The Green Thumb
news & updates
for Polk County Master Gardeners
Updated MG Logo
"The mission of the Polk County Master Gardeners is to provide current, research-based, home horticulture information and education to the residents of Iowa through ISU Extension programs and projects".
November 2022
In this issue:
A Message From the Coordinator
Greetings! It's time to report your hours in the Volunteer Reporting System (VRS). Active Master Gardeners are required to complete 20 hours of volunteer time and 10 hours of continuing education by December 31, 2022. Interns have until December 31, 2023 to complete their 40 hours. While reporting please check your profiles and contact information to ensure we have correct information on file. It is also helpful to update your interests and skills.
To see what qualifies for Master Gardeners volunteer hours please read this document which clarifies what you can and can't count as hours. If you still have questions, need help with VRS, are having difficulty finding volunteer hours, or have lapsed active status and want to reactivate, email me at [email protected]. I hope to see you at the plant swap social on Tuesday, November 15th @ 6 pm at the extension office for fun, conversation and plant exchanges. In person voting will be available at this event but opens online November 11th! As you plan out your projects please send dates to be added to the Master Gardener Calendar as soon as possible! Happy garden planning & have a Blessed Thanksgiving! ~Stephanie
If you're coming to the Plant Swap RSVP below!
LOCATION
Extension Office

DATE AND TIME
11/15/22 6:00pm - 11/15/22 7:30pm

Bring a plant, take a plant. Please ensure all plants are healthy, disease and insect free. In person voting for Advisory Council available.
I'll be there!
Maybe
Advisory Council Applicants & Dates
Applicants to the Advisory Council are as follows: Read Full Applications HERE.

Community Outreach Representative- Patty Loving
Education Representative - Eva Henderson
Fundraising Representative - Sandie Hamilton
Garden Representative- Mary Rolfes
Operations Representative- Linda Brown
Volunteer Engagement Representative - Lindsay Leonetti
  • November 11th- Voting for Advisory Council opens online.
  • November 15th- 6 pm @ Extension Office- Plant Swap social event and voting in person.
  • November 18th- Voting online closes.
  • December 1st. - New Advisory Council goes into effect.
Project Updates
Demonstration Garden
Two Delicious looking red apples.
Bumper apple crop this year!
The season is coming to an end. Thank you to all the volunteers that worked tirelessly this past year. Hats off to you for another successful growing season. 

Despite the drought our fruit and veggie donations exceeded previous years. The Demonstration Garden donated 1557 pounds of vegetables and 2297 pounds of fruit (apples, grapes, raspberries). The area Food Pantries and their clients are very appreciative of our service and thank you.

Demo Garden's last outdoor volunteer opportunity will be Saturday, November 12th when the task of putting roses to bed for the season ends. Start time 9am. Goal will be to do a light trimming, put collars into place and cover with mulched leaves. Please wear appropriate clothing and work gloves. 

We wish everyone a wonderful Holiday Season and a Happy Thanksgiving!

If you are interested in forming a team and managing a bed please contact a co-chair. Several opportunities are available to match your talent whether it be digging in the dirt, designing, managing events, etc.

Demonstration Garden Co-Chair Wanted!
Be part of the management team for Demonstration Garden! Special thanks goes out to Brenda Pashek for her support and dedication to Demonstration Garden. She is now moving on to new pursuits and Demonstration Garden in Urbandale is seeking a new Co-Chair (or two) to work closely with Ruth and Sandie. If interested please contact Ruth Doxon.
Discovery Garden
As we enter the season of Thanksgiving and have a break from gardening, we want to be mindful and say thank-you to all the folks who support our garden projects and the MG program as a whole. A special thanks goes out to our Discovery Garden team for your volunteerism, energy and creativity. You are a blessing to us all and we Thank you. We could not do what we do without you and we appreciate you. Have a wonderful fall season with your families and those who care about you.
Enabling Garden
Season's End: Burr! Winter decided to pay us a visit in the middle of clean up. On the positive side, some brilliant fall foliage emerged with the warmer temperatures that followed.  That also means plants will continue to need moisture. Though many may be eager to focus on the upcoming holidays, or head south to warmer climates, if and when time allows, visit the garden for the sole purpose of watering large portions of the garden. Enjoy conversations with the visitors and shut off the hydrant if you need to walk along beside them. Unhook the hose from the hydrant when you leave.
Fall Clean Up...
We cleaned beds, loaded tons of debris, filled the compost bins to overflowing, spread worm castings, compost, mulch, and gave all a good watering. Members of Hope Agency assisted in our final evening of clean up; their efforts were much appreciated. 
Thank you! Whatever your contributions throughout the year, we have appreciated all the suggestions, dedication, and teamwork. Please continue to visit the garden as often as possible through the winter months. Liken the relationship as getting together with a close friend who wishes to surprise you with a different kind of beautiful. As gardeners, it’s not difficult to find something to love about every season. Living in Iowa gives us the privilege to experience all of them.
Pictured right are the newly installed pavers at Enabling Garden. Special thank you to the Henderson's and all those who supported them for all their work in the food pantry garden!
“A garden is never so good as it will be next year.”  ~ Thomas Cooper. On that note, between now and spring, take some time to sit and browse through some gardening books, magazines or information online. Make note of the plant varieties, perennials that might replace annuals, and a host of other gardening tips that will tweak your enthusiasm for next year. 
Pavers at Enabling Garden
Co-Chairs: Judy Goshor, Rosie Surber, Paul Satre, Linda Brown Enabling Garden FB Group,
Continuing Education Opportunities
Delicious looking bowl of stew.
Program Committee
Mark your calendars! Programming for winter is scheduled! And Soup Suppers are back!

Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023 - Tivon Feeley
Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023 - Dr. Thomas Rosburg
Thursday, March 23, 2023 - Aaron Steil
Thursday April 20, 2023 - Megan Will

If you are willing to donate a soup for any of the meals, please email Mary Poulter at [email protected] and let her know which night works for you. We need 4 or 5 for each evening. You may count an hour of volunteer time for the prep. Soups need to be ready at 5:30 pm for the 6 pm events. A sign up for the first session with Tivon Feeley will be in the December Green Thumb.
Continuing Education
The Iowa Master Gardener You Tube Channel is a great way to get Education Hours. You can earn up to 50% or 5 of 10 hrs. of your continuing education via approved recorded webinars. If you are still looking for in person continuing education hours yet this year and don't mind a drive, here are a few opportunities nearby:
  • November 12: Bettendorf - Houseplants Class - Free and open to the public. Registration appreciated. Contact Jolinda at 563-359-7577 or by email to register. For more information, see the event listing.
  • December 1: Newton - Evergreen Planter Workshop - Registration costs $40 and is limited to 18 people. To register, call Carol at 641-792-6433. For more information, see the event listing.
Harvest Fest Celebration Success
The Harvest Festival was a great success.
Pictured above left to right: Decorated tables & a potluck were enjoyed ahead of the soil’s talk. Dr. Wioda presented on Iowa soils and brought soil samples to be examined. There were opportunities to visit with other master gardeners. 
Dr. Kathy Wioda spoke to over 50 Master Gardeners & 20+ interns on Soils of Iowa during the celebration on October 11.  A potluck was held prior to Dr. Wioda’s presentation. Door prizes were donated & ranged from pumpkins & gourds to a birdhouse. People enjoyed the in-person event and look forward to more with the upcoming educational events.
Outreach Opportunities & Teaching Requests
If you have the knowledge and are interested in teaching a one time class on one of the following topics please contact Patty Loving to be added to the Ambassador list and get more information. We are currently looking for presentations on the following topics as we have had requests for Master Gardeners to come give these talks:
  • Basic Gardening | Garden Design Class - Johnston Community Education
  • Mushroom-Fungi in Iowa | Foraging - certification on Mushroom identification would be a plus but not required - South Side Library.
  • Weed Identification | Container | Bed Maintenance - City of DM Public Works
  • Pollinator Gardens - February 15th 1 pm for Urbandale Garden Club.
Catholic Charities Food Pantry on Hubbell is looking for an experienced Master Gardener to advise and assist with their on site garden improvements and development. This is a terrific project for a MG interested in food security with experience in soil fertility and raised beds. Contact Patty Loving by email or call at (210) 275-8101 for more info.
Several school gardens have requested Master Gardeners to assist with planning, development and teaching in their school garden program. One is in NW Des Moines and the other is in Bondurant. If you would like to help and have an interest in school gardens and working with youth, contact Stephanie for more information or call at (515) 957-5768.
Over 5000 lbs donated
About
Polk County Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources programs aim to help all Iowans, from the home hobbyist to the ag professional, make informed decisions through research-based education. Some programs and focus areas include farm management education, technical expertise for crops, livestock and pests, as well as our Polk County Master Gardener volunteer program; our signature horticulture education program. Our work supports clean water and healthy habitats, profitable farms, and a more secure food system.



Contact

Stephanie Harrington
Natural Resources Program Coordinator
ISU Extension and Outreach, Polk County
(515) 957-5768