Over the Fence …
and Crossing
County Lines
Inside This Issue:
•
Board News, pg. 1
•
Winter “work”/garden
planning, pg. 2
•
Spotlight on Wood County
Master Gardeners, pg. 3
•
Article by John Jett, pp. 4-5
•
Notes from President, Polly
Reynolds, pg. 6
•
Submitting recipes for
cookbook, pg. 7
Board News
The West Virginia Master Gardener Association
Board met October 11, 2008 at Jackson Mill.
Highlights of the meeting include:
•The Board approved the Budget for 2009 and
adopted a budget planning process.
•The 2011 International Conference Committee
was given approval to spend appropriated funds
as necessary in planning the conference. They
will be reporting regularly to the Board.
•Funds to support the travel of the WVMG
Program Coordinator were approved.
•State committees had one hour of meeting time
as part of the Board meeting.
•
About the Newsletter, pg. 7
•
Easy access to our website, pg.
8
•
Five Year Plan Updates, pg. 9
•President Polly Reynolds quizzed board
members and awarded “Bananas”. Lee Reger
received the “Top Banana” award.
Over the Fence...and Crossing County Lines
NOW IS THE TIME
Page 2
By Rebecca Eneix-Chong
Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow? For Mary and others the next few
months are a great time to find out.
Now that your fall clean up is complete, what else are you going to do? As the snow flies it is a
good time to review and plan for the next growing season. Think about your gardens. If you are
anything like the majority of gardeners there are always things you would like to change. What
worked, what didn’t work, what is just “so-so” and what really has to go. Drag out your garden
plan. If you do not have one, this is a great time to put one together. It should be easy to measure
the length and width of your beds without all the plant growth. Calculate the spacing of existing
plants and estimate the area of those that have been cleared. Don’t forget hardscape. OK, now
you have a quasi map of your existing gardens. It’s time to put the kettle on.
After you have poured yourself a cup of your favorite hot beverage, sit down and close your
eyes, breathing heavily of the aromatic steam, and picture your gardens this past season. Before
you loose that image, open your eyes grab your plan and quickly put a red X on anything that
took on nightmarish qualities. Next, unless you own a contracting firm, have the ability to hire
one, or have teenagers who are willing to work for the pure pleasure of physical labor and no
charge; your hardscape will most likely remain as it is. Plants will be the easiest things to
change. (We’re not talking about major trees or shrubs here; I personally consider them
hardscape.) Now at this point, you need to start with a new sheet of graph paper and begin to
draw your new garden plans. Make a major list of all the things you observed this past spring and
summer, as you walked about your gardens, weeded and pruned. Include the ideas that you had
as you looked at color, heights and specific plant location, arrangement and grouping. Start
making these changes on your new plan. Remember concepts like form, function, structure, size
and texture. Most important, just keep focused on what you want from your garden!
And be RUTHLESS! If you really developed a healthy dislike for a certain plant, then it needs to
go. No amount of sympathy or relocation will make it endearing. However, if your shrewd
moral compass does not allow for “plantacide”, then you need to view the situation akin to that of
a landlord and tenant. If it doesn’t fit, you must evict! This plant needs a new home. There are
several ways you can help a plant find a new home- take it to a plant swap, give it to another
master gardener, or placing it in a holding bed until the next local master gardener group’s plant
sale. Or when you have multiple plants and/or bulbs, you might list these plants in the newsletter
(local association or state). You know there are many master gardeners out there, who will
welcome your cast off plants and love them. However, it is important to be candid with others
about the plant’s growing habits- both the pluses and minuses. This is helpful to others as they
decide whether or not to try the plant.
And with your new plan in hand, settle down with your garden catalogs and begin to plug in new
specimens into the empty spots in your plan. Save all your garden maps and plans; always date
them. (A loose leaf notebook is a good place to do this). Then you can paste in tips, ideas from
magazines that you want to consider in the future) It is always good to look back and reflect on
where you were with your gardens. Then bad choices of the past do come back and remind you
of why you made certain choices. You're reminded of where you want to be this coming growing
season and the next. HAPPY PLANNING!
Over the Fence … and Crossing County Lines
Page 3
Spotlight on the Wood
County Master Gardeners
Left: Several Wood County Master Gardeners busy at the annual plant sale and garden tour, a major fund
raiser which generates monies used in their projects. Right: Wood County Lawn and Garden Expo. Wood
County Master Gardeners have a booth each year selling plants and disseminate educational information.
Greetings from the Master Gardeners of Wood County! Our program started in 1999 with classes
under the direction of H.R. Scott. We entered the first class with trepidation, not sure what we
were getting into. Several of us decided we liked it and have been with the program ever since.
Through the years, we have embraced several projects of value to our community. Probably the
most noteworthy is the restoration of the Edison School Arboretum, a neglected woodland of
several acres. We removed vines, (including poison ivy), repaired fences, added benches, signs,
and an outdoor classroom so that it is today a lovely place for students to learn in. In addition to
the expected nature walks, the cross-country team trains on the hilly terrain, and even math
classes have been held there! This information is handed on to the 35,000 school children and
tourists who visit there annually via brochures describing the gardens. The project received the
2008 WVMG Award of Excellence.
Although grant money provides some funding needed for projects, annual garden tours of local
gardens have also provided revenue. Held in June, the leisurely strolls through the gardens
provide ticket holders with new ideas for their own gardens and a chance to purchase some of the
plants they see.
We've also had exhibits at the Wood County Lawn, Garden and Forestry Expo, maintained beds
at the Williamstown Welcome Center, the YWCA, Parkersburg City Park, and South Parkersburg
and Wood County libraries, taught classes at WVU-Parkersburg, and answered questions at
extension office. Currently, we are planning a children’s garden by one of our elementary
schools. It will be educational as well as ornamental and hopefully provide some inspiration for
future gardeners.
When H.R. Scott was reassigned to Monongalia County, we had concerns but found our
president, Laura Greathouse, more than capable of chairing our group and steering new
students through classes. We are now happy to report that a new extension agent has
been assigned to work with us. Todd Belcher is our new leader, and we look forward to
many productive years with him.
-Linda Watkins, Wood County Boar
Over the Fence … and Crossing County Lines
Page 4
From Dr. John Jett, State Master Gardener Coordinator:
Drought Stress and Winter Injury
I have chosen this topic to write about because of the prevailing dry conditions that exit
across most of West Virginia with the understanding that this situation may change by
the time the Newsletter is posted. But I doubt that that will be the case.
To better understand how plants are potentially in danger from extreme water stress we
need to examine the process of plant dormancy.
Plants go dormant in the fall due to changes in the day length and temperature as well
as the production of growth inhibiting hormones. As the days get shorter and cooler in
fall, many plants begin producing a growth-inhibiting hormone known as abscisic acid.
This growth inhibitor causes plant growth to cease and is typical of plants which have a
chilling requirement like fruit trees. Then over the cool winter months the growth
inhibitors are broken down and growth promoters are formed. Once favorable weather
conditions return, the plants will again begin growth. Realize that even though these
plants are dormant they still need water. They don't need water for turgor pressure as
they would during the growing season, but water is necessary for the movement of
potassium and carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are complex sugars, so the higher the
concentration of carbohydrates in the cell, the lower the freezing point and the less
damage that will occur from severe cold. So, if water is lacking, the transfer of
carbohydrates is not as efficient and freeze damage could be severe. In reality though
the extent of the freeze damage is created and aggravated by the lack of water. Other
plants such as ornamental trees and shrubs do not have a chilling requirement and go
dormant due to unfavorable growing conditions such as cool weather and reduced water
availability.
Plants can be damaged directly and indirectly from winter water stress. Direct damage is
from desiccation of foliage, buds, bark and roots. Indirect injury includes inhibition of
photosynthesis, and the resulting slowing of plant growth and the inability to make
defensive chemicals. In conifers this includes reduced production of pitch or resin.
Plants react to water stress in a variety of ways. The first response is that stomates
close, soon photosynthesis shuts down. On broad leafed plants, the leaves may droop,
roll, and older leaves may yellow and drop. This reduces water loss, and reduces the
amount of tissue requiring water. If water stress continues, the edges of leaves and
interveinal areas will yellow and brown. This is usually symmetrical, starting at the leaf
tips and working back. Conifers are better adapted to withstand winter drought stress
and cold extremes than summer heat and drought, which are very damaging. Look for
drop of older needles followed by browning of needle tips. If the drought continues, even
current season needles will droop, gradually yellow, then brown. Needle length and twig
growth may be reduced. Many conifers also exhibit resinous bleeding cankers on large
branches and main trunks. As the drought becomes more prolonged, shoots dry out and
die from the tips back. Eventually the entire plant wilts, becomes crisp and dry, and does
not respond to irrigation. At this point, the plant may die or be so damaged that it has lost
ornamental value.
Over the Fence … and Crossing County Lines
Page 5
Some plants are more susceptible to drought induced stress than others. Plants in the
first year following transplant (installation) are at highest risk. Any plant in a difficult site
where soil has poor water retention (for example compacted clay soils, or sites
with limited space) will be at increased risk. Plants with poor root systems, such as from
mechanical damage from construction, root feeding insects (root weevils) or disease
(Phytophthora root rot, black root rot) will be less able to withstand drought stress.
Shallow rooted plants are more likely to be killed by prolonged drought. Established
plants have a larger root system, and are better able to withstand short
droughts, but may be damaged by extended droughts.
Drought stress also promotes diseases through several different mechanisms. It may
alter the plant’s physiology, making it more susceptible. It may reduce the ability of the
plant to produce defensive chemicals or to “out grow” the disease. More severe drought
stress causes physical injury to tissues through drying; damaged tissues are then easily
invaded by otherwise “weak” pathogens. Drought can make the plant more attractive to
the insect vectors that carry and transmit some diseases.
What can be done to improve survivability and reduce drought related plant damage?
1. If the drought persist into early winter, irrigate to ensure that plants go into winter
dormancy with adequate soil moisture. Do this by slow, low pressure watering to get
moisture to a depth of 12 to 18 inches.
2. Control weeds and grasses in the root zone to reduce competition for water
3. Organic mulches can help conserve soil moisture and control weeds.
4. Irrigate to replace soil moisture in the root zone before severe drought injury
symptoms appear. This is essential for the survival of recently transplanted trees and
shrubs.
5. Place highest priority for supplemental water on plants in the first 3 years following
installation.
6. Remove dead and dying trees as promptly as possible. This is important to
prevent them from serving as breeding grounds for bark beetles and other borers.
7. Avoid planting highly drought susceptible and shallow rooted species in
drought prone sites such as south facing slopes, traffic islands, containers,
compacted soil.
8. Select more drought tolerant plants for these difficult sites.
9. Before planting amend soil with organic matter to improve moisture retention and
porosity, which will permit better root growth and plant establishment.
Over the Fence … and Crossing County Lines
Page 6
From our President, Polly Reynolds:
What an exciting time to be a Master Gardener and a part of the West Virginia Master
Gardener Association! Good things are happening!
The Committees are working hard to meet the goals of the Five Year Plan so YOUR
Master Gardener Association will be the best it can be.
Preston and Monongalia Counties are preparing for your attendance at the next state
conference in Morgantown, May 1, 2 & 3, 2009.
The 2011 International Conference Committee has begun its fund raising efforts to bring
over 1,000 Master Gardeners to the Charleston area.
And back on the home front, Master Gardeners keep turning in their volunteer hours—
enriching their communities. Good things are happening!
Remember, you do not have to be a Board Representative to attend a West Virginia
Master Gardener Association Board Meeting. All Master Gardeners are welcome! Come
join the fun. Our next meeting will be January 10, 2009 at the Waffle Hut in Flatwoods.
We welcome new ideas. Who knows, YOU could be our next Top Banana!
Polly Reynolds, President
West Virginia Master Gardener Association
With heartfelt sympathy West Virginia Master Gardeners extend their
love to Leon Cox and family in the loss of his beloved wife, Carol. The
WVMGA has made a memorial gift to Master Gardener Association in
her memory.
Over the Fence … and Crossing County Lines
Page 7
Harrison County Master Gardeners are in the process of compiling a cookbook. We
would like to have recipes from every master gardener group in the state. Recipes may
be submitted for the following categories: Appetizers, Relishes & Pickles; Soups,
Salads & Sauces; Meats & Main Dishes; Vegetables; Breads, Rolls & Pastries; Cakes,
Cookies & Desserts; and Beverages, Microwave & Miscellaneous.
Submitting recipes is very simple. Go to the cookbook's website, www.fundcraft.com
and enter the ID # 15912-08SG.Once you log on there is a message from the cookbook
chairperson. Simply follow the directions and enter your recipes. Be sure to include
your name, last/first and your MG Group or county. The Deadline for submitting
recipes is 01/16/2009.
ABOUT THE NEWSLETTER
The PR & C Committee is responsible for publishing the quarterly newsletter of the WV
Master Gardener Association. It is our intent that the newsletter will provide brief, but
pertinent information about what is going on at the state level, as well as serving as a
venue for sharing information, tips and news from around the state. At last fall’s strategic
planning retreat, a small group worked on issues around public relations and
communication. We are attempting to include in the newsletter some topics they
suggested:
l Highlights of the most recent board meeting
l Updates regarding achievement of Goals outlined in your organization’s Five
l
l
l
l
l
Year Plan.
Pertinent information shared by the WV Master Gardener Coordinator/WVU
Extension Service
A monthly article featuring a local association (this can include but not be
limited to brief history, number of members, interesting activities, projects, etc.)
Dates & information about upcoming state /county activities
Alerts related to deadlines for awards and other MG related business
An gardening /horticulture article written by a West Virginia master gardener
To make this newsletter something that adds value. We need your input, ideas and contributions.
Each month we will be seeking to “Spotlight” one local association. For the summer issue,
Marion County stepped forward. This is a great way to share what you are doing locally, and
even earn volunteer hours. We also need master gardeners to contribute articles.
So give us some feedback about how we are doing. If you have input, or would like to
volunteeryour chapter for a spotlight article, or write an article for the newsletter, please email
Debra Lingerfelt, Editor, lingerfelts@hotmail.com or Diana Higginbotham, Chairman of PR &
C Committee, at higgdo@iolinc.net
Over the Fence … and Crossing County Lines
Page 8
Sharing Good Information
At recent board meetings, the PR and Communication Committee has heard from
members that many master gardeners do not have access to the newsletter and other
information contained on the website. This concerns the committee, as its major goal is
to improve communication and make information readily accessible to all West Virginia
Master Gardeners. We acknowledge that there are master gardeners who do not have
home computers and have no access to the internet. We are hopeful that, at the local
level, associations will take action to help all have access to our newsletter. Why not
consider:
l keeping several copies of the newsletter in the Extension office (this
would help with local program promotion efforts too)
l printing copies and making them accessible at meetings
l sharing tips on how to access the website with all, so that the WVMG
Program website becomes a favor stopping place for all with access to
the internet.
We also are sharing the following tip for those who have difficulty getting to
the WV Master Gardener Program Website, after accessing the internet.
Website address: http://www.wvu.edu~adgexten/horticult/master/
Access the internet and go to GOOGLE.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Launch a Google search for Master Gardeners, West Virginia.
The official West Virginia Master Gardener website is the first site on
the listing you will obtain through the search.
Double click on Master Gardeners, West Virginia and open this site.
Once the site is opened, take your curser to “Favorites” on the “my
web search bar” and double click on “Favorites”.
A pop-up box will appear on your screen.
On this screen, click on “ADD” to add the WVMG Program website to
your list of favorite websites.
--The next time you want to go to the website, simply access the internet and then move
your curser to FAVORITES.
--Double click on FAVORITES and scroll down the list until you locate the WVMG
Website.
--Double click on the website and it will open.
Over the Fence … and Crossing County Lines
Page 9
FIVE YEAR PLAN UPDATE
The Fiscal Planning Committee of the WVMGA is making great strides in
accomplishing the goals outlined in the plan. To date, they have developed and
submitted a budget for 2009 to the Board (approved). Also a format for planning budgets
for coming years was adopted. This process allows for the input of all committees and
groups operating under the direction of the board. Currently they are reviewing and
seeking input as to how the organization might want to continue to use the funds obtained
through the annual conference auctions.
The Public Relations & Communication Committee is on target with goals
established. The newsletter had an editor- Debra Lingerfelt, Master Gardener and Board
member from the New River/Fayette. It is being published quarterly during the month
following Board Meeting. Presently the PR & C Committee is reviewing and updating
the WV Master Gardener Program Brochure.
The Membership Retention Committee and the Volunteer Activities & Programs
Committee both have surveys that will be sent to local associations in the near future.
The Deadline for Nominations for the Golden Trowel Award and the Honorary
Master Gardener Award is February 1, 2009. The guidelines for the awards, along
with sample nominations, are posted on the WVMG Program website. Nominations
can be submitted electronically or via mail to Lee Reger, Chairman of the Awards
Committee.
Puzzle
Submitted by Jane Stalnaker, Marion County
In this puzzle, the same five letters can be arranged in a different order to make four different
words to fill in the blanks in the following sentence. The sentence has to make sense, and each
word uses the same five letters.
Here's the sentence:
A farmer with hundreds of ______ deeply ______ about the amount of rainfall he gets,
and ______ around watering the ground because it's dry enough to ______ him about
a possible crop failure.
Congratulations to those of you who guessed correctly.
The letters are A-C-R-E-S (acres, cares, races and scare).