Everything that slows us down and forces patience, everything that sets us back into the slow circles of nature is a help. Gardening is an instrument of grace. – May Sarton
With well wishes to you and yours!
During this challenging time, the metro area Master Gardener program reaches out with wishes for health and wellness to you and yours! Although so much of life seems to be upside-down right now, we can find comfort doing what we love to do – gardening! As Master Gardeners, we certainly recognize that gardening is an act of optimism that can bring solace in a time of uncertainty.
Get your hands into the soil, sow a seed, plant a seedling, harvest a bouquet of early spring bloomers, plan your summer vegetable garden, and watch the dandelions unfurl!
OSU Extension Resources Support Gardeners
OSU Extension Service offers a wealth of resources to support Master Gardeners and all those seeking to successfully and sustainable garden at home. Here are a few great resources for you to share with your family and friends who are hunkering down at home.
An Educators Guide to Vegetable Gardening
https://beav.es/4f3
FREE Through April – Master Gardener Online Short Course – Vegetable Gardening Series
https://beav.es/4fU
Gardening with Kids
https://beav.es/4fw
How to build your own raised bed cloche
https://beav.es/4NB
Nurturing Mason Bees in your Backyard in Western Washington
https://beav.es/4f5
To peruse a wide array of OSU Extension Service gardening focused publications go to: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening
Master Gardener Volunteer Activities Suspended
As announced in March, due to the evolving COVID19 situation, all Master Gardener volunteer activities are cancelled or postponed until further notice. This includes all Master Gardener clinics (phone, Farmers Markets, and special events), classes, workshops, demonstration gardens, Speakers Guild presentations, fundraisers, and in-person meetings/lectures/speakers. In addition, our Spring Recertification event scheduled for Saturday, May 16, is cancelled.
OSU Extension Service is working to make communities safe. As OSU provides more guidance in coming weeks, we will provide updates.
With the cancellation of volunteer activities, and knowing the many challenges people are facing, we are waiving volunteer requirements for 2020. When volunteer activities resume, we encourage those who volunteer, to report any volunteer hours served this year, by September 30, 2020.
We encourage Master Gardeners to take advantage of the many online continuing education opportunities. Updates will be sent via email and/or posted in this monthly newsletter.
Delve Deep Into Insect Agroecology
Would like to delve deeper into the study of entomology? Dr. Gail Langellotto, professor, Oregon State University, and Statewide Master Gardener Program Coordinator has offered a wonderful continuing education opportunity for OSU Master Gardeners.
Gail has made recordings of her Entomology/Horticulture (Insect Agroecology) University course available for Master Gardeners to view. This class delves into ecological theory, and considers how this theory applies to the design and management of sustainable agroecosystems.
To view the lectures use the links below.
Note: you can toggle your view of the lecture by using the arrows on the screen (top right corner) to adjust from either, a larger view of the presenter, or of the slide presentation.
Oregon State University – ENT/HORT 444/544 (Insect Agroecology)
Lecture 1: The Importance of Insect
Diversity:
https://media.oregonstate.edu/media/t/0_yqb73rzq
Lecture 2: Bottom Up Regulation of
Herbivores (Plant Nutrition):
https://media.oregonstate.edu/media/t/0_wkovk0un
Time spent viewing the lectures counts as continuing education hours for perennial Master Gardeners.
Gardening with Native Plants and the Oregon Flora Project
The 2020 Master Gardener Advanced Training Webinars continue on Tuesday, April 21, at 11am, highlighting native plants and the Oregon Flora Project. Join Dr. Linda Hardison, as she focuses on how to integrate native plants into your home garden. Dr. Hardison will also introduce resources behind the Oregon Flora Project, sharing a sneak peek at the new Gardening with Natives web portal. Register for the live webinar at: https://beav.es/4NL A recording of the webinar will be posted a few days following the webinar.
To view past webinars, go to: https://beav.es/44T All Master Gardener Advanced Training webinars can be counted as 1-hour of continuing garden education credit.
2020 In-class Training Wraps-up Online!
Our 2020 Master Gardener training was a great 6 and 1/3 week run! Our instructors guided our new class of trainees, covering many key sustainable gardening concepts and practices. In response to the COVID-19 crisis and following University direction, we made the necessary pivot to offer the remaining training classes on-line via Zoom. Trainees have had the opportunity to delve into care of landscape ornamentals, and tree fruits to complete their required hours of in-person instruction.
We greatly appreciate the flexibility and continued enthusiastic engagement of trainees, as we changed course in the interest of the well-being of all.
With the suspension of volunteer activities, we look forward to our 2020 trainees beginning their volunteer internship when Master Gardener in-person activities resume.
Utmost Thanks to Our Stellar Instructors!
Our Master Gardener training offers the best in solid, research-based horticulture curriculum thanks to the knowledge and generosity of our instructors! We extend our sincere thanks to all of our instructors, for educating and inspiring our 2020 Master Gardener trainees and perennial Master Gardeners. We are grateful to our instructors for the time they spent preparing, teaching and engaging all who attended the classes. Thank you!
- Neil Bell
- Chip Bubl
- Sally Campbell
- Amanda Davis
- Brooke Edmunds
- Claudia Groth
- Monica Maggio
- Heather Stoven
Thanks also to Margaret Bayne and Jane Collier for preparing to present their great hands-on, plant problem diagnostics training for the final week of class and to Jean Natter for preparing her informative household pests presentation!
Hearty THANKS, to Our Class Coordinators!
“Wisdom is knowing what to do next; virtue is doing it.” – David Starr Jordan
There is no doubt we have a wise and virtuous team of volunteer coordinators for our three Master Gardener training venues! We give a big shout out of thanks to Louise Gomez-Burgess and Marti Farris (Hillsboro class), Cindy Manselle (Oregon City class), and Beven Peters (Portland class); who along with their supportive team of volunteer’s displayed beyond measure dedication that made for a very successful Master Gardener training!
Many thanks also, to our AV teams for keeping the audio and PowerPoints going! Larry Schick and Marty Royster (Hillsboro), Laura Huckaba (Oregon City) and Rich Becker (Portland).
Each volunteer team attended to the biggest and tiniest details to ensure a successful training and a welcoming venue for the new trainees. Thanks for compiling, hauling, setting-up, announcing, assisting Interns, spreading out the amazing hospitality tables, and cleaning up the last crumb before turning off the lights. We are grateful for your generous commitment, assistance and attentiveness!
Special thanks to Marilyn Frankel for lifting, packing and hauling PNW books across county lines!
Deep gratitude to our supporting Chapters!
Thank you to the Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington County Chapters for their financial support of the Metro MG training classes. The facility, hospitality and parking fees would prohibit training happening in such great venues. Thank you for your constant and generous support of the OSU Metro Master Gardener training program. Your contributions make such positive and vital difference to the Master Gardener program!
April Garden Checklist
Here are some great home gardening projects, in our April ‘Garden Checklist’ video.
