Author Archives: vickstersvine

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The following is a repeat of my last group email. I’m trying to work my way into a blog so bear with me……

Hello Friends,

Remember the recipe for the Zick Bird Dough I mentioned a while back? If you click on this link Feathered Friends you should be able to see some of the photos I’ve taken of the birds that are eating my Bird Dough. I love watching the birds even more now that I purchased new binoculars! I can SEE! If you are in the market for a pair, I can recommend the style that I purchased.

Here Are Some Things to See:
Orchid Display –

Franklin Park Conservatory – Columbus

 


I recently had the opportunity to meet Ohio’s former first lady Hope Taft at the Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus. (There is a new project underway at the Governor’s Residence which I’ll highlight at another time.) The jewel in the conservatory this trip was the current display, “Orchid Forest”, now going on through April 3. The orchids were spectacular! For hours, admission and directions, visit www.fpconservatory.org/. There is a wonderful bonus to those of you who are members of the American Horticulture Society – always free entrance to the conservatory! Here are more pictures from the exhibit.

Orchid Show – Cox Arboretum – February 19 & 20 – Dayton
Hundreds of orchids will be on display, as well as orchids and other items for purchase. Informal orchid talks and repotting classes will be held throughout the weekend. This event is sponsored by the Miami Valley Orchid Society.

Educational Opportunities
Workshops at Benham’s Grove – Centerville
Centerville’s City Beautiful Commission has two workshops planned.
1. Master gardener Kathleen Garnica, from “The Secreat Garden,” will present “A Few of My Favorite Things.” at 10 am on Saturday, February 12 at Benham’s Grove (166 N. Main St. in Centerville). The free workshop will feature garden art, container gardens and appropriate plants for container gardens. Reservations are not required.
2. Marvin Duren (Note: OAGC honored Marvin with the 2009 Daisy Sticksel Conservation Award) of “Marvin’s Organic Gardens” will discuss composting and organic care of lawns and plants at 10 am on Saturday, March 12 at the Department of Public works on South Suburban Road in Centerville. Reservations are not required for this free event.

Miami Valley Gardening Conference – Sinclair University, Dayton
Five Rivers MetroParks is presenting a special event on Saturday, March 5. (What is it with March 5??? I can’t be three places at once!) The 16th annual Miami Valley Gardening Conference offers a day of learning with over 15 speakers and several mini-classes/demonstrations. Keynote speakers include Peter Del Tredici , senior research scientist of Harvard University’s Arnold Arboretum, and Jeff Lowenfels, noted soil and garden expert. Speakers are garden experts from OSU, Five Rivers MetroParks and nurseries in the Dayton area. There will also be two cooking presentations by the Culinary Department at Sinclair. During lunch and the afternoon break there will be hands-on demonstrations of valuable skills for all gardeners. Parking is also included. Read more/register at http://metroparks.org/conference

Dayton Home and Garden Show – March 4-6 – Dayton Convention Center
A follow up from the previous issue publicity on the Home and Garden Show
Question: Regarding the Friday, March 4 half-price tickets for garden clubbers – Are the tickets only good for Friday? Do separate tickets have to be purchased for each day or is there an inclusive ticket for all three days available?
Answer: There are no all-event pass tickets to purchase, However, you can purchase pre-sale tickets at half price and use them on any of the 3 days as there are no dates printed on them. Each ticket is good for one day. Tickets can be mailed out or they can be picked up at the Will-Call booth. Guests/friends or family members can also use the discounted tickets.Tickets are a bargain at $4. Partake in any of the classes on the big stage as well as to any of the ‘How To’ Garden Series on the small stage PLUS entrance to the Dayton Home and Garden Show.  A couple of speakers you don’t want to miss, on Friday at 10 am Pam Bennet from Ohio State talks about “Proven Plants for Color” and then at 4 pm don’t miss Barb Balgoyen of Walters Gardens of Michigan and her presentation  “New and Exciting Perennials for 2011.” Walters Gardens is one of the leading wholesalers in the nation. Saturday highlights include:  11am when Randy Zondag of The Ohio State University & Alan Siewart Ohio Division of Foresty  put on ‘”Tree pruning and training boot camp”: A hands-on class where you will actually use pruners to learn the proper way to trim. At 5:30pm John Scott of Knollwood Garden Center talks on “Container Gardening” and shows how to make A BIG IMPACT!

Flora-Quest – May 1 & 2 – Shawnee State Park
Many of Ohio’s foremost botanists will be leading field trips the weekend of April 29 – May 1 in the beautiful hills of Shawnee State Forest in southern Ohio. Flora-Quest is a botanical retreat geared towards learning and appreciating the most spectacular flora in all of Ohio. Check it out at  http://flora-quest.com/ (Wistful thought: I want to get to this some day…….)

This ‘n That
Commission Offers Grants – Centerville
The Centerville City Beautiful Commission is offering $250 Beautification Grants to nonprofit groups or volunteers who demonstrate a commitment to the beautification of the city of Centerville. More information can be found at http://www.ci.centerville.oh.us/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=801&Itemid=1658.

Great Backyard Bird Count – February 18-21
The 2011 Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) will take place Friday, February 18, through Monday, February 21. The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like each day of the event. It’s free, fun, and easy—and it helps the birds. Participants count birds anywhere for as little or as long as they wish during the four-day period. They tally the highest number of birds of each species seen together at any one time. To report their counts, they fill out an online checklist at the Great Backyard Bird Count website. Go to http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/whycount.html for more information.

Edible Art for Birds
Here is a cute way to get our young’uns interested in bird watching. It is a video from our friends at the Department of Natural Resources and shows how we can provide food for backyard birds in a fun and creative way. All you need is some bird seed and a little snow. Check out this edible art for wildlife project at:  http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Default.aspx?tabid=21318

Ohio Record Tree located in our area
Did you get a chance to go to the ODNR’s Ohio Champion Tree link from a post or two ago? I discovered that there is a local celebrity growing in our area. Listed among the Ohio Champion Non-Native Trees is a  Littleleaf Linden (Tilia cordata) tree located at Bethany Lutheran Village in Centerville. The current record holder measures 195″ in circumference and is approximately 79′ tall!

World Flower Show Trip Update
The Ohio Association of Garden Club’s (OAGC) bus trip to Boston and the World Flower Show in June is basically sold out with two buses. If you have already paid a deposit to reserve your spot, trip coordinator Susy Spence (sspence@oagc.org) is now accepting the balance due. The optional $40 trip insurance should be paid at this time as well. A waiting list has been formed.

You Can Help Make a Difference
Dear Friends of Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens,
The Chadwick Arboretum and Learning Gardens is a self-funded organization maintaining 60 acres of green space on The Ohio State University campus. During the past year a green roof team has been focused on designing and installing a green roof (vegetative) on Howlett Hall. Just last month, the Arboretum received a generous donation toward the Green Roof at Howlett Hall project, but we are continuing to raise funds and write grants.

The irrigation company RainBird is promoting an inter-active grant award program The Intelligent Use of Water Awards. If you are inclined, please take a minute to go to the link below and vote for the Chadwick Arboretum’s Green Roof project and help raise another $10,000. The project with the most votes wins a $10,000 reward. You can vote once a day until March 22, 2011 so spread the word!

http://www.iuowawards.com/Projects.aspx?ProjectKey=fcaf0ca0-de7b-441b-9bd1-a3a2a32f26d4#project|fcaf0ca0-de7b-441b-9bd1-a3a2a32f26d4

Thanks for your help!
Mary C. Maloney
Director, Ohio State University Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens

Dayton Home and Garden Show

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I have some timely information on the upcoming Dayton Home and Garden Show. I know, I know. In the past you may have called this event the “Hot Tub and Tractor Show”. However, this year I think you’ll be surprised. It’s time to get out and escape those dark, dreary days of winter and check this event out.

You will find below a communication from Steve Henger the event coordinator for the 2011 Dayton Home and Garden Show. He is making a special effort attract gardeners from all over and even offers a personal invitation to US – the gardeners in the greater Miami Valley. Half-priced (a savings of $4) advance group tickets may be ordered just contact me.  There is at least one presentation EVERY hour – 54 presentations over the span of the event! For more information and schedule of speakers, please visit: http://daytonhomeandgardenshow.com/

Vicki

The Dayton Home and Garden Show

March 4-6, 2011

Dayton Convention Center

Welcome to all members of garden clubs and other gardeners:

You are cordially invited as our guests of honor on Friday, March 4, 2011. Attend the Dayton Home and Garden Club and as our special guests; we are discounting our tickets by 50% to $4.00 to this exciting event this year. Show hours for Friday are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

We have made many changes to the show. We are adding a special presentation for you pertaining to gardening. Friday afternoon features a presentation by Barb Balgoyen of Walter’s Gardens that will cover what is new perennials, and other topics of interest. Walter’s Gardens is located in Michigan and is North America’s leading Wholesaler. We are very excited to have Barb come and speak. We added this presentation to our Garden Academy. As our special guest we will reserve prime seating for you. Just return the attached ticket form. This year we have added a 3-day Garden Academy that will feature many speakers from across the country. We invite you to participate while you are at the show at no extra charge. We just finalized the list of speakers.

Just a few more things to wet your appetite. As you enter the lobby of the convention center you will greeted by the smell of flowers , bushes and trees that have been forced into bloom reminding you that spring is about to come, thanks to the efforts of the students at Clark State University who are participating with the show this year.

As you enter the convention center’s main showroom you will be greeted by a 20’x 30’ bed of 100’s of sunflowers as part of the Dayton International Peace Museum exhibit. The Peace Museum promotes not only peace internationally but as well as peace in towns, families and individuals. There will be a campaign this spring to plant the various kinds of sunflowers to signify peace within our communities. We are honored to be a part of this promotion.

There will be 6 featured gardens in this year’s show by some of the leading landscapers in the area. Plus 2 “Peace Gardens”.. I will let you in on a secret, one of these is going to have 100’s of tulips with a 4’high cut ice vase full of flowers that you will swear that is made of glass not ice, it’s beautiful.

On Friday, Waste Management is sending in a corporate speaker to share info on “What is really going on with recycling”. What lies ahead and what can the common person do to help. This short 20 min. presentation is worth it’s time in gold.

Finally, over 200 vendors invite you to their booths to show you what is hot and new, with home show specials and to make your stay enjoyable. What a great way to get into the spring spirit! Come and enjoy the Dayton Home and Garden shows “Kickoff to Spring Show!”

For advance group tickets please see the Advance ticket order form. These tickets can be purchased the day of the show or in advanced and mailed out or paid in advance and held at the will call window.

January 19, 2011

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Here is a follow up reply from the previous post…..

Re the question: Where do you store your birdseed?
I have good luck using large plastic trash cans with tight fitting lids. I use one each for my nyjer, black oil sunflower seed and dog food (when I had a dog). Our local mill has great process on 50# quantities of bird feed and the tight lid protects them from the critters. My only problem: the closed container provides a horizontal surface on which to put stuff.  — Babs in Beavercreek

Ohio’s Big Trees
Since 1940, the conservation group American Forests has documented the largest known specimens of every native and naturalized tree in the United States. Each Big Tree receives a score based on trunk circumference, crown spread and total height. Do you want to know where they are? Do you think you have a champion in your neck of the woods? Big Trees are generally found in yards, parks, arboretums and cemeteries where their size stands out. They are less frequently found in dense forests where trees have much more competition for growth. Learn more about it at this ODNR link: Ohio Big Trees

Emerald Ashborer (EAB) information from Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Urban Forester Wendi Van Buren:
SW Ohio Communities,

ODNR continues to provide communities, organizations, and individuals with the most up to date EAB management information, so that you can make the best decisions for your community.  I am proud of the number of communities in SW Ohio who have developed EAB Management Plans specifically for the needs and resources for your communities.  Most of you have EAB Management Plans that have all three components (treatment, removal, and let die naturally) as parts of your Plans depending on the condition and placement of the ash trees in your town.  I think you will find the attached Statement document from the Coalition for Urban Ash Tree Conservation helpful.

Coalition for Urban Ash Tree Conservation Statement

“We the undersigned strongly endorse ash tree conservation as a fundamental component of integrated programs to manage emerald ash borer (EAB) in residential and municipal landscapes. Cost-effective, environmentally sound EAB treatment protocols are now available that can preserve ash trees through peak EAB outbreaks with healthy canopy intact. Used in association with tree inventories and strategic removal / replacement of unhealthy ash, tree conservation will help retain maximum integrity and value of urban forests. This integrated approach to urban EAB management is supported by university scientists with expertise in EAB management, commercial arborists, municipal foresters, public works officials, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).”

EAB Management Plan Resources

Seed/Plant catalogs are hitting the mailboxes and email boxes
 Bluestone Perennials – An Ohio nursery and your source for over 1000 varieties of perennials, grasses, mums, shrubs, herbs and fall bulbs.

Brent and Becky’s Bulbs – Bulb growers since 1900, their 2011 Summer-Flowering Bulbs Catalogue is now out. When you visit Brent and Becky’s at the link above, please select the Ohio Association of Garden Clubs from the drop down menu. The Ohio Association of Garden Clubs will earn a percentage of your non-sale purchase.

Harris Seed Company – Vegetable, flower seeds. Bulbs, corms, plants and more. Catalog sales began in 1879. For free shipping and handling on orders placed by March 31, 2011 – use promo code 1PRW104. (Not valid on High Tunnels, plugs & liners and bulk Worm Power)

Totally Tomatoes – Specializing in tomato and pepper seeds. You never knew there was so much selection in variety of tomatoes and peppers. I found my beloved Amish Paste Tomato here.

D. Landreth Seed Company – Selling seeds since 1794, they are the oldest seed company in the U.S. This is where I found the seed to an heirloom purple pole bean, Purple Peacock. I had originally received the seed through The Ohio Association of Garden Club’s Gardening for Excellence seed program. I loved them so much I went on the search to find the seed.

Plant Delights Nusery – A mail order company in Raleigh, NC specializing in new and unusual perennials known well for their hosta selection and much more. Their catalog will be a feast for the eyes and may give you a fit of the giggles as well.

Educational Opportunities
It is said that the mind is a terrible thing to waste. It’s also said that if you don’t use it, you lose it. One way to keep in the game is to take advantage of the numerous educational advantages available to us every day – if only we know where to look. Here are just a few of some of the more notable options around the state:

Adams County Amish Bird Symposium – March 5 (West Union, OH)
I look forward to and have attended this symposium for about 4 years now. It is VERY popular and is limited to 300 attendees. It features experts who are top in their fields, vendors and Amish-made doughnuts and lunch. Speakers include: The Big Year (Greg Miller from the Amish community); Birding Field Guides: The Beginning and The End (Jim Berry, director of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute); Living on the Wind: the Miracle of Bird Migration (Scott Wiedensaul, author); Close Encounters (Matthew Studebaker, photographer); Kirtland’s Warbler Winter Habitat Conservation (Claire Larkin). Read more here: Amish Bird Symposium

2011 Ohio Wildlife Diversity Conference- Connecting Wildlife, Habitat and People – March 9 (Columbus, OH)
Sponsored by ODNR’s Division of Wildlife. Topics include: Sandhill cranes; Distribution of Softshell turtles; Conservation genetics and the Eastern massasugas rattlesnake; Fishing access for steelhead trout and riparian corridor protection; Evaluating stress in hellbenders (hellbenders are salamanders and are the largest amphibians found in Ohio, some up to 27″ long!); Fostering Conservation Partnerships the Wildlife Officer Way; Birding for Everyone. The new 2011 Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp will make its debut. I can’t wait to go! Read more here: Wildlife Diversity Conference

2011 Ohio Botanical Symposium – March 25 (Columbus, OH)
Presented by the Ohio Division of Wildlife, in cooperation with  the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, The Nature Conservancy and The Ohio State University herbarium. This symposium is for anyone who shares and interest in Ohio’s flora, wildlife and natural history. Topics include: What Climate Change May Mean for Plants: Global, National and Regional Consequences; Best Plant Discoveries of 2010; Ohio’s Native Clovers and Their Kin; Oak Openings’ Butterflies; Assessing Invaisiveness in Ohio’s Plants: Revising the List of Top Invaders; What Was That Botanist Thinking?: The Meanings Behind the Names of Ohio Plants; Circle of Time: The Life, Death and Rebirth of an Ancient Landscape. Read more here: Ohio Botanical Symposium I’m going to this too!

In a Garden of Eden: The Medicinal and Edible Plants of the Appalachian Mountains – April 14 (Pomeroy, OH)
Sponsored by The Ohio State University Meigs County Extension, this seminar held April 14 in Pomery, Ohio features some great native plant speakers. The brochure is attached.

Another Awesome Blog to Visit
http://heather-heatherofthehills.blogspot.com/2011/01/treats-for-birds.html

December 2010

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I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas! I know I enjoyed a great Christmas meal (quite out of the ordinary brunch and a movie) with the hubby, my mom, both children, their spouses, our first grandchild and an in-law from Germany. It just might turn out to be a NEW tradition! My red cabbage with apples got a big thumbs-up from my German-native daughter-in-law and her father who was visiting for the holidays.

Christmas presents
Did you get something for the gardener in you? I did! If you enjoy birdwatching, you’ll agree that a good field guide can make all the difference in the world with regards to identifying your birds. I received the Stokes Field Guide to the Birds of North America. At over 800 pages and 3400 photographs this book is a bargain at its list price of $24.99. However, you can purchase this book for under 17.00 if you shop around on line (click on the link above). It even includes a CD of 150 birdsongs.

Open Meeting Reminder
Don’t forget that my club, the Here & There Garden Club, invites you to attend their 2011 Open Meeting 7:30 pm on Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at the Prince of Peace Church of the Brethren (800 E. David Rd., Kettering OH 45429). Bob Iiames, Master Gardener, will speak on “Perennials that Pop – from Bed to Dead”. Refreshments will be served. Bring your friends.

Question of the week:
Sharon in Cincinnati asks: How and where do you store your birdseed?
Vicki’s answer: Thankfully, I do not have any winter heat-seeking rodents in my garage. Well, none that I know of! Considering I am using up seed quicker than Mr. Mickey Mouse can eat it, my sunflower seed and Nyjer seed is just stored in the unheated garage in their 25 lb bags. However, I have been also known to store my seed in a recycled tub/bucket who’s former life was a 28-lb container of clumping cat litter and in the large recycled styrofoam container that Omaha Steaks came shipped in. I would never suggest that you keep seed inside your house unless it is in an air-tight container. All it takes is one infestation of Pantry Moths (that came in the birdseed) to learn that lesson the hard way. (Kinda reminds you of my ‘school of hard knocks’ tip from freezing faucets from the last post?) Does anyone have any other response?

Oooooh, that reminds me. I want to pass along a great recipe for winter feeding your birds. I religiously follow the OAGC 2010 keynote convention speaker Julie Zickefoose’s blog (http://juliezickefoose.blogspot.com). She is also on facebook. She has a home recipe for winter bird dough. Please be sure to read her full post on Zick Dough before you try to make it. Your bird will thank you!

NEW ZICK DOUGH: SMALL BATCH
Melt and stir together:
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup lard

In a large mixing bowl, combine:
2 cups chick starter (unmedicated – I bought mine at Tractor Supply. 20# bag for $7.99)
2 cups quick oats
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1 cup flour

True or False: Is Mistletoe the “Kiss of Death?”

There is a myth about American Mistletoe, the green-berried parasitic plant often hung in doorways during the holiday season to elicit kisses from those standing beneath it. Reputed to be the “kiss of death,” it is said to be so poisonous that humans can be killed if they ingest the leaves or berries. This myth has been endlessly repeated throughout the years, reappearing every December in countless holiday safety reports on television and in print.

Is it true? Is American Mistletoe (Phoradendron species), a holiday killer? Two physicians and researchers from Pittsburgh decided to find out. Dr. Edward P. Krenzelok (Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh) and Dr. Terry Jacobson (Carnegie Mellon University) examined data from the American Association of Poison Control Centers and found 1,754 reports of mistletoe exposure over a seven-year span. Curiously, not only had no one died of mistletoe poisoning, in the overwhelming majority of the cases (approximately 90%), the patient experienced no effects at all. Those patients who did have effects suffered only minor discomfort. Treatment at a poison control center or at home made no discernible difference in patients’ recovery or outcome. (Source: eNature.com)