September 2017
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September 2017 Jackson County Master Gardener™ Association The Bounty of the Land by Kate Hassen, President Master Gardener 2013 markets and the people in every small village knew their lives depended on what was successfully harvested and stored. It was not a matter of “look what I have grown” it was a matter of “will this be enough.” Could all the villagers working in common produce enough grain to last for the winter? That was the central question. For twenty years we lived off the grid and off the land — in the beginning with no electricity, no hot water, no washing machine and no refrigeration. What we did have was kerosene lamps, a Home Comfort wood cook stove and a hole dug into a spring on the side of a hill that served as our refrigerator. We grew nearly everything we ate. And asked ourselves “Can we do it.” It was Sharing excess tomatoes and eptember — a month of an experiment to see if we could live other garden veggies with harvest and the beginning of without modern conveniences. And I community members in need autumn. For me it is a month am proud to say — we did it. is a rewarding experience. S when I am hopeful that the days will be However, it was just that. An cooler and the nights cooler yet. But, experiment by two middle class kids as a resident of the Rogue Valley I am who believed that they could change very aware that this may be hoping in things. Unlike the villagers who lived vain. What I have noticed is that the off the land in earlier times, we never light has changed. The slant of the were in danger of starving. If our crops sun’s rays is moving to the south and failed, food was available. Our lives the sun that used to blind me through were assured even if it didn’t rain or the living room windows has moved. It there was an early frost. It was a great is becoming more silver and less gold. comfort knowing we could grow all And unlike the changes in my hair color our own food but never a necessity. We it makes me happy. had the luxury of knowing where our But back to the harvest — Let’s step food came from — never the misery of back a couple centuries to a time not having enough. when harvest was both the most joyful Just as seasons change so too, is time of the year and the time when change a constant in all things everyone worked harder and longer than ever. Food was not purchased in Continued on page 2 1 The Bounty of the Land by Kate Hassen, continued from front cover... including economics. In our midst ACCESS and distributed to people who hungry people, through no fault of their need it. It is our hope that the goal of own, are experiencing the misery of not 500 pounds of produce will be donated “Hunger is not a problem. having enough food. At the same time, by the end of harvest. we gardeners are beginning to harvest. This is our chance to move from “look It is an obscenity. JCMGA would like to connect hungry what I have grown” to “can we do people with your extra produce. it”. Can we, as Master Gardeners, How wonderful it is that Please consider sharing the bounty of work together towards a common goal nobody need wait a your harvest. JCMGA has set a goal of providing food to some of those of providing 500 pounds of produce who need it? Can each of us donate single moment before to ACCESS. You can help achieve our just a few extra vegetables from our goal by bringing your extra tomatoes, garden and make a difference? Can starting to improve the world.” peppers, eggplants beans and other we change the slant of the light just vegetables to the OSU Extension slightly from silver to gold with our — Anne Frank arboretum on Wednesday mornings. generosity? Please step forward, It will be weighed and stored in coolers villagers, and experience the joys of at the Extension until picked up by sharing the harvest. v Summer Picnic representative for the Head Gardeners and in the Compost Garden We also did some bragging among ourselves about the accomplishments to date. First, the revising and reprinting of the Month to Month Garden Guide On the evening of Saturday, August and clean up. It was great to relive the thanks to Regina Boykins and her 26th the 2017 JCMGA inside picnic fun, again. crew of talented writers, proofreaders, proved to be just as fun as an outside As one of the two large celebrations and graphic designers. Second, the picnic would have been. Due to for JCMGA several members were two grants we have received thanks to the unhealthy air quality, the picnic recognized for their service this year: our grant writer, Susan Koenig. We was moved to the OSU Extension received a grant from Northwest Farm auditorium. With the air conditioner Tracey Trader-Hruska for the Credit service to rent a Porta Potty cranked on high and the doors shut, 115 organizational work she has done in the and handwashing station for the Food people enjoyed potluck salads, sides and Compost Garden. Security Garden. And another grant dessert alongside hamburgers and vege- Bill Elliott and Dee Copley for their from the OMGA to upgrade some burgers cooked by the Food Preservers. work to complete the greenhouse. paths in the Demonstration Gardens As usual there was more food than the to American Disabilities Act standard, crowd could possible consume. John Kobal for his work as chair of the and, the success of the annual Spring Outreach committee. While eating the crowd was treated to a Garden Fair. power point collage of the 2017 Spring Kristina Lefever for her work in A shout out must go to Regina Boykins, Garden Fair created by JCMGA member establishing the Pollinator’s Project. President Elect, and the Picnic committee Kenda Swartz. It began with set up and Chris Hjerrild for his work as for planning, organizing and presenting follows through the two days of the the best annual INSIDE picnic ever! v SGF and finishes with the take down 2 In the Garden by Maxine Cass, Master Gardener 2015 n the Garden got practical in showed weed-smothering newspaper In the Garden is already thinking about August. The sweat- and pant- and leaf composting technique that subjects for next year’s shows. If there’s Iinducing August heat found De also improves soil over time. Ronnie something you want to see, know more Davis-Guy inside the studio talking streamlined a tempting to ignore task, about, a species of plant you love, a about using coffee grounds for mulch, garden record keeping. Jane shared tool do-it-yourself subject, or just about compost, and for garden amendments. care tips. anything “garden,” let us know! Michele Pryse returned to In the Garden Pollinators and Kristina Lefever made And, if you caught a great In the with this summer’s plum overflow two appearances. Good guy hoverflies’ Garden speaker, let her know seamlessly making overnight slow color mimics bad-tasting insects, and how much you liked her topic and cooker plum butter. then there are beneficials, Kristina enthusiasm. It will make her day! v Jane Moyer tackled plastic milk assured viewers, that you’ll never see, jugs, repurposed in the garden into but are garden heroes all the same. a scoop, anti-squirrel seed storage, Teresa Reavis demonstrated how easy watering can, plant insulating water a varied plant group such as succulents Two Ways wall, hangable storage, a hands-free are to care for. 2 belt-fastened fruit and cherry tomato to Watch! To watch this month: September collector, and more. Ronnie Budge Tune in to KDRV Channel harvesting tips and dividing perennials, 12 Newswatch Midday on what to do with those bulbs appearing Wednesday and Friday, 11:00– in garden stores about now, how 11:30am or stream “In the to be a lazy gardener—really!—and Garden” on your computer Shakespeare’s flowers. Edible native (www.kdrv.com) to root for plants are on the menu. And, as the your Master Gardener Speakers. gardening year moves towards fall, Segments repeat the weekend viewers will find out what’s involved with immediately following. Look taking the Master Gardener class next on the KDRV website under year and what’s up with Winter Dreams/ Community/Features/In the Summer Gardens in early November. Garden for recent segments. 3 Things to do in the Garden for September by Julie Engleson, Master Gardener 2012 ow, has it been hot and through the compost to get most of smoky in the greater the clippings out, but ended up with WRogue Valley this month! thousands of new plant-starts in my My garden has been growing, but garden boxes anyway. AARRGG! not a normal garden by any means! We’ve had a nice lawn free from Everything came on late, was small (or gophers until this year. The super- didn’t produce at all!) and I know it saturated soils to the east of our house wasn’t me. Yep, between the wet, cold drove them uphill to nice, dry and of winter-to-spring, and the lack of a pretty grass to tear up. My husband transition from 70 to 114 degrees, I can and I have tried to trap them (with say with certainty my garden suffered. only 50% luck).