee Meeting
20 LooseLeaf Deadline!
22 Conservation Stewardship at MPEA
COMPOST COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15
Planning for 2017 will be the main topic of discussion during our Compost Committee meeting. We’ll also review the 2016 activities and accomplishments. We welcome new members who would like to help us help Howard County residents with backyard composting and vermicomposting. During the coming year we will schedule compost demonstrations, compost bin giveaways, and school visits.
The meeting will start at 10:00 am on Tuesday, November 15. Location is the large conference room at the UME office. We look forward to seeing you.
Darcy Bellido de Luna, MG2013, [email protected] and
Janine Grossman, MG2012, [email protected]
GET YOUR NEIGHBORS TO RAKE & TAKE!
Tell your friends and neighbors that we have an alternative to sending leaves to the Howard County Landfill. MG Pat Hooker coordinates our long-standing effort to match rakers with takers.
Here’s how the program works: rakers and takers register annually and indicate how many bags of leaves they have (to get rid of) or how many bags they would like to receive. Pat maintains a database to match the two groups. Leaves are great for backyard composting and some MGs chop leaves for mulching their gardens.
Rakers need to bag the leaves. Bags should not exceed 20 pounds, and should not contain leaves with herbicides or other chemical residue. Pat connects rakers with takers via telephone or e-mail.
Please contact MG Pat Hooker for more information: 410-489-4314 or [email protected]
COMMUNITY SEED SWAP AT MILLER LIBRARY
Enjoy a community of gardeners, get gardening tips and SWAP SEEDS. Seed swaps are an act of sharing that promote biodiversity and recycle precious resources. If you have seeds, please package them in individual bags, label them with the name of the flower, vegetable or herb, required growing conditions and date of harvest. You may bring unused commercial seeds in original packages no more than one year old. Non-hybridized seeds preferred. If you do not have seeds to share come anyway! Extra seeds available.
MILLER LIBRARY (410.313.1950)
Saturday, January 28th
, 1-3pm (Extended time) In partnership with Howard County Master Gardeners Registration preferred
Ann Hackeling, MG2013, [email protected] Enchanted Garden Coordinator and Research Specialist, Howard County Library
LooseLeaf • November 2016 • page 5
2016 CONTINUING EDUCATION SPEAKER SERIES MGs, Watershed Stewards, Master Naturalists and their guests are welcome to attend.
All sessions are held at the UME office, unless noted otherwise. Please check the MG electronic calendar for updates.
Please submit your ideas for 2017 Continuing Education speakers, field trips, and/or workshops to either Karin or Joanna during the month of November. Also, if you have any interest in helping the Continuing Education Speaker committee for 2017, please contact us. You are welcome to assist with arranging speakers and/or set-up/clean-up for monthly presentations.
Thank you to everyone who attended one or more speaker sessions this year! As always, we appreciate not only your attendance, but your ideas and suggestions.
Contact info: Karin DeLaitsch [email protected], or Joanna Cumbie [email protected]
NOVEMBER 8
9:30 - 11:00 am
Upcoming Advanced MG Training, plus Overview of Other State MG Programs, Activities, & Training
Alicia Bembeneck, University of
Maryland Extension State Training Coordinator
THE GROUND HOG
The groundhog (woodchuck) is looking for a winter place to dig a burrow for hibernation. Their common predators are fox, wolves, coyotes, bobcats and bears.
Groundhogs are 20 - 25 inches long and can weigh as much as 14 pounds. They are mostly herbivorous: eating wild grasses, vegetation, berries, and agricultural crops. Clover, dandelions and alfalfa are their preferred foods. They also eat grubs, grass-hoppers, snails, but are not omnivorous. Groundhogs are most active during the day and can eat 1 to 1½ pounds of food a day.
In Punxsutawney, PA (halfway between the Allegheny and Susquehanna rivers), a groundhog famously named Phil resides in a climate-controlled home at the library. His weather report on February 1 predicts six more weeks of winter, or an
early spring! —JanMarie Wms-Nguyen, MG2006, [email protected]
A REMINDER …
> Any mention of specific products or businesses in LooseLeaf does not imply or constitute endorsement by UME.
> You’ll want to earn 10 continuing education hours during 2016 to remain certified. Ideas: Go to an MG presentation at the library, attend a UME workshop,
read a book on your favorite gardening topic, or go to the Continuing Education sessions.
> On presentation slides, fliers, posters, brochures, signs, news releases, etc., always use our full name: University of Maryland Extension Howard County Master Gardeners. This request comes from the University to support branding efforts of the MG program.
LooseLeaf • November 2016 • page 6
LATIN FOR GARDENERS
November's Native Maryland Plant: Ilex opaca (EYE-leks oh-PAK-ah)
Ilex opaca Aiton* — American Holly, the state tree of Delaware, is a fabulous native plant to consider, whether you are “talking turkey” for Thanksgiving or thinking of “decking the halls” for Christmas. Ilex opaca’s red drupes are consumed by many birds; most notably cedar waxwing but also wild turkey. The spine-tipped evergreen foliage provides year-round cover for wildlife and is often used to decorate homes during the holidays. This tree can reach great heights but is often planted as an understory tree due to its strong tolerance of shade.
Ilex opaca are dioecious, plants are either male or female. The female trees have drupes which is a positive way to identify a female tree. The best way to identify a male tree is to look at the spring flowers. Males have staminate flowers and females have pistillate flowers.
In researching the history of the genus Ilex I found it has somewhat of a circular meaning. “Ilex” is named for “Quercus ilex”, the holm oak, which looks like holly and “Quercus ilex” is named for “Ilex” because the holm oak looks like holly. What’s important to note is the genus Ilex includes a large number of trees and shrubs in the family Aquifoliaceae, including hollies, that have small flowers and berries. The specific epithet, “opaca” means opaque or dull, in reference to the non-lustrous leaves.
*William Aiton (1731–2 February 1793) was a Scottish botanist. He traveled to London in 1754, and in 1759 he was
appointed director of the newly established botanical garden at Kew, where he remained until his death. — Alison Milligan, MG 2013, [email protected]
LooseLeaf • November 2016 • page 7
PATUXENT RESEARCH REFUGE SCHOOLYARD HABITAT
We did it! We turned a cable trench into a piece of paradise! Last winter a new roof and solar panels were installed on the National Wildlife Visitor Center. The SYH lies between the parking lot and the building, so machinery driven across the SYH left behind a swath of naked land, 1700+ square feet, which we needed to rehabilitate. We embraced this as an opportunity to engage lots of people in the process of Conservation (Bay Wise) landscaping.
We were delighted to receive a Maryland 2016 Day to Serve mini- grant from the Maryland Governor's Commission on Service and Volunteerism for our event, ‘Planting for Pollinators.’ The mini-grant helped us entice new volunteers to the experience of planting a native plant garden by providing the money for the plants and deer repellent. Friends of Patuxent funded tools, edging and supplies.
This summer we designed the garden and rehabilitated the compacted clay by slicing in compost. In August we laid out the garden design, installed edging and a drip watering system.
Among the many celebrations with this project, one was our partnership between Howard and Prince Georges Counties Master Gardeners: four from Howard County: Ann Coren, Anne Cottle, Cathy Kuehne, and Sue Priftis; three from Prince Georges County: Melina Meshako, Lucy Duff, and Amy Taylor.
Start-to-finish, the project took six months, engaging 70 volunteers who logged 736 hours of work. That’s not counting all the amazing sweat equity from everyone on the Refuge staff including Refuge Manager, Brad Knudsen.
In spite of extreme heat on September 10 and 11, 56 intrepid volunteers attended four sessions over the two days. Participants, who ranged in age from 2½ years old to senior citizens, were divided into smaller groups led by Master Gardeners who supervised and instructed. Volunteers included a church group, Boy Scout, Girl Scouts, college sorority, homeschoolers, families and individuals. Besides planting, each session had a workshop on How To Do Conservation Landscaping in their own yards. We planted 3,154 plants.
— Ann Coren, MG 2013, [email protected]
LooseLeaf • November 2016 • page 8
LANDSCAPE LESSONS
Low Maintenance in the Garden, Part Three: Flowering Plant Recommendations
Before we discuss the final
subject in this series, let me
address a concern raised by
one of our readers (Judy
Fulton) regarding invasiveness
and Rose of Sharon (ROS)
shrubs. Judy's question
reminds me I should have
mentioned that ROS throw
down seedlings that can be
controlled in the yard by a
heavier than average mulch
layer. The seeds can be blown
by the wind, however, into
neighboring yards but are not
normally spread by animals.
The ROS does not currently
appear on the Maryland DNR or
National Park Service lists of
invasive species for our area.
Nevertheless, readers who
would rather avoid any whiff of
invasiveness can choose a
different recommended shrub or
a sterile cultivar of this plant
(developed by the National
Arboretum). Judy suggested
another alternative with which I
am not personally familiar, but I
will mention here in case you
wish to consider it: blackhaw
(Viburnum prunifolium).
Another thing I should clarify
before we continue is that an
important factor in the "easy
maintenance" plants I recom-
mend is ready availability. Local
nurseries and big box stores will
normally carry them in their
spring and fall inventories.
The final discussion then, in this
series, concerns flowering
plants. It is not unusual for
clients who want low or easy
maintenance to tell me they
want "color" and "interest" in
their gardens. This usually
elicits another wince from me
because plants offering
abundant color or interest
generally fall into the higher
maintenance categories. And
I've learned not to mention
annuals to low maintenance
clients as the regimen of
buying, planting, deadheading,
and watering annuals makes
their eyes glaze over.
So what are the choices for me
to recommend? The results will
not surprise you. I will simply list
them: coneflowers (purple,
white, black-eyed), bee balm,
tiger lilies, autumn joy
sedum, heuchera, Blue Hill
salvia, coreopsis, hosta,
variegated liriope, Japanese
anemone. For the owner willing
to do one-time planting of
bulbs: daffodils, crocus, and
hyacinth. The last three should
be high quality and planted
deep for longer lasting effect.
There are other plants that are
fairly easy to maintain once
established, but can be tricky to
get started, so I generally avoid
recommending those.
I hope you have found this
series on low maintenance
gardening useful and
interesting. I welcome and
encourage your suggestions.
—Roy Heath, MG 2011, [email protected]
Photo above is Japenese anemone; Photos below, left to right, autumn joy sedum, bee balm flower, bee balm.