105 Horticulture Hall, Ames, IA 50011
Iowa Master Gardener Program
Questions?James
Romer |
News Update April 27, 2007
Announcements and news for ISU Extension staff, Master Gardeners, and faculty IN THIS ISSUE
EMERALD ASH BORER ALERT FROM MARCUS HILL USDA Last week, Robin Pruisner, IDALS State Entomologist and State entomologists in MN, NE, ND, SD and other states discovered that illegal hardwood firewood from the Emerald Ash Borer quarantined areas was being sold through Menards. The bundled and spilt hardwood firewood from Taylor Wood Products out of Springfield, IL was found at all 17 Iowa Menards stores, and many others in surrounding states. The hardwood firewood still had bark (a mix of hardwood firewood) attached that allows the EAB larva to live and develop and it is a violation of the federal quarantine put in place by USDA effective December 1, 2006. The people at Menards have been less than cooperative with state entomology personnel and federal investigators are pursuing legal actions. Upon notification by state officials - Menards Corporate office had agreed to immediate removal of the Taylor Hardwoods Firewood from their stores. Subsequent checks found the Taylor Firewood still on the shelves for sale this past weekend. Inspections in IL and MN discovered ash firewood in the bundles and found live larva underneath the bark. Because the bundled firewood was cash and carry no trace forward of where the firewood was possible. The concept of encouraging immediate burning of the firewood in question is consistent with IA DNR EAB/Firewood Policy that is being shared with CCB and others. Stay tuned for further updates. HORTICULTURE PUBLICATIONS FOR SALE Just a reminder that MG groups can work with county offices to order ISU Extension publications at discounted prices and then sell them to the public at the stated retail prices at plant sales, workshops, and garden walks. Popular titles and their prices include: Annuals (PM 1942) $5 retail ($4 staff) Perennials for Shade (PM 1913) $5 ($4) Garden Guide to Midwest Annuals and Perennials (PM 1966) $8 ($6.40) Landscape Plants for the Midwest (PM 212) $10 ($6.50) Indoor Plants (PM 713) $7 ($4.55) Home Landscape (PM 2004) $6.50 ($3.25) Deciduous Shrubs (PM 1943) $5 ($4) Perennials for Sun (PM 1914) $5 ($4) For more information and additional titles, visit https://www.extension.iastate.edu/store The third annual Bedford in Bloom, the town’s signature economic event, will take place on May 19, 2007. Bedford in Bloom will culminate several May traditions in Bedford to offer consumers and the public a whole day event that celebrates flowers, gardens, and irises in our small community. A morning garden lecture will be presented by Bob Henrickson, assistant director of horticulture at the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum speaking on the use of native plants and wildflowers in the landscape. Mr. Henrickson will also be featured at Rainbow Iris Farm in the afternoon moderating a workshop on perennial plants in containers. The courthouse lawn will be abuzz during the noon hour when Kathleen Ziemer of Butterfliz of Iowa will coordinate an array of children’s activities and a live butterfly release of 50 monarch butterflies. The annual garden tour will commence at 1:30 PM with buses starting at the courtyard. Three areas gardens, including a final stop at Rainbow Iris Farm and Kelly Norris’ gardens, will be featured. The Bedford in Bloom Task Force looks forward to treating visitors to a garden filled day in historic Bedford, Iowa and the floriferous fields of Rainbow Iris Farm. Rainbow Iris Farm is open daily May 19 - June 3 in celebration of Bloomfest!, their annual celebration of irises in bloom. See the Rainbow Iris Farm website, for more information. The Story County Master Gardener Association will hold two spring plant sales in May. On Saturday, May 5 the first sale will be at Reiman Gardens maintenance building from 8 AM until 2 PM in Ames. The second sale will be on Saturday, May 12 from 8 AM until noon at Christy Hall, Story County Extension in Nevada. This annual event features a varied selection of new plants and an extensive selection of garden divisions from master gardeners. This year SCMGA will feature eight hosta cultivars, five which are slug resistant, and a container planting demonstration. Proceeds from the sales support the Story County library book program, horticulture scholarships, horticulture grants, adult education programs, community gardens and other community events. In 2006 SCMGA volunteers completed over 2800 hours of community service. For more information contact Craig Seymour at landcseymour@aol.com. SPRING PLANT SALE AT ARBORETUM Iowa Arboretum will host their annual SPRING PLANT SALE on Saturday, May 5, beginning at 9:00 AM. Over 50 varieties of Hostas, plus Fern Leaf Peonies, Tree Peonies, Heuchera, Heucherella, Helleborus, Butterfly Milkweed, grapes, berries, drought tolerant plants, and much, much more. Free Pancakes will be served from 9 to 11 AM to those purchasing plants. Iowa Arboretum is located 2 ½ miles west and 2 miles south of Luther in Boone County. For more information call 515/795-3216. MILLS COUNTY MASTER GARDENER PLANT SALE Date: Saturday, May 12th, 2007 9:00a.m.-12:00pm (Rain or Shine) CENTRAL GARDENS’ “DIG IT” INFORMATION MEETING Central Gardens of North Iowa will be hosting a Volunteer Information Meeting at 7 PM on Tuesday, May 1 at Central Gardens’ new office located at 850 Hwy 18 W. in Clear Lake. Hear about what’s coming this summer. Individuals or groups interested in learning more about Central Gardens’ and its volunteer opportunities are invited to attend. Refreshments will be served. This spring brings continued development at Central Gardens. Thousands of perennials and annuals will arrive and with them, the need for volunteers. The addition of the Rose Garden, Alumni Garden, Low Shrub Garden, Plant of the Year Garden and many trees will be the focus of the May June planting season. Be part of something beautiful. For more information, contact Central Gardens of North Iowa at (641) 357-0700 or email centralgardens@netins.net. All staff at the Update will be on assignment next week. Therefore, no Update will be published. Look for the next exciting edition coming to your local computer email newsstand May 11. The Clear Lake Friendly Garden Club Invites you to its Annual Plant & Garden Auction Tuesday, May 15th. Clear Lake Municipal Building The Northeast Nebraska Master Gardeners will be hosting a flower and plant fair Saturday, April 28 from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM in the Cox Activities Center on the campus of Northeast Community College in Norfolk. Admission is free and there will be many vendors. Bluebird Nursery has offered a tremendous selection of plants to choose from in the past. Also, there will be three presentations on attracting birds, unique ponds, and All America Selections. The address of the activities center is 801 E. Benjamin Ave. Master Gardener Update is arboreally published Friday by the Iowa Master Gardener Coordinator. Please send your news via email to James Romer. For questions, call (515) 294-2336.
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Iowa Master Gardener Program, 105 Horticulture Hall, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011.
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