Food Harvest

One day's pickings from the Donation Garden

2014 was another great year for the Hickory County Master Gardeners Donation Garden located behind the McCarty Senior Center, Wheatland, Missouri.  There are about six regular volunteers that work at least a half day each Wednesday in season.

All the food harvested is donated to the McCarty Senior Center for use in the daily meals and for the Meals on Wheels program that delivers food to qualified homebound individuals.  The area gardened has grown in 2014 and so has the quantity of vegetables.  Here are the totals for 2014:

1.  Bell Peppers………………292 lbs.
2.  Blackberries………………….4 lbs.
3.  Carrots……………………….8 lbs.
4.  Cucumbers………………...458 lbs.
5.  Jalepenos……………………44 lbs.
6.  Lettuce………………………16 lbs.
7.  Okra………………………….4 lbs.
8.  Onions………………………11 lbs.
9.  Radishes……………………...3 lbs.
10. Spinach………………………9 lbs.
11. Sweet Potatoes…………….892 lbs.
12. Tomatoes…………………..249 lbs.
13. Zucchini……………………213 lbs.

Total……………………………2206 lbs.

Donation Garden and Greenhouse 

Posted:  11/14/2014

Service Project Overview for 2014

There are currently fourteen approved Service Projects for Hickory County Master Gardeners.   This article will list all the projects and volunteers.  All Project Managers are invited to contribute additional garden-related histories, current successes and challenges and future plans for their project areas.  Most welcome would be anecdotal stories, photos, and volunteer profiles for each project at any time.  Please email to Gardeners' Companion Project Manager.

Public support and comments are always welcomed in the comment section below all articles.  If there is anything the public would like to see in these local gardens, please let us know.  The Project Managers will take all suggestions into consideration when making future plans.  By making suggestions in the comment sections below the articles, the public as well as Master Gardeners can see and understand what the public wants and can best serve with expert guidance from MU Extension.  Please use this valuable tool.

Weaubleau Memorial Garden

Location:  Hwy 54, Weaubleau, MO

Project Manager:  Deanna Loeffler
Volunteer:  Deanna Loeffler

Plants:  Maple (Silver) Tree, Sky Pencil Juniper, Rose of Sharon Shrub, Double Red Knockout Roses, Daffodils, Euphorbia, Crape myrtle (Red Rocket)

Weaubleau Memorial Garden (Master Gardener area to the rear)

                                                             Weaubleau Memorial Garden

Wheatland Settler's Village

Location:  Off Hwy 54 on the square, Wheatland, MO

Project Managers:  Deanna Loeffler/Mardi Schultz
Volunteers:  Deanna Loeffler, Mardi Schultz, David Stryker

Plants:  Blanket Flowers, Spirea (Little Princess)/Lime Green, Barberry (Pigmy)/maroon, Rose (Knockout-Pied), Crape myrtle (mid-size), Sedum (Autumn Joy), Daylilies, Roses (Knockout-Red), Grass, Lirope, Red Eden Climbing Rose, Guarda (Sparkle white), Lemon Thyme.

Herbs:  Rosemary (Rosmarinus offcinalis) Cultivars Irene & ARP, Orgeano (Origanum vulgare), Rose - Knockout "Blush," Lavender Purple Lavence, Hyssop (Agastache rupestris) Sunset Apricot, Sage (Salvia offinalis), Pinapple Sage (Salvia elegans), Thyme - Lemon (Thymus x citriodorus), Hyssop - Blue (Hyssopus officialis), Fennel Bronze (Foeniculum vulgare), Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus), St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum), Dill (Anethum graveolens), Horehound (Marrubium vulgre), Comfrey (Symphytum officinale), Rue (Ruta graveolens), Scented Geraniums (Pelarg onium-Snowflake)

Wheatland Settler's Village - Center Gardens

Wheatland Settler's Village - Herb Garden Area

McCarty Senior Center Landscaping
Location:  Hwy 54, Wheatland, MO
Project Manager:  David Stryker
Volunteers:  Dee Cauvel, Elaine Piper, Mary Forshe, Eveyln Brinley, Beti Pearson, Joan Geltmacher
Plants:  General plant beautification of grounds surrounding McCarty Senior Center adding annuals grown from annual plant sale.  Recently added 2 beds of 5 boxwoods each to corners of walking trail.

McCarty Senior Center Landscaping

McCarty Senior Center Landscaping

McCarty Donation Garden
Location:  Hwy 54 behind McCarty Senior Center, Wheatland, MO
Project Manager:  David Stryker
Volunteers:  Dee Cauvel, Elaine Piper, Mary Forshe, Evelyn Brinley, Beti Pearson, Joan Geltmacher
Plants:  Variety of garden vegetables in 40'x100' existing garden to be used in the kitchen at McCarty Senior Center including tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, sweet potatoes, cabbage, lettuce, spinach, onions, pumpkins, blackberries.  Garden expansion in 2014 included 4-4'x75' raised beds to be able to rotate crops more efficiently.

McCarty Donation Gardens & Greenhouse

Greenhouse
Location:  Hwy 54 behind McCarty Senior Center, Wheatland, MO
Project Manager:  David Stryker
Volunteers:  Dee Cauvel, Elaine Piper, Mary Forshe, Eveyln Brinley, Beti Pearson, Joan Geltmacher
Plants:  Raise flowers for Annual Fundraiser Plant Sale, occasional small vegetables off season and all plants for Service Project Gardens throughout the county.  Plants for sale in 2014 included:              
ANNUALS:
BEGONIAS—BIG RED & BIG ROSE. 
CALIBRACHOA—NOA RED GLAZE, BLUE LEGEND, & CHERRY BLOSSOM. 
COLEUS –KONG JR. 
GAZANIA –NEW DAY MIX 
GERANIUM ZONAL—MAESTRO DARK RED, LIGHT PINK PARFAIT & SALMON. 
GERBERA—JAGUAR—MIX FORMULA. 
IPOMEA -SWEET POTATO VINE—MARGUERITA (LIME) & BLACKIE. 
N.G. IMPATIENS—DEVINE MIX. 
LANTANA—EVITA ORANGE & YELLOW. 
PETUNIAS –PRETTY GRAND MIDNIGHT, BLUE STAR, & ROSE STAR 
PRUSULANE (ROSE MOSS) –TOUCAN-MIX HOT 
SNAPDRAGONS—ARROW MIX. 
SUNPATIENS—SALMON. 
TORENIA—KAUAI MIX. 
VINCA—TITAN—DARK RED, & PURE WHITE 
PERENNIALS: 
GAILLARDIA (BLANKET FLOWER) -MESA YELLOW
ASSORTED HERBS 
ASSORTED VEGETABLES

Greenhouse

Greenhouse

Greenhouse & Volunteers from Several Projects Help to Pot Plant Plugs

Galmey VFW
Location:  Hwy 254, Galmey, MO
Project Manager:  Barbara Manard
Volunteers:  Barbara Manard

Plants:  Two beds; one has Roses, Peony, Mums, Hollyhocks, Vinca; other bed with flagpole has Dwarf Nandina, 2 Knockout Roses, day lilies, Mums, and various annuals.

Galmey VFW

Galmey VFW

Pittsburg Community Building

Location:  Off Hwy 64, Pittsburg, MO

Project Manager:  (contact MU Extension Office in Hermitage)

Volunteers:  Linda Davis, Robin Brown

Plants:  Crepe Myrtles (Hot Pink - Tall), Purple Bugle, Yellow Otella Lilies, Burning Bushes, Rust Mums, Extensive Bulbs, Roses, Guara, Maiden Grasses.

Pittsburg Community Building

Pittsburg Community Building

Hermitage Welcome Signs

Location:  Hwy 54 east and west city limits, Hermitage, MO

Project Manager:  Warren Olinger

Volunteers:  Warren Olinger

Plants:  Zeroscape-type 

Hermitage Welcome Sign - East

Hermitage Welcome Sign - West

Hermitage Community Building

Location:  Hwy 54, Hermitage, MO

Project Manager:  David Stryker

Volunteers:  David Stryker

Plants:  Ornamental Grasses, Boxwoods, Nandina, Knockout Rose

Hermitage Community Building

Hermitage Community Building

Hermitage Library

Location:  Off Hwy 54, Hermitage, MO

Project Manager:  Dee Cauvel

Volunteers:  Elaine Piper

Plants:  Various Annuals in 6 Large Containers, Roses (David Austin), Lilies, Peonies, Butterfly Bushes.

Hermitage Library

Hermitage Library

Hermitage Library

Hickory County Courthouse

Location:  square in Hermitage, MO

Project Manager:  Nelson Gnirke

Volunteers:  Nelson Gnirke

Plants:  Assorted Annuals and Perennials around Gazebo only

Hickory County Courthouse

Hermitage Hornet Garden (New)

Location:  1st & Dallas Street Corner, Hermitage, MO

Project Manager:  Murl Darby

Volunteer:  Karen Darby

Plants:  Crepe Myrtle, Irises (Purple & Yellow), Day Lilies, Boxwood

Hermitage Hornet Garden (New)

Hermitage Hornet Garden (New)

Preston Post Office

Location: Hwy 54, Preston, MO

Project Manager:  Kent Boettger

Volunteers:  Joan Geltmacher, Karen & Murl Darby

Plants:  Daffodil, Mum, Day Lilies, Lamb's Ear, Various Annuals

Preston Post Office

Gardeners' Companion Blog

Location:  Internet - hickorycountygardeners.blogspot.com

Project Manager:  Beti Pearson

Volunteers:  Keith Pearson, Deanna Loeffler, Extension Specialists, and Various Contributors

Gardeners' Blog

Source:  Hickory County Extension Office, Hermitage, MO

Posted:  6/27/2014

     

To-Do List for May

Support Hickory County Master Gardeners by purchasing plants at the McCarty Senior Center Greenhouse located on Highway 54, Wheatland, Missouri.  If you didn't get all the plants you needed on the first sale date April 29th, then stop by Saturday May 3rd 10 a.m. to 12 noon.  Plenty of flowers and garden vegetables to choose from.  Drive on back to the greenhouse and load up!

Proceeds from plant sale are used to beautify Hickory County in 12 specific garden service projects including The Donation Garden on site which provides vegetables for local senior citizens at the McCarty Senior Center.

Monthly Tips and Tasks for May

---

Category	Week				Activity
	1	2	3	4
Ornamentals	x	x	x	x	Apples, crabapples and hawthorns susceptible to rust disease should have protective fungicidal sprays applied beginning when these trees bloom.
	x	x	x	x	Pinch azaleas and rhododendron blossoms as they fade. Double flowered azaleas need no pinching.
	x	x	x	x	If spring rains have been sparse, begin irrigating, especially plants growing in full sun.
	x	x	x	x	Fertilize azaleas after bloom. Use a formulation which has an acid reaction.
	x	x			Canker worms (inch worms) rarely cause permanent damage to ornamentals. Use Bt if control is deemed necessary.
	x	x			Don't remove spring bulb foliage prematurely or next year's flower production will decline.
	x				Continue monitoring pines, especially Scotch and mugo, for sawfly activity on new shoots.
	x				Begin planting gladiolus bulbs as the ground warms. Continue at 2-week intervals.
	x				Plant hardy water lilies in tubs or garden pools.
		x	x	x	Scale crawlers are active now. Infested pines and euonymus should be treated at this time.
		x	x		Plant summer bulbs such as caladiums, dahlias, cannas and elephant ears.
		x			Begin planting warm-season annuals.
			x	x	Begin fertilizing annuals. Continue at regular intervals.
			x	x	Trees with a history of borer problems should receive their first spray now. Repeat twice at 3-week intervals.
			x	x	Bulbs can be moved or divided as the foliage dies.
				x	Pinch back mums to promote bushy growth.
Lawns	x	x	x	x	Keep bluegrass cut at 1.5 to 2.5 inch height. Mow tall fescue at 2 to 3.5 inch height.
		x	x	x	Mow zoysia lawns at 1.5 inch height. Remove no more than one-half inch at each mowing.
		x	x	x	Apply post-emergence broadleaf weed controls now if needed.
			x	x	Zoysia lawns may be fertilized now. Apply no more than 1 pound of actual nitrogen per 1000 square feet.
				x	Watch for sod webworms emerging now.
Vegetables	x	x	x	x	Place cutworm collars around young transplants. Collars are easily made from cardboard strips.
	x	x	x	x	Growing lettuce under screening materials will slow bolting and extend harvests into hot weather.
	x	x	x	x	Slugs will hide during the daytime beneath a board placed over damp ground. Check each morning and destroy any slugs that have gathered on the underside of the board.
	x	x			Plant dill to use when making pickles.
	x				Keep asparagus harvested for continued spear production. Control asparagus beetles as needed.
	x				Begin planting sweet corn as soon as white oak leaves are as big as squirrel ears.
	x				Isolate sweet, super sweet and popcorn varieties of corn to prevent crossing.
	x				Thin plantings of carrots and beets to avoid overcrowding.
	x				Control caterpillars on broccoli and cabbage plants by handpicking or use biological sprays such as B.t.
	x				Set out tomato plants as soils warm. Place support stakes alongside at planting time.
		x	x		Place a stake by seeds of squash and cucumbers when planting in hills to locate the root zone watering site after the vines have run.
		x	x		Remove rhubarb seed stalks as they appear.
		x			Watch for striped and spotted cucumber beetles now. Both may spread wilt and mosaic diseases to squash and cucumber plants.
			x	x	Set out peppers and eggplants after soils have warmed. Plant sweet potatoes now.
				x	Make new sowings of warm-season vegetables after harvesting early crops.
Fruits	x	x	x	x	Mulch blueberries with pine needles or sawdust.
	x				Don't spray any fruits while in bloom. Refer to local Extension publications for fruit spray schedule.
				x	Prune unwanted shoots as they appear on fruit trees.
Miscellaneous	x	x	x	x	Birds eat many insect pests. Attract them to your garden by providing good nesting habitats.
		x	x	x	Herbs planted in average soils need no extra fertilizer. Too much may reduce flavor and pungency at harvest.
			x	x	Take houseplants outdoors when nights will remain above 50 degrees. Most prefer only direct morning sun.
			x	x	Watch for fireflies on warm nights. Both adults and larvae are important predators. Collecting may reduce this benefit.
			x	x	Sink houseplants up to their rims in soil or mulch to conserve moisture. Fertilize regularly.

Source:  Missouri Botanical Gardens For additional information:  Missouri Environment & Garden Posted May 1, 2014

Preston Post Office Garden Service Project

Master Gardeners Prepare Preston Post Office Garden for Spring Growth

Hickory County Master Gardeners Joan Geltmacher, Karen Darby, and Kent Boettger    

spent a few hours April 10th thinning, rearranging, fertilizing, and mulching the 

Preston Post Office Garden….

Karen and Kent sort through Iris's for replanting.

Joan and Karen are really enjoying the day!

While working on the garden, we met Norma Rice as she came out of the Post Office.  Norma told us she was the first Master Gardener to work on this garden plot.  It was so great to meet the person who began this garden, handed it off to Larry and Willa Inglis, who in turn handed it off to Joan, Karen, and Kent.  We hope we can keep the fine tradition they began and maintain it with the beauty they attained.  We get to start with their already established plants and infrastructure (Larry installed tire rings which help to contain the spreading plants where they are supposed to remain).

It just so happens that while we were working on this service project, a gentleman stopped by and asked where he might be able to get some trees at a reasonable price.  We suggested he check out the National Arbor Society as they give a selection of trees with each membership.  They have periodic offerings of other plants and a catalog from which purchases can be made.  I, Kent, have gotten many trees from them over the years and have enjoyed them.  He took our suggestion, left for awhile and returned to tell us his son got on the Internet to check out what the Arbor Society had to offer and he signed up; thereby, entitling him to a selection of free trees.  We were glad to help this gentleman out with a low cost solution to his problem.

The Preston Post Office Garden is one of the Service Projects of the Hickory County Master Gardeners.  The garden contains Iris, Day Lilies, Mums, Daffodils, Phlox, and a few Tulips.  We may add a few Snapdragons for additional color.

The Preston Post Office Garden before adding annuals


Source:  Kent Boettger, Hickory County Master Gardener

Posted: 4/23/2014

Greenhouse Service Project

Plant Plug Potting Party!

Hickory County Master Gardeners were ready to go when they got the call that the plant plugs have been delivered and were ready to be potted on March 6, 2014.  The Spring Plant Sale is their main fundraiser and will be held April 29th 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. & May 3rd 10:00 a.m. to noon at the McCarty Senior Center in Wheatland, Missouri.  

Check out the plants that will be available for sale:

ANNUALS: 

BEGONIAS—BIG RED & BIG ROSE. 

CALIBRACHEA—NOA RED GLAZE, BLUE LEGEND, & CHERRY BLOSSOM. 

COLEUS –KONG JR. 

GAZANIA –NEW DAY MIX 

GERANIUM ZONAL—MAESTRO DARK RED, LIGHT PINK PARAFAIT & SALMON. 

GERBERA—JAGUAR—MIX FORMULA. 

IPOMEA -SWEET POTATO VINE—MARGUERITA(LIME) & BLACKIE. 

N.G. IMPATIENS—DEVINE MIX. 

LANTANA—EVITA ORANGE & YELLOW. 

PETUNIAS –PRETTY GRAND MIDNIGHT, BLUE STAR, & ROSE STAR 

PRUSULANE (ROSE MOSS) –TOUCAN-MIX HOT 

SNAPDRAGONS—ARROW MIX. 

SUNPATIENS—SALMON. 

TORENIA—KAUAI MIX. 

VINCA—TITAN—DARK RED, & PURE WHITE 

PERENNIALS: 

GAILLARDIA (BLANKET FLOWER) -MESA YELLOW

ASSORTED HERBS & VEGETABLES WILL BE AVAILABLE 

 The 3100 plant plugs come neatly packed in trays ready to be unplugged.

The pots in trays are filled with potting soil.

The soil-filled pots in trays are water-soaked and then stacked.

The assembly line continues along the wood benches. 

Trays of individual plant plugs are planted in the pots...

…carefully, keeping track of what plant is where...

…with keen organization and labeling...

...19 Master Gardeners working together on this day…

…keeping the flow of production going…

…filling the greenhouse in 2-3 hours!

In addition to the plant sale fundraiser, many of these flowers will be used at the dozen other Master Gardener project areas in Hickory County for beautification.  Some of the flowers will end up in the new stone planters located at the front entrance to the McCarty Senior Center….

…thanks to the generosity of the local 5-Star Market for their donation of two permanent planters!

Master Gardeners David, Dee, and Mary rest and reflect at the arbor between the greenhouse and vegetable gardens.  Plans are being made.  So much done on this day and so much more to do as another growing season progresses.  It's going to be another good year!

Posted: 3/8/2014