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Colet Allen

Jan 01

Winter Dreams Summer Gardens 2025

By Beet 2026 01 January

We just completed our 2025 Winter Dreams Summer Gardens workshops and are happy with this year’s outcome.  We are gradually growing back from the COVID days. There were 147 registered participants this year. We have always appreciated our gardening enthusiasts and want to help them keep up to date with the science that can improve their yields and the quality of food they grow.

Four years ago, the three co-chairs Barbara Low, Susan Koenig and myself were brainstorming how JCMGA could offer more of our science-based education to the public. We considered the professionals who worked with the public on their gardens. In an Aha moment, it came to us: landscapers!

I contacted the Oregon State Landscapers Board and determined what the process would be to get our WDSG program approved for the Landscapers Continuing Education Hours (CEH). Thankfully, it was not a hard task. There was a new director, and she could not have been more helpful. She told me exactly how to submit a proposal, gave me a list of must haves, and then explained how to submit the proposal for the fastest approval turn around. I did exactly what she said. It took 10 days to get WDSG approved for CEH that first year. This year, it took only four days. (I love it when we build trust with the organizations we work with.)

Next, we needed to find a way to more effectively inform the landscaping community about our workshops. Our first year, four landscapers participated.  In the second year, there were 15.  After sharing with Blake Elliot (our newest co-chair member) our desire to expand our reach, Blake found what we had been seeking for 2 years: a public listing of landscapers. We have started our own list of landscapers to contact each year, and our number of participants just grew to 35!

Improvements have evolved, and that is one of the joys of education: you continue to learn from others, as they learn from you. We have gotten some wonderful feedback that our workshops are very useful.  The Director of the Landscape Contractors Board (LCB) thanked us for making these workshops available and at such an affordable price. We have gotten letters of thanks for creating a venue for landscapers to get most of their CEH credits in one place. One landscaper said that it was refreshing to hear new material across a wide range of subjects. We are also receiving good ideas for future classes. This has been a very rewarding part of the process.

I now ask all of our members, friends, colleagues and students: Please help us spread the word! Tell any landscaper you know about WDSG. If you have their permission, please send their contact information to Colet (Coletallen1@gmail.com ).

As our attendance grows, so does the amount of work for our WDSG team.  We welcome your participation.

One last thing: We owe a big THANK YOU to the first team who used Zoom after COVID. They left a well-documented process that made it easy for the three of us to step in and carry WDSG forward to where we are today. Without their pioneering footsteps, we would not be this far.  THANK YOU, first WDSG Zoom team.

Sep 30

Drip Irrigation Video in Progress

By Beet 2025 10 October

For years I have dreamt of creating a video about how to install drip irrigation since, as the Speakers Bureau Coordinator, I have often been asked for a presentation on drip irrigation. I imagined the Culinary Herb Demonstration Garden to be just the right size for a project that would satisfy this demand. With the help of some highly-skilled and supportive students of the 2025 Master Gardener Class, this dream is being given a chance and is now coming true, with the intention of posting it on YouTube and the Jackson County Master Gardener Association website.

One of the reasons I enjoy being a Bud is that I get to meet joining members from each new class.  It is thrilling for me to see the potential each new group has to offer, and the 2025 class did not disappoint. I met several people who could actually turn my dream into a reality.  So, I planted a few seeds and some of them began to germinate.

Lindsey McNab and Erin Galbraith showed enthusiasm for the idea. Scott Neilson indicated on the Speakers Bureau signup sheet that drip irrigation is an area of interest for him. Jordan Land, who works at the Grange, has also worked in irrigation. Although it’s not his favorite gardening activity, he offered to help by planning and creating a digital layout of the current herb garden.

I gained inspiration from Grace Florjancic, our OSU Chapter Coordinator. She had given an excellent drip presentation earlier in the year, so I asked if she would also help us create this video. She said Yes!

One of the bonuses of working with this group is that not only do they have skills that an average gardener may not (like videoing and arranging drip-lines with the appropriate hardware), but all of them have solid gardening experience that has helped with this project. We did not have to start from scratch.

This became very apparent when we started videoing Part I, which is the hardware section and is the foundation of the 4-part video. After an hour and a half (which included Grace’s set up), that section was ready for editing. Grace presented her hardware class while Erin and Lindsey videoed; Scott and I made comments and took notes. Grace narrated from the start, so no voice-over was needed for this session. The photos show the intent and attention that Lindsay, Erin, and Grace exhibited during this first video session.

Within a couple of days, Erin and Lindsey had an excellent edited version of Part I. My gratitude to these people for a very enjoyable taping session.  We are hoping to share this completed video in late winter or early spring. We had hoped to have the 4-part video completed this year, but yellow jackets moved into the Herb Garden and, despite some harassment, have been reluctant to leave their newfound home. Stay tuned. More to come as we work on the next 3 parts!

Sep 01

Summary of Showcase Meeting

By Beet 2025 09 September

The first “Showcase meeting at the Medford Library focused on developing a creative and visually engaging display with the central theme of a Tree of Life representing JCMGA. Ideas included branches from the Tree of Life for different programs, whimsical elements like ladybugs and other critters, among artistically designed leaves, catchy signs using colorful artwork to convey the mission and activities of Master Gardeners in the community. The display will utilize a large Library Showcase case, with plans for artistic imagery with succinct messaging and educational elements.  The project will evolve as more ideas are incorporated.

The Showcase will be set up October 1st and take down on October 31st.

Jul 01

JCMGA Supporting Community Gardens

By Beet 2025 07 July

Community gardens are shared spaces that promote engagement with neighbors, gardening education, and better access to fresh food. They are a wonderful way to spread the joy of gardening and all its many benefits! Due to our successful fund-raising efforts, JCMGA was able to lend support to five local community gardens with grant awards this year.

Thanks to the outstanding leadership of Sherri Morgan, our Garden Grants committee has refined organization, criteria for awards, and efforts towards advertising, with the result of two additional gardens requesting grants this year.  Good job and thank you Sherri! Also, a shout out to Sandy Nelson for managing our Facebook notices and letting the public know that JCMGA is supporting these community gardens. Thank you Sandy!

The Community Outreach Working Group is planning a visit to the winning community gardens and potentially others in the fall. Dates are not yet set, but will be announced later in the summer and members of JCMGA will be able to join.

In addition to providing grant money, JCMGA hopes to further support community gardens through education.  Our Speaker’s Bureau provides educational presentations on gardening topics to community groups, clubs, and other organizations. This is one way to engage with our mission of educating Jackson County communities and expanding science-based knowledge for the home gardener. Colet Allen will engage with the contact person for the respective community gardens and determine if this is something that they might like to offer to their gardeners.

There are quarterly Community Garden Network meetings that Sheri Morgan chairs. If anyone you know is interested in working on, or starting a community garden, they are welcome to attend! At the meeting they can find knowledgeable people to answer questions and provide support, and perhaps make new like-minded friends.  More information can be found on the JCMGA website.

Awards given for 2025:

Community and contact Project(s) Location Grant Amount Rewarded
Rogue River Food Garden

Helga Bush

 Repair and upgrade the irrigation system 4733 West Evans Creek Rd

Rogue River, OR 87537

 $1,000
Holly Street Community Garden

Dana Kline

 Re-roof existing garden shed 929 S. Ivy Street,

Medford, OR 97501

 $1,150
Eagle Point Community Garden Shari Lawson Replace existing fencing 1409 Siskiyou Blvd,

Medford, OR 97504

 $250
Providence Community

Health Foundation

Lila Farney

 Replace the Garden Shed 940 Royal Ave, Suite 410,

Medford, OR 97504

 $250
Blue Heron Community Garden

Sandra Wine

 Purchase new bench and irrigation parts 109 Abby Street,

Phoenix OR 97535

 $350

 

 

Feb 28

It Takes a Village…Or Is That a Hive? The First Day of the 2025 Master Gardener Class

By Beet 2025 03 March

Photos by Sandy O’Neill

The 2025 New Master Gardener Class Luncheon and Orientation was such a success due to the contributions of many people who performed a myriad of activities in a short period of time. There was so much activity, it felt like a bee hive.

Two days prior to the event, Food4Less once again discounted the cost of food and supported us, as good neighbors do. Their staff sorted, bagged and loaded enough food for 70 people into my car, and I ferried it to the Extension.

The SOREC kitchen was undergoing a deep cleaning and unavailable for our use. So, we “farmed out” food to other venues for preparation — the kitchens of our resourceful volunteers. One person made salads; four baked regular and sweet potatoes; others made chili; etc.

Our volunteers also contributed roasters and crockpots to keep food warm — some items reminded us of the heaters used by our mothers and grandmothers. The small classroom was set up with so many varied foods that it looked like a Norman Rockwell Thanksgiving painting. Three cobblers — peach, apple and berry — were crowd pleasers and had a place of honor at the tables

By noon, all were seated in the auditorium. There is nothing better than enjoying yummy, healthy food, making new friends, and engaging in great conversations in anticipation of a new adventure in lifelong learning.

After our feast, Grace practiced her magic, as new students were welcomed to the 2025 Master Gardener class. Then we jumped right into the botany lecture. Plant samples were placed on each table and students invited to identify the samples. As a Bud (mentor), it is gratifying to watch budding botanists. They think they understand, until they must scrutinize a plant’s structures in detail. You can hear the awe and excitement as new students decipher botanical intricacies

In addition, groups of 5 new students were tasked with creating a 10- to 15-minute presentation about one plant family. As in prior years, this day’s were amazing presentations. I expected nothing less from this very skilled new class.

The day was a joyful and energizing event. If the first day is indicative of the future, we are all in for a wonderful journey.

There are many people to thank for the success of this kick-off event, starting with all the Master Gardeners who prepared the space and cooked delicious and healthy food at home.

We owe a huge thank you to all the Master Gardeners who take on several roles during the 14-week class, such as the Buds who help with the in-person classes, the practicum mentors and even some SOREC staff.

Jane Moyer, who has poured her soul into creating and leading the Practicum over many years, is stepping into a consulting role this year. She will continue to help JCMGA grow, thrive and be a positive presence in Jackson County. Thank you!

Thank you to Barbara Low and Nicole Smith, who stepped in to fill big shoes as co-Chairs of Practicum – the first year of their leadership. Thank you to all the Master Gardeners who are Practicum Mentors and Garden Buds, and leaders that run Committees that keep our organization moving forward.

Last but certainly not least is Grace Florjancic, our MG Program Coordinator. She has worked closely with the Practicum and many others in our gardening community to bring knowledge, great ideas, interesting presenters and instructors, and new programs to this year’s Master Gardener Program. We are so grateful that she’s part of the team at JCMGA. Thank you, Grace.

It takes a village – and when it’s super busy with preparations – it sounds like a buzzing bee hive.  Thanks to all in our hive who make it possible.

 

 

Jan 31

2025 Capital Campaign Beginnings

By Beet 2025 02 February

Andrew Norwood, Development Director for the OSU Foundation, was the guest speaker at our JCMGA January Board Meeting.  After a 30-minute presentation on fundraising, he then followed by inviting us to lunch. Those of us who accepted his invitation were very pleased to get an hour and a half of his time to discuss fundraising for JCMGA- perfect timing, given the incoming of our next large project.

JCMGA has a huge capital project ahead of us. We opted to demolish the affectionately dubbed, “Creepy Old House” and replace it with a classroom, a tool shed and a Lathe house in that space. The capital campaign will also include funds for replacing the original greenhouse (Greenhouse 1).

After lunch, we went back to SOREC to begin reviewing the preliminary plans that will help us identify our scope of work, along with the project cost.

What Andrew provided us were several ideas (dos and don’ts) on how to secure funding, donations, and sponsors, along with ways to cut our building costs; thus lowering the total cost of the project. He also provided answers to questions of where to find these various resources. Some of his ideas were:

  1. Possibly utilizing an OSU engineering student to create drawings as a class project, thus reducing the cost of getting the drawings done. Grace indicated that she would help find someone at OSU we might talk to about this possibility.

  2. Finding a sponsor who would provide 25% of the cost with matching funds.

  3. Going to the sources of material suppliers for things like lumber, hardware, cement etc. We would start by sending a letter but then follow up with a phone call or, better yet, a personal visit.

  4. He also offered to review letters of request to make sure we were sending the correct message.

There is a lot of work to be done but the result of that work is something that we can pass on to future generations; something that Andrew is very interested in.  Andrew Norwood is a man who does not just talk about projects; he likes to dig in and get his hands dirty. He proposed an activity dear to his heart: he would donate a tree to us (we mentioned that it must be a native) and help us plant it. We welcome him back anytime. After he left, the energy and excitement of the people in the room was palpable. There is a lot of work ahead for us, but we now have some guidelines and an ally in Andrew.

Dec 01

Winter Dreams / Summer Gardens 2024

By Beet 2024 12 December

 

This year’s Winter Dreams/ Summer Gardens was very successful!  The good thing is that we finally figured out how to reach the Landscaping Population (Thanks to Blake Elliot and his know-how) that we have been trying to reach for three years. We more than tripled the numbers of those seeking Continuing Education Hours (CEH) for the Oregon State Landscaper Contractors Board (LCB).  We had a total of 21 who marked Yes for CEH and 15 who attended the Zoom classes, six them attending all 16 classes!

These people expressed appreciation of the information that was offered, and thanked the presenters often and sincerely.  They engaged with questions and comments and offered some information themselves.  As a group, they were a very positive addition to Winter Dreams/Summer Gardens.  A couple landscapers indicated that they would seek more hours viewing the recordings and using the process that Winter Dreams / Summer Gardens has in place to give CEH when the recordings are the method of viewing the presentation.

We at JCMGA appreciate the landscaper’s attendance and their desire to learn more about sustainable practices, the use of Native Plants, Beneficials, and best practices that will produce healthier plants, better living soils and a more sustainable earth for the future with less herbicides and insecticides. We view them as partners in educating the public. They are key players in our Mission to Educate.

During my tracking of the Landscapers present on Zoom for each session, I also kept track of total attendance for each presenter. The range was 25 to 38 attendees, with 80% of the classes having 30 and above.

Yes, this was a great Winter Dreams/ Summer Gardens and I am already thinking about 2025!

.

 

 

Jul 27

A Visit Which Led to a Journey

By Beet 2024 08 August

In June of this year, a Master Gardener friend came to visit, blessing me with her presence for a few days and gifting me with a strange little plant that has a habit of eating flies. You guessed it, the common name, Venus Fly Trap, Genus Name Dionaea.

Upon receiving this little life I thought, “Oh dear, how do I take care of it?” Well, a quick Google search revealed an excellent article by Deb Wiley and Lynn Alpine https://www.bhg.com/gardening/houseplants/care/grow-venus-flytrap/  which lists all of her needs.  (I have decided she is a her.) I call her Venus.

This gift brought to mind some of the questions from an activity for the Cultivating Companions class that Grace Florjancic (our OSU JCMGA Coordinator) is currently teaching. This exercise asks several questions to help determine what kind of a plant parent you are. Reflecting on those questions, I have to say it depends on the plant.  Some of my plants given to me by loved people hold a special place in my heart and get the best care. I think Venus will require more of my attention initially, but that will change as she gets settled into her new surroundings.

The article by Wiley and Alpine gave me the information and confidence that I needed to go on this little journey with a plant that I had never considered. I am really looking forward to making her like my home and make it her home as well. Now I have several new things to consider: What will her container be? I know that she wants at least 4 inches of soil, and more is better for her roots. Where will the container sit to get the best light?  I now must allow some insects indoors for her to catch and eat.  The insects must be small enough that she can close her traps on them. She also likes a humid environment, being a native of the Carolina swamps in southern US. There Dionea is considered endangered as it has been collected to near extinction due to humans’ fascination with their habit of eating insects, so I need to help her live!

Now, how will I achieve the ideal humidity while still having an open container so her prey will come into her sphere of influence?  I was told not to tease her without giving her food, since motion is the trigger that causes her to trap by closing her several mouth-like structures once an insect is attracted. She emits a sweet smell which attracts the insects. False teasing can cause a decline in this scent and use energy that she should be using to grow and eat.

If Venus decides that she likes my offerings and hangs out with me, I will update you about her progress. I also would like to try my hand at propagation but will wait until she is bigger and stronger before asking her to reproduce.  I hope each of you have a guest that leaves you with such an intriguing project and lovely memory.  Thanks, Ronnie, for the lovely gift and for launching me on yet another thoughtful and interesting plant journey.

May 31

The Wet, Cold and Tough Performance of Master Gardeners at the 2024 Spring Garden Fair Event

By Beet 2024 06 June

They say what does not kill you makes you stronger.

Our volunteers certainly got stronger on May 4th!

 

The Spring Garden Fair got off to a soggy start. May 4th temperatures never got into the fifties, and it rained a record 0.91 inches. There were only a handful of those 100+ volunteers who were not out in it and wet. Even lucky volunteers who were inside felt the cold, as the doors were open next to their table and the greenhouses were also chilly. The rest slugged through mud, puddles, and small rivers. Some had the pretense of being protected by the pop-up tents. But the slight breeze quickly removed that idea as they become almost as wet as people who had jobs directly in the weather.  

It takes a village, and our JCMGA village is a place where people work together. This was absolutely true on May 4th. Because of the incumbent weather, we expected that it would probably not be too busy.  Quite the contrary! Those JCMGA volunteers doing traffic and parking duties were real heroes and had the worst of it. We ow those folks a great big “Thank You.” They made it possible for the plant-loving public who braved the weather to get to the plants and buy, buy, buy!

The village had many helping hands that day. There were the plant people who answered questions and found what customers wanted inside and outside of the greenhouses. The cashiers were essential, for there can be no sale without them. The people who staffed the “park your plants” pop-up tables provided a storage place while people shopped for more.  The wagon pullers hauled all the plants toward the customer’s conveyance to a new home. The golf cart driver took passengers from the parking area to the shopping area, and then back to their cars. The rovers jumped in wherever needed when called upon for help. The adults made the children’s rock painting possible. And the charming, young, 4-H fellows took food orders and then bought us warm food to sustain us.

When Sunday came, the volunteers all returned and were ready to do it again. Fortunately, the weather improved. The 2024 Spring Garden Fair will remain an event that JCMGA volunteers will remember. Everyone should be very proud of their performance, true grit and ability to hang tough. They really showed what this group is made of.

Thank you all for your amazing tenacity, forbearance, and generosity of spirit that truly made a miserable day into magic for those brave souls who came. SFG 2024 was a great success. Many, many thanks!

May 31

Rosenelle is Retiring From JCMGA

By Beet 2024 06 June

Rosenelle Florencechild has decided to retire from JCMGA engagements after being a long-time active member. As many of you know, Rosenelle always stepped up when the Speakers Bureau received a request for a speaker in her area of expertise. She has been a welcome presenter at most of the Rogue Valley’s Garden Clubs, JCMGA Speakers Bureau, OLLI Gardening classes and a presenter for Winter Dreams Summer Gardens. and has been an asset to the Rose Society.

Currently, Rosenelle will be reducing her speaking engagements to begin spending more time enjoying what life brings her.

She has a large archive of classes and presentations that she has developed over the many years she has been a Master Gardener. She does not want that information and knowledge lost. She has kindly offered to give these presentations to anyone who would like to work with her to make these presentations their own. This is an extremely generous offer. It would be a wonderful jump start for some of our recent additions to JCMGA who have expressed the desire to continue with JCMGA’s mission of spreading gardening information to the community via the Speakers Bureau.

I have sent an invitation to those who might be interested in becoming speakers to give them a head start working on presentations. If you have not received that invitation, contact me (Colet), and I will add your name to the list (coletallen1@gmail.com).

We wish Rosenelle an incredibly happy and well-earned retirement and hope she will stop by occasionally and let us know what she is up to. Thank you Rosenelle for your many hours of service and your outstanding contribution to JCMGA’s mission over the years.

Happy Retirement!