6/13/2024
Important Upcoming Dates
6/11/24 – June Board Meeting (online only)
6/18/24 – June Monthly Meeting (Live at Extension Office/Barn only)
6/20/24-6/22/24 – Master Gardener Days (MN Landscape Arboretum)
6/23/24 – Garden Gate Tour: Cynthia Anderson
7/04/24 – Fourth of July Holiday (Extension offices closed)
7/09/24 – July Board Meeting (online only)
714/24 – Garden Gate Tour: Kristi Mattson
7/15-7/21 – RCMG’s Yard & Garden Hotline shifts
7/16/24 – July Monthly Meeting (hybrid)
7/18/24 – Garden Gate Tour: Gary DeGrande
7/21/24 – Garden Gate Tour: Dan Holbrook
7/25/24 – Garden Gate Tour: Jo Sullivan
7/28/24 – Garden Gate Tour: Barn Gardens with Jean Kohs
7/30/24 – July Book Club Discussion
Test Your Knowledge
Brush up on the following horticulture topics this month to be prepared to answer questions from residents and community members.
Scroll to the bottom for answers.
What causes this kind of damage to plants like mint and basil? Click for close-up
Is it too late to divide daylilies?
How often should container gardens be fertilized?
What does current research say about Japanese Beetle control and management?
What is this common lawn plant? (green) How would you control it? Click for close-up
Master Gardener News
Spring Hours
As we head into summer, make sure you have recorded all of the time you spent volunteering and learning this spring. With the many great things coming this summer, it’ll be hard to remember if you wait too long.
Library Book Give-Away
RCMG has a collection of reference materials inside the Resource Center. Julie R and Kathy V reviewed the collection in May and some of these materials are ready to be re-homed. They will be available to RCMG volunteers for adoption at the June 18th Monthly Meeting at the Extension office/Barn. Along with the books, there is a large number of empty binders for adoption. The remainder of these resources will be donated following the meeting.
Moving forward, we ask that people find other options for donating their personal books and resources. We also ask people to consider answering a few questions in this brief survey that will inform future purchases and availability of resources.
Coordinator Corner
Remember to be an ambassador of the Master Gardener Volunteer Program by wearing maroon shirts and/or Master Gardener gear and wearing your name badges when volunteering. It makes a big difference! Also don’t miss out on some great educational events coming this summer.
Board Blurb
The June RCMG Board Meeting was held on June 11, 2024 and covered results from the Plant Sale, updates about summer Garden Gate Tours, the Dunning Park Pollinator Project, and financial audit & review recommendations. These meetings are open to all volunteers and minutes from past meetings are available.
Up and Coming from the Board
Volunteer Stories
Possible Jumping Worm Infestation at Barn Gardens
At the end of May, Jean Kohs saw what she thought were juvenile jumping worms in the wood chip pile next to the Barn Demonstration Garden’s raised beds. The Barn Team is taking steps to prevent any potential spread of the worms and volunteers need to know what to expect there this summer.
MCAP Climate Adaptation Award
Congratulations to Patricia Ohmans, who was recognized for her work with Frogtown Green at MCAP's Climate Adaptation Awards this year. You can be part of this award-winning project through one of the many volunteer activities with Frogtown this summer.
Summer Youth Activities
Youth Projects are perfect activities for both experienced Master Gardeners and for Interns. Here is a summary of some of the upcoming summer youth activities. You can also find them by searching for the word “Youth” in Sign Up Genius or by marking the Summer Youth Activity page as a favorite.
Book Club Review: Prairie Up—4.4 Stars
The RCMG Book Club read and discussed Prairie Up: An Introduction to Natural Garden Design by Benjamin Vogt at the May discussion on 5/28. Copies of this book available through the RCMG Lending Library for volunteers to borrow and read for Continuing Education. Please remember to return books once you complete them.
2024 Blooms, Thorns & Buds
Although November seems far off, the Education team wants you to plan for this fall when we host a Blooms Thorns and Buds peer-learning event. We all experience promise, disappointment, and success in our gardens. We want you to document and share some of your 2024 garden journeys at the November meeting. We will be looking for pictures and a brief description of your gardening highs, lows or learnings. Details on how to submit your story will come later this year but we encourage you to collect lots of amazing photos NOW so you have an abundance to choose from when the time comes!
Gardens for Good Program Frequently Asked Questions
The Gardens for Good team created a helpful guide and FAQ list for RCMG volunteers growing produce and flowers to donate and helping operate this farmers market-like activity with information about what to bring, how to prepare it, and what volunteers can do to help.
Nominate a Garden for Blooming St. Paul
Tell us about a garden that inspires you! Blooming St. Paul is accepting nominations until Tuesday, August 6. Blooming Saint Paul highlights amazing gardens that enhance the Saint Paul community.
Volunteer Activities
Yard Waste Sites—6/15-6/30
Help us end the spring season strong! We need 21 volunteers to help at the compost sites in these last weeks of June. Serving at the Yard Waste Sites is what we agree to do to pay our bills. PLEASE sign up for a shift.
Yard and Garden Phone Line—7/15-7/21
Answer resident’s garden questions from home by signing up for a shift through the Arboretum’s Yard & Garden hotline. Shifts are reserved for RCMG from July 15 through July 21. These are excellent opportunities to volunteer remotely and build your garden knowledge at your own pace.
Food Donation (Gardens for Good)—weekly starting 7/11
We are excited to begin the 2024 Gardens for Good season on Thursday July 11! This project provides fresh produce and flowers to residents of Wilson Hi-Rise in a free farmer's market style format every Thursday. Volunteer shifts include collection and aggregation of produce at the Barn from 11:30am to 1:15pm, and then transportation and distribution at Wilson Hi-Rise (1300 Wilson Avenue) from 1:15pm to 4:00pm. More details on responsibilities of each shift and the sign up can be found here.
Continuing Education Opportunities
Find approved opportunities to learn more on the RCMG website, the State MG Volunteer website, the MN Landscape Arboretum, or through Extension. Check with the program coordinator about other local events and learning opportunities.
Volunteer Training Spotlight: Tell Your Volunteer Story
The bread and butter of a volunteer organization is telling people about all of the good work that we do. We need your help to do this! There are a lot of great stories about what RCMG does and we want you to hear from you. To learn more about how to talk about your volunteering activities, you can review Darren’s slides or watch the recording.
June Member Meeting—6/18
Join us for the June RCMG monthly meeting on Tue 6/18. This month we are live at the Barn Gardens (2020 White Bear AveMaplewood, MN 55109) and we’ll be learning about vegetable gardening from several of our peer Ramsey County Master Gardeners. RSVP today!
Master Gardener Days—6/20-6/22
Save the date: June 20-22 at the MN Landscape Arboretum. Watch for more information in the State Newsletters from Tim Kenny.
Garden Gate Tours—6/23, 7/14, 7/18, & More
Visit a garden grown by other RCMG members this summer! Get inspired, share gardening advice or just enjoy the view of the garden and yard they have developed. Space is limited and varies by the garden.
RCMG Book Club: The Last Garden in England—7/30
The next RCMG Book club discusses The Last Garden in England by Julia Kelly on Tuesday 7/30. There are copies of this book available through the RCMG Lending Library, and several copies available through the public library, including ebook and audiobook versions. Sign-up to join the discussion.
Test Your Knowledge: Answers
What causes this kind of damage to plants like mint and basil? (answer)
Is it too late to divide daylilies? (answer)
How often should container pots be fertilized? (answer)
What does current research say about Japanese Beetle control and management? (answer)
What is this common lawn plant? (green) How would you control it? (answer).