Cover photo by Emily Schiller, MG 2008
for more fantastic flora photos, see Emily's blog:
July Calendar of Events
July 14
Foundation Event: Field trip to Canada
Note: this is a BC trip, so bring a passport or appropriate ID
Big Bus Tour to Southlands Nursery and VanDusen Garden. We have 15 so far for the tour so don't delay! Send your checks made out to Master Gardener Foundation, $56.00, and mail to Judy Boxx at 270 E Laurel, Bellingham WA 98226
July 23
Bellingham Farmers Market Booth
Saturday July 23rd, come by our booth between 10-3pm.
July 28
Plant ID Study Group
Thursday, July 28, 9-11am • Northridge Park, 3400 Carrington Way
***See below for details
August 6
Saturday Blaine Community Garden Open house- during Blaine Drayton Harbor Days Master Gardeners & Master Composters will be on hand for garden tours & education
August 11
Foundation Event: Annual Master Gardener Hovander Picnic.
Thursday, August 11, 6pm • Picnic Shelter at Hovander
This is a potluck, bring a dish to share. Friends and Family and children are welcome. This is a Zero Waste Event! Please, no plastic cutlery or styrofoam cups.
September 8
Foundation Presentation: Putting Your Garden to Bed
Thursday, 7:00 - 9 pm • WSU Extension Office, 1000 N. Forest St Suite, Bellingham
Presenter: Marcie, from the Garden Spot Nursery
September 17-18
Cascadia Skillshare & Barter Faire
Lookout Arts Quarry. 12 miles south of Bellingham, WA
We have the option of hosting a table featuring composting and gardening skills. Contact Amber (a.kelley@wsu.edu) if interested!
October 21
The 21st Annual WSU Whatcom County Advanced Training October 21, 2016 • St. Luke’s Community Health Education Center • Bellingham
A full day of continuing education (5hrs credit), lunch, vendors, raffle and more. Stay tuned for details and learn how to get involved.
Detailed Information
Foundation Events
Contact Barb Schickler (barbaraschickler2@gmail.com) or Kathleen Bander (kbwm@camano.net) with ideas about future presenters, subjects for presentations, or possible field trips.
Master Gardener Bus Trips
Please click here for details
Plant ID
Study Group
Thursday, July 28, 9-11am • Northridge Park, 3400 Carrington Way, located in the Mount Baker
Neighborhood, south of McLeod Road and North of Barkley Boulevard.
We will be identifying native plants
while walking slowly on the trail. Wear
walking shoes and clothing appropriate for cool mornings. A native plants identification book is useful
(Pojar and MacKinnon or Turner). A hand
lens comes in handy to view small flower parts.
No experience necessary. Bring a
friend. Credits are accepted for MG
education.
Directions from Haggen Food &
Pharmacy at Barkley: Go north on Woburn St toward Newmarket St. Turn right onto Barkley Blvd. Turn left onto Carrington Way. Parking is on
local residential streets.
A map is available at City of
Bellingham>Services>Recreation>Parks Guide. There is also a Trail Guide under Resources
at this site.
Questions may be directed to Karen
Gilliam 384-4562, jkgilliam@gmail.com, or
Louise Granger, 592-5316, rutroad@gmail.com.
From The Coordinators Desk
Happy Summer to all of you. The new 2016 Master Gardener class is off to a great start. At the end of the 60 hour training (April 30) the new interns are asked to volunteer in three general areas (Clinic, Demonstration Gardens, Community Outreach and/or a Project). This is a lot to cover in one summer season, so we have added the option for MG interns to take 2 years to complete the certification. The hope is that this provides flexibility and creates long-term volunteers in our program.
The 22 interns have a lot to report.
Three new projects include:
 |
| A1 Builders Staff volunteered to install the pavers at the St Joe's Garden |
Blaine Community Garden Leadership -- WSU Ext Community First Garden Project has been working with this community garden for a couple years. Now that Master Gardeners are involved we have so many great improvements and partnerships!! Thanks to Ayn & TJ Balback for started the youth gardening program and to new MG interns, Seraida Vazquez, Carol Hogan, and Cynthia Burroughs for your vision and energy to work with the Blaine city staff. This garden has taken off this year. The team installed a native plant demonstration garden, they are working with the City of Blaine to manage the 22 plots at the site. This garden is in a hub location with the Blaine Boys & Girls Club, the Senior Center and the Blaine Elementary School campus as neighbors. Come out to the garden on August 6th from 10-2pm.
 |
| Karen Carson & Alex Milne at WSU Whatcom Ext |
Dion Fountain, and Alex Milne. They have weeded, mulched, planted, pruned and watered around the building, In the fall they will plant natives and install signage. This will be a great benefit to visitors and give our Extension office more visibility in the community.
Interested in any of these projects? contact the MGs involved.
 |
| Fairhaven Middle School Families help during summer at the school garden. MG Jean Andreson has been leading and volunteering for 3 years at this garden. The new garden shed was built by students with donations from Bellingham Millworks |
Summer Garden Workshops
Thanks to Master Gardeners Bob Barker, Amberose Kelley, Karen Gilliam and Dave Keller for teaching the Garden Class series at the Lynden Public Library Friends of the Library gave the MG program a donation of $400 . This will be used for our scholarship fund and support our program outreach activities. Thank you Lynden Library!!
Garden Worm Bins
The Hovander Children's Story Garden and the Deming Library Learning Garden have new residents! Thank you to Pam Newland, Ayn Balback, Ken Malseed, and Louise Granger for the making this happen. Do you know a garden that needs a worm bin? Email Amber, a.kelley@wsu.edu
Garden Worm Bins
The Hovander Children's Story Garden and the Deming Library Learning Garden have new residents! Thank you to Pam Newland, Ayn Balback, Ken Malseed, and Louise Granger for the making this happen. Do you know a garden that needs a worm bin? Email Amber, a.kelley@wsu.edu
 |
| Hovander Children's Story Garden worm bin. |
 |
| Deming Library Learning Garden - spot the worm bin in the back. |
 |
| Louise Granger (left) and Katrina (center) prepare bedding for the new worm bin by shredding and soaking newspaper. |
 |
| Adding the worms. |
President's Message
Linda Burshia Battle, MG Foundation President
The
July Weeder's Digest came upon me rather suddenly, following on the heels of a
lovely vacation so instead of a Presidents letter, here are some of my favorite
quotes on gardening:
Gardening
is cheaper than therapy and you get tomatoes. --Author Unknown
Gardens
are a form of autobiography. --Sydney Edison
To
forget how to dig in the earth and tend the soil is to forget ourselves.
--Mahatma Gandhi
The
greatest gift of the garden is the restoration of the five senses. --Hanna Rion
Gardening
is about the smell of things growing in the soil, getting dirty without feeling
guilty and generally taking time to soak up a little peace and serenity.
--Lindley Karstens
My
garden is my favorite teacher. --Betsy Canas Garmon
When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a
valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a
valuable plant. --Unknown
Don't
forget the bus trip to Van Dusen Gardens on July 14th and the Hovander picnic
on August 11th.
Happy
summer and happy gardening to all.
Linda
Volunteer Opportunities
WSU Extension Events
NW WA Fair
August 15-20 • Lynden Fairgrounds
***Volunteers Needed***
The 21st Annual WSU Whatcom County Advanced Training
October 21, 2016 • St. Luke’s Community Health Education Center • Bellingham
A full day of continuing education (5hrs credit), lunch, vendors, raffle and more. Stay tuned for details and learn how to get involved.
***Volunteers needed***
Weekly Drop-In Opportunities
Gardening with Youth
Blaine School/ Community Garden
Children’s garden —Boys & Girls Club
Contact master gardener Ayn Balback for details: enchaynting@hotmail.com
Northwest Youth Services WE GROW Vocational Garden
Mondays • 1-5pm • NWYS Garden, 1020 N State St, Bellingham, WA 98225
Volunteer with other MGs in this large urban garden, work with at risk teens. Contact Kali Crow Liester for more details: kcrowliester@gmail.com
Community Gardens and Demonstration Gardens
Hovander Demonstration Garden
Wednesdays, 9am-noon • Hovander Homestead Park in Ferndale
Lend a hand, gain skills in weed ID, composting, and gardening with vegetables, flowers, and herbs.
Roeder Home
First & third Tuesdays of the month,1-4pm • 2600 Sunset Dr. Bellingham
Master Gardeners volunteer weekly at this historic home. Contact Shelly Fishwild for more info:
Francis Place Garden
Tuesdays, 4-6pm • Francis Place Housing 1122 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
Rooftop vegetable gardening for the residents at Francis Place. Mentor, teach, grow food, harvest, prepare. Contact Beth Chisholm and/or Malora Christensen, MSW, Catholic Community Services, Housing Services Manager: (360)393-7745
Ferndale HS Shift Foods program Ferndale Food Bank, Ferndale Friendship Garden (FFG)
Contact: Suzanne Nevan, Ferndale Foodbank Director: director@ferndalefoodbank.org
Shift Program: http://shiftfoods.org/journal/2016/4/23/april-update-hoop-house-in-pre-production
Gloria Perez, MG vol and lead at FFG
Sterling Paz Community Garden
Saturdays, 9am-noon • 558 Sterling Dr, Bellingham, WA 98226
Work parties are scheduled bi-monthly. Dates TBA. Garden, maintain the compost demo area, compost kitchen scraps in the worm bin, and weed to your heart's content! Contact Amberose Kelley, a.kelley@wsu.edu
Monthly Opportunities
Diagnostic Plant Clinic
WSU Extension Office
Schedule a shift throughout the week:
http://whatcom.wsu.edu/mastergardener/calendar.html
Farmers Market Booth
One Saturday a month in June, July, Aug, Sept
Writing & Photography for The Weeder's Digest
See submission guidelines here (http://mgwhatcom.blogspot.com/p/submit-article.html)
NW WA Fair
August 15-20 • Lynden Fairgrounds
***Volunteers Needed***
Cascadia Skillshare & Barter Faire
September 17 & 18 • Lookout Arts Quarry. 12 miles south of Bellingham, WA
We have the option of hosting a table featuring composting and gardening skills. Contact Amber (a.kelley@wsu.edu) if interested!
***Volunteers needed***
October 21, 2016 • St. Luke’s Community Health Education Center • Bellingham
***Volunteers needed***
Weekly Drop-In Opportunities
Gardening with Youth
Blaine School/ Community Garden
Children’s garden —Boys & Girls Club
Contact master gardener Ayn Balback for details: enchaynting@hotmail.com
Northwest Youth Services WE GROW Vocational Garden
Mondays • 1-5pm • NWYS Garden, 1020 N State St, Bellingham, WA 98225
Volunteer with other MGs in this large urban garden, work with at risk teens. Contact Kali Crow Liester for more details: kcrowliester@gmail.com
Community Gardens and Demonstration Gardens
Hovander Demonstration GardenWednesdays, 9am-noon • Hovander Homestead Park in Ferndale
Lend a hand, gain skills in weed ID, composting, and gardening with vegetables, flowers, and herbs.
Roeder Home
First & third Tuesdays of the month,1-4pm • 2600 Sunset Dr. Bellingham
Master Gardeners volunteer weekly at this historic home. Contact Shelly Fishwild for more info:
Francis Place Garden
Tuesdays, 4-6pm • Francis Place Housing 1122 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
Rooftop vegetable gardening for the residents at Francis Place. Mentor, teach, grow food, harvest, prepare. Contact Beth Chisholm and/or Malora Christensen, MSW, Catholic Community Services, Housing Services Manager: (360)393-7745
Ferndale HS Shift Foods program Ferndale Food Bank, Ferndale Friendship Garden (FFG)
Contact: Suzanne Nevan, Ferndale Foodbank Director: director@ferndalefoodbank.org
Shift Program: http://shiftfoods.org/journal/2016/4/23/april-update-hoop-house-in-pre-production
Gloria Perez, MG vol and lead at FFG
Sterling Paz Community Garden
Saturdays, 9am-noon • 558 Sterling Dr, Bellingham, WA 98226
Work parties are scheduled bi-monthly. Dates TBA. Garden, maintain the compost demo area, compost kitchen scraps in the worm bin, and weed to your heart's content! Contact Amberose Kelley, a.kelley@wsu.edu
Monthly Opportunities
Diagnostic Plant Clinic
WSU Extension Office
Schedule a shift throughout the week:
http://whatcom.wsu.edu/mastergardener/calendar.html
Farmers Market Booth
One Saturday a month in June, July, Aug, Sept
Writing & Photography for The Weeder's Digest
See submission guidelines here (http://mgwhatcom.blogspot.com/p/submit-article.html)
The Case of the Crispy Callunas
Digger Spade, MG Plant Detective
 |
| Heather, Calluna vulgaris. Source |
The client came in with a sample. The question, “What’s wrong with my heather?” The answer was obvious, no research needed:
“It’s dead.”
When you can break off brittle twigs there is little doubt.
But the next question, not so easy:
“What killed it?”
The client told us that the heather was planted at least five years ago, had grown well and flowered every year. It had seemed OK last summer but now most of the plant was dead, though part still had leaves and flowers. Several other heathers had similar but lesser damage.
Interestingly, in hikes around the neighborhood we had noticed quite a few heathers with similar symptoms, though couldn’t be sure about their condition last year.
Heathers are generally pretty healthy but they are subject to a few diseases. Root and crown rots caused by Pythium species, Phytophthora cinnamoni and Armillaria root rot might be a factor. The client described the site as a fairly steep slope very well drained, which would argue against the phytophthora options. Armillaria also seemed unlikely, but could be checked for by looking under the bark for fungal plaques at soil level or below.
So what is left? November 2014 might be the cause. We had several days of dry, unusually cold and breezy weather early in the month. The cold killed quite a few perennial plants that were still growing because of the pleasant fall weather that preceded it. Even seedling red cedar were killed this winter. The leaves on many trees froze before they could senesce, turned brown and dried up before dropping. This scenario has played out for several years now and plant damage has sometimes been extensive. If November weather killed the heather, we can expect so see more examples as the spring unfolds. Even plants that are typically hardy here can be caught with their sap up, and if that freezes there can be lots of cell damage. The same kind of damage that can kill plants in pots when their roots freeze.
So we told the client how to check for what we thought was the unlikely possibility of a root or fungal disease and to cut back into plant to see if there is healthy tissue in the larger stems. If he pulled up a plant we asked him to bring it in so we could check the condition of roots and main stems. Unfortunately, heathers don’t seem to grow back from heavy pruning so removing and replacing the severely affected plants may be the only solution. Then, knowing whether diseases were a problem is important so that something other than heather can be planted.
Resources
Phytophthora Root Rot
WSU Hortsense
http://hortsense.cahnrs.wsu.edu/Search/MainMenuWithFactSheet.aspx?CategoryId=12&ProblemId=4005
Armillaria Root Rot
WSU Hortsense
http://hortsense.cahnrs.wsu.edu/Search/MainMenuWithFactSheet.aspx?CategoryId=12&ProblemId=4000
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