By Betty Cochran

On the virtual red carpet at last month’s Holiday Party, held on December 5 at the Fairgrounds, outgoing MG president Julia Horman recognized eight Master Gardeners for their volunteer services. In addition, for the first time, MG Coordinator Steve Dubik announced his own first three awardees.

Mary Johnson, an active Master Gardener since 1998, received a Dedicated Service Award, given for at least 15 years of exceptional service. In her early MG years, Mary worked extensively in the Ballard Phone Room, at a time when the phones were always ringing. More recently she put her efforts into the Derwood Demonstration Garden, starting out in the Shade Garden. Since 2011 she has been Lead Gardener for the Wildlife Garden, which she has transformed from a sea of invasives to an area full of interesting plants, many of them

natives that are welcoming to wildlife.

Outstanding Service Awards, for accomplishments in 2013, went to Lily Bruch, Susan Eisendrath, Pat Mucci, Robin Ritterhoff, Joe Schechter, Ruth Heltzer, and Pat Thomas.

In 2012 Lily Bruch became Lead Gardener of the Derwood Children’s Garden, which she has reorganized to make more “kid-friendly.” For instance, she has installed plants with animal names like ponytail grass, shrimp plant, and solomon’s seal. She has

Eight Master Gardeners Receive Service Awards

The Seed News that grows on you

Quick Links

Board Meeting Minutes

Board Members, Committees and Services

Derwood Demo Gardens

Discounts for MGs at Nurseries and Stores

GIEI Blog

Green Sheets

Home & Garden Info Center

Insect Data Base

Join the Listserv

MG Information Sheet

MG Policies/Guidelines

MG Website

Monthly Membership Meetings

Native Plant Center

Photo Permission Form

Plant Clinics

Propose New Activity

University of Maryland Extension, Montgomery County, MD, Master Gardeners

What’s Inside

President's Column·················· 2

Photo of the Month················· 2

Seed Catalogs ··························· 4

Ask and Answer ······················· 5

Submitting Articles ·················· 5

Announcements ······················ 6

Snow Policy ······························ 7

Board Members ······················· 7

Mentor Survey ························· 7

Stumped ··································· 8

2014 Budget ····························· 9

Continuing Ed ························· 10

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 4

Information on the January Meeting at the Fairgrounds

2013 Outstanding Service Awardees: Back row; L to R: Joe Schechter, Robin Ritterhoff, Susan Eisendrath. Front Row: Pat Thomas, Lily Bruch, Ruth Heltzer. Not present: Pat Mucci and Mary Johnson. All Photos by Julie Mangin

See page 4 for members favorite 2014 seed catalogs.

Images courtesy of National Agricultural Library Special Collections

AWARDS continued on page 3

Photo of the Month

The President’s Column By Janet Young

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 4 P A G E 2 The Seed

The Seed Team

Nancy Moses Greenblatt Editor-in-Chief Deborah Petro Julie Super Production Co-Editors Katie Mcle Senior Editor, Editor, Ask & Answer Tech Support Julie Mangin Photo Editor Claudia Sherman Editor, Continuing Education Corner Diyan Rahaman Editor, STUMPED Tech Support Betty Cochran Copy Editor Anne Abend Contributors

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January used to be a sad gardening time for me until I realized it was an opportunity to look ahead to the new year that is about to unfold, and to make plans for all the plants I hope to grow. Now I get all optimistic in January. It is a time to hope, to make plans, and yes, even make resolutions. Maybe fewer stink bugs will grace my garden this year! Maybe we will have a slightly cooler summer for peppers and tomatoes to flourish. And yes, I will grow more flowers in my veggie garden in 2014!

Ah, those New Year’s resolutions. According to Wikipedia they have a long history in religious traditions, and go back to Babylonian and Roman times. Some think they are over rated. I think it not a bad idea to reflect on the previous year, and strive to make improvements in the new one. So here is a challenge for all of us.

Will you make three resolutions for 2014 that are related to gardening? Here are ones I am considering, but I am sure you can find your own favorites.

For my own garden, plant a veggie I have not tried before and expand my cutting flower area.

For Master Gardeners, volunteer for an activity I

have never done, and take a class in a subject I do not yet understand, perhaps plant propagation.

For the incoming class of 2014, introduce myself to a new intern at one of our meetings, and volunteer to be a mentor.

And here is one last thought before I leave you to contemplate possible resolutions for 2014. This year feels especially new to me as I start the year as your president. I will admit to a certain level of nervousness. As a member of the class of 2011 and a member of our Board for only two years, I still think of myself as a newbie with far less experience than many of our long-standing members. Therefore, I will be relying on our members for guidance. I encourage all of you to let me know your ideas, wishes, challenges, and any concerns that may arise during the coming year.

You won’t have trouble finding me in a crowd – I am the one with the purple hair.

Janet

My Resolutions and Wishes for Your Input

X Rated: Male and female flowers grace the evergreen skimmia, a deer-resistant beauty. Photo by Len Friedman

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 4 P A G E 3 The Seed

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redesigned Mr. McGregor’s Garden to make it more welcoming to children during the October Harvest Festival. Lily also works with autistic youth in the Therapeutic Horticulture program.

In her two years in the Demo Garden, Susan Eisendrath has turned the composting program around. When she came, volunteers were barely using the compost section and not using it correctly; Susan motivated the group to make their own compost again, including the hard work of turning the piles and managing rotations. She also exhibits several methods of making compost and provides composting workshops, all of which contribute greatly to the garden and support the eco-friendly position of MGs.

Pat Mucci was recognized for her work with the Grow It Eat It program, especially for helping plan and conduct the two GIEI Open Houses held in 2013. As part of the planning team, she helped coordinate participants from various MG programs and several outside organizations. She created an inviting “look” for the publicity and on-site materials, such as flyers, programs, maps, and table signs, and she served as a floater and problem-solver at the events.

As Co-Leader for the Derwood Vegetable Garden, Robin Ritterhoff has taken on multiple projects. Her biggest contribution has been to organize and greatly expand the garden’s donations to Manna Food Center, transforming the relationship from occasional donations of vegetables to a predictably weekly contribution and putting a face on the Master Gardeners for Manna staff. This year the garden donated more than 500 pounds of produce, which Manna distributed to needy families and agencies in Montgomery County.

Two MGs, Joe Schechter and Ruth Heltzer, were recognized for their work at the Friends House Retirement Community in Sandy Spring. Joe has led the MG work group at Friends House for six years, where he is noted for introducing novel gardening techniques and new plant varieties and for sharing his knowledge about plants and garden critters. Under his leadership the Friends House garden has evolved from a community/kitchen garden to a place where elderly residents can comfortably participate in stimulating activity as well as enjoy and observe nature. Joe has stepped down as leader of the work group but will continue volunteering with it.

Ruth has contributed her organizational skills

and technological savvy to the Friends House garden since 2008. She introduced the use of technology to track and plot both past and future gardens and gives many hours for planning projects. For example, she created a digital map of the garden that records crops and success rates and developed Excel spreadsheets to inform visitors about the seasonal plantings in the newly created Shakespeare garden.

As a new Master Gardener in 2010, Pat Thomas immediately began working with the Therapeutic Horticulture Committee. She volunteers monthly serving special-needs seniors at the Layhill Center Nursing Home, Marian Assisted Living, and Grace House Assisted Living. At Grace House she also plans and conducts some of the horticulture programs. Pat is sensitive to the needs of the elderly participants; she knows how to individualize her approach with them, bringing out those who are shy and encouraging active participation.

Steve Dubik then gave his personal selections of three "Outstanding in the Field" Terrapin awardees: Katie McIe for her dedicated, all-around, across-the-board volunteerism; Terri Valenti for expanding the Grow It Eat It campaign into three public educational events using many MG committees; and Nancy Moses Greenblatt for creating a popular and "professional" membership newsletter.

Congratulations to our eight-plus-three award winners!

Lily Bruch

Susan Eisendrath

Robin Ritterhoff

Joe Schechter

Ruth Heltzer

Pat Thomas

AWARDS continued from page 1

Steve Dubik’s 2013 Awardees for Outstanding Field Work: L to R: Steve Dubik, Terri Valenti, Nancy Moses Greenblatt, Katie McIe.

(Full article in The Seed, Jan 2012)

Some of our gardeners have a tradition of grow-ing virtually all their plants from seed. Here are some of the favorite catalogs of a few of these gar-deners.

Erica Smith: “I am particularly grateful this year

to High Mowing Seeds, Seed Savers Exchange, and Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, www.southernexposure.com, as they are making donations of seed to the Derwood Demo Garden.”

Gary Cahn: Pinetree Seeds, www.superseeds.com, Totally Tomatoes, www.totallytomatoes.com, Park Seeds, www.parkseed.com. “For this year, I added Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, www.rareseeds.com. This spectacularly beautiful catalog carries a variety of seeds second to none. 100% of their seeds are open-pollinated.”

Pat Kenny: Horizon Herbs, J.L. Hudson, Richters, and Renee's Garden. “I have added “Native Seeds/SEARCH in Tucson AZ, www.nativeseeds.org,

which is well-known for its good works with native vegetables and herbs. I've visited their farm and have thought in past years that their seeds were better attuned to our drought conditions. The Southwest is moving Northeast!”

Terri Valenti stays with her “tried and true:” Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, Kitchen Garden

Seeds, Seed Savers Exchange, Southern Exposure

Seed Exchange, and Territorial Seed Company, www.territorialseed.com.

Mary McKnight has her “reasonably local” sources for native plant seeds: Brandywine Conserv-ancy, Chadds Ford PA., Ernst Seeds, www.ernstseed.com, Easywildflowers.com, www.easywildflowers.com and Prairie Moon, www.prairiemoon.com.

Robin Ritterhoff invariably orders way too many seeds for her small Bethesda garden from many of the above catalogs and Johnny’s Selected Seeds, www.johnnyseeds.com.

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 4 P A G E 4 The Seed

Our Mission: To support the University of Maryland Extension mission by educating residents about safe, effective and sustainable horticultural practices that build healthy gardens, landscapes, and communities.

Our Vision: The Maryland Master Gardener vision is a healthier world through environmental stewardship.

Disclaimer: All opinions regarding businesses or their products are those of the authors and not of the University of Maryland.

EEO Statement: 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.

Montgomery County Master Gardeners

18410 Muncaster Road Derwood, MD 20855

301-590-2836

Email: mgmont@umd.edu

Website

Direct correspondence to:

Stephen Dubik University of Maryland Extension Master Gardener Coordinator and Horticultural Consultant

Back by Popular Demand

Members’ 2014 Updated favorite seed catalogs

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Helpful Handouts Are Ready for Our Busy Season

The Public Relations, Outreach, Marketing, and Education Committee collects and develops promo-tional pieces for use by the MGs at SWAT events, plant clinics, the demonstration gardens, and other public func-tions. Outgoing committee members Kathy Eighmey, Liz Hofmeister, and Pat Dickey pulled together the pic-tured handouts as well as the “what-to-do-when” colorful calendars. The State Master Gardener brochures round out our offerings. Pictured here:

The green fact sheet includes Master Gardener con-tact information, Facebook and Twitter addresses, our services and program descriptions, the plant clinic sched-ules, and some green- gardening tips.

The business card is useful for one-on-one conversa-tions.

The new post-It-notes promote the phone number for the Help Line and the MG email address.

Mulch Meter bookmarks teach the community how to use mulch correctly.

If you would like to volunteer on this committee see the ad on our Announcements page.

Master Gardener handouts are ready for distribution this gardening season.

Ask & Answer

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 4 P A G E 5 The Seed

Here are some web resources worth saving

Q. I could not attend the November mini-conference, but I heard that the speakers were great and mentioned some excellent web resources that would be useful for Master Gardeners. Do you have any of this information? Signed, Missing in Montgomery Village

A. Yes! There were 211 MGs in attendance at the November mini-conference, a fantastic turnout. Speakers were Mike Raupp, Mary Kay Malinoski, and Dave Clement from the University of Maryland (UMd). Here are some of the web resources that they mentioned during their talks, along with addi-tional resources of interest to MGs.

http://extension.umd.edu/ipm – Integrated Pest Management website, UMd;

http://www.bugwood.org/ - Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health, University of Georgia, mentioned by Mary Kay Malinoski;

http://extension.umd.edu/hgic – Home and Garden Information Center, UMd;

http://extension.umd.edu/hgic/subscribe-hgic-enewsletter - Subscribe to HGIC e-newsletter. Note that this was mentioned by Dave Clement as being a great resource for MGs.

http://extension.umd.edu/hgic/information-library/home-and-garden-information-center-publications – Publications available from the Home and Garden Information Center, UMd;

http://extension.umd.edu/growit – Grow It Eat It website, UMd;

http://www.northeastipm.org/ - Good source of information on the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, another resource mentioned by Mary Kay Malinoski;

http://mdkudzubug.org/ - Maryland Kudzu Bug Survey;

http://www.emeraldashborer.info/ - Multinational effort to provide the latest information on the emer-ald ash borer threat;

http://beetlebusters.info/ - USDA Asian longhorned beetle website;

http://bugoftheweek.com/ - Mike Raupp’s Bug of The Week website;

http://njaes.rutgers.edu/ - Rutgers University New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, the research and outreach arm of the State University of New Jersey;

http://cuaes.cornell.edu/ - Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station, the research arm of Cor-nell University, dedicated to “science for life.”

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How to Submit Articles and Pictures

mcmgnewsletter12@yahoo.com

MGs are invited to submit articles and pictures for the newsletter, but keep in mind that submittals may be edited and/or not used until a later month. Please limit stories to 350-400 words.

Photos must come with basic information that includes name of the person in the photo, subject matter or caption and either a signed photo permission slip from those in the picture or an email from them saying they allow us to use their picture in the newsletter. Click here for the form.

If you have your name, email address and/or phone number in your article, please give us permission to use them. The newsletter can be accessed through the internet. Without the permission, we will delete the contact information.

Announcements

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 4 P A G E 6 The Seed

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2014 Dues Are Due

Benefits of MG Membership Renew your membership for $25 (tax-deductible) for the 2014 calendar year and enjoy all the benefits

below:

discounts at many area nurseries;*

free gardening lectures by our own member-experts and/or external experts at the fall mini-conference;

free gardening lectures by experts at most monthly meetings of our general membership with continuing ed credits;

The Seed--our monthly membership e-newsletter filled with timely gardening tips; information about our goings on; and photos of our activities, members, and gardens;

a monthly listing of continuing education classes in the metro area;

being stewards of the environment by educating the public on environmentally sound Green Gardening;

volunteer opportunities covering plant clinics, speaker’s bureau, demonstration gardens etc;

open garden tours throughout the growing season at our members’ homes;

Maryland Master Gardener Bulletins providing timely alerts on gardening news;

periodic discounts on new gardening books;

plant, seed, and gardening book swaps;

interacting (peer support) with fellow Master Gardeners throughout the area; and

teaching a new generation of gardeners.

Dues are tax-deductible. Make checks payable to MC-EAC (Montgomery County—Extension Advisory Council, a 501(C)(3) not-for-profit organization). Dues may be paid at the monthly General Meeting; by mail, after January 1, 2014, to our Treasurer Elizabeth Bradford, 11458 Fruitwood Way, Germantown, MD, 20876; or simply left with Linda Waters at the Derwood office.

*Nursery Discounts: For a full listing with discounts and locations, check the MG website for the latest 2014 nurseries. An updated list of nursery discounts will be published in the March issue of The Seed and on the website.

http://extension.umd.edu/sites/default/files/_docs/programs/master-gardeners/Montgomery/2013%20nursery%20discounts.pdf

When you see this symbol in The Seed, it identifies an activity that is a benefit of MG membership.

Two MG Board Positions Available The Public Relations, Outreach, Marketing, and Education Committee is seeking two volunteers with:

strong organizational and computer skills;

communication, writing, and editing experience;

attention to detail; and

ability to meet schedules and deadlines.

Volunteer hours count toward annual membership requirements.

How to Apply: Master Gardeners interested in joining this dynamic, multi-tasking committee should reach out to the following MGs whose contact info is in the Member Directory on our website: Pat Dickey, 2013 Chairperson; Tom Stanton, 2014 Chairperson (tstant@verizon.net); or Katie McIe.

General Membership Meeting

Speaker: Eric Wenger

Topic: Implications of the new Maryland Fertilizer Use Act

Where: Fairgrounds When: Thursday, Jan 2, 2014 9:30 a.m. mingle 10 a.m. meeting Eric Wenger is a Master Gardener, Class of 1996, and a very active member of our MG Speakers Bureau. He is the owner of both Complete Lawn Care, Inc. and Complete Plant Health Care, Inc. in Laytonsville, MD. He is also an IPM Specialist in Turf Grass and Ornamental Plants. Eric presently serves as Vice President of the DC Chapter of the Professional Grounds Management Society. In January he will become the organization’s President. Come and hear Eric explain the implications of the new Mary-land Fertilizer Use Act and how this will affect you as gardeners and as horticultural educators.

Click for directions

From State MG

Ask a MG (Plant Clinics) Statewide Meeting When: Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2014

Where: Maryland Dept. of Agriculture in Annapolis, 10am-1pm.

What: This is not a class.

This is a meeting to which all folks who take leadership roles at Ask a Master Gardner (Plant Clinics) are invited to attend. We will share what works and what doesn’t, tips on how to get trained, have a successful event, and ways to attract clients. You will learn and be inspired! Let Robin know if you want to attend (rmhessey@umd.edu). MG BENEFIT

MG BENEFIT

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 4 P A G E 7 The Seed

Survey Results from 2012-13 MGs

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How Well Does Our Mentor Program Work? By Ken Hoyle

The Strategic Planning Committee (SPC) conducted a survey of the 2012 and 2013 classes to determine the effectiveness of the Mentor Program and to see how well the MG organization recognizes and assimilates new MGs. An excellent response rate provided us with significant results. For more detail, click here.

The first set of questions related to the Mentor Program covered frequency of contact. While the majority of interns met more than two times with their mentors, 14 percent answered that mentors did not contact them. Nearly half of the interns maintained contact after their internship, while a substantial number wished to have had continued contact. Nearly a third would have preferred a different mentor.

Another part of the survey dealt with how interns learn about MG activities. The lunchtime talks and con-versations with their mentors and other MGs were the most frequent avenues. Website use was the least effec-tive method and indicates the need for a better job of teaching MGs how to use the new website. While various outreach proposals were popular, more than half of the interns liked the proposal of a “job fair” where each ac-

Name Position

Janet Young President

Katie McIe 1st VP

Terri Pitts 2nd VP

Barbara Dunn Recording Secretary

Brad Foss Recording Secretary

Elizabeth Bradford Treasurer

Darlene Nicholson Co-Chair, Demo Garden

Maria Wortman Co-Chair, Demo Garden

Mike Parizer Co-Chair, Fairgrounds

Marion Mistrik Co-Chair, Fairgrounds

Len Friedman Co-Chair, Landscape Design

Sheryl Freishtat Co-Chair, Landscape Design

Nancy Moses Greenblatt Newsletter Editor

Sue Kuklewicz Co-Chair, Plant Clinics

Paula Knepper Co-Chair, Plant Clinics

Liz Hofmeister Co-Chair, Program Education

Joe Ginther Co-Chair, Program Education

Pat Kenny Co-Chair, Program Education

Pat Dickey Co-Chair, Public Relations

Tom Stanton Co-Chair, Public Relations

Merikay Smith Chair, Speakers Bureau

Name Position

Barbara Waite-Jaques Co-Chair, External Special Events

Taffy Turner Co-Chair, External Special Events

Suzanne Grefsheim Co-Chair, Internal Special Events

Kathy Kircher Co-Chair, Internal Special Events

JoAnn Mueller Co-Chair Therapeutic Horticulture

Alyce Wertheimer Co-Chair Therapeutic Horticulture

Len Friedman Co-Chair, Strategic Planning

Ken Hoyle Co-Chair, Strategic Planning

Pat Lynch Chair, SWAT

Marsha VonDuerckheim Chair, Black Hills Butterfly

Mike Parizer Co-Chair, Mini Conference

Bebe McMeekin Co-Chair, Mini Conference

Joe Ginther Co-Chair, Technology/ Web Design

Gary Cahn Co-Chair, Technology/ Web Design

Melissa Siegel At Large

Richard Farinato At Large

Board Officers and Committee Chairs for 2014

MENTOR PROGRAM continued on page 9

MASTER GARDENER SNOW

DAY POLICY:

If Montgomery County Public Schools are closed,

all classes and meetings will be cancelled that day. If

Montgomery County Public Schools start late, we

will start on time.

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 4 P A G E 8 The Seed Stumped

Here are some home-gardener questions that came to the MG Extension office, plant clinics and to HGIC recently. Some questions we answered and some had us -- STUMPED!

Evergreens Are Not So Green During the dull and dreary winter months, evergreens are the only bright spot of color in most home

landscapes and residents are generally worried when their evergreen plants show signs of decline. Below are two common examples of problems with evergreens that have been brought to the Extension office for identification and advice on prevention and control.

Seiridium Canker

A Damascus resident brought in samples of drying and dying branches of her Nootka Falsecypress (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis) to find out the cause.

Our Extension specialists identified the symptoms as being caused by Seiridium canker, a fungal disease--Seiridium cardinale that can attack cypress and junipers. The symptoms usually appear as a fading or yellowing of the foliage that gradually leads to browning. The fungus causes girdling lesions around the bases of branches or main stems, and these lesions characteristically exude large amounts of resin. Trees may be killed if many small cankers occur or if they are large enough to girdle the main stem.

There are no chemical controls for this disease. The best strategies for disease prevention are avoiding stresses to the plants. Provide adequate water during dry periods, avoid overcrowding of trees, and don't over mulch or plant too deeply.

Ref: http://plantdiagnostics.umd.edu/level3.cfm?causeID=902

Holly Leaf Spot

A resident from Silver Spring brought in samples of holly leaves that had some spottiness and wanted to know if it was disease or insect-related. On closer examination, Extension specialists believed it was consistent with an undetermined type of fungal leaf spot.

The fungi Coniothyrium ilicinum and Phacidium spp are two of several that regularly cause leaf spots on holly (Ilex spp) in this area. Several Ilex spp are susceptible to Phacidium spp or holly tar spot, while Coniothyrium ilicinum normally causes leaf spots on leaves of American holly (I. opaca). Holly leaf spots start out as small yellow spots and turn brown-black sometimes causing leaf drop. They seldom cause significant damage to the health of infected plants and are generally a secondary fungal infection that affects dying leaves.

Maintaining plant vitality with proper fertilization, irrigation during dry periods, mulching, and attention to soil pH levels is the best way to minimize these diseases. Removal of infected fallen leaves reduces the amount of the inoculum present for new infections.

Ref: http://extension.umass.edu/landscape/fact-sheets/holly-leaf-spot

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Holly Leaf Spot Photo: Gail Ruhl, Plant and Pest Digital Library, Purdue University

Seiridium Canker Photo: C.Y. Warfield, NCSU

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 4 P A G E 9 The Seed

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Operating Fund Budget--2014 Calendar Year

The Board of Directors of Montgomery County Master Gardeners developed and approved the budget for 2014. According to Treasurer Elizabeth Bradford, “We are in a good financial position that enables us to consider program expansion. We also expect to be able to meet any unanticipated expenses.”

Any questions or concerns about the budget may be sent to Elizabeth Bradford (Bradford_Elizabeth@aol.com).

tivity would have a separate “information table.” Nearly three-quarters of the respondents did not know they could observe any activity as an option.

Several questions covered how interns obtain information about current opportunities for volunteer service in the MG array of activities. Responses indicated that most people can get the information they want through existing channels of communica-tion, but reinforced the need to improve the Mentor Program.

How we recognize interns as they achieve MG status was also addressed. Most interns were satisfied with recognition as cur-rently done.

The survey was the focus of the SPC’s October meeting, and recommendations were brought to the MG Board Meeting in No-vember. The Board approved the recommendations and created an Ad Hoc Committee to imple-ment them. The major foci will be to:

revise and expand the Mentor Program;

create a group of experienced MGs available to answer ques-tions about the Program;

provide additional ways for interns to observe and/or participate in activities on a trial basis; and

revise the duties of Class Reps and At-Large Board Members to assist interns and represent them more effectively at Board Meetings.

MENTOR PROGRAMS continued from page 7

Continuing Education Corner

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 4 P A G E 1 0 The Seed Resources The Accokeek Foundation

Audubon Naturalist Society

Behnke’s

Brookside Gardens

Casey Trees

City Blossoms

Green Spring Gardens

Horticultural Society of Maryland

Irvine Nature Center

Ladew Topiary Gardens

Maryland Native Plant Society

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

Merrifield Gardens

Montgomery College

Neighborhood Farm Initiative

Prince William Cooperative Extension

State MG Advanced Training

United States Botanic Garden Conservatory

US National Arboretum

MG BENEFIT

Weeks of January 6–February 4, 2014. Introduction to School Gardening. Six-week online course to provide practical knowledge and lay the groundwork for a successful school garden program (K through 12). Open to teachers and Master Gardeners. Offered by Longwood Gardens. $100 for non-members; pre-registration required. See http://longwoodgardens.org/events-and-performances/events/introduction-to-school-gardening-online

January 10, 6:30-9 pm. Seasonal Forests and Jungles. A side-by-side comparison of the unique tree-based ecosystems found in our own backyard and across the equator. Brookside Gardens Visitors Center Auditorium. $6 ($5 for FOBG); pre-registration required.

January 11, 9 am-2 pm. School Gardens Symposium. Learn activities to meet SOL standards, gain school garden management ideas, and learn about resources and networks. For educators, volunteers and teachers. Green Spring Gardens Park. $80 for non-Fairfax residents; pre-registration required.

January 12, 1:30-3 pm. Plants of the Bible and the Quran. Learn about the fruits, grains, grasses, trees, flowers and fragrances of these texts and their uses. Green Spring Gardens Park. $12 for non-Fairfax residents; pre-registration required.

January 14, 12-1 pm. Medicinal and Poison Plant Tour. A walking tour of the US Botanical Gardens Conservatory featuring poisonous and medicinal plants grown at the USBG. US Botanical Gardens Conservatory Garden Court. FREE; no pre-registration required.

January 14 and 15. Environmental Studies School Course 2 –Land. This two-day course will provide 10 hours of lecture and a field trip on topics such as ecology, agriculture, pollution reduction, landscaping and wildlife. Offered by the National Capital Area Garden Clubs (NCAGC). Agricultural History Farm Park. Times have not been set but are

estimated to be 8:30 am-4 pm. $120 or $60/day; pre-registration required. Go to http://ncagardenclubs.org/envstudyschool.html to register or contact Paula Knepper, 301-424-7582, for more information.

January 18, 10:30-11:30 am. Dreadful Garden Diseases: Past and Present. With increasing world trade and climate change, plant diseases pose even greater threats. Come learn about emerging diseases and the latest on malicious molds, belligerent bacteria and fearsome fungi that cause them. US Botanical Gardens Conservatory Classroom. FREE; pre-registration required.

January 19, 2-3:30 pm. Bringing Nature Home. Douglas Tallamy will discuss the important ecological roles of the plants in our landscapes, emphasize the benefits of designing landscapes with these roles in mind, and explore the consequences of failing to do so. US Botanical Gardens Conservatory Classroom. FREE; pre-registration required.

January 20, 2-3 pm. Exploring Culinary and Medicinal African Plants Tour. A walking tour of the US Botanical Gardens Conservatory highlighting African plants that are used to make life saving medicines, sweet and savory foods, and coffee. US Botanical Gardens Conservatory Garden Court. FREE; no pre-registration required.

January 21, 6:30-8:30 pm. Food Gardening and Climate Change. How does the food gardener prepare to meet the challenges of growing in the age of climate change? Brookside Gardens Visitors Center Auditorium. $18 (FOBG-$15 ); registration required.

January 25, 10:30-11:30 am. Ferns: Wild Things Make a Comeback. Topics to be covered include fern anatomy, life cycle, growth forms, and cultivation requirements. Lecture registration is limited to 20 participants and will close one week prior to the lecture date. Offered in conjunction with the Potomac Chapter Rock Garden Society. US

Editors’ note: Want to find the web link for an organization offering a class, to get more information or to register? See the green column headed “Resources” at the side of the page, and click on the organization’s link to go directly to its website.

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EDUCATION continued on page 11

Botanical Gardens Conservatory Classroom. FREE; pre-registration required.

January 25, 10 am-1 pm. Winter Tree ID. Sharpen your botanical skills and expand your garden knowledge by learning to identify trees in winter, focusing on native trees of the mid-Atlantic. Learn how bare twigs, bark, and a tree’s silhouette are often all you need for winter identification. This will start in the classroom with a presentation on botanical terminology and tree anatomy, and then move to the Fern Valley Native Plant Collection, where you will complete the lesson with more information and hands-on practice. US National Arboretum. $15 (FONA $12); pre-registration required.

LOOKING AHEAD February 2, 1:30-3 pm. A Passion for Peonies. Kathleen Gagan, owner and founder of Peony’s Envy, will introduce different types of peonies and educate on their propagation and seasonal care. Bare root peonies for sale following the lecture. Green Spring Gardens Park. $12 for non-Fairfax residents; pre-registration required.

STATE MG ADVANCED TRAINING State MG Advanced Training will begin again in February with the following offerings.

Grow It Eat It 2014 – Train the Trainer (three different locations and dates, below). PowerPoint presentations and classes are important, but we can also teach through school and community gardens, creating demos and demo gardens and more. Learn about different types of gardens, where to find resources, proven teaching methods, and answers to the most common questions and issues. We’ll share a new GIEI training presentation for the public as well as a new cucurbits presentation because 2014 is GIEI’s “Year of Cucurbits.” MGs have made GIEI a hugely successful program over the past five years and it’s still going strong. Join us to find out what we’ve learned and how to take it to the community. Presenter: Jon Traunfeld. $15; pre-registration required.

February 25, 9:30 am-12:30 pm. UME Washington Co. (Boonsboro). Registration deadline is February 18; snow date is March 4.

February 26, 6-9 pm. Cylburn Arboretum (Baltimore). Registration deadline is February 19.

March 5, 5:30-8:30 pm. UME Calvert Co. (Prince Frederick). Registration deadline is February 26.

Save the Date!

MG Annual Training Day

May 29 at the University of Maryland College Park

MORE WORKSHOPS AND TRAINING Environmental Concern, Inc. in St. Michael’s offers courses on wetlands.

The USA Graduate School offers a Natural History Field Studies Certificate Program.

The University of Maryland Extension sponsors the Maryland Naturalist Program. Sessions are held in different areas of the State. http://masternaturalist.umd.edu/ .

The Center for Environmental Research & Conservation of Columbia University has online classes for its Certificate in Conservation & Environmental Sustainability. http://www.cerc.columbia.edu/.

NC State Permaculture Classes (free):

http://mediasite.online.ncsu.edu/online/Catalog/pages/catalog.aspx?catalogId=f5a893e7-4b7c-4b79-80fd-52dcd1ced715. Classes to choose from include Site Analysis & Design, Soil Ecology, Biodynamic Agriculture, Garden Ponds, and more.

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 4 P A G E 1 1 The Seed WEBINARS Tree Talk Thursdays: Casey Trees’ online chat series held every second Thursday of the month at noon to discuss urban forestry and tree care topics. Archived chats are available for replay and sharing. www.caseytrees.org.

Seed Savers (not approved for CE credit). Recorded webinars include: Population Size; Planning Your Fall Garden; Pepper Seed Saving; Eggplant Seed Saving; Planting Garlic; Dry Seed Cleaning; Growing Biennials for Seed. www.seedsavers.org.

Webinar Policy

The following MC-MG guidelines for determining how webinars qualify for Continuing Education credit were developed by a Board ad hoc committee and approved by MG Coordinator, Steve Dubik.

Continuing Education:

1. Subject matter must be relevant to the field of horticulture.

2. Continuing education hours may be granted for webinars assuming:

*The duration of the program is a minimum of 30 minutes for which a MC-MG would earn 30 minutes of CE credit.

*The source is an educational or governmental organization (e.g., University of Maryland, Penn State University, Maryland Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture or Environmental Protection Agency).

*The webinar has been pre-approved by the state or local Master Gardener Coordinator.

At least five of the required continuing educational hours must be

earned in a face-to-face environment such as meetings, seminars or workshops.

If you have questions as to whether a webinar may be accepted for continuing education credit, contact the local Master Gardener Coordinator or designee.

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