The Garden Fence Monthly Newsletter – February 2016 Harford County Master Gardeners Inside this Issue President’s Message 1 Planning Your Garden 3 Commuting Gardener 4 Winter Gardener Poem 6 I Say Aster 6 Guide to MD Trees 8 There’s App for That 8 Education Opportunities 9 Calendar of Events 10 Officers Ellen Haas President Anne Spelman Vice President Carrole Kesselring Secretary Kathy Ullrich Treasurer Quick Links Harford County Extension Office Home & Garden Info Center MG Hours Online Office Closing President’s Day February 16, 2016 Art Explosion Image Library President’s Message How is A Longwood Christmas Designed? Last December, I took two trips (one with husband, one with another MG) to Longwood Gardens to see the Longwood Christmas horticultural displays in the Longwood Conservatory. The Longwood Christmas, which runs from late November through early January, was so beautiful and complex that I wondered how the Longwood people plan and design it. I decided to investigate; first I found a Longwood internet blog (“Inspiration Flows: Designing a Longwood Christmas” by Heather Coletti) that described how Mr. James Sutton, Longwood’s Display Designer, designed the 2015 Longwood Christmas display. Next, I conducted a short interview with Mr. Sutton, in which he filled in details on how the Conservatory displays are designed. Here is how A Longwood Christmas grows from idea to reality. First, a little background – Mr. Sutton received his Bachelor of Science degree in Ornamental Horticulture at Pennsylvania State University, and has worked at Longwood Gardens for 18 years. Not only that, James Sutton grew up at Longwood Gardens, having been a visitor and volunteer since the age of ten. As the Longwood Display Designer, Mr. Sutton makes the major decisions that go into the Longwood Christmas display, and he is supported by Team Members, Project Leaders and Mentors, who all report to him. At least a year before the Longwood Christmas display is in place, Mr. Sutton chooses a theme and then a color palette to tie together all aspects of the display (including lights, plants, and flowers). A crop selection (which particular plants will be used in the display) is also defined. Crop selection can be defined after the color palette, or can help define 1 part of the palette itself. For 2015, Mr. Sutton decided to take the Longwood Fountain Garden revitalization as his inspiration, and used fountains and the essence of water as the theme of the Longwood Christmas display. The colors blue, white, silver and clear (the colors of water) became the 2015 color palette. Other colors such as red and green appeared because they are traditional Christmas colors. Once the theme, color palette and crop selection are defined, Longwood team members plant and grow the trees, flowers and plants that will make up the planned display. Horticultural elements are grown at Longwood so that they are available in time for the scheduled Longwood Christmas setup, which takes place over three days in late November. For the 2015 display, Mr. Sutton and his entire team had to figure out how to Orchids with clear glass highlight and expand upon existing water features already present in the ornaments to represent ice Conservatory. They had to be thoughtful about where to add fountain elements, and how to weave those elements with the more traditional aspects of the Christmas display. As a result, the theme of “water” was represented in different ways throughout the conservatory. For example, some of the displays in the Conservatory contained glass balls to represent water bubbles, while others had water in the form of frozen crystal tear drops – clear glass ornaments in the form of ice – to convey the sparkling beauty of ice-covered branches. Christmas tree with twisted glass ornaments to represent icicles The water theme was also represented as a more abstract concept in different Conservatory gardens. In the Mediterranean garden, a large urn contained a natural arrangement with curly willow and silver, white, and glittering branches to give the appearance of a fountain frozen in place. The Silver Garden had a representation of a fountain in which densely planted and draping succulents were planted in a fountain and spilled over the sides, then were dotted with iridescent glass bubbles to give the feel of water without its actual presence. For all of its beauty, the Longwood Christmas is temporary, and at this time its two-month run is complete. Christmas elements have been taken down to make room for the Longwood Orchid Extravaganza. According to the blog, Mr. Sutton has planned the 2016 Longwood Christmas theme but is not revealing it yet. Mr. Sutton attributes the magic and beauty of Longwood Christmas displays to the artistry and skills of the designers and staff who work with him. More succulent fountain elements with lights representing droplets of water This article was written on the first day of Winter Storm The succulent fountain with Jonas. As MG President, I hope that you are all safe overhanging plants and lights to and warm and that water elements such as sleet and give the illusion of running water icicles will be at a minimum. I look forward to seeing you after the snow is cleared away! Ellen Haas 2013 2 Planning Your Garden Article & photographs taking from National Garden Bureau at ngb.org Key Planning Tips Start Small. If you decide to plant up some new areas this year, start small so that you can test for success and appearance. You can always make it bigger next year. Consider water access. If you are planting an area far from a water source, figure out how you are going to get water there. If a long hose isn’t practical, you may have to carry water there, or plan on carrying the plants (assuming they are in containers) to the water source. Try something new each year. If something in a seed catalog or in the garden center captures your imagination – try it. Starting on a small scale and a new spot, you can test the plant without a lot of expense or disappointment if it doesn’t please or doesn’t succeed. Go for variety. Even within the confines of a color family you can achieve a pleasing mixture of different flower forms, heights and textures. While large displays of a single flower can be awesome, too much of a good thing can be boring. Keep a “cookbook.” In a notebook, write down which classes and varieties you planted where. Often you can just tape a plant label to a page and write “front door,” or “patio tubs” next to it. At the end of the season you can write down how it performed and whether you want to plant those again, try them somewhere else, or try something new. To be sure you take advantage of all your growing areas, get a piece of paper and a pencil and make a rough “bird’s eye” sketch of your lot, including marking out where your house is. Indicate which areas are the sunny, partially sunny, and shady areas. Be as detailed or as rough as you want. The idea is to identify all potential growing spots and then decide what to put where. Once you have your sketch made, think about each area and where you would like the color and texture of plants. If you have a deck or patio, baskets or tubs of flowers can add a lot to the appearance. If there is a spot in your yard that you look at all the time from the kitchen window or that guests in your yard naturally tend to look at, brighten it up with flowers. And there is no rule that says you have to shove your garden back against the fence or property line – a garden spot in the middle of a yard can become a focal point and attractively break up boring expanses of grass. If you already have a focal point such as a fountain, a brick barbecue, or even a tree, you can make it more attractive by planting flowers around it to draw even more attention to it. This idea also works for storage sheds or objects that you may consider as less than attractive focal points. Chances are these aren’t going to go away, so dress them up and make them worthwhile to look at. Choose a Color Theme For a really sophisticated look, choose a family of colors for all your flowers. If you choose red, for example, you can select flowers in pink, rose and bright red. You will still be able to get a variety of flowers and plants, but the look will be more unified if you have an overall color theme. Sun and Shade Most yards have a mix of full sun and some shade, so you should have plantings for both. If you are planning a vegetable garden it should get the prime sunny spot whenever possible. Even if the sun shines only on your deck or patio you can grow vegetables. Many can be successfully grown in containers, letting you “move” the garden into the sun. 3 Many people get discouraged over getting any color into shady areas. However, prudent planning can get color just about anywhere. There are a number of colorful plants that will do well in all but the deepest shade. Impatiens are outstanding for brightening up shady spots, as are coleus and begonias. These also have the advantage of a wide variety of colors for your overall theme. If the shady area also has the problem of poor soil conditions, a raised garden bed or different size pots and containers can overcome that problem without a lot of work. Baskets hung from tree limbs can draw attention to the beauty and position of the tree in the garden. Key Areas In addition to the yard areas where you are most likely to want an attractive display of flowers and plants, consider the impression your house makes on passersby and visitors. Baskets, pots or a small flower bed near the front door can say “welcome” and give your home a well-cared for appearance. The driveway and garage area is another often overlooked opportunity for gardening. Lining the driveway or putting some baskets or pots in a few selected areas can make an otherwise utilitarian area come alive. Getting Started One of the ways to get your garden into bloom or fruit as early as possible is to start plants indoors. Basically, a good sunny location for the started plants is all that is needed, or grow lights if you don’t have a sunny location. You can buy “seed starter kits” at most garden retailers, or do your own seed starting in containers as simple as egg cartons. Books on the subject can be found at your library and at garden retailers, and a wealth of information is available on the web. Within reason, the earlier you start, the more mature and established your plants will be when transplanted outdoors to the garden or to containers. If you start too early, your plants will become overgrown and you may have to cut them back and start with a funny-looking garden. Six weeks or so before the last frost date or normal planting time in your area is a good rule of thumb for starting indoors. If you don’t have the time or confidence to start plants from seed, there are a rainbow of colorful bedding plant flowers and vegetables at your local garden centers or retailers. Depending on the weather and how soon you can get outdoors, it is a good idea to prepare your garden bed by digging it up, turning it over adding amendments such as compost or fertilizer. Your local County Extension Agent can tell you how to have a soil test performed, or soil test kits can be purchased. Soil preparation is one of those areas that often gets ignored, yet is vitally important to your garden’s success. SUMMARY To create a garden with beauty and balance, begin with planning, not digging. A way to start a plan is by drawing a sketch of all garden areas. This sketch will help identify all of the outside areas to be decorated with flowers or vegetables. Adding a color theme to your garden will help unify it. To record successful plans, or even failures, keep a simple ‘cookbook’ of plants and their performance. This “Cookbook” can be the start of next year’s garden. Commuting Gardener During my working weeks, I spend an outrageous amount of time driving to and from a place that enables me to support my habit of plant acquisition, gardening book acquisition and acquisition of anything gardening related. During the hours on the road, I think constantly of my weedy garden, the unpruned trees and bushes in my yard, and the compost bin needing a good turn. Thinking of ways I might work my gardening addiction into my everyday routine helps me to pass the miles. I have not yet reached the point where I wear my gardening gloves while I drive ... nor have I switched out the gear shift of my car for the handle of a weed digger ... and I haven't (yet) installed a scent strip that carries the aroma of freshly spread mulch ... but Art Explosion Image Library 4 2016 is a new year that brings with it all sorts of possibilities for taking my gardening interests on the road. One discovery I've worked into my back and forth commute is the podcast. Most importantly, I discovered a number of podcasts that provide a vast amount of gardening-related information helping me endure the drive: A Way to Garden with Margaret Roach: In addition to her website [http://awaytogarden.com] Margaret Roach, author, blogger, facebook-er hosts a weekly podcast during which she covers numerous gardening topics. Podcasts from 2015 included discussions on bulb planting with Jonathan Wright from Chanticleer; conifers with Ginny Levy from Longwood Gardens; and the best practices for feeding of birds with Eric Lind, Director of Audubon New York’s Constitution Marsh Center and Sanctuary. You Bet Your Garden with Mike McGrath: This podcast, "an hour of chemical-free horticultural hijinks,” plays weekly for just under an hour out of Philadelphia's public radio station, WHYY-FM. Episodes that aired over the last several months covered topics like growing rosemary in the cold, the care of lilacs, rescuing trees with wrapped roots, pesky squirrels and the "good side of weeds like stinging nettles and thistle." This podcast can be accessed at http://whyy.org/cms/youbetyourgarden/. The Master Gardener's Hour with Debbie Broocker and Rena Sartain: The two hosts, Debbie Broocker and Rena Sartain, both Master Gardeners, interview experts on various gardening topics on alternating weekends. Over the last year they and their guests have discussed carnivorous plants, America's public gardens, allergies in the garden, miniature gardens, low water gardening, photography in the garden and making bonsai out of edible fruit and herbs. Each episode lasts just under an hour. The link to the podcast is http://www.podcastchart.com/podcasts/master-gardener-s-hour. Gardenerd Tip of the Week with Christy Wilhelmi: Christi Wilhelmi, founder and host of "Gardenerd," is a vegetarian with a desire to share her knowledge of organic gardening. She airs a new episode each week, sharing organic gardening tips in segments lasting 1-2 minutes. Episodes airing over the past year covered gifts from the garden, pruning bulbs and grasses, sprout-free compost, earwig infestations, vacation planning, roasting squash and growing your own shower scrubber. This podcast may be found at http://www.gardenerd.com/Podcasts/Gardenerd_Podcasts.xml. Vegetable Gardening with Mike Podlesny: Author of "Vegetable Gardening for the Average Person: A Guide to Vegetable Gardening for the Rest of Us" and creator of the "Seeds of the Month Club," Mike Podlesny interviews gardening experts each week. His guests in 2015 included Annie Haven of Authentic Haven Brand and Haven Seed Co. and Sylvia Bernstein, author of "Aquaponic Gardening: A Step by Step Guide to Raising Vegetables and Fish Together." Other guests discussed food preservation, heirloom vegetables, community gardens and raising chickens. This podcast may be accessed at http://mikethegardener.podbean.com/. On my "listen-to-this" bucket list are many other podcasts. Listed below are several I haven't listened to (yet) that might be of interest to Master Gardeners: The Beekeeper's Corner (www.bkcorner.org) BirdTalk Radio by Wild Birds Unlimited (http://birdtalk.podbean.com) Back to My Garden (http://backtomygarden.com) Getting Dirty with Extension Master Gardeners (http://gettingdirtyradioshow.org) We Dig Plants (http://heritageradionetwork.org/series/we-dig-plants) Current and archived podcasts (some dating back a few years) are available and offer information that is timeless. There are podcasts originating from countries such as Australia, Great Britain and Canada and from the various zones in the Art Explosion United States. Even those podcasts coming from outside of our Harford County Image gardening zone provide access to the learning experiences of others, as well as useful, informational gardening tips and entertainment. One of the nice things about podcasts is that you don't have to be in a car to listen to them. You can be on your computer or (my dream) in a garden podcasting and learning at the same time. Carol Powell 2001 5 Winter Garden Cynthia Adams "In winter's cold and sparkling snow, The garden in my mind does grow. I look outside to blinding white, And see my tulips blooming bright. And over there a sweet carnation, Softly scents my imagination. On this cold and freezing day, The Russian sage does gently sway, And miniature roses perfume the air, I can see them blooming there. Though days are short, my vision's clear. And through the snow, the buds appear. In my mind, clematis climbs, And morning glories do entwine. Woodland phlox and scarlet pinks, Replace the frost, if I just blink. My inner eye sees past the snow. And in my mind, my garden grows." First published in Birds and Blooms magazine, Dec/Jan 2003 webclipart.about.com – Dixie I Say aster, You Say Symphyotrichum: DNA testing gives plant new names Article taken from the Hort Report of the Hort Society of Maryland. Jan 2016 By Melanie Moser As Romeo opined so correctly, “what’s in a name?” While he then referred to a “rose,” did he actually mean Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus), Christmas Rose (Helleborus), Japan Rose (Rosa Rugosa), Primrose (Primula), Rosebay (Rhododendron maximum), or Moss Rose (Portulaca)? Well, he typically is portrayed clinging to a climbing rose of genus Rosa, drinking in the heady scent of a bloom. But without that bit of Latin guiding us to a more specific, though still not explicit, plant, any of the above might be the plant that Romeo is dithering over. We are dependent on botanical nomenclature for communicating a definitive name for each plant and each of its variants. The orderly classification and naming of plants was in the mid-18th century by the great Swedish naturalist, Carl Linnaeus. His thesis in botany was an Mediterranean Bells- photo from exploration of sexual reproduction in plants, and he carefully observed stamens Netherland Bulb Co. Nectaroscordum siculum and pistils. Eventually, this led him to develop a new system of grouping plants, not Allium siculumhum which is the basis of taxonomy. As Latin was the universal language among European scholars and scientists, Latin was used as the descriptor language for the nomenclature. Each plant was grouped in a hierarchy (from broadest to narrowest grouping): division, class, order, family, genus and species. In horticulture today, the use of genus and species in Latin is the accepted method of identifying and 6 specifying plant materials, e.g. Acer rubrum represents the tree known as Red Maple. These names are maintained in The International Code of Botanical Names by the International Association for Plant Taxonomy. According to the association, a nomenclature is provided for a plant “…to supply a means of referring to it and to indicate its taxonomic rank.” The association holds a congress every six years, and additions or changes to the Code are debated and voted on. So why are so many of our well-established plant names changing? Linnaeus scrutinized the number of stamens and pistils of a plant to initiate its groupings with other plants—he was looking for commonalities. Over time, our means of inspecting plants for commonalities has grown more and more sophisticated: from eyeball to microscope, to electron microscope, to biochemistry, to genetic analysis. And this last refinement, the study of plant DNA, has led to discoveries of previously unknown relationships, and to the recognition of genetic distinctions that break the link between previously grouped plants. This research has also clarified evolutionary lines of plants. Consequently, reorganization of plant names is occurring in alignment with the research results; the nomenclature changes reflect a reclassification to a new or different family or genus. The botanists have reclassified a number of plants common in the MidAtlantic States. So this winter, when you are daydreaming through the nursery and seed catalogs, you will find numerous modifications to fairly common plants available in the trade. This perturbs the sellers as much as it confuses the consumers. Many catalogs indicate the changes in parentheses, so both the old and new names appear. Here are some of the modifications you may encounter: Symphyotrichum not in the genus Aster A charming, nodding spring bloomer Allium bulgaricum (Mediterranean Bells) is a hardy bulb that has been reclassified as Nectaroscordum siculum, subspecies bulgaricum. The new genus name derives from drink of the gods (nectar) and garlic-smelling (scordum), while maintaining the reference to its Mediterranean origins (bulgaricum). Genetic and morphological research has determined that American Asters, while structurally appearing similar to the European Asters, are more closely related to the Goldenrods. Consequently, the New England, New York, and Smooth Asters (previously, Aster novi-belgii, Aster novae-angliae and Aster laevis) have been removed from the Aster group and added to the genus Symphyotrichum. Another genus in the Aster family, Eupatorium has been split into three genera: Eutrochium, Conoclinium and Ageratina. Commonly called Joe Pye Weed or Boneset, many outstanding native perennials have been retitled Ageratina. Eupatorium rugosum is now Ageratina rugosus, and E. maculatum is Eutrochium maculatum var. burneri. Originally identified and named by Linnaeus himself, the Lesser Celandine or Fig Buttercup (Ranunculus ficaria) is an invasive species from Europe and Asia found throughout our woodlands and damp meadows. The “fig” part of is name refers to the root, which resembles clusters of fruit. It was reclassified as Ficaria verna, but apparently it may be restored to its original name (pending). Whitesnakeroot or Tall Boneset Ageratina altissma not Eupatorium; photo by Lawrence Gilliam at USDA Similarly, Dendranthema replaced Chrysanthemum a number of years ago, but that decision was reversed, and Chrysanthemum prevails today. The South American genus, Datura, commonly known as Angels’ Trumpet, has been rechristened Brugmansia. The latter are actually woody plants, usually small shrubs, with pendant flowers, while the former perennials with erect flowers. 7 Among our native western grasses, Stipa tenuissima (Mexican or Silky thread Grass) has become Nasella tenuissima. Another outstanding perennial, Montbretia, was named for the explorer who first discovered the plant: he also happened to be Napoleon’s botanist. The bright, summer-flowering plant’s official name is now Crocosmia. With ongoing botanical studies, we can expect to experience more revisions to the nomenclature of plants. While these modifications can constitute a baffling and annoying nuisance when searching for our favorite plants, we should also appreciate the dedication of the botanist to truth and the challenge to learn and adapt. Crocosmia not Montbretia photo from Organic Gardener London Recently retired from teaching, Melanie Moser practices her landscape architecture passions now in watercolors. Melanie’s article is taken from the winter newsletter of the Horticultural Society of Maryland The Hort Report. New Guide to Maryland Broadleaf Trees Article taken from Volume 23, No. 4 Branching Out newsletter of the University of Maryland Extension – Woodland Stewardship Education Madeline Koenig, an intern with the Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources at the Bear Branch Nature Center, has developed a new resource for students and others new to the state’s trees. Her “Leaf Key for Common Broadleaf Trees in Maryland” provides the user with a background in leaf identification terms (alternate, opposite, toothed, entire, etc.) and provides full-color examples of the most common leaves. A handy feature marks each species as native, exotic, or invasive. The guide is available as a PDF for download at http://dnr2.maryland.gov/wildlife/Documents/TreeGuide_Common-Broadleaf.pdf. There’s an APP for That While sitting at the computer dressed in long-johns, iced coffee close at hand on a dreary Saturday morning in January I found the new Leaf Key for Common Broadleaf Trees in Maryland resource. Perusing the document brought back memories of my Master Gardener training; simple, compound, alternate, opposite, even, lobed, and toothed. I was inspired to run out into the garden, pdf printed pages in hand, and find a tree, any tree that still had some leaves on it. I was ready to start a new goal for the year to acquire the skill of plant identification. I looked outside in the fog and rain, took a sip of coffee, leaned back in my chair, the desire for adventure waning quickly and thought there must be an app for that. Something I could use in the preverbal tomorrow when I happened to be trying to identify Maryland trees. A few clicks of the keyboard and there it was. Leafsnap. According to the http://leafsnap.com website “Leafsnap is a series of electronic field guides being developed by researchers from Columbia University, the University of Maryland, and the Smithsonian Institution. The free mobile apps use visual recognition software to help 8 identify tree species from photographs of their leaves. They contain beautiful high-resolution images of leaves, flowers, fruits, petioles, seeds and bark. The original Leafsnap currently includes trees found in the Northeastern United States and Canada, and will soon grow to include the trees of the entire continental United States. The high-resolution images in the original app were created by the conservation organization. Finding Species.” Free for iPhone http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/leafsnap/id430649829?mt=8 and iPads http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/leafsnap-for-ipad/id433522683?mt=8 Ginny Zahner 2012 Advanced Master Gardener Training March 5 & 12, 2016 – 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Bay Wise Training, March 5 @ Cylburn Arboretum, March 12 @ the Baltimore County Ag Center You need to attend BOTH days in order to get the certificate. Cost: $50 payable to “EAB' with 'BW Advanced Training" in the memo. Your check assures your registration Send checks to: UME Baltimore City 6615 Reisterstown Road Suite 201 Baltimore, MD 21215 March 12, 2016 - 7:45 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. GardenWise – York County Master Gardeners, Central York Middle School, York, PA GardenWise is a nearby opportunity to log about four hours of MG education! Some of us are carpooling and may have room for youcheck with Joyce. The York County Master Gardeners' one-day school is for gardeners interested in keeping abreast of the latest news and research in gardening. Whether you are new to gardening or have been gardening for years GardenWise has something for you. Dr. Doug Tallamy from the University of Delaware is this year's keynote speaker. Doug will bring us updates on his latest research on the connections between plants and wildlife as well as a new talk offered in our breakout sessions Registration is $58 if registered by Friday, February 19, 2016. Cost $65. Registration Deadline: Friday, March 4, 2016. Agenda and registration is available via Penn State Extension office website: http://www.cvent.com/events/gardenwise/event-summary-b6c26b1a77b84ba0b2bcff13946d782c.aspx Education Opportunities February 18 & 19, 2016 Chesapeake Green 2016 – A Horticulture Symposium, Maryland Nursery, Landscape and Greenhouse Associations, Maritime Institute Linthicum, MD Details Pending – Check website - http://www.mnlga.org/content.asp?contentid=78 9 February 20 & 21, 2016 - 12:00 noon or 2:00 p.m. (program last a half hour) Maple Magic! Ladew Topiary Gardens Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD Can you smell it in the air? It’s maple sugaring time when maple tree sap begins to flow freely and we can make one of nature’s sweetest treats---maple syrup. Come experience the process of maple sugaring as we head out to Ladew’s Nature Walk to identify trees, observe tapped maple trees and collect some sap! Learn how to boil down the sap to make yummy, golden brown syrup. Tasty maple snacks will be provided! Registration is $10 Adults. http://www.ladewgardens.com/EDUCATION/Family-Education/Maple-Magic February 26, 2016 - 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Manor View Farm & Perennial Farm Education Seminar, Sheppard Pratt Conference Center, Towson, MD This year our presentations include "How much do you really know about the Bugs & the Bees?", "Bulbs as Companion Plants & Seasonal Color", "Planting in a Post-Wild World", 'Perennials for Multiple Seasons" and "Woody Plants that have worked over many years of collecting and selecting". Join us for learning, networking & lunch! http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07ebw2ezkw9babe126&llr=gzivzwcab Registration $89 before February 19th. February 27, 2016 - 8:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Perennially Inspired! Perennial Plan Association & Horticultural Society of Maryland Sheppard Pratt Conference Center, Towson, MD A day-long seminar with horticultural experts with topics including Biodiversity Planning in Design, Getting Groovy with Graminoids, Refreshing your Perennial Soul and more. Registration $115 for Non-member before February 13th. http://mdhorticulture.org/programs-events/winterseminar/ Calendar of Events February 4 February 24 February 25 March 3 7 p.m. 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. 10: a.m. 10 a.m. MG Monthly Meeting STEM Night MG Steering Committee Meeting MG Monthly Meeting HCEO Aberdeen High HCEO HCEO The Maryland Master Gardener Mission Statement The Maryland Master Gardener mission is to support the University of Maryland webclipart.about.com – Dixie Allan Clip Art Extension by educating Maryland residents about safe effective and sustainable Expert horticultural practices that build healthy gardens, landscapes and communities. Joyce Browning Urban Horticulturist Master Gardener Coordinator Harford County Office The University of Maryland, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources programs are open to all and will not discriminate against anyone because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry or national origin, marital status, genetic information, political affiliation, or gender identity and expression. 10