Gardening is Good For You - April, 2011

"Gardening is good exercise.  Pushing a lawnmower or pulling weeds burns more calories per hour than taking a brisk walk.  Bending and stretching helps tone muscles, and any type of exercise you perform while on your feet helps build stronger bones.  Be especially careful when beginning your outdoor work for the season.  Overdoing it can lead to injury.  Be sure to stretch before and after gardening chores.  Ask for assistance when lifting heavy items, and take frequent breaks when doing strenuous activities."


Most of the information in this article, above and below, has been taken from the 2011 Garden Calendar published by the Iowa State University Extension Service.  The calendar is entitled "Gardening is Good For You" and includes monthly tips and information.

Timely advice for gardeners of edible produce includes, "Don't till the garden when the soil is wet," "Sow tomato seeds indoors for May planting (written on April 2, but you still have time to accomplish this goal)," April 7 states, "Sow seeds of peas, lettuce, spinach, carrot, and beets," on  April 15 we see, "Plant potatoes in well-drained, fertile soil," and sometime in late April, "Plant a different vegetable in the garden."

For gardeners of herbacious perennials and annual flowers, April 11 states, "Divide perennials as new growth begins to emerge," and "Share divisions with neighbors and friends," on April 17, "Plant pansies outside in beds or containers," and on April 29 (Arbor Day), "Plant a tree for Arbor Day."  Did you know a shade tree can cut home cooling costs by 10 per cent?

April is also given as a time to fertilize your houseplants; re-potting those needing larger containers. 

Please go outdoors and enjoy our Spring season.  We've been given the opportunity of enjoying several days of wonderful weather... and perhaps now, we'll be receiving some plant-loving rain.  Above all, be careful and safe.  Remember to lift with your legs --- and not your back!

Jefferson County Master Gardeners are involved in many local projects, activities, and endeavors.  If you are interested in becoming a Master Gardener, please contact Kim Keller, Jefferson County Extension Service, 472-4166.

This article submitted by Kathy Tollenaere, Master Gardener Intern,
on behalf of the Jefferson County Master Gardeners.
new website:  http://jcmastergardeners.blogspot.com/

All-Iowa Horticulture Exposition

Ottumwa, IA - March 25 & 26, 2011

Nancy B and I went both days and sat in on quite a few seminars. While we were there, we saw a number of people from the hometown area namely Master Gardeners: Aleta, Cindy, Jan, Kim, Sheri, Julie and Kathy P as well as quite a few other great gardeners!

"Welcome!" with beauty to delight both the eyes . . .

. . . and the ears!

Master Gardener Jan.

The doors opened at 9:30 a.m. each morning.
Friday, March 25, 2011
At 10:00 a.m. Nancy and I attended "Growing Veggies and Herbs in Recycled Containers" by Keynote Speaker and Slow Gardening founder, Felder Rushing. 
The other choice was "Weather, Crops and Gardens" by Dr. Elwynn Taylor, ISU climatologist.

At 11:30 a.m., Nancy and I attended "The 'It' Garden" by Lisa Orgler, assoc. director of Reiman Gardens.
the other choice was "Biomass Crops for Iowa" by Dr. Emily Heaton, ISU biomass expert.

After a delicious buffet meal, everyone attended the Keynote Presentation: "Slow Gardening" by Felder Rushing*(click his name to see his website), a former Mississippi State Extension horticulture specialist and award-winning author of 15 books. 

At 3:00 p.m., Nancy and I attended "Garden Gadgets and Gimmicks for 2011" by Susan Appleget Hurst," *(click her name to see her website) but the other choice was "Floral Arranging" by Dr. Cindy Haynes.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

At 10:00 a.m., everyone attended the Keynote Presentation: "Creating Outdoor Rooms" by Rita Randolph.*(click her name to visit her greenhouse sites)

Lunch break was 11:00 with a special appearance by the ISU Insect Zoo in the Childrens' Garden in the Trade Show Hall.

At 12:00 p.m., Nancy and I attended "Growing Green Roofs in Iowa" by Dr. Jennifer Bousselot.*(click her name to visit web information)  The other choice was "Wonderful Wild Mushrooms" by Dave Layton, President of the Prairie States Mushroom Club.

At 1:30 p.m., Nancy and I attended "Planning a Kitchen Garden or Potager" by former Better Homes & Gardens editor, Susan Appleget Hurst.  The other choice was "Overlooked Trees and Shrubs" by Bob Hendrickson, affliliated with the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum. (click name to visit website)

The 3:00 p.m. presentations were "Lilies: Bulb to Bloom Basics" by Sue Williams, Iowa lily expert and judge, and "Managing Turf in the Midwest" by Marcus Jones, ISU PhD student and turf expert.

We were unable to attend either of the last sessions, but I'm sure either would have been excellent.  You might keep in mind that this is an annual Exposition.  If you were unable to attend this year, perhaps you'll be able to attend next year.

Iowa Arboretum display

I missed the opportunity for Many other photos - in the trade show and beyond...
photos of metal sculptures, whimsical sculpture, house plants and perennials, nurserymen and women, etc., etc.

I purchased a wren house and Nancy, a bluebird house.

I purchased a "Guard Snail" and Nancy "a Swinging Frog!"

But there were Two Cute Posies that were hard to resist!
:-)

We had a fun time. It might tide us over until we can really get out and get dirty! :-)

You Can Help Decide the New Logo Design

The Iowa Master Gardener Program is asking YOU to vote for YOUR favorite logo by April 15, 2011.

Click on the link above to cast your vote.

In the meantime, if you have a badge with previous emblems, they are still accepted.

Jefferson County Extension Service - Master Gardeners' Club

Our newly formed club plans to meet on the third Thursday of every month, 5:00 P.M. (the time may be subject to change with the season), at the Extension Service Office.  Our first meeting was Thursday, January 20. 

We decided to create a blog for the use of anyone, in the county and surrounding areas, desiring information and/or answers to questions about gardening of any type.  Much information will be included that would also be of interest to us as Master Gardeners.  We will also endeavor to include dates of garden workshops, conferences and/or other special events.

It is hoped that several of us, as club members, will elect to write an article of interest. (Don't forget those community service hours!) 

If you are already a Master Gardener, please join us!  If you are needing to begin participating in your required 6 hours of education, please check the side bars periodically.

This article is called a "post."  If you have a question about anything in a post OR about anything related to gardening in general, please leave a comment.

Leaving a comment is easy.  At the end of each post, you will see something that looks like "0 comments" (or "1 comment," etc.)  Click on those words for a dialog box. Type directly in the box.  If you don't have one of the accounts listed, type your name and city/state at the end of your comment, check the "anonymous" box and then click the box "submit comment."  If you'd rather ask a question via an e-mail, please use the e-mail address provided.

My question is "How are you, at this time, planning for Spring?  You can answer this question by leaving a comment!

A Living Memorial - A First Group Project

Our Jefferson County Master Gardeners were asked to participate in readying quite a number of houseplants for use in the Jefferson County Health Center.  The article below was printed in the Fairfield Ledger.  You might be interested in reading it for yourselves.

This enabled us, especially those of us interns, to begin working on our Community Service hours.

February 2011

 These calendars contain not only beautiful photographs, but many pleasant and helpful tips with regard to gardening.  The calendars are available for purchase at the Jefferson County Extension Service.

For a closer view, click on the photo of the calendar! 

Henry County Master Gardeners' Spring Symposium

Please click on the following page to enlarge and copy.