For those of you who are new to your positions or may not know, the Georgia Master Gardener Association (GMGA) is an association of master gardeners from throughout the State of Georgia. Since the beginning of the Master Gardener program in 1979 (thanks to a group of Metro Atlanta Extension Agents), thousands have graduated from the Master Gardener program. Between 1994 and 2014, Master Gardener volunteers have volunteered a total of 2,849,243 hours at a multitude of projects statewide. We have always appreciated our agents, but our Board of Directors wants to ensure that you are aware of that appreciation. We know how many hours you put in both on and off the job to carry out the goals of the University of Georgia. We see that locally every day, and the citizens of our state are better served for your dedication. Each of you is invited to become a member of GMGA, sharing the status as “friend,” at no charge. As a friend, you will receive the bi-monthly newsletter of GMGA, allowing you to keep abreast with the activities of master gardener programs throughout the state. If you choose to accept membership status, you need do nothing. Your name will be added to our membership list as of April 1, 2015. Should you decline, simply respond to with the words: “opt out.” No further action on your part is necessary. We also want to reiterate your standing invitation to attend any of the annual GMGA conferences free of charge. Should you decide to do so, please let me know gmgapres2014@gmail.comand I will send you a registration form tailored to you. For more information on GMGA, please visit our website: http://georgiamastergardeners.org. We look forward to adding you to our membership rolls and seeing you at our next conference. Marjorie Stansel, President
To Our County Agents Inside this issue: What’s the Difference Between Continuing Ed and Advanced Training?
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Advanced Training
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Martha’s Super Suet
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Gardening Tips
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International Compost Awareness Week
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Georgia Gold Medal 2015 Winner:
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GMGA’S LOW COUNTRY SHRIMP BOIL COOK OUT
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2015 Georgia Gold Medal Native Category: Dwarf Oakleaf Hydrangeas
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Meet a Bee
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Snag Trees Are Important to Many Animals
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CLASSIFIEDS
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Georgia Gold Medal 2015 Winner: Annual - Cora™ Vinca
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Governor Deal Proclaims March 21st as Georgia Master Gardener Day  U
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SCOOP AUGUST,2016 Volume 1, Issue 1
Adapted from the Trellis blog post on November 24, 2014 (To subscribe to Trellis and join in the conversation, go to http://blog.extension.uga.edu/mgevp and use the “Sign Up” option on the righthand side of the screen.) Individuals are drawn to the MGEV program because of the opportunity to learn about horticulture topics. Staying informed and up-to-date on gardening topics and the latest research maintains enthusiasm and interest for many MGEVs. Just scanning through the continuing education entries in MGLOG, it's apparent that MGEVs get their information from many sources, such as speakers at the meetings of horticultural organizations, including MGEV organizations; national and international conferences; Extension workshops and presentations; and classes at the many public gardens in the state. This informal instruction on all things gardening is referred to as continuing education. It serves to keep you fresh and knowledgeable, usually 30 minutes or an hour at a time. In 2015, we hosted a research-based update. Grow Strong!, an update specifically for MGEVs that centers on our state initiative areas, is so important for MGEVs that we offered it in two locations -in Macon on January 16 and in Gainesville on January 30. It's pretty exciting, really, to hear about the latest research and projects of faculty and specialists across the University! This form of continuing education is intended to get you refreshed and re-energized about horticulture before we begin the busy spring season. In Georgia, we have another kind of training for veteran MGEVs. We offer Advanced Training to individuals who have completed the initial 50 hours of volunteer time and have some experience under their belt. Advanced Training aims to build skills and develop our educational programming for the public. It is more than subject-matter lectures. It answers the statement, “As a result of attending Advanced Training, MGEVs will be able to do XXX for/in partnership with Extension.” Advanced Training is somewhat different from continuing education. The trainings are in-depth -almost overwhelming sometimes! They are organized by UGA Extension, most often the State Program Office (SPO), specifically for MGEVs. Certificates are awarded to individuals who complete the 6-hour Advanced Training sessions, and attendance is recorded in MGLOG by the SPO. Individuals who are really interested in building their expertise can pursue Silver and Gold Star recognition April 15, 2015 – Teaching with Demonstration Gardens, Cobb County (R, YCG)
May 15, 2015 – Plant Expert Series: Turfgrass, UGA-Griffin (SGL) June 2015 – Vegetable Diagnostics, Macon (DDT) July 2015 – Water-Wise Landscape Techniques, Atlanta (WQM) September 11, 2015 – MG SPROUTS for Youth Audiences, Dahlonega (YCG) October 16, 2015 – Plant Expert Series: Native Trees, North Fulton (UFE, SGL) (Open to certified, active MGEVs only. Registrations will open 4-6 weeks prior to training date. Registration infor-mation will be distributed through local Extension Agents/ programs.) Caption describing picture or graphic.
What’s the Difference Between Continuing Ed and Advanced Training? By: Sheri Dorn Advanced Training Pa g e
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SCOOP (ICAW) is the largest and most comprehensive education initiative of the compost industry. It is celebrated each year in the first full week of May. This year’s theme is: BE LOYAL TO YOUR SOIL: COMPOST! As the US Representative of the composting industry, USCC has signed onto the International Year of Soils, a project of the Global Soils Partnership and the Food and Agriculture Office of the United Nations. Our US Theme will center on the need for compost as a component of healthy soil here in our country, in infrastructure development, agriculture and food production – compost’s role in everything from mitigation of brownfields, stormwater management and erosion control, and water conservation. Article and Poster published with permission- ICAW at http://compostingcouncil.org/icaw/
When planning your vegetable garden, consider that leafy vegetables need at least six hours of sunlight to develop properly. Fruiting vegetables like squash, tomatoes, eggplant, beans, and peppers need 10 hours of full sun. When transplanting seedlings in peat pots to your garden, be careful not to allow the rim of the peat pot to protrude above the soil level. If the rim is above the soil, it will act as a wick and draw moisture away from the transplant. To prevent this from happening, break away the uppermost rim of the pot before planting and make sure the pot is completely covered with soil. When tomato seedlings have 5-7 leaves, they are ready to transplant into the garden. To increase root growth and produce a sturdier plant, place tomatoes in soil up to the bottom leaves. Drive stakes for future supports at the same time you plant tomatoes. If you try to install stakes later, you may damage the plant roots.
Martha’s Super Suet
International Compost Awareness Week May 3-9, 2015 Gardening Tips I n s i d e
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1 cup lard (NOT Crisco or other solid vegetable shortening) 1 cup crunchy peanut butter 2 cups of quick-cook oatmeal 2 cups of cornmeal 1 cup white flour 1/3 cup sugar Melt lard and peanut butter together, then mix in other ingredients. Put into rectangular baking pan and chill (you might want to use throw-away pans). Cut into blocks, wrap in saran/waxed paper, store in refrigerator or freezer. Won’t melt in our summer heat. You may expect cardinals, titmice, chickadees, wrens, sparrows, warblers and woodpeckers. Coastal Master Gardener Association Newsletter, Courtesy of Coastal Wild Scapes “I have been making this for a several years. This Autumn I got lazy and bought some suet chunks from the store. The birds didn't seem very interested, so I made this recipe. Ten out of ten birds prefer this to store-bought. So I have been busy this Winter making it for them. Especially since the raccoons discovered them and stole not only the suet but the suet cages and hangers as well! I mean, I love all critters - we call the bird feeders "nature feeders" - but they don't have to steal the containers! So now I bring the food in at dusk and set them out again at dawn”. ~ Carol McCurdy MGEV
For the past 22 years the Georgia Gold Medal winners have been selected by a group of horticultural pro-fessionals and faculty of the University of Georgia. The competing nominees are judged on criteria such as survivability, ease of maintaining, and seasonal interest. The GGMP is run by the SBG, and the link is http://botgarden.uga.edu/explore/goldmedalplants.php This year’s winner in the annual category is Cora vinca and Cora Cascade vinca. The Cora is a cultivar of Catharanthus roseus and is not to be confused with periwinkle, also called vinca and of the same family, but a perennial mostly used as ground cover and tolerant of shade. Unlike any periwinkle, the 2015 Gold Medal winner Cora vinca, with large blooms, stands up to 16“ tall and blooms in vibrant colors. Reliable, uniform color such as magenta and apricot is the reason a mass planting of Cora vinca resembles a living carpet. The heavy blooming plant, up to 16” tall and 24” wide, produces flower the entire summer season and into the fall. Prized for its ability to withstand extreme, stressful conditions, the Cora vinca does require basic considera-tions such as good soil drainage and pH of 5.4 to 5.8. The plant does not require dead heading or pinching back for continuous bloom. So, enjoy an “easy” flowers this summer with impressive bloom-ing power. If you would like to learn more about Cora vinca, please visit the following links: University of Georgia Vinca Production and University of Florida Garden Solutions . Teresa Burkett, Master Gardener Volunteer, UGA Extension Muscogee County
602 Greene St Augusta, GA 30901 Phone: 706-821-2350 Fax: 706-821-2584 E-mail: mastergardeneractivities@outlook.com
GMGA is all of this…
And so are you! Please renew your membership today, if you have not already. This is the last issue of The Scoop you will receive if your membership is not current. And you won’t want to miss any of the exciting events we have planned for 2015. Not a member yet? Join us now to receive all the benefits of GMGA membership at www.georgiamastergardeners.org/gmgamembership.htm membership Application Form on page 19 if you prefer to mail a check U G A
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Georgia Gold Medal 2015 Winner: Annual - Cora™ Vinca WE’RE ON THE WEB! ://georgiamastergardeners.org/
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Spring Is Almost Here GMGA’S LOW COUNTRY SHRIMP BOIL COOK OUT On October 3, 2014, GMGA sponsored a "low country shrimp boil cookout” social event in conjunction with the annual conference in Savannah, Georgia. It was held at the UGA Bamboo Gardens Pavilion. This event was hosted by Louise Grotheer, Steve Taylor, District Directors for GMGA’S SE District, and the outstanding Coastal master gardener group. Louise’s son, Karl Grotheer, his wife, and his son, cooked and served an excellent low country shrimp boil that was well received and enjoyed by all attendees. While the celebration and cook out were delayed by a brief rain shower, it was well attended and enjoyed by a large gathering of gardening friends from throughout the State. Once under way and in the hands of Marjorie Stansel, GMGA President, and Carole Teja, Past President, the event was lively and lots of fun. Social events such as this are usually one of the highlights of GMGA’S annual conferences. And, in my personal opinion, they are one of the more valuable services provided by GMGA to serve and assist the overall Master Gardener program in the State. The conference, with its social evening, is the one single event provided for all State’ Master Gardeners to gather with fellow master gardeners on an annual basis. It provides each of us the opportunity to make new friends, renew acquaintances, learn of new/different pro-grams and opportunities and different ways to better serve our communities.
I am personally looking forward to the GMGA social for 2015 in Dahlonega. I hope to see each of you there. Article and Photos by: Charlie Miller, GMGA Photographer and MGEV
In 2015, the vernal equinox (which is also called the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere) falls on March 20 at 6:45 P.M. EDT. Hydrangea quercifolia Here in the state of Georgia, members of The Gold Medal Plant Committee meet each year and choose winning plants that have desirable characteristics, such as ease of maintenance and year round appeal. Winning plants fall into six categories: vines, annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees. Throughout the process their objective is to promote the production, sale, and use of plants considered to be of superior quality. The Georgia Gold Medal program is based out of the State Botanical Garden of Georgia and their tagline says it all: Take home a Gold Medal Plant…and take home a winner! The 2015 Gold Medal plant winner in the native category is the dwarf oakleaf hydrangeas. It includes the compact cultivars of Hydrangea quercifolia, a native plant in Georgia. Cultivars such as “Snowqueen”, “Snowflake” and “Harmony” grow to 8 feet high and wide. The cultivar “Alice” is said to grow to 12 feet high and wide. By the way, oakleaf hydrangea “Alice” was a 2000 Gold Medal Plant winner. Unlike other cultivars, the dwarf oakleaf hydrangeas grow 3 to 4 feet in height and width. The appealing characteristics of larger cultivars remain. Two varieties in particular are exceptional. Hydrangea quercifolia “Ruby Slippers” and “Munchkin” both have large oak shaped leaves that turn a brilliant color in the fall. The dwarf cultivars also have exfoliating bark and 6 to 9 inch flowers, paniculate inflorescences, held upright above the foliage. Few plants offer such interesting year-round appeal.
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Meet a Bee 2015 Georgia Gold Medal - Native Category: Dwarf Oakleaf Hydrangeas
Super Suet This is a Polyester Bee (one of many mining bees). The Polyester Bee helps pollinate blueberries. They have shiny abdomens and line their brood cells with a waterproof cellophane-like substance. This substance is be-ing studied as a natural plastic substitute that can decompose in five years. Photo - "Colletes daviesanus 2005.07.17 11.08.11" by Michael Becker - taken by Michael Becker. Licensed
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under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons Article by Marjorie Stansel
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Snag Trees Are Important to Many Animals When I took the Master Naturalist class several years ago, we studied the Long Leaf Pine and its place in the habitat at Fort Benning. They had left several dying / dead trees standing, and one tree
even had a sign explaining that they were intentionally left. These trees are called snags and are a very important element in a healthy forest. Large snags provide nesting, roosting, and foraging opportunities for various species of wildlife. As the size of bird species increases, larger snags are required, which suggests that a range of snag sizes is needed to support a diverse bird community. I recently cut down two large hickory trees, and I left one standing about 15 feet high. It hasn't shown sign of decay yet, but will eventually. I have hung suet blocks on the tree, hoping to entice the woodpeckers that enjoy this meal so they will be used to coming to the tree and will be ready to enjoy their nature tree. Other critters use snag trees - owls nest in cavities. I don't know if my tree has a big enough diameter for some of the bigger birds. I doubt it, but I'll enjoy whatever does take up with me. If you have hazard trees, consider converting the tree to a short snag or wildlife tree as an alternative to complete removal. Cut the tree to a height to which it will not hit a structure if it falls. As the tree decays, many species of birds and mammals may utilize the tree for forage and shelter. Another alternative is to have the tree felled and left in place. The downed woody debris will provide additional wildlife habitat. You can also help in establishing snag trees by helping your community and government services understand the importance of leaving snag trees on public lands.
Hickory, cut October 2014 Article and photo by Gayle Dean