Over the Garden Gate - January 2022

Volume 13, Issue 1 | February 2022

Clinton County Newsletter

Over the Garden Gate

Volume 13, Issue 1 - February 2022

Preventing ice and snow damage on trees and shrubs

Heavy amounts of snow and ice on the branches of trees and shrubs can cause considerable damage. Multi-stemmed evergreens, such as junipers and arborvitae, and weak-wooded deciduous trees, such as Siberian elm, green ash, and silver maple, are most susceptible to branch breakage. Improper removal of ice and snow can increase the amount of damage to trees and shrubs.

Heavy amounts of snow and ice on the branches of trees and shrubs can cause considerable damage.

Managing Ice

During the winter months, the most serious damage to trees and shrubs generally occurs during ice storms. Large branches or entire trees can be lost due to the tremendous weight of the ice. When the weight of ice causes a small tree to bend sharply, it may be possible to prop it up to prevent breakage. Don't attempt to remove the ice by beating the branches with a broom or rake. This will only cause greater damage. If the temperature is above freezing, spraying the ice-coated branches with cold water will help melt the ice. Hot or boiling water, however, may actually injure the trees and shrubs. Individuals should stay away from large, ice-laden trees. Nothing can be done to prevent damage to large trees. Individuals, however, can be severely injured or killed if a large tree or branch were to suddenly crash to the ground while underneath it.

Managing Heavy Snow

Accumulations of heavy, wet snow on evergreens can also cause severe branch breakage. Tie up vulnerable plants before a snow or ice storm to help support branches and create a cone shape that will shed snow easier. When heavy, wet snow accumulates on evergreens, gently shake the snow from the branches or carefully brush off the snow with a broom by sweeping upward. Never brush downward – you run the risk of breaking already bent and stressed branches. Snow can slide from steep roofs onto plants. Construct a temporary wooden structure to protect the plants. When shoveling driveways and sidewalks, don't throw heavy, wet snow or ice onto shrubs or small trees. The weight of the heavy, wet snow and ice can cause considerable damage.

If branch breakage occurs on a tree, prune back the damaged limb to the main branch or trunk in late winter when you can access the branch safely. Damaged shrubs may need to be pruned in the spring to restore their attractive, natural shape.

~~ by Aaron Steil, Department of Horticulture, Iowa State University

Strategic Planning Meetings

Join us as we lay out the future of the Master Gardener Program in Clinton County

During the first three Tuesdays in February, the Clinton County Master Gardeners will be working with a Community and Economic Development specialist to look at ways to grow our membership and increase our impact in the community. Help us decide how we will help our communities.

Participation counts towards volunteer hours for 2022!

Sessions will be held at the Extension Office in DeWitt on Tuesday, 2/1 @ 6pm, Tuesday, 2/8 @ 6pm, and Tuesday, 2/15 @ 6pm

Please RSVP by calling 563-659-5125 or emailing sgenson@iastate.edu.

February Learning Opportunities

Webinars @ The Extension Office

400 East 11th St, De Witt

This year, the Iowa State Master Gardener program's Winter Webinar Series will operate a bit differently in Clinton County. Rather than sending you all a link to watch at home, we will instead have the webinar projected on the main screen of our conference room so that we can gather, ask questions, and share our insights about the topics being presented.

Two Webinars - One Saturday in February

February 19th, 9am - 10:30am

Houseplant Propagation by Aaron Steil

Growing houseplants is a popular hobby and growing plants indoors creates calm, welcoming, and beautiful spaces. When houseplants get large or more plants are desired, many can be easily propagated. Learn how to propagate your own houseplants utilizing techniques like cuttings, division, and layering. This interactive presentation will have you creating more plants to give to friends or create your own indoor jungle!

Please RSVP for this webinar at the Extension Office by emailing Sam at sgenson@iastate.edu with the title of the webinar.

February 19th, 10:30am - 12pm

Advanced Seed Starting by Cindy Haynes

There is more to seed germination than many people realize. In this session, we will discuss the importance of environmental control, stratification and scarification techniques, and other tips to improve the germination of temperate or tricky species.

Please RSVP for this webinar at the Extension Office by emailing Sam at sgenson@iastate.edu with the title of the webinar.

From Around The Midwest:

2022 Gardening Trends - Illinois Extension

LIVE with the Horticulturists: Let's Chat 2022 Gardening Trents

Master Gardener Minutes - January '22 Meeting

MASTER GARDENERS

Clinton County Extension

January 18, 2022

Minutes

Attending: Sam Genson, Margo Hansen, Andrea Witt, Willard Larsen, Gayle Powell, Anita Abbott, with Barb and Dave Boeckmann joining by Zoom.

New board members Willard, Dave Boeckmann, and Anita Abbot were welcomed. The board was advised that Shirley Franks has stepped away from the board this year. An additional board member will need to be chosen.

December minutes were noted with no additions or corrections.

Election of Officers:

For Chair: Gayle Powell was nominated and seconded with the provision that Willard serves as Vice-Chair with all present voting aye.
Barb Boeckmann accepted the role of Treasurer for another year. No other nominations were offered.
No board member volunteered for Secretary. For this meeting minutes were kept by a non-board member.

Old Business:

Gayle reported on the Community Impact Night at Clinton Pizza Ranch fundraiser on Jan 5^th. Andrea made a display explaining our community service which was viewed by several community members. Members helped with busing tables, cleaning dishes, and delivering food. Thank you: Gayle, Willard, Leanne, Dave M, and Andrea for assisting us to raise $306. The 2023 Pizza Ranch fundraiser will be in June next year.

Additional fund-raiser opportunities are available with Randy’s in DeWitt and will be explored by Barb.

Extension Office: Director reports:

Sam expects to hear soon whether his application for the $2,000 grant was accepted from Growing Together.

There will be strategy meetings for Master Gardeners on the first three Tuesdays in February. All those interested should contact Sam or Gayle.

Present balance before December receipts are paid: $6460.59

Members are advised to provide receipts to Sam for reimbursement.
There is a question of a missing check made out and sent to Kinneys for their support of the Community Garden in DeWitt. Sam will follow up.

Winter Webinars continuing education for Master Gardeners and others continue to be offered online by ISU. Times and dates will be sent via email to members. Additional educational webinars are available through the ISU Extension and Outreach Ag & Natural Resources department. These webinars will be available at the Extension office if members are signed up.

Proposed 2022 Budget: Andrea provided an initial draft in Excel and Barb will be reviewing it for additions and corrections and will submit it to Sam prior to his Feb 1 deadline.

Arboretum: Margo report:

The Arb is allowed to host ten people for the next MG Board Meeting on Feb 15^th. Margo again warns of her impending retirement scheduled for April 1.
The arboretum remodeling proposal was summarized, and a timeline was noted that could impact MG meetings being held at the Arb in the future. It was decided that we will have the February meeting at the Arboretum.
Barb noted that On Jan 29^th, Margo will be speaking on Zoom for the American Conifer Society about the history and accomplishments of the Bickelhaupt Arboretum.
Margo also reminded members that the Trees Forever group may have funds earmarked for Hort in the Heartland.

Hort in the Heartland: Education committee:

Willard, Andrea, and Gayle met several times to begin redesigning our post-pandemic Spring Conference.
This year’s conference will be held in DeWitt at the 4H Auditorium at the Clinton County Fair Grounds. The format will be 8a-1:15p and includes four speakers. Lunch to be included. Speakers are as follows:
8:40-9:20 - Birds and Bees, Flowers & Trees: How to beautify and protect your property by Barb and Dave Boeckmann.
9:40-10:30 - A Fun Guy Talks About Fungi: Mushroom benefits and cultivation by Mitch Gravert
10:40-11:30 - Where the Wild Things Were: Iowa wildlife: those lost and those thriving by Ryan Welch
11:30- 12:10 - Lunch and MG displays and Q&A.
12:10-1:00 - Keynote: Life Lessons From a Tree by Margo Hansen

Members are advised to watch their emails and social media for more details and the registration form. The fee for the program and refreshments will be $25.00.
Additional effort will be made to reach out to adjoining county MGs and the mailing list will be revised.
The committee requests members interested in volunteering to help please contact Gayle, Willard, or Andrea. Help is needed for helping with food delivery coordination, registration and information tables, and the Garden Shop where we hope to sell some birdhouses and other garden items. Loren is making birdhouses.

Bylaws changes:

The 2005 Bylaws required updating and members have received the revisions via email. The board will be voting whether to adopt the new bylaws at the next board meeting. Once they are accepted by the MG board, the bylaws then are presented to the Extension Council for approval.

New Business:

DeWitt Hospital Auxiliary: May 10th Presentation: Gayle on container gardens. She requests MG members let the board know if they are asked to be speakers.

Calendar Dates MG Activities

Sam has a colleague at ISU interested in presenting a fruit tree pruning education session in March.
Gayle reported on the tentative dates for the usual MG projects. Please put these dates on your calendar.
Earth Day Spring Social: April 22
Plant Sale and Fairy/Gnome Workshop May 14/15
Garden Walk: June 26: Noon to 4 pm Bonnie Meyers: Chair
Clinton County Fair: July 20-24: Dave Boeckmann to Chair Presenters
MG Day at the Fair: July 20
Monarch Migration August

Next Meeting: February 15, 2022 at Bickelhaupt Arboretum

Have article ideas? Email Sam at sgenson@iastate.edu

This institution is an equal opportunity provider. For the full non-discrimination statement or accommodation inquiries, go to www.extension.iastate.edu/diversity/ext.