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September 2012 Volume 3 No. 9
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Changes for Master Gardener News & Views
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We're moving the release date for Master Gardener News & Views from the first of the month to the middle of the month. This change will allow us to provide greater lead time for announcing upcoming events and classes. So, for example, the next issue, due out in mid-October will cover events from mid-October through early December. The November issue will cover mid-November through early January, and so on.
We're also adding a Mystery Plant of the Month feature. Each issue will include a plant (or plant part) image for you to identify. If you know what it is, be the first to correctly identify it (include the common AND scientific names!) by sending your answer to Denny Schrock and you'll be recognized in the next issue as the Master Gardener Super Sleuth of the Month. We'll also identify the plant and tell you a little about it. Because we had no Mystery Plant last month, we're starting with a feature on Caryopteris as the featured plant for September.
Denny Schrock
Master Gardener Coordinator
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 | | Caryopteris X clandonensis 'Blauer Splatz' |
Featured Plant
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Bluebeard is the featured plant for September. Also commonly known as blue mist spirea or blue mist shrub, this delightful charmer comes into full glory in September. 'Blauer Splatz', pictured above is sold in the trade as Sapphire Surf, its trademarked name. It is a compact variety with clusters of clear blue blooms that are highly attractive to bees and other insects.
In Iowa, caryopteris usually dies back to the ground over winter, but resprouts nicely from the base each spring. Simply cut out the dead stems in late winter and allow the silvery green foliage to fill in. By late summer this drought-tolerant shrub will be loaded with misty blue flowers.
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| September Mystery Plant |
| What am I?
This plant is blooming now in Denny's garden.  |
Image of the Month - Master Gardener Summer Session
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 Dr. Donald Lewis explains his techniques for identifying plant pest problems during one of the hands-on sessions during the Master Gardener Summer Session on August 25, 2012. The session, which included classes on topics such as plant diagnostics, sustainable landscape design, and development of theme gardens, was attended by 50 Master Gardeners from around the state. See more photos from the day at the Iowa Master Gardeners Facebook page.
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Master Gardener Hours Reporting
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| Report Your Hours
Using the online Master Gardener hours reporting system is a snap. All it takes is an email address to create an account to be able to log into the site. Here at the state Master Gardener office we don't track the email addresses. In fact, you can make up a fictitious address, but be sure it's one that you can remember, because you'll use the same email-like address each time you log in. If two of you in the same household share one email address, create an alternate log-in for the second person in the household, using an email-like format, such as abcde@xyz.com. If Master Gardener Mary Sunshine needs to create an account, she could use a combination such as mary@sunshine.com, or some other terms that she'll easily remember.
It's extremely important for us to track the total number of active Master Gardeners and their number of volunteer hours. Over the past several years Iowa Master Gardeners have reported somewhere between 65,000 and 90,000 hours of volunteer service yearly. That's the equivalent of 32 to 45 full-time positions, and according to the Independent Sector, is worth $1.2 to $1.5 million to the Iowa economy annually. By any account that's no small change! Congratulations to all of you on your great work!
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MG Requirements for 2013
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Starting in 2013, the MG Volunteer Hours requirement to remain active will increase from 6 hours per year to 12 hours per year. Some counties already require more than 6 hours annually. By the end of 2013 all Master Gardeners must complete at least 12 hours of volunteer service to remain active. This should not be a change for most Iowa MGs because the average number of hours volunteered by MGs in 2011 was 25 hours. The MG educational hours will not change from the current 6 hours required annually.
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| Gardens & Castles of the British Isles |
| | Join Denny in England and Scotland
How would you like to see the Chelsea Flower Show next spring? How about the Edinburgh Royal Botanical Gardens, Linlithgow Palace, Branklyn Gardens, Drummond Castle, York Minster Cathedral, Windsor Castle, Hampton Court, Kew Botanic Gardens, Great Dixter, Sissinghurst, Wisley Gardens, Hever Castle, and much more? You can if you participate in the Gardens & Castles of the British Isles tour led by Denny Schrock, Iowa Master Gardener Coordinator and Patrick Phillips-Schrock, adjunct professor of history at DMACC. Hidden Treasures Botanical Tours, a division of Great Southern Travel is making the tour arrangements.
Dates for the tour are May 13-26, 2013. The tour starts in Edinburgh, and works its way through York and the Midlands down to London and environs, including a full day at the famous Chelsea Flower Show. By starting in the North Country, we're able to pack a full month's worth of blooms into two weeks because at this time of year gardens in Scotland will be in early spring splendor, while those in the south will have advanced to late spring. For more information or to get a brochure contact Denny at the state Master Gardener office or Mary Kroening at Hidden Treasures Botanical Tours. |
| Upcoming Events |
What: Master Gardener Fall Plant Sale
When: Saturday, September 29, 8 a.m. to noon
Where: Dubuque Farmers' Market
Who: Dubuque County Master Gardeners
Price: Free
What: Eastern Iowa Orchid Show
When: Saturday and Sunday, October 6 & 7
Where: Kirkwood Community College
Who: Eastern Iowa Orchid Society and Kirkwood Floral Careers Program
Price: Free (agenda & registration form)
What: The Buzz on Beekeeping
When: Monday October 8, 7 p.m.
Where: Glenwood Resource Center
Who: Mills County Master Gardeners
Price: Free
What: Commercial Fruit/Vegetable Production Workshop
When: Tuesday October 30, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Where: Davis County Extension Office
Who: Davis County Extension
Price: Free/No registration
Do you know of another educational opportunity coming up? Email Cindy or Denny. Thanks.
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