The Green Thumb
news & updates
for Polk County Master Gardeners
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Message from Steering Committee Chair
My time as chair will be up in the fall and this month I’m pleased to introduce you to the incoming chair of the PCMG steering committee: Eddie Robinson, Jr.
Eddie, his parents and eleven siblings moved to Iowa from Arkansas. He graduated from Des Moines Public Schools and the University of Northern Iowa and has completed graduate work across the US and in Europe. Eddie is fluent in Spanish and has served as an interpreter for both the legal and medical systems here in central Iowa.
His interest in PCMG started with his experience managing the Drake Neighborhood Farmers' Market. He had much encouragement from current and past PCMGs so he decided to become involved in the program. He spends many hours teaching neighbors and friends gardening techniques at the Drake Neighborhood Community Garden. Eddie gains his volunteer hours by providing lectures on small plot gardening, morel mushroom identification lectures and presentations on various gardening topics. Like the rest of us, his education hours come from webinars, online classes and the program nights that are offered at the Extension Office in Altoona.
Eddie would like to see our “membership” grow exponentially and for the organization to obtain a greenhouse to continue the tradition of hands-on education and work experiences. He has an exciting and potentially innovative year ahead of him as the chair of the steering committee. We’re back to face-to-face meetings; the actual classes will be delivered online; and, the steering committee is investigating the possibility of adding definition to some of the organizations’ operating procedures. Find Eddie Robinson the next time we’re all together and ask about his Drake neighborhood projects. He has a wealth of information to share and his leadership experiences will be a benefit to our efforts.
Also, please consider nominating yourself or another member to serve on the 21-22 PCMG Steering Committee! Nomination information is below.
See you in the garden—
Steering Committee Chair
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Steering Committee Nominations
Interested in being a part of the PCMG leadership team? Nominate yourself or another member for an elected position on the steering committee! Use this survey to nominate yourself or others for the positions listed:
Please provide a name and a short bio in the space allotted.
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Downtown Farmers' Market
It’s been awhile, but most of you will remember that our organization periodically hosts an information tent at the Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market. We provide information about selected (by us) gardening topics and answer gardening questions from Market patrons. We typically bring along handouts from ISU or similar gardening publications, and we always try to work in a bit of show and tell with plants and seeds.
PC Master Gardeners have traditionally been at the Market on five (5) Saturdays over the course of the season. However, due to COVID 19 restrictions, we made no appearances last year, and similar restrictions kept us from the Market earlier this year. Now to the good news. On July 19 we received word from the Downtown Des Moines Farmers' Market that we could—finally!—resume our market appearances. By the time you read this (August 2), we will have completed our first Market date, Saturday, July 31. Topics planned for that Saturday include watering techniques and pollinators.
We won’t be at the Market during August, but we will return again on Saturday, Sept. 18 and Saturday, Oct. 16. If you have suggestions for gardening topics we should cover on those dates, please let one of us know. Also, we will need volunteers for both the September 18 and October 16 Farmers’ Market dates. We’ve broken up sign-ups for volunteers into multiple shifts for each date, so that no one has to work too long. Use this link for our signup sheet on Signup.com.
Thanks—and we hope to see you at the Farmers’ Market soon.
Co-chairs:
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Beaverdale Farmers' Market
The Polk County Master Gardeners will have an information booth at the Beaverdale Farmers Market! We will be present at the market on the first Tuesday of the month:
The booth is staffed from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Set up starts at 3:45 p.m. We generally work in 1.5 hour shifts.
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Mary Gannon at mtccgannon@gmail.com or 515.201.3756!
Thank you!
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Program Committee
Save the Date! Harvest Celebration Tuesday, October 19, 6 p.m. Right now we are planning to hold IN PERSON!
More information to follow!
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Demonstration Garden
Welcome August and all the produce it brings. Little beats fresh vegetables and fruit. The Demonstration garden has been delivering beans, squash, tomatoes and peppers to the Urbandale pantry each week. Recently some of the potatoes were dug and volunteers have been harvesting blueberries. The summer apples are ripening.
Occasionally in the garden you may see that 'plant' that is out of place and you know you did not put it there. Sometimes simply leaving them to grow can be a surprising and rewarding experience. A four legged critter 'hid' several sunflower seeds in the flower bed near the shed. We now have some large sunflowers on display. They are a welcome sight and fitting of the location.
When volunteering at the garden, please know that the chain link fencing has been put up for the demolition of Valerius school. As of the last week of July you could still park on the east side of the garden and within the lot. No warranty when the gates will close and we will be required to switch over to the south side only and side streets. The fencing covers much of the east sidewalk that passes the shed so you may observe visitors cutting through in front of the shed to get to the other side. Please keep that area free of material so that they have a safe journey.
Late summer and fall brings the apple season. With heat and drought, many apples will drop to the ground. We need those picked up a few days each week. If interested in the task, connect with a co-chair and we will provide you instructions on sorting, donation, disposal, etc.
Work nights continue each Monday evening. Start time 5pm. Join us when you can. Thank you to our volunteers that have kept the garden beautiful this summer and watered during this unseasonably dry season.
Hope to meet you in the garden.
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Discovery Garden
It's almost fair time and last minute preparations are taking place at a furious pace. We still have openings for people to assist by working a fair shift. These volunteer shifts are open to all master gardeners. This is a great way for people to get their volunteer hours and is a rewarding experience. If you still would like to volunteer, please contact Jean Roe ljroe@q.com or send your request to the Discovery Garden gmail discoverygardenpcmg@gmail.com.
The Discovery Garden will tentatively be hosting the new master gardener class tentatively set for September 4th on a Saturday morning on Garden Design.
Also, save the date for August 25th- join in to learn about Hostas, and what you need to know about HVX virus that can cause issues, from David Dettman.
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Enabling Garden
LITTLE HANDS IN THE GARDEN: Not just little hands, but many hands and a great deal of heart; a sure recipe for another successful Children’s Art in the Garden program on the evening of July 20th. This is always a huge undertaking with innumerable hours and details of organization and preparation. A total of 50 volunteers turned out to assist at 10 different stations serving 172 children. It was a fun-filled evening of music, art and craft projects. Something new and different this year was the StoryWalk. Read on.
STORYWALK: What is a StoryWalk®? A StoryWalk® is an innovative and delightful way for children (and adults), to enjoy both reading and the outdoors at the same time. Laminated pages from a children’s book are attached to stakes installed along an outdoor path. As you stroll down the trail, you are directed to the next page in the story.
Polk County Natural Resources Program Coordinator, Kalsa Parker Browning, and fellow Extension staff organized this new event; which featured the children’s book, “The Color Monster”. The author of this very animated book about emotions is Anna Llenas. Children were able to observe, and hopefully identify with this friendly colorful monster figure in a wide range of emotions and colors; happy (yellow), sad (blue), angry (red), afraid (black), and calm (green). Along with Kalsa and the Extension staff, credits go to Gary Olson and Sandie Hamilton, who together created and painted some wooden monsters that caused one to pause, take notice, and read the rest of the story. The set-up remained in the garden for one full week. (see photo)
BOLD, BRIGHT & BEAUTIFUL: With timely rains in late June and early July, the garden was alive with color as Daylilies took center stage. Many are labeled and I’m always fascinated by the choice of names, such as Outrageous, Pretty Fancy, Magic Kiss, Pardon Me, Baby Blues, Dark of Night, and dozens more. Did you make note of your favorites? A couple of years ago, I agreed for part of my home vegetable garden to become a holding bed for Peonies and Daylilies. What a treat it has been to observe this bright patch of color from our three season porch. The brilliant orange blooms of Spellbinder rose to the height of our 4’ high picket fence, which separates lawn from vegetables. I can fully understand why their popularity in our plant sales continues to grow.
WATER AND GARDEN DESIGN: It can be as simple as a container on your patio or deck; or elaborate as a pool in ground. The sound of moving water is said to lower blood pressure and create a sense of calm. We urge you to save the date, August 24th at 6:00 PM for our monthly educational talk. Master Gardener Dean Brand is the speaker. What can we expect? When I asked about his approach to the subject, he wasn’t yet certain. But one thing we do know; given his years of experience at home as well as the Discovery Garden, we just might come away with some new ideas and a burst of enthusiasm.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: “So much talent, passion and heart; what a difference it brings to the garden!” Thank you, everyone! My question to all volunteers; just how aware are you of who is doing what at the Enabling Garden? The following is a list of those who have given attention to details other than on work nights. Do you know them by name? MARLENE & GARY OLSON for spearheading all the details of the children’s program. MIKE HENDERSON, BURT HAMILTON, & GARY OLSON, for placing the newly painted blue beams atop the arbor at the south entrance. SANDIE HAMILTON, for sprucing up signage and refurbishing the Tic-Tac-Toe table in the children’s garden; she also did the lettering on our new mailbox. VIRGINIA SILVER, for painting a beautiful floral scene on the mailbox. DEAN BRAND, for setting in the post and attaching the mailbox; also for a weekly pruning check of tomato plants. BUTCH SNYDER, for retying and securing the rope on the tepee in the children’s garden. BOB & SHARON SCHOONOVER, responsible for the maintenance and care of the ever popular fairy garden. MIKE & EVA HENDERSON, for laying the hardscaping ramp leading into the vegetable area; as well as relocating a large Hydrangea and Arborvitae. LARRY O’CONNOR, for daily commitment to early morning cleaning of Boston Ivy seeds from tables, chairs and areas under the pergola. WAYNE & CARLENE HOLT, & LARRY O’CONNOR, for keeping containers and raised beds adequately watered. EVA HENDERSON & LINDSAY GILLIATT, for frequent harvest and delivery of vegetables to the food pantry. Lastly, there are our chair-persons. If asked, could you name them? Who did I miss?
“COME AND GET IT!” It’s a major highlight of the evening; potluck at 6:00 PM; prepared by two or three volunteers. Quite a number of gardeners begin our regular Tuesday work nights around 4:00 PM; some come later; others may choose to stay around till 7:00 or after. Try to create some time in your schedule to join us.
NOTES LEFT IN OUR MAILBOX: 1. Pretty close to paradise! 2. I am in awe; I have never seen anything like this park. It is absolutely wonderful! (From Denver) 3. Love these gardens; it’s my happy place. 4. A relaxing place. We walk, take pictures, have a picnic. Thank you to all of the volunteers that make this place a slice of heaven. (Nine visitors from New Horizon’s Adult Day Care Center in Ankeny)
Submitted by Ruth O’Connor
Co-Chairs:
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Continuing Education Opportunities |
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Learn about Rain Gardens with the Greater Des Moines Botanical Gardens and the Polk Soil and Water Conservation District!
Special thanks to Julie and the Botanical Gardens for letting us share this resource with our Master Gardeners!
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Did you miss the winter/spring Program Nights?
Check out these recorded presentations:
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Iowa Master Gardener YouTube Channel
Check out these new additions!
- Increasing Wetland Vegetation throughout Iowa - 1 hour
- Becoming an Urban Water Steward - 1 hour
- Forest Impacts to Water Quality - 1 hour
Review concepts from the MG Training with these webinars:
- Plant Pathology - 1 hour
- The Nature of Native Plants - 1 hour
- Botany - 1 hour
- Insect Pest Management - 1 hour
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Learn about mushrooms, how to identify them, best hunting practices, and common fungi found in the spring across Iowa! Videos feature Dr. Lina Rodriguez-Salamanca from the ISU Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic.
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Polk County Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources programs aim to help all Iowans, from the home hobbyist to the ag professional, make informed decisions through research-based education. Some programs and focus areas include farm management education, technical expertise for crops, livestock and pests, as well as our Polk County Master Gardener volunteer program; our signature horticulture education program. Our work supports clean water and healthy habitats, profitable farms, and a more secure food system. |
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Contact
Kalsa Parker Browning
Natural Resources Program Coordinator
ISU Extension and Outreach, Polk County
(515) 957-5768
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