Digging in Dodge
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Dodge County Master Gardener Association July 2015 Issue 42 Digging in Dodge A Note from our President A member of my family got me a plaque young ladies I am working with men- this year that says, “I may sleep in the tioned they did not want to get their house, but I live in the garden.” Well, shoes dirty, I suggested they simply go then. I would try sleeping out there as barefoot. Shoes went flying in 10 differ- well, but the man-eating mosquitoes ent directions and they jumped right in. would get me. Speaking of mosquitoes, Mayville is in the process of becoming Inside this issue: they seem to be worse this year. Some of a “Blue Zone Community” (read more them are big enough to qualify as the about the Blue Zone project here: state bird. https://www.bluezones.com/about-blue- Upcoming Meetings 2 Summer does mean mosquitoes. And, it zones/). The Youth Master Gardener Association will play an integral part of Events of Interest 3 is the season when we are all busy in our that program. One aspect of this pro- gardens; improving, trying something new, Gardening for Gold 4 gram is to incorporate healthier food clearing out the old, or just plain enjoying into daily living. With the Youth Master Cedarburg Bog Tour 4 our efforts. As I drive from place to place, Gardener Association, the food that we Fireflies 5 I cannot help but notice how much the harvest will not only go to the families Annual Bus Tour 5 people of this great state love gardening. of the students in the program, but There is seldom a home that does not some will go to the school lunch pro- Moths 6 have some sort of horticultural enhance- gram. (This will also be true in the Hus- Difference between Moth 6 ment. It is hard to miss the bursts of color, tisford Youth Master Gardener Associa- & Butterfly the patches of vegetables, and the hard- tion.) We will teach the youth about growing, harvesting, and preparing the scapes that catch the eye and spark a Hummingbird Moth 7 food in healthy and nutritious recipes. smile. As we get this core group of students Ask a Master Gardener 7 Helpline One of the things our organization has educated, they will take their been striving to do is educate people knowledge back to their families and to about the benefits of gardening. We have their peers. It will be a watershed effect launched two Youth Master Gardener As- and will continue to spread in the com- sociations and have a third in the works. munity. The initial class will be small, The first two are with Kindergarten but from small starts come great things. through sixth grade students and the third So, get out there and enjoy the summer will be with Middle/Senior High School stu- despite the man-eating mosquitoes. dents. I am thrilled to see the enthusiasm Bring along a neighbor, friend, or family with which these young people are em- member and spread the word. Garden- bracing these programs. This summer, ing is the healthy thing to do. the primary classroom has been outside in the gardens themselves. I have never Happy Gardening. known it to be a problem to get children to Carol dig in the soil, and these classes have been no exception. When some of the Pa ge 2 Digging in Dodge I ssue 42 2015 Projects Master Gardeners will be working on various projects in Dodge County this year. Projects are underway in Beaver Dam, Horicon, Juneau, Mayville, Watertown, and Waupun. Each project has a Master Gardener who coordinates the work. A complete and updated list of projects with contact person information is available from our website or from Carol Shirk (920) 387-5105. Upcoming Meetings Anyone with an interest in gardening is welcome to attend the following free programs. Master Gardener meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of the month. Unless otherwise noted, the meetings are at 6:30 p.m. in the Administration Building, 127 E. Oak Street, Juneau. July 23 – Tour Bryn-Teg Farm, Ashippun by Gary and Caryl Watterson. The acreage of BrynTeg Farm has been in the same family since 1963. They use all-natural, time-tested growing processes: vegetables, herbs, and most fruits are grown free of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, and the apple orchard is maintained us- ing integrated pest management (IPM). Produce is available through Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter CSA subscriptions, individual ordering, and the Delafield Farmers' Market. We will be touring the 13 acre farm, and sharing a snack potluck. The meeting time will be 6:00 rather than 6:30. August 27 – Landscaping with Native Plants by Lois Damerow. Native plants are beautiful, interesting, low-maintenance and now, new research shows, essential for a healthy ecosystem. Drawing on her years as landscape designer and gardener, Loris Damerow, current president of the Wild Ones Fox Valley Area Chap- ter, will share her enthusiasm for native plants and tout their importance in the home landscape. September 24 – Brighten Your Indoor Space with Living Plants by Patti Nagai. Gardening year round in your home can be a joyful learning experience (or a big mess!) Patti Nagai, the Horticulture Educator for Racine County UW-Extension will teach about selection and care of houseplants - tropical foliage, flowering plants, even citrus and herbs. Plants help create a healthier and more beautiful indoor environment, but only if they are in the right place and cared for to stay insect and disease free. Brighten your interior with plants and enhance your quality of life through the natural therapy of nurturing a productive, healthy plant. Master Gardener Websites http://www.wimastergardener.org/ http://www.wimastergardener.org/?q=Dodge http://dodge.uwex.edu/master-gardener/ Master Gardener E-mail askamastergardener@att.net Digging in Dodge I ssue 42 Pa ge 3 Events of Interest Wednesday, July 29, 2015 Gorgeous Gravel Gardens Walk Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Madison 6:30 p.m.— 8 p.m. Green or sustainable gardens make sense for many reasons—they are good for the environment and they are good for us. Many people want beautiful gardens, but don’t have the time, nor want to see precious re- sources like water and energy go into growing them. Join Olbrich’s Director of Horticulture Jeff Epping for a walk through the outdoor gardens to learn about gravel gardens and how they can easily be incorporated into home landscapes. He will show you how Olbrich has replaced lawns and traditional perennial beds with these sustainable gardens. Limited space; register early. To register or for more information visit their web- site at www.olbrich.org or call (608) 246-4550. Registration Deadline: July 22 Cost: $15/12 member Course Number: 31-06 Wednesday August 19, 2015 Paper Making with Prairie Grass UW-Fond du Lac, Room A215 7 p.m. Did you know you can make paper from dried plants and grasses you have around your yard or garden? In this class, we'll explore what happens when you combine common plants, some soda ash, boiling water, and pressure - you'll be amazed at the gorgeous handmade papers we'll create! Mel Kolstad is an artist, speaker, instructor, curator, arts advocate, and Certified Papermaker. Her love of vintage ephemera and repurposed materials is what first led her to creating art; since then she's discovered the joys of printmaking and encaustic work, as well as rediscovering her love of fiber art. For more infor- mation check the website at www.gottfriedprairie.org or call 920-313-0190. August 19—23, 2015 Dodge County Fair Dodge County Fairgrounds, Beaver Dam The Dodge County Fair is the areas main event. An outdoor main stage concert venue entertains country and rock concert goers, taste great fair food, view the many exhibits and animals while learning, doing and just having a great time! And don’t forget to visit the Dodge County Master Gardner’s booth while at the fair. The booth will be in the 4-H Youth Building and will be highlighting tree diversity. Master Gar- deners will be on hand Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 2 p.m.— 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.– 6 p.m., and Sunday 2 p.m.— 6 p.m. to answer gardening questions. August 25 — 27 2015 Wisconsin Farm Technology Days Sun Prairie (Dane Co.), Wisconsin This premier exposition (previously called Farm Progress Days) – the largest agricultural show in Wisconsin – is also one of the largest in the nation. The three-day outdoor event showcases the latest improvements in production agriculture, including many practical applications of recent research findings and technological de- velopments. For more information see the Farm Technology website at http:// www.wifarmtechnologydays.com/ For more events, visit the Wisconsin Master Gardener website at http://wimastergardener.org/?q=EventsList Pa ge 4 Digging in Dodge I ssue 42 2015 Gardening for Gold SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2015 Silver Sponsors 8:15 A.M. TO 3:30 P.M. HORICON MARSH EDUCATION CENTER PUBLIC IS WELCOME PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED Reed Chrysler Dodge SPACE IS LIMITED Jeep Ram PRESENTERS: Bronze Sponsors Gold Sponsors Bee Keeping ~ Quinn & Bernadette Williams Gardening for Pollinators ~ Tim Eilbes Fairy Gardens ~ Heather Kreif Growing and Using Herbs ~ Susan Obry Kathryn J. Hassin Family of Judy Studer Brochure/registration form is available online Attorney at Law Waukesha, WI at: http://dodge.uwex.edu/ Cedarburg Bog Tour 2015 A small group of Dodge County Master Garden- Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia purpurea) ers along with friends and family, visited the The Pitcher Plant is a carnivorous plant (plants that Cedarburg Bog on Saturday, June 6th.