{"id":2584,"date":"2020-04-02T06:44:09","date_gmt":"2020-04-02T06:44:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/mgmetro\/?p=2584"},"modified":"2021-04-20T07:24:56","modified_gmt":"2021-04-20T07:24:56","slug":"april-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/mgmetro\/2020\/04\/02\/april-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"April 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Dandelion
Photo: Pixabay<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/em> \u2013 May Sarton<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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With well wishes to you and yours!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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 \u2013 gardening!  As Master Gardeners, we certainly recognize that gardening is an act of optimism that can bring solace in a time of uncertainty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get your hands into the soil, sow a seed, plant a seedling, harvest a\nbouquet of early spring bloomers, plan your summer vegetable garden, and watch\nthe dandelions unfurl!  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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OSU Extension Resources Support Gardeners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An Educators Guide to Vegetable Gardening<\/strong>
https:\/\/beav.es\/4f3<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

FREE Through April \u2013 Master Gardener Online Short Course – Vegetable Gardening Series <\/strong>  
<\/strong>https:\/\/beav.es\/4fU<\/a> <\/strong>

Gardening with Kids<\/strong>
<\/a>https:\/\/beav.es\/4fw<\/a>

How to build your own raised bed cloche <\/strong>
https:\/\/beav.es\/4NB<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nurturing Mason Bees in your Backyard in Western Washington<\/strong>
https:\/\/beav.es\/4f5<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To peruse a wide array of OSU Extension Service gardening focused publications go to:<\/strong> https:\/\/extension.oregonstate.edu\/gardening<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Master Gardener Volunteer Activities Suspended<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As announced in March, due to the evolving COVID19 situation, all Master Gardener volunteer activities are cancelled or postponed until further notice.<\/strong> 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.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OSU Extension Service is working to make communities safe.  As OSU provides more guidance in coming weeks, we\nwill provide updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Delve\nDeep Into Insect Agroecology<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note:\nyou can toggle your view of the lecture by using the arrows on the screen (top\nright corner) to adjust from either, a larger view of the presenter, or of the\nslide presentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oregon State University – ENT\/HORT 444\/544 (Insect Agroecology)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lecture 1: <\/strong>The Importance of Insect\nDiversity: 
\nhttps:\/\/media.oregonstate.edu\/media\/t\/0_yqb73rzq<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lecture 2:<\/strong> Bottom Up Regulation of\nHerbivores (Plant Nutrition):
\nhttps:\/\/media.oregonstate.edu\/media\/t\/0_wkovk0un<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Time\nspent viewing the lectures counts as continuing education hours for perennial\nMaster Gardeners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Gardening with Native Plants and the Oregon Flora Project<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Red flowering current<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The 2020 Master Gardener Advanced Training Webinars<\/strong>\ncontinue on Tuesday, April 21, <\/strong>at 11am<\/strong>, highlighting native\nplants and the Oregon Flora Project. \nJoin Dr. Linda Hardison, as she focuses on how to integrate native\nplants into your home garden. Dr. Hardison will also introduce resources behind\nthe Oregon Flora Project, sharing a sneak peek at the new Gardening with\nNatives web portal. Register for the live webinar at: https:\/\/beav.es\/4NL<\/a> A recording of the webinar will be posted a few days following the\nwebinar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To view past webinars, go to: https:\/\/beav.es\/44T<\/a>   All Master Gardener Advanced\nTraining webinars can be counted as 1-hour of continuing garden education\ncredit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2020 In-class Training Wraps-up Online!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Our 2020 Master Gardener training was a great 6 and\n1\/3 week run!  Our instructors guided our\nnew class of trainees, covering many key sustainable gardening concepts and\npractices.  In response to the COVID-19\ncrisis and following University direction, we made the necessary pivot to offer\nthe remaining training classes on-line via Zoom.  Trainees have had the opportunity to delve\ninto care of landscape ornamentals, and tree fruits to complete their required\nhours of in-person instruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We greatly appreciate the flexibility and continued\nenthusiastic engagement of trainees, as we changed course in the interest of\nthe well-being of all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the suspension of volunteer activities, we look\nforward to our 2020 trainees beginning their volunteer internship when Master\nGardener in-person activities resume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  • \"\"<\/figure><\/li>
  • \"\"<\/figure><\/li><\/ul>
    2020 Trainees during Entomology and Weed Identification Classes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    Utmost Thanks to Our Stellar Instructors!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Our Master\nGardener training offers the best in solid, research-based horticulture\ncurriculum thanks to the knowledge and generosity of our instructors!  We\nextend our sincere thanks to all of our instructors, for educating and\ninspiring our 2020 Master Gardener trainees and perennial Master Gardeners. \nWe are grateful to our instructors for the time they spent preparing, teaching\nand engaging all who attended the classes.  Thank you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    • Neil Bell<\/li>
    • Chip Bubl<\/li>
    • Sally Campbell<\/li>
    • Amanda Davis<\/li>
    • Brooke Edmunds<\/li>
    • Claudia Groth<\/li>
    • Monica Maggio<\/li>
    • Heather Stoven<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      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! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      Hearty THANKS, to Our Class Coordinators!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      \u201cWisdom is\nknowing what to do next; virtue is doing it.\u201d <\/em> \u2013 David Starr Jordan <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      Hearty THANKS, to our class coordinators!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

      There is no doubt\nwe have a wise and virtuous team of volunteer coordinators for our three Master\nGardener training venues!  We give a big shout out of thanks to Louise\nGomez-Burgess and Marti Farris<\/strong> (Hillsboro class), Cindy Manselle<\/strong>\n(Oregon City class), and Beven Peters <\/strong>(Portland class); who along with\ntheir supportive team of volunteer\u2019s displayed beyond measure dedication that\nmade for a very successful Master Gardener training!  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Many thanks also, to our AV teams for keeping the audio and PowerPoints going! Larry Schick<\/strong> and Marty Royster<\/strong> (Hillsboro), Laura Huckaba<\/strong> (Oregon City) and Rich Becker<\/strong> (Portland). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Each volunteer\nteam attended to the biggest and tiniest details to ensure a successful training\nand a welcoming venue for the new trainees.  Thanks for compiling,\nhauling, setting-up, announcing, assisting Interns, spreading out the amazing hospitality\ntables, and cleaning up the last crumb before turning off the lights.  We\nare grateful for your generous commitment, assistance and attentiveness!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Special thanks to Marilyn Frankel<\/strong> for lifting, packing and hauling PNW books across county lines!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      Deep gratitude to our supporting Chapters!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Thank you to the\nClackamas, Multnomah and Washington County Chapters for their financial support\nof the Metro MG training classes.  The facility, hospitality and parking\nfees would prohibit training happening in such great venues.  Thank you\nfor your constant and generous support of the OSU Metro Master Gardener training\nprogram.  Your contributions make such positive and vital difference to\nthe Master Gardener program!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      April Garden Checklist <\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Here are some great home gardening projects, in our April \u2018Garden Checklist\u2019 video.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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