March Madness: The strong urge to plant something. Anything!!!

The Root of It newsletter please click HERE for the full webpage version of the newsletter.

Look Around

After months of grays and greens and a cold that has too often kept us housebound, we look forward to the color and promise of spring flowers. March is a month of transition, and we watch spring settle in as the days go by. Those in the know have been enjoying the beautiful winter blooms of hellebores. A walk in the neighborhood brings a smile as we see emerging daffodils, and what a delight to happen upon the blooms of crocus, snowdrops, or dwarf iris!  We notice the swelling leaf and flower buds of trees and shrubs, and we follow the day-by-day progress as the buds break and leaves and flowers emerge. Forsythias are the heralds of spring’s arrival, with their bright yellow displays. Cornelian cherry trees delight us with small but abundant deep yellow blooms that light up the sky. We breathe in the fruity scent of the star magnolia’s white blooms when we pass it by. Venturing out into woods and meadows rewards us with the sight of early wildflower blooms. Trout lilies, spring beauties, hepatica, skunk cabbage, anemones, violets….the list goes on, and when we frequent these areas we can watch the progression and growing display with each new day.   But before we end this March stroll we look up. High in the branches of the red maples populating our neighborhoods is an often-overlooked beauty.  The delicate ruby-red flowers of the red maple take our breath away. We search for a low limb or open our cell phone cameras for a closer examination of the delicate anthers and styles.  The absence of leaves allows these flowers to take center stage, and they are fine actors indeed. Look up. Look around. K Edgington

 

Many of us who love conifers call ourselves and our conifer-loving friends "Coneheads". February is prime conifer viewing time – Coneheads rejoice!

The Root of It newsletter please click HERE for a webpage version of the newsletter.

Look Around

While spring makes us smile with the erupting beauty of bulbs and leaves, summer energizes us with its full color palette of flowers and shrubs, and fall enchants us with swaying grasses and drifting leaves, winter offers a more serene and tranquil beauty. In winter, conifers take center stage. These trees and shrubs, which often play a supporting role during the growing season, come into focus, and bring shades of green, blue, and gold, as well as interesting textures and quiet beauty to the landscape. Conifers, which we differentiate from other evergreen plants by the presence of needles and cones, come in many forms. The long needles of pines offer texture and movement. Spruce branches, with their stiff, sharp needles and whorled form, are plants of presence and substance. Junipers run the gamut from groundcovers to shrubs to stately trees. We tend to think of junipers as common plants, not worthy of undue attention, but when planted in a spot with proper drainage and light, they contribute to the elegance and beauty of garden beds and borders. Years of overuse and poor variety or cultivar selection have led us to dismiss the yew and shear it into balls or hedges. When left to its own devices this deep green beauty earns its spot in a winter display. Arborvitae, which are so helpful in creating backyard privacy, have tiny, scale-like needles that are compressed into fan-like branchlets. They’re workhorses in our shrub borders, but a beauty to behold in the winter landscape.  Run your hand along the branches of a fir, with its soft needles, and enjoy the citrus-like aroma. Firs are distinguished by their upward facing cones, and choosing one suited to our Midwest soils and climate will reward us with a conifer second to none. Hemlocks, with their short, soft needles and small, papery cones, add grace to the conifer mix with their delicate branches and drooping tips. Each of these conifer families is beautiful on its own, but when they play together, the mix is captivating. Beautiful bark, a variety of textures and foliage colors, and an array of shapes and sizes keep us ever interested as we take a winter walk to check out the conifers. Look around. K Edgington

 

Even a small farm needs a strong food safety plan and legal protection for it

By Cookson Beecher on January 21, 2021

ANALYSIS

She can grow some mean salad greens. “So healthy for you and your family,” she’ll cheerfully tell the customer who makes regular stops at her booth at the local farmers market.

At another booth, a farmer has some farm-made cheese on display. “Comes from cows that are raised out on grass,” he says to a group of customers wandering through the farmers market and stopping at his booth.

At a restaurant on Main Street, a farmer proudly holds up his strawberries for the chef, who buys his berries on a regular basis. “Real beauties,” he says. “They’re large and red-ripe. Your diners will love them. Sweet and juicy and no pesticides.”

These farmers have several things in common. They would be identified as small-scale farmers and therefore exempt from many provisions, such as mandatory inspections, in the Food Safety Modernization Act. They primarily sell direct to their customers.

They also have something else that’s even more valuable. Their customers’ trust.

On a business level, that’s of utmost importance, Rachel Armstrong, founder and executive director of Farm Commons, will quickly say. But while knowing how to farm and having a loyal customer base is one thing, knowing how to keep your customers safe from foodborne pathogen problems and your farm safe from lawsuits is another.

Continue reading HERE

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)

Wondering how this warm winter will affect our landscape? 

Whether you believe in global warming or not, West

Virginia has been experiencing higher temperatures

in both summer and winter. The United States

Department of Agriculture hardiness zone map shows

that between 1990 and 2015, there has been significant

change in temperatures resulting in a shift in hardiness

zones.

Read more on what to expect:

IPM Chronicle Vol 8 Issue 1 Winter 2020

SPRING INTO GARDENING 

by Extension Master Gardeners of Kanawha County

Date: March 14, 2020
Location:  Coonskin Park Clubhouse, Charleston on March 14, 2020
Registration Fee: $8.00 if by March 1, then $13.00 day of the event. 

Flyer and Registrations form links below:

Spring into Gardening flyer
Spring into Gardening Registration

Evan Wilson named as Extension Agent for Cabell & Wayne Counties

After a lengthy vacancy in the agriculture extension agent positions in Cabell and Wayne Counties, the position was recently filled.  James Evan Wilson, a graduate of WVU, will split time between the two counties serving the agricultural needs of the area.  Evan grew up in the Mason County community of Apple Grove and comes from a strong agricultural background having been involved in 4-H and FFA as a student.  He has recently completed he Masters Degree in Agriculture, Natural Resource and Design and has worked in poultry in Virginia.
Evan will bring a great deal of knowledge, energy and resources to the two counties that we serves. He is looking forward to meeting the CCMGA members from Cabell and Wayne Counties to explore ways that we can work together.
Evan can be contacted by email at jewilson@mix.wvu.edu

Bell plans to retire as head of HMDA

May CCMGA Meeting at Mallory's Farm

Please remember to join us for the May 8 CCMGA meeting at R>L. and Linda Mallory's farm in Culloden, WV.   The Mallorys are great hosts and I know that everyone will enjoy seeing the work of Linda's green thumb in her gardens and greenhouses.  This meeting is also special because it is the graduation of the 2018 class of Master Gardeners.
 If you have a GPS in your car, you can enter the coordinates 38.425294, -82.061668 to get to their place.. If you would prefer, you can meet to caravan or car pool at the Milton Park and Ride, just off exit 28 of I-64. We expect to leave the park and ride at 6:15 pm.

Joint gathering - KY/WV Master Gardeners

CCMGA members have been invited to join with Master Gardeners from Eastern Kentucky on the evening of Tuesday, June 19.  The Kentucky Master Gardeners will furnish the main courses (turkey, dressing, ham) and others are asked to bring a side dish or dessert to share.   The event will begin at 6 pm and will be held at Kentucky Roots which is Route 3 between Ashland and Louisa.  The link below shows a map of the location.
There will be three speakers discussing the potential for hemp farming in the area.
CCMGA members will know many of the Kentucky Master Gardeners from sharing a booth at the WSAZ Home and Garden Show.  If you are able to attend please RSVP to Rhonella Chaffin at rhonella@att.net or 606 483 6077.

Rain Barrel Workshop - Huntington National Guard Building - April 21

This is a great opportunity to get a high quality attractive rain barrel at an excellent price.  The workshop is in the National Guard Building at 800 Virginia Avenue, Huntington and runs from 10 am until noon on Saturday, April 21.
Pre-registration is required (Thomas.C.Thurman@wv.gov) and the $25 payment is due at the workshop.

2018 WSAZ Home & Garden Show Speakers Announced

The featured speakers for the 2018 WSAZ Home and GardenShow at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena have been announced.

FRIDAY MARCH 9th

5PM	Dr. Mira Danilovich	Brambles (Small Fruits)
6PM	Dr. Monica Valentovic & Dr. Gary Rankin	Rose Care

SATURDAY MARCH 10^th

12PM	Lyndall Harned	Composting
1PM	Grant Bishop	Pesticides
2PM	Brenda Porter	Home Canning
3PM	Dr. Chuck Talbott	Controling Pests with Intergrated Pest Mgt.
4PM	Dr. Sheldon Owen	Bats
5PM	Lori Bowling	New Plants for 2018
6PM	Lacy Davidson & Park Ferguson	Grow Yourself Healthy:  Why You Can’t Afford NOT to Grow, Shop, and Eat WV Raised Food

Master Gardener Class Cancelled on January 16

Because of the snow and extreme cold on January 16, the Cabell County Master Gardener class on botany will not be held as scheduled.  Because this is a required class, it will be made up at at future date.  As you are aware, when Cabell County Schools close there will be no Master Gardener class that day.
If you would like to get a preview of the botany class please go to the information page for that class - Botany where you can watch the videos, download the handouts and take some practice quizzes.
The updated class schedule is available on our Education page.

Bat Presentation - January 20 - 2 pm

The January 20 meeting of the Cabell County Master Gardener Association promises to be a special one.  Dr. Sheldon Owen, Wildlife Specialist for the WVU Extension Service will speak on bats in West Virginia.
The presentation will be on January 20, 2018 at 2 pm in the Fellowship Hall of Enslow Park Presbyterian Church in Huntington.  Directions to the church can be found by clicking the link above. The public is warmly invited.
There will be a brief business meeting following Dr. Owen's presentation.

2018 Master Gardener Class Forming

Do you love gardening and sharing your experience with others? Even if you are not a Cabell County resident, you can become a Master Gardener through the Cabell County Master Gardener Association classes that are beginning soon.

Master Gardeners are volunteers trained by agents of the WVU Cooperative Extension Service and local experts to provide practical home and garden education. They answer questions at the WSAZ Home & Garden Show, volunteer at horticultural events like Huntington in Bloom, and help manage school and community gardens.

The 2018 Master Gardener classes begin on Tuesday, January 9 th , at Enslow Park Presbyterian Church in Huntington, WV. Classes are from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. each Tuesday through May 15 th . Class size is limited.

The Master Gardener class consists of 16 weeks of classroom work and hands-on activities. Instructors provide an overview of major horticultural topics, environmentally sound gardening practices, food safety, and issues affecting West Virginia residents and homeowners. Class topics include insect management, container gardening, soils and fertilizers, composting, organic gardening, and many others.

Upon completion of classroom work, graduates volunteer 40 hours on designated projects to complete the requirements for earning the Master Gardener title.  A fee of $110 must be paid at the start of class. This fee will cover the comprehensive West Virginia Master Gardener Handbook, handouts, name badge, and other supplies.

For more information or to register for the class, call Pauline Tiller at the WVU Extension Service - Cabell County at (304) 526-8458, or you can also sign up for the classes using the online form.

Putnam County Master Gardeners to Conduct 2018 Fruit Tree Fundraiser

The Putnam County Master Gardeners are conducting a Fruit Tree Fundraiser during the months of December and January.  The public is invited to place their order for trees from Adams County Nursery, Inc. in PA with a bulk order placed by the local Master Gardener association.  Pending on the total number of trees that the group orders, typical savings per tree (when ordering 100 trees or more) are $18/tree for apple and pear varieties and approximately $17/tree for peach, plum and cherry trees.  Two yeqrs ago, we ordered 150 trees and trees averaged $12 -$15 per tree.  Orders and payments must be received by January 30^th.  Price breaks, premium charges, disease resistant varieties, rootstocks and pollination considerations are located at the company’s website (http://www.acnursery.com/acn_trees.php).  A limited number of catalogues are available at the WVU Putnam County Extension Office.  A donation to the Putnam County Master Gardeners of ($2) per tree, depending on the number of trees ordered, will be collected for each tree order.  To place an order or for further questions, call the Kari Wilger at 304-767-5583 or email her at wilgerkari@gmail.com. 

2017 CCMGA Winter Party - December 2 - Boyd County Extension Office

The CCMGA Winter Party will be held on December 3 at the Boyd County Extension Office. We will caravan or car pool leaving Enslow Park Presbyterian Church at 10:15 am. If you are planning to drive, you can find the Boyd County Extension Office at 2420 Center Street, Catlettsburg KY. The festivities begin at 11 am, Ham will be provided but members are asked to bring a side or dessert to share. Please give Jane Wilson a call or email (jackjanewilson@gmail.com or 304-416-1840)  to let her know how many will be coming, what side dish you plan to bring and whether you wish to make one or more wreaths. CCMGA members can bring one adult guest if desired.

Our host, Lori Bowling will be doing the education segment of our meeting showing us how to make beautiful wreaths that are suitable for holiday displays and make great gifts. Members and guests can make wreaths for $15 each.

Please remember that dues ($16) can now be paid for 2018. You can give your dues to Treasurer, Tom Bell at the December 2 meeting or mail the dues to:

CCMGA
PO Box 7661
Huntington, WV 25578-7661

Directions to the Boyd County Extension Office

Take Interstate 64 westbound to Exit 191 which is the first exit after crossing into Kentucky.  Take Route 23 northbound for about 8.6 miles passing under the underpass to the right to Catlettsburg. At the "Y" in the road take a right turn followed by an immediate left onto Center Street.  Follow Center Street for 2.8 miles to the corner with 25th Street.  The Boyd County Extension Office will be on the left across from Neal Funeral Home.  If you pass the Grandview Manor high rise you have gone too far.  Plenty of parking is available in the Extension Office lot.  The drive from Enslow Park Presbyterian Church should take less than 30 minutes.

 

Directions to the Boyd County Extension Office are available through Google Maps with the link below:

Boyd County Extension Office

Garden Based Learning - Dr. Chuck Talbott

At the October 10 meeting of CCMGA, the group was pleased to have Putnam County Extension Agent, Dr. Chuck Talbott, present an overview of his initiative on Garden Based Learning for schools.  His projects have been very successful in improving student engagement, interest and overall achievement among students in several Putnam County elementary schools. 
Dr. Talbott has become very knowledgeable in procedures and practices that make school gardens a success.  Through the implementation of garden based learning in Putnam County, Dr. Talbott has learned what works and what to avoid.  His knowledge and experience can serve as a great guide for schools or informal educators looking to bring gardening to the educational program.
Dr. Talbott has generously allowed our organization to make his resources available on our website.  The link below will connect you to the presentations, handouts, guidelines, signs and other materials that he has developed or gathered over the years of supporting school gardens.

Garden Based Learning - Dr. Chuck Talbott

Volunteer Opportunity

Huntington in Bloom will be planting and decorating for fall on Tuesday, September 26 and Thursday, September 28 from 5 pm until 8 pm.
Meet at the shelter at Pullman Square both days.at 5 pm.  This counts as volunteer service time including the time for when you leave home until the time you return.

Putnam County Master Gardener Program Accepting Applications

West Virginia University Extension Service in Putnam County is accepting applications for the 2017 Putnam County Master Gardener (MG) Program, as well as MG programs in surrounding counties.  This program consists of a volunteer training course designed to provide home gardeners with the information and skills necessary to share their experience and knowledge with others.  Starting in September, there will be thirteen, three-hour night classes held weekly.   Those interested in participating should attend an orientation meeting at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, August 8^th at the Old Winfield Courthouse (12093 Winfield Road, Winfield).

Putnam County Master Gardener, Myra Simmons, shows a student from West Teays Elementary how to look for insect pests. 

In exchange for 40 hours of indoor and outdoor instruction, candidates agree to donate 40 hours of volunteer service to West Virginia University Extension Service.  Volunteer activities currently carried out by Master Gardeners in Putnam County include participation in: 1) community gardens to provide vegetables for the local food bank, 2) garden-based learning programs with the teachers and students of the Putnam County school system, and 3) assisting WVU Extension Service with Farmers’ Markets and Putnam County Fair activities.  Last year, the PCMG assisted nearly 1200 students in garden-based learning programs. The students, plant, manage, harvest, weigh, sell and eat vegetables that they grow themselves.  

There is a program fee of $100 to cover the cost of the training manual and other materials.  Applications are being accepted through August 29^th.  For more information and to receive an application, please contact (304-586-0217) the West Virginia University Extension office located in the Old Winfield Courthouse. 

Grow lights and heating pads for sale

A former Master Gardener in the Milton area is interested in selling a setup with florescent grow lights and heated under tray pads.  If you are interested in this please contact Steve (beckelhimer@gmail.com) who will put you in touch with this lady.