December

MG EVENTS

Steering Committee Mtg. Extension Office

December 5 • 6:30 pm

Winter Gardening Fair Preview Presentations

Extension Office Dec. 1 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 4, 4 p.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 6, 3 p.m.-6 p.m.

Dec. 8, 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 11, 5 p.m.-9 p.m.

Dec. 15, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. See the full schedule on page 8

In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy. ~William Blake

Vol. 22, No. 12 Editors: Jean Murray/Lisa Slattery December 2012

We.Are.Moving.

The Linn County Extension Office is moving to a new home. After January 1, 2013 you can find ISU Extension & Outreach Linn County at:

383 Collins Road NE, Suite 201 Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

The building is behind the Iowa Realty Office and can be reached from C Ave. and Collins Rd. There is plenty of parking around the building.

Our phone number will stay the same: 319.377.9839.

Before we move, stop by our office at 3279 7th Avenue in Marion to sign the wall in our front office! It will give us all an opportunity to reflect on all the work that’s been done here at our Marion location and to think about the direction we will all be moving (literally!)

So, please write on our wall and tell everyone what moves you!

Sun Mo Tu We Th F Sa

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December 2012

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It’s the Season: Christmas Cactus By Jean Murray

When I think about December, I think of Christmas cactus. I would rather have a Christmas cactus any day than a poinsettia. The poinsettia is gone in a few weeks, but the Christmas cactus sticks around as a lovely bloom for a long time, and lives to repeat the blooming process again the next year. And for many, many years.

A Christmas cactus in Canada is reported to have lived 53 years, and a 100-year old cactus in Nebraska is 5 feet across and weighs an estimated 200 pounds.

Quite an interesting plant, this is. These plants are succulents (not true cacti) but they are referred to as the "Cacti of the forests" because they

are epiphytic -- that is, they grow on forest trees in their natural habitat. They are also commonly called "leaf cacti," because their leaves are flattened. Their large flowers are produced either from notches in their stems or from their tips.

Actually, there are several different types: the Thanksgiving cactus, which is the most widely grown, with sawtoothed, upward pointing projections on the sides of the stem.

The true Christmas cactus has leaf margins that are rounded with scallops (usually four) along the edges of the stems; and the leaf margins of Easter cacti are smoother than the other seasonal cacti, with 4 to 6 slight ripples along their edges, and brownish hair-like bristles at their tips.

The ISU publication RG308 “Growing Holiday Cacti” has good drawings of the three types of cacti and more information about growing and propagating these plants.

Easter Cactus Rhipsalidopsis gaertnerii

Christmas Cactus—Schumbergera bridgesii

Thanksgiving cactus Schlumbergera truncata

December 3

Pre-order Now for Getting Your Hands Dirty and Your Feet Wet Again

The new Master Gardener book, Getting Your Hands Dirty & Your Feet Wet Again is at the printers and pre-orders for the book are being taken through Dec. 14.

Reserve your copy by giving your name, address, email, home and cell phone numbers to Linn County Extension’s office by coming in, calling 319-377-9839 or emailing mkenyonb@iastate.edu.

You can pick up your copy at the Marion Office, from 10 am to 2 pm on December 19, 20, 21. Cash or check only. Books are $20 each. Mailing will be an option for an added fee.

After Christmas, the book can be purchased at our new Cedar Rapids office from 10 am to 2 pm, December 26, 27, 28 and 31. The new office is located at 383 Collins Road NE, Suite 201.

Winter Gardening Fair 2013—

Getting Closer to the Big Day

Plans for the Winter Gardening Fair continue to proceed. Preview presentations will be held in December (see the schedule on page 8.) Plan to attend a session so you won’t miss any of the great presentations when you are working at the Winter Gardening Fair. Come and bring your lunch or supper and support your fellow Master Gardeners.

The WGF brochures are being printed and they will be distributed, along with mailings to those who have requested brochures, after Christmas.

If you know of anyone who would like to attend, they can call the Hortline office at 447-0647 to get on the list. Online and phone registration will begin January 2. No mail registrations will be processed before that date.

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First Time Ever—Spring Master Gardener Intern Class for Linn County The Linn County Master Gardener program is opening a second Intern class in 2013. Applicants will be interviewed in December and classes will begin in January, going through March.

The deadline for applications is December 10th for classes beginning in January. If you know of someone who might be interested, have them contact the Linn County Extension office (phone 319-377-9839) or they can visit www.extension.iastate.edu/linn/page/become-linn-county-master-gardener or email mkenyonb@iastate.edu to receive an application or for more information.

If you are available to host a session, contact Michelle Kenyon-Brown (see her comments on page 5.)

Date Topic Presenter

MG Intern Orientation (no volunteer needed)

Michelle Kenyon Brown, Linn Coun-ty Extension

Jan. 22 Adobe Connect – Turfgrass Dave Minner

Jan. 24 FACE TO FACE- Vegetables Patrick O’Malley

Jan. 29 Adobe Connect - Soils & Botany Lee Burras; Denny Schrock

Jan. 31 FACE TO FACE- Herbaceous Perennials Deb Walser, LCMG

Feb. 5 Adobe Connect – Plant Pathology & Entomology

Erika Saalau-Rojas; Donald Lewis

Feb. 12 Adobe Connect – Weeds, IPM, & Pesticides

Kristine Schaefer; Laura Jesse

Feb. 19 Adobe Connect – Landscape Trees & Shrubs

Jeff Iles

Feb. 21 FACE TO FACE- Houseplants (no volunteer needed)

Jean Murray, LCMG

Feb. 23 Saturday Class on Campus (ISU Volunteers needed as well!)

Campus Instructors

Feb. 26 Adobe Connect – Animal Ecology Rebecca Christoffel

Feb. 28 FACE TO FACE- Compost (no volunteer needed)

Wil Carew, Glenn Babinet, LCMGs

Mar. 5 Adobe Connect – Fruits Paul Domoto

Mar. 12 Adobe Connect – Sustainable Landscape Design

Ann Marie Vanderzanden

Mar. 19 Adobe Connect – Good Agricultural Practices (OPTIONAL FOR INTERNS OPEN TO ALL MGS)

Cathy Strohbehn; Paul Domoto; Angela Shaw

December 5

Coordinator Comments There are some new volunteer opportunities this month. Our office is moving at the end of the year, so we could use some help packing and labeling boxes. We also have several different administrative volunteer tasks here at the office that will help to keep us organized. Contact me if you are interested and let me know when a good time would be for you to come into the office.

MG Spring Training It worked so well in the Fall, we decided to do it again. We are offering volunteer OR education hours for MGs to host the Spring Intern Trainings. Amy Schmitt, our Americorp VISTA volunteer will set up the computer and assist volunteers. Hosts will check-in Interns, get the webinar started, collect evaluations, put the computer away after it is over and lock up the office. Computer shy? Training and assistance will be available for you.

Feel free to sign up for a class you are interested in learning more about. Count your hours as volunteer or as volunteer during set-up/take down and education during the class. This opportunity also gives you the chance to get to know our new Interns! Check out the schedule and let me know which class works best for you in your schedule and your interest! Feel free to pair up with other Master Gardeners to sign up together. Contact me to sign up. Thank you!

* Except for the ISU Class on Campus, all classes will run from 6:30-9:30 pm. Please start setting up at 6:00pm.

December 2012 LCMG Volunteer Opportunities: Please contact Michelle Kenyon Brown for more information about these opportunities at (319) 377-9839 or by email mkenyonb@.iastate.edu

Administrative help needed at the Extension Office: Data entry, display design, organizing materials

Help the MG office & Hortline Lab Move! Pack and label boxes

Help with Spring Intern Classes

Lead the Media/ Outreach Committee to help get the word out on MG events

Get on the January schedule to answer ?s that come through the Hortline

Get involved in School Garden Projects

Sign up to Take Photos at Master Gardener events & demonstration gardens

Do the Layout, Write articles, submit pictures and/or contribute ideas to the Germinator

Create a MG Display for community events on a horticultural topic

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Fall Celebration: A Welcome to New Interns and New Master Gardeners

The Fall Celebration on November 13, 2012 drew a large crowd of Master Gardeners to congratulate the new 2012 intern class who just completed their education hours and to the new Master Gardeners who completed their 40 hours of volunteer service.

Thanks to the committee: Nancy Sutherland and Pam Brackey were the co-chairs. Shelby Foley, Nancy Sutherland, Jane Schildroth, and Pam Brackey put the bouquets together, Shelby Foley made the centerpiece and Phyllis Olson and LouAnn Jayne made food and helped the night of the celebration.

Chris James, Cindy Fagan, Phil Pfister.

Jean Minehart signs up a new Intern for a project.

December 7

New Interns/New Master Gardeners

The following Linn County residents received their Master Gardener badges at the Fall Celebration:

Lynette Brenzel, Marion

Mary Brown, Mario

Karen Bruening, Cedar Rapids

Cindy Fagan, Cedar Rapids

John Gary, Cedar Rapids

Chris James, Cedar Rapids

Lisa Lafler, Cedar Rapids

Lora Nielsen, Central City

Diane Packingham, Palo

jennifer Rothmeyer, Mount Vernon

Pat Semanek, Cedar Rapids

Becky Woodard Cole, Cedar Rapids

These individuals have completed their 40 hours of training and are now Linn County Master Gardener Interns:

Lynda Bordwell, Cedar Rapids

Beula Dvorak, Mount Vernon

Linda Eggleston, Cedar Rapids

Scott Feddorn Marion

Kathy Hughes, Cedar Rapids

Jennifer Kent, Cedar Rapids

Mary Sam Krumbholz, Cedar Rapids

Mariana Lawrence, Cedar Rapids

Jo Ann Lipkey, Marion

Paulette Montague, Cedar Rapids

Michael Nordberg, Cedar Rapids

Linda Shepard, Cedar Rapids

Diane Stevens, Fairfax

Rosanne Van Cura, Marion

New MG Lisa Lafler with Shirley Thornton.

New Intern Lynda Bordwell with her MG shirt and fall bouquet.

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Saturday Dec. 1*

8:30- Zora Ronan- Daylilies- Beyond ‘Stella- All the Pretty Faces

9:30- Laura Appleget- Natural Spaces & Problem Places

10:30- Zora Ronan- Starting

Garden Transplants at Home 11:30- Zora Ronan- Where in the

World? 1:00- Matt Pieper-Vertical

Gardening

Tuesday Dec. 4

4:00- Judy Stevens- Plants of the Bible

Thursday Dec. 6

3:00- Rose Milden: Pond Plants

4:00- Deb Walser- Blueberries 5:00- Deb Walser: Enhance Your

Garden’s Curb Appeal

Saturday Dec. 8* 10:30-Jay McWherter- Hosta La

Vista, Baby

11:30- Jay McWherter- Beginner Garden Photography

1:00- Debbie Main: Grandma’s Peonies and Beyond

2:00- Debbie Main: The Language

of Flowers- A Victorian Romance Garden

3:00- Becki Lynch: Drought Superstars

Tuesday Dec. 11*

5:00- Lori Bailey: Color for the Shade Garden

6:00- Phil Pfister: Home Greenhouses

7:00- Mike Anderson: Outstanding

Trees 8:00-Larry Dawson: Ponds and

Water Features

Saturday Dec. 15 10:30- Jean Minehart/Kathy

Rhodes- Your Path to a Delightful

Herb Garden

* Brown bag session—bring your lunch/supper or go out to get

something in between sessions. But

hurry back so you don’t miss anything.

Education Opportunities

December 9

Steering Committee Minutes DRAFT November 8, 2012 (Abridged for printing in Germinator)

Attendance: P.Brackey, W. Carew, D. Johnson, P. Pfister, B. Roof, J. Schildroth, L. Schneider, K. Stewart, S. Usher. Excused: C. Fixmer, N. Hayes, D. Main, J. Murray, D. Walser, B. Wing. Guests: Michelle Kenyon Brown Approval of Minutes: October 2, 2012 Minutes approved unanimously. Announcements: Judy Stevens was elected to the Extension Council. Financial Report: (P.Pfister) Beginning Balance $4,905.00; Income: $2,146.00; Expenses: $1,592.55; Current Balance: $5,458.45.

Report of October 2012 Committee Activities Noelridge/ Jean Mineheart & Phyllis Olson

Next year’s herb garden will feature Herbs of the Year from 1995-2013, set according to the International Herb Association. Greenhouse/ Phil Pfister We have a lot of plants growing in preparation for the Winter Gardening Fair classes on creating vertical gardens. Shelby Foley has completed a practice session to work out the details and issues involved with the completing a hands-on class in the prescribed class time. A joint planning session is scheduled for 27 November at the greenhouse for all the projects that need seeds. Where possible, we will combine orders to save shipping and handling and duplication of seeds. Nine people attended the 22 October workshop on Houseplants that was led by Jean Murray. The attendees were a mix of Master Gardeners, Master Gardener Interns, and the public. Heritage Project/ Dora Bopp Gardens are cleared and ready for winter rest. Hiawatha School Project/ Phil Pfister Returning students had a lot of vegetables still growing in their gardens, but nothing was more exciting than the pumpkin crop. There were enough pumpkins that every class got a pumpkin and they were able to build a nice display at the entrance. Lots of enthusiasm. As a requirement of the research grant, we have completed the fall “lunch tray photo” sessions. With the USDA release of new guidelines this summer, the lunch trays now contain more fruits and vegetables than last year. The students are cleaning up the raised beds to get them ready for winter. They will also be taking soil samples, the results and corrective actions of which will be integrated into the lesson plan. Project Independence/ Karla McGrail Fall clean-up and bulb planting completed 10/27, no further activity until Spring. Winter Gardening Fair/ Barb Wing & Jean Murray Plans are on track for the 2013 Winter Gardening Fair. We are finalizing the brochure and adding information on the two "strands" of classes - verticals and water gardening. We are also working on scheduling preview presentations which will begin in late November and continue through mid-December. Creative Gardening Series A speaker has been booked for April 2, 2013; the other speakers to be announced.

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Expert Education/ Linda Hayward Zora Ronan is checking details for having a bus tour on June 10th to the Botanical Center and Allen Centennial Gardens in Madison, Wisconsin (no fees), with a stop at Flower Factory in Stoughton, Wisconsin. Linda Hayward is checking on a presentation about invasive weeds and species in the spring of 2013; Mark Shour will give a presentation on pesticides and herbicides April 8. Mark Vitosh from the DNR will speak on March 11 about tree problems that may occur in the spring and summer as a result of the drought. From the Ground Up/ Pam Brackey In September and October we worked with 10 classrooms and over 220 students. Hands Dirty and Feet Wet Again/ Jean Murray The book is at the printers; it will be delivered before the holiday break. Hortline/ Doug Smith First meeting held on the 31st. Committee members: Steve Bartlett, Darrell Hennessy, Zora Ronan, Claire Smith and Doug Smith. Discussion: Check with ISU concerning publications we have that are no longer supported by them. Those will be removed. Layout of the new Hortline office and what changes could be made to improve it. Survey the Hortline MGs to get their input on changes. Explore the possibility of using Google Calendar for doing the monthly Hortline Schedule. Make sure we use research based information from ISU and other Extension institutions to serve our clients’ questions. Install good sources on computer How to make better use of our library sources for those doing research for presentations. Training for new interns. Marketing Committee/ Deb Main

Email to old committee members. Setting up new meeting Media Committee / Devon Dietz Winter Gardening Fair posters and brochures will be printed in November and will be distributed starting the day after Christmas. Scholarship Committee The Committee met awarded 2 good candidates $500.00 each. Both candidates had applied for and received the scholarship last year as well. Social Committee The Fall Celebration will be held November 13; 11 MGs will receive their badges. Speakers Bureau/ Deb Walser Cedar Rapids Public Library sessions were held at Westdale Mall. An on-line

Speaker’s Bureau request form is being developed that will assist with obtaining necessary information when coordinating speakers and events. MG COORDINATOR REPORT Michelle is working on a Master Calendar for 2013 that will assist with scheduling events and workshops for the new year. If anyone knows of any events, classes, etc. coming up, make sure she knows. MG Cindy Johnson is moving out of state at the end of the year and has resigned. Third quarter hours are due; time to update your profile in the MG Directory: http://mgquickfind.info/ Letters documenting MG accumulated hours for the year were sent out Oct 31; let Michelle know if you notice any discrepancies in your own volunteer hour records.

Of the 2011 MG class, one has applied to get an extension, 2 others may still get their hours in on time, and 2 have not been in touch.

December 11

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Many materials can be made available in alternative formats for ADA clients. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964.

Applications are available for the MG Spring 2013 Class and are due December 10. To make sure we have the volunteers we need for Winter Gardening Fair, a request will be sent out to MGs in Benton and Jones Counties to volunteer. Linn Co MGs will get the first chance at assignments if they turn in their volunteer forms by the deadline. Benton and Jones MG volunteers will not be charged admission, but should not expect to be able to attend any sessions unless they have unscheduled time and the sessions are not full. They will pay for their own lunches, the same as Linn Co MG volunteers. We will do this as a trial for the 2013 WGF. Volunteers are needed for administrative help that can be done at home and/or at the Extension Office. If you are handy with a computer, have experience with email, Word, and Internet, and are willing to pitch in to do some of the more mundane, but essential activities, please let Michelle know!

NEW BUSINESS The Chair recommended inactivating two committees: Children’s Garden and Open Horticulture Class at the Linn Co Fair. Both Committees are inactive; the 2013 budget for the Children’s Garden will remain as approved. A motion was made, seconded and approved unanimously to inactive these committees. OLD BUSINESS Beth Roof, Chair of the Nominating Committee, nominates Larry Dawson and Louise Harn as candidates for the 2013 Steering Committee. There are no further nominations. A motion is made, seconded and approved unanimously to approve

of these candidates. The Volunteer Categories/Leadership Committee has met once and made good progress on clarifying which volunteer activities qualify as Administrative when entering hours on MG quarterly reports. When category descriptions are complete a training session will be scheduled for MGs. Date of the next meeting: December 4, 2012

Meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted: Linda Schneider, Secretary

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