The Lowdown

WSU Spokane County Extension Master Gardeners June 2017 The Lowdown

Inside this issue:

Foundation News 2

Book Review 4

Fact Sheet Update 9

Self-study Quiz 8

Upcoming Events 10

Extension Information

Dr. Jeremy Cowan 477-2145

Regional Horticulture Specialist

jeremy.cowan.@wsu.edu

Tim Kohlhauff 477-2172

Horticulture Program Coordinator

tkohlhauff@spokanecounty.org

Anna Kestell 477-2195

Food Preservation/Safety

akestell@spokanecounty.org

Jackie Sykes 477-2193

Clinic Coordinator

jsykes@spokanecounty.org

Master Gardener County Site

http://extension.wsu.edu/spokane/

master-gardener-program

Master Gardener Foundation of Spo-

kane County

http://www.mgfsc.org/

WSU Master Gardener Site

http://mastergardener.wsu.edu/

HortSense Fact Sheets

http://hortsense.cahnrs.wsu.edu/

Home/HortsenseHome.aspx

On Line Timelog Reporting:

http://ext.wsu.edu/Volunteers/logon.aspx

Growing a Greener World June 10, 2017

In Susan’s Garden:

A Backyard Habitat in Harmony with Nature

Re-posting Susan’s letter from last year after the filming:

To my dear Master Gardener friends:

I do hope you’re not going to be unhappy with me when you hear what I’ve had to keep secret for the past few months!

Joe Lamp’l, host of the PBS garden show, “Growing a Greener World,” was here in Spokane last week, filming an episode in my garden! And he asked me to keep it under my hat all this time! Do you know how hard that was?!?

(see details on page 6)

A Master Gardener Reveals …

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FOUNDATION NEWS

BY TIM STIESS

Greetings friends

As I write this, the last remnants of the 2017 Garden Fair are close to disappearing. There are a few plants that are still in need of finding a home, but they may be gone by the time you go to look for

them (by the raised beds at the Extension Office).

First and foremost, a big “THANK YOU!” to all the Program leaders, Master Gardeners, spouses, and friends that made the Garden Fair a great success this year. I feel as if each year this event is better than the previous.

For many of you, the main interest is knowing how well we did in raising money for the Program/ Foundation. In fact, I would guess that most of you have already skipped ahead and are now just read-ing this after seeing the $$$. That is okay, I would do the same.

We had an exceptional year, yet again - thanks to the amazing efforts of all involved and the sudden appearance of spring-like weather just in time for our event.

I had assumed that the success of the 2016 Garden Fair was an anomaly, as we had ex-ceptional placement in newspapers and we had the later date typically associated with Garden Expo, so I thought revenue would be down this year. I even felt, on the day of the event, that the number of visitors was not what it had been last year. However, as I was adding up the revenue for the event, I thought “there must be something wrong.” We shot past last year’s gross revenues, even after retir-ing 3Rs and the Yard Sale after last year. Apparently, our remaining traditional booths did great and we had great successes with our new ventures.

We did have larger expenditures. Even with those, we made an estimated $19,500 net for 2017 Garden Fair. AWESOME!!! (revenue and bills are still coming in). For details on $$ this year and how it compares with previous years see the table and graph that follows.

Feedback

I would appreciate your input in how we can do even better next year.

• The Garden Fair wrap-up meeting is scheduled for all who can/would like to attend on June 1st at 5pm in the extension classroom, or

• Send me a note (email, mail, etc.), or

• Join the Garden Fair team

As always, we are looking for new ways to educate the public and earn a few dollars at Garden Fair. If you have an idea for a new booth, please let me know. We will support your needs, such as help growing plants or connect you with wholesale suppliers.

I am thankful to be able to volunteer with such a very special group of people.

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We are so glad you are with us!

Mueller Daniel 3-Jun

Fairfax Beth 5-Jun

Powers Vivian 5-Jun

Schmidt Eberhard 9-Jun

Notske Diane 9-Jun

Yarbrough David 14-Jun

Swenson Margy 20-Jun

Feyk Karen 24-Jun

Saiki Janis 24-Jun

Croteau Julie 26-Jun

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A Book Review by Susan Mulvihill

The Foodscape Revolution

by Brie Arthur (St. Lynn’s Press, 2017, 189 pp., $21.95)

I’m always excited when a book comes along that explains how a homeowner can have both an attractive landscape and a productive food garden at the same time. In Brie Arthur’s new book, The Foodscape Revolution, she does exactly that. Now it’s time to get the word out to folks who think they don’t have room for an edible garden and/or are worried what their neighbors will think of it.

As Arthur writes, “The average suburban foundation landscape -- the foundation around the house -- offers open space the equivalent of 1,250 sq. ft., or 48 average-sized 4x8 raised beds. That’s a lot of edible potential!”

She goes on to explain how “the ultimate aim of foodscape design is to make the most of the cultivated land while utilizing the existing shrub and turf base.”

In part one (“The Model”), each chapter sets the groundwork for Arthur’s game plan.

“Anatomy of a Foodscape” details the three foodscape growing zones, based on their proximity to the house. It’s essentially a ratio of ornamentals to edibles. She includes suggested plants for each zone. For example, in growing zone 3, she lists fruit and nut trees, Mexican sunflowers, corn, and mustard greens.

The following chapter looks at ornamental plants and discusses the importance of assessing what you already have and adding diversity to the landscape rather than having a monoculture of the same plant family. The author recommends writing down your goals and starting with trees and shrubs as structure for your beds. Then add in annuals for color although she also gives some easy-care peren-nial plant suggestions.

Arthur advises having a soil test done before beginning any new landscape work, then starting with soil prep and diagramming your new beds. She even covers how to plant trees and shrubs so they’ll grow their best.

In “Just Add Edibles,” the author suggests edible plants for specific uses within the land-scape (in addition to their culinary uses). For example, using them as borders, ground-covers, those needing support (such as tomatoes and pole beans), and as accents (i.e., corn, oats, wheat, kale, basil, Swiss chard and eggplant). Arthur emphasizes planting each crop at the right time for the best success.

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She includes seed-planting methods and suggests which one to use for each crop.

In “What to Plant: Veggies and Herbs,” she outlines how and when to plant, what to harvest, and how to use them in cooking. She even covers what they contribute to a landscape.

There’s another chapter on growing fruits, nuts, berries and grains which includes general growing information. Unlike a lot of garden books, Arthur provides details on growing grains such as amaranth, barley, buckwheat, oats, rice, rye, sesame, sorghum and wheat. She feels grains are an important part of our diet and that the plants make attractive additions to the landscape as well.

The chapter on basic care and maintenance of a foodscape covers soil testing, using organic fertilizer at planting time, when and how to water, staking, weeding, controlling pests and diseases, and addressing cultural issues (ones caused by something we are doing, such as overwatering). Brie Arthur has a pleasing, conversational writing style. She is honest about which aspects of foodscaping take some effort.

In part two of the book, the author has a fun collection of foodscaping projects such as a “foodie fire pit” within a garden room, a property screen meadow, edible neighborhood entryway, patio pots (planting edi-bles in containers), and alternative growing systems such as aeroponics, aquaponics and hydroponics.

Part three, “Yard to Table,” details harvesting, processing, and preserving one’s bounty. This includes the timing for fruit-producing crops, leafy greens, root crops, and grains. She covers the methods that are best for each type, whether it’s popping them directly into freezer containers, blanching before freezing, roasting and freezing, or storing them in dry form.

Arthur even shares her recipes and tips for using veggies. Examples include heirloom tomato juice, tomato paste, pizza sauce, spaghetti sauce, and candied jalapeno pep-pers.

In summing up her ideas, she states, “Next time you are tending your landscape, ask yourself, ‘Why can’t I have it all?’ Then consider the possibilities that a foodscape offers: a beautiful collection of plants, abun-dant flowers, a healthy ecosystem -- and fresh produce! The logical integration of edibles in traditional landscapes makes too much sense to ignore.”

I believe Brie Arthur’s The Foodscape Revolution will be very inspiring for folks who want a yard that sustains them -- both physically and spiritually -- while keeping their neighbors and/or homeowners associations happy!

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(continued from Page 1)

I know many of you are huge fans of GGW, just like I am. And I know you would’ve loved to meet Joe. Unfortunately, that wasn’t an option. They filmed 12 hours a day on Wednesday and Thursday, so there just wasn’t the time. And Joe genuinely felt badly about not being able to say hello to you.

OK, so how did all this come about? I know Joe because we are both members of the Garden Writers Association (which is now known as the Association for Garden Communicators, by the way). We met up at the NW Flower & Garden Show in Seattle and had a nice visit. Unbe-knownst to me, he had been following my Facebook page and website.

On March 24th, I got an email from him. Here is the sentence that jumped off the screen at me:

“Say, I have a question for you. With your love of gardening, birding and nature, we are considering doing features on special gardeners. I think you definitely qualify!”

After a brief freak-out on my part, I had Bill read the message to get his thoughts. To my amazement, he said, “Sure, why not?” I suppose he soon regretted those words!

While they were here, Joe explained to me that when he conducted a viewer survey about GGW early this year, many folks said they wanted to see “a gardener’s garden” and that’s why he thought of me. I’m flattered but have to admit it was one of the most stressful things I’ve ever done!

It turned out that early August was the best time Joe felt he and his cameraman, Carl Pennington, would be able to fly here from their base in Atlanta. I wasn’t crazy about that timing because, after all, whose garden looks great after a couple of months of hot weather? But that’s how it worked out.

Once we’d agreed to do the show, the reality of what we needed to accomplish sunk in. There was so much prep! New edging for the front perennial bed, new bark for the pathways in the back and the veggie garden. Weeding, pruning, weed-ing, deadheading, weeding, primping, a bit of garden decor here and there -- oh, and did I mention weeding?

We had an hour-long conference call a couple of weeks prior to their arrival, which was very helpful because it gave us a better feel for how things would go. Even so, we still had no idea what was in store for us: a start time each day of about 7 a.m., lots of setting up of cam-era equipment, reflectors, interviews here and there, occasional wardrobe changes (I guess they wanted it to look like they were here for several days), lots of waiting around (mostly for airplanes to fly over, a chainsaw to be quiet, and for clouds to roll by, etc.). Each day, we finished up around 7:30 p.m.

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And then there was the heat, bright sun and trying to be on my toes throughout it all. Needless to say, I was absolutely exhausted for a few days afterwards.

I had hoped they’d have time for me to show them our beautiful Manito Park and perhaps the Moore-Turner Heritage Gardens, but there never was. I would’ve loved to set up a “meet and greet” for the MGs, but there just wasn’t the time. I’m so bummed!

So that’s the story. The frustrating thing is that this episode won’t run until next June 17th! But that’s because they’ve switched to shooting episodes a year in advance. Pa-tience is not my strong suit, so this will be torture. I have to admit, I’m stressing over it already because I’m hoping I came across as interesting, poised, knowledgeable and all of those good things! But Joe and Carl pay so much attention to details, I’m sure it’ll turn out just fine.

And I have to say that Joe Lamp’l is just as down-to-earth as he comes across on-screen. He’s interesting, funny, very engaging, and busy as all get-out. Carl is a perfectionist, but easy to get along with. His perfec-tionism should make the episode visually-appealing. Let’s hope everything comes together the way they envisioned.

Stay tuned!

SPOKANE COMMUNITY GARDENS NEEDS YOU!

The garden season has started with a flourish. Community gardens all around the Spokane area are defi-nitely in need of some hands-on help.

The newly reinvigorated Spokane Community Gardens board needs someone to make sure gardens get the help they need. They are looking for a Volunteer Coordinator, especially one who can begin working with the community gardens as soon as possible.

Please consider donating your time to help Spokane Community Gardens make Spokane green again!

Contact Kathy Callum at 1-509-328-2523.

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JUNE 2017 QUIZ

1. Who visited Susan Mulvihill’s garden and asked her to keep it a secret?

2. What is the name of this person’s PBS garden show? Do you watch it?

3. What is the new name for the Garden Writers Association?

4. Which garden job kept popping up as Susan prepared her garden for

filming?

5. When will we get to see this program on PBS?

6. What does the profits from the Garden Fair support?

7. Was the net profit from Garden Fair 2017 higher or lower than the profit from Garden Fair 2016?

8. When is the Garden Fair Wrap Up?

9. Who can attend this Wrap Up meeting?

10. How many average-sized raised beds can fit in an average suburban foundation landscape?

11. What is the title of the book that explains how a homeowner can have a productive food garden

and an attractive landscape?

12. Which type of yard does this book promote: monocultural or polycultural?

13. Which alternative growing systems are also discussed in the above-mentioned book?

14. Does this book describe what to do with the produce from your edible landscape?

15. Which local group is looking for a Volunteer Coordinator to help in area community gardens?

16. Who is the contact if you have time and talent to offer this worthy

group?

17. Where are updated statewide publications found?

18. Which revised fact sheet can we send via email to someone needing

more information about turning yard waste into compost?

19. Where would we find carpenterworms?

20. Which fact sheet will give you everything you want and need to know

about the two most common toadflax species in the Northwest?

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Fact Sheet Update

There are some great new fact sheets available for you and our clients to use in the garden! This month features statewide publications found on the Gardening in Washington website http://gardening.wsu.edu/ or http://pubs.wsu.edu/ .

Gardening in Washington (statewide publications):

Backyard Composting revised EB1784E This is an updated fact sheet that we can send to clients who want more information about home composting. At nine pages in color, it’s a little too long to print out for everyone, but we can certainly send our clients to the website or email a copy to them.

A Citizen Science Guide to Wild Bees and Floral Visitors in Western Washington EM110E Since wild bees are difficult to monitor and identify, this guide acts as an introductory document for those who would like to understand wild bee biodiversity and contribute to conservation through monitoring. This field guide is part of our citizen science program, the Citizen Science Initiative for Bees (CSI Bees), which seeks to deliver locally specific, data-driven education on wild bees of the Puget Sound Region

Carpenterworm Moth FS256E. Carpenterworms are major pests of hybrid poplars. Larvae bur-row into the trees, weakening them and destroying heartwood. The objective of this pest sheet is to show how to monitor moth populations and to suggest a male-trap-out strategy to control the population.

Yellow and Dalmatian Toadflax PNW135.pdf Attention weed enthusiasts! This is it, this is the one you’ve been waiting to read! Everything you want and need to know about the two most common Toadflax species in the northwest in one great publication. Very good color photos, information about biocontrol and weed management.

MAY 2017 QUIZ ANSWERS

1. Sunny 12. Mignonette Alpine strawberries

2. Over $12,000 13. Zebrune shallot

3. Those who went above & beyond for a successful sale 14. Cinderella’s Carriage

4. May 17 15. Rabbit

5. The Spirit of Stone 16. Secret Garden Greenhouse

6. No 17. 7717 East 18th Avenue

7. Create a rock outcrop garden 18. 1949 Nuffield Oxford (London Taxi)

8. Raked gravel 19. Beverage and potluck dish

9. It does not add nutrients to the soil. 20. No

10. Garden steps 21. Socialize with MGs and talk plants! (Of course!)

11. 12 x 12 fabric planting cubes

Extension programs and policies are consistent with federal and state laws and regulations on nondiscrimination regarding race, sex, religion, age, color, creed, national or ethnic origin; physical, mental, or sensory disability; marital status, sexual orientation, or status as a Vietnam-era or disabled veteran. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local Extension office.

Calendar of Events

Thursday 1 Garden Fair Wrap Up 5 p.m. Extension Classrooms

Thursday 8 MG Get Together 6 pm—9 pm Julie & Bill Nesbitt’s Garden

Monday 12 MG Foundation Meeting 10 a.m. Extension Conference Room

Tuesday 13 MG Advisory Board Meeting 4 p.m. Extension Conference Room

Wednesday 14 Canning & Freezing Fruit 5:30 pm—7 pm Extension Office

Monday 26 Clinic ID 3:30 p.m.—5 p.m. MG Clinic

26 Advanced Education 5:30 p.m.—7 p.m. Extension Classrooms

Wednesday 28 Beyond Jam 5:30 pm—7 pm Extension Office

Monday 10 MG Foundation Meeting 10 a.m. Extension Conference Room

Tuesday 11 MG Advisory Board Meeting 4 p.m. Extension Conference Room

Monday 31 Clinic ID 3:30—5 p.m. MG Clinic

31 Advanced Education 5:30 p.m.—7 p.m. Extension Classrooms