Category Archives: Uncategorized

Sales Alert!

Posted on by
Reply

Some days I feel like her.

I’m feeling a bit like the highly excitable lady in the Target tv commercials when I yell: Sales Alert! But I really do have some great time-sensitive news to share.

Today only – 50% off!

If saving 50% gets you excited, then Marvin’s Organic Gardens in Lebanon has a deal for you. Today only and only on Marvin’s website: they are offering their gift certificate sale. I’ve purchased these for gifts the past couple of years. Example: Purchase $50 in gift certificates and Marvin gives you $50 more. Today only. Check it out HERE.

Tomorrow night!

Knollwood Garden Center  in Beavercreek is holding their second “Holiday Solutions” Ladies Night tomorrow night, Tuesday, November 29 from 6-8 pm. Once again they have invited an array of local businesses to join in and demonstrate their creative solutions to your holiday gift-giving and entertaining needs. But the BIG news is that you can redeem your Bonus Bucks for up to 1/2 of the purchase price.

Five days only!

Use your Knollwood Garden Center Bonus Bucks for Christmas! Five days only, starting today, Monday, November 28 through Friday, December 2 (and including Ladies Night) you can use your Bonus Bucks and save up to 1/2 on your purchases. It gets even better: you’ll be earning more Bonus Bucks for spending next June!

Confused crabs

Posted on by
Reply

My crabapple is blooming. You might think that I MUST have a green thumb. However, the adverse may be more apropos. Crabapples that spit out blooms in the fall are showing that they are very stressed out. It’s almost a ‘throes of death’ type of reaction: “I-must-bloom-and-reproduce-before-I-die” type of thing. I think I have a grasp of what causes stress to me personally, but what kind of stress does a plant experience? Some thoughts that come to mind include:

– Moisture: lack of or over-abundance of water.

– Disease: in this case, I’m guessing apple scab, leaf spot or fireblight. The poor tree went through the summer nearly bald.

– Improper pruning: trim crabs in late winter. Pruning in late summer may stimulate growth and a bloom spurt.

Stoddard Avenue Pumpkin Glow

The Stoddard Avenue Pumpkin Glow will take place at dusk on October 30 and 31. The hill behind the Greek Orthodox Church in the historic Grafton Hills neighborhood of Dayton will be covered with more than 500 Jack-O-lanterns. It’s Spoooktacular!

Owl Prowl

The northern saw-whet owl is Ohio’s smallest bird of prey and it’s the subject of an upcoming program at the Ohio Historical Society’s Cedar Bog Nature Preserve near Urbana. Can they be found at Cedar Bog? They haven’t been yet, but that’s what Cedar Bog hopes to do on Saturday, November 5, at 7 p.m., when it offers its first Saw-whet Owl Prowl.

The prowl will be led by expert Bob Placier, an instructor in the School of Natural Resources at Hocking College in Nelsonville and a licensed bird bander. Since 2003, he’s been part of a saw-whet monitoring project near Chillicothe which has banded more than 300 of the owls. Placier will address what’s known about saw-whets and discuss Project Owlnet, a cooperative effort to document the owl’s migration patterns, then head out on the trail where the nets are located to catch a glimpse of one.

Admission is $6 for adults and $5 for students. Ohio Historical Society or Cedar Bog Association members save $1. Advance registration is required. To register, call 800.860.0147 or e-mail cedarbog@ctcn.net.

Shopping Opportunities

2012 Calendars – Greene County Master Gardeners are offering a beautiful 2011-2012 calendar including Ohio hardiness zone chart, checklists, and helpful gardening hints. They are $13.50 and available at the county extension office at the Greene County Fairgrounds in Xenia, Wickline’s Garden Center in Xenia and TJ’s in Bellbrook. For more information email: mgvhotline@gmail.com.

All you can carry  pumpkins – Meadowview Gardens in New Carlisle is offering All-the-pumpkins-you-can-load-on-one-person for $14.99 this Saturday, October 29 – ONLY. I admit, it would be a pretty funny sight to see. More info HERE.

In a seed there is a promise

Posted on by
1

D. Landreth Seed Company

Since 1784 – that’s a crazy 217 years – the D. Landreth Seed Company (New Freedom, PA) has been providing its customers with one of the most extensive selections of fine lawn and garden seeds in the world. The founders introduced into the United States some of the most beloved flowers and vegetables known today including the zinnia, the white potato, various tomatoes, and Bloomsdale spinach. They are the oldest seed house and the fifth oldest continuously operated business in the United States. The company is passionate in its quest for excellence in quality, service and innovation.

Today, the firm is in deep financial trouble and may have to close. If that would happen it would be a serious blow to everyone – whether they understand the impact or not. Personnel from the Smithsonian say that Landreth’s bound catalogs may be the only collection of its kind in the world – a historical journey from 1839 to present day telling the story of America’s journey in history in agriculture and horticulture.

In order to dig their way out of the financial hole the company is currently promoting the purchase of their 2012 seed catalog ($5). It is more than a seed catalog as it contains data from their library of catalogs and tons of history information about the flowers, herbs and vegetables we eat. Time is of the essence. They must raise this money QUICKLY. If you are inclined, please listen to a public radio piece that aired this week HERE to hear more on this. Then if you decide to order a catalog, place your order HERE.

D. Landreth was the ONLY seed company I could find that offered a favorite bean of mine: a European heirloom purple pole bean called “Purple Peacock”. If you are what you eat, I’d be a purple pole bean, at least while they are in season. Or an ear of sweet corn. Or a watermelon. It’s a toss-up.

Ohio Gardening with Melinda Myers

I forgot to note the other speakers speakers that will be at the October 2 event at Cox Arboretum. They include: Marvin Duren (Marvin’s Organic Gardens); Christine & Tony Carpenter (Beyond The Greenhouse); Tomasz Przepiorkowski (Studebaker Nursery); Eric Sauer (Cypripedium Landscape Architecture); and Yvonne Dunphe (Five Rivers MetroParks). Event location: Cox Arboretum. Fee: $10 (includes light lunch). Registration: available online (www.metroparks.org) or call Five Rivers MetroPark (937-434-9005).

I have a question

I know it is the season for the dreaded FRUIT FLY, but how do you deal with their fall invasion? Feel free to share by posting your comments.

I spy…..

Posted on by
Reply

This morning’s Tuesday Trek at Grant Park with Centerville-Washington Park District’s naturalist, Lucy, revealed many wonderful finds. There were surprises in the prairie, at the pond side and in the woods. It doesn’t get better than this.

Calico Aster (Symphytotricum lateriflorum)

Goldenrod (Solidago sp.)

Rough Goldenrod (Solidago rugosa)

Snakeweed (Ageratina altissima)

Grasshopper on Queen Anne's Lace

Black & Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia)

An orbweaver spider (probably Neoscona crucifera) at breakfast

Someone else's breakfast (on a duck nest box)

Sales Opportunities

Greene County Master Gardener sale – October 1

9 am to 1 pm at the Greene County Extension Office (100 Fairground Road, Xenia OH 45385). Features houseplants, perennials, gardening books and more. Call 937-372-9971.

Educational Opportunities

Ohio Gardening – October 2

Gardening expert, TV & radio host, author and columnist Melinda Myers will be speaking at Cox Arboretum October 2. She has more than 30 years of horticulture experience and has written over 20 gardening books, including Can’t Miss Small Space Gardening. She hosts the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment segments which air on 89 TV and radio stations throughout the U.S. and Canada. She is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and writes the twice monthly “Gardeners’ Questions” newspaper column. Melinda hosted “The Plant Doctor” radio program for over 20 years as well as Great Lakes Gardener on PBS. Melinda has a master’s degree in horticulture, is a certified arborist and was a horticulture instructor with tenure. Her web site is www.melindamyers.com

Don’t miss Ohio Gardening, Sunday, October 2, 9 am to 4:15 pm. Registration starts at 8:30 am. Fee is $ 10 and includes light lunch. Registration is available online (www.metroparks.org ) or call 434-9005.

MetroParks Forestry Practices – October 15

1-4:30 pm, In-depth review of Five Rivers MetroParks’ best forestry practices and connections to local neighborhood trees. Mark Klunk, Conservation Manager and Wendi Van Buren, Urban Forester will introduce forestry practices and the importance of trees in your own neighborhoods. The outdoor hiking portion of the program will highlight beautiful forest types and review the forest management practices within MetroParks. Reservations required and space is limited. Call (937) 277-4178 or register online. At http://www.metroparks.org/Parks/ViewEvents.aspx?Park=Germantown . Meet at Germantown MetroPark’s Facility Maintenance Building Classroom at 6675 Conservancy Rd, Germantown Ohio 45327.

Greenest Zoo in America

Posted on by
Reply

Cincinnati Zoo Solar Panels

If you haven’t visited the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden recently, you may not know about one of its newest additions. A baby tiger? A baby elephant? Nope. The big news this past April was the arrival of one of the largest public urban solar displays in the country. 6,400 photovoltaic solar collection panels covers assembled 15-18′ above the parking lot now give cover to 800 of the 1000 parking spaces. The $11 million project is designed to produce 1.56 MW (megawatts) of power; about 20% of the zoo’s annual needs or enough to power 200 homes. It is a wonderful perk to be able to park your car in the shade!

Educational Opportunities

Thursday, September 15. DIAGNOSTIC WALK ABOUT  with Pam Bennett, OSU Extension. Cox Arboretum. 6-8 pm. Last Walk About of the season. Your chance to see what has been bugging your garden, connecting theory with practical applications in the garden, and learn from one of the best. Pam talk about what is happening around the state, and walk through the grounds to talk about what is happening in the  Dayton gardens/landscapes.

Saturday, September 17, 10 am. Knollwood Garden Center.  It’s time to begin preparing your houseplants and tropicals for the move indoors. Knollwood’s Barb Kedler will show you the steps to take for a smooth, bug- and stress-free transition. Continue your gardening through the fall & winter months with indoor combo pots & fun projects.

Saturday, September 24, 10 am & 11 am. Knollwood Garden Center.  Behind The Scenes with Poinsettias, Mums, and Propagation. Head to Knollwood’s growing facility in Beavercreek for a change in seasons: learn about the process it takes to grow beautiful poinsettias, how garden mums are grown outdoors for best results, and how propagation of succulents and coleus is done (definitely try this at home!) Space is limited, reservations required. 937-426-0861. Maps will be available in the week prior to the event.

Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 8-9. Knollwood Garden Center. Build your Own Scarecrow. Greene County Master Gardeners are helping with the family activity. Stop in Saturday (10-4) or Sunday (11-4) and build a funny scarecrow for the yard. Burlap head, straw, twine and a simple frame as well as a variety of clothes will be provided. Fee for supplies is $15, of which $10 goes directly to the Master Gardeners for their variety of community service projects.

Conservation Opportunities

Tuesday, September 13. Germantown – Ohio Prairie Seed Nursery 7745 Conservancy Road. 9 am-3 pm. Prairie seed harvest, plant shrub seedlings, clean up/weed nursery planting beds, open up pond/willow cut back…propagation, ID, and multitude of skill building opportunities. There will be a grill out for lunch…or bring a brown bag. Come for the morning, the afternoon, or stay all day.

Tuesday, September 20. Germantown Nature Center – 6910 Boomershine Road. 9 am – 2 pm.  A new installation Rain Garden needs some extra TLC in its early stages. Great time to learn about native plants, rain garden design, and of course…weed ID.

Sales Alerts

Grandma’s Gardens: Trees 25-40% off; perennials 30-50% off; 1-gallon mums 5/$35.

Knollwood Garden Center: Redeem your Bonus Bucks in September! Also, at least 20% off trees & shrubs; 50% off hostas; 40% off perennials; 25% off fountains.

Seibenthaler’s Garden Center: 61st Annual Tree & Nursery Sale exclusively at the Beavercreek Nursery & Garden Center on Sept 24th & 25th and Oct 1st and 2nd. Trees & shrubs will be up to 75% off.

Baker’s Acres: (25 miles NE of Columbus) Annual September sale. Sept 12–18: 30% off; Sept 19–25: 40% off; Sept 26–Oct 2: 50% off; Oct 3–9: 51% off. Includes most plants and soil products. All pottery is Buy One/Get One at Half Price (Of equal or lesser value) – excludes terra cotta pots. Tropicals, annuals and begonias are already 50% off. Sale does not include garden mums, pansies, fall combinations, fall vegetables, ornamental cabbage and kale or any other new fall crops.

And the winners are…..

Posted on by
Reply

The Garden Club Federation of Dayton & Vicinity proudly presented two very successful flower shows during the Montgomery County (Dayton OH) Fair’s run August 31-September 5. The Coliseum Building was the place to be to view some of the best from the Miami Valley area’s gardeners and floral designers. As flower show chair, I share the shows’ success with my committee chairs and their many able helpers –  it could not have happened without all of you! Congratulations to all of the winners. Enjoy these photos of those winning rosette awards!

PS: Please spread the word about Vickster’s Vine and help connect gardeners and nature lovers alike. We’ll accomplish much more when we are connected.

1st show - Special Class Best of Show: Marilyn Fies

1st Show - Artistic Best of Show: Marilyn Fies

1st Show - Artistic Judge's Award of Distinction: Joni Duncan

1st Show- Best of Show (Roses): John Adams

1st Show - Best of Show (Cut Specimens): Dale Rodgers

1st Show - Best of Show (Container Grown Plants): Vicki Ferguson

1st Show - Best of Show (Cacti & Succulents): John Adams

1st Show - Judge's Award of Distinction: Dale Rodgers

1st Show - Green Thumb Award: Jim Warner

1st Show - Indoor Grower's Award: Caralynn Appenzeller

1st Show - Jr. Horticulture Best of Show: Hannah Hansford

1st Show - Junior Green Thumb Award: Rebekah Hansford

1st Show - Junior Artistic Best of Show: Michelle Keck

2nd Show - Artistic Best of Show: Louise Bennett

2nd Show - Artistic Judge's Award of Distinction: Joni Duncan

2nd Show - Best of Show (Roses): John Adams

2nd Show - Best of Show (Cut Specimens): Jan Vomacka

2nd Show - Best of Show (Container Grown Plants): Nancy Denlinger

2nd Show - Best of Show (Cacti & Succulents): Gary Shaffer

2nd Show: Horticulture Judge's Award of Distinction: Vicki Ferguson

2nd Show - Green Thumb Award: Ben McCallester

2nd Show - Indoor Growers Award: Babs Sabick

2nd Show - Junior Horticulture Best of Show: Grace Hansford

2nd Show - Junior Green Thumb Award: Michelle Keck

2nd Show - Junior Artistic Best of Show: Cecelia Dalrymple

There’s something happening here….

Posted on by
1

Suffering Austrian Pines on Clyo Road

Taken from the famous Buffalo Springfield 1966 song “For What It’s Worth” the lyrics in my blog title are so appropriate. Something BIG is happening to mature Austrian pine (Pinus nigra) trees all over the Centerville-Washington Township area. Have you noticed these large long-needled conifers dying in your community?

According to the ODNR’s Division of Forestry the Austrian pine is the pine most susceptible to Diplodia Tip Blight, a fungus that commonly attacks mature trees that have been stressed. And these trees have seen stress! This menace will slowly kill the tree over several years and wreak havoc in mass plantings as it spreads to surrounding trees. If it was present last year, I must have been oblivious. THIS year….. it is everywhere. Just drive down Clyo Road around Alex-Bell. Or check out I-675 between the Centerville and Wilmington Pike exits. I what I see from my car is any indication, we’re on track to soon lose thousands of pine trees.

Diplodia tip blight

Even though the Austrian pines are fast growing they are not long-lived trees and are often mixed in with spruces and deciduous trees in new plantings. When the Austrians die off, the spruce and deciduous trees are still there.

Regional Urban Forester Wendi Van Buren notes, “A telltale way to determine of a tree is infected with Diplodia tip blight is to look for the signs of the pathogen, which consist of tiny black, fungal fruiting bodies (pycnidia) that are formed on the surface of the infected needles and cones.” Read more about it  HERE on this OSU extension fact sheet.

Educational Opportunities

Knollwood Garden Center

I attended the perennial seminar at Knollwood today and came home with 4 new perennials!! Don’t miss out on Knollwood’s next seminar, Saturday, September 3 at 10am and again at 11am at St. Luke’s Catholic Church for: “Learn to Plant Like the Pros”. Learn as John Scott narrates as the landscape crew installs a job from start to finish. Space is limited and reservations are required. Call 937-426-0861.

Siebenthaler’s Garden Center

“Clip and Cook With Herbs”  Learn how to harvest and dry a myriad of herbs or make a culinary wreath at the Thursday, September 8 seminar (Centerville garden center location) at 10 am or 6 pm. Event will repeat at the Beavercreek garden center at 1 pm on Saturday, September 10.

Dahlias on Parade

The Greater Columbus Dahlia Society will hold their 46th annual dahlia show September 3 & 4 at the Marysville Family YMCA and Ohio National Guard Armory Facility in Marysville (1050 Charles Lane, Marysville OH 43040). This is a free event.

A miracle emerges

Posted on by
Reply

The life cycle of all living things is a miracle. That’s a given. Just ask any newborn’s mother or, better yet, ask her grandmother. (Hey, I resemble that remark!) But there is just something about a newly emerged butterfly – it can truly make your day. As I shared in my previous post, the new chrysalis of an Eastern black swallowtail butterfly is a wonderful bright lime green. However, as it matured over its 10 days in this metamorphic state, it turned to a wonderful mixture of browns and grays. Yet, when it emerges the butterfly sports a complete changed body shape ornamented with jet-black wings with jeweltone bling. How cool! My sleeping husband was not as thrilled with this miracle. At least not until he was fully awake.

Getting Ready for the Fair

Please be sure to stop in the Coliseum Building at the Montgomery County Fair for the Federation of Garden Clubs’ Flower Show. There will be two floral-friendly competitions during the run of the fair August 31 through September 5. Anyone living in Montgomery County (and any county adjoining Montgomery County) is invited to exhibit in both shows: Wednesday, August 31 and then Saturday, September 3. Entries are accepted Tuesday, Aug. 30 from 6-9 pm and 7-9 am on Wednesday, Aug. 31. Second show entries are accepted Friday, Sept. 2 from 6-9 pm and 7-9 am on Saturday, Sept. 3. There are still openings in some of the floral design classes. Check out the schedule HERE.

Educational Opportunities

A-List Perennials

You may not be on Hollywood’s A-List but your home can gain some real star power with colorful perennials. Jennifer Radcliff from Natorps (in Cinci) will be the featured speaker at this Saturday’s 10 am fall seminar event at Knollwood Garden Center’s in Beavercreek. Learn about 15 great perennials that would be a highlight in any garden.

Trees in Your Home Landscape

One of the biggest assets to your property might just be a tree. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry is holding an event in Cincinnati on September 14 that might be of interest: The Urban Tree Canopy Forum: Future of Urban Forestry. Cost is $25 for the day, includes morning refreshments and lunch. International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) CEUs and American Planning Association (APA) AICP CM credits are available.  HERE is a link to the event’s brochure.

Sales Alert

Knollwood Garden Center

All of the Beavercreek Sidewalk Sale items that were on sale 50% off have now been reduced another 50%!

All the area garden centers have something on sale right now. Support your local garden center!

Wait and see

Posted on by
1

Eastern Black Swallowtail butterfly caterpillar

As long as I can remember I’ve had an infatuation with insects. Particularly, butterflies and moths. Last week, I discovered an Eastern Black Swallowtail butterfly caterpillar that had consumed everything edible on a dill plant that was a volunteer. (I left it in place specifically because I knew it to be a host plant for the black swallowtails.) I brought it in and foraged for another host plant substitute: parsley, which I had in abundance elsewhere.

Eastern Black Swallowtail butterfly chrysalis

The next morning I discovered 2 more caterpillars sadly moping on the bare dill stems. I brought them into the nursery for protection. Fast forward: The first caterpillar’s transformation to its chrysalis happened last Sunday, the second caterpillar transformed overnight last night, the third is getting ready and ‘assuming the pose’ so it won’t be long. Now it’s just a waiting game!

If you aren’t familiar with the life cycle of butterflies, HERE is 2-second lesson.

Speaking about insects, I’m saddened to report that Shelby (OH) County to the north of Dayton, has joined the ranks of Ohio counties affected by the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). The USDA has confirmed the presences of EAB at Lake Loramie Park and the City of Sidney.

Educational opportunities

Volunteer Naturalist Training

Are you interested in becoming trained in the field of Ohio Natural Resources and sharing your knowledge with others? The Greene County Extension has the 2011 Fall Training Classes starting September 9 and running through November 4. Call the Extension office at 937-372-9971 or visit http://greene.osu.edu.

Trees in Your Home Landscape

The Greene County Master Gardeners are offering a tree workshop on Saturday, September 10 at the Peace Lutheran Church (3530 Dayton Xenia Rd, Beavercreek OH). Keynote speakers include Thais Reiff, a Greene Co. Master Gardener and insect specialist; Steve Foltz, director of Horticulture at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden; and Wendi Van Buren, Professional Urban Forester with the Division of Forestry of the ODNR. Read more HERE.

Compost classes being offered

The City of Dayton’s Department of Public Works is partnering with Five Rivers MetroParks to sponsor four backyard compost classes at four different Dayton-area locations. Dates are Aug. 22, Sept. 7, Sept. 22 and Sept. 25. An added bonus is that each participant will receive a a Free Garden Earth compost bin. To register or obtain more information, contact Melody Frock, Div. of Street Maintenance, at 937-333-4808. Classes are limited to 60 participants.

Midwest Birding Symposium

One of the things on my life ‘bucket list’ is attending the Midwest Birding Symposium. This year the symposium will be September 15-22 at Lakeside, OH. With over 22 fantastic speakers, this is the birding event of the year! Check it out HERE.

Your vote counts

The Litte Miami River Keepers, a local 501(c)3 organization committed to protecting and preserving the Little Miami River (one of America’s most wild and scenic natural resources, is in the running for a grant from Tom’s of Maine. Check it out HERE and support their cause with your vote.

It’s almost fair time!

Posted on by
Reply

The bounty to be had!

As a kid, the final ‘hurrah’ of summer was looking forward to attending the Montgomery County Fair which is held annually over Labor Day weekend. I was a member of the Lads & Lassies 4-H club in Centerville which was led by the Mr. & Mrs. Seth Furnace who farmed on Social Row Road. Yes, Virginia, Centerville/Washington Township had 4-H clubs! Reflecting back, none of the ‘hip’ people at Centerville were in the club…… apparently, raising and showing (and eating) meat rabbits and showing flower/vegetable garden entries further cemented my ‘square peg’ high school persona……. Oh, well.

A 2010 fair Best of Show winner by Joni Duncan.

Well, 40-ahem or so years have passed and this year I am the chair for the 2011 Montgomery County Fair Flower Shows (Wednesday, August 31 and Saturday, September 3). Anyone in Montgomery County and any adjoining county may exhibit. Check out the complete flower show schedule HERE.

An informational meeting on entering the fair will be held 10 am, Monday, August 15 at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark .

Reservations are only required for the artistic arranging classes. Call Barbara Warner to enter those classes at 937-890-3313. Contact Susan Keck at 937-278-3154 to secure an exhibitors number and to schedule a volunteer stint as a flower show hostess.

The Montgomery County Fair Flower Show, sponsored by the Montgomery County Agricultural Society and produced by the Garden Club Federation of Dayton and Vicinity, is looking for some knowledgeable volunteers. Specifically, the Federation is looking for a few volunteers for Classification/Placement duties.

Classification personnel are one of the tools a flower show needs for quality control and plant identification. Armed with handbooks and catalogs it is their assignment to verify that the horticulture specimens entered for competition are properly identified and entered in the correct class.

Continuing with the Classification’s goals, Placement personnel further enforce the quality control and identification of the specimens being entered as they make their way to being judged by an accredited Ohio Association of Garden Clubs, Inc. flower show judge.

Classification personnel are needed for 6-9 pm Tuesday, August 30; 7-9 am Wednesday, August 31; 6-9 pm Friday, September 2 and 7-9 am Saturday, September 3.  Placement personnel are needed for the same times as above with the exception that they are needed a bit longer: 7-11 am on Wednesday and Saturday.

Those interested in volunteering to help are asked to contact the show’s Classification/Placement Chair , Jan Vomacka at 937-885-0636, for more information and shift availabilities.