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Beet 2024 09 September

Aug 31

The Garden for Life Native Plant Nursery is Open for Shopping!

By Beet 2024 09 September

The Garden for Life Native Plant Nursery, located next to the tall greenhouse at SOREC, is open for business!  The nursery is run by Jackson County Master Gardeners and is open on weekdays. While the nursery is staffed only on Wednesday mornings, 9 am – noon, you can still shop Monday through Friday. If no one is there, choose your plants, pull the PRICE TAGS, and take them inside to pay at the main office. Only plants that have price tags should be taken, as those without are not ready for sale. Cash or checks are preferred, but if the Plant Clinic is open, they can process credit/debit card purchases. Office staff returns the price tags to us, so we can track our sales.

While the nursery exists to propagate and promote the sale of native plants, we do have some non-natives and food plants as well. Most of these have come to us from Josephine County Master Gardeners’ plant stock when Josephine County closed down their extension services. A crew from JCMGA went over on Saturday, July 20th to help remove supplies from their greenhouses, storage sheds and plant racks. Some of the plants we brought back are native birch, cedar, fir and pine trees, Oregon grape, and dogwood, as well as some (non-native) variegated iris and cedars. There are also many grape plants. These have all been placed in the nursery ready for sale.

Since the nursery is bursting with plants, now is a great time to buy.  However, if you plan to buy plants from the nursery before our Fall Festival on September 24th, we recommend you keep the plants in their containers, in partial shade, and keep them evenly watered until October. Our scorching summers are not the time to plant out nursery stock. Wait until daytime temperatures are 80 degrees or less to plant new plants in your yard. Triple digit temperatures are stressful for everyone!

Currently we have beautiful native coreopsis, and a lovely Northeast native Brown-eyed Susan in bloom in the nursery. Both do well in irrigated garden beds. The coreopsis will be more drought tolerant, as it is an Oregon native. We also have many beautiful shrubs for sale. Ninebark grows fifteen feet high and wide and has a beautiful light pink bloom as leaves are emerging. This is one of our earliest blooming shrubs – so important for our early flying bees – and is a great addition to a hedgerow or fence line. We also have a variety of native grasses, which are important to plant among your perennials and shrubs, as they increase water infiltration, provide sugars and exudates that enrich the soil microbiome and are the obligate host plants for our skipper butterflies.

Come and shop at your Garden for Life Native Plant Nursery!

 

Garden for Life!

 

 

 

Aug 31

September in the Garden

By Beet 2024 09 September

In September, 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, and we will have a plentiful harvest. 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.

September is the time to:

  • Mid-month, pickoff blossoms and very small fruits from peppers and eggplants to all remaining fruit to mature.
  • Cover the flower heads of sunflowers to keep from the birds.
  • Time to prune tips and flowers from tomatoes to allow the plant to concentrate on maturing the remaining fruits.

 
  • Direct Seed
o   Arugula o   Chervil
o   Corn Salad o   Cress
o   Fava Beans o   Kale
o   Lettuce o   Mustard Greens
o   Turnip Greens o   Onions
o   Radishes o   Spinach
  • Transplant
o   Broccoli, fall variety o   Broccoli, sprouting types
o   Cabbage – fall or winter varieties o   Cauliflower – late variety
o   Celery o   Chinese Cabbage
o   Garlic o   Pak Choi
o   Shallot bulbs

 

 

  • Control Pests and Diseases
    • Breeding season for slugs and snails starts in the fall. Bait for them for the next two months.
    • Bacterial canker is a problem for blueberries. Use of fixed copper sprays starting before the rainy season and repeated in early January, may help to control this disease.
    • Bunch rot can be a problem for ripening grapes. Pick off damaged leaves.

 

 

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

Garden For Life

Aug 31

September Shallottery!!!

By Beet 2024 09 September

 

Are you hoping to be a winner?  Then Allium cepa var. ascalonicum is your golden ticket! 

This particular “ticket” – not to be had from any lottery dispenser – is actually a supreme shallot.

Why bother with such an insignificantly small bulb as a prize, especially when you can have a heftier onion trophy?  That’s a good question with an even better answer.

Although other alliums – such as regular drying onions, ramps, garlic (and their scapes), scallions, leeks and bunching onions – usually take the top place, shallots are the true treasure.

Ever hear of good things coming in small packages?  It’s definitely true here since shallots trump the onion in many ways. First, they’re delightfully more delicately flavored – mildly-sweet with a hint of caramel and touch of garlicky piquancy.

Shallots are also winners by offering you their riches in fiber, vitamins A, B6, and C, potassium, folate, manganese and antioxidants (which are released when bulbs are sliced or crushed).

Most likely originating in Southeast Asia, they spread throughout India and the Mediterranean region.  Highly noted in Greek history and literature, they were transported further through trading and general crop movements.

Although cultivated for thousands of years, today they’ve become rather an unknown treasure just waiting to be rediscovered.  This is especially so for the true French shallot you’ll have to grow to experience.

So why are shallots such a treasure?  If you’ve never had the pleasure of sampling one, you’re in for a real treat.

Although on the outside shallots may appear like an onion, they’re composed of clusters with each clove covered with coppery skin.  Inside they’re more similar to garlic, lacking rings like onions.

Aside from its milder flavor, its texture and unique aroma have earned it a “favorites” award for a diverse number of dishes.  You can use the bulbs, cook the leaves (as a vegetable), add to salads, pickle it, shave it raw, or even top your trophy dish with shallot flowers.

Like garlic, shallots should be planted in autumn in our area.  Most likely bulbs (seeds aren’t as reliable or true) will need to be ordered as early as possible this month.

Shallots prefer a rich-moist soil that’s somewhat sandy, but will grow in many soil types as long as they’re fertile and well drained.

Break bulbs apart into individual cloves. Plant them 6-8” apart with root end down (points up please!) then cover with more compost. Leave about one third of bulb tops exposed.  Sprinkle soil surface generously with fine ashes so any fungus thieves won’t steal away your prize.

Keep lightly moistened by watering until rain arrives, and pray it comes this autumn.

Growing similarly to garlic, shallots’ early leafing will die back in winter, only to resprout in early spring when bulbs start forming.

Adding nitrogen-rich fertilizer, as well as frequent watering, will enhance your growing treasure.

In about 90-120 days when leaves have dried off, gently lift bulbs from their bed to claim your jackpot.  After curing in a shaded, well-ventilated area for a couple weeks, they’ll be ready for you to savor: your very own shallottery!

Resources

The Spruce Eats

What Are Shallots?

Food Print

Real Food Encyclopedia – Shallot

Britannica

Shallot | Growing, Harvesting, Cooking

 

Shallot Sources:

Territorial Seeds

https://territorialseed.com/

Hudson Valley Seed Co.

https://hudsonvalleyseed.com

French Grey shallot

Keene Garlic

https://keeneorganics.com   

Conservor, Red and Dutch Yellow shallots

Organic Heirloom Gardens

https://organicheirloomgardens.com

Several varieties

Recipe:

Golden Caramelized Shallots

2 pounds whole shallots peeled (place in boiling water for 1 minute so skins slip off easily)

2 tablespoons cooking type olive oil

3 tablespoons honey, good real maple syrup or agave nectar

3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1/8 teaspoon sea salt

¼ teaspoon freshly ground white pepper (black may be used but is more pronounced)

1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely minced

Zest of one organic lemon or lime

¼ cup chopped raw pistachio nuts

Preheat oven to 400°F.

In heavy ovenproof skillet (cast iron is the best) heat olive oil until hot.  Add shallots and honey, stirring until shallots begin to brown.  Add vinegar, salt and pepper then stir until shallots are well coated.

Sprinkle the rosemary over the shallots and roast in the oven about 20-30 minutes until caramelized.

Remove from the oven and sprinkle with lemon zest and pistachio nuts, then serve as a side dish, topping for meats, poultry or seafood.  Or serve warm or chilled on salads or in sandwiches as a piquant relish.

 

 

Aug 31

JCMGA Board July 11, 2024 Minutes

By Beet 2024 09 September

Jackson County Master Gardener Association

Board Meeting Minutes

July 11, 2024

 

Board Members Present (In-Person or Via Zoom):

Barbara Low, President, Co-Chair, Winter Dreams Summer Gardens WG, Co-Chair Marketing &   Technology WG, Chair Member Services WG

Marcie Katz, Past President, Co-Chair Spring Garden Fair WG

Rob MacWhorter, President Elect

Keltie Nelson, Treasurer, Co-Chair Marketing & Technology WG

Regula Pepi, Assistant Treasurer

Kathy Apple, Recording Secretary

Ann Ackles, Membership Secretary

Pam Hillers, Archivist

Colet Allen, OMGA Representative & Co-Chair, Winter Dreams Summer Gardens WG

Lucy Pylkki, Member-at-Large & Co-Chair, Spring Garden Fair WG

Rebecca Cohn, Member-at-Large

Cassandra Toews, Member-at-Large

Ronnie Budge, Chair, Community Outreach WG

Janine Salvatti, Chair, Gardens WG

Jane Moyer, Chair, Fundraising WG

Michael Hornbeek, Student Representative

Kaleen Reilly, Member-at-Large

Grace Florjancic, OSU MG Program Coordinator

Board Members Absent:

Sandy Hammond, Member-at-Large

Guests:

Alice Ingraham

Call to Order:  President Barbara Low called the Board meeting to order at 9:30am.

Additions to the Agenda:  A request was made to add discussion of the budget for the 2024 Fall Festival.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to approve the addition to the agenda.  Motion passed.

Approval of the Consent Agenda:   President Low noted that the Design Ad Hoc Committee’s name has been changed to Practicum Design Ad Hoc Committee.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to accept the Consent Agenda as presented.  Motion passed.

Approval of the Agenda:

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to approve the agenda as amended. Motion passed.

Approval of the Annual & Regular Board Minutes from June 14, 2024:

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to approve the Annual & Regular Board Minutes as written.  Motion passed.

Finance Report:  Treasurer Keltie Nelson responded to questions from the Board regarding the various bank accounts held by JCMGA.  It was noted that JCMGA must have a plant sales license since the association sells plants to the general public.  Past President Marcie Katz and Member-at-Large Lucy Pylkki are planning the 2024 Fall Festival and requested a budget from the Board.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to approve one thousand dollars for the Fall Festival budget from expenses saved in the current budget.  Motion passed.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to accept the June financial statements.  Motion passed.

MG Program Coordinator Report:  OSU MG Program Coordinator Grace Florjancic reported that since there is no funding for the Josephine County Master Gardener program, Master Gardeners from Josephine County would like to participate in various activities with JCMGA.   A welcome potluck for Josephine County Master Gardeners will be held on August 4th from Noon to 3:00pm.  It was also reported that the Cultivating Companions grant is going well and is close to finishing in Medford and Shady Cove.

President’s Report:   President Barbara Low shared the following information with the Board:

  1. President Low reported that the monthly meeting with MG Program Coordinator Grace Florjancic and Farm Manager Jake Hoyman went well this month. Discussion revolved around the joint purchase of a utility trailer, new furniture, and the OWL technology.
  2. MG Program Coordinator Grace Florjancic received a letter from OSU regarding our OSU Zoom account. OSU is updating security so there will no longer be shared accounts.  A new account has been set up for the President of JCMGA.
  3. President Low shared with the Board the new website page for the demonstration gardens. It was noted in discussion that the “Fig Garden” should be changed to the “Fig Grove”.
  4. President Low also noted security and other updates that are being addressed with the JCMGA website.
  5. President Low would like to schedule Dropbox training that will include Regina Boykins and will likely be scheduled on a Wednesday around 5:30pm.

Membership Secretary Report:   Membership Secretary Ann Ackles reported that two past JCMGA members have rejoined.  The revision to the online membership renewal form continues.

Discussion:

  1. Practicum Design Ad Hoc Committee Update: Jane Moyer reported that two bids have been submitted to date for construction of the new tool shed, lathe house, and practicum classroom.  A third bid is expected within a week.  Permission has been given to sell the folding chairs previously stored in the Creepy Old House (COH).  A final cleaning of the COH will be conducted soon. A number of items have been selected from the COH for repurposing including the sink, shelves, lights, and water heater.
  2. Practicum Updates: The Board approved the purchase of a new water heater at the June Board meeting however the repurposing of the functioning water heater from the COH has made the new purchase unnecessary.  The second donation of coir blocks will occur soon.  A discussion ensued regarding distribution of coir blocks to school gardens, community gardens, and Sanctuary One.
  3. Strategic Plan Revision. President Low asked the Board for comments or questions regarding the revisions to the 2024 Strategic Plan.   There were no questions.

Business:

  1. Utility Trailer: Janine Salvatti, Chair of the Gardens Working Group and Jane Moyer, a member of the Gardens Working Group, presented their discussion and recommendation for joint purchase of a utility trailer with Southern Oregon Research & Extension Center (SOREC).  The Board discussed ensuring the shared purchase and shared use of the utility trailer be put in writing with SOREC.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to approve a joint purchase of a utility trailer with SOREC for 25% use with a JCMGA cost contribution of two thousand dollars from the current budget and one thousand dollars from savings.   Motion passed.

  1. Master Gardener Clothing Fundraiser Proposal:  JCMGA member Alice Ingraham proposed a clothing fundraiser with donated shirts and donated artwork for t-shirts that could be worn by the general public and that would include a design and possibly a message such as “Friends of JCMGA”.  Proceeds of the sale of the shirts would go to JCMGA.  The Board would like to see a final proposed design for approval.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to support the development of a design for a Master Gardener shirt with donated shirts and request that the final design be reviewed by the Board for approval at the August Board meeting.   Motion passed.

  1. Proposed Policy Regarding Master Gardener Educational Scholarships: Community Outreach Chair Ronnie Budge reported on the history and process to develop a proposed policy that would offer educational scholarships to Master Gardeners.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to approve the proposed JCMGA Policy 3.9 Master Gardener Educational Scholarship.  Motion passed.

Announcements:

  1. Colet Allen, OMGA Representative, shared with the Board that a record number of attendees have registered for this year’s OMGA Joy of Gardening conference scheduled for July 12-13th.   Last year there were 140 attendees.  This year there are 250 attendees registered.
  2. Regarding the 2024 Fall Festival, Marcie Katz and Lucy Pylkki noted that after contacting all the other Extension Center programs, only the 4-H program agreed to participate. The Fair will be held September 28th from 9:00am to 2:00pm.   Only the Extension Center parking lot will be utilized for the Fair with approximately 10-15 vendors, plant sales, and a food truck.

Adjournment:  The meeting was adjourned at 11:10am.

Next Meeting:

  1. The next Board meeting will be held August 9, 2024 from 9:00am to 11:30am

Respectfully Submitted by Kathy Apple, Recording Secretary