August
September
What a busy month! After all the work in the spring and early summer preparing the vegetable garden, now comes the time to watch our plants grow and produce. The past week I have been harvesting onions, figs, blueberries, plums, and a few tomatoes. Nothing tastes as good as produce freshly picked from your garden! I hope that you are enjoying your gardens and some of their produce. It takes hard work, but it is well worth the effort.
Jackson County Master Gardeners Association has also been busy with a variety of events:
It is time to start working on getting your nominations in for the JCMGA 2026 Board of Directors. Please submit any nominations by September 1st to Linda Millus. (check the article in this Garden Beet).
We have many volunteers who are working hard for JCMGA in many ways. A BIG THANK YOU to all of our volunteers! Please remember to take care of yourself during this heat wave. Your plants and you need to make sure to drink water, find shade, and relax.
Do you know someone who would like to work approximately four hours per week for pay to help the Native Plant Nursery thrive? The responsibilities would include general nursery plant maintenance under the direction of Lynn Kunstman or someone she delegates this responsibility to.
Unfortunately, in accordance with OSU policy, a Master Gardener may not receive renumeration for services to the Jackson County Master Gardener Program or the Jackson County Master Gardener Association, so we can’t use any of our members to fill this position.
The Board has approved a stipend of a maximum total of $1,500.00 to be paid monthly from July to October. This would be prorated based on when an appropriate candidate is found.
If you do know of someone who would love to work with our native plants, but is not a Master Gardener, please email Barbara Low at barbaralow@msn.com.
Did you see the first installment of our JCMGA advice column, “Growing Knowledge?” What a wealth of helpful tips and tricks for successfully growing tomatoes! I have learned so much already.
Many thanks to all the members who value educating our community about gardening to the extent that they were willing to spend the time and effort to contribute their knowledge to the column. You are beautiful!
We actually received enough tips and tricks to divide the tomato knowledge into two columns. This month contains the advice pertaining to preparing a garden bed and the planting of the tomatoes.
Next month’s column will focus on tips and tricks for getting those tomatoes to grow and how to actually reap a bountiful harvest. What do you do? Do you feed? Pinch? Clip? How do you protect from heat, sun, thirst, critters? Do you thin? How do you know when to pick? What do you do with all that fruit?
Keep an eye out for the next Mailchimp that calls for your tips and tricks on growing and harvesting tomatoes. Remember, you can collect a half-hour of direct instruction credit toward your recertification. So please share your wealth of knowledge and be a part of it all!
At our JCMGA Annual Picnic, as well as the OMGA Joy of Gardening conference, some of our outstanding members were awarded and celebrated for their dedication to our organization. Many thanks to the Nominations Committee for the time and energy they spent nominating candidates and selecting finalists. The nomination committee included the following people: Colet Allen, Anne Ackles, Linda Holder, Kathy Apple, Grace Florjancic, and Linda Jo Millus.
Several of this year’s recipients were actually on the Nomination Committee, so it was a little tricky keeping their nominations a secret – but I think we did it. Congratulations to the recipients of these well-earned awards and recognitions:
Oregon Master Gardeners Association Longevity Recognition – 20 Years of Exceptional Service
Lifetime Membership Awards
2025 State Master Gardener of the Year Award winner – Barbara Low (one of four awarded this year)
Barbara has shown exemplary leadership and educational dedication since 2020. At just about everything happening, from meetings to events, she is always present.
Barbara has been President Elect and President of JCMGA for the past three years. She has been Chair or Co-Chair of Member Services, Marketing and Technology, Fundraising, Winter Dreams/Summer Gardens, and Spring Garden Fair Working Groups.
She is the Co-Director for the Practicum education program, and a Practicum Mentor once a week from January through May. Barbara also volunteers weekly at the Plant Clinic.
She is the Editor, and writes articles for The Garden Beet, the JCMGA newsletter. She is a presenter for the JCMGA Speakers Bureau. Barbara sets up and staffs the JCMGA booth at several local events each year, where she promotes the Master Gardener Program.
Barbara was instrumental in supporting the Josephine County Master Gardener Association during their dissolution. She was a Speaker at the Joy of Gardening, where she presented on Companion Planting.
Barbara excels at leadership, and is noted for her kindness, integrity, humility and grace.
State Behind the Scenes Award winner – Colet Allen
Colet works tirelessly for the JCMGA and OMGA. She is full of new and creative ideas that she has seeded at both the County and State level.
Colet serves on the JCMGA Board as the OMGA Representative. She has been a member-at-large on the Board. She has been continuously active and involved since her graduation in 2012.
She is on several working groups, including the Spring Garden Fair, Winter Dreams/Summer Gardens, Membership Committee and Community Outreach – where she organizes and implements our Speaker’s Bureau across the Rogue Valley.
Colet actively participates in events such as the Master Gardeners Graduation, Joy of Gardening, annual picnic, Spring Garden Fair, and other special events. She also volunteers as a Garden Bud (student mentor) during Master Gardener classes.
Colet was instrumental in starting the Friends of the Gardens for JCMGA, and helped implement garden tours for our local garden clubs and non-profit associations.
Colet is also active with Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), where she supports the Master Gardener education classes. Always mindful of people in the community who are sometimes forgotten, Colet ensures that our projects include underserved groups, such as seniors and people with disabilities.
Jackson County Growing and Belonging Award Winner – Lindsey McNab
Lindsey is a current student in the class of 2025. Even though she has just finished the in- class portion of the program, she has already
become a stellar volunteer.
Lindsey is very active in the Marketing and Technology Working Group. She has taken on many of the media tasks and does an excellent job.
Lindsey worked with Grace delivering the Seed-to-Supper programming to Rogue Re-Treat’s shelter residents. She has also signed up to table at Rogue Food Unites’ free mobile pantries. Here she will join others to conduct microgreens activities and share bilingual gardening resources for our community members who most need it.
Although new to JCMGA, Lindsey has already had a large impact on our community.
2025 State Behind the Scenes Nominee – Marcie Katz
Marcie has been nicknamed the “Energizer Bunny” for her excitement and never-ending work performance for the Jackson County Master
Gardener program.
Marcie has been President Elect, President and Past President. She is Co-Chair for the demonstration Gardens, Spring Garden Fair and Garden Enhancement (caring for the garden paths and signage) Committees, and has worked on the Advisory and other committees. She has been a Practicum mentor since she graduated in 2019.
Marcie can be counted on wherever there is a need, and always has a smile. This last year, she selflessly stepped up to fill the void left by two leaders in our association who had family emergencies. She took on an additional practicum, plus purchased supplies for the practicum as needed.
When membership was down after Covid, and gardens became neglected, Marcie worked diligently and successfully to draw Master Gardeners back to JCMGA and the SOREC gardens.
Marcie consistently supports the educational mission of the JCMGA by teaching Master Gardener classes on sustainable gardening, coordinating conference and seminar series, and volunteering at the Plant Clinic. For variety, from spring to fall Marcie can be seen weed whacking all around campus.
Marcie is an amazing resource of information and help. Though not always in the limelight, her many accomplishments have a very positive impact.
2025 Jackson County Behind the Scenes nominee – Pam Hillers
Pam has been an active member in JCMGA since her graduation in 2015.
She was a Board member and Membership Secretary from 2016-2018. She also ran the raffle booth at Spring Garden Fair, and served as a Garden Bud for the Master Gardener class.
Pam Hillers has been a dedicated archivist from 2019-2024. She has led efforts to reorganize our vast archives. While not in the forground, these activities hold the history of the JCMGA and are a valuable resource for understanding how decisions were made and guidelines were designed to implement many association activities. Pam researched various rulings and by-laws to support board decisions, and made sure to archive all pertinent materials.
Pam is an excellent keeper to our JCMGA archives.
2025 Jackson County Behind the Scenes Award winner – Nicole Smith
Nicole is a dedicated volunteer who always has a smile on her face.
She worked diligently at her role as the Co-Chair of the Practicum classes for 2025 and will continue that work for the 2026 year. She trains the Mentors, helps select the seeds to be planted by the classes, and reviews/ updates Practicum lesson plans. As a Practicum Mentor, she teaches the Master Gardener classes as well.
All this while having an infant in arms!
Working with the Marketing and Technology Working Group, Nicole ensures the JCMGA website is functioning well and the content is up-to-date. She also creates multi-media posts for the JCMGA Facebook group.
We cannot always observe Nicole at work because it is behind the scenes. But we do see the impact she has on the Practicum and our online communications to JCMGA and the community at large.
Congratulations to all of our illustrious nominees and winners for 2025!
Barbara Low
Colet Allen
Lindsey McNab
We are looking for new, and experienced, members of Master Gardeners to serve on our Jackson County Master Gardener Board of Directors for 2026. Could that be YOU, or someone you can recommend?
Please consider becoming a member of the board – the governing body of the association. The board adopts the budget, sets policy, and generally oversees the present and future direction of JCMGA. Meetings are held the second Friday of each month. Most board members also sit on one or more of the association’s working groups. Your input is important, and fresh perspectives on how we move forward are the key to our success.
The following positions are to be elected this fall:
Contact Linda Millus, President-Elect, at lmillus@outlook.com if you want to nominate yourself or someone else.
Please submit any nominations by September 1st.
Tomato Tips and Tricks, Part One
Preparing for the Planting of Tomatoes
in the season, I may also add 12-6-6 liquid fertilizer as needed. — Sean* Generous amounts of compost mixed well into the soil is crucial. DO NOT add additional nitrogen because it encourages leaf growth over root and flower development and results in fewer tomatoes.
* Dig a hole or a trench. Add water and let it soak in. Some people like to put a mixture of ¼ cup bone meal, ¼ cup organic tomato- vegetable fertilizer, and 1 teaspoon magnesium (Epsom Salt) covered with 2-3 inches of soil in the bottom of the hole. –Jane From Practicum
The Planting of Tomatoes
* My tip for growing tomatoes is plant onions all around them so you won’t get the big green tomato hornworm. — Virginia Clark
* I also always plant basil close to my tomatoes. You can never have too much basil.
* I make sure the garden is balanced; no monoculture rows. Intermingle basil, tomatoes, tomatillos, peppers and lots and lots of flowers: everything from sunflowers to yarrow; zinnias to comfrey and borage; bachelor buttons to coreopsis and calendula. — Sean
* I like columnar growth using 7’-8’ heavy garden stakes, pinching out suckers and securing then securing new growth with green tie tape about every 12”.
* Shear plant tips off above larger green tomatoes mid-September to preserve energy for ripening them instead of those that won’t mature before frost hits them. — Jordan and two JRT’s
* For the last couple of years to protect from the heat and sun, I plant my tomatoes on the east side of the house. That way they get late afternoon shade. They seem to do great! —DA
* If you want to use a stake, put it in the ground before filling the hole while you can still see the roots. Fill the hole or trench and firm the soil around the roots. In the garden, a tomato cage can be used instead of, or with the stake. These supports are more important for indeterminate than determinate tomatoes. — Jane from Practicum
Here is a Mason Bee hanging out with an Ornate Checkered Beetle on coreopsis in my pollinator garden.
Erin Galbraith
Photo by Erin Galbraith
There are still more incredible speakers participating in this year’s Winter Dreams Summer Gardens Symposium to tell you about. The WDSG Working Group has worked hard to bring you some top-notch presenters for this four-day, virtual seminar. These presentations have been selected to help you plan your next year’s spectacular garden. Join us on October 17,18, 24, and 25 from the comfort of your own home via Zoom. Registration begins August 15th.
Last month we introduced seven of the speakers in our interesting lineup. Here you will get to learn about five more.
How to Manage Blueberries, Caneberries, and Strawberries in Your Home Garden Presented by Logan Bennett
Join Logan for an engaging and informative session on how to manage blueberries, caneberries, and strawberries in your home garden! This talk will delve into the specific environmental needs of each crop, the common pests you might encounter, and the best practices for pruning and fertilizing. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, you’ll gain valuable insights on how to cultivate these delicious berries successfully at home. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your gardening skills and enjoy a bountiful harvest!
Logan Bennett holds a Master’s Degree in Soil Science and a Bachelor’s in Natural Resources Management. He has three years of experience as an extension agent at Oregon State University, working as part of the Small Farms and Master Gardeners Program. Previously, Logan worked as a crop consultant specializing in perennial crops. Logan’s interests include Direct Farm Marketing, soil science, hogs, poultry, blueberries, and apples. Logan has expertise in soils, integrated pest management, permanent cropping systems, and small fruits, making him a valuable resource for farmers and gardeners alike.
Introduction to Soil: Physical and Biological 
Presented by Scott Goode
This presentation will touch on how soils form, what comprises a healthy soil, how the life-forms in the soil are organized and what we can do to promote a healthy soil.
Scott Goode is a retired environmental scientist who has worked in water treatment, bioremediation, and modeling the role of environmental factors in soil chemistry. He is currently developing carbon removal and petroleum-free farming technologies.
Soil! – What it is & How it works…
Presented by James Cassidy
It’s ALL about SOIL! Most people only have a vague idea of what soil is and how it works. You will learn more than you ever thought possible from this lecture. What soil is, how soils form, the reason you are alive, what nutrients are, how soil stores water and nutrients, and how to access published on-line soils data to improve your understanding of this critical resource! The fundamentals that ALL humans on the planet Earth should know!
James Cassidy has been an Instructor of Soil Science at Oregon State University for over 20 years. The introductory class now has over 100 students each term and is very popular. James is also the founder and faculty advisor for the wildly popular OSU Organic Growers Club – OSU’s student farm. Coming from a non-traditional background (music industry for over 40+ years) he is passionate about soil and is popular with students because of his dynamic speaking style. The student farm project has over 300 student volunteers on its list-serve and continues to grow. Over 25,000 students have participated in the farm’s programs. The farm is in its 25th season and is largely self-supported through produce sales and cultivates over 50 different fruit and vegetable crops.
De-Bunking Gardening Myths 
Presented by Jane Collier
Did you know that coffee grounds are not acidic, or that grass clippings do not cause thatch? Do you think drought tolerant plants don’t need watering? This presentation will de-bunk these, and many more gardening myths.
Jane Collier is an Oregon State University Extension Master Gardener who teaches for the award-winning 10-Minute University™ Program. Jane’s gardening knowledge encompasses growing vegetables and small fruits, insect pests, and container gardening. Today, she and her husband farm their five-acre home garden which yields a bounty each year.
Fire Adapted Landscaping Best Practices and Understanding Defensible Space Presented by Brian Hendrix
Brian’s demonstration is designed to help gardeners improve their understanding of what “being Fire Adapted” really means for landscaping and gardens, and how these best practices work together with home gardening techniques to best protect your home and property from wildfire risks. We’ll utilize a Master Gardener’s home risk assessment to introduce terms and activities relating to wildfire mitigation, learn basics about effective plant spacing and maintenance for improved defensible space and the differences between a “Firewise” and “Flammable” plant.
Brian Hendrix is the Fire Adapted Communities Coordinator for Ashland Fire & Rescue. He has served since 2017 and is a Certified Wildfire Mitigation Specialist. Before taking over the FAC Coordinator role in 2021, Brian was the Weed Abatement Coordinator and a Wildfire Mitigation Specialist for AF&R’s Wildfire Division. Brian lives in Ashland with his wife and 3 sons.
Oregon State University Extension
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