Clinton County Newsletter Over the Garden Gate Volume 10 Issue 11 December 2019 Editor: Carol Machael, [email protected]; 563-357-7537 Published on the first Monday of the month except during January and December. To submit an article it must be sent by E-mail as a Microsoft Word attachment - Congrats to Master Gardeners! MG of the Year, Dave Meyer Golden Hose Award: Loren Andresen 100 Hours: Deb Monroe, Loren Andresen, Willard Larsen, Dave Meyer, Gayle Powell, MG Interns Andrea Witt, Deb Neels CLINTON COUNTY MASTER GARDENER MINUTES Date: November 12, 2019 Time: 0900 Facilitator: Deb Monroe In Attendance Mark Schroeder, Mary Meyer, Linda Lamp, Loren Andresen, Gayle Powell, Brenda Council, Dave and Barb Bonnie Meyers, Sam Genson, Andrea Witt, Dave Bachman, Barb Bachman. Approval of Minutes Motion was made by Mary to approve the Minutes from the October meeting as reported seconded by Loren. Mark’s report: Mark presented the Transaction Report through October 31, six months into the present fiscal year with the financial bal- ance listed as $5, 554.26. Deb reported additional receipts will be submitted for Hort in the Heartland preparation. Addi- tion expenses expected for Holiday banquet. Nov 15th is the deadline for MG volunteer hour reporting to recognize significant 2019 accumulations that will be awarded at the Dec. banquet. Annual accumulation of volunteer hours will continue to be accepted until Dec 31 for all Master Gardeners. Mark asks everyone to update their hours for accurate Iowa State statistics. Master Gardener Training progress report was given with discussion on 2019 changes in the training process and sched- ules still being evaluated and tracked. Final count of those completing training is still being reviewed as students make up classes missed. Evaluations of students will be collected. Feedback received so far has been positive. Board members requested evaluations be provided for the educators and trainers due to the MG training format changes this year. Mark advised the board of his relinquishing his role as the extension office coordinator for MG with the hiring of Sam Genson as the director of Ag and Natural Resources which includes Clinton Co. Master Gardeners. Sam discussed a de- sire to initiate a Jr Master Gardener program in the community. He was contacted by a person who has provided a finan- cial donation toward this type of program. Schools and community gardening programs may be receptive to a coopera- tive venture. Committee Reports Horticulture in the Heartland planning was discussed. Class preparations were reported by Gayle, Andrea and MG Sales planning reported by Deb. OLC clean up for Nov 14 will be changed to next week to allow for a warm up. In Memoriam The board offered their sympathy for the recent passing of Deb Neels ‘mother by sending flowers from MG. Holiday Banquet : Dec 2 at Buzzy’s in Welton Deb reviewed previous agenda items from Deb Neels as last year chair of banquet. 1.Deb requests cookie baking from the board to provide treats 2.Decorating to start at 4:30. Show of hands for volunteers included majority of board. 3.Clean up crew with similar response. 4.Deb M has planned favors of mini suet containers. Cont. on p. 3 Iowa State University Extension and Outreach does not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or status as a U.S. veteran. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Ross Wilburn, Diversity Officer, 2150 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, 515-294-1482, [email protected]. EOADV.15.04W November 2016 Iowa State University Extension and Outreach does not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, genetic information, Minutes cont. 5. Linda has table setups and welcoming decorations planned. 6. Door prizes were determined and board members will provide gift cards and a plant , specifically: 2 $20GC and a $10 plant from HyVee to be purchased by Brenda, 2 $20 GC from Theisens by Deb M and 2 $20 GC Home Depot by Loren will be purchased. 7. Discussed free meal recipients and certificates of appreciation for specific persons with additional invitation rec- ommended for Clinton Herald reporter Winona Whitaker and the staff at the Iowa Ext Office. 8. Motion made by Mary to approve expenses for the banquet, with a second by Andrea 9. Ticket price remains $15.00. R.S.V.P and ticket purchase deadline recommended to be Nov 20th. 10. Ride sharing from Camanche offered by Loren and from Fulton by Brenda. 1.1. Speakers reviewed. Publicity Ongoing publicity contacts reviewed by Gayle. Facebook discussed as needing update. Bev C has vacated the region for warmer climate. Sam will be provided her contact info and will assist in the web site. Additional areas for reaching out to public discussed: day cares, Chamber and business marquee’s. 2020 Calendar dates 1/4: Eagle Watch at CCC. Brenda is the coordinator. 3/7: Horticulture in the Heartland at CCC 4/2: Spring Banquet. 5/16 Dewitt MG Plant Sale 5/16 &17: Plant Sale Lyons District Clinton Brenda to coordinate. MG day at the Fair TBD. Container Contest: Linda requests a change in coordinator for 2020. Fairy Garden Contest: Gayle to coordinate. 6/24-6/26 Conifer Conference at CCC, Bickelhaupt Arboretum and Casino. Barb reported an impressive pamphlet and video is available about this and additional information will be forthcoming. 6/28 Garden Walk. Bonnie is coordinating 8/22 Monarch Day at OLC Deb M is coordinating. 12/7/20 Holiday Banquet Next Steps Planning Deb M requires additional assistance for concrete garden items to be sold at Hort in the Heartland. Andrea to assist. Board members to assist with banquet favors after meeting. New Business: Gayle interested in providing a community program on assembling a Fairy Garden. Tentative date of 6/6. Deb M advised a pre-meeting of the incoming board members to set up a leader and recorder prior to the January Meet- ing. Possible board discussion at the Holiday Banquet. The meeting was closed to all but board members to vote on the MG of the Year award. Nomination by Gayle Powell for a candidate was unanimously agreed on. Next Meeting January 21 at Bickelhaupt Arboretum at 9AM. Meeting adjourned at 1010. Cytospora Canker Have you noticed your Colorado blue spruce or other conifers, such as Douglas fir, larch and White Pines looking a bit peaked in the last few years? They are probably infected with Cytospora canker, a fungal disease that attacks and kills individual branches of primarily mature spruce trees. One by one the branches begin to discolor from the bottom of the tree upward. Cytospora is caused by the organism Cytospora kunzei . This fungus naturally occurs as a saprophyte on the dead bark of many conifers. The fungus only causes a problem when the health and vigor of the tree has been weakened by other causes such as drought or poor nutrition. The fungus overwinters as fruiting bodies on the bark of infected tissue or as vegetative mycelium in can- kers. Infection is suspected to occur during late winter and early spring. The site of infection may be natural wounds such as leaf scars or manmade pruning wounds. The spores of the fungus are dispersed to potential host trees through splashing rain. The resulting lesions begin at the base of the branch near the branch collar and spread along the branch in an elliptical fashion. The cankers are reddish brown and slightly sunken. There is often an excessive amount of resin covering the cankers. Removal of the bark will disclose sapwood which appears normal in color. Upon close examination, one may find tiny, black, pimple-like pycnidia which represent the fruiting structures of the fungus. It is in these black pycnidia that spores are produced which will continue the disease cycle. Cytospora canker will not result in sudden death of the infected tree but rather, several years or decades will pass before the trunk is girdled and an affected tree will die. Dead twigs may remain on the tree for many years. Typically, trees less than 15-20 years old are not affected. However, the fungus may attack small branches of young seedlings in nursery beds. Because Cytospora normally attacks trees under stress, it is important to prevent or eliminate any stresses on susceptible trees. Avoid overcrowding and drought. Take precautions not to injure the root system. A fascinating read… If you love trees and excellent writing, then The Overstory is the book for you. By Richard Jordam, it is a compilation of short sto- ries—all very different with trees playing a major role in each. Re- cent winner of the National Book Award. A Christmas Tree for All Seasons The dwarf Alberta Spruce can be purchased online, used as a Christmas tree indoors and planted in full or part sun and well-drained soil. It attracts birds, is deer resistant, can handle high wind, heat, and cold and is even drought tolerant once established. There is no need to prune this evergreen, but it tolerates pruning well. Dwarf Alberta spruce trees are classified as evergreen conifers. The Latin name is Picea glauca 'Conica', making it a relative to the giant white spruces that can grow as tall as 140 feet. It is cold tolerant to minus 50 degrees F, and thrives in zones 2-8. It likes full to part sun and adapts to any soil that is well drained. A neutral to acidic soil is best.