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Barbara Low

Mar 31

OMGA Awards Nominations Wanted

By Beet 2023 04 April

It’s time to nominate someone for State Behind the Scenes Master Gardener of the Year, and our local county JCMGA Master Gardener of the Year and Behind the Scenes Master Gardener of the Year. This year you can also nominate a volunteer who has worked to advance Growing and Belonging.

~~~~ All nominations are due by April 15th. ~~~~

 

The annual Master-Gardener-of-the-Year Award recognizes outstanding dedication and service in support of sustainable gardening to benefit all of Jackson County and/or the entire Oregon Master Gardener program. Describe your nominees’ contributions in education and outreach, such as work in the Plant Clinic, teaching classes, serving as a mentor, planning and organizing a major project, or other activities. Include any leadership roles they have held. If their work has had an impact beyond the borders of Jackson County, e.g., if other county Master Gardener programs have adopted projects that started in Jackson County, be sure to mention that!

 

The annual Behind-the-Scenes Award can also be for service just in Jackson County or statewide. It recognizes individuals who work quietly and unselfishly in ways that may not be noticed by everyone, e.g. by preparing and serving refreshments, keeping accurate records, maintaining and repairing the physical plant, or seeing projects through to completion.

 

In addition to our Master Gardener of the Year, and Behind the Scenes awards, 2023 marks the first year recognizing and celebrating the volunteers who have significantly contributed in advancing diversity, inclusion, access, and/or equity among Master Gardener volunteers and the communities we work with.

 

In 200 words or less, describe your nominees’ activities as fully as you can ​with specific examples​, and e-mail your nominations to ​Barbara Low at  Barbaralow@msn.com

Mar 31

Let Soil Temperature Guide You When Planting Vegetables

By Beet 2023 04 April

In thinking about preparing my garden for spring and itching to get out in my yard, I came across this article written by Kym Pokorny from OSU.

We are getting our much needed rain to help us get out of the drought that we have been experiencing – but this article helped to remind me of some very important points regarding this year’s gardening.

“Weeks of cold temperatures and rain have unsettled the gardening season. You may be raring to get your garden planted – but hold on. Sowing seed or planting seedlings at the wrong time will bring nothing but heartache.”

‘One of the biggest mistakes people make is to plant too early,’ said Weston Miller, a former horticulturist with the Oregon State University Extension Service. ‘They get excited when it’s sunny for a few days, put plants in the ground and think they will grow. But the seeds either rot from damping off fungus or germinate very slowly. At the very least, they’ll be stressed for the rest of the season and never catch up.’

Usually, we are able to plant many different vegetable seeds in the ground. We need to pay attention to the soil temperature.

“This year, however, paying attention to soil temperature is the best way to go. An inexpensive soil thermometer helps keep planting time in perspective.”

‘Fifty degrees is a good benchmark for cool-season crops,’ Weston said. ‘And the soil should be 60 degrees or more for warm-weather plants like tomatoes, peppers and basil. In fact, for tomatoes it should ideally be 65 to 70.’

“If you can’t resist the urge to plant warm-season vegetables before the soil warms sufficiently, Miller recommends using some sort of protection from the chill, such as a floating row cover, individual glass or plastic cloches or even milk jugs or soda bottles with the top cut out and turned upside down over plants. For directions on building a large, greenhouse-type cloche with PVC pipe and plastic, check out the OSU Extension guide on “How to Build Your Own Raised Bed Cloche.”

‘Gardening depends on the weather, which is unpredictable,’ Miller said. ‘But it pays to wait.’

Check out Weston Miller’s top five tips for a successful vegetable gardening —

  • Prepare the soil
  • In addition to adding complete fertilizer to the soil, use a soluble fertilizer like fish emulsion for transplants
  • Use transplants when possible
  • Control weeds early in the growth cycle of your veggies 
  • Monitor and control slugs and other insect pests often.

 

To view the entire article go to https://today.oregonstate.edu/news/let-soil-temperature-guide-you-when-planting-vegetables-0

Mar 31

Annual Jackson County Master Gardener™ Association Photo Contest Winners

By Beet 2023 04 April

 

 

The Jackson County Master Gardener™ Association Member Services Working Group (MSWG) would like to announce the winners of its annual photo contest for 2023.

Last month we announced the winner of our photo contest.  Janine Salvatti’s photo will be on the cover of our JCMGA 2023 Chapter Directory!

We also have four very beautiful photos of our runners up.  Each photographer has written 1-2 paragraphs about their photo.

 

The overall winner was Janine Salvatti (2019) with her photo “Monarch Butterfly and Asters”.

“This photo was taken as my hubby and I were headed out for a long weekend before Covid hit.  The day was glorious, and we stopped along the way as the whim struck us. We saw a sign for a butterfly garden and headed down a little potholed road.  In a wide clearing we found a small butterfly house filled with milkweed and many other plants. Several varieties of butterflies were busy flitting from flower to flower and we saw our first monarch eggs ever on the milkweed.  Such a treat. “  Janine Salvatti

 

 

 

 

 

The four runners-up are —

Alexius Lucas (2023) for her “Red Hisbiscus” photo

The Notorious R.B.G.

My beautiful red Hibiscus flower resides at my home in Talent, Oregon.  Just days after the Alameda fire I went to a plant sale and fundraiser held for the Phoenix and Talent School District.  I wanted to both help the fire survivors in the community, and to add some of nature’s beauty to my depressing and totally empty neighborhood.  At the time, I was living in my house with no electricity.  So, I was spending nearly all of my time outside bringing my gardens and flowers back to life, after surviving several days with no available water.

Just a day before the fundraiser and plant sale Ruth Bader Ginsburg had sadly passed away.  I decided to name this outstanding Hibiscus flower “The Notorious R.B.G”, after an amazing role model in the pursuit of gender and workplace equality.

 

 

Linda Millus (2023) for her “Stargazer Lily” photo  

I rescued this liliaceae (Stargazer Lily) from my mother’s perennial garden after she passed.

I absolutely love fragrant and showy flowers and is one of the best!

It reminds me of my mother and all the times we spent in her garden together sharing her knowledge as a master gardener with me.

Knowing she had her hands on this very plant, and smelled the wonderful fragrance is truly a treasured memory for me.

 

 

 

Trina Stout (2022) for her “Rainbow Over Garden” photo   

This photo was taken last April in our backyard family farm/garden. It was raining in the morning and then the sun popped out and my dad saw this gorgeous rainbow, so he grabbed his iPhone and ran out into the garden and as it continued to rain, he took this photo of the rainbow and our garden/farm.

I tend this farm/garden with my dad (who’s completing his Master Gardener hours in 2023) and my brother Kevin. We have 48 beds, 22 fruit trees, cane berries, and flower beds that provide food for six families and many friends and neighbors. We love giving tours, so please reach out!

 

 

Lora West (2020) for her “Bleeding Heart” photo   

I planted the bareroot in 2019.  I didn’t know it had lived until last summer when it appeared as if out of nowhere.  I’ve learned that’s not uncommon, that perennials play their cards close to the chest until they’re ready to show their hand!

“Life is not orderly. No matter how we try to make life so, right in the middle of it we die, lose a leg, fall in love, drop a jar of applesauce. In summer, we work hard to make a tidy garden, bordered by pansies with rows or clumps of columbine, petunias, bleeding hearts. Then we find ourselves longing for the forest, where everything has the appearance of disorder; yet we feel peaceful there.” Natalie Goldberg (2011). “Wild Mind: Living the Writer’s Life”, p.6, Open Road Media

Congratulations everyone!!

Mar 31

April in the Garden

By Beet 2023 04 April

Spring is here! Daffodils, grape hyacinth, and tulips are popping up.

I am continuing this series of articles and hope that you find them helpful and inspiring. In April, there is quite a bit to do in the garden depending on what you want to grow.  Our gardens still need to be cared for so that they will do well in the spring and summer. By caring for our gardens, we are also caring for ourselves – physically, mentally, and emotionally.

The Jackson County Master Gardener Association has a great resource for gardeners to use. It is the Garden Guide for the Rogue Valley – Year-Round & Month by Month.  This great reference book for gardeners is mainly about growing vegetables, berries, and melons.

April is the time to:

  • Plant grapes
  • Plants which you plant as seeds to transplant later
o   Basil Cantaloupe
o   Cabbage o   Celery
o   Cucumbers o   Eggplant
o   Peppers o   Squash
o   Watermelon o   Tomatoes
  • Plants which you can plant as seed outside
o   Beets o   Carrots
o   Chervil o   Chives
o   Collards o   Cilantro
o   Corn, sweet o   Dill
o   Florence Fennel o   Kohlrabi
o   Kale o   Leeks
o   Lettuce o   Parsnips
o   Parsley o   Peas
o   Radishes o   Potatoes
o   Salsify o   Scallions
o   Swiss Chard       Tomatillos
  • Plants to transplant this month
o   Broccoli o   Cabbage
o   Cauliflower o   Chinese Cabbage
o   Endive, Escarole o   Jerusalem artichokes
o   Leeks

o   Onion

o   Pak Choi

o   Rhubarb

 o   Lettuce

o   Oriental Greens

o   Parsley

o   Tomatoes
  • Time to fertilize
    • Established artichokes
    • Established blackberries

 

Garden Guide for the Rogue Valley – Year-Round & Month by Month. This book contains a wealth of gardening information. You can purchase it at our local Grange Co-op or at the OSU Extension office for $21.00. It can also be purchased on-line at https://jacksoncountymga.org/shop/. Note that a shipping fee will be applied.

 

 

Happy Gardening and Stay Warm

Garden For Life

 

Feb 28

Annual Jackson County Master Gardener™ Association Photo Contest Winners

By Beet 2023 03 March

 

 

The Jackson County Master Gardener™ Association Member Services Working Group (MSWG) would like to announce the winners of its annual photo contest for 2023.

Thank you to those who submitted photos for the front cover of our JCMGA 2023 Chapter Directory.

With many wonderful pictures to choose from, it was a difficult decision.

 

The overall winner was Janine Salvatti (2019) with her photo “Monarch Butterfly and Asters”.

“This photo was taken as my hubby and I were headed out for a long weekend before Covid hit.  The day was glorious, and we stopped along the way as the whim struck us. We saw a sign for a butterfly garden and headed down a little potholed road.  In a wide clearing we found a small butterfly house filled with milkweed and many other plants. Several varieties of butterflies were busy flitting from flower to flower and we saw our first monarch eggs ever on the milkweed.  Such a treat. “  Janine Salvatti

 

 

 

 

The four runners-up are —

  • Alexius Lucas (2023) for her “Red Hisbiscus” photo 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Linda Millus (2023) for her “Stargazer Lily” photo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Trina Stout (2022) for her “Rainbow Over Garden” photo 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Lora West (2020) for her “Bleeding Heart” photo 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the upcoming Garden Beets we will highlight the Four Runner-Ups – stay tuned……..

 

Congratulations everyone!

Feb 28

March in the Garden

By Beet 2023 03 March

Spring is nearly here! Daffodils and grape hyacinth are starting to pop up. 

Hopefully the weather will start to get warmer, and we can spend more time in our gardens.

I am continuing this series of articles and hope that you find them helpful and inspiring. In March, there is quite a bit to do in the garden depending on what you want to grow. Our gardens still need to be cared for so that they will do well in the spring and summer. By caring for our gardens, we are also caring for ourselves – physically, mentally, and emotionally.

The Jackson County Master Gardener Association has a great resource for gardeners to use. It is the Garden Guide for the Rogue Valley – Year-Round & Month by Month.  This great reference book for gardeners is mainly about growing vegetables, berries, and melons.

March is the time to:

  • Plant cane fruits
o   Blackberries o   Boysen
o   Cascade o   Logan
o   Marion o   Nectar
o   Olalla o   Raspberries
o   Santiam o   Youngberries
  • Set out rhubarb roots
  • Plants which you plant as seeds to transplant later
o   Artichokes o   Broccoli
o   Brussels sprouts o   Cauliflower
o   Cabbage o   Chinese cabbage
o   Eggplant o   Leeks
o   Oriental greens o   Pak choi
o   Peppers o   Tomatoes
  • Plants which you can plant as seed outside
o   Arugula o   Carrots
o   Chervil o   Chives
o   Collards o   Corn, salad
o   Cress, garden o   Fava beans
o   Kale o   Kohlrabi
o   Leeks o   Lettuce
o   Mustard greens o   Onions
o   Parsley o   Peas
o   Radishes o   Scallions
o   Spinach o   Swiss chard
o   Turnips and turnip greens
  • Plants to transplant this month
o   Asparagus roots o   Broccoli
o   Cabbage o   Cauliflower
o   Lettuce, head o   Onion
o   Onion sets, plants o   Strawberries
  • Time to fertilize

Established asparagus

Established raspberries

Established strawberries

Established grape vines

Happy Gardening and Stay Warm

Garden for Life

 

 

 

 

Feb 28

What’s on the JCMGA Website

By Beet 2023 03 March

Did you know that we have several “In the Garden” videos on our website?

 

There are videos from the Clackamas 10-minute University dealing with cane fruit and grapes.

 

We also have two recent videos by speakers from our Speakers’ Bureau.  Both presentations are very well done and have lots of good gardening information.

 

 

In the Member Portal you will locate the following —

  • 2022 Chapter Directory
  • 2022 Membership List
  • JCMGA Membership Renewal Form
  • JCMGA Member Bylaws
  • JCMGA Articles of Association
  • JCMGA Policy Manual
  • And many other documents

 

Feb 28

What’s going on?

By Beet 2023 03 March

If any of these working groups interest you, please contact the chair of that group.  Their contact information is in the JCMGA Chapter Directory and on the JCMGA website.

 

Community Outreach Working Group –

Our meetings are held on the third Friday of each month.

In February we discussed:

  • Medford Open Streets Project
  • Speakers’ Bureau
  • Friends of the Master Gardener program
  • Articles for The Garden Beet

Fundraising Working Group and the Spring Garden Fair Working Group–

In February we discussed:

  • Sale of the JCMGA Garden Guides
  • Spring Garden Fair on May 6th from 9-3 p.m.
  • Fall Festival on October 14th
  • Will start working on creating a priority list of items for possible grants

 

Garden Working Group –

Our meetings are held on the 4th Monday of each month.

At the February meeting we discussed:

  • Status of the Native Plant Nursery
  • Irrigation for the gardens
  • Practicum update
  • Water Catchment update
  • Garden Enhancement Committee update
  • Janine Salvatti is now the Chair of this Working Group.

 

Marketing and Technology Working Group —

Our meetings are held on the second Monday of each month unless it works out to be a national holiday.  In February, we discussed many topics such as:

  • The focus of the Garden Beet
  • Working on QRL codes for gardens
  • Exploring Google Workspace for Nonprofits
  • The Marketing Brochure
  • Updating the website

If you are interested in joining our group for a discussion or to lend a hand or if you want more information, please contact Sandy Hansen, Chair at sandyhansen08@gmail.com or 707-332-4934.  All are welcome.

 

Member Services Working Group –

We are continuing to work on updating the Chapter Directory for 2023.  Our goal is to have the directory ready for you by the end of March.   We are starting to work on a possible Field Trip later this year – details to follow.  In trying to meet the needs of our members, we are creating a survey to email later in March.  Please take the time to complete it for us.  We are also going to be surveying our past members to find out how we can serve them.   If you are interested in being a part of our group, contact Barbara Low at barbaralow@msn.com .

 

Program Support Working Group –

The Program Support Working Group has been focused on restarting engagement and learning

activities. We have held the first Practicum sessions since the shut down and are building a

Community Education Class schedule! The Plant Clinic has been busy with updates and

preparing mentors to train all our new Master Gardener Students. We will soon have a current

list of reportable pests. The Plant Clinic loves puzzles so much that we have been holding a

scavenger hunt through the Oregon Department of Agriculture and Oregon Department of

Forestry websites to update our reportable pest list.

 

 

Winter Dreams Summer Gardens Working Group –

Our group has started meeting on a regular basis to plan for the WDSG 2023!  We have brainstormed possible presentation topics and speakers.

If you are interested is being a part of this group, please contact Colet Allen coletallen1@gmail.com , Susan Koenig srkoenig@aol.com or Barbara Low barbaralow@msn.com .

 

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