NEWSLETTER
TALBOT COUNTY • 28577 MARY’S COURT, SUITE 1 • EASTON, MD 21601 • (410) 822-1244 • FAX
IN THE GARDEN
Talbot County Master Gardener Newsletter
Spring 2016
Volume XI, Issue II
IN THIS ISSUE:
2— Bay-Wise Calendar
3— Frost & Freeze
Damage
4—5 Wonderful Warts
6— Landscape Design
7— Ask Mikaela
From the Desk of Mikaela Boley
The season is in full swing— soil tests are coming in, plant samples are abound with
riddles, and people are EAGER to get plants in the ground. Warm weather reminds
people of how much they enjoy being outside, and how satisfying it is to get your hands
dirty. Isn’t soil good for the soul? I think I read that somewhere.
We also receive the most questions about the landscape in the spring. This is a great
time of year to showcase programs like Bay-Wise, which provide homeowners of Talbot
County with free landscaping consultations for better sustainable practices. Don’t forget
to take your soil samples before establishing a new garden bed, or before applying any
fertilizers to the lawn. Soil tests give us some really simple information that could save on
a lot of problems down the road.
Don’t forget to send in pictures, samples, or other questions you might have about
8—9 MG Events and An- strange sights in the garden. Enjoy the time outside with your family, and may the spring
nouncements
bring you sunshine and warmth.
“I went for a walk in the
woods and came out
Taller than the trees.”
CheersMikaela Boley
- Henry David Thoreau
DWAARF FOTHERGILLA—These alien-looking blooms belong to a small
native shrub, and provide an interesting look in the spring garden.
Photo Credit: Michael Maggs
Educating People to Help Themselves
Local Governments • U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating
The University of Maryland is equal opportunity. 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, or political affiliation, or gender identity and
expression. Inquiries regarding compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and the
Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990; or related legal requirements should be directed to the Director of Human Resources Management, Office of the Dean, College of Agriculture and Natural
Resources, Symons Hall, College Park, MD 20742.
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Bay-Wise 2016 Calendar
The 2016 Bay-Wise calendar is firming up. We have a solid group of 10 as our
foundation for the meetings – with new locations, our interesting and educational list
of topics, and a foray into lunch, we should have a lot fun. We mention lunch since
we are shifting the meetings to later in the morning – 11am to 1pm – as such, we’d
like to propose we also have lunch together! There are a few options. The hosts
have typically provided a beverage; if they continue to do this, we could all bring our
bag lunch, or we could each bring 2-3 of one thing and share, or we could go out to
lunch afterward. We could also change this up each meeting depending upon the
location – for instance, if we’re in St. Michaels, we could go to Ava’s together, but if
we’re out of the way we could eat lunch on site.
We have 4 hostesses so far, so we’ll need 3 more. As soon as we have these
committed, we’ll match hosts to topics and send out a final schedule. Though some
topics are similar to last year, the talks will be held at different locations so we’ll
continue to learn. This years topics will be:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Getting off to a Great Start — Engaging the Client – an Overview of the Bay
-Wise Consultation/Certification
Guest Pleasers — Plantings and Habitats for Wildlife and Pollinators
Innovative Stormwater Retention and Management
Spectacular Ditch Plantings
Good Weeds, Bad Weeds – how to master the weed! Tough Plants for
Tough Environments
Yummy Composting & Creative Vegetable Gardens
Exclusively Native! Transitioning Lawn to Natural Areas.
Our kickoff meeting will coincide with the April 20 9:30-11:30am Master Gardener
meeting at the Oxford Community Center, then we’ll move to the 2 nd Tuesday of the
month from11am-1pm. At this first meeting, we’ll have a training session for
conducting a Consultation and a Certification… with a different twist! We look forward
to seeing you there!
Your dedicated Bay-Wise Co-Leaders,
Lisa Marie Ghezzi and Marie Davis
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Frost & Winter Damage
By: Mikaela Boley– Home & Garden Information Center
The winter and spring of 2016 has been a little confusing– for both humans and plants
alike. With heavy and significant snowfall this year, you may see some damaged
ornamentals and trees in the landscape. Branches might be cracked by the weight of
snow, or bent and broken by passing snowplows. You can prune out these damaged
branches to the next unbroken branch or stem. Be sure to use sharp pruners, and
avoid tearing the bark or tearing the branch collar.
Another common issue I am seeing this spring is frost damage. April 15th is our
“frost-free” date, so it is not surprising that we have had recent cold. But with early
warm weather, lots of trees and shrubs in the landscape had begun to leaf out. Within
the last week, we have had several frosts that have been hard enough to damage
early bloomers. As pictured above, new leaves can suddenly burn and crisp. Twigs
with new growth may blacken and droop, or appear dead. However, don’t be too quick
to pull out damaged plants. Once the risk of frost has passed (again), you can cut
away damaged or dead material. Dead stems can be taken completely back to
healthy material. Live plants or stems only need the damaged areas cut out, and they
should recover. Plants affected by the cold this spring can be watered and given a
boost of liquid fertilizer to help assist in recovery. Do not assume that the plant is
completely dead. Often, they can recover, or new growth will appear in late spring or
summer. Be patient, and give them time.
If you are concerned that damage to your landscape is not frost-related, you can
always submit photos or samples to the Talbot Extension Office at 28577 Mary’s Ct.,
Easton, MD. You can also use the Home & Garden Information Center “Ask an
Expert” link: http://extension.umd.edu/learn/ask-gardening.
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The Wonder of Warts
Written by: Pat Jessup, Talbot Co. Master Gardener
Like most folks, I felt like a slug after the holidays were over. Not an unusual
post-holiday feeling, except this year was worse. I decided to remedy my malaise by
embarking on a 15 day “juicing” cleanse, something I had done last year with positive
results. It would reset my metabolism and maybe knock off a few pounds. My
husband agreed to join me since his middle was also reflecting the joys of the season.
I was thrilled because it meant I didn’t have to prepare two meals!
I went on a search for some new juicing recipes, and came across the name of a
vegetable I first heard of last year. It was during a Master Gardeners class on intense
veggie growing (“Grow It, Eat It”). The course focused on maximizing yield, similar but
not identical to “gardening by the square”. After classroom time we toured some
gardens. One of the most impressive belonged to a woman in Chestertown whose
small yard was covered with raised beds. She was a true master at how to get a lot
from a small lot! Her husband was a vegetarian, and their food came from her efforts:
fresh in the summer and frozen or canned in the winter. Among her crops was a very
unique vegetable: a bitter gourd. It grew on a vine like a cucumber and was about
the same size except the fruit was covered with warts. Truly the ugliest thing I’d ever
seen. And if the looks weren’t enough to put you off, the name surely would:
bitter gourd. Who wants to eat something called “ bitter”? She explained this was a
vegetable commonly found in Indian cuisine (also called “varela”), and said if you
regularly consumed it, you would never have to worry about having diabetes. She
admonished us not to be put off by its looks or its name and encouraged us to give it
a try by sharing some of her seeds.
Yes, there is a connection to juicing. Hang with me, I’m about to get there. I came
home and planted the seed. It took off like a rocket. Pretty vines, yellow flowers and
eventually it produced a few of those ugly, warty, cucumbery things.
(Continued on Page 5)
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(Continued from page 4)
I thought my neighbor George, who’d spent several years in Bangladesh and parts of India,
and who likes to cook, might be familiar with this produce so I showed it to him. He was not
knowledgeable, but intrigued and googled a few recipes. We selected one and made a
cooking date for the following week. It was a combination double baked potato but stuffed
with both potato and the mashed, cooked gourd. It seemed a safe place to start. The result
was o.k. Not as awful as I anticipated but not as tasty as I’d hoped. George liked it more
than me. I decided it wasn’t worth growing so I didn’t save any seeds. Now back to the
juicing. It’s February and I’m searching for new juices. What do I discover that’s touted as a
great vegetable to juice? Yes, the dang bitter gourd!! One website explained that the bitter
gourd contains four bioactive compounds that activate a protein (AMPK) which is known for
regulating metabolism and enabling glucose uptake, processes which are impaired if you
have diabetes. While I don’t have diabetes, if I could juice something that would replicate
the benefits of exercise without having to do any, why not go for it. Plus this warty veg is full
of vitamins. As Ina would say, “How bad can it be?” But what to do, since I’d thrown away
my seeds?
A friend recommended the Kitazawa seed company. I ordered the catalogue, it promptly
arrived, and then I had the challenge of deciding which variety to try. According to the web
there are two major types: Indian and Chinese. I chose one called “Futo – Spindle” which is
Japanese. (Guess the internet isn’t always right!)
I gave one to Mikaela for the garden at the Talbot Extension Office. It should be planted
around mid-May. Stop by later in the year and check it out. I’m sure she’ll be happy to
share the fruit and if you are interested in trying a “juice”, I’d be happy to bring some to one
of our meetings later in the summer.
Bitter gourd, Momordica charantia, is a
tropical plant from the Cucurbit family
that is widely planted and used in Asia.
Produces a large climbing vine that has
big yellow flowers, and 6-8” long fruit.
This vine can reach 12 feet long! It has a
high tolerance for heat, and takes
approximately 60-70 days to mature.
It prefers fertile, well-drained soils and
should be sown late in the season (it likes
80 degree temperatures). Fertilize as
needed during the growing season.
Photo Credit: Veggali.com
Information: Kitazawa Seed Co.,
www.kitazawaseed.com
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Landscape Design: A New Perspective
at Adkins Arboretum
By: Melinda Hudson, Talbot Co. Master Gardener
Blank slate and no clue? Starting over? Wish you could? Next generation on a tired property?
These are the dilemmas that brought eight gardeners from three states to the Arboretum on
Saturday, April 2, 2016. All these talented landscape experts asked is that we bring a property
plat, our hopes and challenges, and they promised that we would leave with a plan and the
confidence to pursue it. And they delivered!
The session was broken into equal parts presentation on big topics and equal time with the
designers rotating among tables. Their opening caution was resist starting with what plant to
put in a spot. That’s the last step. The choice of plant is dependent on a host of variables one
needed to walk through, starting with what is the context of your property? What’s your style?
What are you trying to solve or create? Where are your ‘big views’ and where are the places
only your mother could appreciate? How can you move into and around your property?
Human nature is to say “I love that purple rhodo, and I’m going to get it now and put in right at
my door!”, only to wonder why it looks out of place, grew either not at all or is totally blocking
your view. My private shame is the many magnolias I have killed with just this kind of longing
for a tree that is the emblem of my Mississippi roots in a setting where 40 mph wind gusts year
round are the norm.
After each presentation, we’d sit with our plats, armed with big sharpies and plenty of that cool
architect see through paper and three sided rulers and ‘dream in fat pen’ as the designers
coaxed and counselled. First, we defined our limitations, laid out our hardscapes, noted our
conditions, considered our drainage, and marked the location of big immovable factors such as
trees and neighbors.
There were a few other Master Gardeners from other counties and we also had an equal
number of wise novices who had sought out the special places of the Eastern Shore, whether in
town, on a river, on a bay, and wanted to honor and uplift that ecosystem and tradition. Half of
the learning was among peers “Glady Kravitz’ing” the others’ noble intentions for their
properties. We offered suggestions and shared experiences.
I came away with a plan, some things confirming my convictions and instincts, and others
humbling the same.
This is the fourth year this has been offered. And if you think, as I did, I don’t have 7 hours on a
Saturday in the spring, think again. It’s a great way to get to know some of our area’s top
designers. Don’t miss it.
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Ask Your Horticulturist:
Dear Mikaela,
My neighbor asked for help in identifying this weed in their
yard. For me, the most distinctive characteristic is the white
veins. It is very noticeable in some plants, but not all. It could
be mugwort, but there is no distinct smell. The weed is
growing basal in habit, and the leaves vary from light green to
almost purple. I have attached a photo for help.
-Weeds Please B Gone
Dear Weeds Please B Gone,
I can sympathize with the
difficulty of identification in the
spring. Unless you are familiar
with the details of the plant, and
have seen what they look like
as seedlings, they are difficult
to tell apart.
From what I can tell in the photo, I would guess that the weed
is commonly known as “white avens”, or Geum canadense.
It’s a perennial weed in damp and shaded areas, but can
sometimes be a turf weed. Additional information can be
found
here:
http://weedid.missouri.edu//weedinfo.cfm?
weed_id=123.
There are lots of resources to help with identification of
weeds– in many cases, seedlings look very different from the
mature weed (as if it wasn’t difficult enough). One of my
favorites is Weeds of the Northeast by Uva, Neal, and
DiTomaso, which gives pictures of the weeds as seedlings,
the seed head, and different seasons. Newcomb’s Wildflower
Guide has a great key for identifying plants. There are also
several extension websites, such as Virginia Tech or Penn
State, which have weed identification pages.
-Mikaela
(Photo Credit: Gloria Lindemann)
Mikaela
Boley
is
the
Horticulturist
and
Master
Gardener
Coordinator
for
University
of
Maryland
Extension in Talbot County.
The Extension Office often has
questions from homeowners
and members of the public
regarding home gardening,
soil testing, plant and insect
identification, plus much more.
Do you have a question that
needs answering? Want to talk
gardening or get advice for
environmentally
friendly
practices in the residential
landscape?
Please contact Mikaela Boley,
Home
Horticulturist
and
Master Gardener Coordinator
at (410) 822-1244 ext. 12, or
by email mboley@umd.edu.
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Upcoming Events
and Dates– 2016
Poplar Island Trip Dates– 2016
Horticulture Therapy
June 13th
July 19th
August 16th
September 13th
October 18th
We are continuing to do horticulture therapy
at The Pines in Easton.
Contact Janis Trainor at jtrain@goeaston.net to sign
up for the trips– trips are limited to the first 6 people
to sign up. If you are unable to come, please contact
Janis immediately so other Master Gardeners can take
the empty seat.
Visits are every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the
month– visits are 30-45 minutes. Gatherings
are at 2:30pm. Grab a partner and sign up for
the following dates:



April 14th & 28th
May 12th & 26th
June 9th & 23rd
I.A.L Lecture Series
Speakers needed– Fridays, May 6– 27th, 10:30AMNOON. Located at the Higher Education Center .
Talbot County Master Gardener
Monthly Meetings
April 20th– 9:30am
Meeting starting at 9:30am, followed by our speaker
Mike Rajacich, founder of Delmarva Nesting Foundation. Bay-wise meeting to follow.
June 7th– 9:30am
Visit and tour of Cottingham Farm in Easton, MD.
Cottingham Farm grows certified organic heirloom
vegetables and herbs in Talbot County. We will meet
directly at the site 28038 Goldsborough Neck Rd,
Easton.
Contact Mikaela at mboley@umd.edu to
sign up.
Talbot Mentors Planting
Calling all Master Gardeners! We are
looking for plant donations (preferably
native) for our planting project at Talbot
Mentors. We also would love the advice
and expertise to assist with planting!
The planting day will be April 21st, after
4:00pm. If you could drop off your
plants either at the Talbot Office or at
Talbot Mentor’s, we would be grateful!
Please contact Mikaela Boley, Master Gardener Coordinator with any question or to volunteer to help
with a program at mboley@umd.edu or 410-822-1244.
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Bay Day at PWEC
Native Plant Sales in Talbot County
When: Satur day, May 14th
Time: 11am-3pm
Where: Phillip’s Whar f Oyster House, 6129
Tilghman Island Rd., Tilghman, MD.
Who: Adkins Ar bor etum
When: Fr iday & Satur days, star ting Fr iday, May 6th (Member’s only– April 30th)
Time: 10am-4pm
Where: Adkins Ar bor etum Plant Nur ser y
12610 Eveland Rd, Ridgely, MD
Join Phillip’s Wharf Environmental Center for
it’s annual Bay Day in Tilghman— exhibits
feature watershed topics such as rain gardens,
native plants, oyster restoration, storm water
management, wildlife habitat, and much more.
Organizations and experts from around the
state will be participating in this educational
event.
Calling all Master Gardeners: Looking for
Master Gardeners to participate for a 2-hour
interval during the festival for volunteer
hours.
Who: Envir onmental Concer n Annual
Spring Native Plant Sale
When: Fr iday, May 6th &
Saturday, May 7th
Time: 9am-4pm
Where: Envir onmental Concer n Campus,
201 Boundary Ln, St. Michael’s, MD
No excuses for not having native plants in
your landscape! These local non-profits are
offering plenty of opportunity to transform
your garden into a native haven.
Sign up by contacting Mikaela at
mboley@umd.edu, or sign-up online using
Volunteer Spot webpage.
Moving into the future!
Starting August 2015, the Master Gardener Newsletter will be moving towards digital delivery. Some hard
copies of the newsletter may be offered in limited numbers, but this move will save on paper, printing costs,
and time. We will be emailing, as well as offering the newsletter archive on our website:
http://www.extension.umd.edu/talbot-county.
You may unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time, by contacting Mikaela Boley by email at
mboley@umd.edu, calling 410-822-1244, or a written request sent to: 28577 Mary’s Court– Suite 1,
Easton, MD 21601.
Do you have newsletter item?
We accept news items, poems, gardening advice,
recipes, book reviews, and everything gardening!
Please send to Mikaela Boley at mboley@umd.edu.
ASK YOUR HORTICULTURIST:
Is there a garden
bothering you?
“Ask Mikaela”
mboley@umd.edu
question
that
is
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.
If you are interested in becoming a Master Gardener, call our University of Maryland
Extension Office at 410-822-1244
You can also visit the Maryland Master Gardeners website at: http:/extension.umd.edu/mg
and the Talbot County Extension website at: http:/extension.umd.edu/talbot-county
Current Resident Or:
University of Maryland Extension
28577 Mary’s Court, Suite 1
Easton, MD 21601
Non-Profit
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