Gardening Tip of the Week

Straw Potatoes

The classic way to grow potatoes is to mound soil around the vines as they grow to provide plenty of space for the tubers to form and grow.  Mounding soil can be back breaking work and often the soil washes back down when it rains or when you water.  Instead of soil, try mounding the plants with straw.  Plant the potatoes about 2 inches below the soil surface in well-drained loose soil and cover with 3-4 inches of clean straw.  Once the plants emerge from the straw add another 3-4 inches on and around the plant.  If the plants are particularly vigorous you can add straw again later in the year.  Water the straw well to make sure it is fairly compact and enjoy the easy digging later in the year!

Jason's recommended horticulture links ...

http://www.uwex.edu/ces/wihort/

http://www.extension.umn.edu/ConsumerHort/

http://www.extension.umn.edu/yardandgarden/ygbriefs/Index-alpha.html

http://wihort.uwex.edu/GardenFacts.html

http://www.weedid.wisc.edu/

Thursday, July 9th  - 5:30-8pm
.Home of Shirley Long, Marengo

Business Meeting

Program – Tour Shirley’s Gardens and Potluck

Thursday, August 13th  - 6-8pm
Big Brook Greenhouse Cable, Wisconsin

Business Meeting

Program – All about Succulents by owners Scott & Sue (Bring your own beverage)

Thursday, August 2oth – Sunday, August 23rd

Our Master Gardener Exhibit at Bayfield County Fair

Saturday September 26th - 9:30-Noon
Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center

Hands On Program - Invasive Species - Buckthorn
by Darienne McNamara

National Public Land Day Event
Ashland and Bayfield County 4-Her’s invited.

Free lunch at noon

Friday & Saturday, October 2–3  
 2009 WIMGA Conference

Annual Conference at Ho-Chunk Casino and Conference Center, Wisconsin Dells

Theme: Gardening is a Gamble; But Worth It.     

Thursday, October 8th  - 6-8pm
Ashland Research Ag Station

Business Meeting

Work on 2010 Schedule.  

Thursday, November 12th   6-8pm
Ashland Ag Research Station

Business Meeting – Officer nominations
Treasurer and President

Program – "Forcing Bulbs Indoors"
by Jason Fischbach - UWEX

Thursday, December 10th -  6-8pm
Ashland Ag Research Station

Short Business Meeting – Election of Officers

Christmas Party

Any questions, please
call Sylvia (715) 685-9976

SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

(Will Be Notified)

Wisconsin Master Gardener General Training Course

To become a Certified Master Gardener Volunteer, you must complete the 36-hour General Training Course and then complete 24 hours of volunteer work in your community.  The General Training Course is offered every year starting in late-January and runs through mid-May.  The class meets on Tuesday nights from 6-9PM.  The course fee is usually around $130 per person or $150 for two if they share printed materials.  Stay tuned for more information about the 2010 course.

MG Volunteer and Continuing Education Hours for the Year 2009 TIMESHEET (2 pages, 74 KB)

Maintain the rain gardens at Explorers Point by pulling weeds. 
When:  Anytime  Contact:  Jason Fischbach

Brown Bag Horticulture Programs

The 12-1 PM monthly Brown Bag Wisline Horticulture Programs are educational programs offered generally the last Friday of each monthly except holiday months (ie. November and December and sometimes other months with key holidays) when the program is held one week earlier than the holiday weekend.  The programs are designed for statewide Master Gardeners and other persons interested in horticultural topics.  Click here for a list of dates and programs offered.

Maintain the Ashland Health and Rehabilitation Center garden.
 When:  Anytime.  Contact:  Cyndy Guy - 218-343-9718

Join the Ashland Beautification Council. 
When: Anytime  Contact:  Sylvia Whalen 685-9976

Washburn School needs summer assistance with their
vegetable garden in 2009 and beyond.
Contact: Kristy Heidenreich, UWEX Vista - Ashland/Bayfield Counties
218-260-1758