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Beet 2023 04 April

Unsung Heroes – Viki Ashford

By Beet 2023 04 April

Colet Allen and Contributor Janie Burcart

 

Meet Viki Ashford. Viki took a Master Gardener class back in 2005, when there was no practicum component. Being a perfectionist, Viki is now taking the Practicum, as it’s available for the first time since the pandemic. Viki exemplifies the mission of the Jackson County Master Gardener (JCMG) program with her passion for education and volunteerism, and her reluctance to be regarded as an unsung hero!

She has long worked in the plant clinic, a facet of the JCMG program that is most visible and useful to the community.  She reports: “I’m always learning something new.”  Viki explained that sometimes she feels that she learns more from the clients than they do from her – particularly when they challenge her with a question to which she doesn’t know the answer!  “Many gardeners think we know everything in the plant clinic. NOT so! Sometimes we have to search out answers, too.”  She added: “We are very committed to not rushing to closure for an answer to a question.  We pride ourselves on doing step-by-step documented research from educational and scientific sources.”  Viki is a strong advocate for natives and points out how we can reduce irrigation by planting natives.

In addition to the plant clinic, Viki is involved in other gardening projects in the community. She has been an active member of the Ashland Garden Club since 2005 and chairs its Heirloom Garden committee. The Heirloom Garden is a collection of gardens at North Mountain Park in Ashland, dating from the late 1800s, that are designed, planted and maintained by Viki and her committee members.

Viki also volunteers in the beautiful garden at Celia’s House, a 12-room hospice home in Medford with a garden that dates to the early 20th century. A variety of owners has led to a lack of cohesion in the garden design, something that Viki is transforming by careful promotion of native plants. “I feel a great sense of accomplishment after I have spent a morning there gardening, knowing it’s a pleasant and serene space for the residents.”  This work is much appreciated by the hospice staff and residents, as described by Dwight Wilson, Executive Director of Celia’s House: “We are blessed to have the benefit of a volunteer group of individuals to maintain our 2-acre grounds. Under the guidance of our Master Gardeners, the volunteers plant, weed, update, and maintain one of the most beautiful locations in the Rogue Valley. The efforts of this group not only maintain a beautiful setting for those we care for, but they are also assisting us in moving to more sustainable plantings and maintenance. The love and support of our Master Gardener community has been invaluable in that we could not replicate it without their efforts.”

Viki Ashford is a true volunteer: she labors outside the limelight, spreads joy and pleasure with her service and expects nothing in return except the satisfaction of a job well done.  Thank you, Viki, a deserving Unsung Hero.

Coordinator’s Column — Book Recommendation

By Beet 2023 04 April

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hello Gardeners,

While you all know me as a gardener, I am also a book worm. Earlier this winter I read a fantastic book I want to share with you. Author Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer is both a botanist and a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. In Kimmerer’s book, Braiding Sweetgrass, she compares and contrasts the way scientists and various native cultures perceive the natural world around us. Kimmerer writes from her perspectives as a scientist, a Native American, a teacher, a student, and a mother to explore the interactions and impacts humans have on the nature surrounding us. I recommend this book for everyone to read but especially those interested in nature, science, history, and/or culture.

Unlocking the Mysteries of the Seed Catalog

By Beet 2023 04 April

When we were invited by the public library to present a winter series of gardening classes, JCMGA’s Speakers Bureau agreed that “Choosing Seeds for Spring Planting” would be a perfect topic. In January, when it’s just too cold and wet to work outdoors, gardeners in the Rogue Valley decide what we’ll plant once the weather warms up. And January is when seed catalogs arrive in our mailboxes. Eagerly flipping through them, we gaze at the colorful photos, read the enticing descriptions, and place our orders.

My PowerPoint presentation began with some basic advice. I said that before making their choices, viewers should understand their gardening conditions: do they have lots of sun, shade, or some of both? Will they be planted in raised beds, in the ground, or in pots? How long is their growing season, from the last frost in spring to the first in fall? Next, what are their needs and preferences for flowers and vegetables: colors, heights, bloom times? Do they want vegetables for fresh eating or canning? Is flavor or long storage most important to them?

Only after answering these questions is it time to decide what to grow. One way is to browse the seed racks in garden centers, grocery stores, and the like. Seed packets have descriptions of each variety’s attributes, how long from sowing until first harvest, what month to plant, how deep and how far apart to place those seeds.

But seed racks usually offer only a few varieties of each kind of flower or vegetable. For much more to choose from, there are seed company catalogs (in print and online.) I don’t know how many seed companies there are in the U.S., but I counted more than a dozen.

And to explain how to “read” and understand them, I showed sample pages from the Territorial Seed Company catalog. Territorial is located in Cottage Grove, Oregon. Though it doesn’t produce all the seeds it sells, it trials every variety to find the ones that will grow best in the Pacific Northwest. It also has the most thorough and easy-to-understand cultural information I’ve seen.

As with every seed catalog, codes are used throughout. Among the most important are the symbols F1 and OP. I explained that F1 designates a hybrid, i.e., a cross between two varieties to achieve a new one with the best characteristics of each of the parents. Hybrids are usually more uniform than open-pollinated plants, and may display “hybrid vigor,” i.e., grow faster and/or bigger than their parents. But gardeners may not care so much about uniformity. And, if a gardener wants to save their own seed from year to year, they must grow open-pollinated plants.

There is sometimes confusion between the terms “open-pollinated” and “heirloom.” Territorial uses the symbol of a clock to designate their heirloom varieties. Master Gardeners know that heirlooms are varieties that have been loved and grown by generations of gardeners, perhaps because of exceptional flavor or disease resistance. However, breeders can and do produce new varieties of open-pollinated plants. So, although all heirlooms are open-pollinated, not all open-pollinated plants are heirlooms.

Other symbols are the ones for cold hardy and dual season plants; container friendly varieties; and the amount of sunshine required to grow each kind successfully. There also are abbreviations for resistance to diseases that infest some vegetables including cucumbers and tomatoes.

I showed viewers where to find species names in the Territorial catalog, and what they mean (not important to know for most vegetables, but useful in the case of squashes.) For tomatoes, I explained the difference between “determinate” and “indeterminate” types. And I pointed out the availability of pelleted seed and seed tape for those who want an easier way of sowing tiny seeds.

Before signing off, I encouraged viewers to borrow or buy a copy of JCMGA’s Garden Guide for the Rogue Valley. It has so much information I couldn’t include in my talk, like the length of the growing season in different parts of the Rogue Valley, and the NPK values of various organic fertilizers.

If you’d like to brush up on your skills at reading seed catalogs and deciding which varieties will best suit your gardening needs, click here to view my one-hour presentation on the library’s YouTube channel.

Phoenix Earth Day – April 22nd

By Beet 2023 04 April

 

Celebrate nature and learn more about

how we can protect the Earth

Join in the Kids’ Activities, Music and a Native Plant Exhibit and Sale.

  • Kids’ activities include rock painting, bean bag toss, seed planting, photo ops with the world’s largest caterpillar and more!  Dress as your favorite flower, animal or pollinator! 🐝
  • Music by Jen Ambrose starting at 11 AM and Ring of Trees starting at 1 PM
  • Walk, bike or ride the FREE shuttle bus from the parking area at the Phoenix Civic Center or the parking area at Blue Heron Park. Tenant and ADA parking ONLY at the event site.

Keystone Shrubs: More Birds in Your Garden

By Beet 2023 04 April

Last month we discussed keystone trees that do well in the Rogue Valley.  As you will recall, keystone plants are those that do the heavy lifting in terms of supporting food webs.  While many homeowners cannot plant larger trees, here are some woody shrubs that can be used in local landscapes and support a wide diversity and number of caterpillar species.  I have quoted the descriptions of these plants from Oregon Flora

 

Evergreen Huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum)  “Evergreen huckleberry is a popular species for native and ornamental gardeners alike. This slow-growing, low-maintenance shrub provides attractive year-round interest, readily growing in all light conditions. Glossy dark green leaves complement clusters of bell-shaped white and pink flowers. It fruits best when given some sun, yielding shiny purple-black berries that are delicious in pies, jams or straight off the bush! Perfect in hedgerows and privacy screens, evergreen huckleberry provides erosion control and food and shelter for wildlife.” But the real story is that Vaccinium can support up to 130 species of moth and butterfly caterpillars, so it creates an abundance of food for nestling and fledgling birds.

Vaccinium ovatum Pursh

 

 

Thimbleberry (Rubus nutkanus) “Thimbleberry is a beautiful alternative or complement to common raspberry and blackberry. Thimbleberry’s fast-growing, thornless branches form thickets with large velvety leaves that provide thick cover. Showy white flowers mature into vibrant red berries, which contrast delightfully with the bright green leaves. Ripe thimbleberries are highly sought after by mammals and birds and the tart berries are delicious fresh or in pies and jams. It will tolerate a variety of light and moisture regimes.”  Thimbleberries host 96 Lepidopteran species.

  Rubus nutkanus Moc. ex Ser.

 

 

We have several native roses (Rosa) here in the Rogue Valley: BaldHip Rose R. gynocarpa, Woods’ Rose R. woodsii, and Nootka Rose R. nutkana. Check Oregon Flora to see which will work best for your site.  Roses support up to 94 species of butterfly and moth.

  Rosa nutkana C. Presl

 

Ceanothus is another powerhouse plant for both bees and butterflies.  The link here will take you to a page with all the natives listed.  You can choose deciduous or evergreen varieties.  Ninety-three Lepidopteran species hosted.

Ceanothus cuneatus

 

 

 

 

 

Serviceberry, Amelanchier alnifolia, hosts 81 species and is described thusly: “Pacific serviceberry is a silver barked, relatively slow-growing small tree that does well in sunny cool sites and dry shade. Patience will be amply rewarded with blueberry-like edible fruits and fragrant 1″ white flowers. In addition to providing wildlife habitat, it can be included in a hedgerow, windbreak, thicket, or erosion control planting in your woodland garden. Avoid heavy clay soils.”

Amelanchier alnifolia (Nutt.) Nutt. ex M. Roem.

 

 

Crataegus douglasii, or Black hawthorn is a beautiful small tree that hosts 80 caterpillar species. “Black hawthorn, or Douglas’ thornapple, is a slow-growing tree which can reach a maximum height of about 25 ft. It is particularly hardy and is resistant to diseases to which ornamental cultivars are susceptible. Lovely white flowers mature into black berries (haws). This small tree is ideal for gardeners interested in providing wildlife habitat: its sharp thorns provide protection to birds and small mammals while its berries offer food during winter months. Black hawthorn attracts pollinators, including hummingbirds and butterflies, as well as beneficial insects.”

Crataegus douglasii Lindl.

 

Finally, our native Hazelnut, Corylus cornuta, hosts 71 caterpillar species. “California hazelnut is a hardy shrub growing in full sun to shade and moist to relatively dry soil. It is among the first plants to bloom, its long catkins emerging between mid-winter and early spring. The leaves, which are deeply ridged with a slightly crinkly texture and serrated edges, turn a bright yellow in the fall. Attractive pale green leafy husks hide the maturing nuts which by late summer are a tasty and nutritious snack for humans and wildlife alike. Unlike the commercially grown European varieties, the native hazelnut is resistant to eastern hazelnut blight. If suckers are left unchecked, it will eventually form a thicket.”

Corylus cornuta Marshall

 

Try some, or all, of these wonderful, productive natives in your landscape.

 

 Garden for Life!

 

There’s Nothing Aronias Here

By Beet 2023 04 April

No April foolin’!  Although Aronia (Rosaceae family), is native to Eastern North America, it’s been a hidden treasure until recently.

With recent “Super Fruit” movements, (consuming fruits rich in color, having abundant vitamins, fatty acids, minerals, antioxidants, and other potentially healthful compounds not found in most foods), Aronia melanocarpa has been spotlighted.

Aronia is a genus of deciduous shrubs that emerged from Eastern North America.  Also known as chokeberry for its tart-astringent flavor that can nearly bring on choking fits, it’s not to be confused with chokecherry, a wholly different plant.

There are four species: melanocarpa (black chokeberry), arbutifolia (red chokeberry), prunifolia (purple chokeberry, a natural hybrid of melanocarpa x arbutifolia), and Mitschurinii (a cultivated hybrid also called Sorbaronia).

Melanocarpa (once thought related to Photinia but no longer so) is the variety you’ll likely find to plant in your garden plot.

With nutritiously rich ebony-colored berries, (actually fruits not berries), it’s no wonder melanocarpa, (melano, meaning black, carpa, meaning fruit) has been extensively used for hundreds of years by Native Americans for their health-enhancing properties. “Pemmican” – made by pounding Aronia fruits into buffalo, deer or antelope meats – was dried and preserved.  Lewis and Clark purchased all the highly nutritious lightweight pemmican they could get to sustain them, as had Native Americans, on their journeys.

In the United States, most of Aronia’s native habitat gave way to monoculture crops and urbanization, accounting for its near disappearance as a food crop.  European countries (first Russia, then Scandinavia and later Poland and Austria) took up propagation.  Poland now produces 80% of today’s commercially used berries.

Ivan Vladimirovich Michurin (renowned Russian botanist) developed a genotype, Aronia mitschurinii, named in his honor that’s still cultivated industrially near Moscow.

With its recent recognition as a world-class “Super Fruit” Aronia has been showing up in the US since the 1990’s, not only as a popular landscape shrub but most importantly propagated for its harvestable nutritious berries.

Omaha’s Kenny Sailors (an Aronia farmer), discovering the health benefits of Aronia, started the ’90’s propagation movement that gave rise to his company, “Superberries.”

Although the sweet-sour-astringent fruits can be consumed off the bush, they’re usually processed to be more palatable.  They make wonderful juice, jam, syrup, soft spreads, salsa, tea, sorbet, ice cream, extracts, beer and wine.  They’re also used for making naturally stable dye.

You can also learn more by going to pubmed.gov.  There you’ll discover more about this fruit and health conditions it can potentially benefit.

Aronia are lovely 3-4’ shrubs with oblong, emerald leaves that turn fiery crimson in autumn.  They’re adorned with delicate, white, five-petaled flowers in spring followed by small pom fruits resembling miniature apples that ripen to near obsidian-black.  Fruits are ripe when flesh is deep crimson.  They like full sun or partial shade, and tolerate a wide variety of soils, including wet or boggy soils.

Aronia are very resilient and survive freezing temps down to zone 3. They aren’t bothered by pests or disease (excluding deer and birds who may dine on ripe berries).

With continued interest in Aronia’s health benefits, plants are more widely available for home growers.  There’s nothing “Aronias” about this beneficial and beautiful plant you can propagate in your own “Super Fruit” garden space.

 

Resources:

Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aronia

American Aronia Berry Association

https://americanaronia.org/better-late-never-aronia-berrys-untold-story-natural-solutions-magazine/

Superberries

https://www.superberries.com/aroniaberry-history

NCSU Research Center

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/aronia-melanocarpa/

 

Plant Sources:

One Green World

https://onegreenworld.com/?s=Aronia&post_type=product

They have four kinds of Aronia.

 

Raintree Nursery

http://www.raintreenursery.com

 

Recipe:

Aronia and Apple Crisp

Topping:

1 ½ cups oat flour

1 cup coconut sugar

1 cup regular rolled oats

1/2 cup olive oil

1/8 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Combine all ingredients until crumbly and set aside.

Filling:

4 cups of organic apples (Fuji, Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Jonathon). Peel if desired (but most food value is in peel). Cut in cubes.

1 cup fresh Aronia berries (thawed if frozen)

½ cup coconut sugar

½ cup honey or agave nectar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

¼ teaspoon ground allspice

1/8 teaspoon sea salt

Mix together all ingredients in a large bowl.

Preheat oven to 350°F.  Sprinkle, then press down 2/3 cup of crumbs onto the bottom of a greased 9” square baking pan. Pour in apple mixture, then top with remaining crumb mixture.  Bake for 50-60 minutes until apples are tender.  Serve warm with fresh whipped cream or ice cream.