Red-bellied Woodpecker Black–capped Chickadee Northern Flicker Hairy & Downy

Woodpeckers

White-breasted Nuthatch

In the News

Want better tasting supermarket tomatoes?

Team discovers key to restoring great

tomato flavor.

What’s wrong with the

supermarket tomato?

Consumers say they lack

flavor, so a University of

Florida researcher led a

global team on a mission

to identify the important

factors that have been

lost and put them back

into modern tomatoes. In

a study published in the

journal Science, Harry Klee, a professor of

horticultural sciences with UF’s Institute of Food

and Agricultural Sciences, identifies the

chemical combinations for better

tomato flavor. Read more.

USDA’s online SNAP pilot project

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is testing a

pilot program this summer that will allow seven

online grocery stores to accept food stamps,

including Amazon.com. Read more at

cbsnews.com.

Recipe of the Month

Chocolate Surprise Cupcakes Ingredients

nonstick cooking spray

1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin

1 box (18 ounces)

chocolate cake mix

3 eggs

3/4 cup (6 ounces) apple

juice

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease or spray muffin tins with cooking spray.

2. Combine the pumpkin, cake mix, eggs, and apple juice in a large mixing bowl.

3. Beat batter well. Fill muffin tins 2/3 full of batter. Sprinkle walnuts on top.

4. Bake according to package directions for cupcakes (about 20 minutes).

5. Cupcakes are done when a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.

6. Let cool on rack for 5-10 minutes. Remove

See Spend Smart Eat Smart website of for tips & nutrition facts

For more information on these and other species, see the Cornell Lab of Ornithology website “All About Birds”.

Photo credits on website.

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Click underlined links

for more information on

a topic…

1 2

Groundhog Day Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow—six more weeks of cold weather though not all groundhogs agreed

3 4

5 6 7

Check bird feeders and birdbaths to see if need cleaning

8 9 10

11 Start geraniums indoors

12

13 14 Happy Valentine’s Day

15

16 Keep an eye on trees and shrubs for rabbit damage

17

18

19 20 Presidents’ Day

21 22 23 24 Pruning of fruit trees begins

25

26 27

Time to get prepped to prune grapevines

28

Master Gardener Winter Webinar: Impact Matters

1

Welcome to March

2

3 4

FEBRUARY 2017 GARDEN TO TABLE NEWSLETTER PAGE 2

Shade Tree Short Course in Ames

Volunteer Service Opportunities

Help answer yard and garden questions either in the office or accompanying me on site visits

Help with administrative tasks & planning for the 2017 master gardener & local food programs—nice winter task

Help with local food community profile

Continuing Education

Webinars Master Gardener Winter Webinars series Tuesday February 28—Impact Matters The second webcast in the series will be shown on Feb. 28 at 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Lyon County Extension office in Rock Rapids. Impact Matters explores how to measure the impact of volunteer projects and how to build strong partnerships for effective community programs.

February 7, 2017: Register for Providing Habitat for Wild Bees on Organic Farms Webinar This webinar will look at habitat augmentation techniques useful for both wild bee conservation and the promotion of pollination services, with special attention to native plant selection and installation, experimental ground nest prepa-ration, and cavity-nest construction. Presenters are Elias Bloom and Rachel Olsson, Washington State University; Bridget McNassar, Oxbow Farm. I believe these webinars are archived so you can view them later.

All Bugs Good and Bad Webinar Series Watch live webinars or previous recordings about insects. Webinars from eXtension count toward Master Gardener continuing education credits.

Protect Your Veggie Harvest From Hungry Insects! Friday, March 3 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm.

Upcoming Course 2017 Shade Tree Short Course in Ames. Learn about insect pests, plant health care, garden mainte-

nance, oak wilt and tree ordinances and more. Wednesday, February 22 starting at 8:00am and Thursday,

February 23 until 4:00pm. Early registration ends February 12.

Home Gardener and Local Foods Conference

Monday, March 6 from 1pm to 8pm. At Woodbury County office, 4728 southern Hills Dr., Sioux City, IA.

The conference is free and local food dinner will be provided. Download or view flyer.

Siouxland Garden Show March 24-25 at the Sioux City Convention Center. Two full days to shop, learn and do · Winter Farmers Market · Presentations by national and regional experts · Local garden vendors · Make & Take projects · So much to see! Garden Show website.

Master Gardener International Conference The 2017 International Master Gardener Conference will be July 10-14, 2017 in Portland Oregon. Please visit the conference website for more information.

FEBRUARY 2017 GARDEN TO TABLE NEWSLETTER PAGE 3

Examining Pollination in Apple Trees Article published 1/25/2017, ISU Extension and Outreach Yard and Garden. Written by Richard Jauron and Greg Wallace.

AMES, Iowa – Soon, it will be time for apple trees to bloom and bear delicious fruit for all to enjoy. But not all apple

trees are fruitful. Why are some trees more productive than others? There are several reasons worth exploring.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach horticulturists can help answer queries regarding apple trees and their

fruitful nature. To have additional questions answered, contact the ISU Hortline at 515-294-3108 or

hortline@iastate.edu.

In regards to tree fruits, what is meant by the term self-unfruitful?

Pollination is the transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma. After

pollination and fertilization, fruit set occurs. There are two types of

pollination. Self-pollination occurs when the pollen is transferred from the

anther to the stigma on the same flower, from another flower on the same

plant or from a flower on another plant of the same cultivar.

Self-pollinated plants are said to be self-fruitful. Many plants cannot pro-

duce fruit from their own pollen and are considered self-unfruitful. These

plants require cross-pollination for fruit set. Cross-pollination is the trans-

fer of pollen from one plant to the flower of a genetically different plant or

cultivar.

Is it necessary to plant two different apple cultivars for fruit set?

Pollination requirements are an important factor when planting tree fruits in

the home garden. Apples are regarded as self-unfruitful. Most apple culti-

vars will set a small crop with their own pollen. However, for maximum

production, plant at least two different apple cultivars within 50 to 100 feet

of one another to ensure cross-pollination and fruit set.

Will a crabapple pollinate a nearby apple tree?

A crabapple is a type of apple. The main difference between an apple and a crabapple is the size of the fruit. A

crabapple is a tree that produces fruit that are less than 2 inches in diameter. An apple tree produces fruit that are

larger than 2 inches in diameter. Most flowering crabapples will pollinate nearby apple trees.

Why isn’t my apple tree bearing fruit?

The lack of fruit is likely due to the absence of flowers, poor pollination or low temperatures during bloom.

The lack of flowers is often due to the age of the tree. After planting, most dwarf and semi-dwarf apple trees don’t flow-

er and bear fruit for three to five years. Standard apple trees may not bear fruit for five to 10 years. Fruit trees have to

grow and mature before they are capable of flowering and fruiting. The growth of young apple trees may be slowed by

unfavorable growing conditions (insufficient sunlight, heavy soils, etc.) and poor cultural practices. Poorly growing

trees lack the vigor to form flower buds.

If the apple tree is flowering but not setting fruit, the lack of fruit may be due to poor pollination. Apples are self-

unfruitful. Two different flowering apple trees (cultivars) need to be located within 50 to 100 feet of one another to en-

sure pollination and fruit set. Cold, rainy weather during flowering drastically reduces bee activity and can also reduce

pollination and fruit set.

Fruit set also can be greatly reduced by freezing temperatures during bloom. A temperature of 28 degrees Fahrenheit

(when the trees are in full bloom) will destroy 10 percent of the flowers. Ninety percent of the flowers will be destroyed

when the temperature drops to 25 F.

FEBRUARY 2017 GARDEN TO TABLE NEWSLETTER PAGE 4

This is an excerpt from the article “7 trends to watch in 2017” posted on Garden Center Magazine, November 2016. Read the whole article.

Since 2001, the Garden Media Group has published its yearly Garden Trends Report, which includes predictions of what will be popular in the industry for the coming year. The Garden Media Group’s 2017 report, Grow 365, forecasts that indoor gardening will become more popular and mainstream.

Redefining “peak season”

New technology can turn kitchen counters into vegetable gardens. In 2015, indoor gardening and hydroponic stores made about $1 billion. With the demand for organic, local food exceeding supply, and people choosing to live in smaller spaces and urban environments, more people will grow indoors.

Wellness hotspots

It is likely no surprise that many studies indicate time spent in nature reduces stress and increases well-being. From garden therapy and “forest bathing” to soundscaping and a green workplace culture, healthy is the new wealthy. Forest bathing is the “medicine of being in the forest” and spending time in nature, awakening all five senses. Many people work indoors and don’t have time to immerse themselves in nature regularly, but research shows that indoor plants can create happier workers, lower healthcare costs, increase productivity, lower absenteeism and reduce turnover when placed on desks and office spaces. Studies examine how sounds — or the lack of sounds — indicate the ecological health of a landscape and the health of our lives. Our mental health, wellness and quality of life are directly affected by trees. Trees change everyday city sounds by adding bird songs and buffering sirens. The loss of trees changes the soundscape and decreases our quality of life, increases stress levels, affects our mental health and diminishes our ability to focus.

Clean gardening

A demand for clean food, clean water, clean air, clean medicine and clean environments is dramatically shifting how people buy plants and products, and garden both inside and out. Americans want to know what is in their food and where it comes from.

Buzz off!

Bats, birds and flowers are the best form of natural pest control. The Zika virus scare and other mosquito-borne diseases, combined with the demand to be chemical-free, is driving people to look for ways to control pests naturally.

Golden age

Gold is back in the spotlight, and its popularity in home décor, fashion and in the garden is expected to last a decade. When used outdoors, pops of gold warm up spaces and create the feeling of outdoor rooms. Plus, the reflective accent helps move light and make the garden “glitter.”

To find out what’s new in garden centers this year,

check out Proven Winners 2017 plant list.

FEBRUARY 2017 GARDEN TO TABLE NEWSLETTER PAGE 5

‘Viva Polonia’ Clematis & Double Play® Candy Corn™ Spirea

February 23-25 MOSES Organic Farming Conference, La Crosse, WI Conference website

February 23– March 30 Annie’s Project hosted by Osceola County Extension. This is a six session course created to guide women in making good decisions for their farm business. Time: 6pm-9pm—Includes 5:30pm supper Location: Osceola Community Hospital Education Room Click here to register. Contact Sandy Lamfers at 712-754-3648 or slamfers@iastate.edu for more information.

February 28 Master Gardener winter webinar 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Lyon County Extension office in Rock Rapids. Webinar explores how to measure impact of volunteer projects and how to build strong partnerships for effective community programs.

March 6

Home Gardener and Local Foods Conference

from 1pm to 8pm at Woodbury County office, 4728

southern Hills Dr., Sioux City, IA. The conference is

free and local food dinner will be provided.

Download or view flyer.

March 24-25 Siouxland Garden Show at the Sioux City Convention Center. Two full days to shop, learn and do · Winter Farmers Market · Presentations by national and regional experts · Local garden vendors · Make & Take projects · So much to see! Garden Show website.

July 10-14 Master Gardener International Conference The 2017 International Master Gardener Conference will be in Portland Oregon. Please visit the conference website for more information.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach programs are available to all without regard to race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, sex,

marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. veteran. Inquiries can be directed to the Director of Equal Opportunity and Compliance, 3280 Beardshear Hall, (515) 294-7612.

For questions, comments or to contribute an article or photo Contact: Margaret Murphy, Horticulture Educator & Regional Food Coordinator

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach - Lyon, O’Brien, Sioux and Osceola Counties (712) 472-2576 / mmurphy@iastate.edu

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2017 Perennial Plant of the Year™ Asclepias tuberosa - butterfly weed

With all the ”buzz” about bees and but-terflies, why not celebrate an excellent plant known for its ability to support insects and birds and serve as the primary caterpillar food for a beloved North American native butterfly? The Perennial Plant Association is proud to announce Asclepias tuberosa as its 2017 Perennial Plant of the Year™. Commonly known as butterfly weed, this long-lived and striking perennial is native to the continental United States (except for the Northeast) along with the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. With vibrant orange/red/yellow flowers that seem to jump out, butterfly weed is a great addition to a sunny garden with average to dry soils. As the common name suggests, these plants are butterfly magnets. Read more.