Queen Anne’s County Master Gardener Newsletter
The Watering Can
V O L U M E
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J A N U A R Y ,
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Coordinator’s
Corner
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Talisman Update
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QAC MG News
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Grow It Eat It News
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Image Source: http://www.gardenista.com/posts/a-winter-berry-garden-to-feed-birds
News from the MG
State Office
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Outside the Garden
7
W IN TE R B IR DI NG
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Upcoming Meetings
MGs of the Year
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Calendars
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The 115th Annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count is the longest running
Citizen Science survey in the world and runs December 14th to January 5th
While some birds migrate over the winter months, many birds will roost
together to keep warm, including birds of different species.
Just as we turn to down jackets and vests, even the smaller birds such as wrens
and sparrows can have 7,000—10,000 feathers to stay insulated. Most birds
will fluff up their feathers to create air pockets that help keep them warm.
Birds feet also have a special adaption called Rete miabile, Latin for “wonderful
net” which prevents their feet from freezing.
Chickadees, nuthatches, some woodpeckers, wrens, and many other birds that
remain in our region will change their diets with the seasons; feeding on
insects in warmer months to seeds, berries, and suet in the winter colder
months.
When providing food for birds in the winter keep in mind their diet changes,
the location– sheltered from wind and weather and height of the feeder to
accompany both foraging or ground feeders as well as tree dwellers. Do not
forget they need open water sources still too!
When designing or choosing plants for your landscape next planting season,
consider evergreens for shelter as well as a winter fruit bearing specimens
favored by our feathered friends. The following not only provide a tasty natural
food supply, but added interest to your winter landscape as well; winterberry,
snowberry, juniper, bayberry, Hawthorne, chokecherry, even burning bush,
mountain ash, crab apples, rose hips, and bittersweet vine.
Sources:
http://birds.audubon.org/christmas-bird-count
http://www.wbu.com/education/winterbirdfeeding.html
http://awaytogarden.com/birdnote-qa-birds-winter/
http://www.gardenista.com/posts/a-winter-berry-garden-to-feed-birds
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COORDINATOR’S CORNER
As we wrap up yet another year, I want to again say thank you to all of the Master Gardeners as well
as the staff in Extension for your patience, voice, knowledge and efforts beyond the Master
Gardener volunteer duties to help me transition into this role during my first year as your
Coordinator. I have learned so much about not only the program, but our community and you as
individuals and I only look forward to further sustaining, promoting, and growing this amazing
service to you all and the surrounding community.
With this in mind we are in final preparations for welcoming the newest incoming class of Master
Gardener trainees next month in February, and it would be wonderful if I could have a few more
mentors willing to help them make a smooth transition as Interns. I will be sending out a “role
description” of mentor responsibilities later this month and hope many of you will consider.
Looking forward...
“Anyone who thinks gardening begins in the spring and ends in the fall is missing the best part of the
whole year; for gardening begins in January with the dream.” -Josephine NueseSee you all in the New Year!
All the best,
Molly
A drop of water to feed the mind...
People to know
Places to see
W INTER G ARDEN V ISIT : T HE G LOW
BY KENDRA WILSON
OF
Words to read
A NGLESEY A BBEY
ht t p://www .g ard eni st a .com/po st s/ ga rden - vi s it - ang le sey - abbe y
Links to Know
For impact, a few winter trees and
shrubs are the equivalent of a double
border in summer. Winter gardens
require more imagination than effort. A
glowing group of stems, slowly stripped
of leaves, followed by snowdrops:
that's a third of the gardening year
taken care of. We go to Cambridge in
England to learn from The Winter
Garden at Anglesey Abbey.
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UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EXTENSION
HOME & GARDEN INFORMATION CENTER
http://www.extension.umd.edu/hgic
They answer gardening and pest questions!
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EXTENSION
SEA GRANT EXTENSION WATERSHED EDUCATORS
http://www.extension.umd.edu/watershed
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Talisman Therapeutic Riding
Vegetable Garden Project
Thanks to the help of many Master Gardener volunteers, we had a very productive vegetable
garden this past year and we met Anne Joyner's goals for the horticultural involvement of her
clients. It was a learning year for the TTR folks and we have big plans for next year. The plans
include an additional raised bed for strawberries, raised table beds for vegetables in the hoop
house, expanding the size of the garden, providing vegetable garden lessons for the clients, and
Bay Wise vegetable garden certification.
Dean Horowitz (building garden tables), Laura Klinger, Margaret Gardener and Jane Smith
(planting) have already made a commitment to help with these new plans. However, especially
when it is time to expand the garden and get it ready for planting, TTR could use additional
MG volunteers.
In 2015, many of the garden lessons will be delivered by a part time summer camp employee.
Hopefully, the garden will be as productive as last year and we will be able to provide surplus
vegetables to a local food bank.
If you are interested in getting involved with any aspect of the garden at TTR, please contact
Jane Smith or the Master Gardeners listed above. We can use any donated garden tools,
gardening supplies, and veggie plants that you will be growing.
Have a happy and productive year in your gardens!
Jane Smith
W h y a G a rd en a t Ta li s man T he rape u ti c Ri din g ?
TTR’s vision is to “Create a holistic wellness environment using the great outdoors and
nature’s wildlife.” The garden is a featured activity in the delivery of program services for
riders with cognitive, physical, social, emotional and behavioral conditions. Almost 100% of
client/riders in 1,400 sessions experienced the garden as part of the weekly trail ride.
Instructors were encouraged to have riders dismount and “weed, water or harvest” at the
site. To make the task easier, TTR Volunteer Ross Lively constructed a hitching post at the
garden site which offered riders a secure location for their mounts.
There were numerous “Ah-Ha” moments resulting from the gardening activities. Among these
is the realization that some of our tweens in TTRiding used the produce as a source of
nutrition until the next day’s meal at school. Our veterans and wounded warriors took
ownership of the garden by performing most of the planting, all of the fencing and even
constructing a gate. We also learned that our horses enjoyed the rinds of the watermelons.
For two of TTR’s volunteers serving on a Mormon mission, they spent countless hours
weeding and watering the site.
We learned there is role for many entities, like the Master Gardeners, to have at Talisman
Therapeutic Riding. We are grateful for the opportunity to work and learn from this group.
Their knowledge, passion and assistance was immeasurable.
Anne Joyner
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QAC MG News & Opportunities
Kent Island Plant Clinic
Looking for a New Chair!
Thanks to everyone who helped out in 2014. I am looking for someone to “inherit” the
Kent Island Market Ask a Master Gardener Plant Clinics. I will be available to help at any
time. However, I can no longer carry the table or the tent. Our presence on Kent Island
is important to our community outreach so please consider volunteering. Please contact
Molly if you interesting in taking over the coordination of this plant clinic.
If you are the chair of one of our major programs consider using the Kent Island Farmers
market as an opportunity to promote your program. Or perhaps you have a special
interest that you would like to share with the patrons (roses, beekeeping, herbs etc).
Either way, consider volunteering at the KI plant clinic.
The Kent Island Farmer’s Market is held the 2nd Thursday of each month from 3:30-6:30 PM
at Christ Church, 803 Romancoke Road (Rte. 8) ½ mile S of US 50.
Inside: Table and chairs are available. Outside: We have to carry the table back and forth
from the storage area: it takes two! In the warmer weather, we also need a minimum of
two to put up/take down tent. Bring your own chair and water, maybe a hat. Allow about
15 minutes for set up/take down. The market is open RAIN (indoors) OR SHINE. We are
indoors when it is cold, extremely hot or in thunderstorms.
Other volunteer opportunities
For the past several years, the Master Gardeners have “decorated” the two display cases
in the entrance to the Kent Island library during the month of March. I am looking for one
or two people to help design/make the display and to put up/take down. The display
should feature our major programs and explain who we are and what we do. Your
suggestions are welcome.
We have also successfully participated in the Kent Island Day. In the past we have had a
booth and in 2015 we are hoping to participate in the parade. We will need a vehicle and
a few riders. KI Day will take place on Saturday, May 16.
Happy New Year to everyone, Karen
jimandkaren.wimsatt@gmail.com
Please sign up for a 2015 Plant Clinic: January 8, February 12, March 12
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Grow It Eat It
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SEED SWAP AT THE LIBRARY IN CHESTERTOWN
Do you always end up with too many seeds? Let’s face it, who has room for 400 carrots
or 50 tomato plants of one variety. Here is your change to share your left overs with
others and maybe pick up a few new seeds in return!
We are holding a seed swap at the library in Chestertown (Saturday, March 7 or 14).
Please consider helping out with this event (either in advance or on the day itself.
People does not need to bring seeds in order to receive seeds
Date: March 7 or 14, TBA
Contact Sabine Harvey if you would like to help, greenbien@hotmail.com
2015 STATE WIDE GIEI MEETINGS
Tuesday, February 24, Howard County
Wednesday, September 9, Anne Arundel County
Tuesday, December 8, TBA
All meetings are from 10am-1pm
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Grow It Eat It 2015:Year of the Beans and Peas
This is going to be such a great year!
Beans and peas are easy to grow and so yummy to eat.
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What are your favorite varieties to grow
Do you have some great recipes to share
Do you have tips on how to grow beans or peas
Please send your pictures and tips to Jon Traunfeld, jont@umd.edu
F IND MG’ S ON F ACEBOOK !
Queen Anne’s County Master Gardeners
School and Community Gardens in Kent County
UMD:Home and Garden Information Center
UME:Grow It Eat It
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News from the State MG Office
NEW ADVANCED TRAINING COORDINATOR
We were sad to see Robin retire this fall. She developed a fabulous advanced training
program during her tenure and helped advance and energize the MG program in many
ways.
I am very pleased to announce that Alicia Bembenek will be joining us as the new
Advanced Training Coordinator on January 5. Alicia is a Carroll County MG active in the
Grow It Eat It program. She was a psychology professor at Towson State University and
brings a wealth of skills to the position. It was a very competitive search and I’d like to
thank Ria Malloy (Search Committee Chair), and Naima Jenkins-El and Lew Shell (Search
Committee Members) for their dedication and hard work. It paid off! We’ll share a more
detailed profile of Alicia when she starts work in 2015.
Advanced Training Classes
We will develop a schedule and description of advanced training classes as soon as
possible- probably early February. It will be included in the next e-newsletter and posted
on the MG website. Sara Tangren will be teaching native plant classes, I’ll be teaching
vegetable classes, and Dave and Mary Kay will be teaching ornamental plant diagnostic
classes. Stay tuned…
STATE-WIDE PLANT CLINIC MEETING
Get your Ask a MG program off to a great start by joining us for this state-wide MG meeting:
Date: Tuesday, January 27
Time: 10am-1pm
Place: Howard County Extension office (free parking); http://extension.umd.edu/howard-county
Light refreshments will be served.
Some agenda items (please send additional items to Jon)
 Ornamental Insect Pest and Disease Update- Dave Clement, Ph.D. and Mary Kay Malinoski
 Vegetable and Fruit Update and IPM Resources- Jon Traunfeld
 New Home Horticulture IPM Action Team and MG training needs- Steve Allgeier
 Reports from county/city MG programs (what works, what doesn’t work; what’s new for
2015)
 Termination of HGIC 800 number
 Submit 2015 plant clinics schedule asap for posting on MG and HGIC websites (send to Dan
Adler- danadler@umd.edu)
 HGIC e-newsletter sign-up sheet
 Recording contacts at plant clinics- What is a “teaching event?”
Rsvp to jont@umd.edu.
ANNUAL MASTER GARDENER TRAINING DAY
Please mark you calendars for the 2015 Annual Master Gardener Training Day:
Thursday, June 4, 2015
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Outside the Garden Gate...
Adkins Arboretum Programs & Events Calendar
https://adkinsarboretumorg.presencehost.net/programs_events/event_calendar.html
Ladew Topiary Gardens Lectures and Events
http://www.ladewgardens.com/EVENTCALENDAR.aspx
For more information and to register, call (410) 557-9570
Longwood Orchid Extravaganza
January 24, 2015 until March 28th
http://longwoodgardens.org/events-and-performances/exhibits
For more information, call (610) 388-1000
Mt. Cuba Center Winter Classes & Lectures
http://www.mtcubacenter.org/education/continuing-education/fallwinter-2014-15-education-classes/
MANTS 2015
The Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (MANTS) runs from the 14th
to the 16th of January at the Baltimore Convention Center
(www.mants.com). Admission is $20.
There are hundreds of vendors: nurseries, growers, seed companies,
rain barrel vendors, hard scape, soil specialists, tools, state and USDA
reps and so forth. Lots of experts sitting around just waiting to be
engaged in gardening chit-chat. It is for the nursery trade but the
public can attend. I was well received and learned a lot from my visit
in 2012. Take your camera equipped cell phone with you. A picture is
worth a thousand words.
-Nick
Garden Wise 2015
York County Master Gardeners Annual Conference
The 2015 GardenWise event is scheduled for March 14th at the Central York Middle
School in York. Featured speakers:
 Dr. Elaine Ingham: The Soil Food Web
 Jim McCormac, Ohio Fish and Wildlife: Milkweeds, Monarchs and more
 Scott Weidensaul, author and naturalist: The Miracle of Bird Migration
Morning and afternoon breakout sessions
http://extension.psu.edu/plants/master-gardener/counties/york/news/2014/gardenwise-2015
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2015 QACMG Meetings– Held the Third Wednesday of each Month
January 21st, February 18th, March 18th, April 15th, May 20th
@Tilghman Terrace 9:30am to 11:30am
If anyone would like to sign-up as hostess for any of these dates, please contact Molly at
mgarret1@umd.edu or 410-758-0166.
Congratulations to the
2014 Master Gardeners of the Year
Debbie Pusey & Karen Wimsatt
Congratulations to the
2014 Master Gardener Interns of the Year
Liz Hammond & Sue Goward
2014 Master Gardener Recognition Luncheon
As always if anyone has anything they would like to share– photographs, recipes, book
reviews, good resources, recommendations for products, plant varieties, or places they
have visited– please send your contributions to Molly Garrett, mgarret1@umd.edu or
Sabine Harvey, greenbien@hotmail.com
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JANUARY 2015
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
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8 KI Plant Clinic,
3:30-6:30
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20 Deadline Feb- 21Monthly MG
ruary Newsletter Meeting, 9:30
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28
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Tilghman Terrace
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27 State-wide
Plant Clinic Meeting, 10-1, Howard
FEBRUARY 2015
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
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12 KI Plant Clinic, 13
Start Basic MG
14 Basic MG
Training
Training
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17 Deadline
March Newslet-
18 Monthly MG
Meeting, 9:30
ter
Tilghman Terrace
24 State-wide
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GIEI Meeting, 101, Howard County
19 Basic MG
Training
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21 Basic MG
Training
26 Basic MG
Training
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28 Basic MG
Training
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February Newsletter Deadline:
J ANUARY 20, 2015
University of Maryland Extension
5 0 5 R a il ro a d A v en u e , Su i t e 4
C en t re v i ll e M D , 2 1 6 1 7
Phone: (410) 758-0166
Fax: (410) 758-3687
http://extension.umd.edu/queen-annescounty/about
QACMG Website:
http://extension.umd.edu/queen-annescounty/home-gardening
Master Gardener Coordinator,
Queen Anne’s County
The University of Maryland Extension programs are open to any person and will not discriminate against anyone because of
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University of Maryland Extension
Queen Anne’s County
505 Railroad Ave.
Suite 4
Centreville, MD 21617
Vision Statement: A healthier world through environmental stewardship