INSIDE: Local Master Gardener News - 2 Upcoming Events – 3 Bits and Pieces - 7

/ February 2008 March 2017

BACKYARDCHICKENSbyNinaLogan

OnFebruary21,TomStallmanofElkMoundspokeonraisingchickens,ducks,andgeese.Heaskeduswhereourinterestlies,withchickensforpets,fortheireggs,orraisingthemasacommercialenterprise.Allchickeneggstastethesamehesaysbecausetheyaremadeupofthesameprotein.Thecolorandtastemaybeenhancedbywhatthebirdseat.Forexample,free-rangebirdsproducedarkerandrichereggs.Blueeggsarethepredominatecolorinchickensand areproducedbytheAmericanabreedofchicken.Brownhensproduce browneggsandwhitehensproducewhiteeggs.Chickenfeedcomesinvariousways.Tomtriesto avoidantibiotictreatedfeed;noneedforithesays.Thebestfeed forchickensiscornoroatsbuttheywilleatanythingincludingyour garden.Avoidcorngluteninfeeds.Itishardtodigestandsoisapoor productforbirdproductionbecauseabird’sdigestiveprocessisso rapid.Oatsisabetterfeedthancornbecauseitprovidesmore proteinandproducesastrongerbird.Alsobesuretosupply gritforbirds.Ithelpsindigestion.Stallmanalsopreferswhole cornbecausecrackedcornloosesnutrientsovertime.Howeversmallbirdsmayneedsmallermorselstodigest.

Whenasked,“Howdowestartraisingbirds;withchicksorwithadultbirds?”Tomsaidthereweretwowaystolookatit.Ifyouchooseadultbirdsyoumustbeeducatedandbeequippedtocareforthembeforetheyarrive.Ifyouchoosechicksallyouneedatfirstisabox,aheatlamp,foodandwater.Thenyoucanlearnmoreasthebirdsmature.

Newhatchedchickscangofor3dayswithoutfoodorwater.Ifyouorderfromthehatcheryyouonlyhave3daysfromtheshippingdateuntilyouhavethemsafelyintheirnewhome.Assoonastheyarriveatyourpostofficetheyshouldnotifyyoutocomepickthemup.Bringthemhomeandfeedandwaterthemimmediately.Chicksneedatemperatureof90degreesforthefirstweek,thengraduallydecreasethetempto80degrees.After6weeksthechicksarefeatheredoutandreadyforthecoop.

Anadultbirdneeds10squarefeetperbird.Freerangebirdsarehappierandhealthierbutaresusceptibletopredators.Foxes,raccoons,mink,hawks,eaglesandowlsalllovechickenforlunch.Whitebirdsfallvictimtopredatorsmorebecauseoftheircolor.

(Articlecontinuedonpage6)

Picture by Paula Bonnin

Page 2 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener New March 2017

NOTE: The ECAMGA Board minutes no longer appears in the newsletter. You may access them by going to the website at

eauclairemastergardeners.weebly.com

Changing e-mail? Moving? If you do, please remember to notify the ECAMG and the newsletter editor of your new e-mail address and/or mailing address so you don’t miss any Eau Claire Area Master Gardener happenings! Email your new Information to Carol Cox at c7w6c2200@charter.net Or notify her by snail mail at 1908 Hogeboom Ave., Eau Claire, WI 54701 (or call her at 715-861-4495).

Bulletin Board Postings, Stories and Opportunities!!!! ECAMGA

2017 Calendar

All meetings at UW-Extension Office unless otherwise noted

March 21, 2017: Gordy Petschow

-“The Science of Organic Soils and Gardening”

April 18, 2017: Darrell Reed – “Gardening A to Z… Getting Started.”

May 2017: TBA June 11, 2017: ECAMGA

Annual Plant Sale

June 2017: TBA July 2017: Tour Dick

Lienhardt’s Vegetable Garden

August 2017: TBA September 2017: TBA October 2017: TBA November 2017: TBA December 2017: Annual

Potluck, Christmas Party and Election of Board Members.

MGV

Local Master Gardener News

Eau Claire Area Master Gardener Plant Sale June 11, 2017 at Phoenix Park - 10:00am - 2:00pm

Happy Spring Master Gardeners: The plant sale committee has had its first meeting and we are excited for the June sale. Here are a few things members can plan for to help us make this a successful sale:

First, we will be selling donated perennials and annuals as usual. If you are starting some flower, vegetable or herbs, plant a few extra for the sale! The one catch will be that all donated plants must have their roots be soaked in a 10% bleach solution and be repotted in sterile soil. We will not accept plants that have not been treated in this manner. This procedure is to keep jumping worms from being shared from garden to garden.

The annuals do not need the soaking if they are started in and kept in sterile soil, and if they do not come in contact with regular garden soil.

If you have jumping worms in your yard or think you might have, please consider donating other things than plants from your yard.

Second, we will be accepting lightly used and in good condition garden related items to sell. Garden tools, books or pots are good examples.

Thirdly, we will take houseplants. Please make sure they are in good condition, pruned and potted in an appropriate size pot.

Lastly, we are looking for some ideas of other items we could sell. For example, the Hosta Society sells gloves and plant markers. We are looking for something that is relatively inexpensive to buy in bulk and we can mark up a couple of dollars. Email or call me if you have an idea for us.

In the months to come we will be presenting more on jumping worms so every one is well educated on them and be able to answer our plant sale customers questions.

Make sure you keep track of the time you (continued on page 7)

ECAMGA BOARD MEMBER CONTACT INFO Name E-mail address Phone number Erin LaFaive Erin.lafaive@ces.uwex.edu 715-839-4712 Mary Jane Griffin mgriffinhlaa@gmail.com 715-835-6979 Dick Lienhardt dicklienhardt@yahoo.com 715-286-9917 Nancy Spak nancyspak@gmail.com 715-835-6546 Ede Strand edestrand@aol.com 715-832-6775 Jerry Richards 715-456-7332 Carla Pelzl jcpelz@gmail.com 715-835-6628 Nina Logan ninalogan@centurylink.net 715-878-4585 Ellen Terwilliger terwilset@gmail.com 715-839-0731

Lori Kempen lorikempen@charter.net 715-832-8088

Page 3 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener New March 2017

Upcoming Events

Dunn County Master Gardeners Spring Begins! Seminar

March 4th, 2017 9:00am - 12:00pm

Dunn County Community Services Building,

3001 U. S. Hwy 12 East Menomonie, WI 54751

Sessions will include: “Integrating Landscape Components into your Overall Landscape Design” by Diana Alfuth, UW-Extension Horticulture Educator for Pierce, Polk and St. Croix counties, and Landscape Design Instructor at UW-River Falls “Plants and Planting for Pollinators” by Scott Stipetich, Biologist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service Hosted by the Dunn County Master Gardener Association and the Dunn County UW-Extension Office. Cost: $8 until February 24, $10 after February 24 or at the door. Registration fee includes materials, coffee break, snacks and door prizes. For more information or to register, please call UW-Extension at 715-232-1636, online at http://dunn.uwex.edu/horticulture/master-gardeners or email DCMGA at dunncountymastergardener@ gmail.com or Katie Wantoch Phone: 715-232-1636; Email: katie.wantoch@ces.uwex.edu Event Location

Bluebird Restoration Project Fun For All Ages

This is a community-monitoring project that is a fun activity for people of all ages. The results of your efforts will be apparent in the restoration of the Eastern bluebird population in western Wisconsin. Monitoring bluebirds on a weekly basis provides the volunteer an opportunity to see the life cycle of a bluebird in its natural habitat. You can get involved in the Bluebird Restoration Project by going to http://bit.ly/2lS7Cr3 to learn about:

Monitoring a nest box or one of the areas bluebird nesting box trails. Monitoring a nest box in your own backyard. Learn how to make your own nest box. Turning in your data! Record your data at nestwatch.org. Make a donation - Don't forget to mention in the comment box that your donation should be used on behalf of the bluebird restoration project.

Beaver Creek Reserve encourages all volunteer monitors to submit all collected data to BRAW and Nestwatch. What is a Bluebird Monitor? Become a bluebird monitor and caretaker when you build a nest box, install it and observe the box throughout the bluebird-nesting season. A bluebird monitor increases the chances of success in fledging bluebirds when the box(es) is observed once a week. You never know what you will see as a bluebird monitor, sometimes your help is needed, especially, if a house sparrow decides to cause harm to the nest. Bluebird monitors also repair and clean nest boxes between broods. By being a diligent monitor, you encourage the bluebird pair to rebuild and stay around.

"Keepagreentreeinyourheartandperhapsasongbirdwillcome."ChineseProverb

Page 4 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener News March 2017

Bluff Country Master Gardeners Annual

Spring Into Gardening March 25th, 2017 7:30am - 3:30pm

Lunda Center at Western Technical College

319 7th St.N. La Crosse, WI

Topics include using herbs in

garden design and using native plants in the landscape. This year’s event includes a plant

sale at nearby Hillview greenhouse.

Cost: $35/pre-registration, $40/ walk-in registration on Sat. (Includes lunch). For more information contact: Cheri Hemker; phone: 608-783-7102; email: sewcheri10@gmail.com Also for more information see www.bluffcountrymastergardeners.org .

Garden U Education Seminar

St Croix Valley Master Gardeners Association March 18th, 2017

Hudson House Grand Hotel 1616 Crest View Dr., Hudson, WI 54016

Featured will be local area speakers that will help us revisit landscaping in the garden. Speakers include Theresa Marrone, who will be introducing us to landscaping with wild berries and fruits, and returning is local author and native plant enthusiast Lynn Steiner, discussing landscaping for wild life. There will also be the Market Garden vendor area with local artists and businesses sharing their wares with us in anticipation of the upcoming gardening season. Please join us for an educational day filled with shopping, food, and fun.

The cost is $30. For more information contact Carolyn Barrette Email: tbarrett@pressenter.com.

We all need garden minions… Photo by Carol Cox

Page 5 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener March 2017

Classes:

Thursday March 9, 2017 at 5:00 pm: House Plant Care and Transplant Workshop: Love the look of indoor plants but not sure how to keep them

thriving? We can help! This class will cover what plants work in which

environments, how to care for them, and how to transplant. A must attend

class for anyone with indoor plants!

Saturday, March 18 at 10:00 am: Sprint Miniature Garden Workshop: Design and create your very own

Spring Miniature Garden! With just a few plants, a selection of miniatures and a touch of fairy dust, you

will have the sweetest little miniature garden ever! Choose from our wide variety of containers, plants,

and miniature collections to create your one-of-a-kind miniature garden. Miniature gardens make perfect

indoor gardens, but can be enjoyed outdoors as well! Bring your own container or purchase one here.

Cost: build your own; only pay for what you take home.

Saturday, April 1 at 10:00 am: Veggie and Herb Gardening 101: New to growing your own food? This

class is for you. Everything from planning the layout of your garden or container to what to plant and

when. We will also cover companion planting and harvesting. Growing your own food is a much healthier

way to live. Find out how to get started at this class.

6025 Arndt Lane, Eau Claire WI, 54701 715-833-1234 or E-mail - home@dwntoearth.com

Website: http://www.dwntoearth.com/index2.html

Fruit Tree Pruning Field Day March 10th

Sponsored by the Jackson and Trempealeau UW-Cooperative Extension

Friday March 10th - 1- 3 p.m. Ecker’s Apple Farm.

The Ecker’s have been producing fruit for many years on their farm. This unique and quiet setting is home to an established fruit tree orchard and blueberry bushes. All fruit growers and those wanting to learn more about fruit pruning and production are encouraged to attend. Directions to the farm: from Galesville, turn right onto WI-54 W/WI-93 Trunk N. Continue to follow WI-54 Trunk West for 7.5 miles. Ecker’s Apple Farm will be on the right. More details about the farm are available at the farm’s website: www.eckersapplefarm.com This free clinic provides an opportunity for fruit growers (organic or conventional) to learn from Sara Ecker who will discuss pruning techniques and demonstrate hands-on pruning methods with an emphasis on large, medium and trellised apple trees. Participants will receive information from UW-Extension fruit production and pruning factsheets. There is no cost for the Fruit Pruning Field Day but registration is appreciated. Sponsors for the field day are: Jackson and Trempealeau UW-Extension Offices. If you have questions or to RSVP, please contact the Trempealeau County UW- Extension office at 715-538-2311 ext. 208 for inclement weather - tune into WWIS 99.7

March Classes March 4th: Fairy Garden Workshop at 10:00 am March 18th: 10:00 am Free Seminar: How to make a Kokedama Ball and basic houseplant care. Register Today for classes: Maysfloralgarden.com or call 715-836-8220.

Mays Floral 3424 Jeffers Rd.

Eau Claire, WI 54703

Begonias are such versatile plants, both indoors and out.

Page 6 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener News March 2017

Barron County Master Gardener Volunteers Spring Expo -- Saturday, April 1, 2017

WITC Conference Center, Rice Lake Speakers; Mike Dwyer – “Trends in the Landscapes David Ziesak – “The Best Trees For Your Yard And How To Save Them” Kathy Zuzek – “The Best of the Best: Hydrangea Cultivars For The Midwest” Michael Racette – “Tried and True Vegetables”

Chickens,continuedfrompage1…

WhenaskedaboutwintercareofbirdsTomstatedthatbirdsmaintainabodyheatof100degreesandwheninaclosedcoupatnighttheyshoulddofine.Inseverecoldaheatlampmaybeplacedtoprovidealittleheat.Thebiggestproblemiscoldmoistair.Birdscansufferfromfrostbitetocombsandfeet.

Thebestbirdsforpetsarethemoredocileones.ThemostdocilebirdsaretheAmericanorEnglishbreeds.EasternEuropeanbreedsaremorenervousandaggressiveandtendtopeckeachotherandtheirhandlers.

Tomstatedhehadmixedfeelingsaboutbeingabletoraisebirdsinthecity.Hefearsalotofpeoplewouldgointotheprojectwithoutfirstlearningtheskillsittakestoraisebackyardbirds.Ithinkweallcameawaywiththefeelingthatraisingbackyardchickensisalotmoreworkthanfunbut,toeachhis(orher)own.

Cost: $30 (includes continental breakfast, chicken breast over rice pilaf lunch and afternoon coffee). To register go to: http://barron.uwex.edu or call 715-537-6250 for more information.

Bits and Pieces

Page 7 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener Newsletter March 2017

Plant sale, from page 2… spend for you volunteer hours. The planting, digging, maintenance of the plants, and travel time to the sale can be counted toward your volunteer hours. The plant sale is Eau Claire Area Master Gardeners only fund raiser. Your donations are very important to the success of the sale. Any donations are deeply appreciated! Susan Merten Plant Sale Chair 715-271-1259 cell/text susmerten@wwt.net

The Foxy Lady… WAITING FOR THE SUN

I have always been an early riser. I love to be up at the last hour of darkness; that darkest time of the night when the stars are at their brightest. I watch the moon on it’s journey across the sky before fading away with the coming of day.

Slowly the darkness of night turns to grey and the landscape begins to take shape. The snow patches turn a lighter shade of grey. There’s a streak of pink behind the woods in the east. The colors of dawn begin to show; mauve, pink and lemon yellow. The snow turns lavender and the ice on the driveway glistens pink. An early riser also, a sharp shinned hawk floats past my view and lands on a branch above my bird feeder, patiently waiting for his early morning breakfast to fly by. The nighttime predators slink back to the safety of their dens to sleep and wait for the night to return so they can resume their hunt. The sun peaks over the horizon and within minutes it appears above the trees, flooding the world with it’s golden light. Birds twitter in the trees. Cars can be seen out on the highway rushing into the city delivering busy people to their places of employment. The school bus arrives with a splash of yellow and red. The day has begun.

Eye Candy

The variety and form in the cactus world never fail to amaze…

Recycling at it’s best…

With Spring and like Thumper, we are all a bit twitterpated!

On the left is a peacock orchid cactus. (Photo by Carol Cox)

Picture via Pinterest

Page 8 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener Newsletter March 2017

EAU CLAIRE AREA MASTER GARDENER NEWSLETTER A newsletter for the Eau Claire Area Master Gardener Association members.

For more Eau Claire County UW Cooperative Extension information

go to our website: www.uwex.edu/ces/cty/eauclaire

Phone: 715-839-4712 Fax: 715-839-6277

M-F 8AM-5PM

Unless otherwise noted, articles for this newsletter are submitted and/or written by ECAMGA members or the newsletter editor, Carol W. Cox. Unless otherwise noted, graphics are from clipart. Newsletter layout by Carol W. Cox

The University of Wisconsin Extension provides affirmative action and equal opportunity in education, programming and employment for all qualified persons regardless of race, color, gender/sex, creed, disability, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital or parental, arrest or conviction record or veteran status.” If you need an interpreter, materials in alternate formats or other accommodations to access this program, activity or service, please contact Erin LaFaive at 715-839-4712 as soon as possible preceding the scheduled event so that proper arrangements can be made in a timely fashion

Eau Claire County Extension Office 227 First Street West Altoona, WI 54720

"All my hurts

my garden spade can

heal."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

(1803-1882)

On every stem, on every leaf,... and at the root of everything that grew, was a professional specialist in the shape of grub, caterpillar, aphis, or

other expert, whose business it was to devour that particular part.

~Oliver Wendell Holmes