TALBOT COUNTY • 28577 MARY’S COURT, SUITE 1 • EASTON, MD 21601 • (410) 822-1244 • FAX (410) 822-5627
IN THE GARDEN
Talbot County Master Gardener Newsletter
Volume X, Issue IV
Fall 2015
From the Desk of Mikaela Boley
It seems remarkable that we are closing on the end of the year already. 2015 has gone
by so quickly, but I like to take the time to stop and look back. I think it’s valuable to
make note of what has worked, and what hasn’t. Every year is different, and the
success of one program may not be the same from year to year. I urge you to take a
3— Bay-Wise Reflections look at your work as a volunteer, or fellow resident, and to share what has worked for
you; it can be related to landscape, or it can be a success story completely unrelated to
4—IMGC 2015 Write-up plants. I would like to hear why it was important to you, and how we can apply that
positivity in our work.
In this Issue:
2— Good Eats; Recipes
6—7 Frederick Douglass
Park is Bay-wise
8— In News; Bay-Wise
Keep an eye out for our volunteers as we visit our regular fall festivals this year– we
enjoy supporting our local organizations, and having opportunities to answer your
questions about the gardening world. We also take phone calls, samples, and emails
regarding the landscape (see “Ask Mikaela” column).
9— Ask Mikaela
Cheers!
10—11 MG Events and
Announcements
Mikaela Boley
“Delicious autumn! My soul is
wedded to it, and if I were a
bird I would fly about the
earth seeking the successive
autumns.”
-George Eliot
Solidago rugose “Fireworks’- a great native addition to the
garden whose color keeps you company from September
through October. This variety adds a great spiky texture ,
and can tolerate wet soils. It’s also a great host plant for
pollinators, such as butterflies.
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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Good Eats;
“Recipes that will keep you satisfied”
Cucumber Pasta Salad
(Featured at the July monthly meeting)
RaeAnn Holder
8 oz TWIST OR BOWTIE PASTA
1 TBSP VEG OIL
2 MEDIUM CUCUCMBERS (THINLY
SLICED)
1 MEDIUM ONION (THINLY SLICED)
1 ½ CUP SUGAR
1 CUP WATER
¾ CUP VINEGAR
1 TBSP MUSTARD
1 TSP ITAIAN SEASONING
1 TSP SALT & PEPPER
½ TSP GARLIC SALT
Cook pasta according to package
directions; drain & rinse in cold water.
Place in large bowl, stir in oil, cucumbers,
and onion. Combine remaining ingredients
in separate bowl. Pour over salad and toss.
Cover and chill 3-4 hours, stirring
occasionally.
Peel and scoop out seeds of squash. Cut
into 1/2” cubes and set aside. Use large
pot or Dutch oven on stove to melt butter,
and add cook onion, pepper, and garlic.
2 lbs of autumn squash (acorn, butternut, Saute for 2 minutes. Add cubed squash
or pumpkin)
and all of the spices, then stir together. Put
1 Tbsp butter
lid on the pot and let all cook for an
1 medium onion, diced
additional 2 minutes. Add coconut milk and
1 green bell pepper (or red pepper)
water (or stock) and stir.
3 cloves of garlic, chopped
1 tsp cumin powder
Bring soup to boil, then turn down heat to
1 tsp coriander powder
low and let cook for 20-30 minutes, until
1 tsp turmeric powder
squash is tender. Salt and pepper soup as
1 tsp cayenne pepper (only if you like needed. Once tender, the soup can be
spicy)
pureed using an immersion blender or
1 can coconut milk
normal blender (wait until cooled). Puree
3 cups water (you can substitute stock until smooth, and serve with dollop of sour
instead)
cream, additional coconut milk, and cilantro
Salt and pepper
if desired.
Lightly Curried Squash Soup
(adapted from “Good and Cheap”)
Mikaela Boley
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Bay-Wise Reflections:
“On the Other Side”
In September 2015, I asked a Bay-Wise team to visit a home my husband and I just
purchased this year. Like the quintessential homeowner, I have not had the time to really
look and understand the new landscape. I decided that it was time to call in a team of
experts– if anything, I needed some outside perspective.
I did not know what to expect– much like any other homeowner who gets a visit from a
Bay-Wise team. Part of me was hoping that they would bring their magical wands and
transform my yard into the perfect sustainable landscape filled with butterflies, native
plants, Bambi, and vibrant blooming flowers (but no snakes). What they gave me instead
was much more valuable.
These Master Gardeners gave me permission to make changes at my own pace. Feeling
the pressures of my occupation as “horticulturist”, I put a lot of pressure on myself to
change everything, and have my landscape ready for the cover of a magazine. I was
approaching the issue with frantic ideas that overwhelm me, and ultimately, never get
established. Instead, they encouraged me to approach the landscape as a new
homeowner, who works during the week, and has to address one issue at a time.
Before my visit, I had put together an entire list of different issues I wanted to discuss. I
submitted this list to the Team Leader assigned, and she did a wonderful job of making
sure each point was addressed. Talking about these issues out loud helped me prioritize
which projects were more urgent and important, and which ones could wait for another
year. I had thought they would all be important, but quickly realized that not all of them
would be done by the end of 2015 (or even the end of 2016). I appreciate that they talked
me out of projects that were not time or location appropriate.
What I love most about my Bay-Wise team is their unending enthusiasm and positivity
about the experience– they rarely focused on anything too negative or despairing. They
also encouraged me to start slow, and to really observe the landscape in all 4 seasons
before making any major changes. The advice was priceless, and I feel like the weight of
pressure has been lifted.
I hope my Bay-Wise team is reading this, and understands how much I enjoyed their visit.
I encourage anyone whose eyes are tired of looking at their landscape to invite a Master
Gardener to their house for a fresh perspective.
-Mikaela Boley
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International Master Gardener
Conference 2015
Iowa Bluffs, IA, September 22-25, 2015
By: Caroline Jeffra
Registrants eagerly picking up their packets for the
conference, and receiving goodie bags.
This September, Council Bluffs was host to over
700 Master Gardener volunteers and coordinators from 38 states and two foreign countries.
Ten Maryland residents attended, including Talbot’s own Mikaela Boley and myself. There was
a fantastic atmosphere in the Mid-America Center throughout the week, and break times were
pleasantly filled with conversations with other attendees from all over the country. The official hotel was comfortable with free shuttles to the convention center as well as the airport, and conference volunteers were all friendly and very helpful. Additionally (and this is a big one!), almost all
meals and light snacks were included in the cost
of the conference – it was a great chance to get
to socialize and meet other MGs from lots of different places.
The first night was notable for its hard rain – 8 inches
fell! – and thunderstorms, but attendees were happily
busy with 81 talks, 8 tours, and 3 keynotes (not to mention the trade show, giveaways, book signings, and a
silent auction). I arrived early to take advantage of an all
-day Landscape Design Basics workshop which was
well-worth the earlier flight. Other days of the conference were structured for lots of learning, but had ample
break time. The talks were grouped into themes, and
there were good options for all interests and levels of
experience: Midwest Flavor (prairie plants, local foods),
Horizons (technology, trends, futuristic), From the
Ground Up (composting, propagation, grafting), Professional Development (program management, volunteer
retention, resolving conflict), Working with the Community, and Design. I managed to attend talks from each of
the themes, but it was not always easy to choose!
Caroline and Mikaela pose with
“John Bartram”, America’s famous botanist
from the 1700’s.
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(continued from pg. 4)
One of the most enjoyable talks I attended was Mushrooms
and Molds, given by Prof. Tom Weber from Nebraska. Like
the other speakers, he is a real expert on the subject but did a
fantastic job of communicating his expertise to us, and answered many questions about mushroom identification from
the audience. Biodiversity in Home Gardens was another outstanding session, presented by Prof. Gail Langellotto from Oregon. She is an expert in suburban and urban biodiversity
and she was able to share some amazing facts about the
ways that urban neighborhoods can actually be rich in biodiversity – did you know that several new species of bee were
identified in New York City recently?
There are so many great things to say about this gathering of
Master Gardeners that I couldn’t possibly fit it all in here, but I
can heartily recommend that you make every effort to go to
the 2017 IMGC conference in Portland. If you want more Tasting of snacks made of insect powder was optional–
information
about
it,
you
can
visit
but surprisingly tasty.
blogs.oregonstate.edu/2017imgc/
or
www.facebook.com/2017IMGC
Author’s of That Tree and Bloom 365 were excellent keynote speakers,
sharing their story and practices.
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Frederick Douglass Park is Bay-Wise
by Lynn Freeburger
Situated at the corner of Talbot and Mill Streets is the Frederick Douglass Park, one of
our newest Bay-Wise certifications.
Early this spring, Bay-Wise team leader Delores Bowens got two leads for Bay-Wise
Consultations. One was for a homeowner and the other was for the Frederick
Douglass park. As is her custom, she quickly got a team together - Allison Talbot and
myself -and made appointments.
It turned out the homeowner, Ann Hymes of St Michaels, was also the inspiration, the
innovator and the caretaker of the Frederick Douglass Park. Ann is a champion
recycler and ecologist. In fact she was the key player in bringing curbside recycling to
St Michaels. Just last week, I met Ann at the park where she was sprucing up the park
and separating recycling from trash.
In 1982, the St Michaels Museum and the town of St Michaels created a small park
near the corner of Mill and Talbot Streets. The park was dedicated to Talbot County
native-son Frederick Douglass. In the middle of the park is a plaque that heralds the
achievements of Douglass who went from being enslaved to being an abolitionist, an
inspiring orator, a writer and a champion of civil rights for African Americans and women. He met and conferred with Abraham Lincoln.
As was the custom, hearty plants like Barberry, Liriope, Pachysandra, Penesetum and
a tree were installed. The park has a hardscape of bricks including a circle in its
center, steps and several benches surrounding the planting beds.
By 2012, the park was overgrown by its hearty and
invasive plants. Wire grass populated the site making it
an unattractive and uncomfortable place for visitors.
Several of the wooden frames for the planting beds
needed to be replaced.
That is when Ann stepped in. She asked the town of St
Michaels if she could spruce the place up and make it
into a native plant garden, and they agreed.
Ann Hymes (right): Proudly displaying
her Bay-Wise sign for the newly certified
Frederick Douglass Park
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Ann tore out everything, except a small strip that borders a neighboring property. Out
went the prickly barberry. Out went the ever so tough wire grass (Aristida stricta). She
decided that the park could double as a native plant educational site for the many
tourists who frequent the area.
With a bit of help from the town, she renovated and rejuvenated the site.
Among the plants that now grace the park are:
Aesclpeias tuberosa - Butterfly weed - a must for the Monarch butterfly
Amalenchia canadensis - Serviceberry
Aronia arbutifolia - Aronia
Aronia prunefolia - Aronia
Clethra alternifolia - Sweetspire
Echinacea purpureum - Coneflower
Eupatoria fistulosum - Joe Pye Week
Ilex glabra - Holly
Liatris microcephala - Dwarf Blazing Star
Lobelia syphylitica - Blue Lobelia
Monarda didyana, - Bee Balm
Osmundia cinnamomea - Cinnamon Fern
Penstemon digitalis - Beard’s tongue
Physostegia virginiana - Obedient Plant
Rudbeckia lancialata - Black Eyed Susan
Solidago sphacelata - Goldenrod
Stokesia leaves - Stokes Aster
Verbena canadensis - Verbena
Ann, who cares for this garden independently and financially, scours the countryside
for pine needles that she uses to mulch the park. She never fertilizes or uses
insecticides. There is a water pump in the little park, and Ann only waters when she
puts new plants in and when it is absolutely necessary.
Ann has also provided signage of the plants to ensure that native plant education
occurs.
The ground probably has insufficient moisture for the Lobelia and the Mistflower to
flourish so they are likely to be replaced.
In addition to making the garden a native Eden, a beautiful and relaxing spot for
visitors and town folks, Ann has also made it Bay-Wise.
Interested in a Bay-Wise consult? Schedule a visit with a team by contacting Mikaela
Boley, Master Gardener Coordinator: mboley@umd.edu.
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Bay-Wise Updates 2015:
Written by: Mikaela Boley
For the first six months of the year the
Talbot County Bay-Wise team has
completed 8 Bay-Wise certifications and 2
Bay-Wise consultations.
Since the last newsletter, Bay-Wise has
done 2 additional consultations and 1
Bay-Wise Certification.
We have 3 more months to hustle some
Bay-Wise visits, and I am sure that there
are names on the list we can address yet
this year. With great weather, we should be
Do you have what it takes? Schedule a Bay-Wise visit itching to get outside.
and find out! This totally free service is also
judgement free– just advice if you are looking for it!
The team is ready to go. If your garden hasn't been Bay-Wise certified, let us know.
Last Bay-Wise Meeting of the Season!
 October 13th– Janet Friedberg “Planting for Wildlife”
Not on the Bay-Wise reflector’s list? Contact Mikaela Boley to get your email on the
list for exclusive Bay-Wise meeting details.
Are you writing this down?
As we round out the end of the season, Talbot County road crews are being careful
with roadsides. For many visibility and maintenance purposes, roadsides are carefully
tended each season.
However, when roadsides are mowed, we are often getting rid of important habitat for
the monarch butterfly. Milkweed, of the genus Asclepias, is the only food source for
monarch larvae. They will exclusively feed on Asclepias, before pupating, and
emerging as butterflies. They will often continue to feed and form their chrysalis into
the first days of November.
In an effort to preserve this habitat for our monarchs, the roads department has agreed
to wait until later in the year to mow some roadsides. In an effort to assist, Master
Gardeners should be writing down and making note of roadside areas of substantial
milkweed populations.
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Ask Your Horticulturist:
Dear Mikaela,
My garden is looking rather bedraggled and sad this time of
year. I have a lot of trees whose leaves are looking brown,
and my perennials are losing their green color. I’m very eager
to cut everything back and spruce up the yard a little bit.
What do you recommend?
-Garden Itches
Dear Garden Itches,
I sympathize with you— it’s an awkward time of year when
not everything has died back yet, but they definitely don’t look
green and lush anymore.
If your garden is lacking color, it might be a good opportunity
to throw in some ornamental kales, cabbages, mums, or
even some pumpkins. You might want to think about adding
some perennials into the garden that will bloom or look nice
this time of year (think about asters, goldenrods, narrow-leaf
sunflower, or even some native grasses). These natives will
add color and interest, not to mention food for wildlife.
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,
I would refrain from cutting anything back unless it is very
dead or damaged. Leaving seed heads will provide wintering
birds with some food, and some plant material has great
structure in the bare bones of winter.
Unfortunately, we had a drought towards the end of summer
and early beginning of fall. That is stressful for the trees,
which may turn leaf color early, or make them brown and
crispy. With the amount of rain we have had the last week or
so, hopefully our plants get a good drink of water before
winter.
-Mikaela
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 2015
Pickering Creek Harvest Hoedown
Horticulture Therapy
11-4pm at Pickering Creek Audubon Center in
Easton, MD
We are continuing to do horticulture therapy
at The Pines in Easton.
We will focus on an activity that is both educational
and fun to use at the festival– including some giveaways!
If you are interested in serving at the Master
Gardener table, please email mboley@umd.edu for
schedule and sign-up.
Talbot County Master Gardener
Monthly Meetings
October 21st– St. Michael’s Library
Join us and guest speaker Ginny Rosenkranz of the
Lower Shore for a talk about gardening with deer and
potential deer-resistant plantings.
Time: 9:30AM-11:00AM
November 13th– Location TBA
Location to be announced– join guest speaker Heather
Disque from USDA to talk about forestry pests and
projects USDA are using to monitor insects.
Time: 9:30AM-11:00AM
December 9th– HOLIDAY PARTY at Oxford
Community Center
Bring a contribution for making a wreath and we will
do the rest! Feathers, boxwood, pine needles, anything
you choose to share with the group. We will supply
the wire frames and snacks.
Time: 5:30pm-?
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:



October 8th and 22nd
November 12th
December 10th
Contact Mikaela at mboley@umd.edu to
sign up.
DID YOU KNOW...
Master Gardeners have a Facebook
page? You can find us online at by
clicking here. Or, search “Talbot County
Master Gardeners” and follow our page!
We include photos from recent activities,
advice, and recent news items.
Remember to “Like” us!
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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Master Gardener Basic Training 2016
Waterfowl Festival
It’s that time of year!
10-4pm on November 13th, 14th, and
15th in Historic Downtown Easton
We are accepting applications for MG Basic
Training for February– April 2016.
Classes will be on Thursday evenings from
5:30-8:30pm, and Saturday mornings from
9am-12pm starting February 11th.
Tell your friends and family who might be
interested in gardening, horticulture, or the
environment. No prior knowledge necessary!
A popular event every year— we join
fellow organizations to make Waterfowl
Festival a fun and interactive street event.
While we discuss the importance of
respecting the watershed by using an
interactive model, we also will discuss the
finer points of composting and will be
offering a composting bin for visitor’s to
use.
Fall Fever Relievers
To compliment our spring “Cabin Fever Reliever” series, we will be hosting a 2-class series on November
17th and 24th for fall-related topics, such as proper tool care, composting, and garden prep for winter.
Classes are from 10:30-11:30AM at Brooklett’s Place at 400 Brooklett’s Ave., Easton, MD. These are
open to the public and free of admission!
I am looking for speakers and volunteers to help set-up and assist– if you have a topic or interest you
would like to showcase, I encourage you to contact Mikaela at mboley@umd.edu.
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
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Easton, MD 21601
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