From the Desk of Mikaela Boley

Greetings and Happy New Year! With the busy life of the holiday season behind us, January and February are comparatively quiet months. I will admit that I enjoy taking a break, and slowly collect myself to start thinking about the coming seasons.

The winter does not have to be slow, or quiet for that matter. I think you’ll find plenty to think about and investigate these cold months— just take a look at our Cabin Fever Reliever schedule this February (see page 12 for schedule and lecture subjects). It’s also a great opportunity to take care of off-season chores, such as sharpening your garden tools (take a look at our article on page 2).

In other news, I hope you will all join me in a warm welcome for Sara Rich, our new Area Extension Director (AED) for the Mid-Shore Region. Sara joined us on October 21st, 2013, and some of you may have already had the chance to meet her at our November monthly meeting. The AED serves as a leader and coordinator for Extension in Caroline, Dorchester, and Talbot Counties. Sara is a liaison for local government and supports staff (as well as volunteers) in county offices. Further questions or inquiries to Sara can be directed to: srich1@umd.edu.

Cheers!

Mikaela Boley

Talbot County Master Gardener Newsletter

Winter 2014

In this Issue: 2– Resolutions 3— Recipes 4— Miracle of 1,000 Blooms 5— Poplar Island Report 6–7 Hellebores 8—9 Kula Botanical Gardens 10—11 Ask Mikaela 12— 13 MG Events and Announcements

Volume IX, Issue I

TALBOT COUNTY • 28577 MARY’S COURT, SUITE 1 • EASTON, MD 21601 • (410) 822-1244 • FAX (410) 822-5627

Educating People to Help Themselves

Local Governments • U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating

The University of Maryland is equal opportunity. The University’s policies, programs, and activities are in conformance with pertinent Federal and State laws and regulations on nondiscrimina-

tion regarding race, color, religion, age, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, or disability. Inquiries regarding compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act

of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990; or related legal requirements

should be directed to the Director of Human Resources Management, Office of the Dean, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Symons Hall, College Park, MD 20742.

IN THE GARDEN

The Mid-Shore Region AED- Sara Rich

V O L U M E I X I S S U E I P A G E 2

Gardening in the New Year:

I asked Master Gardeners what their New Year’s Resolution would be for the garden– here are some thoughts and

inspiration for 2014!

“To give my compost pile a little TLC… and to stop losing clippers in the yard…”

“Start a small wildflower garden and

intersperse vegetables in with the rose

“Take more time to thoroughly read all the sections of the Master Gardener Training

Manual… especially the sections not covered.”

“Get my soil tested so I don’t waste any time or money!”

Identify and label all plants in landscape. Try inscribing names on small flat rocks or slate which may stay in place and be less obtrusive. Keep written records of their placement.

A New Year’s Resolution: Clean your Gardening Tools

By Lynn Freeburger

As I savor the snowy landscape today, I think guiltily about my garden tools. Since I just

moved, I can’t say I even know where they are. I do know, however, that they are dirty, rusty

and are probably full of diseases, insect eggs and weed seeds. It is only January 3rd, but time goes by ever so quickly; it will soon be April. The time is now to tend to garden tools. Clean garden tools last longer. Here are some steps for trowels, pruners, spades and other necessities: Knock off the dirt Sanitize with bleach– one part bleach to 9 parts water Oil with motor oil or WD40 Store in a container of sand and oil in a dry place Hose off tools after each use Sharpen dull blades Dull tools will strain hands and body, as well as shred plant tis-

sue. Drain your hoses Disinfect used pots and seedling flats (particularly before use!) Dispose of 2013 gasoline from mowers and tractors.

V O L U M E I X I S S U E I P A G E 3

Recipes “Holiday recipes don’t have to be complicated! Check out

these easy fixes that are festive and still taste great!”

Heloise’s Pumpkin Bread: Joan Dickson 1 2/3 cups flour 1 1/4 cups sugar 1 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp baking powder 1 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp salt 1/2 cup chopped pecans 2 eggs slightly beaten 1/2 cup coconut oil 1 cup canned pumpkin

Mix the dry ingredients together, then add the nuts and mix well. Put that mixture aside. Mix the wet ingredients together and add to dry mixture. Stir just enough to blend. Don’t overmix! Grease and flour a 9-by-5-by-3 inch loaf pan. Pour the mixture into the pan and bake at 350 F for 60-75 minutes. “There are moments when all anxiety and stated toil are becalmed in the infinite leisure and response of nature.” -Heny David Thoreau

Easy Shepherd’s Pie: 1 lbs. ground beef (or turkey) 1/3 cup ketchup 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce 8 ounces frozen mixed vegetables (such as carrots, peas,

and corn), thawed 1 16 ounce package mashed potatoes, refrigerated,

frozen or thawed Optional: 1/4 cup shredded cheese Heat oven to 400F. Place beef in large skillet and cook over medium-high heat until cooked (no pink). Spoon off and discard any fat. Stir in ketchup and Worcestershire. Add vegetables and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Spoon into baking dish. Mix cheese (optional) with potatoes in a bowl. Spread over beef and bake until heated through, 10 minutes. **Recipes courtesy of Real Simple– check out RealSimple.com for more.

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MIRACLE OF 1000 BLOOMS A Miracle of 1000 Blooms, a perfect dome, around nine feet in diameter and almost forty-six inches high composed of more than 1000 yellow blooms stands at the entrance to the indoor display at Longwood Gardens’ annual Chrysanthemum festival. But that’s later in the story. Bob and I visit Longwood Gardens frequently-in the spring for tulips and flowering trees and shrubs and in summer to smell the roses, admire the enormous hothouse delphinium and take peaceful walks around the lake. But until last week-end (October 27) we had never been to Longwood Gardens in the fall. We were visiting friends whose farm is literally across the road, and our hostess suggested that we go over to the annual Chrysanthemum Festival. Chrysanthemums are everywhere, 20,000 of them, in a tiered circle of lilac daisy-type mums teamed with purple sage at the entrance and gorgeous displays along the paths.

The Festival opens with the Convention and Show of the National Chrysanthemum Society, Inc., USA. The exhibition area was busy, noisy and packed, with plants, serious enthusiasts and casual onlookers. It looked as though every one of the 140 varieties that have received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Merit was represented on the tables. While I didn’t see all of them, I am fairly sure there was a class for every one of the thirteen named bloom forms; I can say with certainty that there were mums in every color of the rainbow, except blue, plus bronze. Judging

from the number of ribbons on the tables, there were a lot of winners. The area above ‘the pit’ was devoted to arrangements, some pretty, some imaginative and some, just plain weird. Outside of the exhibition area, the conservatory was a riot of mums, again in a plethora of forms, sizes and colors. In some cases, the mums were massed for color, in others to showcase shape. Then there were the featured mums, the Pagoda of yellow blooms, a nod to the chrysanthemum’s Chinese origins, the white “clouds’ and the ‘Franken-Mum’, made up of 118 different varieties grafted onto a stock plant, each graft carefully placed to insure harmony of color and a symmetrical form. The main attraction is the ‘Miracle of A Thousand Blooms’, a chrysanthemum x morifolium. ‘Susono-no-Hikari’. The largest of its kind in North America, it consists of 1,416 equally spaced flowers and is the first yellow flowering Thousand Bloom ever grown at Longwood. A Longwood horticulturalist travelled to Japan at each stage of the plant’s growth to learn the ‘secret’ process of turning a single stem cutting into a perfect dome of hundreds of blooms. Seventeen months and over 1500 staff hours were required to create the Miracle on display. Keep it mum-chysanthemum facts: The name comes from the Greek chrysos (gold) and anthemem (flower). The genus chrys , a member of the asteraceae family, has forty named species, numerous hybrids and thousands of cultivars. First cultivated as a flowering herb in China in the 15th C BC, sometime in the 8th C AD, the chrysanthemum was introduced to Japan where the emperor adopted it as his seal. Colonel John Stevens brought the first chrysanthemum, a cultivar called ‘Dark Purple’ from England to the United States, Hoboken actually, in 1798. A versatile plant, the mum has many uses: ornamental, culinary (tea, wine, vegetable), medicinal (insecticide) and environmental (shown to reduce indoor air pollution.) By Rachel Papkin

P A G E 5 V O L U M E I X I S S U E I

The environment on Poplar Island is harsh and the demonstration garden that the Talbot County Master Gardeners took over a decade ago needs to thrive on its own with little tending. In 2013 the Master Gardeners attempted to go out monthly from April through November but were thwarted several times due to weather and power outages. Nonetheless, the season was good for most of the plants. Several bushes outgrew their welcome and were heartily cut down to size making for better vistas of Poplar’s thriving marshlands. Unfortunately, the cacti that used to flank either side of the bluestone walk at the entry are gone, either victims of heavy-footed visitors or the aerial spraying that happened in late summer. (Fortunately, we have back-ups ready for next Spring.) We lost roses; we gained milkweed. It is an ever-changing population of natives that thrive and then give up to be replaced by new natives either introduced by Master Gardeners or the wildlife that populates the Island. The small gardens underneath the signs had been productive with Maryland’s state flower, Black-eyed Susan's (brought out from home gardens) but on our last trip out in early November, they were completely gone. We will try again next year. On Poplar Island, Megan Garrett has been our contact person and has provided us with good support with transport and help when we arrive. In particular, Ron Brown, one of the Maryland Environmental Service staffers, has been watchful over the garden in our absences and has helped with numerous tasks. He is also knowledgeable about Poplar’s unique environment as well as what thrives under harsh conditions. We are hopeful that next April he will again be on hand with advice and support. All Talbot County Master Gardeners are always welcome to join the stalwarts who make the monthly trip, April through November. Watch for the roster of dates for 2014, and join us! Future Poplar Island Trip Dates for Master Gardeners in 2014: April 16th June 16th July 16th August 18th September 17th October 15th By Bonnie James Contact Bonnie James for more information about the Poplar Island garden: bonniebjames@gmail.com For transportation to Poplar Island on these dates, contact Megan Garrett: MGARR@menv.com

Poplar Island Wrap-Up Report 2013:

V O L U M E I X I S S U E I P A G E 6

The countdown is on to one of the finest times of the year, the time when the Hellebores bloom. This time has a special spiritual feeling for me as the promise of spring is in evidence. Sure, the days are growing longer already, but it will be months before we are outin the garden again. Spring conquers the death of winter. Not too long after the winter solstice, the Hellebores are on their way to full bloom. Even winter snow storms fail to conquer these vernal heroes. I had a good number of Hellebores in my townhouse garden in Northern Virginia. Starting around February, I would go outside in the early morning to check out the Hellebores. I would search for emerging buds at the base of the plant. When they did bloom, I daresay, my heart sang. My townhouse garden was, for me, a Hellebore habitat. Seedlings sprouted all over the back yard. I found that it took three years from infancy to bloom. At that time my Hellebores were all Helleborus orientalis, the Lenten Roses. Their colors were white and pink. I stumbled upon Hellebore as most new gardeners do. As I recall I was intrigued by its common name, the Lenten Rose. Any plant that blooms during Lent is a wonder, a miracle. In my Sherwood, Maryland garden, I have three varieties: Helleborus orientalis the Lenten Rose, Helleborus niger the Christmas Rose and Helleborus foetidus, the Stinking Hellebore. For some unknown reason, in this garden, the Lenten Rose often blooms before the Christmas Rose. Additionally, the Stinking Hellebore often blooms in December. My Lenten Roses are white, pale pink and deep pink. The Christmas Rose is white, and the Stinking Hellebore is pale green with a tiny red stripe around the rim. Hellebores come in a wide variety of colors from white to primrose yellow to pure greens, pinks, plums, midnight purple and blue blacks. I must have a plum and midnight purple Hellebore one day. They also are shaded, veined or spotted. Hellebores are marvelous! Hellebores are native to Europe from Western Britain - but not Ireland - to Central and Southern Europe. They go from the Iberian peninsula into the Ukraine, eastern Romania, Turkey and Russia. Only the Helleborus viridus and Helleborus foetidus are found in Britain. (Continued on page 7)

Spring’s Finest Promise: The Hellebore

P A G E 7 V O L U M E I X I S S U E I

Members of the Ranunculaceae family - the butter cups - the Hellebores are found in the mountains, shady woodlands, rocks and open fields. They will tolerate shade and some sun. They must have good drainage. While they prefer alkaline soil, they will grow in acidic soil. They will thrive in either chalk or clay, but they like soil improved with organic matter such as leaf mold. They do not like biting winds. Do not plant them near the base of trees or too close together. Remove dead leaves in autumn and early winter. Helleborus orientalis can be divided at the end of August and the beginning of September. Earlier is better because the plants will develop better root growth before winter sets in. Some species such as H. argutifolius, foetidus and lividius do not divide easily. Hellebore blooms last from 10 to 12 weeks. By June they start looking dicey and papery. They are long lived and are easily germinated. Seed pods begin to swell in June. You must be vigilant, though. Too often I have come home to find that the seeds have sprung; they are all over the sidewalk and down in the dirt. Attempts to harvest them have not been successful. The seeds look like mouse droppings; you

can’t miss them. If you successfully harvest the seeds, sow them in the second half of

June and in July. If, however, you were to peer under the wide leaves in late summer, you will see a nursery of infants. The infants are easily moved, potted or transplanted. Move them when they have two true leaves. Hellebores are hearty. They can suffer from aphids, black death and black spot. They have their own aphid - Macrosiphon hellebori. I have not experienced any problems with my Hellebores. Helleborus foetidus seedlings often come reasonably true; Helleborus orientalis, on the other hand, will cross with any Hellebore or even another species. I have found that if I pick the Hellebore blooms they do not last well. I have seen them

in arrangements made by other people. In her book THE GARDENER’S GUIDE TO

GROWING HELLEBORES, Elizabeth Stangman, who co-authored the book with Graham Rice, advises that you cut them and float them in water. I have a new garden in St Michaels. I have transplanted some yearlings near a tree that I can see from the kitchen window. I need to make sure that they are not too close to the tree. I intend to move more from my old house as soon as possible. Since the last day of the year was relatively mild, I visited the old house, and I pruned back some of the old leaves searching for the blooms. In addition to possessing plum and midnight purple Hellebores, my other wish is to hand pollinate them one day. Wish me luck. By: Lynn Freeburger

V O L U M E I X I S S U E I P A G E 8

When traveling, the prospect of hunting down botanical gardens is a new-found passion since I have become addicted to plants. In fact, the thrill of seeing gardens in a new plant zone in their natural habitat is probably going to dictate all of our future travel destinations. Shhh, don’t tell my family! On a recent family vacation to Maui, my husband and I dumped… I mean dropped off the 20-somethings at the zip line (no thanks!) and sped off to the Kula Botanical Garden. The Garden is located on the westward-facing slope of Mt. Haleakala, the east Maui 10,000 foot volcano which is the foundation for 75% of the island of Maui. At the 3,300 foot level, the Garden takes advantage of the rich volcanic soil and the temperate climate. After scaling the side of the mountain in our sluggish rental car, the view of the valley from the parking lot of the Garden is something to behold. You can clearly see the outline of the western area of Maui and the narrowing corset of the island, between its two volcanic foundations. The entrance to the Garden feels more like you are entering a tree house than a typical visitor center. The lure of the lush surroundings forced me past the temptation of the gift shop and after a small entry fee and a self-guided map, we are off to feed my addiction. The Kula Botanical Garden encompasses a very condensed 8 acres. In comparison, the New York Botanical Gardens command 250 widely-dispersed acres. As you enter the Garden, a narrow path winds through arbors, covered bridges, over small streams, near small waterfalls, Tiki displays, rock formations, and Koi ponds…all framing exquisite plant-pairings. In a trance, I am picturing this as my back yard. But my Master Gardener training is telling me this is definitely not a native plant display for Maryland. Awake from my trance, my husband reminds me we are in Hawaii and this is Plant Zone 11. Most of Maui is Zone 11, with the exception of the peak of Mt. Haleakala which is Zone 10 and at 10,000 feet, a completely different climate. As most of you probably do, I toured the gardens testing my plant ID prowess. As we worked our way through the Garden, I called out the names of recognizable plants to my husband as he tolerated my child-like enthusiasm. He wishes I had this same intrigue when I see the aisles of fishing lures in Bass Pro. The discovery process when I see a new plant is definitely the thrill of the chase. I immediately honed in on the plants that were new and unusual to me. Looming in the background of the plant-pairing displays were tall beige smooth-trunk trees. The unusual aspect was that the trunks had vertical stripes of beautiful colors. The trees looked like someone took a paint brush and with long strokes randomly painted bright pastel colors on the trunk. After Google was engaged, I discovered these were Painted Bark Eucalyptus trees or Rainbow Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus Deglupta). The Rainbow Eucalyptus sheds its bark to unveil a bright green layer. In time, this layer darkens and creates the beautiful rainbow colors. (Continued on page 9)

Red Cushion Protea–

Leucospermum lineare

Kula Botanical Gardens

V O L U M E I X I S S U E I P A G E 9

The next unrecognizable display was a mass of shrubs with very beautiful hanging blooms. Looking closer, the blooms looked vaguely familiar. Suddenly, I realized these were shrubs of Fuchsia (Fuchsia hybrid). For some reason, I have not seen or thought of Fuchsia for years. I picture Fuchsia as hanging plants sold as annuals in Maryland. The colors on the rows of bushes and shrubs were the deepest hues of purples and pinks. The teardrop shape accentuated the petals of deep pinks with sepals of an even deeper pink or purple. It was amazing to see Fuchsia again. Probably the most amazing plant I was introduced to was the Protea. What exactly was this flower that I had seen advertised throughout the island? Proteas are absolutely spectacular. I realized that I had seen Proteas in flamboyant flower arrangements and in botanical lithographs through the years. The Protea’s history reminds me of the silverfish insect, Proteas have been around for over 100 million years. The Proteas in Hawaii were originally imported from Australia and South Africa. Now Hawaii exports Proteas to the world. Throughout the Kula Botanical Garden the Protea varieties are accentuated with pairings that tend to allow the Protea to reign. I was particularly drawn to the Red Pincushion (Leucospermum lineare). To me it looked like a pincushion stuck with yellow pins with pink heads protruding at exact spacing. This flower is very different from anything I have ever seen. The Mint Julep (Banksia speciosa) was equally amazing. The leaves on the Mint Julep Protea looked like fairies came out at night and used pinking shears to cut zigzag patterns along the edges of the long leaves. I was looking at the pattern and it dawned on me that the leaves resemble rick rack, a trim that I am embarrassed to admit that I added to most garments in the 70’s. A sudden tropical rain shower forced us to sit still under a covered arbor and absorb the beauty of the surrounding plants. Back in a trance I was calling a family member to sell everything back home, put the family rabbit on the next airplane and I was working in this beautiful garden on the side of a volcano in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Suddenly a text message from the 20-somethings brought me back to reality… they had survived the zip line and were hungry. For more information on the Kula Botanical Garden: www.kulabotanicalgarden.com By Judy Ferrell Judy is a new Master Gardener out of the 2013 class– look out for Judy as she completes her 40 hours of volunteer work in 2014!

Mint Julep Protea– Banksia speciosa Fuchsia hybrid– Fuchsia X spp.

V O L U M E I X I S S U E I P A G E 1 0

Mikaela- Are there any easy secrets to pruning hydrangeas? I understand there are varieties that bloom on old growth and some that bloom on new growth. Is there a way to tell which vari-ety you have other than time of blooming? I suspect we have one of each and can never remember how much, or when to prune them for the best bloom next year. Sincerely, Hydrangea Conundrum Dear Hydrangea Conundrum, What a great question to ask! Not everyone knows exactly what hydrangea might be in their landscape, so I will try to include some tips to help you. If you are uncertain about which variety you have, a safe rule to use is that “no pruning is better than the wrong type of pruning.” A simple approach for all types of hydrangeas is to limit pruning to cutting back branches that are dead and no longer green underneath the bark when scraped. Dead-heading old flowers is also recommended, and can’t be done incorrectly. Bigleaf hydrangea– H. macrophylla This is the most commonly grown hydrangea in Maryland. It has large, attractive leaves and large blue, pink, or purple flower heads. There are two forms of H. macrophylla, which is the mophead and lacecap. They are both pruned the same way. This group also includes repeat bloomers, which bloom on both wood from the previous year and the current season. Too much pruning can greatly reduce or eliminate flowering. It’s best to wait for new growth to emerge, and then remove dead or weakened branches without harming live stems with flower buds. In declining hydrangeas, hard renewal pruning may be needed (which cuts all branches back to the ground). Popular cultivars include ‘Endless Summer,’ ‘All Summer Beauty,’ ‘Altona,’ ‘Dooley,’ ‘Europa,’ and ‘Nikko Blue.’ Flower color in the macrophylla species is dependent on soil pH. A pH below 6.5 will produce blue flowers, and a higher pH will produce pink flowers. This is due to the uptake of aluminum, which is available at lower soil pH. (Continued on Page 11)

Ask Your Horticulturist:

V O L U M E I X I S S U E I P A G E 1 1

ASK YOUR

HORTICULTURIST:

mboley@umd.edu

Mikaela Boley is the Horticulturist and Master Gardener Coordinator for University of Maryland Extension in Talbot County. The Extension Office often has questions from homeowners and members of the public regarding home gardening, soil testing, plant and insect identification, plus much more. Do you have a question that needs answering? Want to talk gardening or get advice for environmentally friendly practices in the residential landscape? Please contact Mikaela Boley, Home Horticulturist and Mas-ter Gardener Coordinator at (410) 822-1244 ext. 12, or by email mboley@umd.edu.

Smooth Hydrangea– H. arborescens Native hydrangea that is common in home landscapes. White flowers bloom on new wood of the current season, making this hydrangea the easiest to prune. Cut back hard in early spring every year. Flowering is enhanced but cutting back stems to 12 inches from soil line. Cultivars include ‘Annabelle’ and ‘Grandiflora.’ Oakleaf Hydrangea– H. quercifolia Another beautiful hydrangea popular with gardeners for their unique leaves and bark. Colorfully red and orange foliage in the fall, and massive, upright 12-inch blossoms. Flowers are produced on old wood from last year’s growth. In Maryland, it blooms in June, but flowers persist through summer. If needed, prune after flowering to maintain a desired shape and size. Winter-killed or other dead wood can be removed at any time. Climbing hydrangea– H. anomala subsp. Petiolaris This trailing-vine species is a vigorous grower, as many vines are. The only pruning needed is to remove straying stems to control the range of growth. May need several times to combat the quickly growing stems. To avoid reducing bloom, prune after the bloom period. I hope that helps answer some of your questions. If you have doubts or want clarification, you can always contact me or the Home and Garden Information Center! -Mikaela

Top Left: Oakleaf Hydrangea. Top Right: Smooth Hydrangea.

Photos courtesy of Missouri Botanical Gardens

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Upcoming Events

and Dates 2014

Please contact Mikaela Boley, Master Gardener Coordinator with any question or to volunteer to help

with a program at mboley@umd.edu or 410-822-1244.

Cabin Fever Relievers– 2014

“Is winter driving you crazy? Are you dreaming of spring? We’ve got something for you!”

Check out the Master Gardener Cabin Fever Reliever series starting this

February! Located at the beautifully landscaped Brooklett’s Senior Center in

Easton, our series will address planning, planting, amending, and preparing

your garden for spring. With a variety of topics, they are totally free and totally

worth checking out! The series is open to the public and free.

Location: Brooklett’s Senior Center, 400 Brooklett’s Ave, Easton, MD

Dates: Every 1st and 3rd Thursdays in February-March, 1st and 4th Mondays

in April

Time: 1:30-3:00 pm Fee: None!

February 6th—How to create winter interest in your garden (showy winter plants), using resources to plan

your new garden, and chores that should be done now rather than later.

February 20th— Using the calendar to plan your vegetable gardening (Calendaring), seed starting, soil

blocking and sprouting. Materials will be supplied to start your very own.

March 6th—Spring preparation on pruning, preparing garden beds, dividing plants, and using cold frames

to accelerate your plant growth.

March 20th—Herb and Kitchen Gardens, gardening in small spaces, container gardening with salad boxes

and salad tables (and how to build them yourself!)

April 7th—Composting and backyard chickens. All you will need to know as a beginner or intermediate.

April 28th— Spring pests and weed management, last minute gardening advice for spring, and how to

utilize resources to answer questions for your needs.

Want more information? Contact Mikaela Boley, Master Gardener

Coordinator for Talbot County at 410-822-1244 or mboley@umd.edu.

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MG Advanced Training Classes for Spring 2014 For full detail about each class and for registration forms, go to

http://extension.umd.edu/mg/advanced-training

Native Plant Essentials: Location: Anne Arundel Co. Dairy Farm, 97 Dairy Ln, Gambrills,

MD 21054

Date: March 20th Time: 9:30am-3:30pm

Presenter: Sara Tangren, Ph.D., UME Assoc. Agent

Reg. Fee: $35; Reg. Deadline: March 13th

Course Description: This course will serve as the basic introductory course to all of the MG

Advanced Training native plant classes and as a survey course for folks who want to know what it’s

all about. We will consider what’s native and why, soils, ecology, climate and the concept of native

plant communities. Why are native plants important and what does their preservation and success

mean for all of us. We will also have a hands-on component at the end of the day with either a field

walk or identification exercises.

Bay-Wise Certification: Location: Wye Research and Education Center, 124 Wye Narrows Dr., Queenstown, MD

Dates: February 13th & 20th Time: 9:30-3:30pm; Fee: $50

Course Description: Become certified to perform Bay-Wise Consultations and Certifications after

taking this 2 day, comprehensive course on giving advice for better water quality.

For more classes…. Visit http://extension.umd.edu/mg/advanced-training for the full list of classes, locations, and

registration.

Talbot County Master Gardener

Monthly Meetings

Date: January 15th, 9:30 AM

Location: Talbot Ag Center

Join us for the monthly meeting to discuss current

events, future opportunities, and answer volunteer

questions. Speakers Jen Dindinger and Amy Scaroni

from UMD-Extension Sea Grant Program.

Date: February 19th, 9:30AM

Location: Chesapeake College Higher Education

Center, Room 110

Join us to hear speaker Kyle Ewing from Bartlett Tree

Experts to talk about trees, diseases, and spring pests to

be aware of this coming year– regular meeting will

follow.

Monthly Meetings:

Date: March 19th, 9:30 AM

Location: St. Michael’s Library

Join Master Gardeners to hear Joan Maloof

from Salisbury talk about the Old Growth

Forests network, followed by meeting to

discuss current events, future opportunities,

and answer questions.

ASK YOUR

HORTICULTURIST:

mboley@umd.edu

University of Maryland Extension 28577 Mary’s Court, Suite 1 Easton, MD 21601

Non-Profit

US POSTAGE

PAID

Easton,

Maryland

Permit # 334

Current Resident Or:

If you are interested in becoming a Master Gardener, call our University of Maryland

Extension Office at 410-822-1244

You can also visit the Maryland Master Gardeners website at: http:/extension.umd.edu/mg

and the Talbot County Extension website at: http:/extension.umd.edu/talbot-county

The University of Maryland Extension programs are open to any person and will not discriminate against

anyone because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry,

national origin, marital status, genetic information, political affiliation, and gender identity or expression.