OCTBER 2006

Whatcom County Master Gardeners Weeder’s Digest

MESSAGE FROM THE Master Gardeners provide public education ROGRAM OORDINATOR P C in gardening and home horticulture based on Welcome to Fall! research-based information from Washington These cool mornings are sending a message to us and our plants that fall is here and is making changes to our living, State University Extension. such as raking up lots of leaves. I am still waiting for the fall rains to start, they will be most welcome. I am writing this in advance of the annual advanced train- “Cultivating Plants, People and Communities since 1973” ing so I can’t write on its’ success. However I am sure it will be sold out, and every detail has been worked out, so we expect it be both entertaining and educational. Thanks to all of you who volunteered for the various sum- mer activities. Our endeavors have been very well carried out CALENDAR and well received. Remember that we have on-going needs for volunteers during the rest of the fall and the winter, so don’t give up the habit of volunteering. The Ballot for the Foundation elections is enclosed. Please vote and return the ballot to the extension offi ce. If you want to vote for someone not listed on the ballot, write-in votes are welcome. We wish to thank those Gardeners who accepted nominations and ran for offi ce. We realize that it takes time to hold an offi ce, and we appreciate their commitment. There are no losers here, only winners.

CORRECTION Our good friend Dr. Art Antonelli sent us a note correcting last months’ newsletter on Moisture Ants. He reminds us that the Genus Acanthomyops does not occur in the PNW, only Lasius does. We appreciate Art helping out with his knowledge AND now we know that he really does read our newsletter! Thanks Art. He ends his note with CHEERS! And so will I, ~Al McHenry

Cooperating agencies: Washington State University and U.S. Department of Agriculture. Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local Extension Offi ce. FOUNDATION NOTES

2 Weeder’s Digest TIS THE SEASON YOUR MONTHLY GARDENING GUIDE BY GUEST WRITER, JOHN VANMIERT YET ONE SMILE MORE, DEPARTING, DISTANT SUN! ONE MELLOW SMILE THROUGH THE SOFT VAPOR AIR, Pacifi c Northwest gardens usually tuber, because that will usually rot and ERE, O’RE THE FROZEN EARTH, THE LOUD WINDS RUN, have lots of fl owers throughout the fall. could destroy the whole tuber. OR SNOWS ARE SIFTED O’RE THE MEADOWS BARE. For a continuity of fl owers, replace sum- Hardy chrysanthemums are a spe- (AUTHOR UNKNOWN) mer varieties with biennials, such as win- cial feature in the West-Coast gardens ter pansies and forget-me-nots. Interplant this month. Blooming can be prolonged Asian pears ripen on the tree. Simple these hardy biennials with some of the if they are covered with polyethylene to sample them from time to time. When spring-fl owering bulbs. keep the rain off. they taste good, pick them. Now you can begin planting early Winters are too wet for outdoor pit It’s not necessary to fertilize apples spring bulbs. A rich sandy soil is best storage in the Pacifi c Northwest. We in our area with nitrogen and potassium to grow bulbs. Mix some bulb food, like must rely on a cool, not too dry, well- unless there are obvious signs that they bonemeal or superphosphate, to the ventilated basement or shed for storing need it. Applying these nutrients un- soil. Bulbs like lots of sun, but you still potatoes and most of the other root necessarily may tend to cause bitter pit, can grow them under deciduous trees, crops soon to be harvested. particular in those larger apple varieties, because the leaves are only arriving after Onions and squash need dry, quite which seem prone to it. the blooming of the bulbs is over. Prepare warm storage. Requirements for stor- You can still take cuttings from your that soil with lots of organic matter to a age of winter squash are dryness and healthy geraniums for rooting. You need depth of 10 inches. protection from freezing. A cool, dry a well lighted frost-free, around 55 to Deciduous trees and shrubs, which place is ideal, but it is usually necessary 65 degrees F. inside place to get them have lost their leaves, or will soon do so, to store indoors to insure a low humid- rooted, of course, a greenhouse is a may now be transplanted in our area. Fall ity. Never place squash directly on a must for the real gardeners! The cuttings planting is a good time for new improve- concrete fl oor. should be 4 inches tall and placed in a ments. The nurseries are bringing the Sweetmeat and Butternut varieties pH neutral medium. Some good propaga- new crops on the market, so it’s easier will keep until mid-summer if handled in tion mixtures are peat moss and perlite, to select better plants, i.e. plants that are the correct manner. Do not cure acorn peat moss and vermiculite, peat moss not yet exposed to all kind of weather squash like other squash; they become and sand. (I recommend using always conditions, sometimes in a too small orange and stringy at 80 degrees F. a little mask over your mouth and nose container, while standing for extended Store them at 45-50 degrees F. Cab- when working with these materials). Don’t times on blacktop surfaces or unfavor- bage, potatoes, beets and carrots need use any fertilizers. Only dip the cuttings in able environmental conditions. comparatively cool (35-40 degrees F.) a rooting stimulant. Time to remove the annuals, and cut and fairly humid conditions. Keep the slug population down by perennials back to 4” to 5” above the Rhubarb can be divided and re- clearing all debris out of the area. The ground. Ornamental grasses could be planted now. New 2- year old rhubarb eggs are plentiful under old boards, pots, left uncut. The foliage adds color to the clumps may be purchased or procured and all kinds of unneeded debris. winter garden. Of course, all gardeners for setting out in the garden. Many perennial plants will benefi t should have a compost operation going, The best time for green manure from some kind of winter protection in our and now all the taken up annuals, and seeding was by the end of September; climate. A good way to protect your pe- the trimmings from perennials, can be however, October might give also a rennials is by mulching with compost or added to the compost pile. However, if good covering. Many gardeners use the fi ne bark. Another good protection can be you noticed diseased plants or leaves on grain type of rye. This is a fast growing obtained by spreading sawdust, hay or these plants, then it is better not to add it plant, especially in the spring, and adds evergreen branches over them; Douglas to the compost. a lot of green manure to your soil. This fi r branches being preferred because the Gladiolus bulbs should be lifted, dried is maybe the best to use in our area. abundance of the fi ner needles. and stored. Dahlias keep blooming till the Also used is annual rye grass. Be sure fi rst frost hit them, but the tubers should that it’s the annual kind, because there be lifted after the fi rst frost. Tuberous be- is also a perennial kind, which is hard to gonias should be lifted before heavy frost get rid off in the spring-garden. arrives. To cure the tubers cut back most It’s harvest time for late pears and of the tops, leaving the roots intact. Place most apples. To check if the pears are in a dry, cool storage area for a couple of ready for picking, lift the pear with your weeks. After curing shake off the dirt, and fi nger and let it drop down by remov- remove the remnants of the stem on the ing your fi nger. If it’s ready it will fall off.

whatcom.wsu.edu/mastergardener 3 PLANT OF THE MONTH: WESTERN SERVICEBERRY BY CHERYLL GREENWOOD KINSLEY

the fruit of the tree commonly as wide. It’s a great choice for that known as mountain ash. Those middle part of the border between who have tried both will take standard trees and small shrubs. Just serviceberries over rowan don’t plant it where mess from dropped berries every time. And if you berries will be a problem. And if you’re don’t believe me, just watch the short on space, look for Amelanchier birds to see which berries they stolonifera, a spreading serviceberry fl ock to. that stays under 4 feet tall. Bears like serviceberries, Another reason to write about and people seem to enjoy them serviceberry now is that October is a FAMILY: ROSACEAE (THE ROSE FAMILY) too. They’re a key ingredient in pem- great time to plant those new trees and GENUS: AMELANCHIER Species: alnifolia mican and, it is said, they make a fi ne shrubs that defi ne the structure and fi lling for a pie, so long as a little lemon form the bones of our gardens. Plus, October is a good month to fea- or vinegar is added. Their taste is de- almost everything is on sale now and ture the serviceberry, because you’re scribed as “musty blueberry.” the plants with fall color are especially likely to notice its brilliant fall color in a Western serviceberry is also known appealing. Of course, Master Garden- garden near yours--if you don’t already as Saskatoon, leading one to believe ers always counsel against impulsive have a serviceberry of your own to it grows near the community of that plant-buying. Do your research, plan admire. These mostly North Ameri- name in Saskatchewan and must be your siting, and dig that hole before can natives are known for their fi re in named for the town. But the reverse is you and your wallet make the trip to the autumn; but like many other deciduous actually true: the town is named for the garden center. As for me? I’d have to shrubs and trees, serviceberry offers berries, which in Cree are known as drop my wallet in the hole and cover it delights in all seasons. Its form and misaaskwatoomin. On the other side of up before I’d be safe from end-of-sea- bark provide winter interest. The spring the continent, the eastern native Amel- son plant sales. foliage is purple opening to green, and anchier is known as shadbush because it emerges after the fl owers. its blossoms coincide with the shad In many locations, the very early runs that, alas, have declined at least white fl owers of Amelanchier alnifolia as rapidly as our salmon runs. In the are revered as the fi rst signs of spring. midwest, yet another native species is In fact, one totally unsubstantiated ru- commonly called Juneberry because mor--suitable I suppose to be included the fruit ripen in early summer. All told, here this month because Halloween there are about 25 different species of looms--is that the name “serviceberry” serviceberry, and at least 20 are North derived from settlers in isolated north- American natives. ern communities taking the blossoms Even though Western serviceberry as a sign that the ground was suffi - can be pruned to a single trunk, it’s ciently thawed for grave-digging and a best left as an open, multi-stemmed signal to hold the fi rst funeral “service” shrub. It appreciates sun for most The author of our Plant of the Month of the year. It is true that it was quite of the day, soil on the acid side, and tolerates summer drought once feature since 1997, Cheryll is a writer and common to wait to dig graves until the an editor and a dedicated Master Gardener established. Go easy on the fertilizer ground thawed in spring. But the name in Whatcom County. Next to the people association? Somebody made that and fussing. Serviceberry is the kind of in her life, words and plants—their his- whopper up. It is as true as the rumor native plant that does fi ne with benign tory, their habits, and their needs—are her favorite things. When she’s not at her that chewing gum will take care of your neglect--unless you choose one of the newer named varieties that are a little keyboard, you might fi nd her helping others rodent problem. The truth is probably learn about gardening or tending her own more demanding and just a touch more that “service” in this case is an evolved small plot—chasing horsetail, counting colloquialism for “Sorbus,” because susceptible to pests and diseases. ladybugs, and looking for a spot where she the unknown namer thought the fruit Expect your serviceberry to grow can wedge in just one more Cryptomeria. of Amelanchier bore a resemblance to slowly to perhaps 20 feet tall and half You can reach her, if you’d like, by e-mail: [email protected]. 4 Weeder’s Digest GARDEN FRIENDS & FOES: WESTERN GALL RUST (WGR) BASIDIOMYCOTINA, UREDINALES, CRONARTIACEAE BY KRISTINE K. SCHLAMP

● In May-July, climate dependant, ● Remove trees showing numer- orange spores form in blisters beneath ous galls, especially stem galls. Dur- the bark of the galls. ing thinning operations, favor lightly ● Spores become airborne and in- infected trees without stem galls, and if it’s practical, prune off branch galls on Western Gall Rust - Fruiting Bodies fect new shoots. Small galls are visible Image courtesy of James W. Byler, USDA on branches about 1.5 to 2 years later “leave” trees. Forest Services and are able to produce spores. ● Severe infection causes stem ● Galls continue to grow and malformation (and loss of value), Pest Status: release spores each spring until they breakage, and tree killing, particularly ● Western Gall Rust (WGR) is most girdle the host stem or branch. of seedlings. destructive in tree farms, plantations ● Infection occurs through the suc- ● Because of the hazard associ- and nurseries. culent tissue of elongating shoots, so ated with wind breakage, watch for ● WGR can directly and more rap- all galls are initially formed on one- large stem infections on pines growing idly infect because it has no alternate year-old growth. near structures and, if desired, prune host. ● Moist conditions promote spore off galls to increase vigor and improve ● The aeciospores clearly can rein- release and infection. Galls continue to form. fect pine. There are no telia or basidia increase in diameter as the host tree ● Loss in cubic feet per year is not spores. grows, and typically reach sizes of 5-10 known. ● Conditions optimal for infection cm in diameter (although larger galls occur every several years, resulting sometimes develop on main stems). Biological Control: in “wave years” of infection and gall The fungus and the tree may survive ● Scytalidium uredinicola is a de- formation. for 200 years. structive hyperparasite of WGR, which ● Airborne spores infect the succu- ● Galls become inactive with the reduces the inoculum potential. lent tissue of young shoots and cause death of the branch or stem, or are ● This mycoparasite breaks down the wood to swell into galls (globe- often killed by hyperparasitic fungi, spores and the active rust sori of WGR, shaped clumps). but the woody swellings remain on the making the infected areas appear ● WGR is a disease that occurs tree. clumpy and stringy. on 2-and 3-needle pine trees. This ● Infected sori are a yellowish- disease does not affect 5-needle pines Detection and Damage: green to whitish-gray in appearance, such as western white pine. Look for the following signs and depending on the stage of infection. ● WGR is found in eastern North symptoms: ● Hyphae of the mycoparasite are America as well, the common names able to penetrate the wood tissue of “pine-to-pine gall rust”, “globose gall Globe-shaped the galls and destroy rust hyphae. rust” or Woodgate gall rust are some- perennial galls ● Infections begin early in the sea- times used. but sometimes son and are found in the developing very young galls sorus under the peridium, thus provid- Primary Hosts and Distribution: can be spindle- ing control before spores are released. ● WGR is widespread throughout shaped. Galls of ● S. uredinicola may be able to the Pacifi c Northwest affecting suscep- this disease are woody and are peren- completely deactivate older galls once tible trees throughout their range. And nial, producing spore blisters each year an infection is established. despite its name, it does occur in the until the death of ● The diffi culty in promoting the East too. the tree. natural control of WGR by S. uredinic- ● In the Pacifi c Northwest, it is ola lies in effi cient means of application found on lodgepole, ponderosa, and Orange-yellow for the biological control agent. jack pine in natural forests, and on any spores become ● Often mycoparasites, despite of the introduced hard pines includ- exposed as the having considerable potential as ing bishop, mugo, Monterey, Scots, bark falls off. biocontrol agents for plant pathogens, Austrian pines. have not been successfully implement- ed in fi eld situations, which is likely a Life Cycle Management and Impact: failure in application. ● WGR has a two-year life cycle, ● Practically all of the lodgepole from infection to the time when spores pine stands in the Pacifi c Northwest Dissemination of the mycopara- are fi rst produced. are infected to some degree. site Scytalidium uredinicola: ● Galls are generally globose, they ● WGR is impossible to eradicate, ● In western North America, there may be asymmetrical and are some- as its spores may spread for miles and were 78 species of invertebrates col- times deeply fi ssured. directly infect other pines. lected from WGR. whatcom.wsu.edu/mastergardener 5 WHATCOM WEEDS: PORTUGUESE BROOM – CYTISUS STRIATUS BY LAUREL BALDWIN

though may be smaller. There are can be hand pulled in moist condi- many stems, which are sparsely tions, while large plants can be dug or covered with dark green leaves. removed with a weed wrench. Mowing The leaves are more numerous can be used to prevent seed produc- towards the ends of the stems, tion. If the plant is cut, Portuguese and each leaf is composed of 1 broom can usually resprout from the to 3 leafl ets. Portuguese broom stump. However, plants cut fl ush to the THREAT: Portuguese broom, a has pale yellow pea-like fl owers in the ground may not resprout, especially native to Europe, was introduced to spring. Seeds are borne in an infl ated during drought conditions. There is no North America for landscaping and pod (¾ to 1 ¾ “ long), which is densely information on the use of herbicides to soil stabilization uses. It has escaped covered with whitish hairs. After dry- control this species. cultivation and invaded natural areas ing, the pods split open and the seeds in California and Oregon, including are ejected from the plant. Portuguese savannah, scrub and open forest. broom is very similar to Scotch broom, Portuguese broom forms dense thick- being distinguished primarily by its ets, replacing native vegetation. Like paler yellow fl owers and the white, other brooms, this plant burns readily hairy seedpods. Additionally, the stems and the seeds remain viable for years. of Portuguese broom are 8 to 10 sided, Additionally, the seeds of Portuguese while those of Scotch broom are 5 to 6 broom are toxic to ungulates. sided.

DESCRIPTION: Portuguese broom MANAGEMENT OPTIONS: Portu- is a deciduous shrub in the legume guese broom can be controlled using Portuguese Broom Bloom, family. It grows up to 10 feet tall, al- mechanical control. Small plants Image courtesy of Glenn Miller of Oregon Dept. of Agriculture

Laurel Baldwin can be reached through the Whatcom County Noxious Weed Control Board. 901 W. Smith Road, Bellingham, WA 98226. Phone: 360.354.3990 http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/publicworks/weeds

Bloedel-Donovan Park

For a few years now, I’ve been talking to new Master Gardener classes about a potential demonstration garden at Bloedel-Donovan Park to showcase watershed-friendly gardening techniques. Many of you have been intrigued by the idea and have wanted to help. I’m very pleased to tell you that the demonstration garden is fi nally in the works! Over the past several months, we’ve been working with Bellingham Parks and Recreation to come up with plans that work with their maintenance concerns while still providing homeowners with watershed-friendly ideas to take home to their own yards. Now we need your help to make the garden a reality. Bellingham Parks and Recreation is hosting a volunteer planting party on Saturday, October 21, 9:00 - noon. Help us plant a new lakeside buffer, alternatives to turf, pest- resistant perennials, alternatives to invasives, and native plants! To sign up for the planting party, please contact Rae Edwards, the parks volunteer coordinator, at redwards@ cob.org or 676-6801 ext. 24. For any other questions, please contact me at [email protected] or 715-7450. Hope to see you on October 21!

Scarlet Tang Watershed-Friendly Gardening Education Program

6 Weeder’s Digest Logo & Slogan Contest Invitation

The Extension Master Gardener program will be 35 years old in 2007 and as part of that celebration you are invited to submit an original logo design and slogan for the international Organization’s communication and visual identity. This partnership will signify the cooperation of all State Master Gardener programs and will use this identifi cation for marketing and promotion of a national unifi ed program. State and local logos will still be utilized, but may have the option of adding the international logo and slogan. The new logo and the title will be trademarked and protected by the USDA/ CRSEES. The Guidelines, Logo specifi cations, and Slogan specifi cations are located in the Extension offi ce. The prize, besides being the proud national winner, is registration and lodging at the International Master Gardener Conference held in Little Rock, Arkansas, May 2 -5, 2007. Entries will be accepted beginning October 15, and the contest will close February 15, 2007. For more information contact me, Al McHenry at 360.676.6736.

Monthly Timesheets Wanted!!!

A timesheet to record your volunteer hours up to September 30 is enclosed in this Weeder’s Digest. In early October we will tally your hours for the year and send you a postcard. Just complete and mail to the offi ce OR go to the website: whatcom.wsu.edu/volunteer/gardener.htm. Use the following information to access the website: User name: whatco37 (six lowercase letters and two numerals). The password: 1Whatcom (the fi rst character of the password must be the numeral 1 and the second character must be an uppercase W). Both the username and the password are case sensitive. Click on Whatcom County Master Gardener monthly internet timesheet.

GARDEN FRIENDS & FOES Continued from page 5 ● It was found that Epuraea obliquus (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) was the most abundant invertebrate species on gall rust, with much of its life cycle occurring on the gall during sporulation. ● Since S. uredinicola is also present on the sporulating tissue during the same period, it has a close temporal associa- tion with the beetle. ● It has been established that viable spores of this mycoparasite can be cultured from the beetle’s frass. ● The close association between these two combined with the abundance of the beetle on WGR makes the beetle and important vector for the mycoparasite.

Reference: ● Currie, C.R., and Hiratsuka, Y. 1996. Evaluating insect-mediated dispersal of Scytalidium uredinicola for the biological control of western gall rust. Can. J. For. Res. 26: 1754-1760.

● Moltzan, B.D., and Blenis, P.V. 1999. Effects of gall age, gall size, and rust severity on the incidence of the mycopara- site Scytalidium uredinicola. Can. J. For. Res. 29: 319-343.

● http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/nr/fi d/widweb/wid-rust.shtml

● http://www.nrc.ca/cisti/journals/tcjpp/k01-030.html

HOVANDER UPDATE BY DAVID SIMONSON

Pumpkin Day will be Saturday, October 14, from 9 till noon. We give pumpkins to residents of adult group homes and to children. So bring your kids, grandchildren or neighbor kids for this event. It is always a “fun” day and we need volunteers to participate. Plan to arrive around 8:45 a.m. to prepare for the day. Bring gloves and possibly loppers or hand pruners. whatcom.wsu.edu/mastergardener 7 WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY WHATCOM COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS 1000 N. FOREST STREET, SUITE 201

BELLINGHAM WA 98225

Horticulture Agent Horticulture

Craig MacConnell Craig

Thursday, November 9, 2006 9, November Thursday,

Ferndale Senior Center Senior Ferndale

have been provided by Dan Coyne unless otherwise noted. otherwise unless Coyne Dan by provided been have

Graduation/Potluck

considerations, grammar, spelling and syntax. Photographs Photographs syntax. and spelling grammar, considerations,

ce. Editor reserves the right to edit for space space for edit to right the reserves Editor ce. fi Of Extension the

Annual End of the Year Year the of End Annual

Wednesday of each month to Cheryl Kahle ([email protected]) at at ([email protected]) Kahle Cheryl to month each of Wednesday

encouraged. Please submit typewritten articles by the third third the by articles typewritten submit Please encouraged.

County Master Gardener Program. Guest articles are are articles Guest Program. Gardener Master County

The Weeder’s DIgest is the monthly newsletter of the Whatcom Whatcom the of newsletter monthly the is DIgest Weeder’s The

360.676.6736

Bellingham, WA 98225-5594 WA Bellingham, 1000 N. Forest Street, Suite 201 Suite Street, Forest N. 1000