INSIDE: Local Master Gardener News - 2 Upcoming Events – 4 Bits and Pieces - 6

/ February 2008 June 2016

The Heirloom Gardener by Nina Logan

This presentation was brought to us by Andy Heren and Gary Mathis who have a passion for heirloom plants. They have traveled throughout Wisconsin and Iowa seeking more information on these seldom known plants of old. We were introduced to vegetables, fruits and flowers that still remain true to their genetic roots.

What I found most interesting was how heirloom plants retain their genetic history, continuing to grow as they always have been growing. We were told they have their faults. They are less resistant to diseases; they are not as attractive as todays hybrids, and don’t have the staying power after picking. But they are still tastier than the hybrids. Not only did we learn the history of these plants, but learned the history of those who grew them; how they saved seeds and brought them with them wherever they traveled. Many seeds came to the United States with those immigrants from European countries that were trying to escape war or poverty. Others learned of heirloom plants from Native Americans who had used the plants native to America for generations. We’ve heard of the Indian pyramid, corn to grow a tower, squash to shade the beans below. The evening was not only informative but also entertaining with a joke period and humorous exchanges between Andy and Gary. Andy also gave his personal history of how his family came to the United States with their collection of favorite seeds and plants. Both Andy and Gary encouraged everyone present to visit Seed Savers in Northern Iowa. This organization maintains a large collection of heirloom plants, fruits and flowers. They even have heirloom animals on display. For more information on Seed Savers Exchange, (3094 North Winn Rd. Decorah, Iowa) phone 563-382-5990 or check them out on Facebook or visit their website at www.seedsavers.ogr.

Editor’s Note: Saving heirloom seeds helps to maintain genetic diversity and options for plant breeders (and livestock breeders also). This is an important contribution to agriculture being made by organizations such as Seed Savers. Seed Savers Exchange was founded in Missouri in 1975 by Diane Ott Whealy and Kent Whealy. Diane's grandfather gave them the seeds from two plants (Grandpa Ott’s morning glory and the German Pink tomato which can still be purchased from Seedsaver’s today.). These seeds had been brought by Grandpa Ott's parents from Bavaria when they immigrated to Iowa in the 1870s and these two varieties became the first two varieties in the collection that later was to become known as “Seedsaver’s Exchange” and which is made up of 13,000 members and has 20,000 plant varieties in their inventory. Today the organization is located on 890 acres in Winneshiek County Iowa know as Heritage Farm.

Picture by Jo-Ann Clark

Page 2 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener New June 2016

Local Master Gardener News

NOTE: The ECAMGA Board minutes no longer appears in the newsletter. You may access them by going to the website at

eauclairemastergardeners.weebly.com

Changing e-mail? Moving? If you do, please remember to notify the ECAMG and the newsletter editor of your new e-mail address and/or mailing address so you don’t miss any Eau Claire Area Master Gardener happenings! Email you’re new Information to Carol Cox at c7w6c2200@charter.net Or notify her by snail mail at 1908 Hogeboom Ave., Eau Claire, WI 54701 (or call her at 715-861-4495).

ECAMGA BOARD MEMBER CONTACT INFO

NAME/TITLE E-mail address Phone number

Erin LaFaive Erin.lafaive@ces.uwex.edu 715-839-4712

Mary Jane Griffin mgriffinhlaa@gmail.com 715-835-6979

Dick Lienhardt dicklienhardt@yahoo.com 715-286-9917

Nancy Spak nancyspak@gmail.com 715-835-6546

Ede Strand edestrand@aol.com 715-8326775

Amy Boettcher myamybird@aol.com 715-577-9085

Carla Pelzl jcpelzl@gmail.com 715-835-6628

Nina Logan ninalogan@centurylink.net 715-878-4585

Deb Spickler rvsrfun@aol.com 715-577-8500

Lori Kempen lorikempen@charter.net 715-832-8088

Bulletin Board Postings Stories and Opportunities!!!! Bulletin Board Postings

ECAMGA 2016

Calendar All meetings at UW-Extension Office unless otherwise noted

June 12, 2016: annual plant sale in conjunction w/NW Hosta Society.

June 2016: tour of 2 gardens.

July, 2016: Garden Tours TBA July 19 2016: Planting

Ground Covers to improve Soil Health - Chad Zutter/Elk Mound Seeds.

August 30, 2016: Canning & Preserving Harvested Food/Catherine Emmanuelle (note date change).

September 20, 2016: Permaculture with Fruit Trees and Companion Planting/Don Albrecht.

September 30: Volunteer hours due in.

October 18, 2016: Honey Bees – Kristina Beuning.

November 2016: Winter Bird Feeding – Larry Bennett.

December 2016: Annual Potluck, Christmas Party and Election of Board Members.

Dear Master Gardeners,

The ECAMG Plant Sale is almost here! Sunday, June 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Set up is at 7:00 a.m. Work shifts are

from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m.to 3:00 p.m. If you still need to sign up for a shift you can email me at susmerten@wwt.net or text/call me at 715-271-1259. The summer growing season is here. Split and pot up your plants for the sale. We are also selling annual herbs, vegetables and flowers this year. If you started plants early save a few for the sale. If volunteers pop up, pot them to sell. Things to remember about the sale: —Please label your plants. Pictures help to sell the plant. I have a label PDF that will be sent in a week for your use. —Pot up your plans before the sale. Watering the plants a few days before the sale will make a neater plant. We will not be potting plants sale day. —Please select choice plants for the sale. Our customers are looking for unique plants for their gardens —If you need to drop off plants early call/text Judy Wibel at 715-864-6022. —If you need pots most garden centers will donate a few for your use. —Please bring your garden carts for our customers to use —We can use any cardboard carriers you can bring. Last, but not least, don’t forget you earn MG volunteer hours two ways for this sale. The first is by potting up, caring for, and transporting the plants to the sale! The second is by working at the plant sale. If you have questions call/text Susan at 715-271-1259 (susmerten@wwt.net) or Judy Wibel at 715-864-8022 (judywibel@gmail.com). Judy, Nina and I are looking forward to seeing you at the sale!

Susan Merten, Plant Sale Chair

MGV

Page 3 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener June 2016

Make and Take Vegetable Garden Workshop

Learn how to grow vegetables Using a sub-irrigated gardening system with the Eau Claire Area Master Gardener Volunteers of UW-Extension Eau Claire County. Participants will create a vegetable garden and take it home that day.

This is great for people living in an apartment, beginner gardeners, and those gardeners wanting to try something new. Erin LaFaive, horticulture educator, explains that these planters are different from typical container gardens because “Sub-irrigated planters have a water reservoir at the bottom. This protects it from evaporating and provides water to the plant when it needs it.” Two workshops are being held on June 11, 2016. The first is from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and the second will run from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Mayo Clinic Health System parking lot between the Central Energy plant and the Chestnut Street entrance. Registration is required as seating is limited. The registration fee of $20 includes a container, soil, plants, and instruction. Additional container can be purchased at $35 each with supplies included as well. Scholarships are available for those unable to afford the registration fee. Call Erin LaFaive for more information 715-839-4712. You can pay by credit card or debit card by calling our office or by going to: https://paylocalgov.com/Payment/SelectEntity/151 and click “Registration” under “Payment Type”! (There is a 2.39% convenience fee for paying this way). For further information or if you have questions contact the UW-Eau Claire Extension Office at 715-839-4712.

Hello, The teaching garden is ready for planting . . . well . . . it will be when we get more soil in the beds. LOTS of settling happened since last year. Soil/compost mix is being delivered June 2, Thursday. We’ll have a work session from 1 – 4pm. Adding soil to containers, planting, new signs, and adding a few new container systems. Bring yourself, something to drink, and if possible, shovels and wheelbarrows. Erin LaFaive, M.S. Horticulture Educator & Co-Dept. Head Eau Claire County UW Extension 227 First St. W. Altoona, WI 54720 715-839-4712 Dial 711 for Wisconsin RelayLet me know if you are interested in helping.

Hello, We had a successful fence session yesterday at the North River Front Park - Youth Garden that is getting a new vinyl fence, new table, more soil, no rain, no injuries, lots of fun, and 2 sides finished. Another fence building day is June 1 at 3:00 p.m. We’ll need power drills to get the screws in the plastic and to the wood. Let me know if you are able to assist. Erin LaFaive, M.S.Horticulture Educator & Co-Dept. Head Eau Claire County UW Extension227 First St. W. Altoona, WI 54720715-839-4712 Dial 711 for Wisconsin Relay Let me know if you are interested in helping

Page 4 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener News June 2016

Found on Pinterest. Go to: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/AbX6uZDUwO3d5zzOcm3snyTLMe7bM7x_SsMbl_pfE4qQN6PFKL4FPmo/ and click on image to see some really unique birdhouses even if site is in a foreign language.

Upcoming Classes

Tuesday, June 7th, 4:00 p.m. “Construct” A Mini Garden Party: This one’s geared toward boys that love to dig in the dirt. Enjoy a rough and tumble lunch constructed of sandwiches, “dirt cake” and more! Then finish the event with a construction themed mini garden that you can take home. Cost: $35/child and $20/adult (The price of the mini garden is included in the child ticket price). Limited to 30 people so Pre-registration is required).

6025 Arndt Lane, Eau Claire WI, 54701 715-833-1234 or E-mail - home@dwntoearth.com Website: http://www.dwntoearth.com/index2.html

Upcoming Events

Native Plants for the Birds, Bees and Butterflies

June 14th, 2016 from 6:00pm - 7:30pm

A natural garden isn’t complete without native plants. Native trees provide important shelter and food for birds and pollinators. Native shrubs can attract wildlife and provide several seasons of interest. You will learn what, when and where to cultivate native plants that provide food for butterflies, songbirds, hummingbirds and beneficial insects. The event will be held at the Spooner Agriculture Research Station Teaching and Display Garden located at N5264 Orchard Lane, Spooner, Wisconsin. In the case of inclement weather, programs will be held at the Station Building at W6646 Hwy 70, Spooner. The event is free and open to the public. Go to http://www.northcountrymgv.org/ for more information or email: northcountrymgv@yahoo.com

This is an interesting (though old) technique to propagate shrubs from cuttings: It is an old technique dating back into the mid-1800s that was used to propagate shrub cuttings. First, take a cutting of the plant you want to propagate and cut the stem at a

diagonal. (To insure a greater chance at success you may also want to dust the cutting stem with rooting compound before inserting it into the potato). Then slit a hole in a small potato

and stick the cutting into it. Then “plant” the potato with the cutting insert in the ground or in a container adding compost and soil to cover the potato completely with only the cutting

showing above the soil surface. Water as needed and care for this “plant” as you would any other new plant propagation. Roots should develop and the cutting grow into a new plant.

plus

Page 5 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener News June 2016

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AT BCR Our “Nature Nuts, Sprouts, and Earth Detective” summer camps will be running during the week of June 20-24th this year. If you have a morning free during that week, then come help give kids the opportunity to learn about the wonders of nature. At the camps you can lead group activities, act as a group leader and go around with the kids to each activity, and prepare and hand out snacks each day. Help out with just one morning, or all week! There will be a training session on Monday, June 13th at 9:30 am. “Nature Nuts and Sprouts” have the largest need for volunteers, so if you're interested you should feel comfortable working with kids from ages 5-8.

If you can't make the training sessions for the Caterpillar Lab or Summer Camps we can also provide an individual training at a time that works for you. On Tuesday the 28th of June come to learn how to be a Butterfly House Guide. This session starts at 7 pm. Guides in the Butterfly House learn about native butterflies and then share that knowledge with visitors. I'd call hanging out in the Butterfly House a pretty good way to spend your time! Don't fret if you weren't able to make the general meeting about the Biotic Survey that the Citizen Science Center is running this summer! You can still participate in the survey programs that will be taking place throughout the summer. They'll be starting at the beginning of June, with an evening of looking for frogs and toads on June 1st, a day of looking for mosses on Friday June 10th, surveys for plants and dragonflies taking place on Wednesday June 14th, and many more to come. Connect with Tera, our staff member in charge of the survey, at tera@beavercreekreserve.org for greater detail about the survey taking place at Beaver Creek. If you would like to sign up for anything, want more information, or have questions: respond to this email or call 715-877-2212 and ask for AJ. You can also use your volunteer tracker account to sign up for these opportunities online at https://mission-tracker.com/app/beavercreekreserve/login.

Beaver Creek Reserve S1 County Road K,

Fall Creek, WI 54742 bcr@beavercreekreserve.org

“Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you sit down quietly, may alight upon you.”

-Nathaniel Hawthorne

Page 6 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener June 2016

Bits and Pieces

“The first supermarket supposedly appeared on the American landscape in 1946. That is not very long ago. Until then, where was all the food? Dear folks, the food was in homes, gardens, local fields, and forests. It was near kitchens, near tables, near bedsides. It was in the pantry, the cellar, the backyard.” ~Joel Salatin, “Folks, This Ain't Normal: A Farmer's Advice for Happier Hens, Healthier People, and a Better World”

FYI, New Research on Ticks and Disease Prevalence in Wisconsin

Key findings:

· incidence of Lyme bacteria Borelli is up to 50% in northwest Wisconsin. · Wood ticks can also be carriers of Lyme’s. · Research confirms suspicions of co-infections (single ticks carrying multiple diseases). · Powassan virus prevalence much higher than previously thought at ~6% of deer ticks (no known cure).

If you want to submit ticks to contribute to the ongoing study, it’s a very easy process- just carry a ziplock freezer bag with you in the field and toss them in (dead or alive) as you pick them off your clothing/gear. Label the bag with the county and nearest town, and mail the bags to the Coppe Healthcare Solutions annual collection effort for the study of the tick born diseases. Mail the material to Yvette Harrington, Business Manager, Coppe Healthcare Solutions, Inc., W229 N1870 Westwood Drive, Waukesha, WI 53186 (phone 262-574-0701. You can also go to the Facebook site for more information on the Coppe Tick Project page. The Twitter feed is Twitter: @coppetickproj:

Be careful out there!

Ryan O’Connor Wisconsin DNR Specialist Phone: (608) 266-7714 Ryan.Oconnor@wisconsin.gov

Got any broken clay flower pots? Try making a fairy garden like this one. For more ideas go to http://thewhoot.com.au/whoot-news/diy/broken-pot-fairy-garden where you can even sign up for a free enewsletter. The site will also give you step by step instructions on how to do the fairy gardens.

Page 7 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener News June 2016

Requiem For A Lady Fox(LossofanAnimalFriend)… by the Foxy Lady

Alas,Ifearforthefateofmyladyfox.DuringthelaterwintermonthsIhaveseenhermanytimes.Iwouldseehercomeinafteranightofhuntingandenterthedenundermyshed.Iwouldfrequentlyseeherhuntingmiceinthepasture.ThensuddenlyInolongersawher.

InlateFebruary,shehadagentlemancallertotheden.Hesatoutsidethedenforawhilethenstuckhisheadinlookingforher.Noonehome.Hestayedafewminuteslongerthenleft.That’sthelastIsawofeitherofthem.Afewdayslaterafriendcametovisitmeandmentionedshehadseenafoxlyingdeadoutonthehighway.Myheartjustsank.Iwasneartears.IhesitatetowriteherobituaryinhopesthatsomedayIwouldlookoutmywindowtoseeherbusilycleaningoutthedeninpreparationforanewfamilybutthathasnothappened.I’velearnedalotaboutfoxesbyobservingourladyasshewentaboutherdailyfoxyhabitsaroundmyplace.Iwanttothankherforalltheenjoymentshehasgivenme.Iwillmissher.

Raspberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies (A favorite recipe of Lori Kempen) Cookie: Glaze 2/3 Cup Sugar 1 Cup Powdered Sugar 1 Cup Softened Butter 2 Teaspoons Almond Extract 1 Tsp. vanilla extract 2-3 Teaspoons Water 2 Cups Flour 1/2 Cup Raspberry Jam *Heat oven to 350 Degrees. In large mixing bowl combine sugar, butter and vanilla. Beat at medium speed until creamy. Reduce speed to low and add flour. Beat, scraping bowl often, until well mixed (2to 3 minutes). Chill before baking, if desired. *Shape dough in to 1-inch balls. Place two inches apart on cookies sheets. With thumb, make indentation in center of each cookie. Fill each thumbprint with 1/4 teaspoon jam. Bake for 14 to 16 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Let stand one minute; remove from cookies sheet unto cooling rack. Glaze: *In small bowl stir together powdered sugar, almond extract and enough water for glazing consistency. It works well to put the glaze in a small zip-lock bag, and then cut off a tiny corner to squeeze the icing over cookies. It looks great and is done very quickly.

Page 8 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener Newsletter June 2016

EAU CLAIRE AREA MASTER GARDENER NEWSLETTER A newsletter for the Eau Claire Area Master Gardener Association members.

For more Eau Claire County UW Cooperative Extension information

go to our website: www.uwex.edu/ces/cty/eauclaire

Phone: 715-839-4712 Fax: 715-839-6277

M-F 8AM-5PM

Unless otherwise noted, articles for this newsletter are submitted and/or written by ECAMGA members or the newsletter editor, Carol W. Cox. Unless otherwise noted, graphics are from clipart. Newsletter layout by Carol W. Cox

The University of Wisconsin Extension provides affirmative action and equal opportunity in education, programming and employment for all qualified persons regardless of race, color, gender/sex, creed, disability, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital or parental, arrest or conviction record or veteran status.” If you need an interpreter, materials in alternate formats or other accommodations to access this program, activity or service, please contact Erin LaFaive at 715-839-4712 as soon as possible preceding the scheduled event so that proper arrangements can be made in a timely fashion Eau Claire County

Extension Office

227 First Street West

Altoona, WI 54720

Interesting things about Peonies… -They are the floral symbol of China, the state flower of Indiana and the 12th wedding anniversary flower as per teleflora.com. -They love potassium and need that mineral for stem strength and to resist disease. -Peony plants can live to be one hundred years old. -They come in every color except blue. -Peonies tend to attract ants because of the nectar that forms on the outside of the flower buds. -Peonies natively grow in Asia, Southern Europe and Western North America. -In ancient times peonies were believed to relieve headaches and asthma.