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Teresa Jarratt

Winter Dreams Summer Gardens 2024

By Beet 2024 09 September

 

The Winter Dreams Summer Gardens Working Group is developing an informative and interesting lineup for this year’s symposium. The articles in the July and August Garden Beet had information on presenters and the subjects that will be discussed. Read further for a continuation of what is coming at the symposium.

Please consider signing up for the symposium as it is a great learning opportunity. Register on line on the Jackson County Master Gardeners Association website. Go to the Events and Classes dropdown, then the Winter Dreams Summer Gardens Symposium. Cost is $30 to attend all the seminars, or as many as you would like, on Zoom. We are excited by the diversity of topics and hope that you will join us!

 

 

Companion Plant Gardening

Barbara Low, Presenter

Have you heard of the concept of companion planting? Some plants benefit when planted in close proximity to other plants. Barbara Low will share science-based information on what companion planting is (and is not) and how it can it help us be better gardeners.

Barbara Low is a retired teacher and long-time gardener. She graduated as a master gardener in 2020.

 

 

 

10 Proven Ideas for a Bee Friendly Garden

Leah Puhlman, Presenter

There are hundreds of species of native bees in Oregon. We can support them by how we garden. Leah Puhlman will share simple steps to take to do just that. She will also teach us about “managed bees”, including mason bees and leafcutter bees, which are super pollinators.

Leah Puhlman is an OSU Extension Master Gardener who teaches for the 10-Minute University Program. She has raised mason bees commercially and for her own enjoyment. Leah is also the unofficial bee wrangler at the Oregon Zoo and has acted as a citizen scientist for the PNW Bumble Bee Atlas.

 

 

From Fermentation to Forest Ecology: The Many Applications of Fungi

Lorelle Sherman, Presenter

Want to know more about the plant kingdom Fungi, the fruiting bodies of which are mushrooms? Lorelle Sherman will teach us about various uses for fungi (in addition to providing food), such as ecological restoration, mycopesticides, textiles, building and more.

Lorelle Sherman is the OSU Extension Forester for Benton, Linn, and Polk Counties where she provides science-based education and expertise to landowners. She has a B. S. in Forestry from the University of Vermont and an M.S. in Forest Ecosystems & Society from Oregon State University. Her specialty is fungal ecology and wildlife in managed forests.

 

 

Pro Gardeners Tips and Tricks Panel

 

Strawberries, Peas and Groundcover

John Kobal, Presenter

John will share his wealth of knowledge for propagating strawberries, the best cover crops to grow and best timing for planting peas.

John Kobal has been gardening for over 30 years and graduated from the Jackson County Master Gardeners Program. He is a Practicum instructor at JCMGA, has taught OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) courses and has provided lectures on gardening for various civic organizations. He has an extensive garden of his own and uses worm bins to produce worm castings for soil enrichment.

 

Hoop Dreams

Kent Patrick-Reilly, Presenter

Kent will teach us about using large hoops for supporting garden plants such as tomatoes, melons, beans, peas, and cucumbers.

Kent Patrick-Reilly has 50 years of experience gardening in various climates, the last 10 of which have been here at his home in Ashland. His property has a 9000 square foot garden where he grows fruit, nuts, vegetables, and flowers. Kent became a Master Gardener in 2016 and a Land Steward in 2017.

 

 

Tips and Tricks for Controlling Insects in the Home and Garden

Marsha White, Presenter

Marsha will share tips and tricks for controlling and preventing the most common house and garden insect pests without using toxic inorganic pesticides.

Marsha White has been an Entomology and Integrated Pest Management Instructor for 29 years. She graduated as a Master Gardener in 1995 and has been a Plant Clinic Specialist. Marsha has also shared her knowledge by teaching classes to garden clubs in Oregon and writing articles in the Mail Tribune and Garden Beet. She was a recipient of the Jackson County Master Gardener Award in 2000, the Oregon State Master Gardener Award in 2007 and the Oregon State Behind the Scenes in 2016.

2024 Winter Dreams/Summer Gardens Sessions

By Beet 2024 08 August

 

The Winter Dreams / Summer Gardens Working Group is developing an informative and interesting lineup for this year’s symposium. July’s Garden Beet carried the first article of information on presenters and the subjects that will be discussed. Read further for a continuation of what is coming in the symposium. The August newsletter will complete this introduction trilogy, with information on how you can register for the symposium starting August 12th.  We hope that you will join us for this great learning opportunity!

 

 

“2024 Trials of Organic Vegetables and Flowers”

Jennifer Gerrity, Presenter

Territorial Seed Company is a company in Cottage Grove, Oregon that produces organic seeds. Jennifer will talk about the 2024 seeds that grew well in our climate, including both flowers and vegetables. She will provide an overview of how the seed trials were performed and how data was collected.

Jennifer Gerrity is the Product Line and Trials Director for Territorial Seed Company. She has worked in the botanical industry since 2000 with experience through both domestic and international travel.

 

 

“All About Lavender”

Jared Grzybowski, Presenter

There is a beautiful Lavender Garden as part of the community gardens on our Hanley Road campus. Lavender is lovely in both appearance and aroma, and the pollinators love it. Join us to learn how to pick the best variety for your own garden. We will discuss how to prepare your soil, plant, water, prune and harvest your own Lavender.

Jared Grzybowski is co-owner and lead grower at Charsaw Farms and Goodwin Creek Gardens. His focus is on organic and regenerative farming and gardening practices as well as teaching. Charsaw Farms and Goodwin Creek Gardens feature over 350 varieties of herbs and more than 120 varieties of Lavender.

 

 

“Container Gardening”

Marcie Katz, Presenter

For those of us who are city dwellers (and some who are not), there is not always the space or right set-up for an inground garden. The answer to this dilemma? Why containers of course! Marcie will tell us about types of containers, when and how to plant.

Marcie Katz graduated from the Master Gardener class of 2018. She was the JCMGA President in 2023. She has been a Practicum Mentor for 3 years, is the GEM for the Wanda Hauser Heritage Demonstration Garden and works with the Garden Enhancement Committee.

 

 

 

“Coping With Climate: How Our Changing Environment is 

Affecting Native Plants and Habitat

 Restoration in the Pacific Northwest and Beyond”

Tom Kaye, Presenter

We all know one of the major things we deal with as gardeners is the weather. In a longer-term view, how are plants in our region responding to changing climate conditions? The Institute for Applied Ecology is a non-profit organization that has a goal of conserving native habitats and species through research, restoration and education. They have valuable information they’d like to share.

Tom Kaye is Executive Director and Senior Ecologist at the The Institute for Applied Ecology. He is also a courtesy Associate Professor in the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology at Oregon State University and a board member for the Society for Ecological Restoration. Tom’s areas of research are rare species reintroduction, pollination biology, habitat restoration, invasive plants, and plant response to climate change with a key focus on sourcing native plants for restoration.

 

“The Many Uses for Ground Covers”

Susan Koenig, Presenter

Susan will share her knowledge on the varied types and uses of groundcovers. Full sun or shade, moist conditions to dry rocky soil, pathways to various open spaces in the landscape, all are opportunities for planting groundcovers. Come learn about these versatile plants.

Susan Koenig is a self-described lifelong gardener. She became a Master Gardener in 2016, teaches in the Practicum and mentors new Master Gardener students. Susan also instructs for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) on Vegetable and Ornamental Gardening.

 

 

“Grow the Best Butterfly Garden”

Lynn Kunstman, Presenter

We have all heard of the plight of Monarch butterflies. Along with those orange beauties, there are other lovely (or maybe not so showy) butterflies that color our world and help our environment. Come learn about the native plants they need to ensure generations for the future.

Lynn Kunstman has a degree in Wildlife Management from Humbolt University, and a Masters in Science Education from Southern Oregon University. She taught middle school special education and science for 22 years. In 2012 she became a Master Gardener, and in 2013 a Master Food Preserver. Lynn is the Master Gardener Speaker on the weekly gardening show “Garden for Life” on Jefferson Public Radio. Her current focus is on gardening for wildlife and pollinators.

 

 

 

 

 

2024 Winter Dreams/Summer Gardens Sessions For 2024

By Beet 2024 07 July

October 18, 19, 25 and 26

 

The Winter Dreams Summer Gardens Working Group is developing an informative and interesting lineup for this year’s symposium. This article contains some of the presenters.   Registration will be open August 12th We hope that you will join us!

 

 

Backyard and Small-Scale Composting 

Regina Boykins, Presenter

 

Have you dreamed of being a compost master and improving your soil? Learn about what you need you need to get started. Set up, materials to add, and even amendments to make your compost more plant specific. She even will bring examples of material and tools.

 

Regina Boykins has been a Master Gardener since 2015. She is an avid gardener who looks to research and science, and wants to share what she has learns with others.

 

 

Firescaping for Home, Habitat, and Sense of Place

Adrienne Edwards and Rachel Schleiger, Presenters

 

Do you worry about wildfire risk to your home? Can we improve our protection and still support pollinators? This presentation will discuss how to create a beautiful home garden with native plants and reduce fire risks.

 

Adrienne Edwards is a PhD, botanist, plant ecologist, garden designer and environmental consultant who lives in northern California and in a faculty lecturer at California State University, Chico.

 

Rachel Schleiger, MS, is a plant ecologist specializing in restoration ecology. Her family and property survived the 2018 Camp Fire in northern California. She is a faculty lecturer at both Butte College and California State University, Chico.

 

 

  1. Naturalistic Privacy Screens 
  2. Take a Walk on the Dry Side

         Bonni Engelhart, Presenter

 

Is there a better way to have some privacy than the typical hedges? Bonni’s first presentation will give us information on deer resistant, drought tolerant and fire-wise options.

Bonni’s second presentation helps us learn about more water-wise planting for a drought tolerant landscape in our homes and gardens.

 

Bonni Engelhardt is a Master Gardener, landscape designer and writer.

 

 

Climate Forward Trees

Mimi Enright and Tim Coyne, Presenters

 

In our changing environment how do we know what trees will thrive and grow in the future? The Climate Forward Trees Project developed by the University of California Master Gardener Program and the City of Santa Rosa have provided a list of trees that can be planted now for the future.

 

Mimi Enright became a UC Master Gardener in 2011, and currently oversees the program. One of her interests is helping to educate others about sustainable landscaping. She was Program Coordinator for the Climate Forward Trees Project.

 

Tim Coyne participated in the Master Gardener Program in both Ventura and Sonoma counties in California. Is on the SCMG Board of directors. He was the Project Leader for the Climate Forward Trees Project, and currently for a Fruit Tree Study Group.

 

 

 

Bringing Nature Indoors: Creating a Houseplant Home

Grace Florjancic, Presenter

 

Many of us have struggled with the new beautiful plant we bring into our home only to have it looking very sad in a short period of time.  Where did we go wrong? This presentation looks at what different plants require to live indoors and what we can do to meet those needs.

 

Grace Florjancic is the Master Gardener Coordinator for Jackson County. Grace has a degree in microbiology and horticulture from Virginia Tech, with a working background in research greenhouses, botanical gardens, and an indoor wedding venue.