Update

July 2019 Vol.31 No. 7

July 20th, Monthly Meeting 2019

Victory Gardens

Victory Gardens were home and community gardens used to grow fruits and

vegetables when the food, fuel, transportation and labor were in short supply in

American during the world wars. Loretta Craig of Prairie Garden Farm in

Basehor, KS will present why victory gardens were so important during the world

wars of the 20th century, and why they are a good idea today.

Loretta Craig is living on a small homestead outside of Kansas City with her

husband, Don, six cattle, 15 chickens, five ducks, two dogs, a barn cat and a large

Victory Garden. Both she and her husband were in the military. Loretta now

gardens and is pursuing certification as a Functional Medicine Health Coach with

the belief that soil health determines human health.

The presentation is open to the public and will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 20th, in the Dreher build-

ing after our business meeting at 9:00 a.m.

Cindy Hornberger, Vice-President

K-State Research and Extension Douglas

County 2110 Harper Street

Lawrence KS 66046-3242

(785) 843-7058 batesm@ksu.edu

Update

A monthly newsletter for Extension Master

Gardeners in Douglas County

Douglas County Agent-

Horticulture

Tom Buller Association President

Nancy Smelser Vice President

Cindy Hornberger Treasurer

Mary Dillon Secretary

Sharon Laverentz Public Relations

Andrea Verbanic Board Members

Judy Adams

Susan Rendall

Jane Stiles-Potts

Ron Spangler Dg Horticulture Program Assistant

Sharon Ashworth Editor

Bekki Heckman

K-State, County Extension Councils, Extension Districts, and U.S. Department of Agriculture

Cooperating

All educational programs and materials available without discrimination based on race,

color, religion, national origin, sex, age, or

disability.

Douglas County Extension Master Gardener

2019 Advanced Education Programs August 21st – Field Trip to Henry’s Plant Farm – Succulents with Jozie Schimke and Brian Henry September 21st – Unique Facets of Gardens on the Spring Tour 2019 with Cathi Hamilton, Sharon Davis and Kevin Nelson October 16th – “African Violets: Their Care and Needs, Adding Color to Your Home”, presented by Vickie Avery and Laurie Nelson of the Lawrence African Violet Club.

Captured Moments at the

Missouri Botanical Gardens in St. Louis

2019 Douglas County Fair

President’s Challenge!

I am repeating the Presidents Challenge for 2019! I would love to see all of us enter something in

the Douglas County Fair this year! You can show off your beautiful blooms, or your terrific

tomatoes, or your garden favorites canned and preserved. You can also enter art and photography,

textiles, whatever your specialty is, there is an open class for you.

Last year was an especially “challenging” year for gardeners, but this year promises to be

spectacular!

You can look up the Fair website for more info: https://dgcountyfair.com/fair-info/

Use the 2019 Fair Book tab to find specific entry information on Open Classes for Flowers and

Horticulture, and also Food Preservation and Fine Arts.

There are literally a couple hundred ways to enter everything from Apples to Zinnias; classifications

range from single stem specimens, herbs, house plants, flower arrangements, fresh produce from

your garden, to the canned and preserved fruits of your labors.

Open Class entries can be entered the day of and are free to enter, as many as you like.

(the online service charge is only for pre-registered entries, primarily 4H; walk in Open Class

entries are always free at the Douglas County Free Fair)

Entry is on Monday, July 29, from 1 to 7PM in Bldg 21.

We can support our partners at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, and enjoy seeing all the beauty that

comes from the garden.

Start planning now . . . hope to see you at the Fair!

Nancy

Notes from Sharon Important information from the Board On Wednesday, June 12, the EMG Board discussed raising the required volunteer hours for EMGs from 20 hours per year to 30 hours per year. The rationale for this change comes from numerous discussions over the last few years about struggles to fill volunteer obligations. The list of struggling committees continues to grow and includes demonstration gardens, hotline, and farmer’s market, and the speakers’ bureau. At present, with the current obligation of 20 hours per year, an EMG can fulfill half the required hours or more by traveling to and attending the monthly business meeting. That leaves just 10 hours per year of “boots on the ground” volunteering. Furthermore, the EMG Handbook states, under “Membership Expectations”, that “Every EMG should be an active member of at least one committee established by the Association.” For your information, Shawnee County requires 25 volunteer hours per year plus attendance at 4 business meetings, Johnson County requires 30 volunteer hours per year, and Sedgewick County requires 48 volunteer hours per year. The issue of changing required volunteer hours will be discussed during the business meeting on July 20th.

Please watch your email inbox for a survey asking input from the membership.

Volunteer Opportunities

Help with the Library Programs for kids

Program – Growing Plants in Plant Growing Space Pods (PGSP)

7-11 year old 5-6 year old Teen July 8, 2-3pm July 10, 2-3pm July 16, 3-4pm The 5-6 year old kids always need an extra hand doing some of the activities. Set up is 1 hour before start of program. Contact Sindey Platz.

Volunteer at this year’s Chefs Challenge! Thursday, August 1st, during the Douglas County Fair. SIGN

UP Speakers’ Bureau

The public loves to invite master gardener speakers to their meetings. If you’ve got a gardening passion to share, contact Pam Patrick. If you are worried about creating a Powerpoint Sharon A. can help!

HOTLINE AND FARMER’S MARKET – TIME TO SIGN UP!!!!!

Critical dates: No one is on hotline for July 22, 26 and 29 and most of August!! Slots for new EMGs are on July 17, 19, and 31. Share your passion at the Farmer’s Market. Any topic welcome, booth provided, hang out at the Farmer’s market some Saturday morning. Many dates available. Link to sign-up sheet

Recruiting for new EMG Class The sun is shining, the vegetation is lush - it’s time to recruit new EMGs. If you know someone who is interested please give them an application or direct them to fill out an application online. https://www.douglas.k-state.edu/lawn-garden/EMG%20Application%202019%20fillable.pdf

Upcoming Advanced Education Trees, Shrubs and Woody Vines in Kansas Thursday, July 11th, 7:00 - 9:00 PM KU Natural History Museum - Dyche Hall 1345 Jayhawk Blvd. Lawrence, KS You're invited to a celebratory book release of the newly revised and expanded book "Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines in Kansas," by Michael John Haddock (Kansas State University) and Craig C. Freeman (University of Kansas). Dr. Freeman, curator-in-charge of the KU Biodiversity Institute's R.L. McGregor Herbarium, will be on hand to talk about the updates made to expand H.A. Stephens' 1969 classic field guide. Enjoy light refreshments and explore the museum before the presentation. Copies of the book will be available for purchase. The Facebook event is here.

Jon Standing will lead a Grandparent/Grand kid class/bus tour to learn about and to appreciate our common

trees. We'll focus on some basic tree biology, a short tree walk, and measurement of a state champion tree.

This Lifelong Recreation opportunity is a chance for adult and child to work together on a common project

and is sponsored by Lawrence Parks and Recreation. It is scheduled for 9:00 to 11:00 AM on Thursday, July 25.

For more information contact Gayle Sigurdson at 785-832-7909 or at gsigurdson@lawrenceks.org.

Monarch Conservation Webinars. https://monarchjointventure.org/news-events/events

Clinton Parkway Nursery has a number of education programs throughout the year, starting on

February 7th. Check out their Facebook site for announcements:

https://www.facebook.com/Clintonparkwaynursery/

Those not listed as beginning gardening can count as advanced education.

SAVE THE DATE – ANNUAL ADVANCED MASTER GARDENER TRAINING WILL BE IN TOPEKA THIS

YEAR!!

All conference information and registration can be found here: https://www.shawnee.k-state.edu/extension-master-gardener.html use code: KSEMG to register.

Other Gardening Events of Interest:

Aug. 1st – “Small Trees in the Landscape” - 11:30am-1pm; at the Sunflower Room, Wyandotte County Extension

Office, 1208 North 79th St, Kansas City, KS. There are numerous small trees that provide ornamental value to our

homes. Lynn Loughary, K-State Research & Extension Horticulture Agent, will talk about those species and the

attributes of each, as well as, any cultural needs to help them thrive in our challenging climate. Sponsored by

Wyandotte County Extension Master Gardeners. Registration is not required. Fee: $5.00 (waived for certified master

gardeners). Please call 913-299-9300 if you need further information.

Aug. 7th – “Fall Vegetable Gardening” - 6-7pm; at Clinton Parkway Nursery, 4900 Clinton Pkwy, Lawrence, KS 66047.

A whole new season of vegetable garden awaits this fall. Learn what you can plant this fall. All workshops last an

hour plus time for questions. FREE, but seating is limited, so please RSVP either by clicking on “going” on our

Facebook page or call 785-842-3081. Handouts provided. This workshop in held in conjunction with the Farmers

Market at Clinton Parkway Nursery which runs each Wednesday from 4:30-6:30pm from mid May to the end of Sept.

Aug. 17th – Greater Kansas City Iris Society Plant Sale - 10am-3pm; at the Trailside Center, 9901 Holmes, Kansas City,

MO. Add color to your garden by selecting from hundreds of locally grown iris varieties for sale. Includes TB, BB, IB,

SDB and MTB. Don’t know what these designations mean? Come visit us and find out or check out the American Iris

Society website: www.irises.org or the GKCIS website: www.kciris.org. Come early for best selection!

Aug. 17th – MoKan Daylily Plant Sale - 8:30am-3:30pm or until sell out; at Loose Park Garden Center, Kansas City, MO.

MoKan Daylily Society sale has hundreds of different daylilies! Bare root, clumps, and newer daylilies in pots. Planting

demonstrations, tips corner, and educational handouts. Members available to answer questions.

Newsletter Quiz for July!

Here’s our quiz for July! Can you identify this flower? What is its common name? It has both an internal

medicinal use as well as an external one. Can you name them both? Send your answers to me at

bekheck@gmail.com by 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 18th.

The Monthly Update is your chance to make your committee or activity known. If you are having organizational meetings,

activities, or a call for volunteers, let the Update help you get the word out. Send the write up to Sharon Ashworth at

Sashworth@ksu.edu or Bekki Heckman by the 5th of the month to be included in the newsletter. To assure your place on the next regular meeting agenda send a request to Nancy Smelser 3-5 days before the meeting. You will

also get a chance to speak at the meeting, but this will reserve a space on the agenda. If you are planning to distribute handouts, papers, or publish advertisements on behalf of EMG’s, these need to be reviewed by Marlin Bates, prior to

distribution or publication, to make sure we are on track with Kansas State University requirements.

Organizational Meetings for Members

Extension Master Gardener Board Minutes June 12, 2019

The meeting was called to order at 9AM by president Nancy Smelser.

Present: Mary Dillon, Nancy Smelser, Susan Rendall, Sharon Laverentz, Ron Spangler, Jane Stiles-Potts, Judy Adams.

Absent with notice: Cindy Hornberger

Treasurer’s report: Mary Dillon presented a bill for approval from Kevin Nelson. Sharon Laverentz moved that payment be approved. Susan Rendall seconded. Motion passed.

Final figures from the Garden Tour will not be available for another month due to outstanding bills.

Public Relations: Andrea Verbanic mentioned that blog posts are going on the website. This is a new thing for us and seems to be popular.

Members-at-Large Reports:

Susan Rendall: The Enchanted Evening in the Garden event is being planned. The day is July 20 with the rain date set for July 21. Tickets will be on-line only and the price is $30 each and 2 for $50. There will be wine tasting and treats. Roxie McGee will sell her scarves with the money going to the Medicinal Garden, for this year only; any unspent money from the sales reverts to the EMG operating budget at the end of 2019. Ron Spangler will be in charge of the sign up sheet for providing treats and non-alcoholic beverages. Susan will provide the recipes.

Judy Adams: The Garden Tour plant sale netted around $3100. Ticket sales were up a bit from last time (422 tickets sold this year compared to 386 in 2017).

Jane Stiles-Potts: Pam Patrick is having trouble finding EMGs willing to make a presentation at our booth at the Farmer’s Market. The Native Plant sale was a huge success with plants selling very quickly. Should we order more plants for next time? Allow people to pre-order? Sell prepackaged plants for specific garden areas like sun or shade plants? Sharon Ashworth will look into the possibilities.

Ron Spangler: The new class is getting together on a regular basis, which helps with member retention.

Extension Agent Report:

Sharon Ashworth says the hot line needs volunteers. Since no one is volunteering for the Farmer’s Market should we drop that as a committee? Garden Docents in the gardens selected for the tour need formal training in the highlights of their garden.

Unfinished Business: The discussion on sustainability will be postponed until after the St. Louis trip.

There was a discussion about increasing the number of volunteer hours required to remain in good standing. Since we allow members to count meeting time as volunteer hours, fewer hours are left for each person to spend helping on committees. As a result, some projects are struggling from lack of labor.

Susan Rendall moved and Andrea Verbanic seconded the motion that beginning in 2020 all members will be required to get 30 Volunteer hours per year to remain in good standing. Motion passed. This motion will be brought up at the June business meeting and will also be printed in the newsletter. A final vote from the membership will be taken at the July business meeting.

New business: President Nancy Smelser challenged all EMGs to enter the Douglas County fair. Check out the fair book for rules.

Susan Rendall moved the meeting adjourn. Judy Adams seconded. Motion passed at 10:40AM

Respectfully submitted, Sharon Laverentz, secretary

Extension Master Gardener Business Meeting June 19th, 2019

President Nancy Smelser called the meeting to order at 9AM.

Treats: Jane Stiles-Potts, Mary Worthington, and Mary Dillon

Door Prize: Jeanne Klein, Carla Parris

Clean up: Margie Dyck

Jim Blom showed a slide show of all the gardens on the garden tour.

Approval of Minutes: Cindy Hornberger moved that the minutes of the last meeting as printed in the update be approved. Margarite Johnson seconded. Motion passed.

Executive Board Reports:

President Nancy Smelser challenged all EMGs to enter the Douglas County Fair with one or more projects. Information about entering can be found online in the Fair book.

https://dgcountyfair.com/pressy/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/2019-fair-book.pdf

She announced the board decision to raise the number of required volunteer hours from 20 to 30 per year. The rationale is that some projects are not getting enough help and may have to be discontinued. We have already eliminated the Home Show and Festival of Trees. If members are required to volunteer a few more hours per year, some of these projects might be saved. Sharon Ashworth did some research and found that other EMG groups in Kansas require from 25 to 48 volunteer hours per year. (The number of hours required the first year will not change). This announcement was followed by a lively discussion and alternate suggestions. The final vote will take place in July.

Vice-President Cindy Hornberger: The trip to Saint Louis is this weekend.

Garden Tour income: Tickets sales raised $4,197.65. Art sales were $320.98 and native plant sales raised $4,891.43 for a total gross income of $9,410.06

Megan McGlinn and Amanda Hall were recognized for all their work putting the Garden Tour together. It was a very successful event thanks to you two.

The cost of plants for plant sale was $2,321.93. Between 345 and 393 individuals attended the Garden Tour. The tour was a success but still we raised only about half the money needed to fund our budget for a year. Alternative sources of income are needed.

Members-at-Large:

Susan Rendall has volunteered to have an event in her garden on July 20. This will be an evening garden tour with music, wine tasting and food. Tickets will be $30 for one and $50 for two. Ticket sales will be capped at 100. Volunteers are needed for garden help as well as food preparation. Tickets are available on-line only at DGEMGKS.com under Upcoming Events.

Jane Stiles-Potts: Volunteers are needed to help at the Lawrence Public Library on July 8 and 10. The event is an education program for children. Volunteers are also need for the Farmer’s Market.

Extension Agent:Tom Buller is on his way to Alaska.

Sharon Ashworth: The Kansas state Master Gardener meeting is in Topeka on September 13 and 14, 2019. September 13 will be devoted to seminars and the 14th will be garden tours.

Bekki Heckman moved the meeting adjourn. Stu Grosser seconded. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 10AM and was followed by an excellent program on “English Gardens in the Prairie”.

Sharon Laverentz, Secretary