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July 2024 Volunteer News & Updates

7/11/2024

master gardener volunteers sitting at a Ask A Master Gardener booth at the Little Canada Farmers Market

Farmers Market activities continue through mid-October and we often need help. If you can donate 2-4 hours during the week, we would appreciate your help! Farmers markets are a wonderful opportunity to talk plants with dozens of enthusiastic residents and market shoppers.


 

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.


  1. What is this common summer plant? What is the best control method for it? (click for image)

  2. How can residents prevent or control powdery mildew on Impatiens?

  3. What should residents do if their lawn starts turning brown during the summer?

  4. What makes holes in hosta leaves? (click for image)

  5. What can gardeners do about rabbit damage?



 

Calendar

 

News & Updates


Request a T-shirt Before 9/01

If you joined the Master Gardener program BEFORE 2020 and didn't receive a maroon Extension t-shirt during your internship, we’re going to try to help you out. Fill in this form before 9/01/2024 to request a shirt.


Extension is for Everyone

Words from the coordinators in Hennepin County's Master Gardener Volunteer Program resonate in Ramsey.


Recruitment for 2025 Opens August 1

The MN Master Gardener program will start accepting online applications for new volunteers starting on August 1 (ending September 30). Word of mouth is the best way to expand our RCMG community. If you know someone with a passion for gardening and community service, please invite them to apply!


 

Volunteer Stories


High Rise Garden Mentors

The High Rise Garden Mentors program started in 2015 and continues today through efforts made by Roger Hintze, Jamie Aussendorf and several other RCMG volunteers. The project mentor public housing residents in best gardening practices each year, providing knowledge that mentors can share with their neighbors and local gardening clubs.


Our Village Update

The Frogtown Green community garden, Our Village provides a beautiful and relaxing place of outdoor respite to gardeners. Read more about this RCMG volunteer activity and sign-up to get involved this summer.


New Project: Pilgrim's Community Garden

Nate Galloway kick-started a new volunteer activity at Pilgrim Baptist Church. The project brings a natural green space to the Old Rondo neighborhood and creates access to nature, wellness opportunities, and environmental education opportunities.


Growing Productive Tomatoes

At the June meeting, Joe and Jennifer shared their tips on growing productive tomato plants. They condensed their information into a handout that you can download and share.


Weeds in lawns and gardens

Brenda Anderson-Moser wanted everyone to know that the UMN Extension team recently updated their web page about weedy plants. "This is a nice page that pulls weed info together. I thought other volunteers might want to know about it. Thanks, Brenda! Iowa State University also has a great web page for weedy plants that is really useful.

 

Volunteer Opportunities

New volunteer activities are announced on Thursday mornings and Sunday nights. If you are not receiving SignUp Genius notices, please contact Brianna Gohde (Assistant Program Coordinator).


State Fair Q&A Booth–8/22-9/02

If you would like to take a shift at the State Fair, sign up ASAP! Shifts are filling fast! At this time we ask that you sign up for one shift only. Tickets will be mailed two weeks prior to the Fair.


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 volunteers from July 15 through July 21. These are excellent opportunities to volunteer remotely and build your garden knowledge at your own pace.


Winsome Fly Research Project—July-August

Dr. Bill Hutchison, Extension Entomologist at St. Paul campus is coordinating the Winsome Fly Survey Team this summer with the goal of expanding our understanding of the current distribution of the Winsome Fly (WF) in Minnesota. WF is a biocontrol agent of the Japanese beetle that is now naturally spreading in Minnesota, and gaining importance with high parasitism rates (20-40% so far) on adult Japanese Beetles.


For more information on how to get involved, and submit photos to the Winsome Fly Team, or iNaturalist, please see FruitEdge website at: https://fruitedge.umn.edu/opportunity-participate-winsome-fly-citizen-science-project


Stop Food Waste Challenge—8/01-8/31

Join residents in Ramsey, Hennepin and Washington County in taking an in-depth look at what happens to the food we buy. The Stop Food Waste Challenge will help you notice when you are wasting food, connect you with resources to help you reduce it, and provide support and motivation along the way. Join The Challenge


 

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.

July Member Meeting—7/16

Join us for the June RCMG monthly meeting on Tue 7/16. This hybrid meeting will be both online and in-person at the Roseville Oval. Our guest speakers are Lauren Hazensen & Paige Ahlborg from the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District about “Plants as Infrastructure” with details about how building with nature has benefitted the Kohlman Lake sub-watershed and beyond. RSVP today!


Garden Gate Tour–7/14, 7/18, 7/21, 7/25 & 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.


Central Regional Gathering–10/26

Save the date for the 2024 Central Region Gathering. This event is hosted by the Master Gardener State Advisory Board.

 

Test Your Knowledge-Answers

  1. What is this common summer plant? (click for image) – ANSWER What is the best control method for it? – ANSWER

  2. How can residents prevent or control downy mildew on Impatiens? – ANSWER

  3. What should residents do if their lawn starts turning brown during the summer? – ANSWER

  4. What makes holes in hosta leaves? (click for image) – ANSWER

  5. What can gardeners do about rabbit damage? ANSWER



 

Quick Links

Find a complete list of useful links on the RCMG website.


RCMG Resources

Extension Resources

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