UHMG header
Issue No. 11
March | April | May 2015
Spring 2015 Master Gardener Newsletter
In This Issue
NEWS from around the STATE
Unlock the Secrets of the Soil
Quick Links

i heart soils The year 2015 is the International Year of Soils. The foundation for living plants, soil is a non-renewable resource on human time scale. It is important to understand how to protect against soil erosion and make decisions on community development to protect this important resource.

 

Take some time to learn about climate change and soils and how to manage soil properly.  You may not be a large-scale farmer, but even on a small scale, we can make a difference in our own backyards. Plus being aware of these large issues with global impact is important as residents in Hawaii and MGs in Hawaii.

Thank you for all you do to learn more about home gardening in Hawaii! 

Jayme Grzebik

 
NEWS from around the STATE

NEWS FROM KAUA'I     
Mokihana, Melicope anisata
Mokihana
Melicope anisata
Aloha Kim Perry

MG coordinator Kimberly Perry has resigned from her position with CTAHR. We extend our best wishes to her in her future endeavors.  

 

Kaua'i Master Gardeners continue to grow together.  Their newly formed Advisory Board meets every month and have arranged topics on History of Hawaii Medicine, Edible Ornamentals, insect and disease identification and more for Kaua'i Master Gardeners.  They are growing plants for their Annual Garden Fair held at KCC and preparing for Ag Awareness Day in May. At the end of June they plan to host their annual MG Graduation Celebration! 

 

Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.~Elizabeth Andrew 

 

Thanks for all that you are doing Kaua'i MGs and Kaua'i MG Advisory Board.

Jayme Grzebik   

 

NEWS FROM O'AHU
Jayme Grzebik, MG Coordinator Oʻahu

'Ilima, Sida fallax
Ilima
Sida fallax 

 

Link to read News from the Urban Garden Center (Sept-Dec 2014) with articles on Arbor Day 2014, the UGC apiary move, Seed Saving, the Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers event, and the Giving Orchard, compiled by O'ahu MGs Barbara Alexander & Catherine Ano.    


NEWS FROM MAUI COUNTY
Cindy Reeves, Maui County Administrator

Lokelani Rose
Rosa chinensis

E Komo Mai, Dr. Cynthia Nazario-Leary

It gives me great pleasure to announce that after reviewing many strong applications, we have hired a highly qualified candidate to fill the Agent position (formerly held by Lorraine Brooks) on a part-time, temporary basis, while the search for a permanent replacement continues! Please join me in welcoming, Dr. Cynthia Nazario-Leary!  Cynthia has 14 years of educational and leadership experience in horticulture and natural resource management in Hawaii.  Previously, she was a lecturer and the Director of the New Farmers Network at Maui College.  She has also served since 2010 as the President of the Board of Directors of the Maui Nui Botanical Garden and has worked with closely with our own Master Gardener program in the past. Read more here.
 
NEWS FROM EAST HAWAI'I  
Andrew Kawabata, MG Coordinator 
Ohia, Metrosideros polymorphas
Ohia Metrosideros polymorpha

East Hawai'i MG News

Dawn Garlich, East Hawai'i MG 

On April 25th, the East Hawaii Master Gardener Association Plant Sale will be held from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Komohana Research Center in Hilo. We have had three work parties so far in the greenhouse and a total of 132 man hours of work has been done. Read here.

 

Master Gardener Advanced Training: ANTS, March 17-18, 2015

NEWS FROM WEST HAWAI'I  
Ty McDonald, MG Coordinator 
Ohia, Metrosideros polymorpha
Ohia
Metrosideros polymorpha

 

West Hawaiʻi MG Vanilla Orchid Project 

by Celeste Makrevis, West Hawai'i Master Gardener  

 

Learn along with the West Hawaii MGs as they explore vanilla orchids, from pollination (each flower opens for one day only, and must be hand pollinated!) to vanilla bean production and more. Read here.   

 

   

Unlock the Secrets in the Soil  USDA NRCS Unlock the Secrets in the Soil
We join the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in celebrating 2015 as the International Year of Soils. Look forward to more articles on soil health and soil quality.  
 
8 Steps to Improve Your Garden Soil Health 
by Brian & Mhel Cyr, Emeritus O'ahu Master Gardeners 

Read soil biology gardening tips to help make your garden soil more-drought tolerant, allow it to retain nutrients, and to help defend your fruits and veggies from some soil-borne diseases.
Aloha!

 

Jayme Grzebik
Email: GrzebikJ@ctahr.hawaii.edu
University of Hawaiʻi Master Gardener Statewide Coordinator

Assisted by Jody Smith | Oahu MG | smithjos@hawaii.edu
College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources
University of Hawai'i
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