The Lowdown

WSU Spokane County Extension Master Gardeners May 2021 The Lowdown

Inside this issue:

Foundation News 2

Geobin Compost 4

Garden Fair Help 5

Self-study Quiz 6

Upcoming Events 8

Extension Information

Tim Kohlhauff 477-2172

Horticulture Program Coordinator

tkohlhauff@spokanecounty.org

Anna Kestell 477-2195

Food Preservation/Safety

akestell@spokanecounty.org

Jackie Sykes 477-2193

Clinic Coordinator

jsykes@spokanecounty.org

Master Gardener County Site

http://extension.wsu.edu/spokane/

master-gardener-program

Master Gardener Foundation of

Spokane County

http://www.mgfsc.org/

WSU Master Gardener Site

http://mastergardener.wsu.edu/

HortSense Fact Sheets

http://hortsense.cahnrs.wsu.edu/

Home/HortsenseHome.aspx

On Line Timelog Reporting:

http://ext.wsu.edu/Volunteers/

logon.aspx

GARDEN FAIR & PLANT SALE CONTINUES

There are still many opportunities for MGs to earn volunteer hours at the Plant Sale. Please visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050B4EA9AC28A6FA7-greenhouse and sign up for a shift or two! Volunteers are having fun working in person. (Remember to complete your health attestation before you arrive.) In case you have forgotten: The annual Garden Fair & Plant Sale sponsored by the Spokane Master Garden-ers continues through May 9. Due to Covid guidelines, we are unable to have a sale in person so instead sales will be held online with plant pickups scheduled at the time of purchase. The online shopping site will open until 12:00 noon on Saturday, May 8. Access the link for the shopping site by visiting MGFSC.org/plant-sale as soon as possible … supplies are limited. We always strive to provide the healthiest plants available and at thrifty prices. Among the plants offered this year are 110 varieties of tomatoes and peppers from the sweetest tomato to the hottest pepper plus a large variety of herbs, all grown by Master Gardeners. There are pollinator and native plants suited to our growing area, plus ornamental grasses, annuals, perennials, and more. We have one more bargain available and that is membership. 2021 Master Gardener Foundation members receive a 10% discount on plant purchases and discounts from our nursery partners throughout the year. Visit MGFSC.org/purchase-membership for more information. Let’s get ready to garden!

The Lowdown Page 2

Foundation News

By Cathi Lamoreux

Spring is here and is it ever so welcome! The big news of the month is the Plant Sale. I am writing this as the sale opened. And, opened it did with a bang. There were over 100 orders in the first 3 hours. I was a little worried that the site would crash, but it didn’t, and hopefully your favorite plant wasn’t sold out by the time you placed your order. What a way to start! I’m anticipating continued success over the course of the sale. If you haven’t made a purchase, what are you waiting for?

Of course, none of this would have happened without a large group of volunteers who have spent countless hours (well, better count them for the program to show how much work we did), lots of full days and late nights; planning, pivoting, planning again by the core team; and then all the volunteers who have stepped up to grow herbs and veggies, care for the plants we were holding in private yards, and work in the greenhouse by caring for the plants, fulfilling orders, and making sure the cus-tomers have their purchases. It’s a well-oiled machine and we are rocking it!

There is exciting news on the Foundation membership front, too. As a result of the early shopping and 10% discount offer, great marketing and advertising by the marketing team, we have exceeded our normal foundation membership by 150%. Yes! 150%! We currently have over 300 members led by a huge increase in the number of Friends of the Master Gardener Foundation category! We will be working hard to make sure that we keep all those members in coming years. There is still time to join, as not all MGs have done so. Remember, you can get all those discounts at our business partners that are listed on the back of the membership card throughout the growing season.

And, not to be overshadowed by Cabin Fever and the Garden Fair & Plant Sale, Conversations on Nature is returning with three, online, evening programs. The first program will be held on May 20 talking about garden design and adding an-nuals and herbs to your garden. The second program will be held on August 19 discussing the use of ornamental grasses in your garden and how to preserve flowers for later use in craft projects. Then, the last program will be on October 7. It will be a live, demo-type program where we will all make a pumpkin centerpiece using those dried flowers, some succulents, and other natural décor. For more in-formation and to register, go to the website, www.mgfsc.org.

Have a great month of May as you get back into the garden!

The Lowdown Page 3

We are so glad you are with us!

Kurt Madison 5/1

Tracy Lewis 5/3

Greg Johnson 5/6

Kally Romjue 5/7

Cecelia McGowan 5/7

Janet Shellenberger 5/8

Carol Albietz 5/9

Nancy Creed 5/9

Bruce Kaufman 5/10

Julie Levine 5/12

Shel Giese 5/12

Dorene Harter 5/19

Laren Sunde 5/20

Sandi Bartsch 5/25

Kathryn Schrader 5/27

Jacquelynn Wright 5/27

Teena Kushner-Burnett 5/29

Karen Parks 5/29

Lynn Meyers 5/30

GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR CONTINUING ED CLASSES

The Foundation has a grant opportunity for all Spokane County Master Gardeners. Funds may be applied

to tuition and/or registration fees for in-person and online classes, local and regional conferences, the

WSU training program for new Master Gardeners and more.

The detailed POLICY STATEMENT and APPLICATION are available by clicking the appropriate links on our

website. Visit https://www.mgfsc.org/grant .

The Lowdown Page 4

GEOBIN COMPOST RESULTS

In April, Jacquelynn Wright and Tom Bayless sifted the Geobins from 2019 and 2020 and brought very lovely compost to the vegetable bed area. Phyllis Thayer helped by leaving a marker for the tarps. Thank you, Team Geobin! There is a considerable amount of compost and whatever does not get used in the spring could be held for later in the summer to use as a top dressing. The tarps belong to the MG's, so they can be left there until they are empty. In 2019 Jacquelynn was helping the trainees build their compost pile. During that time she lost her hair stick in the compost area. As Tom and Jacquelynn were sifting, they were eliminating de-bris not suitable for the beds, Tom found something unusual and when they looked at it Jacque-

lynn realized it was her walnut hair stick!! The finish is gone and the wood is a darker stain, but it

still works.

Thank you Demo Bed team for your beauti-

ful work!

During a tough time, you are lifting the

spirts of everyone who visits our building.

The Lowdown Page 5

Garden Fair Update:

PLANT SALE YARD SIGNS

(come & get one already!)

The 2021 Plant Sale has begun and sales are pouring in! It's just the beginning, though--our Plant Sale con-

tinues through May 9. That’s two more weeks of online plant shopping and we still need to put out the

word to the community.

There is still time and a need to put out a yard sign. Why, you ask? Answer: We still have lots and lots

and lots of plants to sell. This is a huge fundraiser for the Foundation and we want to sell every last plant.

There is no advantage to having leftovers!

Time to let your friends and neighbors know about our terrific Plant Sale and how to access the amazing

plants we have available. You already know that you can pick up a yard sign at the Extension Building. And

now we have a second location for yard sign check-out: Pick up your yard sign at the Lima Greenhouse at

Vicki’s Garden Center today! Whether you are at the greenhouse as a volunteer or picking up your plant

order, you can check out a yard sign.

Speaking of volunteering, sign up for a shift or two in the greenhouse! More hands make for lighter work.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050B4EA9AC28A6FA7-greenhouse

As far as filling out the COVID attestation, you can complete it online (https://esgapps.it.wsu.edu/covid-

attestation/) or sign the form in-person.

Get your yard sign today!

As we progress from spring through fall this year, the Master Gardener Founda-

tion of Spokane County is offering three entertaining and educational events for

your viewing pleasure.

The 2021 series will feature experienced gardeners speaking on the general top-

ic of nurturing your gardens throughout the season. We will start with presenta-

tions in May on designing tips for new and mature gardens, and how to add zing

to your garden with annuals and other plants.

August will continue our gardening theme by focusing on ornamental grasses,

and how to save and preserve your blooms for use in the fall and winter.

Our final session in October will be a live-streamed, hands-on event making a ta-

ble decoration using dried florals, succulents, and other natural components to

liven up your home decor. That will be a fun way to end the growing season!

Look for all the information about the speakers, topics and registration info on

the foundation website, MGFSC.ORG being posted this week.

Mark May 20 on your calendar for the first of three, evening sessions. Please

share this fun series with your friends, neighbors and family and plan to join us

as we spend time together making our gardens our own!

Join other gardeners virtually from near and far to learn from leading instruc-tors and researchers. Save money, learn more! Over 30 class sessions and learning opportunities. Join live or view recorded sessions later. Live Chat Parties & small group discussions. Inspiring Keynote presentation. Virtual Marketplace and Silent Auction. Watch for more coming soon!

ALL GARDEN ENTHUSIASTS WELCOME!

Join other gardeners virtually from near and far to learn from leading instructors and researchers.

Save money, learn more! Over 30 class sessions and learning opportunities. Join live or view recorded sessions later. Live Chat Parties & small group discussions. Inspiring Keynote presentation. Virtual Marketplace and Silent Auction. Watch for more coming soon!

The Lowdown Page 8

MAY 2021 QUIZ

1. What is the last day to pick up plants at the Garden Fair Plant Sale?

2. Is there still time to earn volunteer hours during the Plant Sale?

3. Can customers buy plants directly from the greenhouse for the Plant Sale?

4. How many varieties of vegetables were offered for sale this year at the Plant Sale?

5. Name a benefit of becoming a member of Master Gardeners Foundation of Spokane County.

6. At Garden Fair, how many orders came in during the first three hours?

7. Who made Garden Fair success possible?

8. Which category of membership saw a huge increase this year?

9. Why did this category grow so quickly?

10. When is the first Conversations on Nature for 2021 scheduled?

11. What is the topic of this first Conversation?

12. Name two other dates for Conversations on Nature.

13. What can you do if you find a continuing education opportunity that you want to attend but can-

not fit it into your budget?

14. Who sifted compost from the 2019 and 2020 Geobins?

15. Name two uses for this compost.

16. What surprise did Jacquelynn get as she and Tom sifted the compost?

17. Why would you put a Garden Fair sign in your yard now?

18. Where can you sign out a Garden Fair advertising sign?

19. Where can you sign up to work a shift or two at the Garden Fair greenhouse?

20. Does everyone who works at the Plant Sale need to wear a mask and

submit a health attestation with WSU?

The Lowdown Page 9

April 2021 Quiz Answers

1. Yes, 10% discount

2. April 22

3. An exact inventory count is critical to the online store. We do not want to sell plants to the public and

then find out we don’t have them in stock.

4. 249

5. Facemasks with the WSU Master Gardener logo.

6. All MGs and program staff.

7. September 29-October 2

8. To your own computer! It will be a virtual event.

9. Companion planting

10. To invite the beneficial insects to control the pests in your vegetables.

11. To to have something to do when COVID-19 forced businesses to close down to stop the spread of the

virus.

12. 7:30 a.m. on Saturday mornings

13. Niki Jabbour, Jessica Walliser, and Brie Arthur.

14. All of us!

15. The new system for MGs to record volunteer and continuing education hours.

16. Jackie verifies hours in batches once per week

17. This is a personal question!

18. A one-stop location for information about the Plant Sale. It will also be the location of the link to the

online store when that goes live on April 24

19. Because the system is so totally different than it has been in the past, and our need to fundraise re-

mains a very high priority.

20. Removing any leftover plants & cleaning the greenhouse and surrounding area

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

Calendar of Events

Saturday 1 Plant Sale Pick Up, Greenhouse @ Vicki’s Garden Center

Monday 2 Plant Sale Pick Up. Greenhouse @ Vicki’s Garden Center

Tuesday 3 Plant Sale Pick Up. Greenhouse @ Vicki’s Garden Center

Friday 7 Plant Sale Pick Up. Greenhouse @ Vicki’s Garden Center

Saturday 8 Plant Sale Pick Up. Greenhouse @ Vicki’s Garden Center

Saturday 8 Plant Sale Store Closes at 12:00 noon

Sunday 9 Final Plant Sale Pick Up. Greenhouse @ Vicki’s Garden Center

Monday 10 Plant Sale Clean Up: Remove plants and clean Vicki’s Garden Center

Monday 10 MG Foundation Board Meeting, 10 am, Zoom meeting

Tuesday 11 MG Program Board Meeting, 3 pm, Zoom meeting

Thursday 20 Conversations on Nature. 7 —8:45 pm Zoom presentation

Tuesday 8 MG Program Board Meeting, 3 pm, Zoom meeting

Monday 14 MG Foundation Board Meeting, 10 am, Zoom meeting